Is the market caught in a volatility trap, or witnessing a fundamental pivot? Howie Lim and Chocolate Finance founder Walter de Oude get down to brass tacks: From the geopolitical tug-of-war at the Strait of Hormuz and AI investment anxiety to the Federal Reserve’s next move. What’s really driving these market swings and how can investors maintain a long-term perspective amidst today's short-term speculation?
Highlights:
01:18 Hormuz deal and the oil risk premium
04:31 Fed's rate hike odds hit 54 per cent
06:13 AI optimism vs. Capex anxiety
10:19 Gold and yen resilience
12:52 Earnings beats keep getting sold off
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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: Howie Lim (howielim@sph.com.sg)
With Walter de Oude, founder of Chocolate Finance
Edited by: Howie Lim & Claressa Monteiro
Produced by: Howie Lim & Chai Pei Chieh
A podcast by BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media
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