CNA938 Rewind - Stock Take Today: US stocks resilient, Fed unlikely to move rates
On the daily markets analysis on Open For Business, Andrea Heng and Susan Ng speak with Rick Bensignor, Founder and Managing Partner, InTheKnowTrader.com.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNA
16 minutes ago
- CNA
Pakistan finance minister eyes cut to key policy rate from 11%
ISLAMABAD :Pakistan's finance minister said on Wednesday that there was more room for the central bank to cut the country's key policy rate down from 11 per cent. "We are hopeful of progress in terms of the policy rate going south," Mohammed Aurangzeb said at an event in Islamabad. The next policy rate announcement is due on September 15, according to the State Bank of Pakistan's calendar. The central bank left its key interest rate unchanged at 11 per cent on July 30, going against analyst expectations. In a Reuters poll ahead of the policy rate announcement, all 15 analysts said they expected the bank to ease, with nine forecasting a 50 basis-point cut, four predicting a deeper 100 basis-point reduction and two projecting a smaller 25 basis-point cut.
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
S'pore life insurance sales surged in first half, led by strong growth in investment-linked plans
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Weighted new business premiums, which is a rough measure of new sales, rose 7.7 per cent to $2.99 billion in the six months to June 30. SINGAPORE – Sales of life insurance policies surged in the first half of 2025 as consumers sought balance between protection and wealth accumulation. Weighted new business premiums, which is a rough measure of new sales, rose 7.7 per cent to $2.99 billion in the six months to June 30 – the highest first-half figure since the Covid-19 pandemic. The increase was driven largely by annual premium policies, which rose 22 per cent to $2.26 billion as compared to the same six months in 2024, noted the Life Insurance Association (LIA) Singapore on Aug 13. By contrast, single premium policies fell 21.3 per cent to $722.9 million in weighted premiums. Investment-linked policies (ILPs) continued to set the pace, with weighted new business premiums rising 31.3 per cent to $1.28 billion in the first half. These policies accounted for 43 per cent of total new business. LIA Singapore president Wong Sze Keed said that the continued growth in annual premium policies and ILPs demonstrates Singaporeans' focus on long-term financial planning and security. 'Amid existing global uncertainties and market volatility, consumers are seeking balance between protection and wealth accumulation,' she added. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Business Singapore banks face headwinds in rest of 2025, but DBS is pulling ahead: Analysts Singapore Allianz insures Singapore's first fully driverless bus amid challenges posed by autonomous vehicles Asia Mixed reactions among Malaysia drivers on S'pore move to clamp down on illegal ride-hailing services Business Singtel Q1 profit soars 317.4% to $2.9 billion on exceptional gains of $2.2 billion Asia Diamonds, watches and shoes: Luxury items at heart of probe into South Korea's former first lady Singapore Yishun man admits to making etomidate-laced pods for vaporisers; first Kpod case conviction Sport New Hui Fen becomes first Singaporean bowler to win PWBA Tour Player of the Year Singapore SG60: Many hands behind Singapore's success story 'The sustained demand for ILPs reflects a prudent yet ambitious mindset – one focused on safeguarding against global current unpredictability while capturing growth opportunities in an evolving financial landscape.' Total sum assured in the first half rose 1.8 per cent to $71.4 billion, with financial advisers accounting for 42.6 per cent or $30.4 billion, while tied representatives brought in 29.9 per cent or $21.4 billion. While total sum assured and total weighted premium rose, the total number of policies in the first half declined 18.6 per cent year on year to 579,343. LIA Singapore said this could suggest that consumers may be buying fewer, but more comprehensive policies, opting for coverage that offers greater protection or investment potential. About 69,000 Singaporeans and Permanent Residents took up new Integrated Shield Plans (IPs) in the first half. Nearly three million people – about 72 per cent of the resident population – have IPs, which provide coverage on top of the MediShield Life health coverage scheme. Total new business premiums for individual health insurance increased 69.3 per cent year on year to $373.7 million in the first half. IPs and IP rider premiums made up 89.9 per cent, or $336.1 million, with the remaining 10.1 per cent, or $37.6 million, comprising other medical plans and riders. Around $6.35 billion was paid out to policyholders and beneficiaries in the first half, down 42.1 per cent from the same period a year earlier.
CNA
an hour ago
- CNA
Thai central bank cuts key rate by 25 bps, as expected
BANGKOK :Thailand's central bank lowered its key interest rate by a quarter point on Wednesday, its fourth cut in 10 months as it looks to support a sluggish economy grappling with negative inflation and the impact of U.S. tariffs. The Bank of Thailand's monetary policy committee unanimously voted to reduce the one-day repurchase rate by 25 basis points to 1.50 per cent, the lowest in more than two years. The BOT had held the key rate at its June meeting following back-to-back cuts at reviews in February and April. It had also cut rates in October last year. Twenty-three of 28 economists in a Reuters poll had predicted a quarter-point reduction this week. The other five had expected no rate change. Among those who provided a longer-term outlook on rates in the poll, 19 of 26 saw the policy rate at 1.25 per cent by the end of 2025, seven said 1.50 per cent and one forecast 1.00 per cent.
