MONEY MASTER

Key Takeaways Wall Street closed at fresh record highs , supported by easing US-Iran tensions and a rebound in technology stocks. Maybank Research raised Singapore's 2026 GDP forecast to 4.6% , citing sustained AI-driven strength in manufacturing and semiconductors. Singapore equities opened lower , with investors locking in gains despite an improving economic outlook. DBS lowered Multiplier Account interest rates , reflecting a softer interest rate environment. CapitaLand Ascott Trust, Keppel Infrastructure Trust and Yangzijiang Financial  reported positive corporate developments, offering stock-specific opportunities. Market Overview Singapore shares opened modestly lower on Tuesday, even as global risk appetite improved following another record-setting session on Wall Street. The  Straits Times Index (STI)  slipped  0.49% , with investors taking a cautious stance after recent gains. In the US, the  Dow Jones Industrial Average  closed at a fresh all-time...

Global markets entered Tuesday with a mixed tone as investors rotated out of some of the year's biggest technology winners, even as AI-related semiconductor stocks continued to surge to fresh highs. While Wall Street's major indices weakened overnight, Singapore equities showed resilience, supported by domestic liquidity, retail participation, and continued government-backed market initiatives. Market Snapshot The Straits Times Index (STI) opened higher, rising 0.3% as buying interest remained healthy despite global market volatility. Key drivers supporting sentiment include: Continued deployment of Singapore's S$6.5 billion Equity Market Development Programme (EQDP) Strong retail participation Renewed interest in undervalued small- and mid-cap stocks This contrasts with the more volatile environment seen in global technology markets. AI Trade Faces Its First Reality Check The biggest story overnight was not the decline in US indices. It was the divergence within technology...

Singapore equities opened firmer as a  rebound in US technology stocks  and easing risk sentiment supported regional markets, while investors focused on potential  value-unlocking moves in the banking sector . Market Snapshot The  Straits Times Index (STI)  rose  0.18% to 4,972.54 , with  advancers outpacing decliners (75 vs 41)  in early trade, reflecting cautious optimism. Wall Street Recovery Driven by Tech US markets stabilised after last week’s selloff, led by a sharp rebound in semiconductor and tech names: Nasdaq +0.9% ,  S&P 500 +0.3% , while  Dow -0.2% Intel  surged  11.2% Micron Technology  gained  9.9% Marvell Technology  rallied on index inclusion The move highlights  resilient investor conviction in AI-driven growth , despite recent volatility. Singapore Labour Market Shows Caution Hiring sentiment weakened, with outlook falling to  +13% for Q3 2026 , the lowest since 2021. Companies ar...

Singapore equities opened weaker as  global risk sentiment deteriorated , with rising US rate expectations triggering a  broad tech-led selloff , even as domestic data showed  steady consumer demand . Wall Street Selloff Signals Shift in Sentiment US markets snapped a nine-week rally: S&P 500   -2.6% Nasdaq Composite   -4.2% Dow Jones Industrial Average   -1.4% The decline followed  strong jobs data , which raised concerns that the  Federal Reserve  may maintain a  hawkish stance . Tech stocks led losses: Nvidia   -6.2% Advanced Micro Devices  and  Intel   -7% to -13% range STI Opens Lower Amid Broad Weakness The  FTSE Straits Times Index  fell  1.47% , with  decliners significantly outnumbering gainers . Market sentiment was pressured by: Global tech selloff Rising  interest rate expectations Weak risk appetite across equities Retail Sales Growth Signals Consumer Strength Singapore’s reta...

Singapore is stepping up efforts to attract global capital, as  Singapore Exchange  partners with  Bloomberg  to  enhance visibility and accessibility of local equities . Strategic Push to Attract Global Investors The partnership focuses on: Expanding investor outreach Improving  research distribution Enhancing  market transparency and engagement A key initiative will make  equity research under MAS programmes available on the Bloomberg Terminal , increasing exposure to  global institutional investors . Improving Corporate Standards and Investor Relations The collaboration will also introduce: Training frameworks for listed companies Best practices in  data quality and disclosures Investor relations enhancement programmes C-suite roundtables and training sessions will be held both  locally and internationally , aiming to strengthen connections between companies and investors. Strong Market Activity Supports Initiative The move comes...

Singapore shares opened higher on Thursday, supported by  strong global tech momentum , even as mixed corporate earnings and policy developments remain in focus. STI Rises on Positive Global Cues The  FTSE Straits Times Index  climbed  0.43% to 4,948.49  in early trade. Market breadth was positive: Advancers: 127 Decliners: 52 The gains track strong momentum from Wall Street. Wall Street Hits Record Highs on AI Optimism US equities surged to fresh highs: S&P 500   +1.46% Nasdaq Composite   +2.03% Dow Jones Industrial Average   +1.24% The rally was driven by: AI demand acceleration Optimism over a potential  US-Iran peace deal Advanced Micro Devices  surged  19% , while broader chip stocks extended gains, reinforcing the  AI investment cycle . Singapore Strengthens Financial Credibility Singapore received the  highest rating  from the  Financial Action Task Force , despite past money laundering issues. Reinfor...

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...

Singapore equities saw  selective strength on April 15 , with gains led by industrial and telecom names, while  REITs and banks dominated trading activity , reflecting a balanced but cautious market tone. STI Movers: Industrials and Telcos Outperform The  FTSE Straits Times Index  saw mixed performance across constituents. Top gainers included: Sembcorp Industries +3.05%  (top gainer) Mapletree Pan Asia Commercial Trust   +1.46% Singtel   +1.44% Jardine Matheson +1.30% The strength highlights  investor preference for defensive and yield-linked sectors . On the downside: Keppel   -1.40%  (top loser) Thai Beverage   -1.16% SATs   -0.84% REITs Show Mixed but Active Trading In the REIT sector: Landmark REIT surged  +16.67% , leading gainers Acrophyte Hospitality Trust +2.04% Elite UK REIT -3.28%  (top loser) The wide dispersion suggests  stock-specific catalysts rather than sector-wide trends . Trading Activity Conce...

Singapore equities opened higher on Tuesday, tracking gains on Wall Street, while investors turn cautious ahead of a potential  monetary policy tightening by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS)  amid rising oil-driven inflation pressures. STI Opens Higher Amid Positive Market Breadth The  FTSE Straits Times Index  rose  0.48% to 5,008.28  in early trade, supported by broad-based buying. Market internals were positive, with  110 advancers versus 23 decliners , as trading activity reached  99.36 million shares worth S$67.26 million . Wall Street Rally Driven by AI and Chip Stocks Overnight, US markets advanced, led by technology stocks: Nasdaq Composite  +1.2% S&P 500  +1.0% Dow Jones Industrial Average  +0.6% Gains were fueled by  AI and semiconductor names , including  Intel  and  Nokia . Investor sentiment improved after  Donald Trump signaled that Iran may be open to negotiations , easing some ge...

Singapore equities showed  mixed performance  on Monday, with selective buying in energy and REITs, while broader sentiment remained cautious amid  geopolitical tensions and rising oil prices . STI Movers: Energy and REITs Outperform Leading the gains was  Sembcorp Industries , which rose  +1.02% to S$6.96 , supported by  higher oil prices and energy demand outlook . Other notable gainers included: Mapletree Logistics Trust   +0.84% Venture Corporation   +0.50% Mapletree Industrial Trust   +0.50% OCBC Bank   +0.49% The gains highlight  defensive positioning , with investors favouring  yield and energy-linked names . Laggards: Property and Cyclicals Under Pressure On the downside,  Hongkong Land  led losses, falling  -2.10% to S$7.91 . Other decliners included: SATS Ltd   -1.65% Jardine Matheson   -1.57% SGX   -1.56% Yangzijiang Shipbuilding   -1.49% Weakness in cyclicals reflects  concern...

Singapore equities opened lower on Monday as markets reacted to a sharp escalation in geopolitical tensions following a US naval blockade of the  Strait of Hormuz . STI Dips Amid Rising Geopolitical Risks The  FTSE Singapore Straits Time Index  fell  0.34% to 4,972.32 , reflecting cautious sentiment across the market. Decliners outpaced advancers 160 to 79 Trading volume:  143.8 million shares (S$214 million) The decline comes as investors reassess risks after a breakdown in US-Iran negotiations. Trump Declares Hormuz Blockade Donald Trump  announced that the US Navy would  blockade all ships entering or leaving the Strait of Hormuz , a critical artery for global energy supply. The move significantly raises concerns over: Global oil supply disruptions Rising energy prices Inflation pressures across economies Markets are increasingly pricing in  prolonged geopolitical tension and supply shocks . Wall Street Mixed as AI Stocks Outperform US markets ...

Singapore equities opened modestly higher on Thursday, following a  strong rally in US markets driven by hopes of a ceasefire in the Iran conflict . STI Gains as Global Sentiment Improves The  FTSE Singapore Straits Time Index  rose  0.20% to 5,005.82 , supported by improved global risk sentiment. Advancers vs decliners: 83 / 89 Trading volume:  99.7 million shares (S$185 million) The cautious gain reflects  measured optimism , as investors balance improving sentiment with lingering geopolitical risks. Wall Street Rallies on Ceasefire Hopes US equities delivered a strong rebound overnight: Dow Jones Industrial Average  +1,325 points ( +2.9% ) Nasdaq Composite Index  +2.8% S&P 500 Index  +2.5% The rally was driven by  declining oil prices and easing recession fears , alongside reports of  potential sanctions relief discussions with Iran . Tech and Cyclicals Lead Gains Intel (INTC.US)  +10% Meta Platforms (META.US)  +6.5...