Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

As we celebrate creativity and artistic brilliance this Singapore Art Week 2024, Funan has recently unveiled its fourth instalment of Creative Intersections: Traces of Dragons.  It is a mall-wide art exhibition to showcase contemporary works by 16 local artists, brand collaborations and interactive activities which have been inspired by the Year of The Dragon. We speak to the driving force behind Funan's Creative Intersections: Traces of Dragons 2024, Justin Loke, Director, Vertical Submarine who tells us more.

Singapore shares started on a positive note today, mirroring Wall Street stocks’ overnight advances. In early trade, the Straits Times Index (STI) rose 0.4 per cent points to 3,253.14 points after 42.9 million shares changed hands in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch for today, we have Mapletree Pan Asia Commercial Trust. The trust’s distribution per unit (DPU) fell 9.1 per cent to S$0.022 (2.2 Singapore cents) for its third quarter ended Dec 31, 2023.  Meanwhile, from expectations on the Fed’s messaging in its latest policy meeting to more on Elon Musk’s Neuralink, more international headlines are in focus.  On Market View, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Toby Gresham, Investment Counselor Team Lead, Citi Private Bank.

Dow Jones has announced its partnership with global management consulting firm Oliver Wyman to launch Factiva Sentiment Signals. This platform will be an industry-leading corporate risk solution that deploys news-derived data to help businesses predict credit downgrades up to three months in advance. Traci Mabrey, General Manager of Factiva, Dow Jones tells us more about this unique, predictive solution. 

From Evergrande being ordered to liquidate by a Hong Kong court to China tightening its financial industry rules. Dr. Oh Ei Sun, Senior Fellow, Singapore Institute of International Affairs gives us an analysis of those headlines and more. 

It is all about the bowl of noodles we eat as we speak to one of the leading restaurant groups in Hong Kong today.  Bingo if you’ve guessed Tam Jai International, the company behind the TamJai Yunnan Mixian, Tam Jai SamGor Mixian and Japanese udon brand Marugame Seimen.  Listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited since October 2021, Tam Jai International has rapidly expanded its global reach and has a footprint of over 200 stores across markets such as Hong Kong, Mainland China, Singapore and Japan.  In Singapore, the firm has 11 stores under the brand name TamJai SamGor. But how far is this done through a franchise model?  Which is the most important geographical market for the firm for TamJai International?  Also – how far has the export of other brands such as LuckIn Coffee and Mixue helped improve the reception of products like Mixian in markets outside of the Greater China region?  Speaking of expansion, the firm recently entered into a joint venture agreement with ST Group Food Industries Holdings to expand into Australia, marking the Group’s first foray into a Western market and through a franchise model.  The Group also announced a potential franchise partnership with a subsidiary of Philippine conglomerate Suyen Corporation on its proposed entry into the Philippine market.  But what can we expect on this front and how far will a franchise model reshape Tam Jai International’s growth trajectory? On Under the Radar, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Daren Lau, Chairman, Executive Director and CEO, Tam Jai International.

The news that Jurgen Klopp is set to leave Liverpool at the end of this season has undoubtedly rocked the football world. What is the legacy the enigmatic German leaves, will his team finish the season strong to give him a fitting farewell, and how will the Reds' hierachy replace their seemingly irreplaceable manager? We caught up with Liverpool legend John Arne Riise to canvass his thoughts! Got a story to tell? Get in touch with us! edanker@sph.com.sg | raushan@sph.com.sg

Trying to find success in one’s career is already a tough journey on its own. For our next guest, while he was on his quest to find success in work, he was hit by a diagnosis of stage four colorectal cancer. Desmond Tan, Film Director, Creative Partner & Founder, Atypicalfilms shares his story.

Singapore stocks remained relatively unchanged today following updates from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) that it will leave monetary policy settings unchanged. The MAS announced this morning that it will maintain the prevailing rate of appreciation of the Singapore dollar nominal effective exchange rate policy band, extending the pause from its 2023 meetings, in line with market expectations. In early trade, the Straits Times Index (STI) gained a marginal 0.01 per cent to 3,159.94 points after 32.9 million securities changed hands in the broader market. CapitaLand Ascott Trust is in focus today after its distribution per stapled security rose 14.1 per cent year on year for the second half year ended Dec 31, 2023.  Meanwhile, from China Evergrande ordered to liquidate, to the Red Sea shipping crisis sending waves through Asia’s fuel markets, more international headlines are on deck. On Market View, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Chin Hui Leong, Co-founder, The Smart Investor.

The United States says three of its troops were killed and dozens more wounded in a drone attack near a base on Jordan's border with Syria. It's the first time a strike has killed American soldiers in the area since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. Pressure mounts on US President Joe Biden as he blames 'radical Iran-backed militant groups'. How will Washington react to the attack? What are the strategic objectives for the region in the future? We find out from Dr John Donaldson, Associate Professor of Political Science,  School of Social Sciences, Singapore Management University.

Are you addicted to watching livestream selling? Well, move over, Gen Z and millennial influencers because those in the Gen X category and jumping onto the bandwagon as well. And on Shopee Live, they have retailers who are in the late 40s and 50s! So does this mean this trend is here to stay? Chua Kel Jin, Director, Shopee Singapore shares more.