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Nasdaq 100 and S&P Futures Both Flat To Slightly Higher Ahead of U.S. and Iran Peace Talks Tomorrow, US CPI Data Today

WD-40 Maintains Fiscal 2026 Outlook Despite Potential Impact of Middle East War

WD-40 (WDFC) reiterated its full-year outlook despite the potential impact from the Middle East conflict, while the maker of lubricants and cleaning products recorded year-over-year gains in its fiscal second-quarter results.The company continues to project per-share earnings to come in between $5.75 and $6.15 for fiscal 2026, it said late Thursday, while three analysts polled by FactSet are looking for $6.04. Sales are still pegged at $630 million to $655 million, after adjusting for foreign-currency impacts, compared with the $658.2 million consensus based on the same number of analysts."While geopolitical developments in the Middle East and their potential impact on the global economy warrant caution, we are encouraged by the momentum in the business," Chief Financial Officer Sara Hyzer said during an earnings call, according to a FactSet transcript. "We have clear visibility in promotional activity in the US, and are seeing improving momentum in both (Europe, India, the Middle East and Africa) and Asia-Pacific."Earlier in the week, the US and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire, but Tehran later accused Washington of breaching certain elements of the truce. The war started at the end of February, sending energy prices soaring amid the closure of the crucial Strait of Hormuz.The conflict has contributed to the increased costs of certain petroleum-based specialty chemicals, which are expected to increase the company's costs of products sold, Hyzer said on the call. "The duration of this conflict and its impact on our raw materials will drive our decisions around mitigation efforts, which we are currently assessing," according to Hyzer.Hyzer said WD-40 is advancing in its process to sell its American homecare and cleaning brand. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025, the firm completed the sale of its homecare and cleaning portfolio in the UK.If the company isn't able to divest the Americas homecare and cleaning brand, it expects its full-year EPS and sales guidance to be positively impacted by $0.20 a share and about $12.5 million, respectively, the CFO added.For the three-month period ended Feb. 28, adjusted EPS climbed 14% to $1.50. Sales inclined 11% on a yearly basis to $161.7 million. Revenue from maintenance products grew 13% to $156.8 million, while homecare and cleaning sales dropped 29% to $4.8 million."We capitalized on strong momentum in the second quarter," Chief Executive Steve Brass said in the earnings release. "Maintenance products remain our core strategic focus, and sales of these brands grew 6% in constant currency in the second quarter in line with our long term growth expectations."Sales grew across all regions, led by a 19% jump in Asia Pacific, WD-40 said.

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Indonesian Consumer Confidence Declines in March

Indonesian consumer confidence retreated modestly in March, as respondents mulled the job market and the larger economy.The Indonesia consumer confidence index dropped to 122.9 in March from 125.2 in February, marking a five-month low but still struck well above the 100-mark that separates optimism from pessimism, reported Bank Indonesia on Friday.The March confidence decline reflected weaker economic outlooks and lower expectations for job availability.On March, the current economic conditions sub-index logged 115.4, off modestly from 115.9 in February.The consumer expectations sub-index declined to 130.4 in March from 134.4 in February, added the central bank.Consumers were also less confident in March than in February about spending for large-ticket durable goods.On other metrics, the business activity expectations index decreased to 125.5 in March from 130.9 in February, reported Bank Indonesia.In general, the national government held consumer fuel charges steady, through subsidies, in March.The Indonesian consumer survey is conducted monthly by phone and personal visits to 4,600 households in 18 major cities, according to Bank Indonesia.

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Japan Producer Prices Edge Higher in March

Japan's producer prices edged higher in March, as domestic enterprises faced rising fuel bills.Japan's producer price index (PPI) rose 2.6% on year in March, after rising 2.1% on year in February, reported the Bank of Japan on Friday.The PPI rose 0.8% in March from February, as the petroleum and coal sub-index PPI rose 7.7% on month, reflecting the jump in global fuel prices after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz in early March.About 20% of global oil production flows through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been effectively closed by Iran.Japan's PPI measures selling prices received by domestic producers for goods at the factory gate, in business transactions with large buyers. It is distinct from the consumer price index (CPI), which measures prices in retail locations.Other PPI sub-indices were generally muted in March, although the textile products rose 3% from February, reported the Bank of Japan.Japan's PPI had accelerated during the pandemic era, striking a crest of a 10.6% on-year gain in December 2022.More recently, the nation's PPI rose more than 4% on year in early 2025, but since then has been gradually easing, until the March report.The PPI is considered one of the leading indicators of a nation's consumer prices, as retailers try to recoup the costs of acquiring goods to stock shelves.The Bank of Japan has a 2% annual inflation target on Japan's CPI-core, which strips out fresh food prices. That metric logged a 1.6% on-year gain in February, down from a 2% rise in November 2025, reported officials.The next Bank of Japan policy meeting is slated for late April. Central bankers will face oil-price-induced inflation, but also an economy that is growing sluggishly, and may be hamstrung by higher fuel bills.

Nikkei 225

South Korea Keeps Rate Steady at 2.50%

South Korea kept its monetary interest rates unchanged as the Middle East conflict brought more pressure on inflation and risks to economic growth.The Bank of Korea decided to leave the base rate steady at 2.50%, according to a Friday disclosure from the central bank.The decision was in line with ING's prediction that rates would be unchanged. In an April 2 note, ING analysts Lynn Song and Min Joo Kang said strong demand for chips helped offset the effect of commodity supply constraints, while government measures are mitigating the effects of the oil price shocks that could trigger inflation higher."The currently available information suggests that the global economy has continued its relatively favorable growth trend, supported by AI-related investment and fiscal expansion in major economies," the central bank said in a press release. "However, growth is expected to weaken and inflation to increase, affected by energy price hikes and supply constraints stemming from the war in the Middle East."The BoK forecasted that inflation is likely to rise to between the mid- and upper- 2% range due to global oil price hikes.Consumer price inflation in March increased to 2.2% from the previous month's 2%, while short-term inflation expectations among the general public moderately climbed to 2.7%, the BoK said.The U.S. and Iran only recently reached an 11th-hour deal to a two-week ceasefire after President Donald Trump threatened Tehran to wipe it out unless the Strait of Hormuz is reopened. The impact of the ceasefire is yet to be seen, especially since a longer-term peace treaty seemed uncertain.ANZ said that the policy messaging from BoK did not signal imminent tightening as Governor Rhee Chang-yong said it is "premature to discuss a rate hike" amid uncertainty on the duration of the war in Iran and the scale of its impact."The BoK continues to retain optionality, with any rate hike likely conditional on the price shock proving persistent and materially lifting inflation expectations," ANZ Asia Economist Krystal Tan said.ANZ maintains its stance that the BoK will add 25 basis points to its rate in the second half of the year.

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A-Sonic Aerospace Buys Back More Shares

A-Sonic Aerospace (SGX:BTJ) bought back 20,000 shares in the open market on Friday for SG$10,887, according to a same-day filing with the Singapore Exchange.The aerospace equipment and logistics company has been authorized to buy back about 10.6 million shares under its new mandate.

SGX:BTJ

ASTI to Cease Quarterly Reporting Following Clean Audit Report

ASTI (SGX:575) will cease quarterly reporting of its financials, according to a Friday filing with the Singapore Exchange.The disclosure comes after the company's auditor, Forvis Mazars, issued a clean audit opinion.The company will now release its financial statements for the six months ending June 30, no later than 45 days after the end of the financial period, the filing said.

SGX:575

Hing Yip Unit to Buy to Lease Back Assets

Hing Yip (HKG:0132) unit Canton Greengold Financial Leasing will buy to lease back certain assets from Chifeng Hesheng Yangguang Heat for 20 million yuan, according to a Friday Hong Kong bourse filing.The assets, comprising designated heat supply equipment and facilities, will then be leased back to the lessee for 60 months for a total lease payment of a little over 24.6 million yuan.

HKG:0132

OSG's Net Income Soars 93% in Fiscal Q1

OSG's (TYO:6136) net income attributable to owners of the parent soared 93% to 5.04 billion yen for the fiscal first quarter from 2.61 billion yen a year earlier.The machinery manufacturer's net income per share increased to 54.27 yen from 27.29 yen a year ago, according to a Tokyo bourse filing on Friday.Net sales rose 13% to 42.6 billion yen for the three months ended Feb. 28 from 37.8 billion yen in the prior year.For the full year ending Nov. 30, the company expects attributable net income of 15.4 billion yen, net income per share of 187.46 yen, and net sales of 165 billion yen.OSG plans to pay interim and year-end dividends of 39 yen and 45 yen per share, respectively, for the current year, which is higher than the 28 yen interim and 60 yen year-end dividends paid in the prior-year period.

TYO:6136

Insider Trading123d ago

Ase Technology Holding Co. Insider Sold Shares Worth $10,399,500, According to a Recent SEC Filing

Jeffrey Chen, Director, on April 08, 2026, sold 27,000 shares in Ase Technology Holding Co. (ASX) for $10,399,500. Following the Form 4 filing with the SEC, Chen has control over a total of 2,556,000 ordinary shares of the company, with 2,383,000 shares held directly and 173,000 controlled indirectly.SEC Filing:https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1122411/000095010326005592/xslF345X05/ownership.xml

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Insider Trading123d ago

Sea Insider Sold Shares Worth $1,698,723, According to a Recent SEC Filing

Gang Ye, Director and Chief Operating Officer, on April 08, 2026, sold 20,000 shares in Sea (SE) for $1,698,723. Following the Form 4 filing with the SEC, Ye has control over a total of 22,756,405 Class A ordinary shares of the company, with 22,396,405 shares held directly and 360,000 controlled indirectly.SEC Filing:https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1703399/000119312526150247/xslF345X05/ownership.xml

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Insider Trading123d ago

Sea Insider Sold Shares Worth $15,465,954, According to a Recent SEC Filing

David Y Ma, Director, on April 08, 2026, sold 178,005 shares in Sea (SE) for $15,465,954. Following the Form 4 filing with the SEC, Ma has control over a total of 1,285,387 Class A ordinary shares of the company, with 10,000 shares held directly and 1,275,387 controlled indirectly.SEC Filing:https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1703399/000119312526150249/xslF345X05/ownership.xml

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Sectors123d ago

NY Crude Up 0.9% at Near US$98.75

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Sectors123d ago

U.S. Natural Gas Prices Fell in Week Ended April 8 Amid Above-Average Temperatures, EIA Reports

The U.S. benchmark Henry Hub natural gas price dropped US$0.19 to $2.80/million British thermal units in the week ended April 8, the U.S. Energy Information Administration said in its Weekly Natural Gas Storage Report Supplement released Thursday.Above-average temperatures across most of the country kept daily natural gas demand relatively low for this time of year by limiting heating and cooling needs, the EIA noted.Still, natural gas demand across sectors rose 1.3 billion cubic feet per day week over week, the EIA reported, citing LSEG Data.Net injections into storage amounted to 50 Bcf in the week ended April 3, resulting in total working gas stocks of 1,911 Bcf, according to the agency. This was 87 Bcf more than the five-year average and 89 Bcf more than the year-ago period.The liquefied natural gas-carrying capacity of vessels departing U.S. ports was 141 Bcf, down 8 Bcf from the previous week. Thirty-seven LNG vessels left the U.S., down two vessels week over week, the EIA said.

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S&P/TSX CompositeS&P/TSX Composite

S&P Futures Flat Ahead of U.S. and Iran Peace Talks Tomorrow, US CPI Data Today

WTI Crude Oil Futures Rise 0.9% to $98.70 Pre-Bell; Brent Futures Climb 0.7% to $96.61

Treasury123d ago

Commerzbank on Overnight News

Commerzbank in its "European Sunrise" note of Friday highlighted:Markets: United States Treasuries partly reverse earlier gains in the late New York session, slightly weaker in Asia. E-minis maintain Thursday's gains. The euro (EUR) unchanged at $1.169. Brent trends sideways around $96.3/barrel.Fed: Senate Banking Committee delays Kevin Warsh's Federal Reserve chair confirmation hearing. White House National Economic Adviser Kevin Hassett says he was confident Warsh would start as Fed chair in May.Middle East: President Donald Trump is "very optimistic" about a peace deal with Iran (NBC interview), but threatens Iran for charging fees in the Strait of Hormuz, warning "they better stop now." Israel agrees to direct talks with Lebanon; talks to begin next week (Axios). Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says strikes on Hezbollah targets will continue.NATO: President Trump renews threat to take control of Greenland. He pressures allies to increase support in securing the Strait of Hormuz.==EUROPE:EU: Talks with the United Kingdom continue to let Ukraine buy British arms via the currently stalled 90 billion European Union loan (Bloomberg sources).Hungary: President Trump says "get out and vote for Victor Orban" in the upcoming parliamentary election.BoE: Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey warns that stress in the $3 trillion private credit market, coupled with the ongoing energy price shock, could trigger broader financial instability.==ASIA:China: The consumer price index rose 1.0% year over year in March, while the consensus was 1.1%. The producer price index up 0.5% year over year versus the consensus 0.4%.BoJ governor warns of stagflation risk from Iran war.

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