Your Way Home with Hongbin Jeong

Budget 2026 is putting mid-career workers front and centre, with a range of measures designed to support reskilling, career transitions, and staying competitive in an AI-driven economy. From enhanced SkillsFuture programmes and expanded training allowances to new AI initiatives and a merger of workforce agencies for more seamless career support, there’s a lot for workers to navigate.  On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Allison Ching, Executive Career Coach at Dream, Do, Deliver, and Muralee Reddy, Co-Founder of Mamashop Inc., about what Budget 2026 means for mid-career workers, from upskilling, career transitions, AI-readiness, and navigating the changing job landscape. For more Budget 2026 insights:  https://www.moneyfm893.sg/whats-on/budget-2026/

Luxury watches are rapidly evolving from passion collectibles into a recognised alternative asset class, with the pre-owned market valued at $24.38 billion in 2023 and projected to reach $45.01 billion by 2030. Demand is strongest across the US, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, driven by rising liquidity, digital marketplaces, and a growing generation of investors who view watches as long-term wealth-building assets rather than just lifestyle statements. Even during economic downturns, luxury watches have shown remarkable resilience. During the pandemic, their value declined only about 8%, compared to a 19% drop in the S&P 500. On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Oliver Müller, Founder of LuxeConsult, about what is driving the global surge in pre-owned luxury watches, which models and brands are considered “blue-chip” investments, and authenticity considerations are reshaping investor strategies in this dynamic market.  

On this What’s Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Alexandra Parada explore China’s Lunar New Year gala, where humanoid robots stunned audiences with flips, spins, and martial arts, showing off cutting-edge robotics and sparking big questions about the future role of AI in our lives. Then, keeping in the spirit of Lunar New Year, they share the story of a 10-year-old girl in Hebei who used her ang bao money to buy gold, turning her festive cash gift into a small fortune as prices soared. 

Singapore shares saw gains today as most Asian markets traded higher. The Straits Times Index was up 1.09% at 12.54pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$953.72M seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch, we have Yangzijiang Maritime, after the maritime financial solutions provider announced yesterday that it will hold an extraordinary general meeting on Mar 6 to seek shareholders’ approval on the proposed adoption of a share buyback mandate.  Elsewhere, from how minutes from the Federal Reserve’s latest meeting showed policymakers in no rush to cut rates, to a rise in tech heavyweights after news on Tuesday that Nvidia signed a multiyear deal to sell Meta Platforms millions of its current and future artificial intelligence chips, 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.

What does Budget 2026 really mean for Singaporean youths? For young adults stepping into the workforce? For couples thinking about starting a family? Was this Budget a hit or did it miss the mark? And are the support measures enough to ease the pressures young Singaporeans are feeling today? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Keith Yap, Founder and Host of The Front Row Podcast, to find out more. 

Gold and silver have experienced significant volatility, with gold around $5,033 per ounce and silver slipping over 2% to $76.34 as investors react to US inflation data, a stronger dollar, and profit-taking. Industrial demand and retail interest in China remain strong, even during Lunar New Year, while market positioning continues to respond to US rate expectations and real yields. On The Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Gregor Gregersen, Founder of Silver Bullion Group, to explore what is driving these movements, how gold and silver are behaving differently, and what investors should consider in the current market environment.  

On What's Trending today, Hongbin Jeong and Nadiah Koh dive into how the Singaporean government is exploring regulating blind boxes to better manage gambling inducement risks, and how, over in China, a growing number of young people are celebrating what’s being called a “Cyber Lunar New Year.”

Singapore shares were little moved in a shortened session today as investors looked ahead to the Chinese New Year holiday.  The Straits Times Index was down 0.04% at 4,935.69 points at 11.37am Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$733.14M seen in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have Marco Polo Marine, after the integrated marine logistics company today posted revenue of S$32.8 million for its first quarter ended Dec 31, up 27 per cent from S$25.8 million in the same period a year earlier.  Elsewhere, from how Singapore’s key exports expanded by a slower-than-expected 9.3 per cent year on year in January, to how shares of Chinese jeweller Laopu Gold and miner CMOC Group rallied in Hong Kong, more economic and international headlines remain in focus. Also on deck, how Alibaba Group Holding led a Chinese tech-share sell-off after the Pentagon added some of the country’s biggest names to a list of companies aiding the military, only to withdraw that roster minutes later without explanation. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with David Kuo, Co-founder, The Smart Investor.

Breakups and rebounds took centre stage this Valentine’s weekend in domestic football, as BG Tampines Rovers parted ways with their head coach before a twist of events gave them a second chance to stay alive in the ACL Two. Sports Minutes dives in with the latest. Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg

 AI is now at the heart of Singapore’s economic strategy. From supercharging adoption to building talent pipelines and reshaping how businesses operate, what does this mean for you, your job, and your company’s future? Are businesses ready, and will workers keep up? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Kwek SoCheer, Partner, Digital Solutions at PwC, to unpack how Budget 2026’s AI push will shape business strategy, workforce transformation, and Singapore’s position in the global AI race.