Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

Singapore shares dipped today despite gains seen on Wall Street overnight. The Straits Times Index was down 0.31% at 4,540.41 points at 11.58am Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$505.89M seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch, we have DFI Retail Group, after the supermarket and retail store operator unveiled a three-year strategic road map targeting double-digit profit growth and a higher dividend payout, as it moves to leverage its scale and digital capabilities. Elsewhere, from a breakdown of the latest US ADP jobs report, to more on Nvidia and the so-called Gain AI Act, more international and corporate headlines remained in focus.  Also on deck, how Paramount Skydance reportedly more than doubled the proposed breakup fee in its offer to acquire Warner Bros Discovery to US$5 billion. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian dived into the details with David Chow, Director, Azure Capital. 

Longevity isn’t just science fiction anymore. It’s a $600 billion investment opportunity. From anti-aging breakthroughs to wellness tech and elder-care innovations, investors are racing to profit from longer, healthier lives. How can you capture this booming market before everyone else does? On Wealth Tracker, Nadiah Koh speaks to Gautam Chadda, Executive Director, RBC Wealth Management Asia,to find out more. 

SystemEarth is a Singapore-based compliance intelligence platform transforming how businesses manage sustainability and regulatory requirements across global supply chains. The platform automates critical tasks such as verifying supplier data, checking land coordinates against deforestation rules, and mapping complex regulations across multiple markets. By making compliance operationally invisible, SystemEarth helps companies of all sizes - from top-tier manufacturers to small suppliers, stay ahead of evolving regulations like the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). And beyond supporting individual businesses, SystemEarth is also helping position Singapore as a hub for transparency, resilient trade, and sustainable innovation in global commerce. On The Right Business, Nadiah Koh speaks to James Chang, Founder, SystemEarth, to explore how the company is reshaping the future of compliance and sustainable trade.

As markets head into the final stretch of the year, is a Santa Claus rally is still on the cards amid mixed Asia Pacific trading, a softer opening for Singapore stocks, and rising expectations of a US Fed rate cut? Fresh data from China adds to the uncertainty, with property developer sales plunging 36% in November and services activity slowing to a five-month low, raising questions about the durability of its recovery. On Market VIew, Willie Keng and Eddy Loh, Chief Investment Officer, Maybank Group Wealth Management unpack what could power or derail a year-end upswing. They also SoftBank’s decision to sell Nvidia and pour capital into new AI bets, the checkpoints that distinguish long-term structural shifts from bubble risk, and the global themes investors may be overlooking as the year draws to a close.

The NAC announced a new pilot allowing licensed buskers to perform in pairs, alongside enhancements to the booking system and an expansion of busking locations across Singapore. These changes aim to boost creativity, increase accessibility, and strengthen the overall ecosystem for more than 500 performers. And with the new venues ranging from heartland hubs to Mandai Wildlife attractions, the busking landscape is undergoing one of its most significant shifts in recent years. On The Big Story, Nadiah Koh speaks to Jonathan Goh, Co-Chairman, Buskers Association Singapore, to share how these developments are reshaping opportunities, challenges, and the future of busking in Singapore.

By turning traditional assets like bonds, carbon credits, and real estate into digital tokens, tokenisation promises faster, cheaper, and more transparent transactions. But the real game-changer? Tokenization could open the door to investment opportunities that were once out of reach for most investors. So, how is this technology being adopted today, and what new possibilities could it unlock On Wealth Tracker, Nadiah Koh speaks to Justin Chapman, Executive VP & Group Head of Strategic Partnerships, Digital Assets and Financial Markets at Northern Trust, to find out more.

AgnesAI is an AI-native collaboration platform that brings research, creation, and teamwork into one unified workspace. Designed to eliminate the fragmented workflows that slow modern teams down, AgnesAI combines advanced reasoning models, automated content generation, and real-time multi-user editing to help people produce high-quality work faster. With innovations like Agnes VibePods, an AI-powered earbuds that enable hands-free, voice-first interaction, the platform empowers users to create, summarize, and collaborate from anywhere. On The Right Business, Nadiah Koh speaks to Bruce Yang, Founder and CEO of AgnesAI, about their hands-free, AI-driven workflows that’s shaping the future of teamwork.

Singapore stocks opened slightly higher, with the STI up around 0.1% as weaker US data boosted expectations of upcoming Fed rate cuts. Across Asia, markets traded cautiously amid rising Japanese 10-year bond yields—the highest since 2008. On Market View, Willie Keng and Manish Saini, Investment Counselor, Citigold Private Client, Citibank Singapore break down what’s driving local sentiment, the challenges ahead for the STI, how Japan’s bond moves could affect regional markets, and how investors are positioning as central banks diverge on monetary policy. Plus, the global themes worth watching and what’s on the radar for the week.

Gold’s dip below $4,000 didn’t last long, and the bulls are back. Now trading above $4,100, some on Wall Street are calling for $5,000 an ounce by 2026, as central banks and investors pile in. Is this the start of gold’s next big rally or are we nearing the top of this golden run? On Wealth Tracker, Nadiah Koh speaks to Joshua Rotbart, Founder and Managing Partner, J. Rotbart & Co., to find out more.

Last week, Airbus issued its largest emergency recall ever, affecting approximately 6,000 A320 aircraft worldwide. The recall was triggered by a software vulnerability linked to a mid-air incident, forcing airlines to revert software versions or replace hardware before affected planes could return to service. Airlines across the United States, Europe, and Asia scrambled to implement fixes, with some grounding aircraft overnight and halting bookings during the busy holiday travel season. On The Big Story, Nadiah Koh speaks to Shukor Yusof, founder of Endau Analytics, to break down what went wrong, the impact on airlines and passengers, and what this crisis reveals about the safety and oversight of modern aircraft.