Your Way Home with Hongbin Jeong

Investor interest in space is growing rapidly, driven by falling launch costs, expanding satellite constellations, and high-profile scientific discoveries like NASA’s Curiosity rover. With commercial programs scaling globally and technologies such as Earth observation and in-orbit servicing coming online, the focus is on identifying companies that can turn these opportunities into predictable, scalable revenue streams. On The Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Alexandra Vidyuk, General Partner at Beyond Earth Ventures, to discuss how investors can identify the most promising opportunities and navigate the risks in the evolving space market.

Would you spend thousands on a candle that claims it can change your destiny or shove someone out of the way in the middle of Shibuya Crossing just to get through a crowd? On today’s episode of What’s Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Alexandra Parada look at the Chinese influencer who earned over 50 million yuan selling luxury “wish candles” that promised love, luck, and career success before she was arrested for fraud. Also, they discussed the viral video out of Tokyo showing a little girl being shoved to the ground by a passer-by while taking a photo at the world-famous crossing, sparking outrage and renewed discussion about deliberate bumping in crowded spaces.

Singapore’s total fertility rate has fallen to a historic low of 0.87, raising fresh concerns about whether the nation is heading toward long-term population decline. Despite years of pro-family policies and generous financial incentives, birth rates continue to slide, with Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong warning that the citizen population could start shrinking by the early 2040s without intervention. So what’s really driving Singaporeans to have fewer children? And if incentives fall short, will immigration be enough to offset the decline, and at what cost? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Dr Norman Li, Psychology Professor, Singapore Management University, to find out more. 

Singapore shares rose today as investors continue to digest corporate earnings from blue chip companies in the country. The Straits Times Index was up 0.32% at 4,980.16 points at 2.25pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$1.43B seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch, we have ST Engineering, after the engineering company today reported a net profit of S$59.9 million for H2 FY2025, an 83.6 per cent decline from S$381 million a year prior.  Elsewhere, from how Meta Platforms reportedly signed a multi-billion dollar deal to rent artificial intelligence (AI) chips from Google to develop new AI models, to how Paramount Skydance emerged as the winner in a months-long battle to acquire Warner Bros Discovery, more international and corporate headlines remained 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.

Silverware galore at home. A landmark run in Asia. But ultimately, not enough. Aleksandar Rankovic joins Sports Minutes to reflect on his departure as head coach from Lion City Sailors - discussing continental ambitions, squad evolution, and the moment he knew his time at the club might be coming to an end. Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg

Semiconductors are the invisible foundation of our digital world – powering everything from data centres and electric vehicles to smartphones and even satellites.  But behind the global chip ecosystem lies precision engineering firms that make tools and parts used in the manufacturing process.  And our guest for today, Micro-Mechanics, is one of them. Founded in 1983, and listed on the SGX-Sesdaq in Singapore in 2003, the company designs and manufactures a range of consumable tools and parts used in the assembly and testing of semiconductors.  The company also engages in the contract manufacturing of precision parts and tools used in process-critical applications for the semiconductor wafer-fabrication and other high-technology industries.  In July 2008, the listing and quotation of Micro-Mechanics’ shares were upgraded to the SGX Mainboard.  Today, Micro-Mechanics’ boasts a headcount of 450 globally, with five factories located in Singapore, China, Malaysia and the Philippines, as well as in Silicon Valley in the US.  Micro-Mechanics is a company that we want to talk about right now, given how ongoing trade tensions and tariff spat between the US and China have thrusted the semiconductor industry and supply chain into the spotlight. Despite global headwinds, Micro-Mechanics said it was somewhat sheltered given how it had plants set up in both China and the US.  So how is the firm capitalising on its relative advantage in the global semiconductor supply chain right now, and what are the growth opportunities present within the industry right now? How does the firm assess the role of its presence in Singapore, and the vibrancy of the local stock market in boosting its valuation? In this Special episode of Under the Radar, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Kyle Borch, CEO, Micro-Mechanics.

China is pioneering a new trend where AI clones take over entire livestreams, leaving human hosts as passive “props.” This silent streamer phenomenon is a warning for Singapore as AI becomes more integrated into workplaces. With six months of free premium AI access under Budget 2026, the key challenge is turning tools into skills, learning to lead AI ethically, strategically, and with judgment. On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Martin Li, Digital Marketing Instructor, Vertical Institute, to explore how Singaporeans can avoid becoming “human props” and develop AI-ready behaviours.

On What's Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Zia-ul Raushan unpack the debate surrounding the alleged “accidental” deletion of a public figure’s Instagram account, and why some online users are questioning how easy (or difficult) it really is to permanently remove a social media profile.  Then, they shift gears into science’s newest frontier: smart underwear. Researchers in the US are recruiting volunteers to help track human flatulence in real time as part of a study aimed at better understanding gut health and microbial activity. Yes, wearable tech has officially entered the world of intestinal gas research.

Solana has bounced from ~$75 lows back toward $80, showing early signs of stabilisation after months of heavy volatility. With key resistance at $78, $82, and $85, combined with consistent inflows into Solana-linked ETFs despite a 40% drop, investors are weighing whether this is a temporary relief bounce or the start of a deeper trend reversal. On The Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Daryl Teo, Managing Partner at Dakota Ventures, to explore whether Solana is a buy opportunity, which levels could define its next move, and what the latest institutional flows are signaling for investors.

Singapore shares dipped today as investors continue to monitor earnings out of the country. The Straits Times Index was down 0.23% at 4,995.97 points at 12.36pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$1.10B seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch, we have AEM, after the semiconductor equipment maker posted a net profit of S$13.9 million for H2 FY2025, up 32 per cent from S$10.5 million the year before.  Elsewhere, from how chipmaker Nvidia posted better-than-expected results for the January quarter and forecast current-quarter revenue above market estimates, to how Singapore firms delivered their biggest dividend haul yet in 2025, more corporate headlines remained in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian dived into the details with Terence Wong, CEO, Azure Capital.