Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

It was a night to remember at the Bishan Stadium but alas, it was one that stung. The Lion City Sailors battled to the brink of AFC Champions League Two glory, but Sharjah FC’s winner in stoppage time ultimately crushed their dreams. Sports Minutes dissects it all in the company of three players who lived every second of that emotional final - Hariss Harun, Toni Datkovic & Hami Syahin, as well as The Straits Times' Deepanraj Ganesan.  READ MORE: Lion City Sailors denied at final hurdle as Sharjah FC clinch AFC Champions League Two title at Bishan Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg

In a span of a week, the news reported the horrific deaths of two beloved community cats in Singapore, and upon further inspection, it is due to the gruesome abuse and harm that was inflicted upon them. Earlier this year, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals called for stronger animal protection laws and enforcement as the number of confirmed reports of animal cruelty and welfare concerns hit a 12-year high, with reports stating over 2,000 animals being victims, with 60.7% of them being cats. On The Hot Seat, Hongbing Jeong speaks to James Gomez, Senior Associate at Edmond Pereira Law Corporation and Kalaivanan Balakrishnan, CEO of Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES), in order to find out if Singapore's laws is sufficient to protect stray animals from abuse or do Singaporeans have a moral responsibility to do so?

Singapore shares dipped today as optimism surrounding cooling global trade tensions fizzled off.  The Straits Times Index was down 0.18% at 3,884.83 points at about 12.17pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$500.29M in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch today, we have Singapore Airlines. The company posted a 65 per cent rise in net profit to S$2 billion for the second half of FY2025 ended March. This lifted the group’s full-year net profit to a record S$2.8 billion. Elsewhere, from Singapore’s key exports jumping 12.4 per cent on the year, to Walmart’s CEO warning of price increases caused by US President Donald Trump’s tariffs on imports – more economic and corporate headlines remained in focus. Also on deck – a breakdown of Chinese big tech earnings out this week. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Benjamin Goh, Head of Research and Investor Education, SIAS.

Selecting the right ETF can be one of the most critical decisions for investors aiming to build a robust, diversified portfolio.  With thousands of ETFs covering everything from broad market indices to niche thematic strategies, the challenge isn't access—it's clarity.  While ETFs are praised for their cost-efficiency, transparency, and ease of trading, not all are created equal, and choosing the wrong one can compromise your investment goals. So, how do you navigate the overwhelming universe of ETF options? On The Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Steve Brice, Global CIO, Standard Chartered, to find out.

In an era defined by rapid digital transformation, the global workforce is under immense pressure to keep pace. Yet, many upskilling efforts fall short, relying on outdated methods that fail to address the complexity of today’s technical roles. That’s where Elice steps in. Founded by Jae Won Kim, Elice positions itself as a full-stack education platform, offering not just learning content but also infrastructure, testing and an AI-powered tutor. Elice has already won the trust of major Korean conglomerates like Samsung, Hyundai, and SK Group, as well as top-tier universities like Seoul National University and KAIST, as well as government agencies. So, what are the challenges of educating tomorrow’s workforce? How is Elice paving the way for technological upskilling with AI? On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Jae Won Kim, CEO and Co-Founder, Elice Inc to find out more. 

Would you pay $5 million for a private dinner with President Donald Trump? At Mar-a-Lago, that’s exactly what some of the world’s wealthiest business leaders are doing - exchanging staggering sums for face time with Donald Trump.

Bitcoin rallies have historically fueled altcoin seasons, during which investors rotate profits into altcoins, driving broad crypto market gains. However, even if Bitcoin hits multiple all-time highs in 2024, many altcoins haven’t reached their 2021/22 peaks. Instead, altcoin trading activity has been increasingly concentrated within a few tokens. But is this shifting? Are Altcoins Poised For a Widespread Rally?  On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Valentin Fournier, Digital Asset Analyst at BRN, to find out more. 

A viral TikTok video recently shook the aesthetic world: a young woman tearfully recounted how she lost sight in one eye after receiving a seemingly routine cosmetic treatment called Juvelook while abroad.  As demand for cosmetic enhancements continues to surge—often fueled by social media trends and the lure of cheaper treatments overseas—so too does the importance of understanding the real risks behind the pursuit of beauty.  So how can patients better protect themselves in a rapidly growing and often underregulated industry? What should you take note of when going for such a treatment? Or should you avoid them entirely? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Mindy Tjang, Head of Client Relations at The Aesthetics Medical Clinic at the Bukit Batokoutlet to find out more. 

Singapore shares rose today as all eyes remained on the global trade situation. The Straits Times Index was up 0.34% at 3,884.08 points at 11.46am Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$639.05M in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have Genting Singapore, after the company said its chief executive officer Tan Hee Teck will step down. The firm also announced its financial results for the first quarter ended March.  Meanwhile, from SingPost’s shares plunging nearly 12 per cent this morning on the back of its result release, to Starbucks reportedly kicking off its process to sell stake in its China business – more corporate and international headlines remain in focus.  On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian dived into the details with David Chow, Director, Azure Capital. 

Markets have entered a new era of turbulence.  As investors digest the reality of a rapidly changing global trade order, they face a singular challenge: how to position in a world where assumptions are breaking down faster than policies can catch up. Analysts believe the times call for thoughtful active management that takes a measured longer-term view while also remaining attuned to opportunities that arise from heightened volatility. So how can investors invest with Cross-asset trading strategy to mitigate the current market conditions? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Hani Redha, Portfolio Manager, Head of Strategy and Research for Global Multi-Asset at PineBridge, to find out more.