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?

On Apr 2, US President Donald Trump delivered his first prime-time address since the US-Israeli war in Iran erupted on Feb 28, claiming major military victories against Iran’s navy, air force, and missile capabilities.

Yet he offered no clear timeline for ending the conflict. With Trump’s approval rating at a low 36% and Iran’s enriched uranium still largely intact, questions linger: was this speech aimed at reassuring Americans, or boosting support ahead of the midterms?

On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Dr. Samir Puri, author of Westlessness and Visiting Lecturer in War Studies at King’s College London, to find out more.

On Apr 2, US President Donald Trump delivered his first prime-time address since the US-Israeli war in Iran erupted on Feb 28, claiming major military victories against Iran&rsquo;s navy, air force, and missile capabilities. Yet he offered no clear timeline for ending the conflict. With Trump&rsquo;s approval rating at a low 36% and Iran&rsquo;s enriched uranium still largely intact, questions linger: was this speech aimed at reassuring Americans, or boosting support ahead of the midterms?
On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Dr. Samir Puri, author of Westlessness and Visiting Lecturer in War Studies at King&rsquo;s College London, to find out more.

The Big Story: Trump’s prime-time address on Iran - Victory speech or unfinished war?

The “Sell America” narrative has resurfaced amid rising geopolitical tensions and a more assertive US policy stance, but markets suggest a more nuanced reality.

US equities remain supported, Treasuries continue to attract demand, and foreign investors are still allocating into US assets.

Instead, the adjustment appears to be happening through the US dollar, while gold is gaining prominence as a key hedge against policy uncertainty and shifting global dynamics.

On The Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Arun Sai, Senior Multi-Asset Strategist at Pictet Asset Management, on why this may be less about exiting US markets and more about reducing USD exposure and building gold as a structural hedge.

The &ldquo;Sell America&rdquo; narrative has resurfaced amid rising geopolitical tensions and a more assertive US policy stance, but markets suggest a more nuanced reality.
US equities remain supported, Treasuries continue to attract demand, and foreign investors are still allocating into US assets.
Instead, the adjustment appears to be happening through the US dollar, while gold is gaining prominence as a key hedge against policy uncertainty and shifting global dynamics.
On The Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to&nbsp;Arun Sai, Senior Multi-Asset Strategist at Pictet Asset Management, on why this may be less about exiting US markets and more about reducing USD exposure and building gold as a structural hedge.

Wealth Tracker: If investors aren’t selling US assets, where is the ‘Sell America’ trade happening?

What do laser-filled highways and your cringey teenage email have in common? They’re both trying to fix problems we didn’t think had solutions.

On What's Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Nadiah Koh head to China where drivers are being kept awake by full-on laser light shows on highways. Is it genius… or just dangerously distracting?

Then, we switch gears to something way more personal: your email address. After years of being stuck with usernames you’d never say out loud in a meeting, Gmail might finally let you change it, without losing your entire digital life.

What do laser-filled highways and your cringey teenage email have in common?&nbsp;They&rsquo;re both trying to fix problems we didn&rsquo;t think had solutions.
On What's Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Nadiah Koh head to China where drivers are being kept awake by full-on&nbsp;laser light shows on highways. Is it genius&hellip; or just dangerously distracting?
Then, we switch gears to something way more personal: your email address.&nbsp;After years of being stuck with usernames you&rsquo;d never say out loud in a meeting, Gmail might finally let you change it, without losing your entire digital life.

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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