Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

Pétale Tea is Singapore’s first blooming tea specialist, founded with the vision of turning tea into more than just a drink, but a mindful ritual and an experience to be savoured. Established by tea expert Rosemary Kwa after more than a decade managing a renowned tea room, Pétale Tea was born from her desire to create a brand that blends the artistry of tea-making with emotional storytelling and social purpose. What sets Pétale Tea apart is its signature blooming teas - delicate hand-sewn tea balls that blossom into flowers when steeped in hot water. Each bloom is a visual and sensory journey, inviting drinkers to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with themselves. Beyond blooming teas, Pétale also curates matcha experiences and intentional gifting options that weave together wellness, beauty, and meaning. On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Rosemary Kwa, Tea Experience Director & Founder, Pétale Tea, to find out more.

Singapore shares were little moved as Asian markets struggled for direction today. The Straits Times Index nudged 0.04% higher to 4,299.17 points at 2.36pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$911.64M seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch, we have Keppel. That’s after the infrastructure division of asset manager Keppel and Keppel Asia Infrastructure Fund (Kaif) announced today a joint divestment of their combined 80 per cent interest in 800 Super Holdings.  Elsewhere, from how Singapore’s core and headline inflation slowed in August, contrary to expectations, to how Nvidia will invest up to US$100 billion (S$128 billion) in OpenAI and supply it with data centre chips, more economic and corporate headlines remained in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Kelvin Wong, Senior Analyst, OANDA.

Keller Williams (KW) Singapore is the next-generation real estate model for today's consultants.  The agency, led by PropertyLimBrothers co-founder Melvin Lim, brings Keller Williams’ global franchise to Singapore with a platform-based model designed around one core idea: treat real estate consultants like business owners, not just salespeople. Here’s what that looks like on the ground: consultants keep up to 94% of their commission earnings. They’re backed by an in-house Media-as-a-Service arm that gives them access to media studios, curated vendors, and AI-assisted content production, allowing them to focus on visibility, storytelling, and reach.  There’s also a revenue-sharing programme that allows consultants to build teams and earn from the people they onboard, giving them equity-style income that doesn’t disappear when they stop closing deals. That kind of model is rare in Singapore, especially one paired with this level of infrastructure. On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Melvin Lim, Founder & Operating Principal, Keller Williams Singapore, to find out more.

Markets are shifting faster than ever, with equities rebounding, volatility persisting, and private markets capturing growing attention. How should investors navigate this evolving landscape? Which strategies will build truly resilient portfolios, and what under-the-radar trends could reshape the next 3 to 5 years of investing? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Brian Griggs, Managing Director, Portfolio Strategist at Nuveen, to find out more. 

Today marks the first day of Parliament since the April dissolution of the 14th Parliament, and MPs wasted no time setting the agenda with more than 200 questions for the Government. Transport reliability, Singapore’s stance on the Israel-Gaza conflict, and vaping featured prominently, alongside the start of the debate on the President’s Address - officially a motion of thanks, but in practice a key chance for MPs to scrutinise policies and set out their own priorities. And for the newly elected MPs, it was also a platform to deliver maiden speeches and signal the issues they intend to champion. On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Dr Mustafa Izzuddin, Senior International Affairs Analyst, Solaris Strategies Singapore, to discuss the key themes and takeaways from today’s Parliament sitting.

Singapore shares dipped today amid mixed trade in Asia today.  The Straits Times Index was down 0.06% at 4,300.16 points at 1.15pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$850.13M seen in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have SGX, after the group today launched new indices that track the next tier of large and liquid mainboard companies beyond the 30 constituents of the Straits Times Index. Elsewhere, from how the Singapore government said today that it has extended the 4 per cent CPF interest rate floor for interest earned on all Special, MediSave and Retirement Account (SMRA) monies for another year, to how Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway has fully exited Chinese automaker BYD – more financial and corporate headlines remain in focus.   On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with David Kuo, Co-founder, The Smart Investor.

We’re going to revisit an “Under the Radar” guest who first joined us on the show about two years ago.  And this is a leading homegrown Singapore company that delivers what’s said to be world-class communications, entertainment and digital services. And yes – you might be using its 5G network services to tune into this conversation as we speak.  Founded in 2000, telecommunications service provider StarHub seeks to provide people, homes and enterprises mobile and mixed services, a broad suite of premium content, as well as a diverse range of communications solutions through its extensive fibre and wireless infrastructure.  25 years on, the firm also develops and delivers solutions incorporating artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data analytics, Internet of Things for both corporate and government clients.  And we want to find out what is next for StarHub in a fast evolving market as it celebrates 25 years in the business.  Beyond that, the Singaporean telecommunications industry that StarHub lies in is also an interesting one to look at, as it undergoes a market consolidation. In August this year, Keppel announced the proposed sale of M1’s telecommunications business to Australian mobile network operator Simba Telecom, for an enterprise value of S$1.43 billion. The move disappointed investors who had hoped for StarHub to buy over M1.  Just a day later though, StarHub announced that it has taken full ownership of MyRepublic’s broadband business. The move was said to strengthen StarHub’s multi-brand and multi-segment strategy in the Singapore broadband market. But what opportunities and synergies is the firm looking to tap exactly?  And how far will a consolidation in the market give telco players like StarHub more flexibility in its pricing to boost its top line numbers? On Under the Radar, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Nikhil Eapen, Chief Executive Officer, StarHub.

What if power wasn’t just about wealth or status, but about opening doors for those shut out? That’s the idea behind ErudiFi, a student financing platform founded by John Tan, which has already helped tens of thousands of young people in Southeast Asia pursue higher education. But can a business built on social impact also stand on solid financial ground? And how do you measure success when it’s not just about returns, but about mobility? On Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Zat Astha, Editor-in-Chief of The Peak Singapore, who recently sat down with John Tan, founder of ErudiFi, to find out more. 

In Singapore, migrant domestic workers are legally allowed to work only for their registered employer.  Yet some are turning to part-time “moonlighting” jobs due to financial pressures, family obligations, or debt, despite the serious penalties involved.  A recent case saw a helper fined S$13,000 for working for two unofficial employers, highlighting the high stakes for both workers and employers. So should Singapore allow foreign domestic workers to take on part-time work during their rest days? On The Hot Seat, Hongbin Jeong spoke with Gloria James-Civetta, Head Lawyer, Gloria James-Civetta & Co and Yuri Tan, Senior Associate, Christopher Bridges Law Corporation, to find out more. 

Fine wine prices are at multi-year lows, creating a rare window for investors and collectors to snap up some of the world’s most coveted bottles. But with risks like liquidity, storage, and counterfeits, the market is far from simple. How are these price trends reshaping investment strategies? Which vintages and regions could outperform? And what should both new and seasoned investors be watching next? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Joe Alim, Managing Director, Asia of Cult Wines, to find out more.