Will the AI rally slow down?

Chinese tech IPOs in Hong Kong

Singapore’s quiet strength

So what, Venezuela?

China vs. Japan

It’s a busy start to 2026 for markets. Asian equities are rallying, AI remains dominant, and Singapore stocks are pushing into record territory. 

On this week’s Market Focus Weekly, Emily Liu is joined by HSBC’s Herald van der Linde to break down what’s powering the early-year optimism — and where risks may be building. They discuss whether the AI trade is becoming overcrowded, what to make of a wave of Chinese IPOs in Hong Kong, and why the market is largely unfazed by geopolitical flashpoints from Venezuela to China–Japan trade tensions.

Highlights:

01:28 Will the AI rally slow down?

08:16 Chinese tech IPOs in Hong Kong

11:14 Singapore’s quiet strength

13:07 So what, Venezuela?

16:23 China vs. Japan

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Send us your questions, thoughts, story ideas, and feedback to btpodcasts@sph.com.sg.

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Written and hosted by: Emily Liu (emilyliu@sph.com.sg)

With Herald van der Linde, head of Asia equity strategy, HSBC

Edited by: Chai Pei Chieh & Claressa Monteiro

Produced by: Emily Liu & Chai Pei Chieh

A podcast by BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media

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Follow Market Focus Weekly podcasts every Friday:

Channel: bt.sg/btmktfocus

Amazon: bt.sg/mfam

Apple Podcasts: bt.sg/mfap

Spotify: bt.sg/mfsp

YouTube Music: bt.sg/mfyt

Website: bt.sg/mktfocus

Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party’s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice. 

Discover more BT podcast series:

BT Money Hacks at: bt.sg/btmoneyhacks

BT Correspondents at: bt.sg/btcobt

BT Podcasts at: bt.sg/podcasts

BT Lens On: bt.sg/btlenson

It&rsquo;s a busy start to 2026 for markets. Asian equities are rallying, AI remains dominant, and Singapore stocks are pushing into record territory.&nbsp;
On this week&rsquo;s Market Focus Weekly, Emily Liu is joined by HSBC&rsquo;s Herald van der Linde to break down what&rsquo;s powering the early-year optimism &mdash; and where risks may be building. They discuss whether the AI trade is becoming overcrowded, what to make of a wave of Chinese IPOs in Hong Kong, and why the market is largely unfazed by geopolitical flashpoints from Venezuela to China&ndash;Japan trade tensions.
Highlights:
01:28 Will the AI rally slow down?
08:16 Chinese tech IPOs in Hong Kong
11:14 Singapore&rsquo;s quiet strength
13:07 So what, Venezuela?
16:23 China vs. Japan
---
Send us your questions, thoughts, story ideas, and feedback to btpodcasts@sph.com.sg.
---
Written and hosted by: Emily Liu (emilyliu@sph.com.sg)
With&nbsp;Herald van der Linde,&nbsp;head of Asia equity strategy, HSBC
Edited by: Chai Pei Chieh &amp; Claressa Monteiro
Produced by: Emily Liu &amp; Chai Pei Chieh
A podcast by BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media
---
Follow Market Focus Weekly podcasts every Friday:
Channel: <a href="https://bt.sg/btmktfocus/">bt.sg/btmktfocus</a>
Amazon: <a href="https://bt.sg/mfam">bt.sg/mfam</a>
Apple Podcasts: <a href="https://bt.sg/mfap/">bt.sg/mfap</a>
Spotify: <a href="https://bt.sg/mfsp/">bt.sg/mfsp</a>
YouTube Music: <a href="https://bt.sg/mfyt">bt.sg/mfyt</a>
Website: <a href="https://bt.sg/mktfocus/">bt.sg/mktfocus</a>
Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party&rsquo;s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice.&nbsp;
Discover more BT podcast series:
BT Money Hacks at: <a href="https://bt.sg/btmoneyhacks">bt.sg/btmoneyhacks</a>
BT Correspondents at: <a href="https://bt.sg/btcobt" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://bt.sg/btcobt&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1725767545308000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1MZyDZ2ZxkzhbmmY3UOc3Z">bt.sg/btcobt</a>
BT Podcasts at: <a href="https://bt.sg/podcasts">bt.sg/podcasts</a>
BT Lens On: <a href="https://bt.sg/btlenson">bt.sg/btlenson</a>

Join us at the closing bell — for a look at the day's markets and the news that drove them.

Market Focus Daily is a closing bell look at markets and the news that drove its movements-every trading day. Market Focus Weekly rounds up the week with expert analysis and insights for a big picture look at the trading week ahead.

Produced by BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media.

Market Focus Daily is a closing bell look at markets and the news that drove its movements-every trading day. Market Focus Weekly rounds up the week with expert analysis and insights for a big picture look at the trading week ahead.
Produced by BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media.

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