Malaysia's Karex Bhd , the world's top condom producer, plans to raise prices by 20 per cent to 30 per cent and possibly further if supply chain disruptions drag on due to the Iran war, its chief executive said on Tuesday.

Japan's exports rose for a seventh straight month led by demand tied to artificial intelligence that has for now blunted the impact of trade disruptions caused by the Middle East conflict, government data showed on Wednesday.

Asian stocks were subdued on Wednesday as technology shares retreated, while Japan’s benchmark index edged up to a record high as investors weighed the implications of U.S. President Donald Trump’s extension of the Iran ceasefire.

In a surprising turn of events, retail sales have demonstrated robust growth, signaling a potential boost in consumer confidence and economic activity. The latest data reveals that retail sales increased by 1.7%, surpassing the anticipated forecast of 1.4%. This stronger-than-expected performance suggests a positive outlook for consumer spending, which is a critical component of the overall economic landscape.

U.S. business inventories increased slightly more than expected in February amid a sharp rebound in stocks at wholesalers, suggesting that inventory investment could add to economic growth in the first quarter.