Escalating geopolitical tension in the Middle East has triggered a broad risk-off reaction in global financial markets. Over the weekend, the United States conducted targeted airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities, intensifying the conflict between Iran and Israel. The prospect of further escalation and the potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for global energy supply, injected new volatility into commodity and equity markets.

Cathay Pacific Airways $CPCAY will resume non-stop services between Hong Kong (HKG) and Adelaide (ADL) starting 11 November 2025, marking a renewed phase in restoring strategic air corridors across the Southern Hemisphere. The decision supports broader aviation normalization efforts and reinforces Adelaide’s role as a growing hub in regional air connectivity.

Hong Kong equities registered a marginal decline as investors grew cautious amid tightening liquidity conditions and renewed geopolitical instability. Market participants continue to assess the potential fallout from rising tensions in the Middle East and weakening support from central banks.

Novo Nordisk A/S $NOVO-B.CO, a global leader in diabetes and obesity care, released full data on Sunday from two pivotal Phase III trials of its experimental combination therapy, CagriSema, designed for chronic weight management. The Danish pharmaceutical company emphasized that side effects were mostly mild to moderate and confirmed positive secondary outcomes such as improvements in glycemic control.

Italian luxury fashion house Prada S.p.A. $1913.HK has confirmed that Gianfranco D’Attis, the CEO of the Prada brand, will step down at the end of the month. The company stated that the decision was reached “by mutual agreement.” Andrea Guerra, the Group CEO of Prada, will assume the brand’s chief executive duties on an interim basis.

Tesla Inc. $TSLA officially began its robotaxi pilot service on Sunday, deploying self-driving Model Y vehicles in Austin, Texas. CEO Elon Musk confirmed the long-anticipated launch via a post on his social media platform X, stating that rides would be available for a fixed fare of $4.20.

On Sunday, Bitcoin $BTCUSD experienced a sharp intraday decline, falling by 4.13% to $99,237 as of 10:52 a.m. ET (1452 GMT), retreating below the closely watched $100,000 psychological threshold. Ethereum $ETHUSD, the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, also saw steeper losses, dropping 8.52% to $2,199 during the same time period.

In a move that could reshape the U.S. custody banking landscape, Bank of New York Mellon Corp $BK has reportedly initiated merger discussions with Northern Trust Corp $NTRS. According to The Wall Street Journal, the two institutions held preliminary conversations last week, although no formal proposal has been submitted and talks remain exploratory.

Heightened tensions in the Middle East have intensified investor concerns after the United States reportedly launched a direct strike on Iranian nuclear facilities. This marks a serious escalation in the ongoing regional conflict and raises the specter of broader geopolitical instability. The market response, particularly in oil futures and safe-haven assets like gold and the U.S. dollar (USD), reflects fears of supply disruptions and risk contagion.

Toyota Motor Corp. $7203.T will increase prices on select vehicles sold in the U.S., starting next month. The adjustment will affect certain Toyota and Lexus models, with average price hikes of $270 and $208, respectively, according to company spokesperson Nobu Sunaga. The move follows a pattern of incremental price changes across the industry and comes at a time when Japanese automakers are facing intensified pressure from both macroeconomic and trade-related factors.

Mitsubishi Corp. $8058.T plans to invest $3.9 billion in the U.S. renewable energy sector through its subsidiary Nexamp Inc., aiming to significantly expand its solar power footprint. According to Nikkei, the capital injection is expected to boost Nexamp’s capacity from 1.1 million kilowatts (kW) to 2.9 million kW by 2028. The development aligns with ongoing shifts in energy policy and supply chain localization in the U.S., particularly in response to trade restrictions and new incentives for domestic production.

A.P. Moller–Maersk $MAERSK-B.CO confirmed ongoing operations through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime route, despite escalating conflict risks between Israel and Iran. While maintaining current shipping schedules, the company signaled readiness to reevaluate vessel safety and respond swiftly to changing conditions in the region.