Your Way Home with Hongbin Jeong

Singapore shares were little changed today even as markets in the region rose.   The Straits Times Index was up a marginal 0.04% at 3,813.20 points at about 2.51pm Singapore time with a value turnover of S$660.61M seen across the broader market. In terms of counters to watch, we have Amara. Shares surged 27% shortly after the market opened to hit an all-time high after Hwa Hong, Wing Tai, Teo family consortium yesterday launched a bid to take Amara private at S$0.895 a share.  Elsewhere, from HSBC Bank launching a US$3 billion share buyback after reporting a 25 per cent fall in first-quarter profit to fast-fashion giant Shein Group hiking US prices by as much as 377% ahead of imminent tariffs on small parcels – more corporate and international headlines remain in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Too Jun Cheong, Assistant Dealing Manager from Moomoo Singapore.

Visa has released a report highlighting a significant rise in travel-related spending among Singaporeans, especially during peak periods like the year-end and Lunar New Year holidays. The findings show that Singaporeans are prioritizing lifestyle experiences, with shopping and dining now making up 61% of total travel spend. There's also a clear shift toward smarter spending - online lodging bookings and alternative airline choices are on the rise, reflecting a more strategic approach to budgeting and value.  On The Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Adeline Kim, Country Manager for Singapore and Brunei, Visa, to find out more.

The clock is ticking as Polling Day rapidly approaches. As the stakes get higher, candidates have also turned the intensity up a notch, making quippy back-and-forths, sharp-tongued rebuttals and pointed jabs at their opponents. Today, as we enter the mid-point of hustings, we’ll be taking a look at some finger-pointing over the past few days and find out what voters might take away from them.  On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speak with Dr. Mustafa Izzuddin, a senior international affairs analyst at Solaris Strategies Singapore to find out more. 

6 new Single-Member Constituencies (SMCs) and 5 new Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs) have been introduced, bringing the total number of new constituencies to 11 for GE2025. These changes are a response to growing populations and new developments, impacting 22 constituencies across Singapore.

Singapore shares dipped today as markets in the region traded mixed.  The Straits Times Index was down 0.31% at 3,811.77 points at about 1.32pm Singapore time with a value turnover of S$569.50M seen in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have Yangzijiang Financial Holding because Yangzijiang Financial is exploring the possibility of spinning off its maritime investment segment into a newly incorporated company to be listed separately on the mainboard of the Singapore Exchange.  Meanwhile, from Singapore’s growth outlook turning more cautious in the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s twice-yearly Macroeconomic Report, to Airbus reaching a final agreement to take over some assets and sites from Spirit AeroSystems Holdings – more economic and corporate 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.

Digital identity is rapidly gaining real traction across Southeast Asia. But while national systems are progressing, the real challenge lies in bridging the gap between domestic adoption and regional interoperability. Unlocking ASEAN’s US$1 trillion digital economy by 2030 will require secure, scalable systems that work seamlessly across borders. Zetrix, a Malaysia-based layer-1 blockchain powering cross-border identity and trade infrastructure, is looking to bridge that gap. On The Right Business, Nadiah Koh speaks with Dato' Fadzli Shah, Co-Founder of Zetrix to find out more. 

Asia’s fintech landscape is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by rapid advancements in technology, evolving consumer expectations, and a renewed focus on financial inclusion.  So what are the key trends, opportunities, and challenges shaping the future of fintech across Asia? On Wealth Tracker, Nadiah Koh speaks to Danny Levy, Managing Director of Asia and ANZ, Money20/20, to find out more.

Since 1991, Hougang has been a stronghold for the opposition, with the Workers' Party maintaining control through fierce contests and a deep connection to its residents. A symbol of political resistance, Hougang continues to be a key battleground, where new faces and familiar names vie for the trust of voters in an ever-evolving political landscape.

The Fullerton rally returns after a decade, reviving a historic tradition where Singapore’s founding leaders once spoke directly to the people. And as election fever heats up ahead of GE2025, identity politics has become a major flashpoint, with PM Wong and other leaders warning against racial and religious divisions. Meanwhile, the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) faces backlash after a candidate's racial slur at a rally, prompting a public apology. Concerns about foreign interference also loom large, with authorities blocking social media accounts linked to external actors. On The Big Story, Nadiah Koh speaks to Dr Teo Kay Key, Research Fellow, Institute of Policy Studies, Social Lab, to discuss more about the latest GE2025 movements.

From undertaking sub-contracting works as an operator for limestone mines to becoming a key producer of high-grade iron ore concentrate – we’re going to take you though the ins and outs of SGX-listed Malaysian miner Southern Alliance Mining today.  The story takes us back to 2001, with the incorporation of Southern Alliance Mining’s subsidiary Honest Sam. Then, the firm was primarily involved in subcontracting works for limestone mines in the Malaysian states of Pahang and Perak.  Seven years later in 2008, the company obtained the right to become the mining operator of an open mine pit in Johor called the Chaah Mine.  The mine pit allows for the exploration, extraction and processing of iron ore that could be used by pipe coating companies in the oil and gas industry to prevent corrosion in sub-sea pipes.  Fast forward to today, Southern Alliance Mining not only offers iron ore for pipe coating. It also ventured into iron ore concentrates to diversify business risks, exporting them to markets such as China, before selling the rest to local steel mills in Malaysia.  It currently has approximately 60,000 tonnes of iron ore concentrates, not including pipe coating materials, and has produced and sold a total 6.3 million tonnes of iron ore products between 2008 and July 2021.  The firm recently also reported its earnings for the six months ended January. Revenue declined 23.8% on the year to about RM70.3 million amid weaker iron ore prices as well as slowing demand for China’s steel industry – so how concerned should we be about this? But what is perhaps more exciting about Southern Alliance Mining is how it is positioning itself for the future.  For one thing, the firm had in April 2023 ventured into rare earth mining after inking two agreements to purchase stakes in iron absorption clay rare-earth mines in Malaysia. Again – what was the rationale behind the move, and how will the move bolster the firm from fluctuations in iron ore prices?  On Under the Radar, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Lim Wei Hung, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of Southern Alliance Mining.