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Major central banks have stood pat in their latest monetary policy decisions. And while bets of March cuts increased late last year through to the beginning of this year, those bets have lost steam as central banks signalled that they would start rate cuts later than market expected. So what are some implications for markets as interest rates are here higher for longer? Could we expect more volati...

On What's Trending, The Beatles are known for their iconic albums and hit songs like "Here Comes the Sun." But did you know they were painters too? Well, it's only known painting, collectively created and signed by all the members, was auctioned off and sold for $1.7 million at Christie’s. Also on What's Trending, what do you buy on Amazon.com? Probably just electronics, decorations, or perhaps ev...

Last week was the busiest of earnings season, with several stocks dubbed the Magnificent 7 reporting their results. The S&P 500 rose 1.4% for the week, driven primarily by earnings and the Magnificent 7. So how did the Magnificent 7 perform so far in the latest earnings season? Which beat expectations and which didn’t? And given the latest results,  should investors pour in their investments i...

On What's Trending, hundreds of 'bunnies' hopped to Orchard Road over the weekend to see their favourite K-POP group NewJeans, as they hit a newly opened, three-storey Nike store. They performed their hit songs LIVE for only 75 lucky winners as they promoted a new collaboration with Nike.  Also on What's Trending, a pigeon has cleared its name and was set free in Mumbai after it was taken into pol...

Japan had faced a stagnant economy with effectively no GDP growth over the past three decades. But in 2023, it made a surprise comeback with its economy expanding slightly higher than 1%. Investors are eyeing Japan as its equity markets also reached new peaks already in the new year. But can we expect this momentum to last? On Money in the Market, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Prof Jamus Lim, Associate...

On The Afternoon Update, Hongbin Jeong is joined by  Jihye Lee, Research Analyst at the SGX , for a market wrap of the week. As markets begin a new month, they look back at the month of January to look at how Asian markets performed last month, biggest losers and winners on the STI, and some of the sectors that outperformed in the period. They also discuss some of the biggest headlines in the past...

“Not so soon” - That’s what Chair Jerome Powell signalled in his speech, following the latest interest rate decision, to the traders eagerly hoping for an interest rate cut to begin soon. Policymakers once again cemented the end of their aggressive campaign to push up interest rates, and sought to reset expectations for how soon and how fast they’ll cut this year. On Money in the Market, Hongbin J...

Today, digital bank Trust Bank has launched Trust+, Singapore's first fully digital elevated banking experience. So what is it and what benefits does it offer? On What's Trending, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Natalia Goh, Chief Operating Officer of Trust to find out more about this new launch and how customers can apply.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The rally over on Wall Street has been mainly driven by changing rate expectations. Stocks have reached an all-time high, supported by strong gains from large tech companies. Some say markets will continue to be choppy going forward, but they remain optimistic that it will be a continuous uptrend for markets in the coming months. That’s as investors bet that falling inflation would allow the Fed t...

South Pole’s latest Net Zero Report has shown that 44% of surveyed companies say external communication on climate targets has become more difficult in just the past year, and 58% are decreasing communications as a result. A sign that green hushing is the new norm? Host Rachel Kelly, takes a closer look at the report in this episode of Eco Money. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information...

Singapore banks’ net capital-bond supply, which includes AT1s and T2 bonds, is expected to be negative this year. And this is possibly due to low refinancing needs and sluggish loan growth potential. So as potential rate cuts are bringing focus back to our local bank’s potential bonds issuance this year, how might the bank’s low funding needs limit their capital bond supply in 2024? On Money in th...

Chinese authorities are stepping up efforts to stabilise the recent stock market rout. On top of a potential rescue package to bolstore the stock market that will see a mobilisation of more than 2 trillion yuan, authorities have halted the lending of certain shares for short selling from today. Now while the new steps by Beijing outweighed the drag on sentiment from the liquidation of property gia...

S-Reits have kicked off the earnings season this week, with Frasers Centrepoint Trust the first to report their earnings. So how have S-Reits performed so far? On The Afternoon Update, Hongbin Jeong is joined by  Geoff Howie, Market Strategist at the SGX , for a market wrap of the week to find out whether S-Reits are showing a muted performance as many had expected ahead of the earnings season. Th...

With the end in sight for the rate hike cycle and the US dollar expected to weaken with that backdrop, there is optimism for emerging markets this year. So what’s the outlook like for these emerging markets? Will emerging economies outperform developed countries this year? What are some factors that will help drive growth in emerging markets? On Money in the Market, Hongbin Jeong speaks to  Alessi...

Buildings alone account for close to 40% of global energy-related carbon emissions. And with many of the buildings around today expected to still be standing by net zero target date of 2050  - Rachel Kelly speaks to Adrien Pierson, Vice President of Strategy, iviva to find out if the industry is progressing fast enough. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2023 turned out to be better than many had expected for markets. But a number of key issues are coming to the forefront that will affect prospects in 2024. Pictet Wealth Management has recently published its prediction for the global economy and financial markets for the year ahead. They’ve labelled the year of 2024 as the ‘The Year of the Funambulist'. On Money in the Market, Hongbin Jeong speaks...

Attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea have escalated, with no signs yet of tensions easing any time soon. The escalation of the conflict has heightened worries about supply risks, with oil markets the most vulnerable. But according to analysts, while the diversions by oil tankers were expected to push up the cost and time it takes to transport oil, supplies have not yet been impacted. Mean...

In 2023, many Asian currencies were battered by a strong US dollar amid persistent inflation, rising geopolitical tensions, and high interest rates. But since last December, most Asian currencies showed signs that they will ride into 2024 on an optimistic note. That’s as investors expected a potential rate cut by the U.S. Federal Reserve as early as March. However such optimism has somewhat faded...

On What's Trending today, Philippines capital is known for its traffic congestion, but Manila’s traffic is so bad that it led Coldplay to write a song about it. Manila's notorious traffic, in fact, became a major theme of Coldplay's visit to the Philippines, with Chris Martin coming up with an impromptu song about the so-called insane jams during his concert in the capital.  Also trending today, H...

To close the year, Singapore’s market closed flat in 2023, outperforming some of its regional rivals. But it failed to outperform markets in North Asia and North America. So what lessons can we learn from last year to mitigate the risks of the market this year? For investors navigating markets in 2024, what are some key themes they should look out for? On Money in the Market, Hongbin Jeong speaks...

On The Afternoon Update, Hongbin Jeong is joined by  Geoff Howie, Market Strategist at the SGX , for a market wrap of the week. They discuss how the STI fared in the past week, the biggest movers on the STI, SG NODX numbers, the performance of iEdge Sg Advanced Manufacturing Index, as well as when US rate cuts are expected to roll in. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After defying recession fears last year, the US economy has maintained stronger growth than widely expected. With several possible rate cuts planned for this year by the US Fed, what's now expected from the US economy? What asset classes are set to benefit from the better US economic outlook? On Money in the Market, Hongbin Jeong speaks to  Nikolaj Schmidt, Chief International Economist in the Fix...

A resilient US economy and cooling inflation had triggered an intense year-end bond rally. But some market watchers suspect investors are too optimistic about the months ahead. In fact, fears of a prolonged stretch of higher interest rates have repeatedly driven the yield to decade-plus highs, only for the stress on the banking system and a Federal Reserve pivot to drag it down again. So what can...

According to the World Health Organisation, 'Disease X' is a hypothetical future international epidemic caused by a pathogen as yet unknown to cause human disease. But despite it being a hypothetical disease, 'Disease X' could be 20 times more deadly than the COVID-19 virus. The topic has also made it into the agenda of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, this week. So what exactly is...

Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has issued a statement on former transport minister S. Iswaran - who is facing 27 charges including corruption. Speaking to reporters, DPM Wong said he is ‘disappointed and saddened’ - but reiterated that the People’s Action Party’s stance on corruption is non-negotiable. READ MORE: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/pap-s-stance-on-corruption-is-non-negotia...