The Business Times Podcasts

S2E599: Asian shares rally on SK Hynix’s profit surge and Anthropic’s $63B funding deal Oct 28, 2026 186 Market news for October 27 2026: Asian stocks rallied, buoyed by renewed enthusiasm for artificial intelligence, following a fresh wave of AI-related funding announcements and SK Hynix's profit surge, and US$75B shareholder return plan. Investors now await key US tech earnings, and the upcoming Federal Reserve's decision. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times

S2E340: Israel Election Looks Deadlocked, Muse Launches in Singapore and ASEAN Envoy Visits Myanmar Oct 28, 2026 278 Headline news for October 28, 2026: Israel’s election appears to have ended in deadlock, exit polls show, with no final result yet. Meta launches its Muse AI agent in Singapore from today. ASEAN’s Myanmar envoy begins a two-day humanitarian mission, and the Fed decision is due early tomorrow Singapore time.  Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Busines

S2E598: Anthropic IPO and Meta's mega-fundraising spark Asian surge Oct 27, 2026 167 Market news for October 27 2026: Asian stocks surged as Anthropic's IPO filing and Meta's massive fundraising boosted sentiment. Investors now await pivotal central bank meetings and critical tech earnings to test the ongoing AI trade amid fragile regional tensions and shifting global interest rate expectations. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that look

S2E339: Indonesia Defends Gas Export Cut, Israel Votes and Korea’s Economy Beats Forecasts Oct 27, 2026 265 Headline news for October 27, 2026: Indonesia defends cutting piped gas exports to Singapore by about 8 per cent, saying the cut is within contract limits. Israelis vote in an election with no result yet, and polls show no clear majority. South Korea’s economy grows 1 per cent in the third quarter. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Writte

S1E60: Ensuring the Singapore Reit sector stays relevant Oct 26, 2026 1750 Get insights on the big issues facing Singapore Reits. Does the external management model work? How will Reits cope with higher interest rates? Learn about challenges facing smaller trusts and those owning overseas portfolios. Understand the importance of providing forward guidance. Leslie Yee is in conversation with Simon Garing, CEO of the manager of Stoneweg Europe Stapled Trust. Synopsis: Host

S2E597: Oil cools as markets brace for central bank crucible and AI earnings showdown Oct 26, 2026 165 Market news for October 26 2026: Stock markets traded cautiously as easing oil prices offered brief relief. Investors now brace for a high-stakes week featuring pivotal central bank meetings and major AI earnings that will test fragile market confidence amid ongoing regional tensions. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s ma

S2E338: Europe Protests Spread, Simba Gets IMDA Notice and Lula Wins Fourth Term Oct 26, 2026 298 Headline news for October 26, 2026: Protests over living costs spread across Europe, with one hundred and twenty-eight arrested in Barcelona and hundreds briefly detained in Italy. Singapore’s IMDA issues Simba a notice to show cause over alleged spectrum misuse. Serbia’s ruling party concedes defeat, and Lula wins a fourth term in Brazil.  Synopsis: A round up of global headlines

S1E1: You passed your health check. Here is why that may not mean what you think Oct 25, 2026 1609 High performers master time, workflow, and output—yet often ignore the very engine driving their success: their health. In this episode of BT Podcasts, head of audio Claressa Monteiro sits down with Dr Sue-Anne Toh, senior consultant endocrinologist at NOVI Health, to unpack the ultimate executive blind spot. Discover why daily fatigue, brain fog, and disrupted sleep aren’t just badges

S1E292: How to protect your portfolio against sudden incapacity Oct 25, 2026 786 You’ve spent years building your wealth, but what happens if you suddenly can’t manage it? In this episode of Money Hacks, correspondent Howie Lim and Vince Koh, relationship manager at PhillipCapital, dive into incapacity planning—the single biggest blind spot in personal finance. Discover how a Lasting Power of Attorney, CPF nominations, and wills protect your assets from legal

S1E64: AI spending and higher-for-longer rates: What Asian investors should watch Oct 23, 2026 1067 Asian tech stocks getting hammered, Brent crude above $111 and French 10-year yields hitting 5%. Is the debt-fueled AI expansion finally hitting a wall — or just catching its breath? Correspondent Howie Lim sits down with Ray Heung, senior investment officer at Standard Chartered Bank, to dissect the growing disconnect between booming AI narratives and market reality. From hyperscaler CapEx

S2E337: Indonesia Signals Energy Export Review, Tibet Quake Kills at Least 16 and Typhoon Shuts Taiwan’s Market Oct 23, 2026 260 Headline news for October 23, 2026: Indonesia’s energy minister says Jakarta will review energy export contracts and could stop supplying countries that disrespect it, without naming any. A magnitude seven earthquake kills at least sixteen people in northern Tibet. Oil holds near a five-month high as Typhoon Champi shuts Taiwan’s stock exchange.  Synopsis: A round up of global hea

S1E5: Asean youth employment: Rebuilding the bargain with young workers Oct 22, 2026 1107 How can young workers thrive when traditional career paths are changing and AI threatens entry-level jobs? On Simon Tay’s Political Café, Simon Tay speaks with Ian Wong, former UOB managing director and group head of international, about the evolving relationship between employers and the next generation of workers. They explore how companies can create more open workplaces, adapt to

S2E596: AI spending anxiety and escalating gulf tensions fuel regional tech selloff Oct 22, 2026 187 Market news for October 22 2026: Asian equities suffered a sharp tech-led selloff as soaring artificial intelligence capital expenditure concerns collided with escalating Gulf geopolitical tensions. Brent crude surged past 111 dollars per barrel near a five-month high, while regional indexes plummeted amid mounting market anxiety. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The

S2E336: Russia Agrees to Ukraine Peace Talks, US Pulls Diplomats From Saudi Arabia and Singapore Ranks 2nd in the World for Order and Security Oct 22, 2026 279 Headline news for October 22, 2026: Russia agrees in principle to resume trilateral peace talks with the US and Ukraine around November 10, releasing American detainee Stephen Hubbard as a goodwill gesture. The US orders diplomats out of Saudi Arabia as Houthi attacks kill three and wound eight. Singapore ranks second in the world for order and security in the World Justice Project’s most re

S3E10: Climate finance: Why the money exists but is not reaching projects Oct 21, 2026 1270 Climate change is hitting closer to home, from rising fuel prices to the return of the haze. But financing the climate transition remains a challenge. In this episode of Lens on Singapore, Claressa Monteiro speaks with Leslie Maasdorp, CEO of British International Investment (BII), about why climate funding is not reaching the projects that need it most, how development finance institutions operat

S2E595: Asian shares build on Wall Street gains as corporate earnings shine Oct 21, 2026 192 Market news for October 21 2026: Asian shares rebounded near post-selloff highs on Wall Street gains and corporate earnings optimism. Tesla-SpaceX merger talks lifted suppliers, while Brent crude rose amid Gulf conflict concerns. The dollar held steady as emerging markets navigated policy adjustments. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at t

S2E335: Malaysia Deregisters Its Main Opposition, South Korea Exports Surge 105% and Jio Platforms Opens India’s Biggest IPO Oct 21, 2026 261 Headline news for October 21, 2026: Malaysia’s Registrar of Societies deregisters Perikatan Nasional; the main opposition coalition as the Melaka state election looms on October 31. PN has filed a High Court challenge and won a stay pending the legal outcome. South Korea’s exports surge 105 per cent in early October on AI-driven semiconductor demand. India’s Jio Platforms opens i

S2E594: Asian markets wobble ahead of big earnings Oct 20, 2026 180 Market news for October 20 2026: Asian stocks retreated and oil prices climbed as geopolitical tensions and rising energy costs rattled investor sentiment. Markets braced for crucial corporate earnings from AI bellwethers and tech giants, weighing massive capital expenditure plans against growing economic uncertainties. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Ti

S2E334: NEA Names Three More Haze Companies, Korea Pauses Rate Hikes and France Imposes Curfews After Weekend Riots Oct 20, 2026 250 Headline news for October 20, 2026: Singapore’s NEA issues preventive notices to three more Indonesian companies linked to the haze bringing the total to ten. South Korea’s central bank is expected to pause rate hikes on Thursday with another move forecast for November. France imposes overnight curfews in Paris, Nice and Lille after its worst urban unrest in decades.  Synopsis: A

S2E593: AI funding jitters erode Asian equities as record tech capex and earnings loom Oct 19, 2026 194 Market news for October 19 2026: Asian equities slipped as soaring artificial intelligence funding needs and massive tech capital expenditure fueled investor caution. Despite upbeat Chinese economic data and falling oil prices, global markets remain defensive ahead of a crucial week packed with major corporate earnings. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times t

S2E333: Singapore Haze Eases Slightly, France Hit by Its Worst Unrest in Years and Trump Signals a Russia Sanctions Waiver Oct 19, 2026 282 Headline news for October 19, 2026: Singapore’s haze remains in the unhealthy range across four of five regions with rain forecast to bring some relief today. France suffers its worst urban violence in years with at least 2,400 arrested and 1,000 police injured as riots and looting spread across Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Bordeaux. President Donald Trump signals a possible Russia sanctions w

S1E291: Navigating retirement planning: Why cash is your riskiest asset Oct 18, 2026 1017 We're drowning in financial data yet starving for retirement confidence. Only 28 per cent of Singaporeans feel truly on track — and as the nation hurtles toward super-aged status, the margin for error is gone. Howie Lim sits down with Samuel Rhee, co-founder and group CIO of Endowus to dissect why sitting in cash is the riskiest bet you can make, why "starting with why" beats chasing the per

S1E63: Higher for longer is testing Asia’s AI trade Oct 16, 2026 730 TSMC posts a record US$23.5 billion profit — yet Asian tech hardware gets crushed. Memory chips plunge 11 per cent. Credit default swaps for AI investors like SoftBank and CoreWeave widen to record highs. Meanwhile, the Strait of Hormuz stays in limbo, oil markets juggle ceasefires and tanker attacks, and the Kospi suffers its sharpest drop in months. Are we watching the moment debt-fueled A

S2E332: Two Singapore-Listed Palm Oil Firms Reportedly Linked to Haze-Causing Fires; Indonesia Accepts Foreign Assistance; Ukraine Hits Russian Refinery Oct 16, 2026 299 Headline news for October 16, 2026: Singapore is investigating which companies may be responsible for fires causing the haze, and will explore joint action with other countries. A report highlighted two Singapore-listed palm oil companies that have been linked to Indonesian plantation areas where fires were detected. Indonesia has accepted foreign assistance to fight forest fires, with arrangement

S2E592: High rates meet AI's reality check as tech stocks and Asian markets tumble Oct 15, 2026 171 Market news for October 15  2026: Tech stocks and Asian markets tumbled as rising interest rates collided with heavy AI infrastructure investments. Wall Street declined following hot US inflation data. Despite broader market routs, TSMC posted record quarterly profits while investors awaited key Federal Reserve insights. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business T

S2E331: Singapore Weighs Action Against Haze Polluters; Singapore-Flagged Ship Sinks in Hormuz; China-North Korea's Long-Delayed Bridge Opens Oct 15, 2026 292 Headline news for October 15, 2026: Singapore could take action against companies responsible for haze pollution as air quality remains unhealthy across the island. A Singapore-registered container ship has sunk, and a second was damaged after being hit by projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz. And a long-delayed bridge linking China and North Korea is set to open today, in efforts to boost trade be

S2E591: Asian shares bounce on AI tech relief, oil gains curb optimism Oct 14, 2026 169 Market news for October 14, 2026: Asian equities rebounded as bargain-hunting in AI tech stocks offset previous losses. However, persistent oil supply anxieties and cautious sentiment ahead of crucial US inflation data capped broader market gains. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s market movements and news from Singapore and

S2E330: Singapore Beats GDP Forecasts, Iran Targets Oil Prices and BofA Fined US$1.2 Billion Oct 14, 2026 294 Headline news for October 14, 2026: Singapore’s economy grows 5.4 per cent in Q3 beating forecasts as MAS surprises markets by pausing its tightening cycle after two moves this year. Iran deploys new Hormuz tactics to keep oil prices elevated ahead of US midterm elections. Bank of America is fined US$1.21 billion for suspicious transaction failures.  Synopsis: A round up of global head

S2E590: Asian chipmaker rout sparks broader AI trade rethink Oct 13, 2026 184 Market news for October 13  2026: A sharp selloff in Asian chipmakers sparked a broader AI trade rethink amid rising Chinese competition. Regional stocks plunged, bond yields slid, and crude holding near high levels kept markets cautious as earnings loom. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s market movements and news f

S2E329: Riyadh Airport Remains Closed After Week of Attacks, Singapore Haze Persists and Smartphone Shipments Hit a 14-Year Low Oct 13, 2026 260 Headline news for October 13, 2026: Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport remains closed after a week of attacks kills at least twenty people and wounds more than three hundred, the deadliest sustained assault on Saudi Arabia since the Iran war began. Singapore’s haze remains in the unhealthy range as Indonesia orders more action on land fires. Global smartphone shipments fall to

S1E67: The age of longevity? Endowment-style investing for generations Oct 12, 2026 1139 What if you could live to 140? The real question isn't just how to get there — it's how to fund it. In this episode of WealthBT, Genevieve Cua sits down with Victor Aerni, CEO of Pictet Wealth Management Asia, to unpack the investment implications of radical longevity. From the endowment model pioneered by Yale to the hidden power of private equity, discover why diversification is still the

S2E589: Tech valuations tested as oil slippage sparks market erraticism Oct 12, 2026 172 Market news for October 12  2026: Tech valuations face a critical test as earnings season opens, while oil prices slide amid supply uncertainty. Asian equities showed mixed results, European currencies weakened, and gold edged higher as global bond markets remained under pressure. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s m

S2E328: Trump announces Russia-Ukraine energy ceasefire, One killed in Riyadh airport attack, Singapore rolls out subsidies to treat haze-related conditions Oct 12, 2026 244 Headline news for October 12, 2026: US President Donald Trump announces an immediate energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. 1 person has been killed and 11 others injured, in an attack on Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh international airport. And Singaporeans can start to receive subsidised care at polyclinics and participating GP clinics for treatment for haze-related conditions. Synopsis: A r

S1E290: Beyond the black box: Inside a glass-box approach to Asean investing Oct 11, 2026 924 Markets are loud. Your strategy doesn't have to be. In this episode of Money Hacks, Howie Lim speaks to BlackRock strategist Filip Mena Berlin to pull back the curtain on systematic active equities — not a black box, but a glass box where data, discipline, and human judgment converge. Discover why Asean is the diversification trade most portfolios are missing, how sentiment data reveals who

S1E62: Singapore’s bank sell-off: A reset in expectations, not fundamentals Oct 9, 2026 1087 The STI just suffered its sharpest two-session rout in months, led by a sudden sell-off in Singapore's banking giants. Profit-taking or something deeper? With US 10-year yields above 5 per cent competing directly with dividend equities, S-Reits squeezed by rising borrowing costs, and institutions quietly rotating into industrials and semiconductors — the question isn't whether growth exists,

S2E327: Washington Rules Out Iran Strikes Before Midterms, Singapore PSI Hits a Year-High and Europe Pushes Back on Chinese Trade Practices Oct 9, 2026 288 Headline news for October 9, 2026: Washington rules out military strikes on Iran before the November third midterm elections as Tehran reviews the latest US peace proposal. Singapore’s PSI hits one hundred and seventy in the central region, the highest of the year as the Formula One weekend begins. Forty-four European industry associations urge the EU to act against Chinese trade practices a

S2E588: Tech debt and Gulf shipping attacks send Asian equities sliding Oct 8, 2026 183 Market news for October 8 2026: Tech debt sales and Gulf shipping attacks sent Asian equities sliding, while oil prices jumped and Treasuries faced pressure. Soaring yields buoyed the dollar, the euro hit 17-month lows, and corporate borrowing added to global sovereign bond market stress. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’

S2E326: Houthis Kill Three at Saudi Airports, Singapore Haze Persists Before F1 and Hormuz Attacks Hit a War-High Oct 8, 2026 245 Headline news for October 8, 2026: Houthis attack two Saudi international airports with three people killed and thirty-six wounded at King Khalid International in Riyadh and Abha airport as Yemen fighting escalates sharply. Singapore's PSI remains in the unhealthy range across all regions one day before the Formula One weekend begins. Hormuz tanker attacks hit their highest weekly count since the

S2E587: Asian and European stocks slide as surging oil prices fuel global anxiety Oct 7, 2026 172 Market news for October 7 2026: European stocks and the euro fell as Brent crude surged past $100 on Middle East tensions and supply disruptions. US Treasury yields climbed to multi-decade highs ahead of key auctions. Gold slipped on dollar strength, while investors awaited Federal Reserve minutes for fresh rate clues. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times th

S2E325: France's Biggest Student Protests, Marcos Arrives in Singapore and Japan Wages Rise for an Eighth Month Oct 7, 2026 278 Headline news for October 7, 2026: France's biggest student protests in decades sweep the country with more than two hundred and fifty-six thousand on the streets, over six thousand arrested since the movement began, schools closed and one student loses a hand. Philippine President Marcos arrives in Singapore today. Japan's real wages rise for an eighth consecutive month.  Synopsis: A round

S2E586: Asian markets lifted by Nasdaq record and soaring Nvidia shares; Treasury yields hit 24-year highs Oct 6, 2026 187 Market news for October 6 2026: Asian stocks advanced after a tech-fuelled rally pushed the Nasdaq to a record close, boosted by soaring Nvidia shares. Concurrently, the euro touched 17-month lows amid French fiscal concerns, while US Treasury yields hit fresh 24-year highs today across markets. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day&rsqu

S2E324: DayOne Files for a Nasdaq IPO, Nvidia-backed Reflection AI Launches Beam and Spain Calls a Snap Election Oct 6, 2026 235 Headline news for October 6, 2026: Singapore-headquartered DayOne Data Centers files for a Nasdaq IPO as revenue more than tripled year on year to US512 million dollars but losses widened sharply and sixty-nine per cent of revenue comes from a single unnamed customer. Nvidia-backed Reflection AI launches its first open-weight model targeting Chinese AI rivals. Spain calls a snap election for 29 N

S1E72: Tiong Woon Corporation: Big profits in heavy lifting Oct 5, 2026 2097 Crane owner Tiong Woon is reporting stronger earnings, boosting its capital expenditure and lifting its dividend. Its CEO Michael Ang and CFO William Tan sit down with BT’s Ben Paul to discuss the outlook for the company, and why the company’s shares are undervalued. Highlights of the podcast: 03:50 Riding an investment spending boom 07:55 Expanded margins, bigger dividends 18:15 Globa

S2E585: Asian stocks rally as Fed rate hike bets cool while Euro hits 17-month low Oct 5, 2026 176 Market news for October 5 2026: Asian stocks rallied as Fed rate hike expectations cooled, while the euro hit a 17-month low amid French fiscal concerns. US Treasury yields held steady, oil prices eased, and Foxconn posted robust third-quarter revenue driven by strong artificial intelligence demand. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day&

S2E323: Yemen Launches Major Offensive, Chinese AI Closes the Gap and Brazil Heads to a Presidential Runoff Oct 5, 2026 223 Headline news for October 5, 2026: Yemen's internationally recognised government launches a major military offensive against the Houthis as the Houthis claim missile and drone strikes on Saudi Aramco sites in Riyadh though Saudi Arabia and Aramco have not confirmed the attacks. Chinese AI models now trail US rivals by just three per cent, the narrowest gap on record. Brazil heads to a presidentia

S1E289: Is the 60/40 portfolio dead? Navigating rate hikes and oil shocks Oct 4, 2026 1248 With the Fed signalling persistent rate hikes and oil shocks stirring global markets, is your portfolio positioned to survive—or thrive? What do rising bond yields, stubborn inflation, and central bank manoeuvres mean for everyday investors? Is the traditional 60/40 portfolio dead? Should you pivot to gold, lock in fixed income, or look to Asian credit for refuge? StashAway’s Stephanie

S2E61: 10-year Treasury hits 5.3%, oil surges and gold stumbles: M&G's Vikas Pershad on a market under pressure Oct 2, 2026 1137 Global bond yields hit multi-decade highs as oil prices surge, raising concerns over inflation and interest rates. Are markets underestimating the risks of higher-for-longer rates and the AI investment boom? Nicole Teo speaks with Vikas Pershad, portfolio manager, APAC Equities at M&G Investments, about AI valuations, China’s equity opportunities, US-China technology restrictions, and fi

S2E322: Singapore lose 6-0 to Malaysia in ASEAN Cup, President Prabowo's biggest Cabinet reshuffle, Trump suggests Iran links to Flydubai flight incident Oct 2, 2026 246 Headline news for October 2, 2026: US President Donald Trump says Iran may have been involved in an incident aboard a Flydubai flight. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto carried out his biggest Cabinet reshuffle to date  And Singapore was eliminated from the FIFA ASEAN Cup yesterday after being defeated by Malaysia 6 to 0.  Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day b

S2E584: Oil pullback eases bond panic as global yields touch multi-decade peaks Oct 1, 2026 195 Market news for October 1 2026: US Treasury yields surged to multi-decade highs amid soaring energy costs and inflation fears, while Asian tech stocks rallied on strong AI demand. Although falling oil prices provided brief relief, investors remain cautious regarding potential Federal Reserve rate hikes. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at

S2E321: Pilot Tries to Crash Israel-Bound Flight, South Korea Breaks Export Records and HDB Prices Fall Again Oct 1, 2026 247 Headline news for October 1, 2026: A pilot stabs his co-pilot and attempts to crash an Israel-bound flydubai flight carrying one hundred and seventy-four people — passengers overpower the attacker and the plane lands safely in Saudi Arabia. South Korea's exports hit a record monthly high in September, up eighty-three-point-five per cent. HDB resale prices fall for a third consecutive quarter

S2E583: Global bonds wobble in worst month for years as AI hopes buoy stocks Sep 30, 2026 184 Market news for September 30 2026: Global bonds face their worst month in years amid rising inflation and soaring energy costs from the prolonged US-Israeli conflict. Meanwhile, Asian stocks remain resilient and upbeat today, driven entirely by surging investor optimism and strong hopes in artificial intelligence. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times th

S2E320: US Exits Iraq After Two Decades, China's Factory Activity Rebounds and Oil Rises on Peace Talk Hopes Sep 30, 2026 263 Headline news for September 30, 2026: US forces complete their withdrawal from Iraq today ending more than two decades of military presence after four thousand five hundred American deaths. Iran hails it as a victory while Iraqi security officials warn of a potential security vacuum. China's factory activity returns to growth in September after two months of contraction.  Synopsis: A round up

S2E582: Surging oil and bond yields signal higher-for-longer interest rates Sep 29, 2026 182 Market news for September 29 2026:  Surging oil prices and rising US Treasury yields pressured stocks as markets braced for prolonged high interest rates. Australia raised rates to a 15-year high, while Anthropic’s $2 trillion valuation target highlighted high-stakes AI optimism amidst broader market headwinds. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business

S2E319: Haze Hits Unhealthy Levels Across Singapore, Anthropic Warns of Existential AI Risk and Malaysia Repatriates Myanmar Nationals Sep 29, 2026 258 Headline news for September 29, 2026: Singapore's PSI hits 155 in the central region as haze enters the unhealthy range. Anthropic warns IPO investors that advanced AI could pose catastrophic or existential risks to humanity dedicating eighty pages of its prospectus to risk factors. Malaysia begins repatriating fifteen hundred Myanmar nationals in the first phase of a five-thousand-person programm

S1E59: Making sense of financial numbers driving big-bucks real estate decisions Sep 28, 2026 1899 Get insights on the numbers driving property deals and decision making. Are yields of Singapore properties too low? Does being green help improve a property’s valuation? Learn about how development stacks up versus reuse. Understand key metrics of Reits. Leslie Yee is in conversation with Professor Joseph Ooi of NUS. Synopsis: Hosted by senior correspondent Leslie Yee, PropertyBT from The Bu

S1E581: Global markets rattled by surging oil, rate hike fears as Asia stocks sink Sep 28, 2026 189 Market news for September 28 2026: Global markets slumped as surging oil prices and growing rate hike fears rattled investors. With the US rejecting Iran’s Strait of Hormuz truce proposal, Brent crude climbed past $107, pressing bonds and sinking Asian equities amid heavy economic headwinds. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the d

S2E318: Iran's Hormuz Proposal Rejected, CDL Unlocks $6 Billion and Middle East Crude Hits a War-Era High Sep 28, 2026 260 Headline news for September 28, 2026: Iran's seven-day Hormuz reopening roadmap, announced at the UN General Assembly, was publicly rejected over the weekend but Tehran says it is still awaiting the formal response through Qatari mediators. CDL announces plans to unlock six billion Singapore dollars from non-core assets. Middle East crude exports rebound to their highest level since the war began.

S1E288: The psychology of financial clutter: why we accumulate bad investments Sep 27, 2026 860 Your portfolio might be messier than you think. Most of us don't build investment strategies — we collect financial products the way we hoard old cables and orphaned keys in a kitchen drawer. In this episode of Money Hacks from The Business Times, Howie Lim talks with Bryan Low — wealth management head at KGI Singapore and NTU professor — about why we keep buying without a plan,

S2E60: Bonds, oil, AI and copper - Decoding divergent signals in a shifting global economy Sep 25, 2026 845 Treasury yields at 20-year highs. Oil swinging wildly above US$100. Gold sliding while copper soars. Are markets pricing in reality — or just riding the hype? Correspondent Howie Lim sits down with Desmond Fu, head of investment management Singapore at Western Asset Management, to discuss AI productivity puzzle, bond market tremors, US-China rare earth leverage, Fed hawkishness, and Asian cu

S2E317: Netanyahu Defends Israel At UN, Iran Says It's US' Decision To End War, Trump And Xi Meet With No Breakthroughs Sep 25, 2026 273 Headline news for September 25, 2026: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a fiery address defending Israel’s actions And President Trump and Xi’s summit in Washington begins with great fanfare but no clear breakthroughs  Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Nicole Teo (nicolet@sph.com.sg) Produced and e

S2E580: JGB yields hit 30-year high as Middle East risks and US-China talks weigh on markets Sep 24, 2026 175 Market news for September 24 2026: Japanese bond yields surged to thirty-year highs as global debt markets tumbled, while Asian equities traded mixed. Investors weighed persistent Middle East tensions and upcoming US and China trade talks against sticky inflation and hawkish central bank rate hike expectations. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that

S2E316: US Says China Trade Truce Extended, StarHub In Advanced Talks with Keppel Over M1, Iran Vows No Surrender Sep 24, 2026 324 Headline news for September 24, 2026: US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the US and China have reached a deal to extend the trade truce. Iran says it would never surrender to US pressure, and that the two remain far apart on how to end their war. Singapore’s StarHub and Keppel have confirmed they are in talks over a potential deal involving M1. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines

S2E579: AI optimism fuels Asian stock rally as oil slumps on Middle East supply hopes Sep 23, 2026 175 Market news for September 23 2026: Asian equities extended gains for a sixth straight session, driven by surging consumer enthusiasm for AI apps and tech hardware. Meanwhile, oil prices dropped on expanding Middle East supply, and markets anticipated high-stakes US-China trade and AI talks. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day&rsqu

S2E315: Trump Defends Iran War, Greenland Military Deal Signed, Typhoon Kills Four in Japan Sep 23, 2026 294 Headline news for September 23, 2026: US President Donald Trump spoke at the UN General Assembly in New York, defending the US war on Iran and reiterating his opposition to regulating AI. US and the leaders of Greenland and Denmark signed an agreement allowing a larger US military presence in Greenland. Typhoon Dujuan has triggered landslides in Japan, killing 4 people and leaving 6 others missing

S2E578: Tech rallies on AI assistant revival as oil stalls Sep 22, 2026 168 Market news for September 22 2026: Technology stocks propelled Asian markets higher as stalling oil prices and strong demand for Meta’s Muse AI assistant boosted sentiment. Investors eagerly anticipated upcoming US-Iran talks while monitoring a strong dollar driven by expectations of further central bank rate hikes. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business

S2E314: China Purges Two Top Generals, Singapore Layoffs Hit 2020 High, Ukraine Death Toll Rises Sep 22, 2026 313 Headline news for September 22, 2026: China expels two top generals from the Communist party, alleging disloyalty and corruption. Russian forces continued their attacks in Ukraine, killing at least five people. Singapore’s retrenchment rate reached its highest level since the fourth quarter of 2020 Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Writte

S2E577: AI fires up Asian markets as bond yields hit mid-2024 highs Sep 21, 2026 194 Market news for September 21 2026: AI demand for chips buoyed Asian equities despite thin holiday trade, while crude oil slid on Middle East diplomatic hopes and recovering shipments. Meanwhile, surging Treasury yields and hawkish central bank tightening expectations kept broader global bond markets highly tense. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that loo

S2E313: Najib Razak Faces US$12.26m Fine, US Bessent Hails Successful China Talks Sep 21, 2026 295 Headline news for September 21, 2026: US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says talks with Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng were very successful. Iran warns that it received information of a possible major new attack by the United States and its allies. Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak says he is unable to pay the US$12.26m fine before he begins his house arrest Synopsis: A round up of glo

S1E287: Ask vs answer: the human edge AI can't replicate Sep 20, 2026 1042 Would you let AI manage your money the way it manages your inbox? Turns out, most of us won't — 76 per cent use AI to crunch the numbers, but only 8 per cent trust it to make the final call. Correspondent Howie Lim sits down with Ishan Sarkar, head of wealth and premier solutions at HSBC Singapore, to explore the "conviction gap" — the moment data has to become a decision. From Gen Z i

S2E59: Unpacking macro shifts and AI realities Sep 18, 2026 1314 Sticky inflation and rising rates are pulling global markets in different directions. In this episode of Market Focus Weekly, Nicole Teo speaks with State Street Investment Management’s Ninghui Liu about how higher energy prices and the AI boom are keeping inflation stubborn in many economies — while China remains stuck in deflation. He also unpacks the opportunities emerging from Japa

S2E312: Saudi-Houthi Strikes Raise Oil Supply Concerns, Trump-Xi Meeting Set and Singapore Air Quality Improves Sep 18, 2026 273 Headline news for September 18, 2026: Saudi Arabia and Iran-backed Houthi forces exchanged strikes, fuelling concerns over global oil supplies. US President Donald Trump will meet President Xi Jinping next week amid tensions over trade, Taiwan, Iran and AI. Singapore’s air quality also improved overnight, with the central region’s 24-hour PSI falling to 97, back in the moderate range.

S2E576: Fed rate hike calms global bond rout as Asian markets edge up Sep 17, 2026 163 Market news for September 17 2026: Asian shares edged up as the Federal Reserve delivered its first rate hike in over three years, calming a global bond selloff. A surging U.S. dollar weighed on commodities, while focus shifted to central bank decisions in London and Tokyo. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s market movements a

S2E311: Canada Eyes EU Membership, Singapore Rethinks Teacher Workload, US Raises Saudi Travel Alert Sep 17, 2026 358 Headline news for September 17, 2026:  Fighting between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthis escalates, while the US has barred government employees from going near the Yemen border. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposes to make Canada the EU’s first “associate member”. And Singapore is reviewing teaching methods, including piloting smaller class size

S2E575: Asian stocks steady ahead of pivotal Fed decision as bond rout pauses Sep 16, 2026 165 Market news for September 16, 2026: Asian stocks edged higher as a respite in the global bond selloff and falling oil prices steadied market nerves ahead of the pivotal Federal Reserve decision, with traders pricing an implied 93% probability of a 25-basis-point rate hike. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s market movements an

S2E310: China Curbs Travel On National Security Concerns, Anthropic Expands In Singapore Sep 16, 2026 359 Headline news for September 16, 2026: Russia and Ukraine have both continued attacks on one another’s energy infrastructure, despite US President Donald Trump’s claims of a truce. China has tightened curbs on overseas travel over tech security concerns. And AI company Anthropic is opening an office in Singapore next month Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by Th

S2E574: Oil, yields, and rate fears collide Sep 15, 2026 186 Market news for September 15, 2026: Asian markets slide as AI leaders urge caution and traders brace for pivotal Fed and BOJ rate decisions. Treasury yields breach 5% for the first time since 2007, oil climbs, and bitcoin retreats — signalling a tense, pivotal week ahead for global markets. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day&rsq

S2E309: Singapore's Pump Prices Rise, Civil Servant MRT Home-Buying Claims Under Review, Indonesia’s Finance Shake-Up Sep 15, 2026 320 Headline news for September 15, 2026:  Another finance shake-up puts Indonesia on its third minister in under two years. Singapore’s Public Service Division is reviewing claims that alleged civil servants bought homes near planned but undisclosed MRT stations. Yemen’s Houthis carried out a new attack on Saudi Arabia. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by Th

S2E573: Asian shares slip as oil climbs, rate hikes take shape Sep 14, 2026 181 Market news for September 14, 2026: Asian shares slid as AI leaders urged a development slowdown, while Middle East strikes pushed Brent crude over $107. Meanwhile, investors braced for likely rate hikes from both the Federal Reserve and the Bank of Japan this week. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s market movements and

S2E308: Hormuz Talks Delayed, Indonesia Shipwreck Search Underway, True Fitness Closure Fallout Sep 14, 2026 348 Headline news for September 14, 2026: Oman says talks between Iran and Gulf countries on the Strait of Hormuz have been postponed. Search and rescue teams in Indonesia look for the 129 people still missing after a passenger ship sank in the Java Sea. The BRICS summit ended yesterday, with Chinese President Xi Jinping unveiling new initiatives centering around artificial intelligence and trade. Sin

S1E286: Strategy over sentiment: why the old property playbook no longer works Sep 13, 2026 1194 Is your dream home a financial trap? Singapore's cooling measures and shifting interest rates have upended the old playbook—Build-to-Orders (BTOs), resale flats, and executive condos (ECs) no longer play by the rules you think you know. Howie Lim and Eugene Lim, president of the Singapore Estate Agents Association, unearths the hidden costs, minimum occupation period (MOP) traps, and stress-

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