Singapore's Straits Times Index (STI) opened lower in early trade, as investors reacted to caution stemming from the US Federal Reserve’s first interest rate cut since December 2024. 

Among key stocks, DBS, OCBC and UOB fell between 0.6-1%. This comes as current rate pressures and sector rotation weighed on the counters.

Meanwhile, Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed, with Japan’s benchmark Nikkei index rose around 1% to a fresh record in early trade. 

On Market View, Willie Keng speaks to David Chow, Director of Azure Capital, to find out more about the latest market developments. 

Singapore's Straits Times Index (STI) opened lower in early trade, as investors reacted to caution stemming from the US Federal Reserve&rsquo;s first interest rate cut since December 2024.&nbsp;
Among key stocks, DBS, OCBC and UOB fell between 0.6-1%. This comes as current rate pressures and sector rotation weighed on the counters.
Meanwhile, Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed, with Japan&rsquo;s benchmark Nikkei index rose around 1% to a fresh record in early trade.&nbsp;
On Market View, Willie Keng speaks to David Chow, Director of Azure Capital, to find out more about the latest market developments.&nbsp;

Money Matters is your guide to navigating the day's most important topics, from politics and current affairs to wealth management and trending issues. Every evening, the team delivers insightful discussions on business news, market movements, and the latest in alternative assets. Whether navigating the political landscape, understanding the economy, or uncovering emerging investment opportunities, Money Matters keeps you informed and ahead of the curve. Tune in daily to Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian from 4 pm to 7 pm on MONEY FM 89.3.

Money Matters is your guide to navigating the day's most important topics, from politics and current affairs to wealth management and trending issues. Every evening, the team delivers insightful discussions on business news, market movements, and the latest in alternative assets. Whether navigating the political landscape, understanding the economy, or uncovering emerging investment opportunities, Money Matters keeps you informed and ahead of the curve. Tune in daily to Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian from 4 pm to 7 pm on MONEY FM 89.3.

Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

MONEY FM 89.3 is Singapore’s first and only Business and Personal Finance station. MONEY FM is a 24-hour English talk format station featuring local and international business and financial news. We provide you with financial market and currency updates and insights from analysts, economists, policy makers, industry experts and business owners.

In the lighter hours, listen to discussions on social issues and features on topics that include health, education, arts and music.

MONEY FM 89.3 is Singapore&rsquo;s first and only Business and Personal Finance station. MONEY FM is a 24-hour English talk format station featuring local and international business and financial news. We provide you with financial market and currency updates and insights from analysts, economists, policy makers, industry experts and business owners.
In the lighter hours, listen to discussions on social issues and features on topics that include health, education, arts and music.

MONEY FM 89.3 is Singapore’s first and only Business and Personal Finance station.

MONEY FM 89.3

Your evening guide to the day's most important topics — navigate the key events in politics, business, markets, wealth management, and top investment opportunities. Keeps you informed and ahead of the curve, daily.

Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian (4pm - 7pm)

Market View: Nikkei at an intraday high - What's driving this boost? And how are markets reacting to the Fed's first rate cut?

ESR REIT proposes to divest eight non-core Singapore assets for S$338.1 million, offering insights into capital recycling and balance-sheet management.

Also in Singapore, OUE REIT has announced a S$100 million unsecured loan facility, raising questions about refinancing, liquidity, and investor sentiment in the current funding environment.

In Asia, Japan’s latest Tankan survey showed large manufacturers’ sentiment at a four-year high, reinforcing expectations for a rate hike, while China’s November industrial output and fixed asset investment came in below forecasts, highlighting a softer-than-expected recovery.

On Market View, Alexandra Parada speaks to Too Juncheong, Dealing Manager at Moomoo Singapore, to discuss more about the day’s biggest market movements.

ESR REIT proposes to divest eight non-core Singapore assets for S$338.1 million, offering insights into capital recycling and balance-sheet management.
Also in Singapore, OUE REIT has announced a S$100 million unsecured loan facility, raising questions about refinancing, liquidity, and investor sentiment in the current funding environment.
In Asia, Japan&rsquo;s latest Tankan survey showed large manufacturers&rsquo; sentiment at a four-year high, reinforcing expectations for a rate hike, while China&rsquo;s November industrial output and fixed asset investment came in below forecasts, highlighting a softer-than-expected recovery.
On Market View, Alexandra Parada speaks to&nbsp;Too Juncheong, Dealing Manager at Moomoo Singapore, to discuss more about the day&rsquo;s biggest market movements.

Market View: China’s industrial numbers miss expectations - Is this a warning sign for investors?

As 2026 approaches, Singapore employees can expect moderate salary increases averaging 3 to 6 percent, as companies take a cautious approach amid ongoing economic uncertainty. According to a survey by ManpowerGroup and other HR firms, bonuses are also moderating, with more employers offering just one month or smaller payouts. Job switchers, however, can expect higher increases of 5 to 15 percent.

On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong spoke with DrEe Cheng Ong, Associate Professor, Department of Economics at NUS to find out which sectors are benefiting most from these salary trends and how companies are deciding where to allocate higher pay increases. 

As 2026 approaches, Singapore employees can expect moderate salary increases averaging 3 to 6 percent, as companies take a cautious approach amid ongoing economic uncertainty. According to a survey by ManpowerGroup and other HR firms, bonuses are also moderating, with more employers offering just one month or smaller payouts. Job switchers, however, can expect higher increases of 5 to 15 percent.
On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong spoke with Dr Ee Cheng Ong, Associate Professor, Department of Economics at NUS to find out which sectors are benefiting most from these salary trends and how companies are deciding where to allocate higher pay increases.&nbsp;

The Big Story: Will Singapore’s pay rises and bonuses meet your expectations in 2026?

Welcome to the return of What’s Trending! 

In this episode, Hongbin Jeong, Nadiah Koh and Alexandra Parada spoke all about Taylor Swift’s jaw-dropping $254 million tour bonuses, Dracula Land — a billion-euro vampire-themed park and tech hub in Romania — and a fiery debate over airline birthday cakes. From generosity and mega-bonuses to blockchain bats and in-flight dessert drama on Singapore Airlines, we unpack the stories, the reactions, and the surprises behind the headlines.

Which story shocked you the most: Swift’s generosity, Dracula Land’s rise from the grave, or the birthday cake controversy?

Welcome to the return of What&rsquo;s Trending!&nbsp;
In this episode, Hongbin Jeong, Nadiah Koh and Alexandra Parada spoke all about Taylor Swift&rsquo;s jaw-dropping $254 million tour bonuses, Dracula Land &mdash; a billion-euro vampire-themed park and tech hub in Romania &mdash; and a fiery debate over airline birthday cakes. From generosity and mega-bonuses to blockchain bats and in-flight dessert drama on Singapore Airlines, we unpack the stories, the reactions, and the surprises behind the headlines.
Which story shocked you the most: Swift&rsquo;s generosity, Dracula Land&rsquo;s rise from the grave, or the birthday cake controversy?

Market View: Nikkei at an intraday high - What's driving this boost? And how are markets reacting to the Fed's first rate cut?

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