MONEY MASTER

US stocks rebounded sharply on Monday as investors bought into the market’s steepest rally since May, fuelled by renewed optimism over US-China trade talks, easing Middle East tensions, and continued enthusiasm around artificial intelligence. S&P 500 Posts Best Session in Five Months The  S&P 500 surged 1.6% , adding to a bull market that has already lifted valuations by  US$28 trillion (RM118.4 trillion) . Chipmakers led the rally — a sector index climbed nearly  5% , driven by  Broadcom Inc’s 10% jump  after  OpenAI signed a multiyear deal to buy its custom chips and networking equipment. Analysts said the rebound demonstrated that  “buy-the-dip” sentiment remains entrenched , even as valuations stretch. “Investors remain eager for exposure, and if this recovery holds, it reinforces the idea that retail investors can’t be easily shaken,” said  Mark Hackett , Nationwide. Trade and Geopolitical Relief Lift Sentiment Markets gained after si...

 Market Surge Amid Economic Strain China’s equity market is staging a powerful rally despite persistent economic headwinds. The  Shanghai Composite Index  recently hit a  10-year high , while the  CSI 300  has gained more than  20% from its 2025 low , adding nearly  US$1 trillion  in market value in just a month. This surge comes even as  domestic consumption, property prices, and inflation indicators flash red . Consumer prices were flat in July, producer prices declined for a 34th straight month, and GDP deflator readings remained negative — all pointing to a  deflationary spiral  undermining corporate pricing power. Drivers of the Bull Run Excess Liquidity:  Cash-rich investors are rotating into equities amid limited alternatives. Policy Support Expectations:  Hopes for targeted measures from Beijing, though so far the government has avoided large-scale stimulus. Margin Trading:  Outstanding margin debt has cl...

Bitcoin is up more than  27% this year , trading near  $119,000  and just below its July 14 record high of $123,166. Its market cap now sits at  $2.3 trillion , which would make it the sixth-largest company in the S&P 500 if it were a stock. Bull vs. Bear Scenarios Citigroup analysts estimate a potential bull case of  $199,000  — about a 70% gain from current levels — and a bear case of  $64,000 , a possible 50% drop. The wide range reflects how uncertain Bitcoin’s future remains, despite its historic run. Regulation: A Double-Edged Sword Recent momentum has been fueled by developments in Washington. The  Genius Act , regulating stablecoins, and the potential  Clarity Act  could push crypto further into the financial mainstream. However, this is ironic given Bitcoin’s original vision as a currency outside government control. Scarcity and Demand Bitcoin’s limited supply of  21 million coins  and regular “halvings” are seen a...

Chinese stocks have experienced a dramatic turnaround, with the CSI 300 Index surging 6.5% on Monday , marking its largest single-day gain since 2015. This rally extends a nine-day streak , pushing the index into a bull market after recovering more than 20% from its lows in mid-September. The gains come after the index had lost over 45% of its value from a 2021 high through mid-September. The rally follows significant government stimulus measures , including the easing of housing market rules in three of China’s largest cities, mortgage rate cuts , and liquidity support for the stock market. These actions, announced last week, also included interest rate cuts and freeing up cash for banks, signaling a comprehensive effort to revive the beaten-down market. Investor sentiment has surged, with turnover on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges exceeding one trillion yuan ($143 billion) within just 30 minutes of trading on Monday. Analysts are optimistic about the market’s moment...

Gold has been quietly reaching record prices this year, outperforming all major stock markets when measured in US dollar terms. Despite this strong performance, gold’s current bull run seems to stem from its fundamental properties as a reliable store of value, particularly in uncertain economic times. Key Insights: Gold as 'Fallback Money' : The latest surge in gold prices is being driven by its role as "fallback money" — a durable and fungible asset that holds value independently of any single country's creditworthiness. While gold has historically been linked to global instability or "apocalyptic thinking," its primary appeal is as a store of value in times of crisis or economic uncertainty. For individuals or countries facing economic instability, such as hyperinflation or geopolitical risks, gold provides a means to preserve wealth when traditional currencies fail. Central Bank and Institutional Demand : The recent bull market in gold was initiated b...