Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

Despite the Lions falling to a 4-1 defeat to China, the mood surround Singapore football is one of hope and optimism. This after new head coach Tsutomu Ogura made an encouraging start to his tenure. The points tally after two games maybe only be 1 point, but the performances have left fans with much encouragement. Are they right to feel that way, and what lies ahead for Ogura and co.? Deepanraj Ganesan, sports reporter with The Straits Times weighs in. READ MORE: https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/singapore-undone-by-controversial-penalty-in-4-1-loss-to-china-in-world-cup-qualifier Got a story to tell? Get in touch with us! edanker@sph.com.sg | raushan@sph.com.sg

Singapore stocks advanced at the opening bell this morning, following higher-than-expected growth in the city-state’s February factory output. If you recall, data released by the Economic Development Board yesterday showed that Singapore’s factory output grew 3.8 per cent in February, exceeding private-sector economist estimates of 0.5 per cent.  In early trade, the Straits Times Index (STI) gained 0.5 per cent to 3,248.70 points after 34.8 million securities changed hands in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch for today, we have UOB after the group announced two new appointments to its management team yesterday.  Elsewhere, from more updates on Cordlife to the EU’s probe into Apple Google and Meta – more corporate and international headlines are in focus today.  Also on deck – Universal Music, BTS, McDonald’s and Krispy Kreme! On Market View, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Jeremy Tan, CEO, Tiger Fund Management.

Would you believe that 1 percent of users are responsible for 88 percent of data loss events? The latest findings from Proofpoint’s inaugural Data Loss Landscape report found an overwhelming 4 out of 5 organisations in Singapore experienced data loss in 2023. The report also found that GenAI was also found to be the fastest growing area of concern. Tools such as ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and even Grammarly are so prevalent that more users are inputting sensitive data into these applications. Jennifer Cheng, Director of Cybersecurity Strategy for Asia Pacific and Japan, Proofpoint shares more. 

From Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s two sons claiming they had been ordered to assist the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in an anti-graft investigation purportedly targeting their own father to Two candidates who lost in Indonesia's presidential race last month filing a court challenge after Prabowo Subianto victory.  Dr Mustafa Izzuddin, Senior International Affairs Analyst, Solaris Strategies Singapore gives us an analysis of those headlines and more. 

With Ashley Cole becoming only the THIRD defender to be inducted in the Premier League Hall of Fame, we wonder...are defenders criminally underrated? And if so, who makes your list in terms of defenders (past & present) who have been overlooked? Got a story to tell? Get in touch with us! edanker@sph.com.sg | raushan@sph.com.sg

Did you know that 14 March is Pi Day, an annual celebration of the mathematical constant, 3.14?  Our guest is a dynamic educator who is making learning maths as easy as pie. He is not your average maths teacher but a gaming enthusiast who is transforming the educational landscape for his students. A former game designer turned math tutor, he employs an adaptive teaching style that incorporates points systems and progression, showcasing his real-world game design expertise. Jeremy Dong, Math Tutor, Math Nuggets tells us more. 

Singapore stocks opened muted this morning after data for Singapore’s headline and core inflation in February came in hotter than anticipated.   Figures released yesterday showed that headline inflation for February climbed to 3.4 per cent year on year, up from 2.9 per cent in January.  In terms of companies to watch, shares of Lum Chang fell more than 10 per cent this morning after the company revealed that its managing director, David Lum, had “attended several interviews” with the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) to assist on the latest charges filed against Singapore’s former transport minister S Iswaran. Elsewhere, from Singapore’s latest factory numbers to the founder of China’s battery manufacturer CATL pressing ahead with expansion amid slowing EV sales globally – more local and international headlines remain in focus.   Also on deck – Donald Trump! On Market View, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with James Cheo, Chief Investment Officer, Southeast Asia and India at HSBC Global Private Banking and Wealth.

According to the CrowdStrike 2024 Global Threat Report, eCrime, which includes identity-related scams, was the most pervasive cyber threat landscape last year.  And with the tax paying season around the corner, so are scammers and cybercriminals. While targeting consumers has been the norm in recent years, this year cybercriminals are going a step ahead to even target tax professionals. Scott Jarkoff, Director of Intelligence Strategy, CrowdStrike shares more. 

This is a conversation you would want to listen to especially if you have an elderly family member at home.  Started as a R&D team consisting of a group of engineers from the Agency of Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Soundeye is a social enterprise that uses sound recognition and radar sensors to detect abnormal events such as when an elderly member gets up out of bed or stands up from a wheelchair.  More notably, the startup aims to detect falls and calls for help without the use of CCTVs to ensure privacy.  The firm currently serves clients within and out of the elderly market, including the Thye Hua Kwan Nursing Home, the Bishan Home, the Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore, and even the Changi Airport Group.  It recently completed a number of projects related to surveillance and bed exit monitoring in a nursing home in Japan. Meanwhile, Soundeye is part of the Sustainable Impact Accelerator Programme by raiSE and Quest Ventures. It also works closely with government agencies here in Singapore, and has secured subsidies for up to 80% of its projects as of last May, based on a report by Krasia. But what is the strategic value of working with this group of players and how does the firm intend to rapidly scale up its business? On Under the Radar, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Yeow Kee Tan, Chief Executive Officer, Soundeye.

From the US and UK imposing sanctions on China after various cyberattacks to the International Monetary Fund urging Beijing to embark on pro-market reforms.  Dr. Oh Ei Sun, Senior Fellow, Singapore Institute of International Affairs gives us an analysis of those headline and more.