Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

So who were the biggest winners and losers in the recently concluded Malaysian state election and did a strong opposition performance show a rejection of Anwar's unity government? Adib Zalkapli, Director, BowerGroupAsia gives us his analysis of this election. 

As content consumption shifts towards online platforms, consumers are increasingly relying on their social networks to assess the credibility of products and services. How can a social commerce platform transforms consumer engagement into tangible revenue for businesses through peer recommendation? We find out from Bernard Teo, Co-founder and CEO, YouAdMe.

Cristiano Ronaldo may have sat out the opening weekend of the Saudi Pro League due an injury, but that didn't stop the stars from shining bright in the Middle East. With the likes of Allan Saint-Maximin, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Jordan Henderson all making their league debuts, what can we expect in this brave new football frontier? Deepanraj Ganesan, sports reporter with The Straits Times, joins us from Jeddah to tell us all about his experience and observations from the ground. READ MORE: https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/meet-the-former-chelsea-transfer-guru-who-s-shaping-saudi-arabian-football Got a story to tell? Get in touch with us! edanker@sph.com.sg | raushan@sph.com.sg

Singapore shares edged up this morning, tracking gains in the US and Europe markets.   In early trade, the Straits Times Index (STI) climbed 0.1 per cent to 3,250.52 points after 53.4 million securities changed hands in the broader market. The semiconductor industry remains in focus after mainboard-listed UMS recorded a 42.4 per cent year-on-year drop in net profit to S$11.6 million for the second quarter ended June. Meanwhile, China-focused property stocks and Reits listed in Singapore are also at the front and centre of investors’ minds after the country’s central bank unexpectedly cut rates to support its economy. On Market View, the Drive Time team unpacked these developments with Toby Gresham, Investment Counselor Team Lead, Citi Private Bank.

From China's possible retaliation after the White House's ban on US investment in Chinese tech sectors to Beijing condemning the US for receiving Taiwanese ‘troublemaker’ Vice President William Lai. Dr. Oh Ei Sun, Senior Fellow, Singapore Institute of International Affairs gives us an analysis of those headlines and more. 

A household name in local football, Hassan Sunny became the first footballer to win FOUR league titles with FOUR different teams as his all-conquering Albirex Niigata team sealed a SIXTH championship in eight years. What is the secret to the White Swans supremacy, and what is the secret behind Hassan's longevity? Superman himself tells us! Got a story to tell? Get in touch with us! edanker@sph.com.sg | raushan@sph.com.sg

Singapore stocks opened lower today amid a mixed performance in global markets.  In early trade, the Straits Times Index (STI) was down 1.2 per cent to 3,253.47 points after 53.4 million securities changed hands in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch for today, we have  Olam Group, after the agri food giant posted on Friday an 88.8 per cent decline in net profit to S$48 million, due to a one-off exceptional loss on lower almond yields in Australia.  Elsewhere, from China’s Country Garden suspending onshore bond trading to Rakuten Group’s shares surging on narrowing losses at its cash bleeding mobile unit – more international headlines are in focus. On Market View, the Drive Time team unpacked the developments with Chin Hui Leong, Co-founder, The Smart Investor.

With concerns about the rising COE premium and cost of living, younger Singaporeans, especially families with young children, are looking for alternative affordable options to still enjoy the convenience of owning a car. What if there was a flexible, fuss-free option without the worry of various costs such as insurance & road tax, maintenance & servicing, down payment and bank loans?  Car subscriptions are a new way of experiencing just that. But how is it different from traditional car rental and car sharing? We find out more from Sanjay Shivkumar, Singapore Head of Autos, Carousell and Kim Jonsson, CEO, Carzuno.

As we move beyond the pandemic, offline shopping appears to be returning to the pre-pandemic stage with shoppers looking to connect with brands in-person. Coupled with other global macroeconomic headwinds, it seems like SEA’s e-commerce boom is slowing down. But guess what, it is not, largely thanks to a group of people called ‘e-shopaholic'. So what are the traits of ‘e-shopaholics’?  Winston Seow, Chief Marketing Officer, Ninja Van Group shares the traits and  how can e-commerce businesses influence them to shop with them. 

It is all about art toys and figurines for today. Founded in 2010, our guest POP MART is a culture and entertainment company.  The firm creates art toys and collectible pieces sold through its network of retail stores or vending machines.  POP MART made its debut on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2020 with a market capitalisation of US$12.5 billion at the end of its first trading day. Aside from manufacturing and selling toys, the firm also puts a focus on developing artists that provide intellectual property that can be made into toys, figurines or other products.  To this end, the company works with renowned international designers such as Kenny Wong for its iconic character called Molly. If you are a collector, you would probably know of Molly as a little girl with emerald eyes and pouting lips, or simply one of the firm’s best selling characters.  Beyond working with artists, POP MART also collaborated with global brands such as Disney, Universal Studios and Sanrio to come up with co-branded products.  Question is – how does the firm navigate its relationship with designers and corporates given that they are considered as the lifeblood of the company? The company is on the charm offensive to expand internationally by opening retail stores around the world, but it is also diversifying away from toy manufacturing at the same time.  To what extent do these moves contradict each other? And what is POP MART’s grand plan for the future? On Under the Radar, Drive Time’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Kevin Zhang, Head of Strategic Partnership, POP MART.