Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

Singapore shares inched higher today to track a positive session on Wall Street. The Straits Times Index was up 0.17% at 3,882.64 points at about 2.31pm with a value turnover of S$578.38M seen in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have DFI Retail Group. The group’s underlying profit for Q1 2025 fell 18 per cent compared with the same period a year ago, due to the divestment of Yonghui Superstores last year.  Elsewhere, from China’s central bank cutting two key interest rates to spur the domestic economy, to the Reserve Bank of Australia slashing its main cash rate by 25 basis points – more economic and international headlines remain in focus.  Also on deck – a look into Chinese battery giant CATL’s Hong Kong trading debut, with shares up 13 per cent from their listing price at the open today.  On Market View, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Kelvin Wong, Senior Analyst, OANDA.

Wild swings, bold bets: April brought dramatic moves to Singapore’s stock market.  Amid global trade tensions and a surprise US tariff shock, investors witnessed sharp sell-offs followed by powerful rebounds.  Yet, while the volatility spooked many, retail investors in Singapore leaned in—injecting over S$1.1 billion into the market, with a clear focus on beaten-down financial and maritime stocks. So, which counters caught their eye? What do their moves reveal about shifting investor behavior—and are we seeing sharper strategy or rising risk? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Geoff Howie, Market Strategist, SGX, to find out more.

The Workers’ Party’s (WP) Andre Low and Eileen Chong have been appointed as Non-Constituency Members of Parliament (NCMPs) in the 15th Parliament, bringing the WP’s total parliamentary presence to 12 seats. In a statement on May 19, the Elections Department (ELD) confirmed that returning officer Han Kok Juan had declared both candidates elected under the NCMP scheme, which guarantees a minimum of 12 opposition MPs in Parliament. Both were first-time candidates in the 2025 election, and their entry into Parliament is seen as a signal of WP’s ongoing renewal and efforts to broaden its reach and appeal among voters. On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Dr. Rebecca Grace Tan, Lecturer, Department of Political Science, National University of Singapore, to find out what their presence might bring to the Parliament.

A Japanese man, known as Toco, spent nearly $20,000 to live out a unique and surprising fantasy - becoming a dog. With a lifelike rough collie costume and a cage to sleep in, Toco embraced the life of his favorite breed, experiencing everything from belly rubs to walks on a leash.

Teleskop Technologies is a financial technology company dedicated to providing individuals with a comprehensive and structured view of their financial lives. Through an integrated platform, Teleskop enables users to consolidate and manage their global financial and non-financial assets, plan their legacies with clarity, and receive personalised insights to support informed decision-making. On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Chandrima Das, Co-founder & CEO, Teleskop Technologies, to find out more.

Singapore’s ongoing trade negotiations with the United States come at a critical juncture for the global economy. With Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong reporting progress, including the potential for zero tariffs on pharmaceutical exports, in the face of rising protectionism and uncertainty. Beyond tariff relief, what would constitute a meaningful win? How can Singapore build long-term trade resilience and secure access to emerging technologies in a fragmented global landscape? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to MEI Yuan, Assistant Professor of Economics from Singapore Management University to find out more. 

Singapore shares dipped today, tracking movements in the region.  The Straits Times Index was down 0.31% at 3,885.80 points at 2.13pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$681.30M seen in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have Creative Technology, after the company named Freddy Sim, the younger brother of its late founder Sim Wong Hoo, as chief executive officer.  Elsewhere, from shares of Alibaba slumping on the back of a report that its AI deal with Apple was facing scrutiny in the US, to how Nvidia plans to sell a technology to speed up chip-to-chip communication needed to build and deploy AI tools, more corporate and international headlines remain in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with David Kuo, Co-founder, The Smart Investor.

The US dollar has taken a beating. But has it really fallen all that much this year? The greenback has fallen some 6% overall against a basket of world currencies since the start of the year. Will it continue to decline? If so, how much further? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Sim Moh Siong, Currency Strategist, Bank of Singapore, to find out more.

Knai Bang Chatt, is Kep’s original luxury boutique retreat just a 45-minute flight from Siem Reap, followed by a scenic 2-hour drive. Founded by Jeff Moons, Knai Bang Chatt blends minimalist luxury with local culture. The 1960s villas were restored by French architect Francoise Lavielle. So, why did Jeff Moons decide to start this business and create a hotel in a remote village like Kep? What inspired him to focus on sustainability and local culture? And how does Knai Bang Chatt offer a truly unique luxury experience? On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Jeff Moons, Founder and CEO of Knai Bang Chatt, in Kep West, Cambodiato find out more.

Have you ever tried longkang fishing, or catching fish in canals or drains as a child?  If you have, you just might be familiar with the company that we’re talking about today – Qian Hu Fish Farm.  After all, Qian Hu’s longkang fishing experience remains a core memory of many born in the 1990s. With its beginnings as a humble fish farm in 1988, Qian Hu now looks at aquatic and pet care solutions, with a global footprint in 80 cities and countries.  The company prides itself on its expertise in ornamental fish breeding, aquaculture and pet accessories, with a focus on innovation and technology.  At its ornamental fish trading division, Qian Hu Fish Farm Trading, the firm farms, imports, exports and distributes fish, with direct exports to Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia.  And the number of species and varieties exported – over 1,000 of them.  The industry that Qian Hu lies in is an interesting one to talk about, given Singapore's status as one of the world's top exporters of ornamental fish.  Despite its position, the market remains niche, with Singapore’s export value standing at about US$35 million back in 2022.  So who are the players within the industry, and what can ornamental fish exporters like Qian Hu do to improve its output and position for further growth in land scarce Singapore? Should they also diversify beyond ornamental fish? Speaking of which, Qian Hu had in 2017 established an aquaculture division in the Chinese province of Hainan to farm antibiotic-free edible fish. The division has since expanded to look at farming Marbled Goby and Vannamei shrimp in Singapore. But how has the firm’s strategic expansion into aquaculture helped it position for future growth?   On Under the Radar, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Yap Kok Cheng, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Qian Hu.