Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

On What’s Trending, Hongbin Jeong, Nadiah Koh and Alexandra Parada started the week by diving into the comparison between grocery prices dating back in 1997 versus 2026, Mountbatten’s solution to address the pickleball noise, and why the sky turned pink in Birmingham.

Singapore shares traded in the positive territory today.  The Straits Times Index was up 0.68% at 4,776.89 points at 1.06pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$631.00M seen in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have the Singapore Exchange, after the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) on Friday proposed various legislative and regulatory changes to facilitate the establishment of the SGX-Nasdaq dual-listing bridge. Elsewhere, from how Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co is expected to post a 27% jump in fourth-quarter net profit to a record due to the seemingly insatiable demand for AI infrastructure, to how Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said the Trump administration threatened him with a criminal indictment, more corporate and international headlines remained in focus.  On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Chin Hui Leong, Co-founder, The Smart Investor.

The Lion City Sailors secured a third consecutive Singapore Cup title, beating BG Tampines Rovers 2-0 after extra time. But beyond the Sailors' historic three-peat - the match was marred by an administrative error by the Stags, who now face forfeiting the match due to a rule breach. Sports Minutes has the details as Zia-ul Raushan speaks to Deepanraj Ganesan of The Straits Times. READ MORE: https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/lion-city-sailors-win-third-singapore-cup-in-final-marred-by-bg-tampines-rovers-gaffe Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg

Singapore has long been recognised as a premier destination for Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions – or MICE events – backed by its world class infrastructure, connectivity to the world, and its business friendly ecosystem. And today, we’re going to revisit a guest that sits at the heart of this industry to kickstart the year.  Incorporated in 2005, our guest Experia specialises in conceptualising, creating and curating trade events of strategic interest that spur industry development.  The firm prides itself in bringing together what it calls “captains” from all over the world to inspire ideas, influence decisions and move the needle in strategic issues for global, national and societal needs and progress.  More notably, Experia manages the Changi Exhibition Centre, and is also the player behind Asia’s largest aerospace and defence exhibition, or the Singapore Airshow.  But why are we speaking to Experia you might ask? Well, the MICE industry which Experia lies in is experiencing exciting growth of late.  In June 2025, the Singapore Tourism Board said the MICE global market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate or CAGR of 7.2 per cent from 2024 to 2032.  Asia Pacific in particular, is expected to take the lead due to the relatively higher growth rates seen in regional economies, the rising trend of business travel, as well as improvements in social services and infrastructure.  At Experia, the firm is preparing for the coming Singapore Airshow 2026 happening every two years. It is also organising the inaugural Space Summit 2026, an event which will see national space agencies, policy makers, investors and industry players convene to address gaps in the growing industry.  So how is Experia preparing ahead of the events, and how is the firm positioning itself for future growth, and working with industry players such as hospitality players to spur tourism spending and grow the pie for all? On Under the Radar, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Leck Chet Lam, Managing Director, Experia.

A report paints a nuanced picture of Singapore’s job market heading into 2026. The report notes that while Singapore’s economy grew nearly 5% in 2025, exceeding expectations, permanent employment reached a record high, with hiring sentiment showing signs of cooling.  Companies are increasingly turning to hybrid workforce models, which could change the way jobseekers approach the market. On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Ives Tay, Independent Workforce Development Consultant, to unpack what these trends mean for jobseekers, which sectors offer real opportunities, and how workers can navigate this selective labour market.

On What's Trending, Hongbin Jeong, Nadiah Koh, and Alexandra Parada discuss stories from a very Singaporean debate over whether 10 cents is a fair price to pay for hawker centre toilets, to a viral Adidas jacket sparking conversations about cultural appreciation versus appropriation, and finally to a heated online argument about “moral kidnapping” after a family stood their ground over train seats they paid for. 

The US dollar has slipped about 7% this year, reigniting talk of “de‑dollarisation.” But is the greenback really losing its grip? Investors are turning to gold and crypto, yet the dollar’s resilience still surprises many. So, what’s really behind its stickiness, and could its dominance be at risk in the years ahead? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Xueming Song, currency strategist at DWS,to find out more.

The Straits Times Index has kicked off the year on solid ground , riding on the strength of local banks and defensive sectors, and it’s coming off a record-breaking 2025. But while Singapore equities look steady, big questions are brewing elsewhere in the market. China’s economy is showing tentative signs of stabilisation, even as property woes linger… and in the AI space, even giants aren’t immune to reality checks, with Elon Musk’s xAI burning through cash to fuel its ambitions. So are markets still pricing in optimism, and is artificial intelligence still in a hype cycle, or entering a more sobering phase for investors? On Market View, Willie Keng speaks to Benjamin Goh, Head of Research and Investor Education, SIAS, for more insights.

If your kid told you they wanted to fix lifts, grow vegetables, or work with their hands instead of sitting behind a desk, would you support it? Because that’s exactly what more young Singaporeans are choosing to do. Across the island, Millennials and Gen Zs are quietly walking away from traditional office jobs and into skilled trades, from farming to plumbing to lift maintenance. So what’s behind this unexpected career shift, and what does it mean for Singapore’s future workforce? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Sharon Salim, Business Correspondent, The Straits Times, to find out more. If you want to read more, check out Sharon’s full interview: Farmer, plumber, lift technician: More young people in Singapore drawn to skilled tradeshttps://www.straitstimes.com/business/farmer-plumber-lift-technician-more-young-people-in-singapore-drawn-to-skilled-trades

On What’s Trending, Hongbin Jeong, Nadiah Koh and Alexandra Parada dive into trending stories from food literally taking flight to school lunches sparking national debate, and fans saving eye-watering sums for their idols. We unpack Grab’s upcoming drone food delivery trial across Kallang River and ask whether this is futuristic convenience or a mid-air disaster waiting to happen, before turning to the heated backlash over Hwa Chong’s new central kitchen bento meals, and why school canteen food hits such a deep cultural nerve. Finally, we look at BTS fans going viral for saving up to US$70,000 for the group’s long-awaited comeback tour, and ask the big question: how far is too far when it comes to supporting your favourite artist?