Your Way Home with Hongbin Jeong

Today we’re going to catch up with a global executive from one of the world’s top IT services companies.  A part of India’s largest multinational business group, the Tata Group, Tata Consultancy Services is an IT services, consulting and business solutions organisation that has been partnering with many of the world’s largest businesses in their transformation journeys for over half a century.  That is across a wide range of industries from banking to consumer packaged goods to communications and information services to energy and utilities, and more importantly manufacturing. The company prides itself with its consulting-led, cognitive powered, portfolio of business, technology and engineering services and solutions, delivered through what it calls a unique Location Independent Agile delivery model.  So far, the company has over 601,000 consultants spread across 55 countries, generating consolidated revenues of US$29 billion in the fiscal year ended March.  Now why are we speaking to Tata Consultancy Services you might ask? Well, the firm is seeing a number of recent developments on the manufacturing front for 2025.  For one thing, Tata Consultancy Services had in February announced a collaboration with Salesforce to help customers in the manufacturing and semiconductor industries drive value from artificial intelligence. But what was the rationale behind the move and how will AI reshape the firm’s growth trajectory? Meanwhile, Tata Consultancy Services had in January 2025 inaugurated a new delivery centre in Toulouse, France. The center is said to harness next-generation technologies like artificial intelligence, generative AI, machine learning and data analytics to help customers in the aerospace and related industries such as manufacturing and defence.  The question is – how far will the move position the firm for the future as countries in Europe, such as Germany, look to up their defense spending? On Under the Radar, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Anupam Singhal, Global President of Manufacturing at Tata Consultancy Services.

Clean, accessible water is critical to human health and yet, over 40% of the global population does not have access to sufficient clean water.  And it’s not just that. Up to 80% of illnesses in the developing world are linked to inadequate water and sanitation.  Wateroam is on a mission to build a world without prolonged thirst. As of July 2020, they have left their watermark across 38 countries and impacted over 100,000 lives.  On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Zat, Editor-in-Chief, The Peak Singapore to find out more.   Presented by: Hongbin Jeong Produced and Edited by: Nadiah Koh (nadkoh@sph.com.sg) and Hongbin Jeong Want to get featured on our show? Drop me an email today!

Despite a much-improved effort, Singapore had to settle for point in their Asian Cup Qualifier against Hong Kong - lamenting TWO disallowed goals, and their barren run in finding the net, that has now seen the Lions' draw 4 blanks in their last 5 games. So where to from here for Ogura and co.? We hear from captain Hariss Harun, Ilhan Fandi and Deepanraj Ganesan on Sports Minutes. READ MORE: https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/lion-hearted-singapore-draw-0-0-with-hong-kong-in-asian-cup-qualifier Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg

China is the world’s top greenhouse gas polluter, contributing about a third of mankind’s total annual carbon emissions. Yet, it is also the world’s top producer of clean energy and a major global investor. Is China trying to control the global clean-tech sector? Can the world’s biggest polluter end up saving the world?  On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Tim Buckley, Director, Climate Energy Finance to find out more.    Presented by: Hongbin Jeong Produced and Edited by: Nadiah Koh (nadkoh@sph.com.sg)  Want to get featured on our show? Drop me an email today!

Singapore shares rose today as investors continue to monitor global developments relating to trade.  The Straits Times Index rose 0.8% to 3,967.74 points at about 12.50pm with a value turnover of S$654.88M in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch, we have ESR REIT after the trust’s manager completed the divestment of a logistics property in Singapore for S$6.8 million. Aside from that, investors continue to set their sights on DFI Retail Group after the supermarket and retail store operator yesterday announced the divestment of its Singapore food business to Macrovalue (Malaysia) at an initial purchase price of S$125 million. Meanwhile, from Asian investors’ reaction to Xiaomi’s US$5.5 billion mega share sale and Hyundai’s US$21 billion investment in the US, to the Indonesian rupiah falling to the lowest since the Asian financial crisis and impact on SGX-listed counters with exposure to the country – more international and corporate headlines remain in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with  Carmen Lee, Head of OCBC Investment Research.

A new US administration and a pause on rate cuts from the Fed have characterized the first month of 2025. But with the world's biggest economy marching ahead with new trade policies and the fear of rising inflation not completely behind us, investors might need to brace for turbulence. So what should investors be looking out for? How should they be balancing US equities and trade risks? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Luke Browne, Head of Asset Allocation, Asia, Manulife Investment Management, to find out more. 

As of 2025, the commodities market in Asia is projected to reach approximately US$32 trillion, with a projected annual growth rate of 2% from 2025 to 2029. Yet, this behemoth industry and trade has lagged behind in keeping up with evolving ESG expectations and trends.  Gerald Tan, a fourth-generation business owner, saw the inefficiencies and lack of transparency in the industry and set out to make a change. Agridence is a digital platform that is transforming the way agri-commodities are procured and traded.  How is Agridence enabling the global transition to a greener, more ethical commodities industry? On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Gerald Tan, CEO of Agridence to find out more.    Presented by: Hongbin Jeong Produced and Edited by: Nadiah Koh (nadkoh@sph.com.sg) and Hongbin Jeong Want to get featured on our show? Drop me an email today!

South Korea’s Constitutional Court has reinstated Prime Minister Han Duck-soo to the post of acting president on March 24. The ruling comes amid months of political turmoil in the country, and returns Mr Han to power immediately. This also means President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment verdict is looming, as it’s expected after Mr Han’s. With the highly anticipated decision, local authorities are bracing themselves for potential clashes. Foreign embassies in Seoul have advised avoiding protest hubs. On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong gives the details. 

Singapore shares rose today as investors look to kickstart the week on a positive note.  The Straits Times Index rose 0.22% to 3,934.91 points at about 2.40pm (2.42pm), with a value turnover of S$634.08M in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have DFI Retail Group after the firm announced today the divestment of its Singapore food business to South-east Asian retail conglomerate Macrovalue (Malaysia). Elsewhere, from NIO's net loss deepening for the fourth quarter ended December, to Jack Ma-backed Ant Group reportedly using Chinese-made semiconductors to develop techniques to train AI models at a lower cost – more corporate and international headlines remain in focus.  Also on deck – how Singapore’s inflation fell further in February. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with David Kuo, Co-founder, The Smart Investor.

Tech giants that have dominated Wall Street for two years are losing their grip. The Bloomberg Magnificent Seven index has fallen roughly 10% from its December peak, officially entering correction territory. But why are investors shying away from the Magnificent Seven?And what sectors are now investors looking into? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Rahul Ghosh, Portfolio Specialist in the Equity Division at T. Rowe Price, to find out more.