All eyes on Fed, Singapore export data

WHILE worries over the global economic slowdown and US-China trade issues remain, market watchers will be looking to this week's US Federal Reserve meeting and Singapore export data.

UOB economist Alvin Liew said: "While the Fed is expected to keep policy rate unchanged in June, Federal Open Market Committee Chair (Jerome) Powell will likely use the meeting to prepare the markets for the Fed policy rate cuts." That said, there is a possibility that rate cuts could be brought forward to July, he added.

Tensions in the Middle East and oil price developments after last Thursday's attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman will also be of interest, observers have said.