Market Watch

Stronger-than-expected US labour data, a leadership change at the Federal Reserve, resilient Chinese trade figures, and elevated oil prices are all shaping the outlook for global markets. As inflation pressures build across ASEAN and Malaysia prepares to release its latest GDP figures, how are investors and policymakers positioning for the rest of 2026? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.co...

Bitcoin’s surge back above US$80,000 has reignited debate over the next phase of the crypto market, driven by institutional inflows, regulatory developments, and its growing role as a geopolitical hedge. As stablecoin legislation advances and attention turns to broader digital asset adoption, what is the outlook for cryptocurrencies, and where could the next wave of momentum come from? See omnystu...

Markets seesawed on the back of a possible peace deal between the US and Iran, but the lack of certainty kept crude oil prices elevated. Can major economies escape the risks of stagflation if the crisis is prolonged? We discuss the market outlook with independent analyst Laurent Lequeue. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Momentum in chip stocks continues to drive the Nasdaq and S&P500 higher - but is the rally sustainable? And are cyclicals like airlines back on the table? We discuss with Tony Nash, CEO, Complete Intelligence. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to Bloomberg, consensus earnings growth for the S&P 500 this year is 21% despite the economic volatility resulting from the Middle East conflict. Could investor buoyancy take a hit if global energy costs remain elevated? We discuss the outlook for US markets with Joseph Sroka of NovaPoint Capital.  Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tech-led earnings remain strong, with AI investment broadening beyond the biggest US names into a wider set of industrial and hardware beneficiaries, suggesting the rally is becoming more diversified rather than concentrated in mega-cap stocks. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The S&P 500 saw a dramatic rebound of 10.4% in April and hit record highs last Friday, despite oil prices remaining elevated. Are markets underpricing inflation risks? We discuss the sustainability of the stock rally and central bank policy direction with Kingsley Jones of Jevons Global. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Federal Reserve has held US interest rates steady after Jerome Powell's final meeting as chair of the central bank, and with Kevin Warsh set to take over next. Vishnu Varathan, Head of Economics & Strategy at Mizuho Bank shares his takeaways on Powell's speech, along with the impact of Brent crude almost reaching USD120 a barrel on the ringgit. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com...

Mag 7 stocks have outperformed this month but still lagged the S&P500 on a year-to-date basis. Will this week's earnings results of Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon and Apple provide the catalyst for stock rallies? We discuss this and other trends moving international markets with David Dietze of Dietze Wealth Management Group.  Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privac...

Ahead of the release of quarterly earnings from names like Apple, Amazon, Alphabet and Meta, markets have been generally upbeat. Joe Quinlan, Chief Market Strategist, US Trust-BOA Private Wealth Management, discusses the reactions so far with the S&P500 and Nasdaq hitting record highs. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

First quarter US corporate earnings results have so far beaten expectations led by names like Intel and Honeywell. David Chow, Director of Investment at Azure Capital, shares his insights on these results and what we might expect as the year progresses and current geopolitical events begin to show their impact. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US jobless claims data and the S&P PMI numbers were released overnight providing insights into the world's largest economy, even as the US-Iran standoff over the Strait of Hormuz continue to cloud the horizon. Dilin Wu, a research strategist at Pepperstone, shares her take on these issues as well as the trajectory of Australian interest rates going forward. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnys...

Malaysia’s semiconductor sector is showing early signs of recovery, with chipmakers raising prices and AI-driven demand supporting momentum. But with inventory levels still elevated and uncertainties around the durability of this upcycle, is this the start of a sustained rebound, or are risks still lurking beneath the surface? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...

Overnight, the S&P500 and Nasdaq chalked up new record highs as first quarter results of firms like Goldman Sachs, Tesla and IBM beat analysts' expectations. Tony Nash, CEO of Complete Intelligence, weighs in on if this equities' rally still has legs or will the impact of high energy prices and lower consumer demand anticipated for Q2 might present itself. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnyst...

As the Gulf crisis creates supply shocks and drives inflation across Asia, which countries are more vulnerable? We discuss the regional economic outlook and monetary policy positioning with Carlos Casanova of UBP. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Markets remain volatile despite signs of positivity in sectors like AI and tech, with company earnings supporting this view. Joe Quinlan, Chief Market Strategist at US Trust-BOA Private Wealth Management, share his insights into how and where to look for these opportunities. Image Credit: Shutterstock. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Global markets continue to rally despite the uncertainty in the Strait of Hormuz, partially driven by robust first quarter earnings results. But can this momentum last if the Gulf conflict is prolonged? We discuss this and other market trends with Kingsley Jones of Jevons Global. Image Credit: Shutterstock. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia’s healthcare sector is entering a new phase driven by an ageing population, rising demand for specialist care, and growing pressure on public systems. As private operators step in to fill capacity gaps and global disruptions reshape supply chains, what is the outlook for the sector, and where are the key opportunities and risks for investors? Image Credits: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com...

The local palm oil plantation sector is entering a critical period of high volatility with inventories hitting a seven-month low and CPO prices surging nearly 19% in March. Jacquelyn Yow, Analyst, CGS International discusses whether upcoming demand catalysts like Indonesia’s B50 mandate can sustain this momentum or if rising production will soon weigh on the market. Image Credit: Shutterstock See...

Both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq registered record closing highs this week despite ongoing turmoil in the Gulf. Are US markets underpricing the risks from the war in Iran? We discuss market trends with Tim Mulholland of TJM Limited. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Straits Times Index (STI) started 2026 on a steady footing, rising about 5.1% in the first quarter, even as global markets moved unevenly. But what’s driving this resilience, and is it built to last? We discuss this with Geoff Howie, Market Strategist, Singapore Exchange. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund recently signalled slower global growth as a result of the US-Israel war on Iran, now into its seventh week. Vishnu Varathan, Head of Economics & Strategy at Mizuho Bank shares his insights into the impact on financial markets, especially emerging economies that seem to be less severely impacted. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/l...

US markets rallied despite little breakthrough in US-Iran ceasefire talks. What's driving investor optimism and what are the key takeaways from the major US bank earnings so far? We discuss market trends with Joseph Sroka of NovaPoint Capital. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Uncertainty remains the theme as a fragile two-week ceasefire between Iran and the US remains in focus, despite a blockade of Iranian ports and vessels by the American navy. Peter Lim, Chief Research Officer, Trident Analytics, share his take on the best asset allocation strategy in these volatile times. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a strong rally earlier in the year that saw the FBM-KLCI breach 1,700 points for the first time in seven years, the market appears to have entered a consolidation phase. As the index hovers near this multi-year high, Ng Zhu Hann, CEO & Founder, Tradeview Capital explores whether the momentum can hold and which specific stocks investors can consider buying. Image Credit: Shutterstock...