The Business Times Podcasts

Market news for January 8, 2026: Asian stocks fall, while global bond sales surge; Chinese tech firms rise in Hong Kong debut as US-China tech race heats up; UI Boustead said to seek US$700 million Singapore IPO in March. 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: Emily Liu (emilyliu@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 --- Follow Market Focus Daily and rate us on: Channel: bt.sg/btmktfocus Amazon: bt.sg/mfam Apple Podcasts: bt.sg/mfap Spotify: bt.sg/mfsp YouTube Music: bt.sg/mfyt Website: bt.sg/mktfocus 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 BT Correspondents at: bt.sg/btcobt BT Podcasts at: bt.sg/podcasts BT Lens On: bt.sg/btlensonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headline news for January 8, 2026: Washington escalates pressure on Venezuela’s oil trade and revives its Greenland push, as Japan pushes back against China’s export curbs, wage pressures deepen, and Singapore revamps food safety oversight. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro (claremb@sph.com.sg)  Produced and edited by: Claressa Monteiro Produced by: BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media Produced with AI text-to-speech capabilities --- Follow Lens On Daily and rate us on: Channel: bt.sg/btlenson Amazon: bt.sg/lensam Apple Podcasts: bt.sg/lensap Spotify: bt.sg/lenssp YouTube Music: bt.sg/lensyt Website: bt.sg/lenson 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 Mark To Market at: bt.sg/btmark2mkt  WealthBT at: bt.sg/btpropertybt PropertyBT at: bt.sg/btmktfocus BT Money Hacks at: bt.sg/btmoneyhacks BT Market Focus at: bt.sg/btmktfocus BT Podcasts at: bt.sg/podcasts BT Lens On: bt.sg/btlensonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Market news for January 7, 2026: Asian shares edge lower as global tensions climb, crude oil slumps; Oil falls after Trump says Venezuela will send oil to United States; Gold, silver slide on profit-booking, US dollar strength; Wealthy clients stocking up on Singapore equities to hedge against sliding greenback; Australian dollar hits 15-month top, inflation data a mixed bag. 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: Emily Liu (emilyliu@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 --- Follow Market Focus Daily and rate us on: Channel: bt.sg/btmktfocus Amazon: bt.sg/mfam Apple Podcasts: bt.sg/mfap Spotify: bt.sg/mfsp YouTube Music: bt.sg/mfyt Website: bt.sg/mktfocus 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 BT Correspondents at: bt.sg/btcobt BT Podcasts at: bt.sg/podcasts BT Lens On: bt.sg/btlensonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headline news for January 7, 2026: Washington revives its push for Greenland, Asia questions US power after Venezuela, markets shift as Saudi Arabia opens up, and Singapore’s Orchard Road faces its first major collective sale. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro (claremb@sph.com.sg)  Produced and edited by: Claressa Monteiro Produced by: BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media Produced with AI text-to-speech capabilities --- Follow Lens On Daily and rate us on: Channel: bt.sg/btlenson Amazon: bt.sg/lensam Apple Podcasts: bt.sg/lensap Spotify: bt.sg/lenssp YouTube Music: bt.sg/lensyt Website: bt.sg/lenson 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 Mark To Market at: bt.sg/btmark2mkt  WealthBT at: bt.sg/btpropertybt PropertyBT at: bt.sg/btmktfocus BT Money Hacks at: bt.sg/btmoneyhacks BT Market Focus at: bt.sg/btmktfocus BT Podcasts at: bt.sg/podcasts BT Lens On: bt.sg/btlensonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Market news for January 6, 2026: Asian stocks extend record rally while oil, dollar drift; Gold hits one-week high on rate cut bets and Venezeulan crisis; STI crosses 4,700 mark for first time buoyed by DBS, OCBC gains. 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: Emily Liu (emilyliu@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 --- Follow Market Focus Daily and rate us on: Channel: bt.sg/btmktfocus Amazon: bt.sg/mfam Apple Podcasts: bt.sg/mfap Spotify: bt.sg/mfsp YouTube Music: bt.sg/mfyt Website: bt.sg/mktfocus 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 BT Correspondents at: bt.sg/btcobt BT Podcasts at: bt.sg/podcasts BT Lens On: bt.sg/btlensonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nicolas Maduro and his wife plead not guilty following his U.S. arrest, causing a stir with protests outside the courthouse. Denmark firmly rejects Trump's plans for Greenland, reinforcing its sovereignty. Indonesia takes a bold step by criminalizing unnotified protests. Meanwhile, Malaysia's Prime Minister promises a term limit to attract urban voters and urges reformers to implement changes responsibly. Inflation remains a concern in the UK, with rising shop prices adding to economic pressures.

The discussion dives into Singapore's ongoing struggle to attract quality listings, highlighting past failed initiatives. The SGX-Nasdaq dual-listing bridge could potentially shake things up. Recent IPOs, many trading below their debut prices, raise questions on market confidence. The conversation emphasizes how hot stocks in the STI have overshadowed new listings. Analysts suggest that the focus on company performance and solid execution will be key for future recovery and investor interest.

Global markets are reacting sharply as gold and other metals soar due to safe-haven flows amidst geopolitical tensions. The capture of Venezuela's president adds complexity, yet investors maintain calm as Asian stocks make gains. Uncertainty around U.S. policies affects market sentiment while defense stocks get a boost from anticipated spending increases. Silver prices rise amid supply constraints, while Japan's and Taiwan's markets reach record highs, signaling a strong start for 2026.

Headline news for January 5, 2026: Washington’s seizure of Venezuela’s president jolts global politics, Russia protests, North Korea tests hypersonic missiles. Japan’s factories stabilise, and Singapore pushes generative AI into classrooms today. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro (claremb@sph.com.sg)  Produced and edited by: Claressa Monteiro Produced by: BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media Produced with AI text-to-speech capabilities --- Follow Lens On Daily and rate us on: Channel: bt.sg/btlenson Amazon: bt.sg/lensam Apple Podcasts: bt.sg/lensap Spotify: bt.sg/lenssp YouTube Music: bt.sg/lensyt Website: bt.sg/lenson 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 Mark To Market at: bt.sg/btmark2mkt  WealthBT at: bt.sg/btpropertybt PropertyBT at: bt.sg/btmktfocus BT Money Hacks at: bt.sg/btmoneyhacks BT Market Focus at: bt.sg/btmktfocus BT Podcasts at: bt.sg/podcasts BT Lens On: bt.sg/btlensonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New year, clean slate. But does your money reset have to feel stressful?  In this episode of Money Hacks, Emily Liu explores a softer way to plan for the year ahead. Financial consultant Patrine Choo and Gen Z money author Lillian Zhang share how they reflect on the past year, manage emotional money habits, and turn big goals into small, doable steps.  From automating savings to letting go of guilt, this episode reminds us that progress compounds, and a reset can start quietly. Synopsis: Every Monday, The Business Times breaks down useful financial tips. Highlights: 01:50 How to review your 2025 finances 03:37 It’s ok to feel scared  06:42 How to stop overspending 08:57 Start with small steps 10:40 Know your monthly expenses --- Send us your questions, thoughts, story ideas, and feedback to btpodcasts@sph.com.sg. --- Written and hosted by: Emily Liu (emilyliu@sph.com.sg) With Patrine Choo, financial consultant, Great Eastern and content creator, and Lillian Zhang, product marketing manager at Google and author, The New Money Rules: The Gen Z Guide to Personal Finance Edited by: Emily Liu & Claressa Monteiro Produced by: Emily Liu & Chai Pei Chieh A podcast by BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media --- Follow BT Money Hacks podcasts every Monday: Channel: bt.sg/btmoneyhacks Amazon: bt.sg/mham Apple Podcasts: bt.sg/oeXe  Spotify: bt.sg/oeGN  YouTube Music: bt.sg/mhyt Website: bt.sg/moneyhacks 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 Correspondents: bt.sg/btcobt BT Market Focus at: bt.sg/btmktfocus BT Podcasts at: bt.sg/pcOM BT Lens On: bt.sg/btlensonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.