Latest news with #Gattiker
Business Times
11-08-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Singapore stocks fall amid cautious market sentiment; STI down 0.2%
[SINGAPORE] Local shares closed lower on the first trading day of the week, tracking a mixed performance across Asian markets, as investors braced for geopolitical developments and key corporate earnings in the days ahead. The blue-chip Straits Times Index (STI) finished 0.2 per cent or 7.05 points down at 4,232.78 on Monday (Aug 11). Across the broader market, gainers outnumbered losers 279 to 254, with about 1.3 billion securities worth S$1.4 billion changing hands. On the STI, technology solutions provider Venture Corp led the gains, rising 1.1 per cent or S$0.15 to S$13.25. Sembcorp was at the bottom of the list, down 3.4 per cent or S$0.23 at S$6.49. Earlier on Monday, Maybank downgraded the stock to 'hold' and cut its target price to S$6.40 from S$7.10, following last week's earnings decline . The trio of local banks ended the day mixed, with DBS ending flat at S$50.75. OCBC rose 0.5 per cent or S$0.09 to S$16.88, and UOB gained 0.1 per cent or S$0.05 to close at S$35.75. Major indices across the region were varied. The Kospi slipped 0.1 per cent, while the Nikkei 225 advanced 1.9 per cent. The KLCI rose 0.4 per cent and the Hang Seng added 0.2 per cent. 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 This came at the start of a 'high-stakes' week with a preliminary trade truce between the US and China set to expire, and other countries pushing to secure agreements with the American administration, said Christian Gattiker, head of research at Julius Baer. He noted that a global macro pulse will emerge from a raft of inflation, production and spending data. US headline and core consumer price indices, due to be released on Tuesday, are expected to remain above the Federal Reserve's 2 per cent target, amid signs that import tariffs may be feeding into prices. China will also release its second-quarter activity data on Friday, including retail sales, industrial production and fixed investment. These reports, along with Q2 gross domestic product figures from several Asian economies, are likely to shape expectations for the region's growth trajectory. 'With central bank decisions, political headlines and key earnings also in play, markets may not enjoy a typical August breather,' added Gattiker.
Straits Times
16-06-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Singapore shares fall on Monday amid escalating Israel-Iran conflict; STI down 0.1%
SINGAPORE - Stocks on the local bourse ended slightly lower on Jun 16 on the back of escalating tensions between Israel and Iran. The benchmark Straits Times Index (STI) slid 0.1 per cent or 2.96 points to 3,908.46. Across the broader market, gainers beat losers 246 to 226, after 948.9 million securities worth $1 billion were traded. The biggest winner on the STI was ST Engineering, which was up 2.1 per cent at $7.96. At the other end of the index was Singapore Airlines, which fell 1 per cent to S$6.87. The drop comes after shares tumbled on Jun 13 following a crash involving an Air India plane on Jun 12, as SIA holds a 25.1 per cent stake in the Indian carrier. Meanwhile, local bank counters ended in the red. DBS fell 0.7 per cent to $44.16 while UOB edged down 0.4 per cent at $34.82, and OCBC slid 0.2 per cent S$16.02. Elsewhere in the region, market sentiment was more positive. South Korea's Kospi and Japan's Nikkei 225 gained 1.8 per cent and 1.3 per cent, respectively. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index rose 0.7 per cent and the Bursa Malaysia Kuala Lumpur Composite Index was up 0.1 per cent. Mr Christian Gattiker, head of research at Julius Baer, said that for markets, the Israel-Iran conflict 'remains within the realm of Geopolitical 101: a sharp, but ultimately transient shock – unless escalation accelerates meaningfully from here'. He noted that unless the situation rapidly expands, such as through a disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, direct US or Saudi Arabia involvement, or widespread proxy engagements, the market is unlikely to adjust beyond the initial risk premium. Until then, he said it remains a tactical event rather than a strategic one, providing traders with an opportunity to take profits and reassess their positions. 'The key for investors is not just whether the conflict continues, but whether it intensifies in scope or duration,' said Mr Gattiker. THE BUSINESS TIMES Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Business Times
16-06-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Singapore shares fall on Monday amid escalating Israel-Iran conflict; STI down 0.1%
[SINGAPORE] Stocks on the local bourse ended slightly lower on Monday (Jun 16), in contrast to gains across most key regional indices, against the backdrop of escalating tensions between Israel and Iran. The benchmark Straits Times Index (STI) slid 0.1 per cent or 2.96 points to 3,908.46. Across the broader market, gainers beat losers 246 to 226, after 948.9 million securities worth S$1 billion were traded. The biggest winner on the STI was ST Engineering , which was up 2.1 per cent or S$0.16 at S$7.96. At the other end of the index was Singapore Airlines (SIA) , which fell 1 per cent or S$0.07 to S$6.87. The drop comes after shares tumbled on Friday following a crash involving an Air India plane on Jun 12, as SIA holds a 25.1 per cent stake in the Indian carrier. Meanwhile, local bank counters ended in the red. DBS fell 0.7 per cent or S$0.29 to S$44.16 while UOB edged down 0.4 per cent or S$0.13 at S$34.82 and OCBC slid 0.2 per cent or S$0.04 to S$16.02. Elsewhere in the region, market sentiment remained more positive. South Korea's Kospi and Japan's Nikkei 225 gained 1.8 per cent and 1.3 per cent, respectively. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index rose 0.7 per cent and the Bursa Malaysia Kuala Lumpur Composite Index was up 0.1 per cent. 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 Christian Gattiker, head of research at Julius Baer, said that for markets, the Israel-Iran conflict 'remains within the realm of 'Geopolitical 101': a sharp, but ultimately transient shock – unless escalation accelerates meaningfully from here'. He noted that unless the situation rapidly expands, such as through a disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, direct US or Saudi Arabia involvement, or widespread proxy engagements, the market is unlikely to adjust beyond the initial risk premium. Until then, he said it remains a tactical event rather than a strategic one, providing traders with an opportunity to take profits and reassess their positions. 'The key for investors is not just whether the conflict continues, but whether it intensifies in scope or duration,' said Gattiker.
