Your Way Home with Hongbin Jeong

If you watched the hit comedy-drama series The White Lotus, which is set in luxury resorts around the world, it might have inspired you to book a stay in a five star hotel.  But for investors, it looks like they’re taking a step further and turning to hotel investments as dynamic assets. CBRE’s newly released 2025 Asia Pacific Hotel Investor Intentions Survey, reveals a major shift in investor sentiment—72% of respondents plan to increase their hotel asset allocations this year. The rebound in international tourism—particularly in Japan, Singapore, and Australia—is driving this momentum, as hotel room rates remain elevated and demand for high-quality assets intensifies. On The Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Steve Carroll, Head of Hotels, Capital Markets, Asia Pacific, CBRE to find out more.  Presented by: Hongbin Jeong Produced and Edited by: Nadiah Koh (nadkoh@sph.com.sg) Want to get featured on our MONEY MATTERS? Drop me an email today!

Singapore stocks were higher today as investors continue to digest global developments ranging from US President Donald Trump’s address to Congress to China’s latest GDP growth target of around 5 per cent for 2025. The Straits Times Index was up 0.29% at 3,901.88 points at about 2.20pm, with a value turnover of S$754.86M in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have the Singapore Exchange, after the bourse operator launched its second batch of Hong Kong Singapore Depository Receipts (SDRs) today, in partnership with Phillip Securities.  Elsewhere, from China maintaining its 2025 GDP growth target at about 5 per cent for the third consecutive year to what to watch out of US President Donald Trump’s address to Congress, 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.

Singapore is considering caning for certain scam-related offences due to their severe impact on victims. Minister of State for Home Affairs Sun Xueling announced this on March 4 during a budget debate, responding to MP Dr Tan Wu Meng’s call for stricter penalties. Authorities have also stepped up efforts with tougher sentencing for money mules, stricter SIM card regulations, and closer bank collaboration. On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Benjamin Joshua Ong, Assistant Professor of Law, Yong Pung How School of Law, Singapore Management University, to find out more.

As inflationary pressures continue to challenge traditional asset classes, investors are increasingly turning to gold. But gold may not be all that glitters. In fact - there may be other assets better acting as inflation hedges. On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Laura Cooper, Head of Macro Credit and Global Investment Strategist at Nuveen, to find out more about other inflation hedges investors can consider.

Inspired by the growing environmental challenges in the apparel industry, Frank launched Ultifresh in 2018 to reduce the industry's excessive water usage, emissions, and waste. Using advanced antibacterial technology infused directly into the fabric, Ultifresh shirts are designed to kill 99.94% of bacteria on contact. This innovation allows shirts to be reworn up to three times before needing a wash—saving time, effort, and, most importantly, water. Fewer washes mean less water and detergent used, cutting costs and reducing environmental impact. On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Frank Yap, Co-Founder of Ultifresh to find out more. Presented by: Hongbin Jeong Produced and Edited by: Nadiah Koh (nadkoh@sph.com.sg) Want to get featured on our MONEY MATTERS? Drop me an email today!

US President Donald Trump ordered a pause to all military aid to Ukraine, turning up the heat on Mr Volodymyr Zelensky. This comes only days after an Oval Office blow-up with the Ukrainian President left the support of his country’s most important ally in doubt. The US is holding up all pending military assistance until Mr Trump determines Ukraine’s leaders demonstrate a good-faith commitment to peace. The administration will also review the aid to make sure it’s contributing to a solution to the conflict. How significant is this move to pause all military aid? Will the US eventually resume military aid to Ukraine, or is this a sign of a longer-term shift in policy? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks withEmeritus Professor Joseph A. Camilleri, La Trobe University, Melbourne; Fellow, The Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia; Convener, Conversation at the Crossroads to find out more. Presented by: Hongbin Jeong Produced and Edited by: Nadiah Koh (nadkoh@sph.com.sg) Want to get featured on our MONEY MATTERS? Drop me an email today!

Singapore shares were lower today as investors continue to monitor global trade tensions. The Straits Times Index was down 0.29% at 3,897.63 points at about 2.20pm (2.24pm) with a value turnover of S$826.60M in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch today, we have Yangzijiang Shipbuilding. That’s given how customers who initiated arbitration proceedings against three of its units over alleged contractual breaches have been awarded a right to a refund of US$3.32 million in deposits.  Elsewhere, from US President Donald Trump slapping more tariffs on goods from Mexico, Canada and China, to more on China’s two sessions which kicked off today – more international headlines remain in focus today.   On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Dan Chang, Investment Specialist and Trading Representative, PhillipCapital.

Gold is seeing a “perfect storm” as the precious metal is firmly on track for its biggest first quarter of the year ever. It's already set 39 new record highs throughout 2024, and so far in 2025, it's clocked up 14 new record highs. But of course it’s not without volatility. On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Robin Tsui, APAC Gold Strategist at State Street Global Advisors, to find out more about the key trends to watch for gold amid the volatility.

Simon Gwozdz, the founder and CEO of Equatorial Space Systems, may have grown up with a keen passion for space, but his academic path wasn’t without its challenges. Fast forward to today however, Simon is leading a cutting-edge space start-up in Singapore; some might even call him the Elon Musk of Singapore. Equatorial Space Systems is breaking barriers in the rocket propulsion and space launch industry, offering environmentally-friendly technology that reduces cost and greenhouse gas emissions. On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Simon Gwozdz, CEO and Founder, Equatorial Space System to find out more. Presented by: Hongbin Jeong Produced and Edited by: Nadiah Koh (nadkoh@sph.com.sg) Want to get featured on our MONEY MATTERS? Drop me an email today!

Chinese tech stocks have been on a tear lately, after local AI startup DeepSeek’s breakthrough prompted investors to re-evaluate the nation’s leading internet companies.  More recently, President Xi Jinping is signalling an ease of its tech crackdown.  So can we expect more opportunities in Chinese tech stocks?  On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Danish Lim, Senior Investment Analyst, Phillip Nova, to find out more about the opportunities in Chinese tech.