Asia and EM Outlook 2H26: AI powers the next leg higher as valuation remains attractive
Asian and emerging market equities are well positioned to build on their strong first-half performance, underpinned by the structural AI investment cycle and attractive valuations.
- 15 Jul 2026
- 156
US inflation slows, but the battle isn’t over yet
June's decline in CPI to 3.5% may have eased market concerns, but persistent geopolitical supply shocks, second-round inflationary pressures and structural AI-driven demand suggest inflation is likely to remain above the Federal Reserve's target for longer.
- 15 Jul 2026
- 78
AI demand continues to confirm our case for Singapore equities
Singapore's economy expanded 5.7% YoY in 2Q26, easing from the prior quarter’s 6.3% growth as a higher base weighed on the headline figure, even as manufacturing accelerated to 12.2% growth on sustained AI-related semiconductor demand. We maintain our positive view on Singapore equities and expect the STI to reach near 6,000 by the end of 2028.
- 15 Jul 2026
- 136
Told you so: The ceasefire is collapsing, and inflation is still climbing
Two weeks after we warned the ceasefire was fragile, the US and Iran are exchanging strikes again — and the inflation pressures we flagged have only strengthened, with the Fed now officially confirming one of them.
- 14 Jul 2026
- 2516
Investment Grade Bonds 2H26 Outlook: Slow, steady, and selective
Investment-grade bonds remain attractive for steady carry, though tight spreads and heavier issuance call for careful credit and duration selection.
- 13 Jul 2026
- 205
New Issue: Short, Safe and 2.02% – HSBC's New 2-Year SGD Senior Note
HSBC Bank plc's new 2-year SGD senior note at 2.02% offers a ~35bp pickup over Singapore government bonds — a defensive, single-A play for conservative SGD investors.
- 15 Jul 2026
- 53
Idea of the Week: CVS Health - Stable income from a healthcare name, with yields up to 6+%
Recession-resistant cash flows and a deleveraging balance sheet support decent yields up to 6+%.
- 10 Jul 2026
- 172
Olam Group announces repurchase exercise for its 5.375% perpetuals
We recommend investors hold on to their 5.375% perpetuals until the next call date in January 2027. Investors should not participate in this exercise.
- 09 Jul 2026
- 458
New Issue: FWD Group Holdings Limited 5.75-Year SGD Subordinated Capital Securities; IPG of 3.55%
FWD Group Holdings Limited is launching a new 5.75-year SGD subordinated bond at an initial price guidance of 3.55%. Here is our take on the new issue.
- 07 Jul 2026
- 194
Perennial Holdings: Refinancing risk remains despite promise of healthcare ramp-up
Perennial’s healthcare ramp-up offers longer-term upside, but weak cash flow, short maturities, high encumbrance and JV look-through leverage keep us selective.
- 06 Jul 2026
- 221
Top Equity Funds [2Q26]: The energy trade fades, semiconductor takes the baton
As geopolitical tensions eased in 2Q26, investors rotated decisively from energy into AI, propelling semiconductor-focused funds to the top of the performance rankings. With the AI rally back in full swing, where are the best investment opportunities for 2H2026?
- 10 Jul 2026
- 2339
Top Bond Funds 1H26: Duration was no free lunch, but carry helped meaningfully
Carry led 1H26 bond fund returns, while Asian local-currency bonds lagged as higher local yields and weaker FX hurt performance.
- 10 Jul 2026
- 244
Amova Short Term Bond Fund: A step up from cash, without reaching too far
Amova Short Term Bond Fund offers investors diversified short-term bond exposure, aiming to outperform SGD cash rates through a defensive portfolio.
- 06 Jul 2026
- 2959
Q&A Series: Capturing China’s future winners beyond the mega-caps with T. Rowe Price
In the latest edition of our Q&A Series, we shine the spotlight on one of the top-performing China equity funds that looks beyond the mega-caps. Read on to find out more!
- 03 Jul 2026
- 384
Fund Spotlight: Capture the AI and semiconductor upcycle with Eastspring Global Technology Fund
The past 12 months have seen global technology equities stage one of the most powerful sector rallies. For investors who like a technology-focused fund with exposure across both Information Technology and Communication Services, Eastspring Global Technology Fund offers a compelling proposition.
- 01 Jul 2026
- 2492
Japan: Are the stars aligned?
Japan equities are seeing the highest inflows in 20 years. Improving economic fundamentals aside, the positive sentiment is being fuelled by cyclical tailwinds and structural reforms that are still in play. Despite the strong rally to date, the Eastspring Japan equity team believes that there is more room for upside.
- 15 Aug 2023
- 1637
China is back: Tracking the progress of China’s accelerated re-opening
- 16 Mar 2023
- 1561
Japan's good value creates alpha opportunities
Japan’s companies are among some of the most cash rich, globally. Equally, some of the most attractive developed market valuations are to be found in Japan. Investors willing to look beyond the economic headlines will discover a market of stocks that is attractive on many fronts.
- 07 Nov 2022
- 1919
Chart Room: Three structural factors making for stickier inflation
Inflation has dominated front pages in recent months, with headline consumer price increases in the US reaching 40-year highs. While we don’t expect global inflation rates to remain at these record-breaking levels, we see several medium to long-term factors that should continue to place upward pressure on inflation.
- 25 May 2022
- 1951
Multi-asset view: More damage in the pipeline
The direct impact of the war in Ukraine seems to have been priced in for now, and equity markets had another relatively strong week. However, we are still cautious due to our expectations of slower growth as a result of high inflation, tightening financial conditions, and the squeeze on consumers.
- 09 May 2022
- 1827
UltraGreen.ai: Illuminating the future of surgery
We examine how UltraGreen.ai is positioned to capitalise on the structural adoption of fluorescence-guided surgery and assess its ability to deliver sustained earnings growth through its dominant ICG franchise, expanding global footprint and integrated surgical technology ecosystem.
- 13 Jul 2026
- 220
Meta isn’t just spending billions on AI—It’s building multiple ways to profit from it
While investors remain focused on Meta's surging AI spending, the company is quietly expanding its AI monetisation strategy through advertising, subscriptions and cloud services—a combination that the market have not fully priced in.
- 10 Jul 2026
- 188
Sea Limited: From Shopee to Monee; Initiate BUY
We initiate a BUY rating for Sea Limited with a target price of USD 135, supported by strong growth in its Digital Financial Services segment and near-term margin recovery potential.
- 09 Jul 2026
- 344
ISOTeam: A player in Singapore's building maintenance and estate upgrading industry
ISOTeam is well positioned to benefit from Singapore's construction upcycle, supported by autonomous painting, the nationwide rollout of cool coatings, taller HDBs, a resilient orderbook, and improving margins.
- 07 Jul 2026
- 2446
Microsoft: Short-Term Pain, Long-Term Opportunity
The market is currently pricing Microsoft as though its AI investment cycle will permanently impair the company's profitability. In our view, investors are penalising Microsoft for taking a disciplined, long-term approach by allocating computing resources towards developing its own AI models instead of maximising short-term Azure revenue.
- 07 Jul 2026
- 409
MAPS Portfolio Note: Yesterday’s selloff changed the price, not the thesis
Markets sold off yesterday (23 June 2026), and we know many of you are concerned. South Korea’s KOSPI plunged nearly 10%, with circuit breakers triggered twice, and our VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) fell sharply in sympathy with the broader semiconductor selloff. After SMH returned more than 140% over the past year, moves like this come with the territory. What matters is whether the long-term growth story has changed, and we don’t think it has.
- 24 Jun 2026
- 4657
MAPS Portfolio Note: Apple just said it better than we could — the memory shortage is far from over
When Apple says something has become “unavoidable,” the world pays attention. This week, CEO Tim Cook confirmed to the Wall Street Journal that the company will raise prices on its devices to offset surging memory chip costs. This tells you everything you need to know about the state of the global memory market, and why our conviction in the Global X Asia Semiconductor ETF has only deepened since we added it to your MAPS portfolios in April.
- 19 Jun 2026
- 952
MAPS portfolios are up as much as 31.9% in a year and we’re just getting started
Markets have been volatile in 2026. Yet through all of it, your MAPS portfolios have delivered. Our Growth portfolios have returned as much as 9.2% year-to-date and up to 31.9% over the past 12 months, beating their benchmarks across every risk profile. These are not lucky outcomes. They are the product of deliberate positioning, active management, and the discipline to stay invested when others are tempted to panic. If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines, this is what you've been missing.
- 14 May 2026
- 4092
1Q26 was brutal. Here's how MAPS came out ahead
War in the Middle East. Oil above USD 110. A steep selloff in software stocks. 1Q26 threw a lot at investors, and yet our MAPS portfolios held their ground. Read on to learn how your portfolios performed, what drove returns, the changes we made in April, and how we have positioned your portfolios for what comes next.
- 05 May 2026
- 3426
MAPS Portfolio Note: TSMC and SK Hynix just made the case for Asia semiconductors
We recently increased our Asia ex-Japan exposure from neutral to overweight and initiated a position in the Global X Asia Semiconductor ETF. The latest 1Q26 earnings from two of the ETF’s largest constituents — TSMC and SK Hynix — have validated that decision.
- 24 Apr 2026
- 3218
Will Your Insurer Pay Out? 2026 Guide to Singapore Insurer Ratings
If you are unsure about how insurer credit ratings affect you, you are not alone. Already have a policy with a Singapore insurer? Find out what these ratings mean for you, and what to look out for when purchasing insurance coverage.
- 07 Jul 2026
- 2964
[Event Exclusive] Protect More, Save More — Get a *Free Grow-Your-Own-Plant blind box with a quote
Visit our FSM Insurance booth at the FSM ETFest x Mid-Year Review Event to discover how you can optimise your insurance coverage and receive a complimentary "Grow Your Own Plant" Blind Box! No purchase required. *Terms and conditions apply.
- 25 Jun 2026
- 5051
Is Your Local Health Plan Enough? (A Regional Comparison)
If you live overseas, your local health plan or a locally issued international health plan may already be sufficient to cover for your usual healthcare needs. This article explains why a Singapore international health plan.
- 17 Jun 2026
- 2381
Are you paying a "Loyalty Tax" on your Term Life insurance?
Many Singaporeans set up a term life plan once — and never touch it again. Over time, premiums and new products change, so you could be paying more than you need to for the same type of protection. This article shows you how to assess whether you’re overpaying, how to right-size your coverage, and how to potentially save up to 53% a year simply by reviewing your term life plan. Plus, find out how to get up to 45% commission rebates on eligible policies when you insure with FSM Global.
- 22 May 2026
- 6687
The Best Integrated Shield Plans in Singapore (2026 Update)
Comparing Integrated Shield Plans for the April 2026 update? Discover our expert picks for the best private hospital plans based on your budget and needs.
- 14 May 2026
- 10386
Topping up your FSM Global Account: A Guide for Global Investors
- 13 Jul 2026
- 419
[Promotion] Moving beyond the crisis – Get on the right foot with 2 free* ETF trades
Put the strategies you’ve heard at FSM Global’s ETFestival x Mid-Year Review 2026 to the test and enjoy 2 free* buy trades on selected ETFs till 31 July 2026. Terms and Conditions apply*.
- 13 Jul 2026
- 3879
From Income to Innovation: What FSM Global Investors Bought Most in 2Q2026
After spending much of 2025 prioritising income, capital preservation and diversification, FSM Global investors broadened their focus in the second quarter of 2026. While income-generating investments remained well represented across the Top 10 rankings, investor interest increasingly shifted towards artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors and regional growth opportunities, particularly in South Korea.
- 06 Jul 2026
- 2930
USD Investment for OFW (Overseas Foreign Worker): Are Your Dollars Working as Hard as You Do?
For many OFWs, saving in US dollars is already part of the plan. You work abroad, earn in foreign currency, send money home when needed, and keep part of your savings in USD for future goals.
- 01 Jul 2026
- 26767
RTS Link Opens Soon. Is Your Money Ready for a More Connected Singapore–Malaysia Life?
For many Malaysians working in Singapore, life already runs across the border. Your salary comes in SGD, but family, spending, savings goals, and future plans may still sit partly in Malaysia.
- 30 Jun 2026
- 14393
South Korea: Short-term Supplement [IOTW: 03 Dec 18]
- 03 Dec 2018
- 1633
MAS Tightens Again – What’s Next? [IOTW: 12 Oct 18]
- 12 Oct 2018
- 3765
Where's my CPF Money? [IOTW: 21 Sep 18]
- 21 Sep 2018
- 3695
If The Ghost of August Is Real, What Should You Do? [IOTW: 17 Aug 18]
- 17 Aug 2018
- 2141
Get To Know Your New Recommended Asian Equity Funds! [IOTW: 3 Aug 18]
- 03 Aug 2018
- 2310
