US-Iran War escalates; NATO Defense Fails; Markets Rattle, Oil Stabilises

Headline news for March 5, 2026: US-Iran war intensifies with naval and missile strikes; NATO defense fails; markets dip in Asia but stabilise in US/Europe; Morgan Stanley cuts 2,500 jobs; Singapore charts a Maritime Master Plan. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Bu…

Seoul leads stock sell-off as energy shock looms

Market news for March 4, 2026: Seoul's stocks plunged 12 per cent in a record crash on widening Middle East war fears, driving an energy shock that threatens inflation, delays rate cuts, and weakens the Singapore dollar. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times …

US and Israeli Strikes Across Iran Intensify Conflict

Headline news for March 4, 2026: US and Israeli strikes on Iran intensify, prompting Iranian missile attacks around the Gulf and pushing oil higher, as Nepal prepares to vote, DBS expands in China and Singapore raises retirement ages. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by T…

Oil, Dollar soar as Iran strikes deepen global sell-off

Market news for March 3, 2026: A global sell-off deepened as US/Israel strikes on Iran fuelled oil and dollar gains, plunging Asian stocks, with Korean shares hit hardest. Singapore's ST Engineering rallied on defence orders. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business T…

Conflict Deepens in Iran as Asia Watches Oil Risks

Headline news for March 3, 2026: US and Israeli strikes on Iran widen across the region as Washington debates presidential authority, Malaysia’s reform bill falters, Asian factories hold steady and Singapore braces for energy-driven risks. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day…

How the Value Unlock push will lift the market

The recently launched Value Unlock scheme could be as significant as the S$5 billion Equity Market Development Programme in boosting local stocks. SGX’s Chan Kum Kong explains to BT senior correspondent Ben Paul how this latest initiative will work and why companies should seize the opportunity. H…

Oil spikes on Hormuz attacks, airline stocks plunge

Market news for March 2, 2026: Oil spiked on Hormuz attacks amidst escalating US-Iran conflict; airline stocks plunged on airspace disruption fears; energy shares rallied. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s market movements and news…

War With Iran Spreads as Oil Surges and Asia Stocks Slide

Headline news for March 2, 2026: US–Israel strikes on Iran intensify, lift oil and gold, and rattle Asian markets, as Washington signals sustained operations with uncertain diplomatic and economic fallout ahead. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Wr…

Passive paycheck: Structuring your SME for predictable dividends

The SME dream is built on hustle, but what if your retirement plan hinges on a highly speculative sale? Stop gambling on perfect timing. Howie Lim speaks to Grace Tay of finexis to uncover the true surplus after "oxygen" and "risk," dissecting the firewall between business and personal wealth. Lear…

AI euphoria: reality check hits the software market

Is AI euphoria heading for a crash? As tech stocks reel and Wall Street fears 'software-mageddon,' we ask if Nvidia's results calm the nerves. Plus, Asia’s chip rally, Japan’s spending risks, and why one analyst sees gold rocketing to US$6,300. Market Focus meets market reality with Oriano Lizza fr…