Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

Polytechnic diplomas have been a cornerstone of Singapore’s workforce since 1954, supplying skilled talent across industries from engineering and biomedical science to aviation and media. Yet, despite their proven value, diploma holders often face a persistent perception problem: they are seen as ‘good enough to start’, but not always equipped to lead or progress. Is it finally time for the polytechnic diploma to get the recognition it deserves? And how can employers and institutions ensure that skills and potential, not just degrees, shape career progression? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Mubin Saadat, Deputy Opinion Editor, The Straits Times, to find out more.

M&A in 2026 is being shaped by a volatile, uncertain, and complex world. AI is transforming deal-making, Japan and India are seeing strong activity, and China and Hong Kong are shaking up cross-border deals. What does this mean for investors? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Raghu Narain, Head of Investment Banking, APAC at Natixis CIB, for the latest.

On What’s Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Nadiah Koh look at Chinese kids tackling homework the size of billboards, literally A0 sheets that have parents and kids scrambling across the floor like urban planners. Is this a creative way to learn… or just extra pressure in disguise? Then, we jet over to Davos, where French President Emmanuel Macron’s steel-blue aviators stole the show. Memes, copycats, and viral comparisons to Top Gun’s Maverick exploded online and even sent the stock of the sunglasses’ maker soaring. Is this the next fashion phenomenon or the weird economics of the internet at work?

Singapore shares inched higher in early trade today. The Straits Times Index was up 0.16% at 4,952.07 points at 10.06am Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$418.73M seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch for today, we have Singtel, given how KKR and Singtel will acquire Singapore-based ST Telemedia Global Data Centres for S$6.6 billion, in one of the largest data-centre transactions in Asia. Elsewhere, from how Federal Reserve Governor Stephen Miran resigned from his position as chair of the White House's Council of Economic Advisers, to how Nvidia is reportedly nearing a deal to invest US$20 billion in OpenAI as part of its latest funding round, more international and corporate headlines remained in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Jeremy Tan, CEO, Tiger Fund Management.

He’s back on the pitch, back getting wins and back enjoying football. Zulqarnaen Suzliman joins Sports Minutes to talk about his Albirex loan switch, the confidence that comes with game time and why he chose to leave the Lion City Sailors. Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg

Singapore’s tourism sector has bounced back strongly in 2025, with tourism receipts hitting a record S$23.9 billion in the first three quarters—a year-on-year growth of over 6%. International visitor arrivals reached around 16.9 million, slightly below earlier forecasts, according to the Singapore Tourism Board. What’s fueling this robust performance? Is it a short-term rebound, or a sign of longer-term growth for the sector? And what does this mean for Singapore’s tourism outlook in 2026 and beyond? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Christopher Khoo, Managing Director of MasterConsult Services, to unpack the trends shaping Singapore’s tourism industry and what they mean for businesses, travellers, and the economy.

Investing has never been more accessible. Across Asia, digital platforms and zero-commission trading have put the markets in the hands of millions of DIY investors. But greater access doesn’t always translate into better returns. Studies show that many DIY investors underperform the benchmarks, even with a wealth of tools and information at their fingertips. So what’s really behind the gap? Are common mistakes, behavioral biases, or social media trends holding investors back? And how can you shift from reactive, transactional trading to building long-term wealth? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Polka Mishra, Partner at Javelin Wealth Management, to find out more.

On today’s episode of What’s Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Alexandra Parada explore the bizarre new social platform Moltbook, where 1.4 million AI agents post, debate, and even comfort each other without a single human in sight. They unpack what it means to watch digital minds interact, the eerie hive-mind-like behavior of these bots, and why humans might be quietly losing skills as AI takes over more of our thinking. Leaving the world of AI behind, they turn to a more familiar battleground: Pepsi vs. Coca‑Cola. From the legendary Pepsi Challenge to a cheeky new Super Bowl ad where Coke’s iconic polar bear picks Pepsi, we unpack the ads, the rivalry, and the fast-growing market numbers shaking up the cola wars.

Singapore shares rose today as Asian markets rebounded from the previous day’s losses. The Straits Times Index was up 1.04% at 4,943.04 points at 2.30pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$1.06B seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch, we have the Singapore Exchange given how the bourse operator and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) are working on paving the way for forward-looking disclosures by listed companies.  Elsewhere, from how Australia’s central bank raised its benchmark policy rate for the first time in two years today, to how US President Donald Trump said tariffs on Indian goods would be cut from 50% to 18% in return for New Delhi halting Russian oil purchases and lowering trade barriers, more international headlines remained in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Kelvin Wong, Senior Analyst, OANDA.

On April 1, Singapore will officially launch its National Space Agency, setting its sights on growing the space sector, managing satellites, and boosting space monitoring capabilities. Since 2022, the government has poured over $200 million into space research, and the local industry already includes 70 companies and around 2,000 professionals. With co-ownership of three Earth observation satellites and a track record of more than 30 satellite launches over the past 20 years, Singapore is no stranger to space. But in a universe dominated by superpowers and billion-dollar private ventures, can this small nation truly stake its claim? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Simon Gwozdz, Chief Executive and Founder of Equatorial Space Systems, to find out more.