Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

Calling once, calling twice and SOLD!  Today’s conversation takes us through the ins and outs of an auctioneer auctioning – no not rare art pieces or jewellery, but bottles of whisky.  Founded in 2015 by two brothers, our guest Whisky Hammer is a family run whisky auction service based in North East Scotland.  The firm said it hosts monthly auctions dedicated to whisky and other fine spirits, attracting over 200,000 buyers and sellers from every corner of the globe.  At these auctions, Whisky Hammer said it auctioned off a wide range of whiskies, both bottles and casks. The company also noted that it achieved the world record for the highest value cask ever sold at auction.  Whisky Hammer is an interesting company to look at because it is apparently backed by private equity investors over in Hong Kong. According to online website Drinks International, the firm and its sister company Still Spirit had in 2021 sold a 49 per cent stake to Hong Kong’s whisky investment group Rare Whisky Holdings.  But how far has Rare Whisky Holdings’ involvement in the firm helped it tap further growth or changed its direction for the future? Ownership structure aside, it is also worthwhile to look at Whisky auctioneers with whisky increasingly seen as a form of alternative investment. Broadly speaking, whisky prices are falling right now. In Knight Frank’s 2024 Wealth Report out in March this year,its Luxury Investment Index fell 1 per cent over the year pulled down by falling values in Whisky. But what will this mean for supply and demand of whisky bottles and casks, and what will this mean for auctioneers like Whiskey Hammer? On Under the Radar, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Daniel Milne, Managing Director of Whisky Hammer.

Singapore stocks began trading in negative territory today, despite gains in global equities overnight. In early trade, the Straits Times Index (STI) dropped 0.1 per cent to 3,628.46 points after 60.5 million securities changed hands in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch today, we have TalkMed Group. The tertiary healthcare services provider said yesterday that discussions on a potential acquisition of a stake in TalkMed are still in the preliminary stages and there is no guarantee that a transaction will take place. Elsewhere from more on CapitaLand Ascott Trust to the Bank of Japan’s decision to keep interest rates steady this time around, more corporate and international headlines remain in focus. Also on deck – all about CPF interest rates and the impact of the Singapore Grand Prix on hospitality plays. On Market View, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Sunny Soh, Lead Technical Analyst (Capital Markets & Investor Education), SIAS.

Looking forward to the Formula 1 night race in Singapore this weekend? When Formula 1 was preparing for the first Singapore Grand Prix 16 years ago, many were not convinced that a night race on a city track would ever work. Today, a quarter of the 24-race Formula 1 calendar takes place under lights. And many Formula 1 races have added elements Singapore included from its beginning. Some even drew direct inspiration from this event. But who's responsible for lighting up the night race in Singapore? Roberto Grilli, General Manager of DZE Asia has been lighting our city up for the races since the very first Singapore Grand Prix in 2008. But what led Roberto to make motorsport history, illuminating the world’s first-ever night race? On Culture Club, Roshan Gidwani speaks with Roberto Grilli, Global General Manager of DZE Asia to find out. Presented by: Roshan Gidwani Produced and Edited by: Nadiah Koh (nadkoh@sph.com.sg) and Aaron Lam Want to get featured on our show? Drop us an email today!

On What's Trending, scientists have discovered a new type of fish called the "grumpy dwarfgoby" in the Arabian Red Sea. The name refers to the fish's unhappy appearance, with its upturned mouth. Also, a Disney-themed house in Rhyl, Denbighshire, has been sold to a Disney fan who has visited over 20 times. The house features large murals of Disney characters, including ET and Star Wars franchise characters.

A star? Is that so? Is her brother: Eric Roberts to thank? That’s what he said in the past…But he has since apologised. Should Julia forgive him? What do The Evening Runway crew think? Press play because Roshan Gidwani, Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian shall spill the tea!  Get in touch with our anchors at rgidwani@sph.com.sg, chuatt@sph.com.sg, hongbin@sph.com.sg.   

At the Affordable Art Fair, you could be a proud owner of an original contemporary artwork for just $15,000 and under. As the longest-running international art fair in Singapore, the Affordable Art Fair is celebrating their 15th year in Singapore this year.  Held at the F1 Pit Building this November, be prepared to browse through 80 over galleries hailing from all around the world. To find out more about this, Hongbin Jeong and Roshan Gidwani spoke with Alan Koh, Fair Director of the Affordable Art Fair Singapore. Presented by: Hongbin Jeong and Roshan Gidwani Produced and Edited by: Nadiah Koh (nadkoh@sph.com.sg) and Roshan Gidwani (rgidwani@sph.com.sg) Want to get featured on our show? Drop us an email today!

Singapore stocks started the day on a muted note, after US indices and Europe’s main stock index fell overnight. In early trade, the Straits Times Index (STI) rose 0.02 per cent to 3,593.18 points after 17.8 million securities changed hands in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have Oiltek International. The renewable energy solutions provider said today that it secured new contracts worth approximately RM19.5 million (S$5.9 million) from Africa, Central America and Malaysia.  Elsewhere, it’s all about the US Federal Reserve from its outsized, 50-basis point interest rate cut to its dot plot of future rates which is set to bring the range to 2.75 to 3 per cent in 2026.  Also on deck – SK Hynix shares tumbling on a double downgrade at Morgan Stanley. Nintendo sueing Pocketpair and all about Boeing! On Market View, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian dived into the details with Terence Wong, CEO, Azure Capital.

We want to impress our colleagues and our bosses.  It's an innate drive. We are self-conscious. But how do we sound smarter?  How do we prove ourselves? Is there a definite way? What are the ingredients to doing so?  On That's How! Roshan Gidwani uncovers some ways in which we can sound smarter at work.  Source: https://www.truity.com/blog/how-sound-smarter-your-next-work-meeting

George Chien, Co-Founder, President, and CEO of KC Global Media, previously served as Executive Vice President of Sony Pictures Television Media Networks. In January 2020, KC Global Media made a significant move by acquiring Sony Pictures Entertainment’s Southeast Asia and Korea Media Networks assets, expanding its reach to over 25 territories. Chien’s departure from Sony was a result of the company’s internal restructuring, but this shift became an opportunity -- he went on to establish KC Global Media and, in a strategic turn of events, successfully acquired key assets from his former employer. On R.I.C.H., Hongbin Jeong and Roshan Gidwani speaks to George Chien, Co-Founder, President & CEO, KC Global Media Entertainment, to dive into his playbook on turning a corporate curveball into a winning strategy. Presented by: Hongbin Jeong and Roshan Gidwani Produced and Edited by: Alexandra Parada (alexparada@sph.com.sg) and Aaron Lam Want to get featured on our show? Drop me an email today!

On What's Trending, Louis Vuitton has released a bag charm inspired by croissants, part of its Fall-Winter 2024 collection. The croissant key chains are priced at $1,390 (S$1,240) before tax and double as a miniature pouch for storing AirPods, lip balm, or spare change. Also, a spectacled bear cub was born in a Peruvian farming community's rescue centre, which has protected these animals for over two decades. The spectacled bear is a vulnerable species, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species.