Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

Meta Robotics is a future-focused education company dedicated to nurturing the next generation of innovators through robotics, coding, and technology learning for children aged 3 to 16. Formerly known as First Step Academy, Meta Robotics has rebranded to sharpen its mission by equipping young minds with the skills, mindset, and confidence to thrive in a rapidly evolving, technology-driven world. Unlike modular coding schools, Meta Robotics offers a continuous, spiral-based learning pathway, designed to build mastery progressively from preschool to the teenage years. Its unique pedagogy combines structured classroom instruction with hands-on experimentation, encouraging curiosity, teamwork, and design thinking. On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Ryan Lim, Co-Founder of Meta Robotics, to find out more.

Singapore shares moved higher today as investors continue to set their sights on earnings out of the country. The Straits Times Index was up 1.02% at 4,533.91 points at 2.34pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$1.23B seen in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have CSE Global, after the company entered into an agreement to issue nearly 63 million new warrants to Amazon.com NV Investment Holdings, a wholly owned subsidiary of Amazon.  Elsewhere, from how senators on Capitol Hill passed the compromise budget measure overnight to fund departments through January, to how travel and leisure booking platform Klook Technology filed for an initial public offering in New York, more international and corporate headlines remained in focus.  Plus, how Apple will reportedly not release the next version of the iPhone Air in the fall of 2026 as previously planned, and how Intel’s CEO Lip-Bu Tan will oversee the chipmaker’s AI efforts after its Chief Technology Officer left the company for OpenAI On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Willie Keng, Founder, Dividend Titan.

Hundreds of thousands of federal workers left without pay. Services disrupted across the country. And a political standoff that has gripped Washington. Now, after 40 days, could the longest government shutdown in US history finally be ending?  Who gave way, who came out ahead and what does this mean for hundreds of thousands of federal workers left in limbo? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Kevin Chen, Associate Research Fellow with the US Programme at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University, to find out more.

Gold and silver fever is back, and it’s hitting Singapore hard. Dealers say they’re seeing eight times the usual number of clients rushing to buy physical bullion. At the same time, Bank of America is calling for silver to hit US $65 an ounce, warning the London market is in a “state of seizure.” So what’s driving this frenzy, and could it be a sign of something bigger happening in global markets? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Gregor Gregersen, Founder, Silver Bullion Group, to find out more.

Founders Bridge is a specialist advisory firm that helps startup founders and SMEs navigate the complexities of business growth, international expansion, and fundraising. In today’s tough startup climate where access to capital is shrinking, investor scrutiny is rising, and scaling globally has never been more complex, Founders Bridge provides the clarity, strategy, and hands-on guidance founders need to reach the next level. Their team has coached hundreds of founders over the past decade, guiding them through challenges such as slow growth, cash flow pressures, hiring difficulties, and attracting investors. On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Doug Peris, Managing Partner, Founders Bridge, to find out more.

Singapore shares dipped today amid positive trade in Asia.  The Straits Times Index was down 0.33% at 4,477.47 points at 2.27pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$1.10B seen in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have SingPost, after the postal operator posted a 12.8 per cent drop in net profit to S$19.7 million for its first half ended Sep 30, from S$22.6 million in the previous corresponding period.  Elsewhere, from how Asian equities rallied on hopes that the US government shutdown could be nearing an end, to a look ahead to Singapore blue chip earnings due this week, more international and corporate headlines remained in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with David Kuo, Co-founder, The Smart Investor.

A career marked by brilliance and blemishes. Tajeli Salamat’s story is one of talent, turmoil, turning points and tough lessons. On this Sports Minutes EXCLUSIVE, Tajeli offers his most candid interview yet - unpacking what really happened, what he’s learned, and what comes next for one of Singapore’s most polarising footballers. Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg

From a mirror glass producer into one of the world’s most enduring industrial giants. Today we’re going to take you through the ins and outs of French multinational corporation Saint-Gobain.  The founding of Saint-Gobain takes us all the way back to 1665, when Louis XIV (the 14th) founded the Royal Mirror Glass Factory, and granted the financier Nicolas Dunoyer and his associates an exclusive privilege to manufacture “mirror glass”.  The goal was to undermine the supremacy of the Republic of Venice in the European mirror market.  Decades later, The Royal Mirror Glass Factory and its competitor, the Thevart Company merged in the 1690s, and the enlarged entity eventually became the modern day Saint-Gobain.   Fast forward to the present, Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures, and distributes materials and solutions for the construction, mobility and industrial markets. Some of its portfolio products include insulation, roofing and yes, glass.  With a presence in 80 countries with more than 161,000 employees, the company aims to be a world leader in light and sustainable construction.  And in Singapore, you can see the firm’s products used in some of its most beloved attractions, from Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay, Bird Paradise, Rainforest Wild Asia and more. But what should we know about Saint-Gobain’s operations right here in Singapore? Meanwhile, the firm had in July 2025, reported record high operating income of 2.803 billion euros, up 5 per cent in local currency terms. Notably, Asia Pacific delivered robust organic growth, driven by strong momentum in India and Southeast Asia.  So what are some growth trends that the company hopes to tap on, and how far will operations in Singapore and Malaysia help the company bolster its financial performance in the region amid a slowing economy in China? On Under the Radar, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Lynette Siow, CEO, Saint-Gobain Singapore & Malaysia.

Elon Musk has just shattered another record, not for rockets or robots, but for pay. Tesla shareholders have approved a jaw-dropping compensation deal worth nearly US$1 trillion, the largest in corporate history. It could make Musk the world’s first trillionaire, and raise big questions about power, profit, and the future of executive pay. On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Dr. Holly Yang, Associate Professor of Accounting; Co-Director (Academic Research), School of Accountancy Research (SOAR); Lee Kong Chian Fellow, Singapore Management University, to unpack all of this. 

Picture a market research firm capable of scanning over 660 billion websites and online channels in less than a second. This allows it to monitor real-time trends, consumer sentiment, and competitor activity across 180 languages. Why does this matter? Because Parrot Social, a Singapore-based AI leader, is transforming how companies understand their markets using cutting-edge AI insights. Their platform provides actionable data that fuels strategic business growth for major corporations. On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Hamidah Aidillah, Founder of Parrot Social, to find out more.