Oil prices just broke US$110 a barrel, bond yields are hitting multi-decade highs, and the yen carry trade is unwinding fast — this week's markets are a powder keg. In this episode of Market Focus Weekly, correspondent Howie Lim sits down with HSBC's Herald van der Linde to unpack the Strait of Hormuz shock, why AI capex — not fear — is now driving bond yields, Korea's staggering profit boom, and the one indicator every investor should watch next.

Highlights:

03:03 Central banks vs. inflation expectations

06:00 Google's €13B AI bet amid market nerves

08:12 Asia's great decoupling: Korea, Japan, India

11:37 Is faith in US Treasuries fading

15:54 The one indicator to watch next

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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 Herald van der Linde, head of equity strategy, Asia-Pacific, HSBC

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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