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Six curated reads each month on rates, markets, Singapore’s economy and wealth management, from January 2026 to today.
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September 2026
Six curated reads · updated 30 Sep 2026
Singapore’s STI leads Asia in Q3 as banks shine
The bank-heavy Straits Times Index gained 10.4% in the third quarter and about 22.7% year to date, ahead of Asia’s AI-heavy markets.
Read at Investing.com ↗ Wealth & funds · 29 SepMAS places S$1.45 billion with a third batch of equity fund managers
Five managers join the Equity Market Development Programme, taking allocations to S$5.4 billion, with S$20 million committed to support market making.
Read at MAS ↗ Global macro · 24 SepBarclays Q4 2026 Global Outlook: reluctantly optimistic
Barclays Research sees sound growth foundations despite higher oil, geopolitics and rising rates, supported by earnings and AI capital spending.
Read at Barclays ↗ Singapore economy · 17 SepSingapore’s NODX jumps 46.2% in August
Non-oil domestic exports rose 46.2% year on year, with electronics up 131.8% on AI-related demand.
Read at Enterprise Singapore ↗ Rates & policy · 16 SepFed raises its policy rate to 3.75–4.00%
The FOMC lifted the federal funds target range by a quarter point, citing inflation that remains elevated.
Read at Federal Reserve ↗ Fixed income · 16 SepAsian fixed income draws support from capex boom and shrinking dollar supply
Principal argues a domestically funded capex cycle and falling dollar-bond supply support Asian credit, though global rate risk remains.
Read at KED Global ↗Market insights
August 2026
Six curated reads
Warsh at Jackson Hole: AI and a new approach to forward guidance
Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh discussed AI’s longer-term implications for the economy and signalled a change in how the Fed uses forward guidance.
Read at Federal Reserve ↗ Rates & policy · 27 AugECB account: energy disruption keeps inflation risks in focus
The account of the 22–23 July meeting notes Strait of Hormuz traffic stayed well below normal and oil prices remained highly sensitive to geopolitics.
Read at ECB ↗ Wealth & funds · 19 AugMAS unveils measures to strengthen Singapore as an asset management hub
A tax exemption on fund managers’ profit-related returns, a new hedge fund investment programme and an Investment Management Track under the ONE Pass.
Read at MAS ↗ Singapore economy · 11 AugMTI upgrades 2026 GDP forecast to 4.5–5.5%
Stronger-than-expected first-half growth and accelerating AI-related investment lift the forecast from 2.0–4.0%.
Read at MTI ↗ Singapore economy · 11 AugEconomic Survey of Singapore, Q2 2026
Singapore’s economy grew 5.9% year on year in the second quarter, bringing first-half growth to 6.1%.
Read at MTI ↗ Energy & commodities · AugIEA Oil Market Report – August 2026
The IEA’s monthly view of oil supply and demand as Gulf flows through the Strait of Hormuz remain constrained.
Read at IEA ↗Market insights
July 2026
Six curated reads
Fed holds at 3.50–3.75%; three officials favour a hike
The FOMC kept rates unchanged, with three members preferring a quarter-point increase.
Read at Federal Reserve ↗ Rates & policy · 27 JulMAS tightens very slightly for a second time
MAS increased the appreciation rate of the S$NEER policy band very slightly, expecting external price pressures to reach core inflation.
Read at MAS ↗ Fixed income · 24 Jul2026 midyear Asia fixed income outlook: resilience meets selectivity
A sponsored outlook from MetLife Investment Management: Asian credit fundamentals look sound, with returns increasingly driven by bottom-up selection.
Read at Asian Private Banker ↗ Wealth & funds · 9 JulMAS proposes faster approvals for new fund types
MAS consults on regulatory changes to speed up approvals of new types of funds.
Read at MAS ↗ Global macro · 8 JulIMF: global economy in crosscurrents of war and technology
The July WEO Update projects global growth of 3.0% in 2026 and 3.4% in 2027, with 2026 headline inflation revised up to 4.7%.
Read at IMF ↗ Wealth & funds · 3 JulMAS and industry set safeguards for AI agents in finance
The SAFR framework sets governance checkpoints so AI agents operate within predefined mandates and risk limits.
Read at MAS ↗Market insights
June 2026
Six curated reads
BIS: global pressure points call for policy discipline
The BIS Annual Economic Report flags the AI boom’s sustainability, financial vulnerabilities, strained public finances and returning inflation.
Read at BIS ↗ Rates & policy · 17 JunFed holds at 3.50–3.75%
The FOMC left the federal funds target range unchanged.
Read at Federal Reserve ↗ Singapore economy · 17 JunSingapore’s NODX rises 38.4% in May
Electronics NODX surged 94.8% on AI-related demand.
Read at Enterprise Singapore ↗ Rates & policy · 16 JunBank of Japan changes its money market guideline
The BoJ adjusted its guideline for money market operations at its June meeting.
Read at Bank of Japan ↗ Rates & policy · 11 JunECB raises key rates by 25 basis points
Citing inflation pressures from the war in the Middle East, the ECB lifted its deposit rate to 2.25%.
Read at ECB ↗ Wealth & funds · 11 JunMAS streamlines the Single Family Office framework
A class exemption and simple notification replace case-by-case approval from 15 June 2026; existing SFOs have until 15 June 2027 to notify.
Read at MAS ↗Market insights
May 2026
Six curated reads
Fed Financial Stability Report: oil shock and AI top the risk list
Geopolitics and the oil shock were the most-cited risks, alongside AI-related valuation and debt concerns; asset valuations stay elevated.
Read at Federal Reserve ↗ Singapore economy · 25 MayMTI maintains 2026 GDP forecast at 2.0–4.0%
MTI kept its full-year growth forecast unchanged after first-quarter results.
Read at MTI ↗ Singapore economy · 18 MaySingapore’s NODX rises 24.5% in April
Electronics NODX rose 66.7% on AI-related demand.
Read at Enterprise Singapore ↗ Wealth & funds · 15 MayMAS finalises Product Highlights Sheet enhancements
MAS responds to feedback on clearer Product Highlights Sheets and streamlined safeguards for complex products.
Read at MAS ↗ Wealth & funds · 4 MayMAS and banks use AI in the fight against financial crime
MAS works with banks, GovTech and the Singapore Police Force to apply AI and machine learning to scam detection.
Read at MAS ↗ Energy & commodities · MayIEA Oil Market Report – May 2026
The IEA’s monthly assessment of oil markets during the Strait of Hormuz supply disruption.
Read at IEA ↗Market insights
April 2026
Six curated reads
ECB holds rates as upside inflation risks intensify
The ECB kept its key rates unchanged, noting stronger upside risks to inflation and downside risks to growth.
Read at ECB ↗ Rates & policy · 29 AprFed holds at 3.50–3.75%
The FOMC left the federal funds target range unchanged.
Read at Federal Reserve ↗ Rates & policy · 28 AprBank of Japan holds at around 0.75%
The Policy Board kept its policy rate unchanged by a 6–3 vote.
Read at Bank of Japan ↗ Singapore economy · 17 AprSingapore’s NODX rises 15.3% in March
Electronics led, driven by ICs, PCs and disk media on AI-related demand.
Read at Enterprise Singapore ↗ Rates & policy · 14 AprMAS tightens slightly as energy costs rise
MAS increased the appreciation rate of the S$NEER policy band slightly as imported energy costs pushed up inflation.
Read at MAS ↗ Global macro · 14 AprIMF World Economic Outlook: global economy in the shadow of war
The IMF’s April outlook assesses the growth and inflation impact of the Middle East conflict.
Read at IMF ↗Market insights
March 2026
Six curated reads
Singapore sets out plans to grow as a gold trading centre
MAS and the Singapore Bullion Market Association outline focus areas to strengthen Singapore as a trusted Asia-Pacific gold hub.
Read at MAS ↗ Rates & policy · 19 MarECB keeps rates unchanged
The ECB left its three key interest rates unchanged at its March meeting.
Read at ECB ↗ Rates & policy · 18 MarFed holds at 3.50–3.75%
The FOMC left the federal funds target range unchanged.
Read at Federal Reserve ↗ Singapore economy · 17 MarSingapore’s NODX grows in February on electronics
Electronics exports grew, led by ICs and disk media products.
Read at Enterprise Singapore ↗ Energy transition · 5 MarMAS sets expectations for climate transition planning
New guidelines for banks, insurers and asset managers on managing the transition and physical risks of climate change.
Read at MAS ↗ Global macro · 2 MarMAS monitors market conditions after Middle East escalation
MAS said it is closely monitoring developments and assessing the impact on Singapore’s economy and financial system.
Read at MAS ↗Market insights
February 2026
Six curated reads
Singapore’s NODX rises 9.3% in January
Growth extended December’s 6.1% rise, led by ICs and disk media products.
Read at Enterprise Singapore ↗ Singapore economy · 12 FebSingapore Budget 2026
The Budget statement sets out support for businesses and households and advances Singapore’s refreshed economic strategy.
Read at Singapore Budget ↗ Wealth & funds · 12 FebMAS expands the Equity Market Development Programme to S$6.5 billion
MAS raised the programme from S$5 billion, citing strong interest and a robust pipeline of applications from asset managers.
Read at MAS ↗ Singapore economy · 10 FebMTI upgrades 2026 GDP forecast to 2.0–4.0%
MTI raised its growth forecast for 2026 on a firmer outlook.
Read at MTI ↗ Rates & policy · 5 FebECB keeps rates unchanged
The ECB reconfirmed that inflation should stabilise at its 2% target in the medium term.
Read at ECB ↗ Energy transition · 3 FebWorld Bank: unlocking East Asia’s renewable energy
China, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines sit at the centre of a transition requiring trillions in investment over two decades.
Read at World Bank ↗Market insights
January 2026
Six curated reads
MAS keeps monetary policy unchanged
MAS maintained the appreciation rate of the S$NEER policy band, expecting resilient growth and core inflation normalising.
Read at MAS ↗ Rates & policy · 28 JanFed holds at 3.50–3.75%
The FOMC left the federal funds target range unchanged; two members preferred a cut.
Read at Federal Reserve ↗ Rates & policy · 23 JanBank of Japan holds at around 0.75%
The Policy Board kept its policy rate unchanged by an 8–1 vote.
Read at Bank of Japan ↗ Global macro · 19 JanIMF: global economy steady amid divergent forces
The January WEO Update projects global growth of 3.3% in 2026 as technology investment offsets trade policy shifts.
Read at IMF ↗ Energy transition · 9 JanIMF: the economic implications of the energy transition in Asia-Pacific
An IMF working paper on how the energy transition affects Asia-Pacific economies and fossil-fuel demand.
Read at IMF ↗ Wealth & funds · 9 JanMAS proposes changes to facilitate dual listings
MAS consults on legislative and regulatory changes to facilitate dual listings on the Global Listing Board.
Read at MAS ↗External articles are shared for general information only and do not constitute investment advice. Kredens Capital is not responsible for third-party content.