MONEY MASTER

Key Takeaways The S&P 500 delivered its strongest quarterly performance since 2020 , adding more than  US$8 trillion  in market value over the past three months. Technology and semiconductor stocks led the rally , with chipmakers recording their best quarter on record as AI-driven demand remained robust. Resilient US economic data  reinforced optimism that corporate earnings can continue supporting elevated equity valuations. Lower oil prices and easing Middle East tensions  improved investor sentiment, while analysts expect any market pullback to be a pause rather than the end of the bull market. Large-cap AI leaders and mid-cap cyclical stocks  remain among analysts' preferred investment themes. Market Overview US equities finished the second quarter on a strong note, extending one of the market's most remarkable recoveries in recent years. The  S&P 500  completed its  best quarterly performance since 2020 , while the  Nasdaq 100 ...

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 staged a strong rebound after the US and Iran reached a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, easing fears over energy supply disruptions and inflation pressures. Relief Rally Across Asset Classes Equities and bonds moved higher in tandem: Asian stocks surged  over 3% S&P 500 futures rose  1.1% US 10-year Treasury yields fell to  4.42% Meanwhile, oil prices dropped sharply: Brent crude fell over 4% to below US$84 Stocks rose because lower oil prices reduce inflation and Fed risks , improving the outlook for both growth and monetary policy. Inflation Outlook Improves The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz could: Restore  global oil supply flows Remove  geopolitical risk premium in crude prices Ease  inflation pressures globally This strengthens expectations that central banks may  avoid further rate hikes  or even shift toward easing. Dollar Weakens, Risk Assets Gain US dollar declined  as safe-haven demand eased Bitcoin climb...

Wall Street rebounded as semiconductor stocks surged following a sharp selloff, with  AI-driven demand and easing geopolitical tensions restoring investor confidence  despite lingering macro risks. Semiconductors Lead Market Recovery Technology shares drove the rebound, reversing a  US$1 trillion sector wipeout  from the prior session. Gains were broad-based: Intel   +8.5%  on potential chip deal with  Alphabet Nvidia   +1.7% Broadcom   +2.8% Micron Technology   +8.7% The  Philadelphia Semiconductor Index jumped 4.6% , underscoring renewed buying interest. Markets Rebound as Risk Sentiment Improves Major US indices moved higher: S&P 500 +0.68% Nasdaq +1.09% Dow Jones +0.29% The recovery reflects a shift back toward  growth and AI-linked equities , with investors viewing the prior selloff as temporary. Why Chip Stocks Rebounded So Quickly The sharp reversal highlights a clear dynamic:  short-term macro panic versus long...

Global markets slipped back into  risk-off mode  as renewed hostilities between the US and Iran unsettled investors, overshadowing positive economic data and reinforcing geopolitical-driven volatility. Asian Stocks Slide Amid Renewed Tensions The  MSCI Asia-Pacific ex-Japan Index  fell  0.8% , reflecting broad regional weakness: Nikkei 225   -1.3% Kospi   -2.0% The decline follows a  sell-off on Wall Street , where the  S&P 500  dropped  0.7% . Oil and Geopolitics Drive Market Sentiment Markets were shaken after  fresh exchanges of fire between the US and Iran , raising concerns over: Energy supply disruptions Prolonged instability in the  Middle East While Brent crude initially surged, it later eased to around  US$97 per barrel , reflecting  conflicting signals on ceasefire progress . Economic Data Takes a Back Seat Stronger US data failed to lift sentiment: ISM services PMI improved , indicating resilient d...

Global equities rebounded as  strong AI-driven earnings from Nvidia and easing supply risks at Samsung  boosted investor confidence, helping markets recover from recent losses. AI Momentum Drives Market Rebound Stocks rallied across regions following upbeat results from  Nvidia : S&P 500   +1.1% Nasdaq Composite   +1.5% Nvidia’s  better-than-expected revenue outlook  reinforced the view that  AI demand remains strong , supporting the broader semiconductor sector. Asian Markets Snap Losing Streak The  MSCI Asia-Pacific ex-Japan Index  rose  1.2% , ending a four-day decline. Key movers: Kospi   +4% Nikkei 225   +1.9% Australia equities  +1.5% The rebound reflects  renewed risk appetite driven by AI optimism . Samsung Strike Suspension Eases Supply Concerns Samsung Electronics  surged over  6%  after its union  suspended planned industrial action . Avoids disruption involving  ~48,000 wo...

US equities surged to fresh records, driven by  strong AI earnings momentum  and a sharp  decline in oil prices , as hopes of a US-Iran deal lifted market sentiment. Record Highs Led by Tech and AI Stocks The  S&P 500  rose  1% to a record ~7,332 , while the  Nasdaq 100  gained  1.2% , also hitting a new high. The  Dow Jones Industrial Average  climbed  1.1% , supported by broad-based gains. The rally reflects a powerful combination of: AI-driven earnings beats Improved  geopolitical sentiment Lower  energy costs easing inflation concerns AMD Leads AI Surge on Strong Guidance Advanced Micro Devices  surged  ~16% , after: Beating earnings expectations Raising forward guidance Highlighting  strong data center demand The move reinforced confidence in the  AI infrastructure cycle , lifting peers like  NVIDIA  and  Intel . Oil Prices Plunge on Peace Optimism Crude markets saw a sharp ...

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...

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 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...

US markets are set for a weaker open as  geopolitical tensions escalate sharply , following the US decision to impose a  naval blockade on the Strait of Hormuz , a key global energy artery. Futures Drop as Risk Sentiment Deteriorates US stock futures declined in early trading: Dow Jones Industrial Average  futures  -0.9% S&P 500 Index  futures  -0.9% Invesco QQQ Trust futures  -1.1% The pullback follows a  strong rally last week , as investors now reassess risks tied to the Middle East conflict. Oil Prices Surge on Supply Disruption Fears Energy markets reacted sharply to the blockade announcement: US crude surged ~8% to US$104.40 per barrel Brent crude rose ~7% to US$102.51 The Strait of Hormuz is a  critical chokepoint , handling roughly  20% of global oil flows , making any disruption a major driver of prices. Blockade Escalates Geopolitical Tensions Donald Trump  confirmed that the US Navy will  blockade all vessels ent...

US markets extended losses as  rising oil prices and a sharp sell-off in tech stocks weighed on sentiment , overshadowing dovish signals from the Federal Reserve. Key Market Moves S&P 500 fell 0.4% to 6,343.72 Nasdaq dropped 0.7% to 20,794.64 Dow Jones rose 0.1% to 45,216.14 Key takeaway: Tech weakness and oil-driven inflation fears are dragging the broader market lower. What’s Driving the Sell-Off? 1. Oil Prices Surge Again Crude oil jumped  over 5% to around US$105 Driven by ongoing  US–Iran–Israel conflict Higher oil = higher inflation risk = pressure on equities 2. Tech Stocks Lead the Decline Heavy losses in AI, chip, and data-related names: Applied Digital : -13.5% AXT Inc : -13% Micron Technology : -9.9% Arm Holdings : -5% Intel : -4.5% Super Micro Computer : -4.1% AI and semiconductor stocks are facing profit-taking and valuation concerns 3. Fed Comments Not Enough to Lift Sentiment Jerome Powell  signaled no immediate rate hikes despite rising energy pri...