Shandong Molong (00568) saw its shares jump more than 7% at one point during the trading session. As of the time of writing, the stock was up 5.13%, trading at HKD 4.3, with a turnover of HKD 285 million. Market sentiment was influenced by reports that US President Donald Trump announced aboard Air Force One on January 22nd that the US was deploying a significant military force towards Iran, with multiple naval vessels heading to the region. This statement has intensified international market concerns over the Middle East situation. Furthermore, a winter storm impacting large parts of the United States has caused a sharp spike in US natural gas prices. On the 25th, futures prices broke through the $6 per million British thermal units mark for the first time since 2022. Huatai Futures analysts believe the short-term situation in the Middle East remains tense, with the US continuing to deploy troops in the region. A potential strike against Iran appears imminent. Unlike Venezuela, due to Iran's critical geopolitical location, any escalation could affect surrounding major oil-producing nations and the Strait of Hormuz. Consequently, oil prices are significantly more sensitive to developments in Iran compared to the situation in Venezuela.
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