Your Way Home with Hongbin Jeong

Singapore stocks opened nearly flat this morning as global markets recorded declines overnight.  In early trade, the Straits Times Index (STI) fell 0.02 per cent to 3,926.83 points after 64.7 million securities changed hands in the broader market.  In terms of counters to watch today, we have Seatrium after the offshore and marine specialist swung into the black with a net profit of S$120.9 million for the second half ended December to mark its first full-year profit on record. Elsewhere, from what high-level discussions between Washington and Moscow on the war in Ukraine mean for investors, to Alibaba surging 11 per cent on the back of forecast-topping sales figures – more international and corporate headlines remain in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Benjamin Goh, Head of Research and Investor Education, SIAS.

What would you sacrifice for a dream? For Singaporean boxer Danisha, the answer was everything — breaking a scholarship bond, leaving a stable healthcare career, and stepping into the unknown, all for the love of boxing. And she’s not just chasing medals — she’s fighting for the flag, and fighting to make history. As Singapore’s first boxer in decades to qualify for the Asian Games, Danisha Mathialagan now has her sights set on more. Tune in to hear her incredible journey of grit and glory. READ MORE: https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/combat-sports/singapore-boxer-danisha-mathialagan-sacrifices-full-time-job-as-she-eyes-sea-games-medal-in-2025 Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg

We’ve taken you through the ins and outs of over 300 companies globally over the past two years. That’s almost one company every one or two working days – rain or shine.  But there is one company that we have not talked about all this time. And that is the company behind our radio station MONEY FM 89.3. Yes we are talking about the Singapore Press Holdings or more specifically what’s now known as SPH Media. With its legacy tracing back to the years 1845 and 1923 with the first runs of the English daily The Straits Times and the predecessor of Chinese newspaper Lianhe Zaobao, SPH Media is a leading media group with operations in publishing print and digital newspapers, magazines and books.  The firm started out as SPH Limited in August 1984 where it brought together newspaper brands from two companies, namely The Straits Times Press Group (STP) and the Singapore News and Publications Limited (SNPL), as well as two other publishing, production and distribution companies called Times Publishing Bhd (TP) and Singapore Newspaper Services Pte Ltd (SNS). At that point, the company published seven newspapers in three languages – The Straits Times, Berita Harian, The Business Times, Lianhe Zaobao, Lianhe Wanbao, Shin Min Daily News and the Singapore Monitor.  The mission is to be the trusted source of news on Singapore and Asia and to represent the communities that make up Singapore and to connect them to the world. Over four decades have passed since and the business has now expanded to also own and operate radio stations and outdoor media, including MONEY FM 89.3. SPH Limited also underwent a restructuring of the media business, with SPH Media taking over SPH Limited’s entire media related business and operating as a public company limited by guarantee.  But why are we speaking to SPH Media you might ask? Well, we want to find out how SPH Media is preparing for the future as media companies around the world transform their century old business models in a digital world.  We also want to talk about the rise in news consumption through social media platforms and what that means for traditional media. Also on the agenda – how the rise in social media usage changes the way mainstream media outlets create, promote and distribute their news stories.  On Under the Radar, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Chan Yeng Kit, CEO, SPH Media.

Inheriting a family business is often seen as a privilege, but for second- and third-generation leaders, the challenge lies in balancing tradition with transformation. While conventional wisdom suggests that only a fraction of family businesses successfully transition to the next generation, recent insights indicate a greater resilience, particularly when these businesses embrace innovation. Some choose to preserve the legacy while others push for reinvention, but how do they decide which path to take? On The Peak Special on The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Zat, Editor-in-Chief of The Peak Singapore, to find out more.

Singapore stocks declined this morning, tracking overnight losses in European markets. The Straits Times Index (STI) opened 0.4 per cent lower at 3,919.97 points after 41.2 million securities changed hands in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have Seatrium after it announced today that Seatrium Offshore Technology won an international tender from shipyard International Maritime Industries for the supply of equipment and licence of a drilling unit.  Elsewhere, from the key highlights of the Federal Reserve’s latest meeting minutes, to ride-hailing app Grab’s Q4 earnings beating analysts estimates, more international and corporate headlines remain in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian dived into the details with Terence Wong, CEO, Azure Capital.

As Singapore prepares for GE2025, changes to polling districts in 12 constituencies signal that the electoral process is in motion. While these adjustments are largely administrative, aimed at improving voting efficiency and accessibility, they also provide insights into shifting voter demographics and potential constituency boundary changes. With factors like population growth, new housing developments, and past election feedback influencing these updates, what do they mean for voters and political parties? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Associate Professor Eugene Tan from the Singapore Management University School of Law, to find out more.   Presented by: Hongbin Jeong Produced and Edited by: Alexandra Parada (alexparada@sph.com.sg), Nadiah Koh, and Hongbin Jeong Want to get featured on our show? Drop me an email today!

Prices for the most sought-after used watch models from top Swiss brands Rolex, Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet fell again in 2024, hitting fresh three-year lows The Bloomberg Subdial Watch Index, which tracks prices for the 50 most traded models by transaction value, declined nearly 6% last year to its lowest since 2021. So is it worth investing in watches still? Could the decline in prices open up new opportunities for collectors and investors to acquire watches at a more affordable price? On The Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks withJarod Ng, Executive Chairman & CEO, Pallarian Holdings and Executive Director, Watch Capital to find out more.

Prime Aces Limousine is a leading provider of premium corporate transport services, specializing in seamless mobility solutions for small to medium-sized corporate events. Established in 2018 by Zhi Min, the company was founded with a vision to address gaps in the luxury transport market, specifically the lack of service consistency and efficiency. Today, Prime Aces Limousine offers a fleet of over 50 top-tier business vehicles, including the luxurious Toyota Alphard, catering to the needs of high-profile business clients with professionalism, reliability, and exceptional service. On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Lim Zhi Min, Founder, Prime Aces Limousine, to find out more.   Presented by: Hongbin Jeong Produced and Edited by: Alexandra Parada (alexparada@sph.com.sg) Want to get featured on our show? Drop me an email today!

Singapore shares ended mostly subdued, a day after the country’s Budget announcement by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. Frankie Ho spoke with Dan Chang, a trading representative from PhillipCapital, about some of the stocks in focus, starting with United Overseas Bank, which just delivered its 2024 financial results.

The Singapore Budget 2025 has unveiled a range of measures designed to support businesses as they navigate rising costs, labor challenges, and global competition. With a 50% corporate tax rebate, enhanced Progressive Wage Credit Scheme, and a new S$150 million Enterprise Compute Initiative, the government aims to provide both immediate relief and long-term growth opportunities. But are these measures enough? What more can be done to address fundamental challenges businesses are facing today? On Money Matters’ 2025 Post-Budget Panel Discussion, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Chen Ze Ling, Head of Corporate Banking, DBS Singapore, Toby Koh, Group MD, Ademco Security Group, and Vick Aggarwala, President & CEO, Supreme Components International, to find out more.   Presented by: Hongbin Jeong Produced and Edited by: Alexandra Parada (alexparada@sph.com.sg), Hongbin Jeong, and Naz Want to get featured on our show? Drop me an email today!