Market Watch

Rising US fuel prices, renewed geopolitical tensions, and a weakening Japanese yen are forcing investors to reassess the outlook for inflation, interest rates, and global markets. With the Federal Reserve expected to keep rates on hold for now and the Bank of Japan weighing further tightening, attention is turning to how central banks will respond to shifting economic conditions. What do these dev...

Foreign tourist arrivals have returned to Malaysia, reaching 26.6 million in 2025 and surpassing pre-pandemic levels of 26.1 million in 2019. However, should Malaysia focus on attracting higher-spending visitors rather than simply increasing tourist numbers? We speak to Redza Abdul Rahman, Director of Research at BIMB, for some answers. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for pr...

Global markets are navigating a complex mix of geopolitical tensions, resilient economic data, and shifting expectations for interest rates. Despite renewed conflict in the Middle East, oil prices remain well below recent highs, while investors continue to assess the outlook for equities, bonds, and safe-haven assets such as gold. As the second half of the year unfolds, what are the key risks and...

The artificial intelligence boom has fuelled a rally in Asian stock markets to record highs as investors rushed to join the AI bandwagon. But the recent market sell-offs have raised concerns that the massive AI infrastructure investments may not result in the short-term profits to justify the lofty valuations of these stocks. Is this latest pullback simply a temporary bout of profit-taking, or doe...

Wall Street chalked up another red day with equities pressured by elevated crude oil prices thanks to the US-Israel war on Iran, while tech stocks continue to be sold off. Joe Quinlan, Chief Market Strategist at US Trust-BOA Private Wealth Management, shares his insights into the latest market movements and what we can expect going forward. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener fo...

The past week saw equities slump as the US-Iran war escalated and investors sold of tech and AI stocks. Laurent Lequeu, Independent Market Analyst & Writer at the Macro Butler Newsletter, shares his insights into equity markets as well as commodities in the weeks ahead. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AI and data centres may grab the headlines, but someone has to supply the concrete and metal to build them. RHB Investment Bank has an Overweight call on Malaysia's basic materials sector, with top picks Press Metal and Malayan Cement offering an estimated 25–37% upside. Equity analyst Iftaar Rusli walks us through how a 4% stronger ringgit cuts both ways for producers, why Indonesia's coal regula...

What can we expect from Wall Street's earnings season to AI-driven chip stocks, oil prices and US interest rates expectations? Tim Waterer of KCM Trade breaks down the key themes shaping global markets and what investors should be watching next. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US equities managed to register gains on comments from the Federal Reserve indicating that inflation may have peaked and should be edging down in coming quarters. Tony Nash, an economist at Main Street Alpha, shares some perspective on what to expect even as the Iran war continues to cast a shadow on US consumer prices going forward. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for priva...

Renewed tensions in the Middle East have pushed oil prices higher, reviving concerns over inflation, interest rates, and the global growth outlook. Yet investors have continued to favour emerging markets and AI-related stocks, highlighting the resilience of risk assets despite rising geopolitical uncertainty. As oil, bonds, equities, and technology pull markets in different directions, where shoul...

The major US banks reported blockbuster earnings this week, driven by investment banking, capital markets and trading. How much will this be reflected in the broader earnings season? We discuss the outlook for the US economy and markets with David Dietze of Dietze Wealth Management, Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia's utilities sector is poised for a bright future, as a result of rising capital expenditure and increasing electricity demand, with consumption for 2026 projected to expand by 4.5% to 5.5%. Nurzulaikha Azali, an analyst at BIMB Securities Research, shares her insights on this sector. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The resumption of a US blockade in the Strait of Hormuz and military strikes in the Gulf threatens to send oil prices soaring once again. How will this affect US Fed policy and market sentiment? We discuss the trends with Joe Quinlan of the US Trust-BOA Private Wealth Management. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SK Hynix's debut on the Nasdaq last Friday was the biggest IPO by a foreign company on record raising USD$26.5 billion. What factors will influence the trajectory of chip players in the coming months? We discuss this and other market trends with Kingsley Jones of Jevons Global. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wall Street barely flinched this week, even as US strikes on Iran pushed oil higher and rattled the Strait of Hormuz. Tim Mulholland of TJM Limited in Chicago thinks that calm deserves scrutiny. He walks us through what the latest US economic data reveals beneath the surface, where the smart money is rotating as geopolitical risk builds, and why the sliding Japanese yen — now at multi-decade lows...

The US Federal Reserve's minutes for its June meeting has been released indicating that the central bank remains divided over the future path of interest rates, with policymakers split between the possibility of cuts and further hikes. Vishnu Varathan, Head of Economics & Strategy, Mizuho Bank, shares his insights into how this will also dictate the trajectory of currencies. Image Credit: Shut...

Global airlines continue to benefit from resilient travel demand, but surging fuel prices, supply chain disruptions, and aircraft delivery delays are putting growing pressure on profitability. While some carriers are adapting through fare increases, fuel hedging, and network changes, others face tougher operating conditions as geopolitical tensions reshape global aviation. Can the industry continu...

Global markets are entering a new phase as investors weigh diverging economic and policy trends across major economies. Japan is grappling with mixed domestic data and a weakening yen, while Europe's equity markets have surged to record highs, outpacing the United States amid improving growth expectations and lower energy prices. As central banks chart different paths and oil prices continue to ea...

There appears to have been a rotation back into tech, AI and semiconductor stocks, leading the Dow Jones to hit a new record again. Joe Quinlan, Chief Market Strategist at US Trust-BOA Private Wealth Management, shares his insights into how the markets are moving plus an outlook into where crude oil prices may be heading. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informati...

The Dow Jones closed last week at record highs; in contrast the S&P 500 and Nasdaq have been in a consolidation pattern for the past month. What are the factors driving this divergence? We discuss this and other market trends with Dilin Wu of Pepperstone. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Global markets are sending mixed signals, with US blue chips pushing to new highs even as technology stocks lose momentum. Investors are also weighing a resilient US labour market, signs of stronger manufacturing activity in China, falling oil prices, and renewed interest in gold as expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts evolve. As leadership shifts across sectors and regions, where are the be...

Investors are weighing a mixed picture for the US economy, with manufacturing continuing to expand, inflation remaining a concern, and markets searching for fresh direction after recent volatility. While technology shares are attempting to stabilise and consumer-facing sectors such as airlines continue to outperform, attention is also turning to Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh's evolving policy...

The Japanese yen has weakened to its lowest level since 1986 against the US dollar, despite signs of strength elsewhere in the economy. What's the threshold for intervention by the Bank of Japan and what does this mean for monetary policy moving forward? We discuss this and other Asian economic trends with Carlos Casanova of UBP.  Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for pri...

US markets have steadied after a bout of volatility, helped by easing geopolitical tensions and lower oil prices. As investors look to the second half of the year, attention is shifting from macro risks back to corporate earnings, with growing divergence emerging within the technology sector and renewed interest in cyclical industries. Is the market entering a broader phase of leadership, or will...

As oil prices retreat to pre-Iran war levels, a vital question emerges: Are markets accurately pricing the reality of crude flows through the Strait of Hormuz, or has bearish sentiment overshot? Between the wild swings in Korean memory chip stocks and the deeply depressed Japanese Yen, where do the markets fundamentals actually lie? We speak to Kingsley Jones, Chief Investment Officer at Jevons Gl...