Latest news with #BarnabasGan
CNA
7 days ago
- Business
- CNA
Singapore's GDP growth projection for 2025 upgraded, but outlook uncertain
Singapore has upgraded its full-year economic outlook, with the Trade and Industry Ministry raising GDP growth forecast to between 1.5 and 2.5 per cent, up from zero to two per cent. But it warns the outlook for the rest of the year remains uncertain, with global growth likely to slow as US reciprocal tariffs take effect. Barnabas Gan, Group Chief Economist at RHB Bank, discusses the trade headwinds we can expect with US tariffs now in effect.
CNA
31-07-2025
- Business
- CNA
Wealth Wise - Singapore's exports rise 13% in June, stronger than forecast
Singapore's non-oil domestic exports rose 13 percent in June, beating previous estimates. What's driving this rebound? Barnabas Gan, Group Chief Economist, RHB Bank weighs in.
CNA
17-07-2025
- Business
- CNA
CNA938 Rewind - Singapore exports up 13%, but can it stay up?
Government data has shown that Singapore's non-oil domestic exports rose 13 per cent in June from the same month a year earlier. It's outpaced analysts' estimates as shipments of PCs, integrated circuits and non-monetary gold rose significantly. Lance Alexander and Daniel Martin speak with Barnabas Gan, Group Chief Economist, RHB Bank.
Straits Times
26-06-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Singapore stocks rise on June 26 amid mixed regional trading, STI up 0.3%
SINGAPORE – Shares here and elsewhere enjoyed sessions of relative calm on June 26 after a tumultuous period that has roiled global bourses. The outcome for the Straits Times Index (STI) was modest rise of 0.3 per cent or 12.48 points to 3,938.46 with gainers outpacing losers 294 to 185 on trade of 1.2 billion securities worth $1.3 billion. The muted theme was set overnight on Wall Street where investors were growing increasingly confident about the Israel-Iran cease-fire. The key indexes were mixed but are still hovering at near record levels. The S&P 500 was unchanged, the Dow industrials fell 0.2 per cent while the Nasdaq inched up 0.3 per cent. There was more movement in the region. The Hang Seng in Hong Kong fell 0.6 per cent and the Kospi in Seoul declined 0.9 per cent but the Nikkei 225 in Tokyo surged 1.7 per cent while Malaysian shares rose 0.6 per cent. Australia's ASX 200 closed flat as investors dumped technology and property stocks. Mr Barnabas Gan, group chief economist and head of market research at RHB, noted that market sentiment has rebounded as global economic conditions modestly improved amid tariff de-escalation. If this trend holds, it would be reasonable to expect fewer interest rate cuts, a more sustained appetite for risk and upward revisions to regional economic growth, Mr Gan added. But he warned that it is only a short period before reciprocal tariff suspensions expire. 'In this context, we maintain a tactical overweight in equities and market weight in fixed income ... but remain ready to pivot back into safe havens should trade risks re-emerge,' he said. Meanwhile, DFI Retail Group was STI's the top gainer, rising 2.6 per cent to US$2.75, while ST Engineering led the losers, down 1 per cent to $7.87. Local banks were mixed: OCBC gained 0.2 per cent to $16.23; UOB rose 0.4 per cent to $35.85; but DBS lost 0.4 per cent to $44.42. THE BUSINESS TIMES Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Business Times
26-06-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Singapore stocks rise on Thursday amid mixed regional trading, STI up 0.3%
[SINGAPORE] Local stocks ended higher on Thursday (Jun 26), amid mixed trading in the region. The benchmark Straits Times Index (STI) rose 0.3 per cent or 12.48 points to 3,938.46. Across the broader market, gainers outnumbered losers 294 to 185, after 1.2 billion securities worth S$1.3 billion changed hands. Key indices in the region ended mixed. The Hang Seng Index fell 0.6 per cent, and Kospi was down 0.9 per cent. Meanwhile, the Nikkei 225 gained 1.7 per cent, and the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI rose 0.6 per cent. Market sentiments have rebounded as global economic conditions modestly improved amid tariff de-escalation, said Barnabas Gan, group chief economist and head of market research at RHB. If this trend holds, expectations of fewer interest rate cuts, sustained risk-on appetite, and upward revisions to regional gross domestic product growth are reasonable, Gan said. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up But a key downside risk is the short time frame before reciprocal tariff suspensions expire, he noted. 'In this context, we maintain a tactical overweight in equities and market weight in fixed income through August, but remain ready to pivot back into safe havens should trade risks re-emerge,' he said. On the STI, DFI Retail Group was the top gainer, rising 2.6 per cent to US$2.75. ST Engineering had the biggest decline, losing 1 per cent to S$7.87. The local banking trio were mixed. OCBC gained 0.2 per cent to S$16.23 and UOB rose 0.4 per cent to S$35.85, while DBS lost 0.4 per cent to S$44.42.
