Asian currencies and stocks do well; hopes for US interest rate cuts revived; first-quarter loss for biotech giant Moderna; Asian tech giants surge and demand for leisure travel remains strong. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s market movements and news from Singapore and the region. Written by: Howie Lim ([email protected]) Recording engineer: Joann Chai Pei Chieh Produced and edited by: Lee Kim Siang & Claressa...

Police forcibly removed scores of defiant pro-Palestinian protesters at several colleges. In Asia, claims circulating online in India recently have misstated various details about the upcoming election and in Singapore, an officer from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been suspended from duties to assist in investigations amid allegations that he filmed a teenager at a public bath in Japan.  Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by:...

Asian markets mixed after Fed keeps interest rate unchanged; Yen gains overnight fuel intervention speculation; DBS hits all-time high on record Q1 profits; Nio gains 19.8% on strong vehicle delivery. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s market movements and news from Singapore and the region. Written and hosted by: Emily Liu ([email protected]) Recording engineer: Joann Chai Pei Chieh Produced and edited by: Lee Kim Siang...

Supporters of Israel, attacked a pro-Palestinian protest camp at the University of California in Los Angeles. In Asia, Eastern India experienced its hottest April on record and in Singapore, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said he has prepared a leadership team to succeed him that deserves Singaporeans’ confidence and support, and asked that all Singaporeans rally behind it to make the nation succeed. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written...

Six Bitcoin and Ether ETFs debut in Hong Kong; Microsoft to invest US$1.7 billion in cloud, AI in Indonesia; Samsung Q1 profit soars nearly ten-fold on AI chip demand. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s market movements and news from Singapore and the region. Written and hosted by: Emily Liu ([email protected]) Recording engineer: Joann Chai Pei Chieh Produced and edited by: Lee Kim Siang & Claressa Monteiro Produced...

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Hamas to swiftly accept an Israeli proposal for a truce in the Gaza war. In Asia news, Southeast Asia has been coping with a weeks long heat wave as record-high temperatures led to school closings in several countries and in Singapore, in the three weeks since the speed enforcement function was activated in red-light cameras, those cameras have detected more than 800 speeding violations. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by...

Japanese yen rebounds sharply on intervention suspicions; Property stocks lead Chinese market rally; Singtel down 3.3% after announcing S$3.1 billion impairment hit. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s market movements and news from Singapore and the region. Written and hosted by: Emily Liu ([email protected]) Recording engineer: Joann Chai Pei Chieh Produced and edited by: Lee Kim Siang & Claressa Monteiro Produced...

French President Emmanuel Macron has said that, France's nuclear weapons should be part of the European defense debate. In Asia news, China's coast guard confronted Japanese lawmakers in waters claimed by both countries in the East China Sea and in Singapore, Thirteen women and one man were arrested in connection with vice-related activities. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Lee Kim Siang/ Claressa Monteiro...

Women today play a critical role in driving economic development. They are generating more wealth than ever before and gaining economic influence, particularly in the roles of consumers, wealth accumulators and investors.  According to Nielsen, by 2028, women will own 75 per cent of discretionary spending, making them the world’s greatest influencers. How are financial services catering to the needs of the modern woman? Lee Kim Siang speaks to Jacquelyn Tan, managing director, group head...

Japan’s stock market has made a big comeback this year. Could the country finally be leaving the lost decades behind? Lee Kim Siang speaks to Naomi Fink, global strategist at Nikko Asset Management, to break it all down. Synopsis: Every first, third and fifth Monday of the month, The Business Times breaks down useful financial tips. Highlights of the conversation:  00:51 The driving forces behind Japan's economic rally 03:39 Is Japan finally overcoming deflation? 04:57 The impact of...

Global stocks teetering towards their worst month since September; the Bank of Japan kept rates unchanged; the benchmark S&P 500 index rose 0.8%, after earnings from Alphabet and Microsoft beat estimates. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s market movements and news from Singapore and the region. Written by: Lee Kim Siang ([email protected]) Recording engineer: Joann Chai Pei Chieh Produced and edited by: Lee Kim Siang...

Harvey Weinstein's 2020 conviction for sexual assault and rape overturned by New York's highest court. In Asia, former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad is among individuals being investigated in connection with a graft probe involving his sons. And in Singapore, a new 255-room hotel under the boutique Hotel Indigo brand will open at Changi Airport’s T2 by 2028. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Lee Kim Siang...

Asia shares fall after US tech sell-off; Yen breaches 155 per dollar level as Bank of Japan begins April meeting; Hong Kong spot crypto ETFs aim to launch next week. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s market movements and news from Singapore and the region. Written and hosted by: Emily Liu ([email protected]) Recording engineer: Joann Chai Pei Chieh Produced and edited by: Lee Kim Siang & Claressa Monteiro Produced...

TikTok's chief executive said that the company expects to win a legal challenge, to block legislation signed into law by President Joe Biden. In Asia, an armed ethnic group in Myanmar, has withdrawn its troops from a town along the Thai border, following a counteroffensive by the ruling junta. And in Singapore, the Singapore Red Cross announced an emergency humanitarian kitchen set up in Egypt’s North Sinai. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business...

Are you paying much more in property tax on your beloved home? What is the impact of property taxes on owner-occupiers and non-occupiers of homes? Will property taxes on homes rise even further? Senior correspondent Leslie Yee gets insights from CBRE’s Tricia Song. Synopsis: Hosted by senior correspondent Leslie Yee, PropertyBT from The Business Times shares insights on all things Singapore property to help you on your property investment journey. Episodes feature views and insights from...

Asian markets rally as tech companies report earnings; Inflation in Australia comes in higher than expected; Indonesia surprises with rate hike to support rupiah. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s market movements and news from Singapore and the region. Written and hosted by: Emily Liu ([email protected]) Recording engineer: Joann Chai Pei Chieh Produced and edited by: Lee Kim Siang & Claressa Monteiro Produced by:...

The United States is preparing a one billion dollar military aid package for Ukraine; two Malaysian military helicopters collided midair and crashed during a training session yesterday; a project to join the main road of Bidadari town to Bartley Road has restarted after a one-year hiatus. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Lee Kim Siang ([email protected]) / Claressa Monteiro ([email protected]) Recording engineer: Joann Chai...

BOJ will hike rates if trend inflation accelerates; Chaibaidao shares pluge at trading debut after IPO in Hong Kong; Nanofilm Technologies jumps 13% after improved Q1 revenue. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s market movements and news from Singapore and the region. Written and hosted by: Emily Liu ([email protected]) Recording engineer: Joann Chai Pei Chieh Produced and edited by: Lee Kim Siang & Claressa...

President Joe Biden would celebrate Earth Day by announcing 7 billion dollars in grants for residential solar projects. In Asia, Taiwan’s capital was hit by a series of earthquakes overnight and Singapore has launched its final Invincible-class submarine, marking a new era in the Republic’s submarine journey. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Lee Kim Siang ([email protected]) / Claressa Monteiro ([email protected]) Recording...

Asian markets rally after last week’s losses; Vietnam to launch new stocks trading system next week; Investors watch as India elections are underway; Indonesian rupiah falls near historic low as central bank meets on Wednesday. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s market movements and news from Singapore and the region. Written and hosted by: Emily Liu ([email protected]) Recording engineer: Joann Chai Pei Chieh Produced...

EU ministers meet today to discuss bolstering Ukraine’s air defences and expanding sanctions on Iran; an Indonesian court will deliver its verdict today on challenges to the outcome of February's presidential election; a Russian man bought more than US$65 million worth of gold bullion held in Singapore in a money laundering conspiracy meant to fund Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Lee Kim Siang...

From the costs of caregiving, to medical costs, to loss of income, disability is expensive. In this episode, Edwin Wee from Great Eastern and Cynthia Chng from the Agency for Integrated Care share their insights on how we can be prepared for whatever happens. Synopsis: The Business Times Podcasts channel showcases niche series Money Hacks, Mark To Market, WealthBT, PropertyBT, Market Focus and sponsored series. This episode is brought to you by Great Eastern. Do note: This podcast is meant...

Pratibha Rai was just 27 years old when she was diagnosed with lymphoma. She never imagined this would happen to her. Why are more younger people getting cancer in Singapore and around the world? We hear from oncologist Dr Eileen Poon and cancer survivor Pratibha Rai about the challenges and triumphs in fighting cancer together. Plus, DBS’ head of financial planning literacy Lorna Tan explains what’s the best way to financially prepare for a major illness like cancer.  Synopsis: A monthly...

What’s the secret to a successful retirement? According to Christopher Tan, founder of advisory firm Providend, it’s not just good investing and financial planning, it’s also about contentment. Christopher shares his personal wisdom with BT’s Genevieve Cua.  Synopsis: Learn to protect and grow your wealth in this monthly Business Times podcast series for affluent individuals, hosted by BT wealth editor Genevieve Cua. Highlights of the conversation: 02:15 Qualities of successful...