Crude oil prices receded following an unanticipated build in US inventories, despite ongoing anxieties surrounding potential supply disruptions in the Middle East. Global bond yields demonstrated stability after a prior ascent as investors anticipate forthcoming policy pronouncements from major central banks this week.

Japan’s exports exceeded expectations in August, bolstered by robust demand for AI-related semiconductors, notwithstanding supply chain headwinds associated with the Middle East conflict. Technology and AI equities spearheaded advances, with Murata Manufacturing registering a 3.2% increase, Fujikura rising 2%, Tokyo Electron advancing 2.1%, and Taiyo Yuden and Advantest each posting gains of 1.8%.