Asia markets mostly rise as investors await China industrial profits data, Australia inflation reading

Shares of K-Pop agency Hybe Entertainment rose as much as 7.4% after the agency signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Universal Music Group for the next 10 years.

The move brought its share price to the highest level in about three months, with the stock on track for its largest one-day gain since October 2023.

Artists under UMG include Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber.

Hybe, which is home to K-Pop sensation BTS, said the agreement allows it access to UMG’s network.

UMG will also collaborate with Hybe’s fan platform, Weverse, “bringing more of a direct connection between UMG artists and their fandom,” the announcement said.

— Lim Hui Jie

As markets remain volatile amid economic uncertainty, many investors are taking a long-term view and looking to exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to position their portfolios.

CNBC Pro asked several finance experts for their top ETF picks to buy and hold this year. Subscribers can read more about the ETF picks here.

— Ganesh Rao

Big U.S. tech companies such as Nvidia, Microsoft and Alphabet have benefited from the artificial intelligence buzz in markets for the past year.

But many smaller firms along the global AI supply chain also stand to benefit.

BofA said in a March 15 note that there’s been a “booming” AI market with multiple AI solutions since the second half of 2023.

The bank named various parts of the supply chain that stand to benefit from AI, and its top stocks in each category.

CNBC Pro subscribers can read more here.

— Weizhen Tan

Current investor optimism in equities has been driven largely due to enthusiasm surrounding artificial intelligence, which has created a concentrated market, according to Goldman Sachs. However, while earnings have broadly been strong, cyclical sectors of the market have not yet revised upward.

“Over the near term, markets are likely to continue to oscillate between ‘Goldilocks’ and ‘Reflation flirtation’ — while we do expect some rates relief, it is unusual to have rates resetting materially lower as the ISM rebounds and rates moves matter for some pockets,” strategist Cecilia Mariotti wrote in a Tuesday note.

Mariotti added that the pro-cyclical areas of the market have historically needed rates relief to outperform the broader market.

— Hakyung Kim

Moody’s Ratings placed Boeing‘s Baa2 senior unsecured rating and Prime-2 short-term rating on review for a potential downgrade. Previously, the rating outlook was stable.

The downgrade review implies Moody’s lack of confidence in Boeing’s ability to deliver sufficient volumes of its 737 model to expand its free cash flow.

Shares of Boeing fell 1.2% Tuesday.

— Hakyung Kim

Reddit shares popped another 15% on Tuesday as investors scooped up shares of the social media stock following its blockbuster debut on the New York Stock Exchange last week.

The stock surged 48% in its first day of trading, closing above its opening price of $47 a share. Reddit had priced its initial public offering on Wednesday at $34 a share.

Shares jumped 30% during Monday’s session.

— Samantha Subin