MONEY MASTER

The Dow Jones hit a record high driven by industrial and healthcare stocks, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq slipped as weakness in Big Tech outweighed strong earnings from Micron. This is no longer a broad rally, it’s a rotation away from Big Tech into other sectors. What’s Really Happening The market is splitting into two directions: Winners (Old Economy / Defensive): Caterpillar surged on industrial strength Merck rose on M&A optimism UnitedHealth gained on stability Losers (Big Tech / AI Leaders): Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Nvidia all declined Pressure came from pricing concerns and stretched valuations Even strong earnings from Micron which jumped sharply were not enough to lift the broader tech sector. Why? This shift highlights a key change in market leadership: Investors are  taking profits from AI winners Capital is rotating into  non-tech, value and defensive sectors Inflation (PCE at 4.1%) is keeping  rate pressure alive In short: The AI trade is still stron...

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...

Micron’s upcoming earnings are becoming a key market event, with AI-driven demand pushing profit growth close to 1,000%. Its performance is now so significant that it directly impacts overall S&P 500 earnings growth. This is no longer just a company story, Micron has become a major driver of market earnings. What’s Really Happening The surge in Micron’s profits is not coming from volume alone, it’s coming from pricing power. Tight memory supply is pushing prices sharply higher AI demand (especially high-bandwidth memory) is accelerating Much of the revenue growth is flowing straight to profit That’s why earnings are exploding at an unusually fast pace. More importantly, without Micron (and Nvidia), overall S&P 500 earnings growth would drop significantly showing how concentrated the market’s growth has become. Why This Matters This tells us something deeper about the current market: AI is not just a theme, it is dominating earnings growth A small group of companies is driving a...

SpaceX is transitioning from hype-driven trading to institutional positioning and that’s where the real trend will be defined. SpaceX finally paused its explosive rally, but the bigger story is what this pullback reveals about positioning, liquidity, and what comes next. Key Points SpaceX fell ~5% , marking its first decline since IPO Stock had surged  nearly 50% in just 3 days  prior Still trading  ~42% above IPO price (US$135) Valuation slipped below Amazon, now  ~US$2.5 trillion Low free float (~4.2%)  is amplifying volatility Broader market weakness after  Fed rate outlook  also weighed This isn’t a breakdown and it’s the first real test after extreme post-IPO momentum. Why the Drop Happened The decline wasn’t driven by fundamentals, but by a mix of technical and macro factors: 1. Low Float = High Volatility Only a small portion of shares are tradable, which means: Prices can  spike quickly on demand But also  reverse sharply  on pro...

Malaysian equities opened stronger, with the  FBM KLCI  climbing as much as  0.8% to 1,697 , driven by gains in banking and technology stocks. However,  falling oil prices dragged energy counters lower , highlighting sector divergence. Banks and Tech Lead the Market Market momentum was supported by: CIMB Group Holdings  rising  over 3% Malaysian Pacific Industries  surging  7% Renewed optimism in  AI and growth sectors , following strong global tech sentiment and the ripple effects from the  SpaceX-driven market excitement . Oil Drop Hits Energy Stocks Energy counters underperformed as oil prices declined after progress in US-Iran peace talks: Dialog Group  fell  over 5% Stocks rose because lower oil prices reduce inflation and Fed risks , but this simultaneously pressures  energy sector earnings . Macro Risks Cap Upside Despite the rebound, analysts see  limited upside  for the KLCI: Resistance expected around...

The  Nasdaq 100  is undergoing a major reshuffle, but the bigger story isn’t just who’s in or out. AI and Infrastructure Winners Enter the Index Nasdaq will add: Rocket Lab Astera Labs CoreWeave Nebius Teradyne What do these five companies have in common? They are all  direct beneficiaries of the AI and next-generation tech boom . Common thread: All are tied to the AI ecosystem from chips, cloud, to infrastructure and even space technology. This reflects a clear shift: Markets are no longer just betting on AI leaders like Nvidia, they are  moving deeper into the entire AI value chain . SpaceX IPO Signals the Next Wave SpaceX  has completed a  record US$75 billion IPO , and could be added to the index within weeks. This would further strengthen the Nasdaq 100’s exposure to: High-growth innovation sectors Capital-intensive future industries Old Economy and Slower Growers Exit To make room, Nasdaq removed: Charter Communications Cognizant Technology Solutions ...

  Asian markets retreated as investors reassessed the balance between AI-driven growth and rising macroeconomic risks following the latest escalation in the Middle East. Oil Shock Reignites Inflation Concerns The immediate market reaction to the US strike on Iran was a rise in oil prices, with Brent crude climbing as investors priced in potential supply disruptions and renewed uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz.  However, the larger concern is not oil itself. The real risk is that higher energy prices could push inflation higher at a time when markets are already debating whether the Federal Reserve may need to keep interest rates elevated for longer. Economists are expecting US inflation to accelerate again, with May CPI projected to rise to 4.2%, while strong labour market data has already reduced expectations for near-term policy easing.  Why Technology Stocks Are Under Pressure Technology and AI-related stocks have been the primary drivers of market gains over th...

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...

South Korea’s equity market may be poised for a rebound after a sharp selloff, with  Goldman Sachs  maintaining a constructive outlook on the  long-term AI-driven bull cycle . Sharp Selloff Triggers Market Shock The  Kospi  plunged as much as  8.8% , triggering a  circuit breaker  and leading a broader decline across Asian tech stocks. The selloff followed: A  strong rally driven by AI optimism Heavy concentration in  semiconductor and tech names Increased use of  leverage among retail investors Correction Driven by Unwinding of Leverage According to Goldman strategist Timothy Moe, the decline reflects: Unwinding of leveraged positions Elevated  speculative activity , particularly in leveraged ETFs This suggests the move is largely  technical rather than fundamental . Fundamentals Remain Strong Despite the volatility, Goldman highlighted that: Corporate earnings outlook remains intact Valuations are still attractive  ...

Nvidia  CEO Jensen Huang has downplayed the recent tech stock selloff, calling it a  buying opportunity  and reaffirming that the  AI growth cycle is still in its early stages . Tech Selloff Driven by Rate and Valuation Concerns Global technology stocks have come under pressure amid: Rising interest rate concerns Fears of  overvaluation in AI-related stocks The  Kospi  fell as investors trimmed exposure to AI-driven names, which had previously led a strong global rally. Nvidia Signals Long-Term Confidence in AI Huang emphasized that the current market pullback does not reflect weakening fundamentals: AI infrastructure buildout is “just beginning” The sector remains in an  early investment phase He described the correction as a chance for investors to  accumulate positions at more attractive valuations . Strategic Partnership Strengthens AI Ecosystem Nvidia also announced a  multi-year collaboration  with  SK Hynix  to deve...

Summary  Broadcom delivered strong results, but the stock fell ~13% because expectations were even higher. The issue wasn’t weak numbers — it was  not beating the “AI hype expectations.” What Happened Broadcom  reported a strong quarter: Revenue:  $22.19B ( +48% YoY ) Net Income:  $12.07B ( +55% YoY ) AI semiconductor revenue:  $10.8B ( +143% YoY ) Margins remained strong (Operating margin ~67%) On paper, this is a  very powerful AI-driven quarter Why The Stock Still Crashed 1.  AI Guidance Didn’t Beat the “Real Expectation” Q3 AI revenue guided:  $16B Market expected:  ~$16.3B+   Even a small miss = big disappointment in AI stocks 2.  No Upgrade to Long-Term AI Target 2027 AI revenue target:  > $100B (unchanged)  Market wanted: “Raise the ceiling” → not just repeat guidance 3.  Google Risk (Key Concern) Alphabet  Broadcom depends heavily on Google TPU chips Management hinted  Google may diversify su...

A renewed surge in AI and semiconductor stocks is reinforcing bullish sentiment, with  institutional investors increasing exposure to  Advanced Micro Devices , even after a sharp rally. AI Chip Stocks Lead Market Rebound US-listed semiconductor names rallied strongly: Advanced Micro Devices   +8% Micron Technology   +21% Micron’s move pushed its valuation above  US$1 trillion , highlighting  broad-based momentum across AI infrastructure , particularly in  memory and high-bandwidth chips (HBM) . Institutional Options Trade Signals Further Upside A notable  bull call spread strategy  emerged in AMD: Long  $520 calls (Sep 2026) Short  $620 calls The structure indicates: ~20%–25% upside expectation Continued  institutional conviction despite a 140% rally This reflects a  measured bullish stance , capturing upside while managing cost and risk. AMD’s AI Narrative Is Being Repriced AMD is increasingly being repositioned as a...

Singapore’s economy delivered a strong upside surprise in 1Q2026, supported by  robust AI-driven demand , even as authorities flagged  rising risks from Middle East tensions and global trade uncertainty . GDP Growth Exceeds Forecasts Singapore’s economy expanded: +6.0% YoY in 1Q2026  (vs 5.7% in 4Q2025) Above forecasts of  ~5.2% (Bloomberg)  and  4.6% (Reuters) On a quarter-on-quarter basis: +1.0% QoQ , beating expectations of a contraction This reflects  strong underlying economic momentum , particularly in tech-related sectors. AI Demand Drives Key Sectors Growth was largely supported by  AI-related investments , boosting: Electronics and precision engineering Machinery and equipment trade Wholesale trade segment ( +11.7% YoY ) The government expects  AI semiconductor demand to remain strong , anchoring industrial growth. Sector Performance Mixed Key sector highlights: Manufacturing : +7.9% (slower vs 11.4% previously) Construction : +11.8%...

Global investors are  rotating back into Chinese equities , with April inflows hitting their highest level in months as sentiment improves on the back of  AI-driven optimism and stabilising geopolitical concerns . Strong Foreign Inflows Signal Renewed Interest Foreign investors poured approximately  200 billion yuan (US$29 billion)  into mainland equities in April, which is the  largest inflow since January . The data suggests a  clear rebound in overseas appetite , following earlier outflows triggered by the Iran war. Proxy Data Highlights Capital Movement With limited official disclosure on direct flows, analysts rely on  cross-border investment balance data  to estimate foreign participation. This method strips out: Bond flows Trading link transactions Institutional reallocations Leaving a  reliable proxy for foreign equity inflows into China . AI Rally Drives Market Performance The rebound in flows coincided with a strong equity rally: CS...