The US dollar is sliding fast, and it’s sending waves across global markets. This week on Market Focus Weekly, Emily Liu speaks with SGX strategist Geoff Howie about why the US dollar has weakened sharply amid talk of potential US-Japan intervention to support the yen.

They explore the outlook for US interest rates, why Asian currencies are suddenly rallying, and what’s behind gold’s jaw-dropping climb near US$5,600 an ounce. Plus, turmoil in Indonesia’s stock market and why Singapore’s STI is charging toward 5,000 points.

Highlights:

01:12 Fed outlook

03:13 US dollar back in decline

07:04 Gold pasts US$5,600

10:57 Indonesia’s MSCI problem

14:22 STI nears 5,000 points

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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: Emily Liu (emilyliu@sph.com.sg)

With Geoff Howie, market strategist, SGX

Edited by: Chai Pei Chieh & Claressa Monteiro

Produced by: Emily Liu & Chai Pei Chieh

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

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Follow Market Focus Weekly podcasts every Friday:

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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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Headline news for January 30, 2026: President Trump backs a bipartisan spending deal to avert a shutdown and signals a Fed pick, the EU sanctions Iran, Tokyo inflation cools, and analysts assess China’s stance before Japan’s snap election.

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

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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.

Discover more BT podcast series:

BT Mark To Market at: bt.sg/btmark2mkt

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Market news for January 29, 2026: US Fed holds rates steady, sees ‘elevated’ inflation and stabilising job market; US dollar falls, Korean won rallies; Indonesia shares hit by second trading halt after MSCI flags transparency concerns; STI could hit as high as 6,500 on extended rally, says JPMorgan

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

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Follow Market Focus Daily and rate us on:

Channel: bt.sg/btmktfocus

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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

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Market news for January 28, 2026: Trump says value of US dollar is ‘great’, currency hits 4-year low; Australian dollar surges; Ringgit rises to 2018 high; Gold rallies past $5,200; Indonesian equities plunge after MSCI flags ownership, free float concerns.

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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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/btlenson

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headline news for January 28, 2026: Saudi Arabia pledges neutrality toward Iran, the dollar sinks, Amazon layoffs loom, a Johor peat fire spreads haze, and Singapore’s food delivery market lags regional growth.

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

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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:

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

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Market news for January 27, 2026: US large-cap earnings raise Asian shares; the dollar still under fire; European equities climb, as does gold and oil falls.

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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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

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BT Lens On: bt.sg/btlenson

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headline news for January 27, 2026: President Trump and Minnesota’s governor move to defuse tensions over a fatal deportation crackdown, France advances a social media ban for minors, markets eye yen intervention, and the Singapore dollar hits a decade high.

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

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Follow Lens On Daily and rate us on:

Channel: bt.sg/btlenson

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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/btlenson

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Examine the state of play and outlook in private housing, office property and retail spaces.

In this episode of PropertyBT, host Leslie Yee chats with Realion’s head honcho Desmond Sim.

We look at what to consider when choosing whether to invest in private homes, office property or retail spaces. Also, get frank views on whether new retail entrepreneurs are fairly treated by landlords. And see what lies ahead for new boy Realion.

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:

00:57 Outlook for private housing

03:21 State of play in office property

07:40 Where should an investor put his money

12:30 Are small retailers being fairly treated?

Read Leslie’s article:

Will FCT’s Causeway Point reel from the opening of the Johor Bahru-Singapore RTS Link?

Housing developers should brace for rougher conditions in 2026

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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 Desmond Sim, group CEO, Realion Group

Edited by: Emily Liu & Claressa Monteiro

Produced by: Leslie Yee, Emily Liu & Chai Pei Chieh

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

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Follow BT Correspondents:

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Website: bt.sg/btcorresp

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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