The Straits Times Index has kicked off the year on solid ground , riding on the strength of local banks and defensive sectors, and it’s coming off a record-breaking 2025. But while Singapore equities look steady, big questions are brewing elsewhere in the market. China’s economy is showing tentative signs of stabilisation, even as property woes linger… and in the AI space, even giants aren’t immune to reality checks, with Elon Musk’s xAI burning through cash to fuel its ambitions. So are markets still pricing in optimism, and is artificial intelligence still in a hype cycle, or entering a more sobering phase for investors?

On Market View, Willie Keng speaks to Benjamin Goh, Head of Research and Investor Education, SIAS, for more insights.