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Intel  heads into its April 23 earnings with  rising investor expectations , but the key question remains whether  AI-driven CPU demand can offset ongoing margin weakness . Revenue Stable, But Margins Under Pressure Intel is expected to deliver  Q1 revenue around US$12.4 billion , slightly above the midpoint of its guidance range. However, the real concern lies in profitability: Gross margin guided at 34.5% , down from  39.2% a year ago EPS near breakeven (~US$0.00)  vs  US$0.13 last year This highlights  continued pressure from costs, utilisation, and product mix , despite improving demand signals. AI CPUs: A Key Growth Driver Intel’s near-term bullish case centers on  AI-related CPU demand , particularly its Xeon processors. A key development is its partnership with  Alphabet , which reinforces: Intel’s role in  AI data centre infrastructure Growing demand for  AI inference and general-purpose computing Investors will watch c...

Japan’s currency may face  continued downward pressure  if policymakers move too slowly on interest rate hikes, according to the head of the  Asian Development Bank . Rate Gap with US Driving Yen Weakness ADB President  Masato Kanda  highlighted that the  wide interest rate differential  between Japan and the US remains the key driver behind yen weakness. Investors continue to favour the  US dollar  due to higher yields The  Bank of Japan  risks being seen as  “behind the curve”  on inflation As a result, the yen struggles to strengthen even when  global risk sentiment improves . BOJ’s Slow Response Raises Market Concerns Despite inflation hovering around target levels for years, the BOJ has maintained a  cautious policy stance  to avoid damaging Japan’s fragile economic recovery. However, markets may react negatively if: The BOJ  delays rate hikes further Investors lose confidence in Japan’s  poli...

Kevin Warsh  could pursue an unconventional strategy to  lower US interest rates , even as most Federal Reserve officials remain cautious due to persistent inflation. A Two-Pronged Policy Approach Warsh is expected to argue that  shrinking the Federal Reserve’s balance sheet  could justify  cutting interest rates . The idea: Reduce the Fed’s balance sheet by US$1 trillion This acts like a  50 basis-point rate hike (tightening) Offset it with a  50 basis-point rate cut (easing) This effectively means  tightening and easing simultaneously , but with the goal of bringing  headline interest rates lower . Why the Balance Sheet Matters The Fed’s balance sheet — now over  US$6 trillion  — includes: US Treasuries Mortgage-backed securities (MBS) Holding these assets  keeps long-term interest rates lower  by supporting bond prices. Reducing the balance sheet would: Push  yields higher (tightening effect) Allow room for  r...

South Korean equities have staged a strong comeback, with the  Kospi   erasing losses from the Iran conflict , driven by a renewed surge in  AI-related semiconductor stocks . Chipmakers Lead Market Recovery The rally was led by tech heavyweights: SK hynix Inc   +3.4% (intra-day) Samsung Electronics Co Ltd  contributing to gains The Kospi rose  up to 1.2% above 6,200 , extending a strong rebound that has pushed the index  nearly 50% higher year-to-date , making it one of the  best-performing global markets . AI Demand Drives Semiconductor Momentum The recovery reflects a  resurgence in the AI investment theme , with strong demand for: Next-generation memory chips AI infrastructure and data centre capacity SK hynix recently began production of  advanced memory modules for Nvidia’s next-gen AI platform , reinforcing its position in the global supply chain. Meanwhile, Samsung’s recent earnings showing an  eightfold jump in profit  ...

Global markets turned risk-off on Monday as  renewed US-Iran tensions  shattered last week’s optimism, sending  oil prices sharply higher  and  US equity futures lower . Risk Sentiment Deteriorates After Weekend Escalation Futures tied to the  S&P 500  dropped  nearly 1% , reversing momentum after the index closed at a record high last week. The shift comes after: Iran signaled it may  skip upcoming peace talks The US maintained its  naval blockade around the Strait of Hormuz Escalating rhetoric between both sides raised fears of  prolonged conflict This highlights how recent market gains were largely driven by  optimism rather than concrete progress . Oil Prices Spike as Supply Risks Intensify Crude markets reacted sharply to the renewed tensions: Brent crude surged more than 7% The escalation threatens  global energy supply routes , particularly the  Strait of Hormuz , a critical oil transit chokepoint. Analysts...

Netflix  shares fell more than  8% in after-hours trading , as a  disappointing second-quarter outlook  and leadership changes outweighed otherwise solid first-quarter results. Weak Guidance Sparks Sell-Off Netflix forecast  Q2 earnings of US$0.78 per share , below analyst expectations of  US$0.84 , while revenue is projected at  US$12.57 billion , missing the  US$12.64 billion consensus . The weaker guidance raised concerns over  near-term growth momentum , triggering a sharp negative market reaction. Strong Q1 Performance Fails to Impress For the first quarter: Revenue rose 16% YoY to US$12.25 billion  (above estimates) Earnings surged 86% to US$1.23 per share However, earnings were boosted by a  US$2.8 billion one-off termination fee , reducing the quality of underlying growth. Operating margin improved to  32.3% , but still came in  below expectations (32.4%) , further dampening sentiment. Rising Costs and Strategic Sh...

Singapore shares opened slightly lower on Friday, even as  US tech stocks surged to fresh highs , with investors balancing  AI-driven optimism against geopolitical and trade uncertainties . STI Edges Lower Amid Mixed Market Breadth The  FTSE Straits Times Index  slipped  0.12% to 5,001.82  in early trade. Market breadth was mixed: Advancers: 88 Decliners: 79 This reflects a  cautious tone , despite strong global cues. Wall Street Hits Record Highs on AI Momentum US equities extended their rally, led by technology stocks: Nasdaq Composite   +0.4% (record high) S&P 500   +0.3% (record high) Dow Jones Industrial Average   +0.2% The Nasdaq marked its  12th consecutive gain , its longest streak since 2009. The rally was driven by AI-related developments, led by  Advanced Micro Devices , which surged  7.8%  after securing a  French government AI deal . Other tech gainers included  Oracle ,  Microsoft , an...

Asian equities retreated on Friday as investors turned cautious,  locking in gains after a strong global rally  while awaiting clearer signals on a potential  US-Iran ceasefire extension . Regional Stocks Slip After Multi-Day Rally The  MSCI Asia-Pacific Index  fell  0.8% , snapping a  three-day winning streak . Key markets across the region also declined: Topix   -1.1% Hang Seng Index   -0.8% Shanghai Composite   -0.2% The pullback comes after a  10-day global rally  that pushed equities to record highs, leaving markets vulnerable to  short-term profit-taking . Oil Prices Ease as Ceasefire Hopes Persist Crude prices declined as optimism over diplomacy improved: Brent crude  fell  1.1% to ~US$98 per barrel WTI crude  dropped  1.6% to ~US$93 per barrel The easing reflects expectations that a  ceasefire could reopen the Strait of Hormuz , restoring oil flows and reducing inflation pressures. Markets ...

US President  Donald Trump  is attempting to  reset the economic narrative  ahead of midterm elections, as surging fuel prices driven by the Middle East conflict weigh on both the economy and Republican electoral prospects. Inflation Pressures Undermine Policy Messaging Rising costs across  fuel, food, housing, and insurance  have intensified concerns about  affordability , overshadowing the administration’s policy efforts. Despite promoting tax relief measures, including  tax exemptions on tips and overtime income,  analysts note that  cost-of-living pressures remain the dominant issue for voters . High gasoline prices, linked to disruptions in the  Strait of Hormuz , continue to feed into broader inflation, impacting household spending power. Limited Tools to Contain Energy Costs The administration has taken several steps to ease energy prices: Releasing oil from strategic reserves Adjusting shipping regulations Easing sanctions o...

KUALA LUMPUR, April 16 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia rebounded from early losses to close higher on Thursday supported by a more stable global backdrop amid rising hopes of an easing in United States-Iran tensions following renewed talks. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 6.29 points, or 0.37 per cent, to 1,689.71 from Wednesday’s close of 1,683.42. The benchmark index opened 1.44 points higher at 1,684.86 and moved between 1,682.81 and 1,690.83 throughout the day.   In the broader market, gainers outpaced losers 753 to 486, while 531 counters were unchanged, 961 untraded and 23 suspended. Turnover increased to 3.77 billion units worth RM3.46 billion from Wednesday’s 3.33 billion units worth RM3.02 billion.

Singapore’s property market continues to be driven by  strong residential investment demand , with the sector maintaining its dominance despite a slight quarterly dip. Residential Sector Remains Market Leader The residential segment recorded  S$4.42 billion in investment sales in Q1 2026 , accounting for a significant  38.5% of total investment activity . Although this represents a marginal  0.3% decline quarter-on-quarter , the sector remains the  largest contributor to Singapore’s investment market , highlighting sustained developer and investor confidence. Government Land Sales Drive Activity A key driver of investment volume was  Government Land Sales (GLS)  and public sector awards. Five sites awarded  (4 private residential + 1 EC) Total value:  S$3.23 billion Notable transactions include: Dover Drive  – S$951 million Tanjong Rhu Road  – S$709.3 million Lentor Central  – S$657.1 million The Lentor Central site set a ...

Japan’s stock market is on the verge of a historic milestone, with the  Nikkei 225  poised for a  record closing high , driven by improving global sentiment and optimism over  US-Iran peace talks . Nikkei Erases War Losses, Eyes 60,000 Milestone The Nikkei surged  2.4% to 59,549 , surpassing its previous record close of  58,850  set in February. Now within  1% of the 60,000 level , a key psychological milestone The broader  Topix  rose  1.3% The rally effectively  wipes out losses triggered by the Iran conflict , highlighting the speed of the market recovery. Export and Tech Stocks Lead Gains The advance was led by  export-oriented sectors , including: Automotive Electronics Information technology These sectors are benefiting from: A  weaker yen , boosting export competitiveness Continued  AI-driven demand  for semiconductor-related companies Meanwhile,  real estate and consumer stocks lagged , reflecti...

The  US dollar’s global dominance remains firmly entrenched , with any meaningful challenge likely  decades away , according to  Franklin Resources Inc . Structural Strength Still Supports the Dollar Sonal Desai, Chief Investment Officer at Franklin Templeton, highlighted three core pillars underpinning the dollar’s status: Scale of the US economy Depth and liquidity of financial markets Strong institutional credibility These factors continue to make the dollar the  primary global reserve currency , with no immediate rival capable of matching its ecosystem. No Credible Alternatives in Sight Despite growing debate around de-dollarisation, key alternatives face structural limitations: The  euro lacks a unified safe asset at scale China’s  Renminbi  remains constrained by  capital controls and limited convertibility Other assets like  gold and cryptocurrencies  lack the  institutional framework and liquidity depth  required As a r...