Asian markets wary, oil high, rates on pause

Market news for March 16, 2026: Asian markets were wary as Gulf tensions kept oil high, complicating inflation outlooks and leading central banks to pause or, in one case, hike rates. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s market moveme…

War, Oil and the Waterway the World Depends On

Headline news for March 16, 2026: The US-Israeli war on Iran, now in its third week, has largely choked the Strait of Hormuz, rattling global energy markets and prompting Trump to rally allies to help reopen the vital waterway. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Busi…

Tech alpha: why adoption and R&D matter more than P/E

Technology alpha: myth or opportunity? Can tech fortunes be found in adoption and R&D? Apparently, author Igor Pejic thinks so. Howie Lim gets him to decode Big Tech risk, spot the real game-changers from the hype, and navigate the volatile waves of AI, geopolitics, and regulation. Synopsis: Every…

Oil shock stalls stocks: Geopolitical risk trumps fundamentals

Oil shock stalls stocks—but is this market panic justified? As crude prices soar towards $100, the narrative of a massive sell-off should be challenged. Howie Lim speaks to Steve Sosnick from Interactive Brokers to discover why the historical context of Middle East conflicts suggests a quick reboun…

Middle East Conflict Deepens as Oil Surges Past $100

Headline news for March 13, 2026: Nearly two weeks into the Middle East conflict, Iran vows to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed, oil climbs above $100, markets wobble and Singapore thanks regional partners for helping evacuate citizens. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by…

Thailand’s next test: Stability is not enough

What should investors watch for in Thailand’s critical shift, as it moves beyond political stability to deep structural reform? From streamlining regulations and addressing household debt to diversifying agriculture and accelerating new high-value industries like EVs and biotech, Simon Tay speaks t…

Oil ‘barrels’ past $100, shares slide, rates spike

Market news for March 12, 2026: Global shares fell as escalating Middle East conflict drove oil past $100, fuelling inflation fears and triggering a worldwide spike in borrowing costs despite a record IEA reserve release plan. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business …

US Trade Probe and Iran Tensions Add to Global Market Uncertainty

Headline news for March 12, 2026: The US opens a trade probe into major partners as tensions with Iran tighten energy markets, lifting oil prices, unsettling equities and adding fresh uncertainty for global trade and inflation. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Busi…

Shares steady as oil dips, diesel soars

Market news for March 11, 2026: Shares stabilise as oil dips on IEA release proposal, but diesel's surge and Mideast conflict fuel inflation fears, complicating central bank rate paths. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s market move…

US Strikes Iranian Vessels as Markets Weigh Energy Risks

Headline news for March 11, 2026: US forces strike Iranian vessels near the Strait of Hormuz as markets weigh energy risks, Europe’s central bank steadies its stance on inflation and signs emerge of resilience in Singapore’s labour market. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day…