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Measures of market anxiety tied to Japanese equities climbed sharply as investors reacted to the sudden rise in global energy prices and mounting geopolitical tensions affecting oil supply routes. The spike in volatility coincided with a steep sell-off in Tokyo’s equity market, where the Nikkei 225 index plunged more than 7 per cent during trading while the broader Topix index fell over 6 per cent, marking one of the most severe declines in several years.

Traders and analysts attribute the surge in market fear to an abrupt reversal of expectations that had supported Japan’s equity rally earlier in the year. A powerful jump in crude prices above the $100-a-barrel threshold has heightened concerns about rising import costs, inflationary pressure and potential disruption to the country’s fragile economic recovery.

Japan remains one of the world’s largest importers of energy resources, relying heavily on overseas supplies for oil and liquefied natural gas. The sharp rise in crude prices therefore carries immediate implications for corporate profitability, household spending and the nation’s trade balance. Higher fuel costs can quickly feed into transport, manufacturing and electricity prices, creating ripple effects across the broader economy.

Equity strategists say that markets had been pricing in a favourable scenario for Japan’s corporate sector, including stable energy costs, a weaker yen that supports exporters, and gradual improvement in domestic consumption. The oil shock has complicated that outlook, prompting investors to reassess earnings forecasts and risk exposure.

The volatility gauge for Japanese equities, often referred to as the market’s “fear index,” spiked to levels not seen since the early months of the Covid crisis. Such indicators measure the expected turbulence in stock prices based on options trading, and a sharp rise typically signals increased hedging activity by investors preparing for further market swings.

The abrupt shift in sentiment comes amid wider turbulence across global financial markets. Equity benchmarks across Asia fell sharply as investors reacted to the energy price shock and rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, a region responsible for a large share of global oil production. The surge in crude prices has revived worries that inflation could accelerate again just as many central banks were expected to ease monetary policy.

Market participants say the latest volatility reflects more than a temporary correction. Analysts note that the rally in Japanese equities had drawn significant foreign investment during the past year, encouraged by corporate governance reforms, share buybacks and improved shareholder returns. Strong gains in technology stocks and export-oriented companies had helped drive the Nikkei to multi-decade highs.

Rising energy costs now threaten to undermine some of those positive dynamics. Japan’s manufacturing sector, including carmakers and electronics producers, depends heavily on imported raw materials and fuel. A sustained rise in oil prices could increase production costs and squeeze margins, particularly for companies unable to pass higher expenses on to consumers.

Currency movements add another layer of complexity. The yen often weakens when oil prices surge because the country must spend more on energy imports. While a weaker currency can benefit exporters by boosting overseas earnings, it also increases the cost of imported fuel and food, intensifying inflationary pressure on households.

Economic policymakers are watching the developments closely. Officials at the Bank of Japan have maintained an accommodative monetary stance even as other major central banks tightened policy to fight inflation. The current surge in energy prices raises questions about how the central bank might respond if inflationary pressure accelerates further while economic growth slows.

Financial analysts emphasise that volatility indicators should not be interpreted as a prediction of sustained market decline. Instead, they reflect heightened uncertainty and the demand for protection against abrupt price swings. Still, such spikes often coincide with periods of intense market stress and rapid portfolio adjustments.

Energy-related stocks and commodity producers have been among the few segments to benefit from the oil surge, as higher crude prices can boost revenues for companies involved in exploration, refining and trading. Conversely, sectors sensitive to fuel costs, including airlines, shipping and heavy manufacturing, have faced selling pressure.

Global investors are also weighing broader geopolitical risks tied to the energy market. Disruptions to shipping routes in key waterways used for oil transport could tighten supply and prolong elevated prices. Analysts warn that if crude remains above the $100-a-barrel mark for an extended period, the impact could spread beyond equity markets into inflation expectations, bond yields and currency movements.

Industry insights indicate that ride-hailing platforms are gradually expanding beyond core passenger transport, with increased focus on predictive safety capabilities, AI-enabled customer support, embedded payment systems, and more structured regulatory engagement.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Media OutReach Newswire – 11 March 2026 – 2026 may be the year that more ride-hailing apps will expand their operations to become mobility superapps, according to industry experts who have analyzed the movements of multiple apps across the board. The analysis suggests that this shift will be driven by multi-service bundling, predictive safety features, boosted AI integration, cashless payment options, and coordination with regulators.

“Our global market review found that the way forward for ride-hailing platforms is to evolve into mobility superapps,” Evgenia Matrosova, inDrive Chief Ride-Hailing Officer, said. “Users want convenience more than anything, where diverse mobility solutions, proactive safety functions, and seamless digital payments can all be found in one platform. Integrated services won’t just push innovation forward; they signify reliability and flexibility on the road and beyond.”

#1 Ride-hailing apps may begin venturing into adjacent services.

More ride-hailing apps may begin expanding into adjacent mobility services this year due to an increase in global demand for integrated transport services. For instance, market intelligence firm Sensor Tower listed inDrive and other ride-hailing platforms among the most downloaded travel apps in 2025—revealing global demand for their expansion into adjacent travel services.

Zooming into the platforms’ service expansion, industry experts are optimistic about the potential in food delivery. Data shows that restaurants worldwide are considering working with delivery platforms that offer them more control over their profit margins.

A separate Ken Research study also revealed that online travel booking has also enjoyed similar local growth, with a projected revenue of Php 50 billion. This could boost pre-booked airport pickups’ popularity, with travelers viewing this as a much-needed convenience.

These all reveal one thing: the lines between passenger transport and adjacent mobility services are beginning to blur. Thus, ride-hailing apps may begin venturing into adjacent mobility services to create an all-in-one experience for users.

#2 Safety systems are slowly shifting from protection to prediction

At present, in-app safety features are often limited to real-time monitoring, emergency hotline buttons, and a speed dial to the platform’s 24/7 support. However, industry experts forecast that ride-hailing apps may begin using AI-powered analytics and risk modeling for predictive road safety measures.

For instance, the Forum of European National Highway Research Laboratories says that AI can collect traffic data, weather feeds, and other key information to predict collisions and recommend alternate routes. Predictive safety features like this can help ride-hailing apps move past interventionary measures and proactively protect their drivers and passengers.

#3 AI to enhance the in-app customer experience

Industry experts also say that mobility services may continue leveraging AI to improve customer experience. There are also early indicators that ride-hailing apps may experiment with using human-like AI voices in their customer support systems. AI may also be used in developing personal mobility agents that manage drivers’ schedules and earnings and intervene during emergencies.

With ride-hailing platforms considering venturing into food delivery, they may use AI to simulate customer interactions. Large language models can simulate dialogue-based ordering, allowing users to verbally dictate their orders or send them via chat platforms like WhatsApp. Not only would this speed up the delivery process, but it would also cater to users who prefer personal interactions.

#4 Ride-hailing apps eyeing seamless in-app payment systems

Cashless payment options, such as e-wallets and online bank transfers, are gaining popularity among Filipino consumers. A Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas report found that 57.4% of Filipinos’ retail transactions were paid online. This creates an opportunity for ride-hailing companies to make their payment schemes more seamless. They may consider embedding cashless payment options in their apps, which can automatically deduct their transaction from their attached online banking and e-wallet accounts.

inDrive’s internal research shows that Filipino commuters are also price-sensitive, often allocating tight budgets to their transportation expenses. This consumer attitude could pave the way for ride-hailing companies to install in-app wallets. These facilitate better online budgeting and accommodate users who prefer cash.

#5 Ride-hailing apps expected to continue to uphold price fairness

Strict regulatory compliance has always influenced the dynamics of the ride-hailing industry. In particular, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has been staunch in implementing its fare matrix. Just last December, the regulator imposed surge caps to maintain affordable holiday fares—underscoring its commitment to keeping prices affordable for passengers.

These trends paint a picture of what could come next for the ride-hailing industry this year. With these in mind, inDrive will continue to uphold transparency, safety, and inclusivity for drivers and passengers alike. For more updates on inDrive’s initiatives this year, visit www.inDrive.com or follow @inDrive.ph on social media.

Hashtag: #inDrivetrends #MobilityPhilippines

https://indrive.com/en-my

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About inDrive

inDrive is a global mobility and urban services platform. The inDrive app has been downloaded over 400 million times, and has been named the second most downloaded mobility app for the third consecutive year. In addition to ride-hailing, inDrive provides an expanding list of services, including intercity transportation, delivery, and financial services. In 2023, inDrive launched New Ventures, a venture and M&A arm.

inDrive operates in 1065 cities in 48 countries. Driven by its mission of challenging injustice, the company is committed to having a positive impact on the lives of one billion people by 2030. It pursues this goal both through its core business, which supports local communities via a fair pricing model; and through the work of its impact programs.

For more information visit www.inDrive.com

By K Raveendran Uncertainty surrounding the trajectory of the Iran war has unsettled global oil markets, producing dramatic price swings that underline the fragility of energy supply expectations in a period of geopolitical stress. Within a matter of days, benchmark crude prices have oscillated sharply between levels approaching $120 per barrel and dips into the […]

The article Wild Swings In Petroleum Prices May Be An Exaggerated Response appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

As one of HKPC’s key annual initiatives promoting Artificial Intelligence (AI) and talent development, the job fair attracted over 2,000 tertiary students, fresh graduates and job seekers from across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The event brought together more than 50 leading enterprises, organizations and government departments, offering over 10,000 quality job opportunities in key areas of new productive forces such as AI and STEAM. The event successfully established an efficient two-way talent matching platform and demonstrated HKPC’s commitment to implementing a talent-driven development strategy through concrete action.

The Job Fair also served as a core event funded by the Innovation and Technology Commission’s “New Productive Forces Talent Programme”. The event received strong support from more than 30 organisations, including the Hong Kong Talent Engage, the Labour Department, the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, the Hong Kong Quality and Talent Migrants, as well as various tertiary institutions. The opening ceremony was held in the morning, with officiating guests including Dr Lawrence CHEUNG, Chief Technology Officer of HKPC; Miss Rosalind CHEUNG, Assistant Commissioner for Innovation and Technology (Funding Schemes) and Ms. Karen FUNG, Chief Marketing Officer of HKPC.

At the opening ceremony, Dr Lawrence CHEUNG emphasised: “This year marks the beginning of the 15th Five-Year Plan and represents a golden opportunity for Hong Kong to leverage its strengths and align with national strategies. We must seize this opportunity to attract talent from around the world and develop new productive forces with Hong Kong characteristics. This Job Fair not only serves as a bridge connecting job seekers and enterprises but also provides an important platform to showcase how new productive forces can lead Hong Kong’s future development. Over the past two years, the “New Productive Forces Talent Programme” has organised a series of courses and technology study tours, and trained more than 1,000 participants.”

In a subsequent sharing session, Mr. Brian WONG, Chief People and Culture Officer of HKPC, delivered a presentation titled “HR as the AI Change Agent: Driving Enterprise-wide AI Transformation.” He pointed out that the success of corporate transformation in the AI era hinges on whether human resources (HR) can effectively play the role of change drivers. He shared several practical strategies, including how to cultivate AI engineers and talent in related fields. He emphasised that a company’s talent strategy should not be limited to technical skills training but should also focus on nurturing high-level thinking and innovative capabilities in talent, driving the company to adapt to rapidly changing markets and achieve robust transformation.

HR Leaders Praise Platform Value; Strong On-site Talent Matching

This year’s Job Fair featured a strong lineup of exhibitors, including Huawei International Hong Kong, Alibaba Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific Services Limited, The Bank of East Asia, EY and PwC, as well as government departments such as the Labour Department. Job opportunities covered key roles such as AI Consultant, Digital Transformation Specialist, Solutions Engineer and Digital Marketing Officer. Dedicated graduate programmes and internship opportunities were also offered, meeting the employment needs of a wide range of talent while providing companies with an important platform to recruit high-quality professionals in emerging technology sectors.

The atmosphere at the venue was vibrant, with many companies arranging on-site interviews, enabling job seekers to enjoy a seamless “one-stop interview” experience. HR representatives from participating companies highly praised the effectiveness of the event. Mr. Ryan Tang, Head of Personal Banking & Wealth Management Technology, Bank of East Asia, said: “The Job Fair attracted many professionals with experience in AI and technological transformation. I was very pleased to interact with them on site. Some candidates possess skills that match the bank’s needs, effectively strengthening our core talent pool.” Ms. Erica Kwan, Head of Business Development and Marketing, HSM Industrial Solution Company, said: “This Job Fair has improved our efficiency in recruiting digital and technical talent, enabling job seekers to connect more precisely with professional pathways in new industrialisation and become an important driving force for Hong Kong’s new productive forces.”Ms. Natalie Yuan, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of First Resume, remarked: “Job seekers on site showed a strong desire to enhance their job-hunting skills in the era of new productive forces. We look forward to deepening our collaboration with HKPC in the future to help talent strengthen their competitiveness.” Job seekers also widely noted that the event not only brought together a large number of quality job opportunities but also allowed them to communicate directly with company representatives and receive free career support, helping them better understand the talent requirements of emerging technology sectors and plan their future career development paths.

AI-Powered Services Enhance the Job-Seeking Experience

To help job seekers stand out in the competitive job market, the Job Fair continued to provide a wide range of free and comprehensive career support services. Among them, complimentary professional headshot photography remained one of the most popular services, helping many participants obtain professional photos suitable for job applications. At the same time, AI-powered CV optimisation, AI mock interviews, and one-on-one CV consultation services were also highly welcomed by participants. Multiple industry seminars and practical workshops were fully booked, covering topics such as “Applications of AI in Recruitment”, “AI Career Opportunities in the Finance and Technology Sectors”, and “100 Days of AI Transformation: Entering the Finance and Technology Industries”. Industry experts shared valuable job-hunting skills and insights into industry trends. In addition, the Job Fair introduced a new “Start–up Zone“, allowing job seekers to engage directly with local startup entrepreneurs and broaden their innovative thinking. The founder of the startup CanTone said, “This event allowed more people to learn about our entrepreneurial vision, and it also helped us recruit student interns, enhancing our startup’s competitiveness.” The “Maker Workshop“ also attracted many participants, who operated equipment such as 3D printers and laser engraving and cutting machines under the guidance of professional instructors, experiencing the appeal of innovation and technology manufacturing and further stimulating their interest in exploring the field of new productive forces.

HKPC has long been committed to cultivating talent with strong competitiveness for the Greater Bay Area. Through the integrated model of “job matching + career support + industry exchange”, the Job Fair not only helps enterprises address their talent needs but also enables job seekers to seize the opportunities presented by the development of new productive forces and achieve high-quality employment.

In the future, HKPC will continue to build diversified talent exchange and matching platforms while further enhancing the talent development ecosystem in the field of new productive forces.

Photo Captions:

1. Dr Lawrence CHEUNG, Chief Technology Officer of HKPC, delivered welcome remarks at the opening ceremony of the “New Productive Forces” Job Fair 2026, noting that the Job Fair not only connects job seekers and enterprises but also showcases how new productive forces can lead Hong Kong’s future development.
2. Dr Lawrence CHEUNG, Chief Technology Officer of HKPC (Middle) and Miss Rosalind CHEUNG, Assistant Commissioner for Innovation and Technology (Funding Schemes) (Right) and Ms. Karen FUNG, Chief Marketing Officer of HKPC (Left), officiate the opening ceremony of the “New Productive Forces” Job Fair 2026.
3. Guests of honour, supporting organisations, representatives from institutions and associations witnessed the grand opening of the “New Productive Forces” Job Fair 2026.
4. The Job Fair attracted a large crowd and brought together more than 50 leading enterprises, organisations and government departments, offering over 10,000 quality positions in key areas of new productive forces such as AI and STEAM.

Hashtag: #HKPC

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About the Hong Kong Productivity Council

The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) is a statutory body established in 1967, dedicated to enhancing the productivity and competitiveness of Hong Kong enterprises through world-class applied R&D, innovative technology services, and integrated manufacturing solutions. As a market-oriented, international R&D organisation, HKPC leverages its deep expertise and extensive industry experience in key areas such as AI, advanced manufacturing, life and health technology, green technology and new energy to drive new industrialisation and support the growth of emerging and future industries.

HKPC focuses on addressing businesses challenges and industrial technology needs, promoting the full integration between technological and industrial innovation. Through technology transfer, product innovation, intellectual property protection and commercialisation of R&D outcomes, the Council fosters collaboration with the local business community as well as top global R&D institutions, delivering added value to industries and advancing the development of new productive forces. HKPC’s world-class R&D achievements have been widely recognised over the years, winning an array of local and overseas accolades, reinforcing Hong Kong’s role as an international innovation and technology centre and a smart city.

To help enterprises capitalise on Hong Kong’s strengths in international connectivity to expand into global markets, HKPC offers comprehensive overseas expansion services tailored to critical areas including product development, technology, manufacturing, and management, enabling businesses to successfully go global from Hong Kong.

HKPC is also committed to providing timely and practical support to SMEs and startups with timely and practical , assisting them in accessing Government funding programmes. Through its FutureSkills training initiatives, HKPC helps both industry and academia stay ahead in latest digital and STEM technologies, nurturing a future-ready talent pool for Hong Kong.

For more information, please visit HKPC’s website: www.hkpc.org/en.