Market news for August 18, 2025: Asian stocks up, oil down before Trump-Zelensky talks; Japan’s Nikkei ends at record high as automakers rise on weaker yen; Indian stocks rally as Modi announces tax cuts; Malaysia ringgit’s rally not over yet as analysts eye rate cuts.

Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s market movements and news from Singapore and the region.

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

Produced and edited by: Chai Pei Chieh & Claressa Monteiro

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

---

Follow Market Focus Daily and rate us on:

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

Feedback to: btpodcasts@sph.com.sg

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 Branded Podcasts at: bt.sg/brpod

BT Lens On: bt.sg/btlenson

Market news for August 18, 2025: <a href="https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/capital-markets-currencies/asia-stocks-oil-down-trump-zelensky-talks">Asian stocks up</a>, oil down before Trump-Zelensky talks; <a href="https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/capital-markets-currencies/japans-nikkei-ends-record-high-automakers-rise-weaker-yen">Japan&rsquo;s Nikkei ends at record high</a> as automakers rise on weaker yen; Indian stocks rally as Modi announces tax cuts; <a href="https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/asean/malaysia-ringgits-rally-not-over-yet-analysts-eye-rate-cuts">Malaysia ringgit&rsquo;s rally not over yet</a> as analysts eye rate cuts.
Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by&nbsp;The Business Times that looks at the day&rsquo;s market movements and news from Singapore and the region.
Written and hosted by: Emily Liu (emilyliu@sph.com.sg)
Produced and edited by: Chai Pei Chieh &amp; Claressa Monteiro
Produced by: BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media
---
Follow Market Focus Daily and rate us on:
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>
Feedback to: btpodcasts@sph.com.sg
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 Branded Podcasts at: <a href="https://bt.sg/brpod">bt.sg/brpod</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.