27 November 2024
Market View: Trump picks Jamieson Greer as trade envoy, Impact on Asian equities, USD movements; Lookahead to US PCE Price Index release; CrowdStrike raises annual revenue and profit forecasts; MAS’ Financial Stability Review; SingPost in talks to divest Australia’s business; 
Singapore stocks traded lower this afternoon, as investors continued to digest the threat of Trump’s tariffs.
As at about noon time (12.01 pm), the Straits Times Index (STI) was down 0.3 per cent at 3,702.8 points after 421.2 million securities changed hands in the broader market.
In terms of companies to watch, we have Singapore Post, after the national postal service provider said yesterday that it was in exclusive talks with a third party for a potential sale of its Australia business, while stating that no definitive deal has been reached.
Elsewhere, from more on US President-elect Donald Trump’s move to choose tough-negotiating hawk and lawyer Jamieson Greer as his trade envoy, to CrowdStrike raising its annual revenue and profit forecasts – more international and corporate headlines remain in focus.
On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Jeff Ng, Head of Asia Macro Strategy, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation.

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5 November 2024
Market View: Which STI sectors are most sensitive to a Trump or Harris Presidency?; Movements in Asia ahead of US elections; Implications of US Presidential election outcome on the Japanese Yen and Nikkei 225; SIA set to spend S$1.1B to retrofit A350 fleet and more
Singapore shares began the day trading in negative territory after overseas markets ended the previous night lower.
In early trade, the Straits Times Index (STI) was down 0.3 per cent at 3,561.96 points after 51.9 million securities changed hands in the broader market.
In terms of companies to watch, we have Singapore Airlines and SIA Engineering Company. That’s as Singapore’s national carrier is set to spend S$1.1 billion to retrofit its Airbus A350 fleet and refresh offerings as rival airlines pump billions into upgrades.
Elsewhere, from more on currency and equity movements ahead of the US Presidential Elections, to more on oil prices, more international headlines remain in focus.
On Market View, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Jeff Ng, Head of Asia Macro Strategy, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation.

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24 September 2024
Market View: China’s unveils biggest package yet to boost property market; Meta AI chatbot to use John Cena, Kristen Bell’s voices; RBA rate decision, impact on Aussie dollar; DFI Retail Group divests stake in Yonghui Superstores to Miniso; Levi Strauss pushes back on revenue target
Singapore stocks began the day trading in positive territory, mirroring overnight gains in global markets.
In early trade, the Straits Times Index (STI) climbed 0.2 per cent to 3,644.8 points after 46.5 million securities changed hands in the broader market.
In terms of companies to watch, we have DFI Retail Group, after the supermarket and retail store operator yesterday announced plans to divest its entire stake in Yonghui Superstores to low-cost retailer Miniso.
Elsewhere, from the Reserve Bank of Australia holding its key rate at a 12-year high, to China unveiling its biggest package yet to shore up its property market – more global headlines remain in focus.
Also on deck – Meta AI chatbots that speak in the voices of John Cena and other celebrities!
On Market View, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Jeff Ng, Head of Asia Macro Strategy, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation.

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2 January 2024
Market View: Keppel Corp delivers 61.1 per cent in shareholder returns for 2023; Singapore’s economy expanded 1.2% yoy in 2023, possible impact on S$NEER; Travel in China flourished over New Year’s holiday; Manufacturing activity remains sluggish in Asia; USD movements amid rate cut expectations; Bitcoin hits US$45,000 for first time since April 2022
Singapore stocks opened 2024 stronger, driven by banking stocks’ gains.
The Straits Times Index (STI) rose 0.5 per cent to 3,255.63 points in early trade after 54.8 million securities changed hands in the broader market.
In terms of companies to watch, we have Keppel Corporation. The conglomerate delivered 61.1 per cent in shareholder returns for 2023, higher than the 49.3 per cent posted in 2022.
Meanwhile, from China’s travel and tourism demand during the New Year’s Day holiday to key movements in the currency markets, more international headlines remain in focus.
On Market View, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian dived into the details with Jeff Ng, Head of Asia Macro Strategy, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation.

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29 November 2023
Market View: Fed Governor Christopher Waller’s comments; Berkshire’s Charlie Munger died aged 99; Manulife US Reit’s recapitalisation plan; Chinese stock investors ploughing money into ETFs at fastest pace on record; TikTok reportedly in process of obtaining e-commerce permit from Indonesia’s government
Singapore shares started trading in positive territory today, tracking gains in the US and Europe markets.
In early trade, the Straits Times Index (STI) was up by 0.5 per cent at 3,220.76 points as 51.3 million securities changed hands in the broader market.
In terms of companies to watch, we have Manulife US Reit, after it requested a trading halt this morning after releasing details of its recapitalisation plan, along with additional plans to reduce the Reit’s leverage.
Elsewhere from Chinese investors ploughing money into ETFs to the death of Warren Buffet’s right-hand man Charlie Munger, more international headlines remain in focus.
On Market View, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian dived into the details with Jeff Ng, Head of Asia Macro Strategy, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation.

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15 November 2023
Market View: US CPI up 3.2% yoy in October, cooler than expected; Golden Agri-Resources, Delfi’s earnings; Japan GDP contracted at annualised pace of 2.1% in Q3; Better-than-expected Chinese industrial output and retail sales; Nvidia shares extends gains for 10th straight session
Singapore stocks opened stronger today tracking overnight gains on global markets.
In early trade, the Straits Times Index rose 1.3 per cent to 3,144.71 points after 85.2 million securities changed hands in the broader market.
In terms of companies to watch, we have palm oil company Golden Agri-Resources. The firm posted a 25 per cent decline in net profit  the third quarter ended Sep 30 to US$68 million, from US$90 million in the same period a year earlier.
Elsewhere from more on US inflation cooling less than expected to Japan’s GDP contracting on the back of falling business spending and higher imports, more international headlines remain in focus.
On Market View, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian dived into the details with Jeff Ng, Head of Asia Macro Strategy, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation.

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18 October 2023
Market View: Strike on Gaza hospital and impact on global markets, STI; S-Reit’s outlook for the final quarter; China’s economic growth slowed to 4.9% in Q3, IMF maintains APAC growth forecast; Visa, Mastercard drops as Fed considers revising cap on merchant fees; Near term volatilities on USD
Singapore shares opened weaker today, led by declines in banking stocks and index counters. That’s after global markets finished muted in the previous session.
In early trade, the Straits Times Index (STI) headed down 0.3 per cent to 3,161.5 points after 24.9 million securities changed hands in the broader market.
S-Reits are in focus today after Keppel Reit’s manager reported a 5 per cent year-on-year increase in property income to S$172.6 million for its first nine months ended September.
Elsewhere from China’s economic growth slowing to 4.9 per cent in the third quarter to the impact of the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict on the King dollar, more international headlines remain in focus.
On Market View, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian dived into the details with Jeff Ng, Head of Asia Macro Strategy, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation.

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6 June 2023
Market View: Mapletree Industrial Trust’s tenant files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy; Apple’s Vision Pro headset; Saudi hikes oil prices vs impact on USD; USD dominance; Japan real wages fall and impact on Yen
Singapore shares opened lower this morning following overnight losses in the global markets.
In early trade, the Straits Times Index (STI) was down 0.3 per cent to 3,180.09 points after 46.5 million securities changed hands.
Within Singapore, Reits continue to be in focus after Mapletree Industrial Trust announced that its third-largest tenant filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the US.
Elsewhere, from Saudi Arabia raising crude prices to Apple’s new Vision pro headset and Japan’s real pay falling for the 13th month – global developments continue to make the headlines today.
On Market View, the Drive Time team dived into the details with Jeff Ng, Senior Currency Analyst, MUFG.

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18 April 2023
Market View: Singapore’s Q1 corporate earnings; China’s blockbuster 4.5% GDP growth in Q1; US dollar rallied on Fed hike expectations; Apple and Goldman Sachs’ high-yield savings account
Singapore shares dipped this morning despite Wall Street’s gains overnight.
The Straits Times Index was down 0.1 per cent to 3,314.77 points in early trade after 31.3 million securities changed hands in the broader market.
In terms of companies to watch, we do have a number of Reits ranging from Keppel Reit, Sabana Reit, as well as a number of big names like Keppel Corp and UOI releasing their business update for Q1 FY2023 this week. But what can we expect on this front?
Elsewhere, the dollar eased earlier today after rallying strong last night after strong US economic data fanned expectations of further rate hikes by the US Federal Reserve in May. So what is the outlook of the dollar ahead?
On Market View, the Drive Time team looked at how the Singapore stock market ended the day and the sectors and developments to watch with Jeff Ng, Senior Currency Analyst, MUFG.

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1 March 2023
Market View: IHH Healthcare’s performance; Performance of palm oil producers; Clues from Jardine Cycle & Carriage and Straits Trading’s results; China’s factory activity expanded at the fastest pace since 2012 in February
Singapore stocks rose in early trade today following losses in US and Europe markets.
The Straits Times Index rose 0.1 per cent to 3,265.63 points in early trade after 204.5 million securities changed hands.
In terms of companies to watch, we have for you Malaysian hospital group IHH Healthcare. The group announced yesterday a 58 per cent year-on-year fall in net profit for the fourth quarter ended Dec 31, 2022, despite a higher revenue.
Another company we’re tracking is investment holding company Jardine Cycle & Carriage, which reported yesterday a 42 per cent on-year fall in net profit for the second half of the year ended December.
On Market View, the Drive Time team took a closer look at these developments with Jeff Ng, Senior Currency Analyst, MUFG.

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15 February 2023
Market View: STI’s performance as firms mull Budget announcements, DBS Group holdings reporting uptick in Bitcoin trading Value, iFast’s net profits drops 82%, mixed US CPI report, Outlook for the USD, Rising greenback on Asian central banks’ foreign reserves
Singapore shares fell in early trade today, following Singapore’s Budget announcement yesterday.
If you recall, the latest Budget focused on positioning Singapore for future economic and social growth. Budget 2023 set aside top-ups for business, wages, and household relief schemes this year.
The country’s corporate tax regime has also been adjusted. Similarly, there would also be higher top-end taxes for properties and cars.
Back to the Singapore stock market, The Straits Times Index fell 0.3 per cent to 3,307.64 in early trade after 37.2 million securities changed hands.
The fintech sector made the headlines today with DBS Group Holdings reporting an uptick in Bitcoin trading volume and iFast announcing an 82 per cent decrease in net profit.
On Market View, the Drive Time team unpacked these developments with Jeff Ng, Senior Currency Analyst, MUFG.

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1 February 2023
Market View: Likelihood of STI ending the week in the green, levels to watch, Outlook for Reits and Fed’s rate decision, Short calls on the Singapore dollar
The Singapore Straits Times Index ended the first two days of the week in the negative territory.
So what is the likelihood of the STI ending in the green, especially with the US Federal Reserve decision mid-week?
In terms of sectors to watch, a number of Reits have released their distribution per unit figures in January. Question is - how has the sector performed so far after falling 12% year-on-year amid economic headwinds, and what's the outlook ahead?
On Market View, the Drive Time team spoke with  Jeff Ng, Senior Currency Analyst, MUFG  for more.

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26 January 2023
Money in the Market: Is the Singdollar the new short this year?
Some of the biggest global banks are going short the Singapore dollar. In fact, some are betting that the island’s currency will weaken against the Malaysian ringgit, the Thai baht, and even the Japanese yen. So is the Singdollar the new short this year? On Money in the Market, Jeff Ng, Senior Currency Analyst, MUFG to tell us more.

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13 January 2023
Market View: US CPI declined month-on-month for the first time in over 2.5 years, Possibility of 25bps rate hike by US Fed, Bank of Korea’s rate increase and implications on imported inflation, China’s exports and Q4 GDP, Expectations for Singapore’s NODX for December
We deep dived into the latest happenings in the US, South Korea, China and Singapore for today.
In the US, consumer prices fell month-on-month for the first time in over two years, but to what extent does this provide a case for the Federal Reserve to go for a 25 basis point rate increase at the end of the month? Also, what would the implications be on the King dollar?
Over in Asia, we’ve South Korea’s central bank action dominating headlines, but again, how would another rate hike affect the won and imported inflation?
We’ll also take a quick look at several key data points out of China ahead of its Q4 GDP figures, as well as some of the key indicators due to be out of Singapore early next week.
On Market View, Prime Time’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the numbers with Jeff Ng, Senior Currency Analyst at MUFG.

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17 November 2022
Money in the Market: Are Asian currencies now recouping their losses?

The dollar has rebounded today as strong US retail data cast doubt on the recent narrative that inflation is in retreat. But the dollar has been weakening as hope rises that US interest rates will slow down. On Money in the Market, Jeff Ng, Senior Currency Analyst, MUFG joins us to tell us more on whether the King Dollar's era has come to an end.

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11 October 2023
Market View: Chinese property woes on SGX-listed property players; China’s 1t yuan government bond issuance and HK equity performance today; Yuan movements; Spike in US Treasury yields and impact on USD
Singapore stocks started off strong in early trade today, following overnight gains in global markets.
In early trade, the Straits Times Index (STI) rose 0.4 per cent to 3,212.01 points after 44.1 million securities changed hands in the broader market.
In terms of sectors to watch, we have the property sector after Chinese property developer Yanlord Land Group said yesterday that it recorded an 83.2 per cent on-year drop in total contracted presales from residential units, commercial units and car parks for the first nine months of the year.
Elsewhere from talks that China is considering a large burst of economic stimulus and its impact on the Chinese Yuan, to the effects of rising Treasury yields on the King dollar – more forex news are in focus today.
On Market View, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian dived into the details with Jeff Ng, Head of Asia Macro Strategy, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation.

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28 September 2022
Money in the Market: Is trading in the current FX market akin to being in a casino?
The dollar has soared once again after the White House talked down the prospect of a currency agreement to weaken the greenback. And the rally has brought further losses to the pound and the euro, while the onshore yuan fell to the weakest level since 2008. The yen remained near the key 145 mark versus the dollar. On Money in the Market, Jeff Ng, Senior Currency Analyst at MUFG, talks the decline of the Chinese yuan; the prospects of the pound hitting $1 by year-end; and whether the SingDollar can replace the Japanese yen as Asia's safe-haven currency.

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21 September 2022
Bigger Picture: Ford warns of $1b hit from supply chain costs
Jeff Ng, Senior Currency Analyst, MUFG shares his takeaways from yet another automaker flagging a dent from supply chain woes and inflationary pressures, and how much effective rate hikes will be in cooling prices.

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22 August 2022
Market View: How will Singapore overcome the current strike of the rising inflation moving to the end of 2023?
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong stated in his National Day Rally speech that no GST would be irresponsible during the greying population. GST is still rising with the $6.6 billion assurance package to be disbursed in March 2023. On Market View today, Timothy Go and Bharati Jagdish speak with Jeff Ng, Senior Currency Analyst, MUFG to find out more.

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1 July 2022
Market View: Making sense of incoming data and developments from the US and Europe
Investors are keeping their eyes on a raft of economic data from the US as they enter into the second half of the year. In the meantime, new developments are also coming out from the European Central Bank's forum in Sintra, Portugal. But how do we make sense of the information, and what implications do they have on the US and Europe? In Market View, Prime Time's Finance Presenter Chua Tian Tian spoke to Jeff Ng, Senior Currency Analyst at MUFG to find out.

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7 June 2022
Market View: Expectation in interest rate hike fears investors
World stock markets are closely following the US for clues due to the aggressive rise in interest rates by the Federal Reserve from June onwards. Furthermore, the consumer price index data set released this coming Friday is expected to tell whether the inflation has reached its peak and may give further insights on the increasing rates in the near future.

In Market View, Prime Time’s Finance Presenter Tian Tian spoke with Jeff Ng, Senior Currency Analyst, MUFG to find out more.

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6 May 2022
Weekly Wrap Up: Rising interest rates and its impact on Singapore
With the Federal Reserve recently announced its biggest rate hike since 2000, and inflation at the highest rate in four decades, how will the Singapore currency and businesses be affected? This is all whilst the Ukraine Crisis is happening, which could have unpredictable effects on the economy. Jeff Ng, Senior Currency Analyst, MUFG shares his thoughts on this.

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22 April 2022
Forex Fridays: The MAS' Recent Tightening Move and Recent Yuan & Yen Weakness
A week after the Monetary Authority of Singapore enacted a one-two punch in raising the slope of the SGD's NEER rate and its midpoint, how effective will this be in helping head off inflationary pressures in Singapore? And will potential strength be blunted if other central banks also tighten their monetary policy settings? Jeff Ng, Senior Currency Analyst at MUFG, joined us on Forex Fridays to talk about how this is shaping their outlook on the Singapore Dollar, and also what he makes of recent weakness facing the Chinese Yuan and the Japanese Yen.

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18 March 2022
Forex Fridays: Of Fed Rate Hikes, Swinging Oil Prices, and a Waning Safe Haven
While the Federal Reserve made its rate hike in more than 3 years, oil prices continued to swing as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues to spook sentiment. And while news of Saudi Arabia opting to sell oil to China for Yuan instead of dollars boosted the Renminbi, the Japanese Yen seemed to have lost its luster as a safe haven in recent times. Jeff Ng, Senior Currency Analyst at MUFG, joined us on Forex Fridays to discuss.

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21 January 2022
Forex Friday: What impact might Budget 2022 have on the Singdollar?
On Forex Friday, Prime Time's Rachel Kelly and Melissa Hyak speak to Jeff Ng, Senior Currency Analyst at MUFG who shares his outlook on how Budget 2022 might move the Singapore dollar, and FX trends around the region, such as China’s central bank setting its strongest reference rate for the yuan in three years.

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30 December 2021
Previewing Singapore's Advanced 4Q GDP Figures
2022 will be off to a swift start, with Singapore's Advanced 4Q GDP figures set to be released on January 3. Jeff Ng, Senior Currency Analyst at MUFG, joined us on Prime Time to talk about what he's watching out for with the figures, and his thoughts on rising inflation and the highly anticipated budget in February.

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19 November 2021
Forex Fridays with HL Bank's Jeff Ng
Markets continue to ponder the potential of tighter monetary policy in the US, and the recent strength of the US Dollar. HL Bank's Senior Treasury Strategist Jeff Ng joined us on Forex Fridays to discuss how this may shape FX markets and why the Chinese Yuan has been able to hold its own against the galloping greenback.

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14 October 2021
Market View: Recapping Singapore's Advanced GDP Numbers and the MAS' Policy Statement
Thursday was particularly busy, with Singapore's Advanced 3Q GDP showing growth of 6.5%. But while that came just a tad lower than consensus estimates, the Monetary Authority of Singapore surprisingly tightened policy settings around the Singapore Dollar to head off rising inflationary pressures. Jeff Ng, Senior Treasury Strategist at HL Bank, joined us on Prime Time to discuss Singapore's GDP release and the MAS' decision.

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23 September 2021
Market View: Assessing the Fed's Path to Policy Tightening and Broader China Risks
The Federal Reserve confirmed that tapering of its hefty bond buying program may begin soon, with economists now expecting for it to start before the end of the year. Meanwhile, expectations of a rate hike are getting pulled slightly forward -- with some officials expecting one before the end of next year. Jeff Ng, Senior Treasury Strategist at HL Bank -- joined us on Prime Time to talk about the Fed's recent policy decision, and how growing worries about Chinese risks may be informing their rate strategy.

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2 July 2021
Weekly Wrap Up: What to expect from Finance Minister Lawrence Wong's first ministerial statement in COVID-19 support measures
Finance Minister Lawrence Wong will deliver his first ministerial speech which will focus on relief measures provided by the government for affected businesses and workers. Jeff Ng, Senior Treasury Strategist, HL Bank, provides his insights on what we can expect from the upcoming speech.

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1 July 2021
Assessing China's PMI Figures and Setting the Stage for the 2nd Half
We're officially in the second half of the year, and China's PMI figures help us kick things off. And while Caixin PMI numbers showed signs of solid expansion yet again, it was softer than expected. Jeff Ng, Senior Treasury Strategist at HL Bank, helped us kick off the second half on Prime Time to assess China's PMI print, how rising COVID infections and a more hawkish Fed are impacting his 2H projections, and key risks and opportunities he's watching out for in the next 6 months.

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29 April 2021
Market View: Reviewing the Federal Reserve’s latest policy decision
As widely expected, the Federal Reserve repeated its stance that they will keep rates lower for longer to support the economy, and that inflation will be transitory. Jeff Ng, Senior Treasury Strategist at HL Bank, joined us on Prime Time to share his impressions of Powell's recent statement, what he made of the 1.8 Trillion Dollar American Families Plan of the Biden Administration, and how this may be informing HL Bank's overall rates strategy.

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26 March 2021
Weekly Wrap Up: Suez incident impact on SG & Economics of relaxed Covid measures
On The Weekly Wrap Up, Jeff Ng, Senior Treasury Strategist, HL Bankshares what the impact of a massive shipping container wedged in the Suez Canal means for Singapore and global trade, plus how the easing of Singapore's Covid-19 restrictions announced this week might boost the domestic economy.

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15 February 2021
Bigger Picture: Singapore Q4 GDP final print shows improvement
Jeff Ng, Senior Investment Strategist, HL Bank discusses the momentum behind Singapore's final Q4 GDP print, and what to expect in terms of size and priorities for Budget 2021.

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20 January 2021
Bigger Picture: Singapore 2021 GDP forecast
Singapore’s preliminary Q4 GDP came in surprising on the upside earlier in the month at -3.8% YoY or 2.1% growth from the previous quarter. On Bigger Picture, IG Senior Market Strategist, Jingyi Pan speaks to Jeff Ng, Senior Treasury Strategist, HL Bank shares what this might mean for the labour market and the economy more generally.

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18 January 2021
Market View: Recapping China's FY 2020 GDP Numbers and Singapore's NODX Print
China revealed that the world's second largest economy grew by 2.3% in 2020, despite being punished by the impact of COVID-19 in the first half. Jeff Ng, Senior Treasury Strategist at HL Bank, joined us on Prime Time to break down the numbers, along with Singapore's surprising Dec NODX data. He also shared his thoughts about the recent steepening of the yield curve and how they're preparing for it at HL Bank.

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31 December 2020
Weekly Wrap-up: SG Vaccine rollout, Aviation support, China Tech & Brexit
It’s the final day of 2020, but we’ve still had some big movements in the last few days regarding some of the headlines we’ve been tracking throughout 2020. Jeff Ng, Senior Treasury Strategist, HL Bank gives his analysis on Singapore entering Phase 3 and the national Covid-19 vaccination rollout, $84 million more government support for the aviation sector, the crackdown on the Chinese tech sphere and the Brexit deal being approved in the UK.

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11 December 2020
Weekly Wrap-up: WEF, SG Financial Data Exchange and DBS Crypto Exchange
Jeff Ng, Senior Treasury Strategist, HL Bank Singapore wraps up the week by giving his analysis on some of the biggest headlines including; The World Economic Forum being held in Singapore next year, MAS awarding four digital banking licences, the launch of the Singapore Financial Data Exchange, and DBS Bank’s Digital Exchange which will trade cryptocurrencies.

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13 November 2020
Weekly Wrap-up: Covid-19 Vaccine, Travel Bubble & Tech.Pass
Jeff Ng, Senior Treasury Strategist, HL Bank gives his analysis on some of the biggest headlines from the week including; Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine which has been found to be 90% effective, the government proposed nightlife pilot programme, plus, the recently announced work pass called ‘Tech.Pass’ which will launch next year for top-tier foreign professionals.

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16 October 2020
Weekly Wrap-up: SG Q3 GDP, HK travel bubble & support for nightlife
In the Weekly Wrap-up, Jeff Ng, Senior Treasury Strategist at HL Bank breaks down the biggest stories from the last few days including Singapore's Q3 GDP estimates, news of a two-way air travel bubble between Singapore and Hong Kong and details of more targeted support for the nightlife sector.

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13 October 2020
Market View: Taking Stock of China's Trade Figures and Previewing Singapore's Advanced GDP Print
Jeff Ng, Senior Treasury Strategist at HL Bank, joined us on Prime Time to assess the impressive September trade figures from China, which showed imports growing by a whopping 13.2%. How does the Yuan's recent strength factor in this? And what is he looking out for when Singapore releases its Advanced 3Q GDP numbers on Wednesday?

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28 August 2020
Fed makes major policy shift, signaling lower rates for longer
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell unveiled a new approach to setting US monetary policy, signaling it will make job growth pre-eminent and will not raise interest rates to guard against coming inflation just because the unemployment rate is low. Jeff Ng, Senior Treasury Strategist, HL Bank, discusses the new approach.

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28 July 2020
What's At Stake Regarding the US' New Stimulus Plan
US lawmakers discuss a fresh stimulus package to provide support to both the world's largest economy and unemployed Americans affected by the pandemic. What's at stake if the US is unable to provide a new plan? Jeff Ng, Senior Treasury Strategist at HL Bank, joined us on Prime Time to discuss how this might matter for Asia, and provided his outlook on both the USD and the Singapore economy overall.

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26 May 2020
What can we expect in the Fortitude Budget?
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat will announce a new round of COVID-19 support measures for businesses and individuals later today in Parliament. This will be called The Fortitude Budget. Jeff Ng, Senior Treasury Strategist, HL Bank gives a preview what kind of support Singaporeans can expect.

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6 April 2020
Preview of new Solidarity Budget to support economy
A third round of support measures will be announced by Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat when Parliament sits today to help tide businesses, workers and households through the COVID-19 outbreak. Jeff Ng, Senior Treasury Strategist, HL Bank talks about what are the likely priorities and policies.

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26 March 2020
Bigger Picture: Singapore projects first full year recession in 2 decades
Jeff Ng, Senior Treasury Strategist, HL Bank, shares what dragged down Q1 GDP's contraction of 2.2%, double his own estimates. And his view on Singapore downgrading its full year growth outlook to a range of -4 to -1%.

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4 November 2019
RCEP trade deal talks stall at 35th ASEAN Summit
The signing of the world's largest trade pact will likely be kicked back to 2020. That’s according to a draft statement by Southeast Asian leaders. Were there any silver linings from the weekend? Jeff Ng, Asia Chief Economist, Continuum Economics talks about the significance of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership to the region and Singapore.

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17 September 2019
What the August Exports Slump and Spiking Oil Prices Mean for Singapore
Non-Domestic Oil Exports slumped for yet another month, and while some point out that the contraction isn't as bad as in previous periods, Continuum Economics' Jeff Ng thinks the numbers still aren't anything to smile about. He also talks about whether this recent spike in oil prices is net negative for Singapore's economy, and what he's looking out for when the Fed makes their policy decision in the next few days.

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28 June 2019
What To Expect From The G20 Summit
G20 will be in Osaka and it is set to be a faceoff between the US and China to see whether both sides can come to an agreement on the trade war. Jeff Ng, Head of Continuum Economics chats with us on what to expect for this G20 summit.

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21 May 2019
A Look at Singapore's 1Q GDP Figures with Continuum Economics' Jeff Ng
1Q GDP figures for Singapore came in lower than expected at 1.2%. Continuum Economics' Jeff Ng joined Prime Time to talk about the numbers, and how it the slowdown in manufacturing and the pickup in construction spending played into the final print. He also touched on Japan's GDP release, and how the trade war and a possible sales tax hike in Japan might impact growth moving forward.

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1 Apr 2019
Continuum Economics' Jeff Ng Breaks Down China's PMI Figures
Markets started off the second quarter strongly after China posted expansionary PMI figures for March. Continuum Economics' Jeff Ng tells us what he made of the numbers, whether China's recent stimulus measures helped in any way, and his thoughts on upcoming 1Q GDP figures for Singapore.

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20 Mar 2019
Jeff Ng, Head of Research Asia at Continuum Economics shares what to expect at the upcoming Thai elections and more on how the election might impact the emerging markets.

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23 Jan 2019
World Economic Forum 2019 Analysis
Jeff Ng, Chief Economist, Asia from Continuum Economics shares his key takeaways from the first day of the World Economic Forum in Davos.

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27 Nov 2018
What’s next now that the EU has agreed on the Brexit deal? How will it impact markets and businesses here and overseas? Jeff Ng, Chief Economist, Asia, Continuum Economics walks us through the impact of Brexit on markets and business sentiment.

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