Gold’s plunge, a new Fed chair and Asia in flux

Gold's crash, AI's disruptive threat to software, and a pivotal week for Asia's markets: Japan's election and Indonesia's regulatory woes. Will Kevin Warsh shake up the Fed? Howie Lim and Raisah Rasid from JP Morgan Asset Management dissect the volatility, revealing where the smart money is moving …

Starmer Under Fire as Ukraine Talks Advance and Tech Stocks Slide

Headline news for February 6, 2026: UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces backlash over his US envoy pick as Ukraine-Russia talks yield a prisoner swap, oil eases on Iran diplomacy hopes and Wall Street slides on soaring AI spending. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The…

The new geography of growth: Trading beyond the giants

In a 'minus-two' world of US-China dominance, how does your business find opportunity? Simon Tay, chairman of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA) and ANZ's Khoon Goh unpack diversification strategies, the promise of 'middle powers' like India and Australia, and the untapped pote…

Global sell-off hits commodities, Crypto and Asia stocks

Market news for February 5, 2026: Precious metals, oil and bitcoin all fall; Asian stocks slump today; Indonesia reports record breaking 2025 and Google reports solid results. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s market movements and …

US and China Talk Soybeans, Israel Strikes Gaza Again, BoE hold rates

Headline news for February 5, 2026: China considers buying more U.S.-farmed soybeans; oil prices fall, BoE to keep benchmark Bank Rate and users of mobility scooters in Singapore will need certificate of medical need. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times…

Software stocks shudder as AI threat looms, KKR, Singtel acquire STT GDC for S$6.6 billion

Market news for February 4, 2026: AI fears trigger software stock sell-off; Japan gears up for lower house elections; Gold rebounds back to $5,100; Bitcoin falls to $72,000; KKR, Singtel buy STT GDC for S$6.6 billion in one of Asia’s largest data centre deals. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a clo…

US-EU Mineral Deal Targets China; UK Eyes Advanced Nuclear and Bitcoin Slumps

Headline news for February 4, 2026: EU and US cut a deal on minerals to curb China; Britain to develop advanced nuclear reactors; bitcoin continues to slide and New Zealand’s jobless rate at its highest.  Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written b…

Beyond the dollar: Rethinking the US-heavy portfolio

The US-centric portfolio is out. The multipolar world is in. But how do you navigate the shift? What are actionable diversification strategies, from overlooked European value to high-grade Emerging Market (EM) debt and non-US innovation hubs? Barclays Private Bank’s Ken Sze dissects the compelling …

AI leads Asian stocks, gold rebound, Singtel mulls US$10 billion data centre acquisition

Market news for February 3, 2026: Japan's Nikkei jumps near 4%, closes at record high; Australia raises rates for first time in two years; Gold rebounds more than 3% after sharp sell-off; Trump cuts India tariffs in trade deal; Kore rises 8.3%, Singtel up 4.5%. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a cl…

US and India Strike Tariff Deal as Markets React

Headline news for February 3, 2026: President Trump and India clinch a deal cutting US tariffs to 18% as New Delhi halts Russian oil purchases and expands trade ties; cryptocurrencies slump, gold rebounds and South Korean inflation eases.  Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day…