Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

Singapore shares inched higher today to track gains seen in Asia. The Straits Times Index was up 0.39% at 4,519.06 points at 2.14pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$531.05M seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch, we have IHH Healthcare, after the healthcare company yesterday posted a net profit of RM616 million (S$194.3 million) for its third quarter ended Sep 30, a 15 per cent increase from RM534 million in the year before.  Elsewhere, from how South Korea’s central bank kept interest rates unchanged as widely expected, to how Intel denied allegations by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) that one of its executives, Lo Wei-Jen, who formerly worked at the Taiwanese chipmaker, had leaked trade secrets – more international and corporate headlines remained in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian dived into the details with David Chow, Director, Azure Capital.

As Singapore shifts firmly back into the office, most employees are meeting return-to-office mandates with surprising optimism. But beneath that upbeat surface, new surveys reveal a widening gap between what workers expect — and what companies are actually offering. Nearly 7 in 10 employees now face fixed in-office days, and while 63% say they feel positive about the move, many still lack the flexibility they value most. So what does this mean for companies trying to retain talent? On The Big Story, Alexandra Parada speaks to Ives Tay, Independent Workforce Development Consultant, to find out more. 

Singapore and Hong Kong are quietly building what could be Asia’s most important financial infrastructure: a regulated token corridor. Linking tokenised assets, stablecoins, and real-world assets across borders, this corridor could transform how money moves, how transactions settle, and how institutions interact globally. But what does a token corridor actually look like? What assets can it move, how does it tackle cross-border challenges, and could it put Asia at the forefront of digital finance? On Wealth Tracker, Alexandra Parada speaks to Ryan Kirkley, CEO & Co-founder of GSN, to find out more.

If you’ve ever savored a kueh that’s soft, colorful, and just a little bit magical, there’s a good chance it came from Kueh Ho Jiak. What started as a home hobby has grown into a heritage-recognized brand, celebrated for its creativity, quality, and charm. On The Right Business, Alexandra Parada speaks to Sandy Tan, Founder of Kueh Ho Jiak, to hear how passion and heart can turn a simple love of traditional treats into a business that preserves and elevates Singapore’s kueh heritage.  

Singapore shares rose today, tracking gains seen in broader Asian markets. The Straits Times Index was up 0.64% at 4,514.15 points at 2.21pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$770.33M seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch, we have Seatrium, after the marine engineering company today announced that it has been awarded a contract from BP Exploration and Production for the engineering, procurement, construction and onshore commissioning of the Tiber floating production unit in the Gulf of Mexico, renamed the Gulf of America by US President Donald Trump. Elsewhere, from how a round of tepid US data reinforced expectations of a Federal Reserve rate cut in December, to how Singapore’s factory output jumped 29.1 per cent year on year in October on the back of a surge in pharmaceutical manufacturing, more economic headlines remained in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Too Jun Cheong, Dealing Manager from Moomoo Singapore.

With Singapore football riding high after THAT famous night in Hong Kong, the Lion Cubs now step into the spotlight. Head Coach of the Men's Under-22 team, Firdaus Kassim breaks down how the his charges are aiming to exorcise the ghosts of 2023, rebuild belief, and push towards a SEA Games campaign that could shape the nation’s footballing future. Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg

Singapore’s tourism scene has shifted dramatically since 2019. According to a new report from the Ministry of Trade and Industry, with input from the Singapore Tourism Board, total tourism receipts in 2024 have already surpassed pre-pandemic levels—even though visitor numbers haven’t fully recovered. Tourists are spending less on shopping and hotels, but more on dining, entertainment, sightseeing, and gaming. What’s driving this move from shopping to experiences? And how will it shape Singapore’s strategy to attract higher-spending visitors and boost tourism receipts by 2040? On The Big Story, Alexandra Parada speaks with Aidan Wong, Assistant Professor of Urban Studies at SMU, to unpack these trends.

When you think of traditional kueh, nostalgia and childhood memories probably come to mind. Behind some of Singapore’s most iconic kuehs, however, is a woman who has quietly shaped this legacy for over 40 years. Esther founded Cooking Art Industries in the 1980s, starting as one of Singapore’s first professional culinary schools and later transforming it into a heritage confectionery trusted by hotels, embassies, and major events. Known for handcrafted Nonya and Thai kuehs—made fresh daily, preservative-free, and true to tradition—her brand is a living testament to Singapore’s dessert heritage. On The Right Business, Alexandra Parada speaks with Esther Kim Sim, Founder of Cooking Art Industries, to find out more. 

A record-breaking quarter for Asia-Pacific real estate, and investors are piling back in. Investment volumes hit US$63.8 billion in Q3. From Seoul’s skyscrapers to Sydney’s warehouses, what’s driving the comeback? On Wealth Tracker, Alexandra Parada speaks to Christine Li, Head of Research, Asia-Pacific, Knight Frank, to break down the latest insights from Knight Frank’s Q2 2025 report.

Singapore shares dipped today as global investors continue to mull the possibility of a US interest rate reduction in December. The Straits Times Index was down 0.3% at 4,483.00 points at 2.29pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$857.89M seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch, we have Keppel, after the firm inked a deal with JTC to embark on a 2026 study that focuses on a microgrid testbed for renewables and trials demand-response solutions.  Elsewhere, from more on the dovish comments made by Federal Reserve officials, to how WeRide narrowed its third-quarter net loss on increased robotaxi orders – more international and corporate headlines remained in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Thilan Wickramasinghe, Head of Equity Research, Maybank Securities.