Market Watch

Persistent US inflation is raising questions about the Federal Reserve's next interest rate decision, while China's export strength continues to mask weak domestic demand. Vishnu Varathan, Head of Economics and Strategy at Mizuho Bank, examines the Fed's policy outlook, the yuan's appreciation and China's economic prospects. We also discuss South Korea's improving labour market, concerns over Japanese government bonds and why central banks are increasingly turning to gold as a reserve asset. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hotter than expected US inflation for October has rattled Wall Street, with markets now pricing a 90% chance of a 25 basis point Fed hike in December, up from 70% before the data. The question is no longer whether the Fed moves, but how fast and how far it goes. Hebe Chan, Senior Market Analyst at Vantage Markets, joins us to assess what this means for the Fed's path into 2027 and whether the correction in AI stocks has run its course. She also weighs China's narrowing trade surplus, pressure on the Australian dollar and the outlook for gold around the 4,000 level. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A 4.3% overnight drop in Nvidia shares following reports of a probe into CEO Jensen Huang, coupled with political headwinds for US data centres after the Democratic midterm sweep, has sparked a sharp reassessment across the AI trade. Dan Ives, Senior Managing Director and Analyst at Yorkville Ives & Co, joins The Morning Run to break down what an unhedged leadership risk at Nvidia means for rival AMD, why he views this market moment as a 1997 buildout phase rather than a dot-com bubble, and when Big Tech capex is now expected to peak. He also explores the consolidation ahead for neo-clouds like Nebius and CoreWeave, and why Southeast Asian hubs stand to gain as global capital diversifies outside the US. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wall Street has suffered a sharp selloff following the US midterm elections, with technology stocks leading losses as investors reassess the AI investment boom. Meanwhile, oil prices and Treasury yields have fallen sharply, raising questions about inflation, economic growth and the Federal Reserve's next move. Laurent Lequeu, Independent Market Analyst and writer of The Macro Butler newsletter, examines whether markets are signalling a deeper economic slowdown or a temporary correction. We also discuss the risk of stagflation, pressure on Asian semiconductor stocks and whether a weaker US dollar could benefit emerging markets. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Democrats took both houses of Congress, and Wall Street cheered. The Dow jumped 3%, oil slid to around $95 and gold held above $4,000, as traders bet a divided government would be good for business. But not everything rallied: chip stocks have lost nearly a third of their value in five months, and gold is behaving more like a risk asset than a safe haven. Is the post-midterm bounce a buying opportunity or a warning sign? We speak to Tony Nash, Founder and CEO of Complete Intelligence. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Asian markets are facing renewed pressure as concerns over AI valuations, China's economic outlook and shifting interest rate expectations weigh on investor confidence. Carlos Casanova, Senior Economist at UBP, examines what the US midterm elections could mean for Asian investors, whether the technology selloff signals a deeper reassessment of AI investment, and why Chinese equities continue to struggle despite government intervention. We also explore the disconnect between Hong Kong's booming IPO market and weak stock performance, Indonesia's economic resilience amid market pressure, and the implications of diverging monetary policies in Australia and Japan. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apple’s fiscal fourth-quarter revenue rose 12% to just under US$115 billion, narrowly topping Wall Street estimates even as sales in the key Chinese market fell short of projections. The tech giant's results land amid heightened scrutiny over hyperscaler AI spending, just as Americans head to the polls for pivotal US midterm elections that could reshape control of Congress. Joe Quinlan, Chief Market Strategist at Bank of America, joins The Morning Run to unpack Apple's performance and assess whether its measured AI strategy shields it from heavy industry spending pressures. He also explores what a divided Congress or potential blue wave would mean for the markets, alongside key indicators to watch in the upcoming US employment report. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Markets weigh the price of the AI build-out Wall Street's three main indices fell on Friday, with the Nasdaq posting its worst session since early June after Alphabet dropped roughly 12% on its earnings report as free cash flow turned negative. The plunge, paired with Meta's recent US$90 billion capital raise, has heightened investor unease over whether hyperscaler spending on AI can be sustained without straining corporate balance sheets. Kingsley Jones, Chief Investment Officer at Jevons Global, joins Market Watch on The Morning Run to unpack the diverging fortunes within the Magnificent 7, from Microsoft and Apple's balance sheet resilience to the pressures mounting on fellow tech titans. He examines what Apple’s new CEO John Ternus must demonstrate to justify its US$5 trillion valuation milestone, how investors should position their portfolios between equities and short-term Treasuries, and the macro implications behind the Reserve Bank of Australia's rate outlook and the Bank of Japan's hawkish pivot.…

Wall Street is becoming increasingly selective about AI investment, with Amazon's soaring cloud revenue overshadowed by mounting cash outflows, raising questions about whether technology giants can justify their enormous spending. Tim Mulholland, President of TJM Limited, examines how investors are assessing AI returns alongside resilient US growth, persistent inflation and the Federal Reserve's interest rate outlook. We also discuss oil prices above US$110, gold's resilience despite expectations of higher rates, growing concerns in the Treasury market and how the approaching US midterm elections could influence investment strategies in an already expensive market. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the Federal Reserve holding interest rates steady at 3.75% to 4%, investors are reassessing opportunities in fixed income, particularly bonds issued by technology giants financing the AI boom. Patrick Chang, Chief Investment Officer, Group Consumer Bank, CIMB, discusses the bank's decision to upgrade its fixed income allocation from underweight to neutral and why hyperscaler bonds remain attractive despite mounting borrowing requirements. We examine whether widening credit spreads signal opportunity or growing financial risks, what could undermine the investment case, and where investors might find the best returns across the yield curve and broader bond market. Click here to find out more about CIMB Chief Investment Office. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

World markets continue to make gains following Anthropic's IPO filing on Monday - helped also by lower crude oil prices on some positive signs coming from Iran's Supreme Leader. David Dietze, Chief Investment Strategist at Dietze Wealth Management Group, shares his view on how sustainable are these AI-led gains and risks we should be paying attention to. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anthropic's IPO filing has revived enthusiasm for AI stocks, but its enormous losses and reliance on a handful of major customers are raising fresh questions about valuations and the sustainability of the investment boom. Meanwhile, Wall Street faces key US growth and inflation data as high borrowing costs weigh on housing, oil prices exceed US$110 and gold retreats despite geopolitical uncertainty. We examine whether corporate investment can sustain the US economy as consumers grow more cautious, and how the approaching midterm elections could reshape expectations for fiscal policy, government spending and financial markets. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wall Street faces another critical week as investors await earnings from Alphabet, Microsoft and Amazon alongside the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision. Concerns over AI spending are intensifying, with SoftBank's sharp valuation decline raising questions about whether the technology boom can justify its enormous costs. Meanwhile, China's stock market has entered bear territory, India continues to underperform and Indonesia faces capital outflows following an MSCI warning. We examine the Bank of Japan's policy outlook, the Singapore dollar's growing role in carry trades and whether Australia's inflation fight risks triggering a deeper economic slowdown. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wall Street's tech-led sell-off deepened overnight, with the Nasdaq down 2.6% and the S&P 500 off 1.2%, even as the Dow stayed roughly flat. Adding to the unusual mix, spot Brent pushed above US$110 a barrel while the US 10-year Treasury yield fell around 17 basis points, a combination that doesn't fit the usual inflation playbook. Dilin Wu, Research Strategist at Pepperstone, unpacks what's driving the broad-based AI sector weakness and what this week's Magnificent Seven earnings, including Meta, Tesla, Netflix and SpaceX, signal about AI monetisation timelines ahead of Alphabet, Microsoft and Amazon's results. She also weighs oil-driven inflation and rate risks, China's 4.5% GDP print against weak domestic demand and property sentiment, and diverging policy paths at the Bank of Korea and Bank of Japan. Tune in for her take on where the risks are being underpriced. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wall Street is weighing whether the AI investment boom can deliver sustainable returns following a sell-off in technology stocks, with Meta's latest earnings and spending plans under scrutiny. Meanwhile, a possible Tesla-SpaceX merger raises questions about shareholder value, while electricity infrastructure delays threaten the profitability of AI data centres. We examine the Federal Reserve's next interest rate decision, the impact of oil prices around US$110 on corporate earnings, whether a weaker dollar could benefit Asian markets, and how the upcoming US midterm elections might reshape investor expectations. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China’s economy grew 4.5% in the third quarter, supported by strong exports, but weak domestic demand continues to raise questions about the sustainability of its recovery. Meanwhile, Australia’s cooling labour market is complicating the outlook for interest rates, Japan faces surging bond yields and a weakening yen, and Indonesia must balance currency pressures with concerns over its equity market. As economic conditions diverge across Asia, we examine whether central banks are heading in increasingly different directions and what that could mean for regional equities, bonds and currencies. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wall Street faces a crucial earnings week following a sharp sell-off in AI-linked stocks, with investors increasingly questioning whether enormous technology investments can deliver sustainable returns. Meanwhile, mounting concerns over debt-funded AI infrastructure, France’s fiscal troubles and weakening underlying US consumer spending are adding to market uncertainty. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wall Street's first wave of Q3 bank earnings split the field, with Bank of America missing consensus by 17% and JPMorgan underperforming by 6%, even as Goldman Sachs posted a clean result that barely moved its stock. Meanwhile, the Australian dollar has slipped roughly 3% against the greenback over the past six months despite potential Reserve Bank of Australia rate hikes, while Indonesia's equity market lost US$65 billion in a single session following an MSCI index downgrade warning. Kingsley Jones, Chief Investment Officer at Jevons Global, analyses what early bank results and AI-driven debt issuance reveal ahead of earnings from Tesla and Alphabet. He unpacks the RBA's inflation-versus-growth dilemma, assesses whether Indonesia's sell-off presents a value opportunity, and breaks down China's latest growth figures alongside the broader outlook for global markets. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The AI trade is facing renewed scrutiny as semiconductor stocks come under pressure, even as TSMC reports record profits. Meanwhile, US inflation has climbed to 3.7%, driven largely by higher energy prices, while strong retail sales and surging producer prices raise questions about corporate profit margins. We speak to Tim Mulholland, President of TJM Limited, about the semiconductor sell-off, shifting demand for US Treasuries, mixed signals from Wall Street bank earnings and where investors should look for opportunities in an increasingly uncertain market. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Inflation Pressures Mount as Fed Decision Looms U.S. September CPI showed renewed acceleration driven by energy prices, with further increases expected into year-end. Real wages are under pressure, with consumer-facing companies including Domino's Pizza and McDonald's already signalling stress. Laurent Lequeu, independent market analyst and writer for the Macro Butler newsletter, examines how rising inflation and a weakening employment market could push the U.S. towards stagflation, what the bond market's move at the longer end signals about structural inflation and fiscal credibility, and how the interest rate differential and capital flows are shaping the yen's outlook. He also explores China's widening trade imbalance and its reliance on exports over domestic consumption. Tune in for his read on where the Fed, Bank of Japan, and bond traders go from here. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs reported strong results, with equity trading particularly robust and consumer credit card use up 10% or more across most institutions, yet every bank's shares fell on the day. David Dietze, Chief Investment Strategist at Dietze Wealth Management Group, examines what the bank results reveal about consumer resilience, deal pipelines and loan quality, and how elevated expectations may shape the broader earnings season ahead. He also weighs the fundamental drivers behind Korea's sharp selloff earlier this week, including emerging Chinese competition in high-bandwidth memory and warnings of overexuberance in the sector, and looks ahead to ASML and TSMC results for clues on whether commercial demand is keeping pace with AI capital spending. Tune in for his read on the consumer-facing earnings to watch, from Bank of America's retail lending to Tesla and Netflix. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Major US banks including Goldman Sachs, Citigroup and JPMorgan Chase are set to report their earnings this week with analysts expecting S&P 500 earnings to surge 30.6% in Q3. Joe Quinlan, Chief Market Strategist, US Trust-BOA Private Wealth Management, shares his insights into what we can expect as well as how European and Chinese markets might behave in the coming days. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US equities continue to climb despite elevated Treasury yields, persistent inflation and geopolitical tensions keeping oil above US$100 a barrel. With major US banks kicking off earnings season and fresh inflation data due, investors face another test of whether current valuations can be justified. Meanwhile, Australia's weakening labour market is complicating the outlook for interest rates, while gold attempts a recovery and China introduces fresh stimulus measures. Can markets sustain their momentum as economic and geopolitical risks continue to build? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Budget 2027 tabled on the 9th Oct, what will investors need to see to stay confident in Malaysia, especially after foreign funds turned net sellers of Malaysian government bonds in September? Globally, AI-related debt issuance has passed US$575 billion this year, while TSMC’s record quarterly revenue strengthens the case for the AI boom. Meanwhile, Brent crude is back above US$100 a barrel on Middle East disruptions, and gold is struggling to recover from a two-month low. Song Seng Wun, Independent Economist, breaks down what this means for markets in the region. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Goldman Sachs and Citi now see the S&P 500 ending the year somewhere between 7,400 and 8,100, and analysts expect third-quarter earnings to grow by more than 30%. Underneath that optimism, there are warning signs. Distressed loans are at their highest level since March 2020, with tech making up more than a third of them, and Treasury yields keep rising. We speak to Tony Nash, CEO of Complete Intelligence, about whether the rally can hold, how much the market trusts Scott Bessent, and whether stress in credit could spread to other sectors. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Faced with severe supply disruptions across the Middle East and Russia, G7 nations have agreed to release 100 million barrels of crude and diesel reserves. But is this enough? Zameer Yusuf, Lead Analyst for Clean Products at Kpler, joins The Morning Run to break down the global diesel crunch. He dives into the impact of the G7 intervention, how trade rerouting could push up pump prices in Asia, and why a populist US export ban would backfire on American refineries and consumers alike. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weak US jobs data has reduced expectations of another immediate Federal Reserve rate hike, yet long-term Treasury yields remain close to multi-decade highs, creating a difficult backdrop for markets across Asia. Investors are also weighing possible further tightening in Japan and India, continued efforts to revive China’s economy, and whether the extraordinary rally in South Korean equities can continue. Are Asian markets adjusting to a world where borrowing costs remain structurally higher even if the Fed pauses? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wall Street reached fresh heights as the Nasdaq hit a new record, yet beneath the surface, investors are navigating rising US Treasury yields, stubborn diesel fuel supply constraints, and sovereign debt jitters across Europe. Joe Quinlan, Chief Market Strategist at US Trust - Bank of America Private Wealth Management, joins The Morning Run to unpack global market dynamics. He breaks down why tech remains in its "sweet spot," how soaring diesel prices impact broader economic affordability, why bad news in Europe could actually boost large European exporters, and what high bond yields mean for Fed rate policy. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US equities remain close to record highs despite a surprisingly weak September jobs report, Treasury yields reaching levels not seen in decades and expectations that the Federal Reserve could raise rates again. With the S&P 500 up nearly 13% this year, investors are increasingly confronting a stark divergence between resilient stocks and a bruising bond sell-off. Can equities keep climbing as borrowing costs rise, or will increasingly attractive bond yields finally start pulling money away from stocks? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The S&P 500 ended the third quarter higher, but the equal-weighted index fell about 4% in September, so the gains came from a small group of stocks. With AI borrowing being tested in the credit market, the dollar at a three-month high and close to US$8 trillion sitting in money-market funds, investors have to decide whether this rally can spread to more stocks or whether it's getting fragile. We look at where to position for the fourth quarter and what would get that cash moving. We speak to Tim Mulholland, President of TJM Limited. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Global equities closed the quarter near record highs, even with oil up 40% and the US 10-year Treasury yield above 5.2%. US PCE inflation came in cooler than expected at 3.4%, but rising oil is pulling yields up with it, and Australia is already hiking into 4% inflation. So is the bond market warning about something stock investors don't want to hear? We speak to Vishnu Varathan, Head of Economics & Strategy at Mizuho Bank. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Investors head into the fourth quarter facing oil above US$100, elevated bond yields and another crucial round of US inflation and employment data that could shape the Federal Reserve’s next move. Meanwhile, Nvidia’s enormous US$150 billion share-buyback programme is highlighting just how much cash the AI boom is generating at its biggest beneficiaries. With bonds offering increasingly attractive returns, are equities still worth the additional risk as markets enter the final months of the year? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After four brutal years near one-year lows, could China’s mainland stock market finally be quietly carving out a bottom? While the benchmark CSI 300 remains in the red, subtle signs of momentum are beginning to emerge under the surface. Eric Khaw, Senior Portfolio Manager at Amova Asset Management, joins Market Watch to explore whether a true turning point is taking shape for mainland equities. Eric weighs in on where the true winners and losers are emerging, whether the momentum in technology is broad-based or dangerously concentrated, and how he is positioning for mainland A-shares today. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Higher oil prices, rising Treasury yields and the prospect of further Fed rate hikes are putting pressure on US markets. Joe Quinlan, Chief Market Strategist at US Trust-BOA Private Wealth Management, discusses the risks to corporate earnings, US-China trade and what the latest moves in gold and silver are telling investors. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite a temporary US-China agreement on reciprocal tariff reductions and 10-year Treasury yields reaching 5.23%, global markets face mounting pressure from sticky inflation and rising geopolitical tensions. Laurent Lequeu, Independent Market Analyst and Writer of The Macro Butler newsletter, joins The Morning Run to discuss how capital is reacting and why the current trade truce may break down after the US midterm elections. Laurent also examines why the Federal Reserve is likely to prioritise sticky inflation over employment numbers with another potential rate hike, whether stock valuations can remain resilient against 5% yields, and why physical gold and real assets remain prime hedges as distrust in government debt and dollar weaponisation grows. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Brent crude holding above $100 a barrel and 10-year US Treasury yields pressing past 5.19%, global markets are navigating a complex mix of rising inflation expectations, rate hike pressures, and corporate debt strain. Tony Nash, CEO of Complete Intelligence, joins The Morning Run to unpack where international markets are heading next. Tony addresses the direct correlation between elevated energy prices and surging bond yields, the growing market unease over AI infrastructure debt following SoftBank’s bond pricing and Oracle’s data center retreat, and how US tariff negotiations could impact corporate margins. He also evaluates the valuation pressure facing small caps and what a stronger US dollar means for Asian currencies and central bank policies. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Fed has raised rates and says they'll stay high for longer, and Treasury yields are at levels not seen in years. So is that bad news for stocks, and does the AI growth story still hold up? We speak to Patrick Chang, Chief Investment Officer, Segments & Propositions at CIMB, about what's changed in his outlook, how he's thinking about diversification and hedging, and the indicators he's watching over the next few months. Click here to find out more about CIMB Chief Investment Office. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Federal Reserve and Bank of Japan have both raised interest rates, putting renewed pressure on Asian central banks as the US dollar remains strong. Meanwhile, China is grappling with weak domestic demand and record-low loan growth even as the yuan strengthens ahead of Xi Jinping’s meeting with Donald Trump, while South Korean equities continue their extraordinary rally. How vulnerable is Asia to another global tightening cycle, and which economies are best placed to navigate it? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wall Street's enthusiasm for the Magnificent Seven seems to be back as the Nasdaq closed at a new record high, but questions remain over AI valuations, infrastructure spending and the concentration of market gains. Joe Quinlan, Chief Market Strategist, US Trust-BOA Private Wealth Management, shares his perspectives on if investors should lean back into AI. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia’s healthcare sector delivered strong earnings growth in the second quarter, supported by higher patient volumes, rising revenue per patient and growing medical tourism. Yet share-price performance has been mixed, with several major hospital operators underperforming the broader market despite improving fundamentals. Have investors already priced in the sector’s growth prospects, and which healthcare stocks still offer compelling opportunities as valuations become increasingly stretched? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US equities remain remarkably resilient despite Treasury yields around 5%, oil above US$100 and the Federal Reserve raising interest rates again. Elsewhere, the Bank of Japan and Reserve Bank of Australia are also tightening policy, while investors await a potentially consequential meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping. With gold pushing back towards US$4,400 an ounce despite a stronger dollar, are markets underestimating the risks from higher rates and geopolitical uncertainty? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore REITs came out of the June quarter with stable occupancy, positive rental reversions and disciplined balance sheets. Share prices tell a different story. The REIT Index is still in negative territory year-to-date while the broader STI is up more than 10 per cent, with high interest rates and rising bond yields keeping the sector under pressure. We ask what's holding it back, whether pure-play data centre REITs are outperforming the diversified ones, and where the house view sees value going forward. We speak to Krishna Guha, Equity Analyst at Maybank Research, Singapore. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Federal Reserve raised rates for the first time in three years, and Wall Street went up anyway. The Nasdaq climbed 1.7% as easing oil prices and softer Treasury yields pulled technology stocks higher, but crude is still above US$100 a barrel and the 10-year is hovering near 4.9%. We ask whether that was genuine comfort with tightening or just a relief rally, which parts of the market are most exposed to stagflation, and what the Bank of Japan's expected move to 1.25% means for yen-funded carry trades. We speak to Tim Waterer, Chief Market Analyst at KCM Trade. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following the Federal Reserve's decision to raise its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points, marking the central bank's first rate increase since July 2023, Vishnu Varathan, Head of Economics & Strategy at Mizuho Bank, joins The Morning Run to analyse the broader market fallout. Vishnu evaluates what drove Fed Chair Kevin Warsh to act and assessing whether the unanimous decision establishes long-term central bank independence despite pressure from the White House. He also details expected rate paths through 2027, the fiscal risks of ballooning US debt servicing costs, and how widening yield differentials threaten the Japanese yen ahead of the Bank of Japan's upcoming policy meeting. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Money is pouring into data centres across Southeast Asia, with more than US$11.5 billion invested so far, according to a new report by Tracxn. Most of that money has gone to just five companies based in Singapore, while the actual data centres are going up in Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand. With sovereign funds, pension funds and borrowed money all piling in, it's worth asking how long this boom can last and who really benefits. We speak to Neha Singh, Founder and Managing Director of Tracxn, about where the money is going. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Japan's first-quarter corporate earnings season delivered a broad-based beat, with over 70% of companies exceeding market expectations against a typical 55% hit rate. The Nikkei, which peaked up roughly 44% before pulling back, still sits around 27% higher year-to-date. James Ying, Client Portfolio Manager at Eastspring Investments in Singapore, covers sector winners and laggards, including autos, banks, utilities, and AI-linked electrical equipment, and whether the semiconductor-driven rally has room to run or demands sharper stock selection. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US Treasury yields have crossed the psychologically important 5% level as markets brace for another Federal Reserve rate hike, while persistent inflation, heavy government borrowing and US$100-plus oil add to the pressure. Yet US equities have remained surprisingly resilient despite the increasingly difficult backdrop. Can corporate earnings continue supporting stocks as borrowing costs climb, and are investors prepared for a broader period of synchronised monetary tightening around the world? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oil is back above US$100, bond yields are approaching uncomfortable levels and major central banks are turning increasingly hawkish, raising the risk of a difficult combination of persistent inflation and weaker growth. Meanwhile, investors are weighing whether US Treasuries look attractive at yields near 5%, whether China can shift from export-led growth towards stronger domestic demand, and whether gold can withstand higher rates. Are global markets entering a new tightening cycle, and where can investors find shelter if the energy shock persists? Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US equities slipped overnight as Brent pushed above US$100, nearly 30% off its early-August lows, while longer-dated Treasury yields kept climbing despite the Treasury tripling its bond buyback to US$6 billion. Hebe Chen, Senior Market Analyst at Vantage Markets, tells us which of those two pressures is the bigger threat to stocks right now, what the latest PPI and jobless claims data mean for Fed rate expectations, and why gold is holding up even with yields elevated. We also look at the yen at seven-month highs ahead of a possible BOJ hike, and what a stronger currency does to Japanese equities and the carry trade. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bursa Malaysia's REIT Index has had a roller-coaster year, and unlike the benchmark index it remains in the red — even as the 20 companies it tracks delivered a sturdy set of first-half results, with growth in both revenue and dividends. So why the disconnect? Afifah Ishak, Equity Research Analyst at Affin Hwang Investment Bank, joins us to break down the 2Q2026 reporting season: which sub-sectors are outperforming across retail, office, industrial and hospitality, what the removal of the 10% withholding tax on REIT dividends means for retail investors, how rising bond yields are testing the sector's defensive appeal, and why soft tourist numbers are weighing on hospitality and retail names. She also explains the risks to her Overweight call — and shares her top picks. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.