All posts tagged: Exchange-Traded Funds

Analysts expect ‘stabilization’ in U.S.-China ties as Trump-Xi meet

Analysts expect ‘stabilization’ in U.S.-China ties as Trump-Xi meet

Published by Sam Flores

U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping attend a bilateral meeting at the Great Hall of the People on May 14, 2026 in Beijing, China. Alex Wong | Getty Images News | Getty Images As the world watches U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s historic summit, analysts suggest it could mark a reset in ties between the world’s top two economies. The two leaders are expected to discuss a slew of thorny issues, including Chinese purchases of American agricultural and industrial goods, tariffs, Taiwan, and rare earths, with the backdrop of the war in Iran.  After nine turbulent years, the summit could mark a “defining test” for the world’s G2 power dynamic, said Justin Feng, Asia economist at HSBC, pointing out that the U.S., China, and European Union now account for 60% of global GDP. The summit builds on Trump and Xi’s meeting late last year in South Korea that led to a thaw in the trade war between the two countries, with Trump referring them as G2, sparking hopes …

Pete Hegseth’s broker attempted to make defense investments before Iran war

Pete Hegseth’s broker attempted to make defense investments before Iran war

Published by Sam Flores

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth holds a briefing with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine, amid the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 19, 2026. Evan Vucci | Reuters A broker for U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sought to make a large investment in major defense companies in the lead up to the Iran war, according to the Financial Times. The Pentagon has dismissed the report. The Financial Times reported Tuesday that Hegseth’s broker at banking giant Morgan Stanley contacted BlackRock in February about making a multimillion-dollar investment in its iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF. The ETF, which has about $3.1 billion in assets, counts companies such as RTX Corp, — formerly known as Raytheon — Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman among its largest holdings, Blackrock data showed. The Defense Industrials Active ETF has lost 12.4% in the past one month, about the time when the Iran war started, according to LSEG data. The FT also said that the investment discussed by Hegseth’s broker …

A smart platform for a new generation

A smart platform for a new generation

Published by Sam Flores

For many investors, one of the toughest challenges is staying invested through market cycles. As interest rates ease and traditional savings products offer less yield, individuals are increasingly focused on making their capital work more efficiently even during holding periods. As a result, investors are looking for ways to make their money work harder while remaining invested, reflecting a shift IG Markets is evolving alongside. Its interest-on-shares feature – a first in Singapore – allows eligible shares and ETF holdings to earn a guaranteed 3 per cent annually on shareholdings of up to S$50,000, with no lock-in period or minimum investment. Users need only make one qualifying trade a month to remain eligible. The feature is meant to support investors during holding periods, when many platforms offer little incentive to remain engaged. “By paying interest on invested assets, we’re giving users a way to earn steady returns while keeping their capital working,” said Mr Chia. Underlying the approach is a focus on reducing friction, encouraging consistency and supporting long-term investing habits. MAKING INVESTING MORE ACCESSIBLE …