Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
BOJ Governor Ueda Highlights Uncertainty Over Future Interest Rate Hikes 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
Singapore’s economy expanded 4.3% year-on-year in Q2 2025, surpassing the 3.5% growth forecast by economists, according to preliminary data from the Ministry of Trade and Industry. The quarter-on-quarter growth stood at 1.4%, rebounding from a revised 0.5% contraction in Q1 and averting a technical recession.
Economists attributed the stronger-than-expected performance to front-loaded exports and a temporary easing of global trade tensions. “The economy is proving resilient amid tariff shocks and geopolitical uncertainty. Exporters capitalized on the 90-day tariff reprieve between the U.S. and China,” said Maybank economist Chua Hak Bin.
Despite this robust quarter, concerns remain over the outlook for the second half of the year. Trade Minister Gan Kim Yong noted that while the economy benefited from export acceleration during the pause in tariffs, growth may slow over the next 6 to 12 months.
In April, Singapore’s full-year GDP forecast was revised downward to a range of 0% to 2%, from the previous 1% to 3%. Maybank currently projects 2025 growth at 2.4% and expects the Monetary Authority of Singapore to maintain its current policy stance in its upcoming review.
Meanwhile, global trade tensions continue to loom. U.S. President Donald Trump recently announced tariffs ranging from 20% to 50% on over 20 countries, effective August 1. Although Singapore has not yet received a formal notice, its exports remain under a 10% baseline tariff imposed in April—despite a longstanding U.S.-Singapore free trade agreement.
Minister Gan plans to visit Washington later this month to negotiate tariff relief, particularly for pharmaceuticals, as the U.S. signals possible levies on copper, semiconductors, and drug products—deepening the already volatile global trade environment.
