The Business Times Podcasts

Headline news for May 28, 2026: US launches new strikes on an Iranian military site, complicating an already uncertain US-Iran draft framework deal. The RBNZ holds rates steady as New Zealand reveals its’ budget today. More discounts on groceries for lower-income Singaporeans. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Nicole Teo ( nic...

Are we seeing a fragmentation in the rules-based global order? And if so, what does this mean for Singapore? In this episode of Lens on Singapore, Claressa Monteiro speaks to Henry Wilkinson, chief intelligence officer at Dragonfly Intelligence from Dow Jones for his expert take on the biggest geopolitical flashpoints, from the war in the Middle East, to the Taiwan question. With two decades of ex...

Market news for May 26, 2026: Oil prices rose today and stocks wavered as investor optimism over an imminent US-Iran peace deal was tempered by new US strikes in the Middle East. Brent futures rose over 2 per cent to over $98 a barrel, while global stocks were mixed as inflation fears persisted. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day&rsqu...

Headline news for May 26, 2026:  Singapore and China jointly call for an immediate Middle East ceasefire as Iran's top negotiator heads to Doha for talks even as U.S. forces strike Iranian missile sites and mine-laying boats. Russia warns of systematic strikes on Kyiv and urges foreigners to leave the city.  Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times...

Get insights on what is driving home buyers to buy pricey condos despite mounting economic uncertainties. In this episode of PropertyBT, host Leslie Yee chats with PropNex’s CEO Kelvin Fong. What is driving buyers in the new sale and resale private housing markets? Will Singaporeans continue to aspire for private homes? Learn about how AI is impacting real estate agents. Also, approaching on...

Market news for May 25, 2026: Stocks surged on Iran deal hopes, weakening the dollar and oil, but Strait of Hormuz clarity concerns tempered the rally, underscoring persistent war-driven inflation risks for global markets. 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. Written by: H...

Headline news for May 25, 2026: Russia launches its largest assault on Kyiv in years with six hundred drones, ninety missiles and a nuclear-capable hypersonic weapon then strikes again overnight killing twelve more. President Trump tells his Iran negotiators not to rush a deal as its outlines take shape. Oil falls below one hundred dollars on deal optimism.  Synopsis: A round up of global hea...

Are you missing out on serious returns? With a massive $12 trillion sitting in money markets, it's time to look at fixed income again. But success in this market depends on knowing which bonds to buy. Join Howie Lim, Erik Keller from Robeco and Kylie Soh of Fullerton Fund Management as they cut through the noise. They'll reveal where the true opportunities lie, demystify the risks of high-yield bo...

The "AI Trade" demands selectivity post-Nvidia: learn the new rules focusing on free cash flow and margins, not just growth. Brent crude's new US$100+ baseline defies temporary peace, fueled by Gulf tensions and hawkish Fed signals. This week, we dive into the dollar's safe-haven supremacy, the Kospi as a global tech bellwether, and the structural debt risks shaking G7 bonds with José Torre...

Headline news for May 22, 2026: The M1-Simba merger is officially dead as Tuas Limited terminates its sale agreement following the IMDA's suspension of the review. US-Iran talks remain deadlocked over uranium and Strait of Hormuz tolls with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warning a deal is unfeasible if Iran pursues toll charges on the waterway.  Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to...

Market news for May 21, 2026: Asian stocks surged, fuelled by Nvidia's strong forecast and a suspended Samsung strike, easing global risk fears as vessels resumed passage through the Strait of Hormuz, though inflation worries persist. 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. W...

Headline news for May 21, 2026: US President Donald Trump says he was “right on the borderline” between a deal and resuming the war on Iran. OpenAI announces it will open its first Applied AI Lab outside of the US in Singapore. The China-Russia meeting concludes with no significant deals. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by...

Market news for May 20, 2026: The AI rally faces a critical test with Nvidia earnings, overshadowed by escalating Gulf conflict driving oil prices and bond yields higher globally. Geopolitical tension fuels inflation fears, prompting central bank rate hike bets and dampening Asian stocks. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s mar...

Headline news for May 20, 2026: Singapore will undergo an IAEA nuclear readiness assessment in 2027 as it considers whether to deploy nuclear energy. President Trump says he was one hour from striking Iran before Gulf leaders intervened, setting next week as the new deadline for a deal. US 30 year bond yields hit an eighteen-year high.  Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your d...

Market news for May 19, 2026: AI stocks face a pivotal test with Nvidia's earnings amid Gulf-driven oil and bond yield surges. While Trump's peace bid cooled prices, global inflation fears and looming central bank tightening cast a shadow over markets. 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...

Headline news for May 19, 2026: President Trump says he paused a planned strike on Iran at the personal request of the leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE as a new Iranian peace proposal arrives in Washington. Russia’s President flies to Beijing for talks with Xi Jinping. Oil falls more than two per cent on eased escalation fears.  Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to star...

Market news for May 18, 2026: Asian markets slid on Gulf turmoil, driving oil and bond yields higher, as the AI rally faces a critical test from Nvidia's earnings this week. 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. Written by: Howie Lim (howielim@sph.com.sg) Produced and edite...

Headline news for May 18, 2026: Taiwan President Lai Ching-te responds to President Trump’s silence on Taiwan during the Beijing summit. Ukraine launches its largest drone strikes on Moscow in over a year in retaliation. Singapore’s non-oil domestic exports rose twenty four point five per cent year on year in April, exceeding forecasts. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start...

The high-yield trade is fracturing. As higher-for-longer rates lift banks' fortunes, Reits face a triple threat: narrowing yield spreads, soaring debt costs, and depressed valuations. Is your income portfolio resilient? Howie Lim speaks to RHB experts to discuss this growing divergence, revealing the crucial metrics (beyond yield) and tactical moves you need now to navigate uncertainty and secure...

AI frenzy, rising inflation, and geopolitical shocks: Can the tech rally survive? Chief investment strategist Charu Chanana of Saxo breaks down the Fed's next move, the HALO trade, and the global fallout from a potential Samsung strike and the Trump-Xi summit. Highlights: 01:03 Will the Fed hike rates in 2026? 04:22 AI rally and HALO 07:42 Samsung strike threat 10:18 Trump-Xi summit 13:52 Sectors...

Headline news for May 15, 2026: President Trump and President Xi wrap up their Beijing summit with a stark warning from Mr Xi that mishandling Taiwan risks collision between the two powers. Both agree the Strait of Hormuz must stay open. Russia launches its largest drone assault of the Ukraine war. And Singapore's Circle Line completes its loop on July twelfth.  Synopsis: A round up of global...

Market news for May 14, 2026: An Asia-wide rally, fuelled by key AI stocks, saw SK Hynix's valuation approach $1 trillion. Meanwhile, gold prices climbed due to a weaker dollar. The Trump-Xi summit holds no major surprises so far, with ongoing concerns over Middle East oil supply continuing to affect markets. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks a...

Headline news for May 14, 2026: President Trump sits down with President Xi in Beijing today with trade, Taiwan, AI and Iran on the table and the CEOs of Apple, Tesla and Nvidia in tow. Kevin Warsh is confirmed as Fed chair in the most partisan confirmation vote in US history.  Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Claressa Monteir...

Professor Joseph Liow, chairman of the Middle East Institute, joins Lens on Singapore’s Claressa Monteiro to cut through the noise around the Iran conflict and bring it into the Singapore context. Two Singaporeans in conversation about energy exposure, diplomatic tightropes, social cohesion and what it really means to be a small open economy in an increasingly volatile world. This is not a l...

Market news for May 13, 2026: Global markets fell as hot US inflation dampened Fed cut hopes and Middle East tensions persisted. Samsung stock rebounded despite a major labor strike threat. 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. Written by: Howie Lim (howielim@sph.com.sg) Pr...