Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

Singapore stocks opened stronger today, following overnight gains on global markets amid rate cut hopes. In early trade, the Straits Times Index (STI) rose 0.5 per cent to 3,148.31 points after  61.4 million securities changed hands in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch today, we have DFI Retail Group. The group posted underlying earnings of US$154.7 million for the fiscal year ended Dec 31, 2023, up 437 per cent from earnings of US$28.8 million in FY2022.  Meanwhile, from more on the European Central Bank’s latest decision to keep interest rates at current levels to Boeing set to make safety and quality a bigger metric for employee bonuses, more international headlines are in focus.  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.

Taylor Swift mania sweeps the parliament! Economically, how will her concerts benefit Singapore? And recently announced in parliament, Singapore’s retirement age to go up to 64 in 2026.  Dr Felix Tan, Independent Political Observer gives us an analysis of those headlines and more. 

In December 2023, Singapore's government announced the second National AI Strategy, or NAIS 2.0, representing the country’s commitment to create exciting new opportunities in AI. The National AI Strategy details city-state’s roadmap for enhancing the integration of AI to reshape our economy. So what does the future of Singapore's smart nation journey look like? Arun Kumar, Regional Director, ManageEngine weighs in.

One in every six people. That’s the estimated odds of infertility among people of reproductive age worldwide.  But it appears that the fertility services market is highly complex with segments such as egg and embryo banking, frozen non-donor, and fresh donor fertility treatment. Not only that, the market is also highly fragmented, with a large number of small players. In fact, Research and Markets said the top ten competitors in the market made up just 6.26% of the total market in 2020.  What that means is that it is tough for someone seeking fertility treatment to know which player to reach out to, how to kickstart the process, and how to compare prices and services across players.  And that is exactly the problem that our guest for today aims to solve. Launched in 2023, Zora Health prides itself as the first-of-its-kind fertility care and financing platform that increases the accessibility and affordability of treatment.  Through its partner fertility care providers, Zora Health offers a comprehensive suite of solutions including consultation services, fertility testing, egg freezing and in-vitro fertilisation. It also supports corporate clients through providing fertility education workshops.  But what is the firm’s business model exactly and what are the intricacies involved in operating a fertility-related platform? Meanwhile, Zora Health is backed by VC firm Antler. It also recently secured S$1 million in funding from noteable angel investors such as the Founding CMO of Grab Cheryl Goh, CEO of Nium Prajit Nanu, and ex-COO of Pitch.com Asa Liden.  What is worthy of note is that female investors made up 55% of the investor lineup.  A number of big questions here – what is the strategic value provided by this group of investors? What do the runway, the growth opportunities and near-term ROI look like for the firm? And when does Zora Health intend to bring in more corporate investors? On Under the Radar, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Anna Haotanto, Founder & CEO, Zora Health.

Tia Rozario is only 23 years young, but she already has broken TWO national records in long jumping. If you thought that was impressive, wait till you realise she did this while pursuing a master’s in biomedical science at Duke University after completing your four-year degree in neuroscience at Princeton University. So how does the Singaporean track and field hotshot balance athletics with academics? We spoke to her to find out. READ MORE: https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/singapore-s-tia-rozario-soaring-in-year-of-the-dragon-with-another-two-indoor-jump-records Got a story to tell? Get in touch with us! edanker@sph.com.sg | raushan@sph.com.sg

Our guest embodies the spirit of innovation, leadership, and empowerment and in her capacity, she has played a pivotal role in overseeing the development and expansion plans of her company’s hospitality management arm, solidifying her commitment to driving growth and excellence within the industry. Angeline Tan, Vice President, CES Hospitality & Senior Vice President, Momentus Hospitality shares with us her journey in the hospitality industry and how her leadership style stands out in the industry. 

The European Union has imposed a S$2.6 billion fine on Apple for violating its competition laws this week. This marks the bloc's first-ever antitrust penalty against the US tech giant, as well as the start of a new era where trust-busters can be quicker and more efficient in policing Silicon Valley’s biggest companies. What is their secret weapon? Should Big Tech be worried? In the UK, British chancellor Jeremy Hunt rolled the pre-election dice yesterday, delivering a budget full of measures ahead of a nationwide battle for Downing Street later this year. How might the Spring Budget 2024 shape the battles on the economy at the next general election? Antonio Fatás, Professor of Economics at INSEAD weighs in.

Singapore shares rose at the opening bell this morning, tracking overnight gains in global markets. In early trade, the Straits Times Index (STI) gained 0.1 per cent  to 3,139.17 points after 25.7 million securities changed hands in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have Great Eastern. The insurer said a recent request by a minority shareholder to table resolutions at its upcoming annual general meeting (AGM) “does not satisfy all of the requirements” for a requisition to be moved. Meanwhile, from comments by Fed Chair Jerome Powell at his testimony before lawmakers to the implications of Google’s changes to its search results to be compliant with landmark EU tech rules, more international headlines are in focus.  On Market View, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian dived into the details with David Chow, Director Azure Capital.

As cancer rates continue to surge globally, the impact on women is becoming increasingly severe. And, nowhere is this more evident than in Asia Pacific, which accounts for a staggering 45% of all global breast cancer cases and 58% of cervical cancer deaths worldwide. Yet, we know that tools exist to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem and to reduce the incidence of breast cancer. So why is it that in the Asia-Pacific region in particular, incidence and mortality are not decreasing? Ahead of International Women’s Day 2024, Amy Ho, Head of Disease Areas for Roche Diagnostics APAC, member of Roche’s International Women’s Network  and of the Asia-Pacific Women's Cancer Coalition weighs in.

Simona Halep has vowed to return to tennis with "renewed vigour and an invigorated spirit" after a four-year doping ban was reduced to nine months. The 2-time Grandslam winner has not played competitively since the US Open in August 2022 - when she failed a doping test. Halep's suspension was backdated to the start of her provisional suspension in October 2022, meaning she is able to return to competition in the coming weeks. How will she fare on her road to redemption? We speak to Tennis Commentator Mousumi Dutt to find out more. Got a story to tell? Get in touch with us! edanker@sph.com.sg | raushan@sph.com.sg