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AI Shipments Drive Growth in Asian Countries, OECD Report Says

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Artificial intelligence shipments have become the primary growth driver for Asian economies in the second quarter, according to a report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development released Wednesday.

Technology exports from South Korea, Japan, and China saw increases during the period, the organization said.

South Korea's economy is seen to rise 3.7% in revised terms in 2026, up 1.1 percentage points from the previous forecast in June, and the largest among the G20 economies surveyed.

China's economy could rise 4.5%, unchanged from the previous forecast three months earlier, while Japan's economy is seen to tick up 0.8%.

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International

Australian Data Center Operator's Fundraising Jumps to AU$35 Billion in 2026 to Date, RBA Analyst Says

Australian data center operators raised at least AU$35 billion in 2026 to date, equivalent to 16% of the funding raised by Australian non-financial corporates, and up from AU$24 billion in 2025, according to a Wednesday note by Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) analyst Bradley Speed.The estimates cover only syndicated lending, bond issuance, and equity issuance, as well as some private deals. Data centers have received 17% of the new syndicated lending, surging from only 6% in 2025.Data center operators in Australia are mostly funded using debt, representing 85% of new funding raised so far in 2026. Syndicated lending represents AU$25 billion of the funding so far this year, while corporate bonds account for AU$5 billion. An additional AU$13 billion of syndicated deals have been announced but are yet to be completed.Among the firms included in the analysis, only Nextdc (ASX:NXT) conducted a share issuance in 2026 to date.There is little evidence that growth in the domestic sector has materially affected financing conditions for other borrowers, the note said. Even as funding requirements are likely to increase further as the sector expands, data center financing remains small relative to Australian capital markets.Nextdc's shares were up nearly 2% in recent Wednesday trade. Infratil's (ASX:IFT, NZE:IFT) Australian and New Zealand shares each added 2%. Macquarie Technology Group's (ASX:MAQ) shares jumped 4%.

ASX:IFTASX:MAQASX:NXTNZE:IFT
International

Market Chatter: South Korea Targets Halving Middle East Oil Reliance by 2035 Under New Energy Security Plan

South Korea's Industry Ministry announced Wednesday that the country intends to cut its crude oil dependence on the Middle East to 50% by 2035, Reuters News reported on Wednesday, citing the industry ministry.The target forms part of a 10-year natural resources security plan aimed at diversifying energy supplies following disruptions caused by the Iran war, the news wire said.South Korea aims to cut Middle East crude reliance to 50% by 2035 under a 10-year resources security plan, citing Iran war lessons, the publication said.It plans to add 20 million barrels of stockpile capacity by 2030 and secure more condensate for naphtha, the report said.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

KOSPI
International

ADB Raises India Growth Forecast for 2026

The Asian Development Bank raised its India economic growth estimate for 2026, according to its Asian ​Development Outlook update published Wednesday.The ADB said it expects India's economy to grow 7% in 2026, up 0.4 percentage points from the July estimate.For 2027, the real GDP growth estimate was trimmed to 7.1% from the July estimate of 7.3%.The ADB expects inflation in India to rise to 5% in 2026 from 2.1% in 2025, lower than the 5.2% July projection.

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