Volatility in AI-linked technology stocks, globally and across Asia, continues to rise. Indonesia faces uncertainty over a possible MSCI downgrade, and traders remain on high alert for Japan’s yen intervention.

In this episode of Market Focus Weekly, Standard Chartered Bank’s Yap Fook Hien unpacks the market moves for the week – revealing their bullish views for South Korean and Japanese equities, why strong earnings continue to buoy risks of an AI bubble, and why oil and gold prices still have further upside.

Highlights:

01:10 Valuations for Korean stocks still ‘low’

03:21 Yen intervention risks

10:05 Why AI is not in a bubble

14:52 Gold remains an important diversifier

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Send us your questions, thoughts, story ideas, and feedback to btpodcasts@sph.com.sg.

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Written and hosted by: Howie Lim (howielim@sph.com.sg)

With Yap Fook Hien, senior investment strategist, Standard Chartered Bank

Edited by: Howie Lim & Claressa Monteiro

Produced by: Howie Lim & Chai Pei Chieh

A podcast by BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media

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Market news for July 2, 2026: Asian stocks fell ​today, following the sell off in US technology shares overnight. US President Donald Trump praised US-Iran talks in Doha. Crude prices fall to four-month lows amidst growing oil glut expectations.

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: Nicole Teo (nicolet@sph.com.sg)

Produced and edited by: Chai Pei Chieh & Claressa Monteiro

Produced by: BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media

Produced with AI text-to-speech capabilities

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Headline news for July 2, 2026: Qatar reports positive progress in indirect US-Iran talks in Doha but the Strait of Hormuz remains designated a war zone under international shipping agreements until at least July 9. South Korea's market falls more than 5 per cent as a chipmaker selloff rattles Asian markets. Singapore's High Court sends the 1MDB-linked Standard Chartered case to trial.

Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.

Written by: Claressa Monteiro (claremb@sph.com.sg)

Produced and edited by: Claressa Monteiro or Howie Lim

Produced by: BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media

Produced with AI text-to-speech capabilities

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Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party’s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice.

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Market news for July 1, 2026: Asian shares opened the new quarter cautiously as stalled US-Iran diplomacy clashed with rising US bond yields. The Japanese yen sank to fresh 40-year lows, fuelling intervention jitters, while investors braced for critical labor data and Fed policy guidance ahead.

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 (howielim@sph.com.sg)

Produced and edited by: Chai Pei Chieh & Claressa Monteiro

Produced by: BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media

Produced with AI text-to-speech capabilities

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Follow Market Focus Daily and rate us on:

Channel: bt.sg/btmktfocus

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Feedback to: btpodcasts@sph.com.sg

Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party’s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice.

Discover more BT podcast series:

BT Money Hacks at: bt.sg/btmoneyhacks

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Headline news for July 1, 2026: South Korea's exports surpass one hundred billion US dollars for the first time ever in June, up 70.9 per cent on AI-driven chip demand. Iran refuses to meet US envoys in Doha saying ceasefire terms must be resolved first. Singapore's HDB resale prices fall for a second consecutive quarter.

Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.

Written by: Claressa Monteiro (claremb@sph.com.sg)

Produced and edited by: Claressa Monteiro or Howie Lim

Produced by: BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media

Produced with AI text-to-speech capabilities

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Follow Lens On Daily and rate us on:

Channel: bt.sg/btlenson

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Feedback to: btpodcasts@sph.com.sg

Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party’s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice.

Discover more BT podcast series:

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Market news for June 30, 2026: Asian stocks closed a sparkling quarter at record highs as oil fears eased. Meanwhile, a resurgent dollar pushed the yen to four-decade lows amid shifting US rate expectations. Gold prices stumbled, marking their sharpest monthly decline since 2008.

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 (howielim@sph.com.sg)

Produced and edited by: Chai Pei Chieh & Claressa Monteiro

Produced by: BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media

Produced with AI text-to-speech capabilities

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Follow Market Focus Daily and rate us on:

Channel: bt.sg/btmktfocus

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Feedback to: btpodcasts@sph.com.sg

Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party’s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice.

Discover more BT podcast series:

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Headline news for June 30, 2026: The U.S. Supreme Court blocks President Trump from firing Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook while dramatically expanding his power to fire all other independent agency heads. Iran and the US send delegations to Doha this week but Tehran says the two sides are not actually meeting each other.

Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.

Written by: Claressa Monteiro (claremb@sph.com.sg)

Produced and edited by: Claressa Monteiro or Howie Lim

Produced by: BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media

Produced with AI text-to-speech capabilities

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Follow Lens On Daily and rate us on:

Channel: bt.sg/btlenson

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Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party’s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice.

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Get insights on latest developments and hot button issues in HDB housing.

Will super-tall HDB blocks offer good homes? Are we heading to S$1 million BTO flats and S$2 million HDB resale flats? Learn about how having a 10-year minimum occupation period may impact housing mobility and whether young people here are on track to own their own homes. Leslie Yee is in conversation with NUS’ Prof Sing Tien Foo.

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 property analysts.

Highlights of the podcast:

00:52 60-storey HDB flats

08:18 Housing needs of singles

13:13 Pricey BTO and resale flats

18:11 Land lease decay of ageing flats

Read Leslie’s article:

Allow flexibility on 10-year minimum occupation period for homeowners with sufficient deterrents

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Send us your questions, thoughts, story ideas, and feedback to btpodcasts@sph.com.sg.

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Written and hosted by: Leslie Yee (lyee@sph.com.sg)

With Professor Sing Tien Foo, provost’s chair professor in the department of real estate, NUS Business School

Edited by: Howie Lim & Claressa Monteiro

Produced by: Leslie Yee, Howie Lim & Chai Pei Chieh

A podcast by BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media

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Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party’s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice.

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