BT Market Focus

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 Bigg...

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...

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...

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...

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 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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...