MONEY MASTER

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...

Asian equities extended gains on Thursday as optimism over a potential  extension of the US-Iran ceasefire  drove investors back into risk assets, while easing oil prices helped reduce inflation concerns.  Equities Rebound Toward Pre-War Levels The  MSCI Asia-Pacific Index  rose  1% , approaching levels seen before the Middle East conflict began. Regional markets, including  Singapore, Taiwan, and China , have largely  recovered war-driven losses China’s  CSI 300 Index  held gains after stronger-than-expected economic growth The rally reflects a  broad shift back into equities , supported by improving geopolitical sentiment and strong corporate earnings. Oil Stabilises Below US$100, Easing Inflation Pressure Brent crude held around  US$95 per barrel , well below last month’s peak near US$120. Lower oil prices are helping to: Reduce inflation expectations Support  bond markets , with US Treasury yields easing slightly Impro...

Asian equities advanced on Thursday, tracking Wall Street’s gains as strong corporate earnings and continued AI momentum offset lingering concerns over escalating  US-China trade frictions . Meanwhile,  gold surged to a new record high  and the  yen strengthened , reflecting renewed demand for safe-haven assets. Regional Markets Rally on AI and Earnings Momentum Japan’s  Nikkei 225  climbed  0.8% , led by chip and artificial intelligence-related stocks. Taiwan’s benchmark rose  1.4% , South Korea’s  Kospi  jumped  1.8% , and Australia’s market added  1.1% , with all three touching record highs. Investors were upbeat ahead of  TSMC’s Q3 earnings report , following  ASML’s stronger-than-expected results  and order book, driven by robust AI chip demand. Hong Kong and mainland Chinese shares also recovered from early losses despite ongoing trade concerns. Wall Street Strength Lifts Sentiment US stocks ended higher ov...

 U.S. Government Funding Standoff Asian equities mostly gained on Monday while the U.S. dollar eased, as investors weighed the risk of a U.S. government shutdown. President Donald Trump is set to meet Congressional leaders later in the day in a last-minute bid to extend government funding. Without an agreement, a shutdown would begin Wednesday — coinciding with the start of  new tariffs on heavy trucks, patented drugs, and other goods . A prolonged closure could complicate the Federal Reserve’s policy decisions, as official economic data releases such as payrolls would be delayed. “If the shutdown lasts beyond the Fed meeting, the Fed will rely on private data,” Bank of America wrote, adding this could slightly reduce the chances of an October rate cut. Fed Outlook and Economic Impact Markets currently price a  90% chance of a Fed cut in October , and a  65% probability of another in December . Analysts estimate that each week of shutdown could shave just 0.1 percent...

 U.S. Budget Standoff Adds to Market Jitters Asian markets opened cautiously on Monday as investors weighed the risk of a potential  U.S. government shutdown . Without a funding deal, federal agencies could close from Wednesday — the same day new tariffs on  heavy trucks, pharmaceuticals, and furnishings  take effect. President Donald Trump is set to meet Congressional leaders later today to discuss extending funding. A prolonged shutdown could delay the release of key economic data, including September’s payrolls report, leaving the  Federal Reserve (Fed)  with limited visibility ahead of its October 29 meeting. Implications for Fed Policy Bank of America analysts noted that if the shutdown drags on, the Fed may need to rely on  private data sources  when setting policy. While the immediate economic hit is estimated at only  0.1 percentage point of GDP per week , longer disruptions or permanent federal layoffs could dent consumer confidence ...

 Regional Fund Flows Foreign investors turned net sellers in Asia for the week ended Sept 26, 2025, marking the end of a three-week buying streak, according to  MBSB Investment Bank Bhd (MBSB IB) . Total outflow :  US$2.29 billion (RM9.66 billion) . Biggest withdrawal :  Taiwan , with  US$1.16 billion  in outflows, reversing three weeks of net inflows. Pressure came as Taiwan’s unemployment rate rose for the third consecutive month in August. Other markets: India : Outflow of  US$1.08 billion , despite strong July industrial output. Vietnam : 10th consecutive week of outflows ( US$201.6 million ) after new U.S. tariffs. South Korea : Outflow of  US$114.4 million , pressured by falling producer prices linked to telecom discounts. Thailand : Third straight week of selling ( US$42.8 million ). Indonesia : Strongest gainer, with  US$306.7 million  inflows after trade pact with EU. Philippines : Second consecutive week of inflows ( US$111.1 m...

Trump Unveils Fresh Tariffs Ahead of Oct 1 Deadline Asian shares retreated on Friday after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a new round of tariffs set to take effect on  Oct 1 . The measures include: 100% duties  on imported branded drugs 25% tariffs  on heavy-duty trucks 50% tariffs  on kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities 30% tariffs  on upholstered furniture The sweeping levies rattled regional markets, with Japan’s  Topix pharmaceutical index  sliding 1.4% and Australian biotech giant  CSL  tumbling more than 3%. Regional Market Reaction Nikkei 225  fell 0.5% MSCI Asia-Pacific ex-Japan  index dropped 0.45% Nasdaq futures  eased 0.08% S&P 500 futures  slipped 0.02% Meanwhile, European markets bucked the trend, with  EUROSTOXX 50 futures  up 0.37% and  FTSE futures gaining 0.25%. “Right now, it adds to a shaky backdrop for risk assets,” said Tony Sycamore, market analyst at IG. Fed Cut Bets Dial...

  Key Takeaways: Market Selloff:  Jakarta Composite Index fell  2.3% intraday , closing down  1.3% , marking its sharpest fall since June 23. Currency Weakness:  Rupiah dropped  0.95% to 16,495/USD , before paring losses to  -0.8%  on suspected Bank Indonesia intervention. Trigger:  Violent protests in Jakarta, including a fatal incident, have raised political risk concerns and shaken investor sentiment. Regional Context:  Asian markets broadly cautious ahead of  US inflation data , with most currencies weaker; the  Philippines peso  and  South Korean won  down 0.4%. Broader Trend:  Despite today’s fall, Jakarta benchmark remains  +3.8% in August , following a strong rally since April. Market Reaction Equities:  The Jakarta Composite Index (JCI) staged its steepest intraday drop in two months, as investors reacted to violent protests over lawmakers’ pay and education funding. Profit-taking was a cl...

 Fed’s Policy Pivot Lifts Sentiment Asian equities climbed Monday, buoyed by growing conviction that the  U.S. Federal Reserve will resume rate cuts in September . Futures now price in an  84% probability of a 25bps cut  and as much as  100bps of easing by mid-2026 , bringing the Fed funds rate into the  3.25%–3.50% range . Treasuries & Dollar:  Yields fell sharply on Friday, with the U.S. 10-year note at  4.263% , down 7bps. The dollar weakened, supporting risk assets. Market implication:  Lower borrowing costs improve the earnings outlook, but also signal Fed concern over slowing employment and growth. JPMorgan’s Bruce Kasman warned that while easing is supportive, risks remain skewed toward a  downshift in global growth . Inflation in Focus – Data Could Test Euphoria The rally faces an immediate test from Friday’s release of the  U.S. PCE index , the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge. Core inflation is expected to rise to ...

Weak Payroll Data Spurs Fears of Slowing US Economy Asian equity markets opened the week under pressure after  US July payroll revisions cut 290,000 jobs off prior estimates , while the three-month average slowed sharply to just 35,000. The data reinforced fears that the US economy is cooling faster than expected and pushed traders to price in a  90% probability of a September Fed rate cut , up from 40% before the report. Fed Independence Questioned Amid Political Noise Concerns intensified after President Trump fired the head of Labor Statistics and prepared to appoint a new Federal Reserve governor, raising fears over the politicisation of monetary policy. Analysts noted the move “puts Fed credibility and economic data under the spotlight,” with futures now implying  65bps of easing by year-end  versus 33bps pre-data. Regional Market Reaction Nikkei 225:  -2.1% Kospi:  -0.2% MSCI Asia ex-Japan:  +0.3% (helped by selective buying) S&P 500 futures:...

  Won Strengthens, Stocks Hit 4-Year High South Korean assets outperformed on Wednesday as optimism grew over Seoul’s trade negotiations with the U.S. ahead of the August 1 tariff deadline. Won:  Strengthened  0.7% to 1,378.4 per dollar Stocks:  Seoul’s benchmark index jumped over  1% , nearing a  four-year high Samsung Electronics:  Led gains after inking a  US$16.5 billion chip-supply deal with Tesla Momentum built as South Korean officials held talks in Washington, with Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol scheduled to meet U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Thursday. Regional Market Snapshot Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Japan:  Already secured U.S. trade deals, raising pressure on remaining economies. Thailand:  Rushing to conclude negotiations to avoid tariffs up to  36% . Indian Rupee:  Weakened  0.6% to a four-month low  after President Trump hinted at  20%-25% tariffs . The central bank likely interve...