1 week Ago By The Smart Investor
Earnings season is in full swing, and corporate news is moving markets on both sides of the globe. In this week’s Smart Investor Market Watch , we dive into the biggest updates you need to know from Singapore and the US. In Singapore, the Straits Times Index (STI) rose by over 2% during the week to close at 3,823.
78 on Friday, 25 April. Despite ongoing economic uncertainties, the US stock market staged a strong rebound, buoyed by easing trade tensions and robust corporate earnings. The S&P 500 jumped 4.
6%, the Nasdaq Composite surged 6.7%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 2.5%, marking one of the strongest weekly performances so far this year.
Driving part of the optimism was news that China is considering suspending 125% tariffs on selected US imports, including medical equipment and industrial chemicals, as domestic costs continue to rise. Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) lowered Singapore’s 2025 GDP growth forecast to 2%, citing global trade uncertainties and a softer external environment. Here in Singapore, the REIT sector rebounded strongly in the last two weeks after an early April sell-off, helped by attractive valuations and investors seeking defensive assets.
However, not all REITs participated equally in the rally. Mapletree Pan Asia Commercial Trust (SGX: N2IU) reported a 14.8% year-on-year decline in its fourth-quarter distribution per unit (DPU), with leasing challenges at key properties and higher debt costs weighing on its performance.
Keppel Corporation (SGX: BN4) announced that its net profit rose by more than 25% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025, excluding its legacy offshore and marine assets. The improvement was driven by stable earnings from infrastructure, real estate, and asset management, and the stock reacted positively to the news. Meanwhile, Hongkong Land (SGX: H78) saw its share price gain soar over 12% during the week, as it announced that it will sell part of its One Exchange Square property in Hong Kong for US$1.
1 billion.The company also unveiled a US$500 million share buyback programme, funded by the sale proceeds. Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOGL) delivered a strong first-quarter report, with revenue climbing 12% year-on-year to US$90.
2 billion. Net income reached US$34.5 billion, driven by solid performances from its Google Cloud and Search businesses.
Alphabet’s share price rose more than 4% following the results. Kimberly-Clark (NYSE: KMB) reported a decline in net income to US$567 million, citing tariff-related cost pressures as a key factor. PepsiCo (NASDAQ: PEP) posted 1.
2% organic revenue growth, with strength coming from its international business. Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG) reported a 2% organic sales increase and a 5% rise in core earnings per share, despite a slight decline in overall net sales. Chipotle (NYSE: CMG) lowered its full-year outlook after quarterly sales declined for the first time in nearly five years, citing economic uncertainty and consumer concerns about tariffs.
The company expects tariffs to impact second-quarter results by about 20 basis points but has decided against raising menu prices. Despite the headwinds, Chipotle is pressing ahead with plans to open up to 345 new restaurants this year. Hasbro (NASDAQ: HAS) delivered better-than-expected results, driven by strong revenue growth from its Wizards/Gaming division.
Hasbro is also accelerating its cost-saving initiatives and now targets between US$175 million and US$225 million in gross savings for 2025. IBM (NYSE: IBM) reported first-quarter sales of US$14.5 billion, up almost 1% from a year ago.
Profit, excluding certain items, came in at US$1.60 per share. However, IBM warned that potential cuts in US government spending and economic uncertainty could impact its future performance.
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Click here to download your copy today. Follow us on Facebook and Telegram for the latest investing news and analyses! Disclosure: Joanna Sng of The Smart Investor owns shares of Alphabet. The post Smart Investor Market Watch: STI Up and US Stocks Soar appeared first on The Smart Investor .
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