BT Market Focus
Market Focus Daily is a closing bell look at markets and the news that drove its movements every trading day. Market Focus Weekly rounds up the week with expert analysis and insights for a big picture look at the trading week ahead. Produced by BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media.
Episodes
10-year Treasury hits 5.3%, oil surges and gold stumbles: M&G's Vikas Pershad on a market under pressure
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
Oil pullback eases bond panic as global yields touch multi-decade peaks
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
Global bonds wobble in worst month for years as AI hopes buoy stocks
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
Surging oil and bond yields signal higher-for-longer interest rates
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
Global markets rattled by surging oil, rate hike fears as Asia stocks sink
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
Bonds, oil, AI and copper - Decoding divergent signals in a shifting global economy
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
JGB yields hit 30-year high as Middle East risks and US-China talks weigh on markets
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
AI optimism fuels Asian stock rally as oil slumps on Middle East supply hopes
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
Tech rallies on AI assistant revival as oil stalls
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
AI fires up Asian markets as bond yields hit mid-2024 highs
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
Unpacking macro shifts and AI realities
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
Fed rate hike calms global bond rout as Asian markets edge up
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
Asian stocks steady ahead of pivotal Fed decision as bond rout pauses
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
Oil, yields, and rate fears collide
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
Asian shares slip as oil climbs, rate hikes take shape
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
What oil, yields, and AI capex boom are really telling us
Oil prices just broke US$110 a barrel, bond yields are hitting multi-decade highs, and the yen carry trade is unwinding fast — this week's markets are a powder keg. In this episode of Market Focus Weekly, correspondent Howie Lim sits down with HSBC's Herald van der Linde to unpack the Strait of Hormuz shock, why AI capex — not fear — is now driving bond yields, Korea's staggering
Global markets brace for central bank wave as oil nears $101 a barrel
Market news for September 10, 2026: Asian markets slid as escalating Middle East shipping attacks pushed oil above $100 a barrel, spooking investors ahead of US inflation data. Treasury yields held near multi-year highs, while Wall Street, Europe, and Asia all retreated amid mounting bets on further central bank rate hikes. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Tim
Crude shock - Brent’s climb to $100, Asian markets rattled
Market news for September 9, 2026: Brent crude surged near $100 as Middle East conflict escalated, subduing Asian stocks amid inflation jitters before US CPI data. Conversely, chip stocks rebounded, and Alphabet announced a record €13 billion AI infrastructure investment in Finland. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s mark
Yen strength, copper record and oil surge
Market news for September 8, 2026: The yen surges to a seven-month high as carry trades unwind, while Iranian threats to Gulf energy infrastructure push oil and bond yields higher. Asian markets trade mixed, copper hits a record, and Singapore Airlines' Air India stake faces new scrutiny. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s mar
Between the Fed and earnings: Markets search for direction
Market news for September 7, 2026: Asian tech shares rallied on a robust US jobs report signaling growth, though rate hike odds narrowed. Meanwhile, oil prices edged higher following renewed US-Iran ship attacks in the Gulf, as traders monitor inflation and energy risks. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s market movements
Asian markets rally on Fed relief as investors brace for payroll showdown
Market news for September 4, 2026: Asian shares surged today, buoyed by cooling Fed rate hike fears that weakened the dollar and ignited a relief rally. Investors now hold their breath for the looming US payroll showdown while Middle East tensions keep oil prices elevated. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s market movements an
Relief rally in Asian markets as investors turn attention to crucial U.S. jobs data
Market news for September 3, 2026: Asian shares and bonds rallied as the yen climbed, with investors cautiously awaiting critical U.S. payroll data. Markets weighed central bank policy signals against ongoing U.S.-Iran tensions, as oil prices slipped following recent volatile spikes in global borrowing costs. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks a
Iran strikes ignite oil rally, trigger global bond market panic
Market news for September 2, 2026: Asian markets tumbled as a global bond sell-off collided with fresh US strikes on Iran, sending oil surging and yields to multi-decade highs. The dollar strengthened, gold and crypto slipped, while traders priced strong odds of a Fed rate hike this month. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day&rsquo
Bond rout meets Middle East chaos: Oil tops $90 as global yields hit decade highs
Market news for September 1, 2026: Bond yields soared to decade highs as Middle East conflict pushed oil above $90, fuelling inflation fears. Despite the geopolitical pressure and Federal Reserve anxiety, resilient Asian factory activity driven by persistent global demand for AI hardware provided critical support. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that lo
Geopolitical turmoil meets inflation anxiety
Market news for August 31, 2026: Geopolitical fire and inflation ice collided today - US-Iran skirmishes fuelled an oil rally, while rising September rate-hike odds pressured Asian equities. Investors face a double-barreled threat as the Fed’s inflation mandate keeps bond yields high and stock markets trembling. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times tha
Why Asia's inflation scare may be overstated: a Morgan Stanley economist explains
Rising inflation and recent rate hikes in the Philippines and South Korea have reignited concerns about price pressures across Asia. But is there really cause for alarm? Nicole Teo speaks with Morgan Stanley Asia Economist Derrick Kam about the region’s inflation outlook, what is driving monetary policy, and why a broader capex supercycle beyond AI could fuel investment. Highlights: 01:41 As
Nvidia earnings beat fuels Asian rally as inflation fears persist
Market news for August 27, 2026: Asian markets rallied as Nvidia’s earnings beat exceeded forecasts, lifting tech sentiment. Yet, gains were constrained by persistent U.S. inflation concerns, keeping investors cautious ahead of Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh’s pivotal Jackson Hole speech regarding future interest rate paths. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by
Asian markets rally as oil slides; Investors brace for pivotal Nvidia earnings
Market news for August 26, 2026: Asian stocks surged as crude’s retreat dampened bond yields, stoking optimism that the Strait of Hormuz might soon reopen. Markets now hold their collective breath, pinning high-stakes expectations on Nvidia’s looming, make-or-break quarterly earnings report. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the
Asian markets rangebound ahead of Nvidia results; Bitcoin crosses $80K
Market news for August 25, 2026: Asian markets remained rangebound as oil prices dipped, ignoring Iran sanction threats. Bitcoin crossed $80,000 for the first time since May. Investors now pivot to Nvidia’s highly anticipated earnings and Shein’s $1.8 billion IPO launch amid a cautious trading session. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that lo
Oil, Asian stocks fall as Bessent’s Iran sanctions loom
Market news for August 24, 2026: Asian markets fell in the red today amid rising global bond yields, and investor caution ahead of Nvidia’s earnings. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to hold a press conference tonight. Singapore’s core inflation rose to 2 per cent in July, up from 1.6 per cent in June. Shein’s valuation shrinks 70 per cent to US$27 billion in its upcoming Hon
Stress cracks in bonds are reshaping the AI and EM story
Bond markets are cracking, oil is spiking, and Japan's rates are hitting decade highs — so where should investors actually put their money? Correspondent Howie Lim sits down with Gary Tan of Allspring Global Investments to discuss why US Treasury buybacks won't fix America's debt problem, why AI valuations hinge on bond yields rather than headlines, and why emerging markets (EM) are quietly
Treasury lifeline sparks global rally as bond rout recedes
Market news for August 20, 2026: Global markets rallied as the US Treasury’s increased debt buybacks eased bond market stress, boosting stocks. Despite persistent Fed inflation concerns and shipping delays in the Strait of Hormuz, investor sentiment improved as yields retreated from multi-decade highs. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at
Decade-high bond yields and Middle East volatility deepen tech rout
Market news for August 19, 2026: Global markets slumped as bond yields hit decade highs; oil topped $90 amid Middle East volatility; tech stocks took a heavy hit, echoing Wall Street’s slide; and investors braced for persistent inflation and elusive policy guidance from Fed minutes. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s mar
Geopolitical storm: Asian markets stumble as bond yields and oil hit decade highs
Market news for August 18, 2026: Bond yields hit decade-highs as oil rose; Asian stocks faltered following a US-Iran truce expiration; Anthropic’s revenue run rate hit $65 billion, and Milky Mist Dairy jumped 30 per cent in its successful Indian trading debut. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s market movements and news
War, tariffs, and AI? Emerging markets aren’t flinching
Market news for August 17, 2026: Defying war, tariffs, and AI volatility, emerging markets showed surprising strength. Investor demand for EM debt reached two-decade highs as Asian stocks rose and US dollar weakness dampened expectations for an imminent Federal Reserve rate hike. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s market movem
Records, rate cuts and the yen’s reckoning
Records are being broken, currencies are wobbling, and everyone's arguing about AI — but which signals actually matter? On this week's Market Focus Weekly, Howie Lim presses Pictet's Arun Sai on the Fed's next move, whether the Bank of Japan (BOJ) can save the yen, and why AI's boom is splitting into winners and losers. From Seoul's wild swings to oil's war premium, Arun cuts through the noi
Asian markets rally on tame inflation; oil stays buoyant amid Gulf war deadlock
Market news for August 13, 2026: Asian stocks climbed as tame US inflation data dampened near-term Federal Reserve rate hike expectations. Meanwhile, oil prices held near $80 a barrel, remaining elevated due to the ongoing US-Iran deadlock over a permanent end to the Gulf war. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s market movement
Defying missile jitters: Asian markets rally on AI profits ahead of critical US inflation data
Market news for August 12, 2026: Geopolitical tensions boosted oil and gold, Asian shares gained, driven by South Korean strength and Foxconn’s 35 per cent profit jump. Investors await critical US inflation data following a North Korean missile launch. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s market movements and news from Sin
European stocks climb on energy boost as Middle East tensions keep Asia on edge
Market news for August 11, 2026: European markets edged higher, bolstered by energy stocks, while Asian indices remained cautious amid persistent Middle East uncertainty. As investors monitor global inflation and interest rate trajectories, oil and gold prices climbed, reflecting the ongoing, fragile risk sentiment. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that
Greed is bad, patience is good: Walter de Oude's case for tuning out the noise
Is the market caught in a volatility trap, or witnessing a fundamental pivot? Howie Lim and Chocolate Finance founder Walter de Oude get down to brass tacks: From the geopolitical tug-of-war at the Strait of Hormuz and AI investment anxiety to the Federal Reserve’s next move. What’s really driving these market swings and how can investors maintain a long-term perspective amidst today's
Asian markets retreat as AI rally fades; focus shifts to US labour data
Market news for August 6, 2026: Asian shares retreated, snapping AI-driven gains as tech sector weakness mirrored Wall Street’s pullback. Amidst cautious sentiment and stable oil, investors are now pivoting focus to critical US labor data, weighing recessionary risks against the prospect of September rate hikes. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times tha
Oil tumbles on Iran diplomacy hopes, Kospi soars on AI optimism
Market news for August 5, 2026: Asian shares climbed sharply today, following Wall Street's record-breaking rally, with technology shares leading the gains. Oil prices tumbled more than 5%, its lowest in three weeks over easing concerns on global oil supplies. And, the Japanese yen strengthened slightly as traders remain alert for further intervention. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bel
Choppy seas: Oil prices rally on Hormuz attacks as South Korea tightens curbs on risky retail bets
Market news for August 4, 2026: Asian markets remained choppy as investors balanced strong US earnings against rising oil prices fuelled by Hormuz attacks, while South Korea implemented new curbs to manage stock market volatility today. Plus, gold and oil rally. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s market movements and news from
AI skepticism hits Asian equities as Middle East peace hopes propel European gains
Market news for August 3, 2026: Asian stocks struggled amid AI trade skepticism and capital spending fears, while European shares climbed on Middle East peace hopes. Oil prices fell and the yen strengthened after joint intervention. 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 the region. Wri
Chips up, Meta down and a Fed on hold: making sense of a week that went in every direction
In this episode of Market Focus Weekly, St. James’s Place Martin Hennecke joins us to unpack the week of corporate earnings and market movements. We examine the impact of the conflicting outlooks for AI-related capital expenditure means for investors, where opportunities remain in the AI trade, and how to position portfolios amid shifting market and currency dynamics. Highlights: 04:00 Bigge
Record Samsung earnings fail to lift Kospi, Oil rallies on renewed conflict
Market news for July 30, 2026: Asian markets traded mixed today, with the South Korean Kospi falling again despite record profits from chipmaking giant Samsung Electronics. The US Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged, while sending mixed signals on the direction of interest which disappointed investors. Oil prices also climbed as the US resumed strikes on Iran. Synopsis: Market Focus Dail
AI anxiety extends Asia chip sell-off; Oil climbs on renewed Iran tensions
Market news for July 29, 2026: Asian technology shares extended their sell-off today, taking its cue from another steep decline in US chip stocks overnight. South Korea’s Kospi led declines, triggering a trading halt for the second straight session. Oil prices rose after US Central Command said Iran had launched missile strikes targeting US bases in the Gulf. Synopsis: Market Focus Dai
Asia chip sell-off deepens as China competition fears trigger Kospi circuit breaker
Market news for July 28, 2026: Asian chip stocks tumbled today, led by a 10.84 per cent drop in South Korea's Kospi, which triggered a circuit breaker. The sell-off reflected growing concerns over elevated AI valuations and rising competition from China. At the same time, Brent crude continued to fall on hopes of easing geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is
Oil slides on Gulf pause, Chinese chip giant CXMT soars in record IPO
Market news for July 27, 2026: Asian markets rose as a temporary pause in the fighting in the Gulf pushed oil prices lower. Changxin Technology Group (CXMT) made a blockbuster market debut. Meanwhile on Wall Street, earnings season reaches a pivotal stage this week as several major US technology companies prepare to report. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Tim
Oil at US$100, new tariffs and a yen at a 40-year low: Barclays on what Asia faces next
Oil prices are surging, AI spending is back under the microscope, and a new round of U.S. tariffs is raising fresh concerns about global growth. Together, these forces are driving volatility across financial markets and putting renewed pressure on Asian currencies as inflation risks rise and the Federal Reserve maintains a hawkish tone. In this episode of Market Focus Weekly, Barclays' Mitul Kotec
Oil jumps on Houthi attacks, AI spending powers Asian chip stocks
Market news for July 23, 2026: Asian shares advanced today after major US technology companies unveiled robust capital spending plans. Oil prices climbed again to near record 6-week highs after Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis claimed attacks on two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s market
Oil hits seven-week highs as Yen slides to forty-year low
Market news for July 22, 2026: Asian shares traded mixed today amid caution ahead of the major tech earnings this week. Yen slides to its weakest level in almost four decades. Oil extends its rally to reach seven-week highs. 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 the region. Writt
Asian stocks bounce back, Oil slips despite escalating Houthi threats
Market news for July 21, 2026: Asian shares climbed today, led by gains in Japan and South Korea. Oil prices edged lower on hopes of diplomatic progress in the Gulf. Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen have threatened a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia. Indonesia's parliament approved generous tax incentives under a new financial centre law. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by T
Oil tops US$90 as conflict intensifies, South Korean chip sell-off accelerates
Market news for July 20, 2026: Asian shares traded mixed today as the conflict in the Middle East has pushed oil prices higher, reaching above US$90 a barrel for the first time in more than a month. South Korea’s Kospi fell another 4.5 per cent lower today as the semiconductor sell off extended into the new week. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times th
Chip stocks falling, oil rising and India's US$30 trillion opportunity: M&G's Vikas Pershad on where to look now
Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, coupled with growing concerns that AI spending may have become too exuberant, have fuelled volatility in stock markets globally. On a positive note, the equity fundraising boom shows little sign of slowing, with Malaysia leading the way in South-east Asia. In this episode of Market Focus Weekly, M&G Investments’ Vikas Pershad unpacks the market m
TSMC's record profit fails to lift Asian chip stocks; Oil eases amid elevated risks
Market news for July 16, 2026: Asian shares fell today, led by the sell-off in semiconductor, even as chipmaking giant TSMC announced its’ record earnings beat. Meanwhile, oil prices retreated slightly after the US completed its latest round of strikes on Iran. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s market movements and news
Oil jumps on US-Iran hostilities; ASML earnings lift AI sentiment
Market news for July 15, 2026: Asian shares rally as US inflation numbers cooled interest rate hike expectations. Geopolitical tensions continue to rise as both the US and Iran continue to ramp up strikes. In tech earnings, ASML beats expectations, while IBM disappoints. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s market mo
Oil hits four-week high as Asian stocks rebound
Market news for July 14, 2026: Asian markets closed mostly higher today, after a reversal and stock gains in Japan and South Korea. Possibility of US putting a 20 per cent levy on cargo ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz sends Brent crude to 4-week highs. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s market movements and news from Sin
Oil surges as US-Iran strikes escalate, SK Hynix plunges after Nasdaq debut
Market news for July 13, 2026: Asian shares fell today as the escalating conflict in the Middle East led to higher oil prices and reignited global inflation concerns. South Korea's Kospi index plunged 9 per cent, dragged down by chipmaker SK Hynix, which slumped more than 15 per cent. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s market
Oil, AI and a wobbly yen: JP Morgan's Raisah Rasid on what investors should consider now
Escalating military tensions between the US and Iran have renewed concerns over energy prices, while volatility in AI-linked technology stocks, particularly in East Asia continues to rise. S&P Dow Jones follows MSCI in potentially downgrading the Indonesia market to ‘frontier’ status, while traders remain alert for Japan’s yen intervention. In this episode of Market Focus Wee
Asian markets lose momentum as oil surge fuels inflation fears
Market news for July 9, 2026: Oil prices rose 1 per cent for its third consecutive session amid renewed geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran. Asia markets lose its earlier momentum, while Europe and US markets are poised for a firm open. 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 t
Oil up as US-Iran ceasefire ends, South Korean Kospi enters bear market
Market news for July 8, 2026: US President Trump declared an end to the ceasefire with Iran, following an exchange of strikes between the two countries. South Korea’s Kospi plunged 5.35 per cent, entering bear market territory. US treasury yields and dollar strength both rose amid the heightened geopolitical risk. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times t
Asian markets slide on Samsung shock; Oil advances amid renewed Middle East tensions
Market news for July 7, 2026: Asia shares fell today, following Samsung’s earning guidance failing to impress investors. Oil moved up slightly over renewed tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. US President Donald Trump is set to attend the NATO summit tomorrow. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s market movements and news fr
Asia stocks mixed amidst rising AI caution, yen intervention risks remain
Market news for July 6, 2026: Asia shares traded mixed today as investors recalibrate artificial intelligence related plays. Samsung to release second quarter earnings guidance tomorrow. Brent crude falls on the resumption of shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s market movements and news
Chips, yen wobbles and a gold bull call: where Standard Chartered sees Asia markets heading
Volatility in AI-linked technology stocks, globally and across Asia, continues to rise. Indonesia faces uncertainty over a possible MSCI downgrade, and traders remain on high alert for Japan’s yen intervention. In this episode of Market Focus Weekly, Standard Chartered Bank’s Yap Fook Hien unpacks the market moves for the week – revealing their bullish views for South Korean and
South Korean stocks tumble, Japan to ‘ambush’ yen short sellers
Market news for July 2, 2026: Asian stocks fell today, following the sell off in US technology shares overnight. US President Donald Trump praised US-Iran talks in Doha. Crude prices fall to four-month lows amidst growing oil glut expectations. 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 th
Stalled diplomacy, sinking yen: Asian markets open Q3 on edge
Market news for July 1, 2026: Asian shares opened the new quarter cautiously as stalled US-Iran diplomacy clashed with rising US bond yields. The Japanese yen sank to fresh 40-year lows, fuelling intervention jitters, while investors braced for critical labor data and Fed policy guidance ahead. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day&rsquo
Asian stocks finish sparkling quarter at historic highs as oil war fears abate
Market news for June 30, 2026: Asian stocks closed a sparkling quarter at record highs as oil fears eased. Meanwhile, a resurgent dollar pushed the yen to four-decade lows amid shifting US rate expectations. Gold prices stumbled, marking their sharpest monthly decline since 2008. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s market movem
Asian stocks stall as peace hopes collide with rate-hike realities
Market news for June 29, 2026: Asian stocks stalled as US-Iran hostilities paused, cooling war-driven oil rallies. The dollar held near one-year highs amid intensifying rate-hike bets, forcing investors to weigh fragile geopolitical stability against the prospect of persistent, elevated interest rates. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the d
Is the AI trade still intact? And why oil might be your next surprise
AI is minting billionaires and burning cash at historic scale. Chip stocks are swinging wildly. Big Tech is borrowing like never before. And oil, gold, and the yen are sending mixed signals. In this episode of Market Focus Weekly, BNY Investments' Aninda Mitra cuts through the noise — separating AI signal from hype, exposing the risks retail investors are missing, and revealing why a global
AI rally re-ignited: Chip giants add $400B in market cap as Asian stocks soar
Market news for June 25, 2026: Asian equities soared as chipmakers, buoyed by strong forecasts from Micron and Qualcomm, added $400 billion in market cap, reigniting the AI rally. Concurrently, oil prices retreated following a US-Iran ceasefire, while gold fell below the $4,000 psychological threshold. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the d
Asian stocks drift, oil slips: Markets weigh AI valuation jitters against easing Gulf tensions
Market news for June 24, 2026: Asian markets remained directionless as crude oil hovered near four-month lows. Investors are currently weighing renewed volatility from stretched AI valuations against fragile progress in US-Iran peace talks, amid a broader risk-off sentiment sweeping across global equity markets. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that look
Oil cools, tech burns: Seoul plunges 10% in Asia’s steepest sell-off
Market news for June 23, 2026: Seoul’s benchmark plunged 10 per cent in a historic tech-led rout. Elsewhere, US sanctions waivers cooled oil prices, while Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s surprise resignation cast fresh shadows over global market sentiment. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s market movements and news
US-Iran peace progress fuels Asian market rally; SK Hynix overtakes Samsung in historic shift
Market news for June 22, 2026: Asian markets rallied on US-Iran peace progress, easing crude prices. Japan’s Nikkei climbed 1.9 per cent, while South Korea’s market gained 2.6 per cent as SK Hynix surpassed Samsung as the nation’s most valuable listed company. Gold also rose amid the geopolitical shift. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times
A fully live Fed, historic BOJ hike and Singapore's stagflation problem
Iran signs a peace deal, the Strait of Hormuz reopens, and markets rally — but is the relief built to last? This week on Market Focus Weekly, portfolio manager Pete Tan analyses what a "fully live" Fed means for your portfolio, why Japan's BOJ is walking a tightrope, how China's export boom masks a consumer crisis, and why energy security — not green ideology — is now the definin
Japan, South Korean stocks at record highs, US-Iran deal takes effect
Market news for June 18, 2026: Major Asian stock markets hit record highs today, as the Nikkei 225 broke past 71,000, and the Kospi index crossed 9000. This comes on the back of the temporary ceasefire deal between the US and Iran that was signed into effect today. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s market movements and news f
Oil plunges, Asian stocks mixed as US considers waiving Iranian oil sanctions
Market news for June 17, 2026: Asian stocks traded sideways today, as investors await the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting and for the reveal of more details on the US-Iran deal. Oil prices plunged amid growing optimism on rising oil supply. 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
Nikkei hits record 70,000 after historic BOJ rate hike as US-Iran peace deal remains in focus
Market news for June 16, 2026: Asian stocks rose as Japan’s Nikkei hit a record 70,000 following the Bank of Japan’s historic 1 per cent rate hike. Markets are now monitoring whether the US-Iran peace deal will curb global inflationary pressures and influence future central bank policy trajectories. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks
US-Iran reach tentative peace deal, sparks relief rally in Asia: Oil slips and gold rise
Market news for June 15, 2026: A preliminary agreement to end the war between US and Iran reduced geopolitical fears, resulting in an easing of oil prices and a rally in Asian markets. Major central banks, including the US and Japan are set to announce their policy decisions this week. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s market
Hawkish Fed, hot inflation, fragile currencies: ASEAN's delicate balancing act explained
Peace talks lift markets, but the real story runs deeper. HSBC's senior ASEAN economist Yun Liu unpacks why Southeast Asia sits at the eye of the storm — navigating energy shocks, a hawkish Fed, dollar pressure, and an AI revolution that's reshaping trade. From Malaysia's fuel subsidies to Singapore's inflation risk and Vietnam defying tariff odds, this is the macro picture most investors ar
