Dollar Holds Near Two-Month High as Yen Approaches 160 
Mexico-US Trade Talks Delayed to October as Tariff Negotiations Continue 
U.S. 10-Year Treasury Yield Hits 2007 High as Fed Rate Hike Bets Rise 
Fed Unveils Stablecoin Rules Under GENIUS Act 
U.S. Treasury Yields Surge as 30-Year Hits 22-Year High 
Gold Holds Near $4,275 as Rising Treasury Yields Fuel Fed Rate Hike Bets 
Japan Private-Sector Growth Slows as Domestic Demand Weakens 
Oil Prices Ease as Iran Tensions Clash With Diplomacy Hopes 
Russian Envoy Dmitriev Heads to US for Ukraine Talks 
Wall Street Ends Flat as Oil, Treasury Yields and Fed Jitters Rattle Markets 
Oil Prices Jump 3% as Houthi Attack Revives Supply Fears 
Soybean Futures Slip as Traders Await Trump-Xi Trade Signals 
Australia Unemployment Hits Five-Year High Despite Strong Jobs Growth 
Wall Street Falls as Treasury Yields Surge, Oil Rebounds on Iran Tensions 
European Stocks Fall as Bond Yields and Geopolitical Risks Weigh 
RBI Uses $10 Billion Currency Swaps to Drain Excess Rupee Liquidity 
China’s ‘Lipstick King’ Says AI Won’t Replace Livestream Hosts 
Add as a preferred source on Google
Singapore’s economy expanded faster than expected in the first quarter of 2026, driven by strong manufacturing output, AI-related demand, and growth in the finance sector. According to the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), Singapore’s gross domestic product (GDP) rose 6.0% year-on-year during the January to March period, surpassing market expectations of 4.6%. The latest figure also exceeded the previous quarter’s 5.7% growth rate.
On a seasonally adjusted quarter-on-quarter basis, Singapore’s economy grew 1.0%, slightly slower than the 1.3% increase recorded in the final quarter of 2025. Despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, the government maintained its full-year GDP growth forecast of 2.0% to 4.0% for 2026.
The trade ministry highlighted that rising global demand for artificial intelligence technologies significantly boosted Singapore’s electronics and precision engineering industries. Increased activity in machinery and equipment trade also supported broader economic expansion. Manufacturing posted an impressive 7.9% annual growth rate, while the wholesale trade sector surged 11.7%. Meanwhile, finance and insurance services expanded by 5.7%, reflecting continued resilience in Singapore’s financial sector.
However, the government warned that risks to the economic outlook have intensified due to escalating tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. The conflict has contributed to higher oil prices and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route. These disruptions negatively affected chemicals and fuel-related industries in Singapore, with several petrochemical companies declaring force majeure and some refineries reducing operational capacity.
MTI cautioned that prolonged energy supply interruptions and tighter global financial conditions could slow economic momentum later in 2026. Nevertheless, Singapore’s strong trade performance, robust manufacturing sector, and continued AI-driven demand are expected to provide support for the economy in the months ahead.
