Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

Singapore shares started trading in positive territory today, mirroring global markets. In early trade, the Straits Times Index (STI) was up 0.4 per cent at 3,832.06 points after 30.9 million securities changed hands in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have Singapore Exchange, after the local bourse’s net profit for the first half ended December rose 20.7 per cent to S$340 million, from S$281.6 million in the previous corresponding period.  Also on deck, the US Postal Service’s U-turn on a ban on parcels from China and Hong Kong, and Google’s introduction of a new class of cheap AI models amid competition concerns. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian dived into the details with Terence Wong, CEO, Azure Capital.

As the world seeks more sustainable alternatives to traditional meat, cultivated meat has emerged as a promising solution. However, there's a common challenge that many of these products face - flavour. Enter Singaporean startup ImpacFat, which believes they’ve cracked the code to solving this issue with their unique approach to cultivated fish fat. Founded in 2019, ImpacFat was born out of a desire to elevate the flavor profile of lab-grown meats. How does their innovation work? What is the potential of cultivated fish fat and how it might just be the key to revolutionizing the plant-based and cultivated meat industry? On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Mandy Hon, Founder, ImpacFat to find out more. 

Singapore shares started trading in positive territory today. In early trade, the Straits Times Index (STI) was up 0.2 per cent at 3,829.69 points after 24.9 million securities changed hands in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch, we have Keppel, after the firm recorded a profit of S$528 million from its continuing operations for the second half ended Dec 31. Elsewhere, from the US Postal Service suspending inbound parcels from China and Hong Kong, to disappointing reports from Google parent Alphabet and Advanced Micro Devices, more international and corporate headlines remain in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Eddy Loh, Chief Investment Officer, Maybank Group Wealth Management.

In a shock announcement, US President Donald Trump has declared that ‘the United States will take over the Gaza Strip’  and ‘own it’. Trump made the proposal to audible gasps during a joint press conference today with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom he was hosting at the White House for talks. The stunning proposal would dramatically reorient the Middle East and subject a population of more than a million to further displacement. What's at stake here? Will his proposal upend decades of US-Middle East diplomacy? On The Big Story, Cedomir Nestorovic, Professor of Geopolitics, ESSEC Business School, Asia-Pacific.

We normally talk about the goals, the glory, and the game-changers on this show. But beyond the usual sporting headlines, there’s a different kind of story—one that’s transforming lives and redefining inclusivity. So how can lawnbowls - a relatively non-mainstream sport - be a catalyst for social good? Ganesh Ramanathan, President of Parabowls Singapore tells us more. Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg

2025 is set to be a pivotal year for investors, with major global trends and events set to reshape markets. So what are the key themes to watch out for this year, and how should investors navigate these themes? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Ritesh Ganeriwal, Head of Investment Advisory, Syfe, to find out more.

In an era where working professionals often struggle to balance their careers with their personal lives, staying in touch with elderly parents can be a challenge. We Care is a family-social app designed to help bridge the gap between busy professionals and their ageing parents, making it easier to maintain meaningful relationships. With features that prioritize family communication, health tracking, and activity monitoring, We Care ensures that family matters never get pushed to the bottom of the to-do list. On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Sam Ho, Co-Founder, WE CARE to find out how this app is making a real difference in the lives of families.

Singapore stocks rose in early trade today after US President Donald Trump delayed the start of tariffs on Mexico and Canada for a month. At the opening bell, the Straits Times Index (STI) rose 0.6 per cent to 3,849.74 points after 32.2 million securities changed hands in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have CapitaLand Investment, given how the asset manager will invest more than US$700 million in a freehold land parcel in Osaka, to develop a data centre with 50 megawatts of capacity. Elsewhere, from US President Donald Trump delaying the imposition of stiff tariffs on Mexico and Canada, to news of Chinese tariffs on US coal and liquified natural gas imports, more international headlines remain in focus. On Market View, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Kelvin Wong, Senior Analyst, OANDA.

The release of China's new DeepSeek AI-powered chatbot app has rocked the technology industry. This has sent shockwaves through Silicon Valley, with investors selling their tech stocks and companies like Nvidia seeing a significant drop in value. However, the excitement around DeepSeek has given way to scrutiny, with questions emerging about how its AI models were built and their broader impact. What impact will DeepSeek have on the AI landscape? And, will its success undermine the ongoing US-China tech war? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Kyle Rodda, Senior Financial Market Analyst, Capital.com to find out more.

With the global shift toward sustainability, Mushroom Material is addressing the demand for eco-friendly alternatives by developing a mushroom-based material that serves as a sustainable replacement for polystyrene, styrofoam, and cardboard packaging. This innovative material is customisable to any shape, size, or surface finish and is pound-for-pound stronger than concrete while offering better thermal insulation than fibreglass. At the core of its mission, Mushroom Material aims to eliminate non-recyclable plastics from the environment by providing high-performance, eco-conscious packaging. On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Shaun Seaman, CEO, Mushroom Material, to find out more.   Presented by: Hongbin Jeong Produced and Edited by: Alexandra Parada (alexparada@sph.com.sg) and Naz Want to get featured on our show? Drop me an email today!