Singapore’s manufacturing output grew at its slowest pace in eight months in July but still beat analyst estimates, signaling that the Asian region remains resilient in the face of economic troubles in Europe and the US.
Standard Chartered derives more than 90% of its income from emerging markets in Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
It has been a quiet and uneventful fortnight with little to crow about except for the nightly cheers football fans create whenever goals are scored during the World Cup matches.
It’s a world of difference between getting ready, and being ready. The same concept applies to that of the plight the Eurozone is in now.
With a severe lack of clarity due to mixed signals from every direction, the Straits Times Index has struggled for direction.
It was perhaps too much to ask for from the 12-day United Nations (UN) Climate Conference in Copenhagen.
The most notable thing that most of us have learnt in 2009 and, to certain extent, 2008, is that the value of money has depreciated so badly that billions seem like nothing.
An asset bubble is usually formed when the prices of assets are over-inflated due to excess demand. It occurs when investors all flock to a particular asset class and can be aggravated by low interest rates.
The stage has been set for the final showdown between the bulls and the bears in deciding who shall reign supreme after a long drawn-out battle for almost a month.
The US market has been down for almost two weeks, resulting in lows not seen since May while the Straits Times Index (STI), still trading above 2,200 points, has taken its cue from the US market and has been down some 200 points off its high of 2,424 points.
Global equity markets have been soaring to new heights since March 2009, with the STI passing the 2,200 mark despite the global economy still suffering from the after effects of the financial crisis and the swine flu outbreak.
Just when we all thought that the rally will continue shortly after a minor correction, a healthy consolidation, after the Straits Times Index (STI) touched a three-month high at 1,947.30 points, the bulls were overrun by a “swine”!
Since rebounding strongly from the Asian Financial Crisis, Southeast Asia second largest economy, Thailand, had from 2002 – 2006, enjoyed average growth rates of 5.6%. But since 2006, following the coup that unseated then Prime Minister Thaksin, the economy has receded.
Scenes of bloody street battles played out in the media have tarnished Thailand’s “land of smiles” image. Pertinent to our readers, the protracted and violent political infighting will dampen the economy and hurt SGX-listed companies with operations there (see accompanying story).
Recent talks have been rife that the US market is bottoming out, with some arguing that it has already hit the base back on March 12 when the S&P 500 touched its 12-year low.
Put up your hands if you have been too pessimistic and have missed this rally. Do the same if you have just been converted from a non-believer into a staunch believer that this mini Bull Run is for real.
Singapore’s manufacturing remained weak in February on slumping external demand, highlighting the trade-dependent island state’s vulnerability to the global economic downturn.
The Chinese New Year is the most celebrated event on the lunar calendar where people usher in a fresh year hoping for a great start. It is also the time to forget about the bad and hope for the good.
Lehman Brothers collapsed after the US government refused to resuscitate the investment bank; when insurance giant the likes of AIG, Citigroup and Merrill Lynch almost went belly up; and when the three automakers begged Congress for much-needed funds in order for them to stay afloat.
All that goes up must come down. The Wall Street Crash of 1929 was the most devastating stock market crash in the history
Down, down and down even further – that is the name of the game for investors who are still trading the stock market.
It was supposed to receive extensive media coverage since the event is definitely set to affect the world’s destiny for at least the next four years, but the US Presidential election failed to live up to expectations – at least where media coverage is concerned.
Ever since the sub-prime crisis last year, the financial turmoil has claimed several victims, ranging from US financial institutions Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae to global investments firms such as Merrill Lynch and American International Group (AIG).
The collapse of Lehman Brothers, an entity that is more than a century old, and the near-collapse of American International Group (AIG) – once thought to be infallible – serve to remind us that no single company in the world is “too big to fall”.
Analysts around the world may be crowing over the (alleged) inflation corpse, but in Indonesia at least it is too soon to say price pressures are dead and buried.
This headline paints a picture of doom and gloom for the stock market in the first two weeks of August.
Singapore’s inflation rate stayed at a 26-year high for a third consecutive month in June, pushing its monetary authorities
Let us see if a fall in oil price can help start a rally.
SINGAPORE (Dow Jones)–Singapore’s economy contracted more than expected in the second quarter as the city-state suffered from weak demand for its mainstay manufacturing goods.
The Euro 2008 could not have come at a worse time, as it has been blamed for the lackluster trading conditions in the local market.
I will start to turn bullish if the STI heads above 3,250 but a break below 3,100 and 3,050 will open up more downside.
During the Congressional testimony, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke said that “a recession is possible.”
It has been quite a while since I started contributing to Shares Investment, which is the best investment guide that we can find in Singapore, Malaysia and Shanghai.
We found an intermediate bottom when the Straits Times Index (STI) reached a low of 2,746.73 on 22 January.
We are edging closer and closer to a bear market, arenʼt we? This current correction presents great buying opportunities.
Oh, really?
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