Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

On Apr 2, US President Donald Trump delivered his first prime-time address since the US-Israeli war in Iran erupted on Feb 28, claiming major military victories against Iran’s navy, air force, and missile capabilities. Yet he offered no clear timeline for ending the conflict. With Trump’s approval rating at a low 36% and Iran’s enriched uranium still largely intact, questions linger: was this speech aimed at reassuring Americans, or boosting support ahead of the midterms? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Dr. Samir Puri, author of Westlessness and Visiting Lecturer in War Studies at King’s College London, to find out more.

The “Sell America” narrative has resurfaced amid rising geopolitical tensions and a more assertive US policy stance, but markets suggest a more nuanced reality. US equities remain supported, Treasuries continue to attract demand, and foreign investors are still allocating into US assets. Instead, the adjustment appears to be happening through the US dollar, while gold is gaining prominence as a key hedge against policy uncertainty and shifting global dynamics. On The Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Arun Sai, Senior Multi-Asset Strategist at Pictet Asset Management, on why this may be less about exiting US markets and more about reducing USD exposure and building gold as a structural hedge.

What do laser-filled highways and your cringey teenage email have in common? They’re both trying to fix problems we didn’t think had solutions. On What's Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Nadiah Koh head to China where drivers are being kept awake by full-on laser light shows on highways. Is it genius… or just dangerously distracting? Then, we switch gears to something way more personal: your email address. After years of being stuck with usernames you’d never say out loud in a meeting, Gmail might finally let you change it, without losing your entire digital life.

Singapore shares slid today as investors continue to mull US President Donald Trump’s address on the war in the Middle East. The Straits Times Index fell 0.76% to 4,937.86 points at 2.41pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$1.09B seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch, we have ST Engineering, after it announced yesterday that its marine business has secured a six-year subcontract valued at an estimated S$600 million from Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB), a shipbuilder based in the United Arab Emirates.  Meanwhile, from how regional markets moved post-Trump’s address to how CapitaLand Investment plans to accelerate its capital recycling efforts and is evaluating “structural solutions” for its assets in China, more financial and corporate headlines remained in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian dived into the details with David Chow, Director, Azure Capital. 

After years of seemingly unstoppable growth, Singapore’s housing market is showing its first signs of change. HDB resale prices have dipped 0.1% in the first quarter of 2026, the first quarterly decline in almost seven years. Meanwhile, resale transactions have also eased slightly, down 4.5% from last year. What does this mean for homeowners and buyers? Could this be the start of a more balanced, affordable market or just a brief pause before prices climb again? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Nicholas Mak, Chief Research Officer, MOGUL.sg, to find out more.

Gold and silver are doing something that markets don’t usually expect in a moment like this; they’re falling, not rising, even as geopolitical tensions from the Iran conflict keep energy prices high and uncertainty elevated. So what’s really going on? Is this the end of the traditional safe-haven trade, or just a temporary distortion driven by stronger yields, a firmer US dollar, and shifting Federal Reserve expectations? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Lim Jun Kit, Senior Strategist, Phillip Nova,  for more insights.

On What’s Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Nadiah Koh dive into the most viral stories circulating online.  First, a five-year-old opens her green packet on Hari Raya… only to find no money inside the envelope, just a note that says ‘Better Luck Next Time’. Is this a heartless prank, life lesson, or just plain awkward? Then, they pivot to something a little greener, literally. A new study shows more people are venting to their houseplants, and some claim their leafy friends even respond. From wilting ferns to a Monstera that ‘talks back’, they explore this trend and the upcoming AI plant translator that promises to turn your plants into your personal life coaches.

Stocks staged a powerful rebound overnight as fresh geopolitical optimism lifted global sentiment. In the US, markets surged on reports suggesting a de-escalation in the Iran conflict, with investors hopeful that an end to hostilities could be within reach. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 1,125 points, or 2.5%, to close at 46,341. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 climbed 2.9% to 6,528, and the Nasdaq Composite rallied 3.8% to finish at 21,591, marking the strongest session for all three major indices since May last year. The positive momentum carried into Asia, where markets broadly closed higher, with Singapore also ending firmly in the green. On Market View, Sean Cheong speaks to Dan Chang, a trading representative from PhillipCapital, to break down the latest market movements.

Finance, football and fireworks - the Lion's homecoming match in celebration of securing qualification to the 2027 Asian Cup had it all. From 3 points to seal an unbeaten group stage campaign, to 30,000 fans in attendance...Plus a landmark $50 million boost to Singapore’s football ecosystem from Forrest Li’s Sea Limited. Sports Minutes has the details! Sports Minutes with Deepanraj Ganesan, sports reporter with The Straits Times, has the details. READ MORE: https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/tech-company-sea-donates-50-million-to-support-spore-football-development Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg  

Healthcare in Singapore is getting more expensive, and fast. The latest WTW Global Medical Trends Report predicts medical costs could jump 16.9% in 2026, up from 15.5% last year and just over 12% in 2024, putting Singapore at the top of the Asia-Pacific chart. At the same time, new insurance rules coming into effect this April mean patients may have to pay more out of pocket before coverage kicks in, even as premiums for some plans dip. What’s behind these rising costs? Is healthcare becoming less affordable for everyday Singaporeans?  On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Dr Akshar Saxena, Assistant Professor of Economics at Nanyang Technological University, to find out more.