The Brief: Asia's economy, 9 October 2026

Markets

MVP Group Nears Meralco Majority After P2.19 Billion Share Purchase: Manuel V. Pangilinan's recent P2.19 billion acquisition of Meralco shares brings the broader MVP Group's total holding to 49.7%, just below the mandatory tender offer threshold.

Vietnam Gold Prices Drop 0.35% as Global Bullion Falls: Saigon Gold Jewelry Company adjusted its gold bar prices to VND143 million (US$5,503.81) per tael on Wednesday, following international trends.

Asian Stocks Fall on Oil Price Jump, Inflation Concerns: Asia-Pacific equities dropped 0.5%, tracking Wall Street losses, as Brent crude prices intensified inflation fears, putting pressure on technology shares.

Singapore bond market stable as corporate issuances near S$28bn: MAS Deputy Chairman Chee Hong Tat confirmed borrowing costs align with historical levels, despite US Treasury yield fluctuations, with S$28 billion in corporate bonds issued so far this year.

RBI schedules ₹2 lakh crore variable rate reverse repo auction: The 29-day operation, aimed at managing market liquidity, will reverse on November 6, 2026, offering participants an early exit option.

Hang Seng Tech Index to add 10 fast-growth firms, sets HK$500m sales bar: The move by Hang Seng Indexes Company aims to revitalise the benchmark after it lagged global peers, falling 23 per cent this year.

Banking & Fintech

Anchorage Digital Singapore, StanChart Launch 24/7 Institutional USD Accounts: The partnership offers eligible institutional clients round-the-clock US dollar accounts and SWIFT transfers, integrating fiat and digital asset management on a single platform.

Bakai Bank gains Hong Kong licence, first for Central Asia: The Kyrgyz Republic's fourth-largest lender received regulatory approval to establish a Hong Kong branch, becoming the first Central Asian bank to facilitate trade and capital flows with Asia-Pacific.

Industries

Italian Regulator Probes Microsoft Gaming Virtual Currencies: Italy's antitrust body is investigating Activision Blizzard and other Microsoft-owned gaming firms for transparency in digital item purchases, as part of a broader EU consumer protection effort.

Metro Manila Condo Sales Rise 17% in Q3, Inventory Declines: Leechiu Property Consultants reported a 17% quarter-on-quarter increase in Metro Manila condo take-up during Q3 2026, reaching 8,454 units. Unsold inventory also saw a 3.5% reduction.

Philippine Globe network hits 2026 peak performance in August: The telecommunications provider recorded an overall score of 81.5 and average download speeds of 45.9 Mbps, according to the Department of Information and Communications Technology.

ACEN secures €50 million ING loan for renewable expansion: The financing, equivalent to P3.5 billion, will fund current and future projects, supporting the Philippine firm's ambitious capital spending plans for 2026.

Howden warns APAC data centres face US$7 trillion insurance gap: Global broker Howden identifies significant coverage challenges for Asia-Pacific's expanding data centre sector, driven by US$7 trillion in AI infrastructure investment.

Global Divisions Threaten UN Fossil Fuel Transition Roadmap Ahead of COP31: A UN roadmap for moving away from fossil fuels, drafted by Brazil and due at November's COP31, struggles for consensus on timelines and financing.

Hong Kong banks curb One Stanley mortgages amid defect probe: Lenders are adopting a cautious approach to the luxury development after alleged construction issues emerged, impacting Hong Kong's super-prime property sector.

Singapore Car COE Premiums Stay Above S$130,000 Amid Slow Sales: Category A and B premiums dipped slightly in the first October 2026 bidding round, but aggressive dealer bids for existing orders kept prices elevated despite weak demand.