It’s a busy start to 2026 for markets. Asian equities are rallying, AI remains dominant, and Singapore stocks are pushing into record territory.

On this week’s Market Focus Weekly, Emily Liu is joined by HSBC’s Herald van der Linde to break down what’s powering the early-year optimism — and where risks may be building. They discuss whether the AI trade is becoming overcrowded, what to make of a wave of Chinese IPOs in Hong Kong, and why the market is largely unfazed by geopolitical flashpoints from Venezuela to China–Japan trade tensions.

Highlights:

01:28 Will the AI rally slow down?

08:16 Chinese tech IPOs in Hong Kong

11:14 Singapore’s quiet strength

13:07 So what, Venezuela?

16:23 China vs. Japan

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Send us your questions, thoughts, story ideas, and feedback to btpodcasts@sph.com.sg.

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Written and hosted by: Emily Liu (emilyliu@sph.com.sg)

With Herald van der Linde, head of Asia equity strategy, HSBC

Edited by: Chai Pei Chieh & Claressa Monteiro

Produced by: Emily Liu & Chai Pei Chieh

A podcast by BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media

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Asia’s stocks jump early, and investors are asking if it will last

BT Market Focus

Asia’s stocks jump early, and investors are asking if it will last