The first Australian coal shipment to China in over two years neared delivery on Thursday, according to shipping data and media reports, as tensions between the two Pacific powers show signs of easing.

Most Asian markets rose Wednesday but traders remained on edge after Federal Reserve boss Jerome Powell reiterated that inflation was coming down but interest rates might need to go higher than expected to get it under control.

Asian share markets stabilized somewhat on Tuesday after steep losses in the past 24 hours, while the US dollar remained elevated as investors considered the prospects interest rates would remain higher for longer in many developed economies.

Asian markets mostly fell Monday and the dollar extended gains after a forecast-busting US jobs report fanned expectations of more Federal Reserve interest rate hikes.

An initial public offering (IPO) by Pertamina Geothermal Energy (PGE), the geothermal arm of state-owned oil and gas giant Pertamina, is expected to receive a positive response from the market with its business being in line with the world’s shift toward renewables and sustainable investments.

Asian equities were mixed Friday as the optimism over a possible pause in Federal Reserve interest rate hikes again gave way to worries about the global economy as more than a year of monetary tightening kicks in.

The dollar slid on Thursday after the US Federal Reserve said it had turned a corner in the fight against inflation, giving markets a boost in confidence that the end of the central bank's rate-hike campaign was near.

Most Asian markets rose Thursday and the dollar weakened further on hopes the Federal Reserve's campaign of interest rate hikes could be close to an end after it acknowledged progress in its long-running battle against inflation.

Asian shares turned cagey on Monday ahead of a week that is certain to see interest rates rise in Europe and the United States, along with US jobs and wage data that may influence how much further they still have to go.

The Indonesian Palm Oil Association (GAPKI) expects Indonesian crude palm oil (CPO) exports to decline further in 2023 due to the 35-percent biodiesel blending mandate.

Slowing inflation and a cooling property sector are fueling expectations that the US central bank can adopt a smaller interest rate hike this week, as policymakers assess current efforts to rein in prices.

Asian markets rose again Friday as fears about a possible recession in the US economy were soothed by data showing it grew more than expected in 2022, adding to the broadly upbeat tone across trading floors this year.

The Philippines’ economic growth beat expectations last year, fueled by strong consumer spending despite rising consumer prices, officials said Thursday.

Asian markets fluctuated Wednesday as traders in several countries returned from the Lunar New Year break to a soft lead out of Wall Street with recession fears still causing concern.

Tokyo led gains across most Asian markets again Tuesday, in another day thinned by the Lunar New Year break, with sentiment boosted once more by a surge on Wall Street.

The dollar was on the back foot on Tuesday, hovering near a nine-month low to the euro and giving back recent gains against the yen, as traders continued to gauge the risks of a US recession and the path for Federal Reserve policy.

Asian markets were mixed in holiday-thinned trade Monday, while the dollar dropped as investors lowered their expectations for US interest rate hikes.

The dollar was staring at a fourth straight session of losses against the euro on Monday as more hawkish comments on European interest rates contrasted with market pricing for a less aggressive Federal Reserve.

Asian markets mostly ticked higher Friday after a rocky week that saw recession fears return to the fore, offsetting growing hope that China's emergence from zero-COVID will help boost the struggling global economy.

The government’s push for the mandatory 35 percent biodiesel (B35) program may boost weakening crude palm oil (CPO) prices, but probably only temporarily, market observers anticipate.

An anticipated weakening of the United States dollar will make Indonesian markets more desirable for international investors, helping prop up the rupiah amid global and domestic uncertainty, analysts have said.

Asian markets mostly rose Wednesday following a mixed lead from Wall Street as traders fought to maintain the strong start to the year.

The 10.2 percent year-on-year rise in the corporate goods price index (CGPI), which measures the price companies charge each other for their goods and services, exceeded a median market forecast for a 9.5 percent gain, Bank of Japan data showed.

Asian shares edged higher on Monday as investors waited nervously to see whether the Bank of Japan (BOJ) would defend its super-sized stimulus policy at a pivotal meeting this week, while a holiday in US markets made for thin trading.

Indonesian credit insurance firms are under scrutiny after a government watchdog found competition in the industry to be unhealthy at a time when lenders are filing more claims on loan defaults.

While most industries may have recovered to their pre-pandemic levels, commercial real estate could use a boost through government stimulus in light of lagging occupancy rates and global recession fears, industry insiders have said.

Asian markets mostly rose again Friday and the dollar remained under pressure after data showing another slowdown in US inflation fueled bets the Federal Reserve will take a softer approach to its monetary tightening campaign.

Homegrown alcohol beverage Cap Tikus producer seeks to expand production capacity and sell its product to overseas markets after successfully raising US$11.3 million from an initial public offering (IPO).

Bank Sumut is set to make its debut on the Indonesia Stock Exchange on Feb.7 to become the fourth regionally owned bank listed on the bourse. 

The Indonesian crypto market is unlikely to improve in 2023, with investors braced for another difficult year amid a new regulatory environment.