Your Way Home with Hongbin Jeong

Having shocked the world with the decision to swap the Silverarrows for the Scuderia in 2025, Lewis Hamilton has taken a massive gamble in search of a sensational swansong. Was this a calculated punt, and what were the deciding factors? And will the 7-time World Champion clinch that elusive 8th title in the famous red of Ferrari? Matthew Marsh, ex-racing driver and F1 analyst, weighs in! Got a story to tell? Get in touch with us! edanker@sph.com.sg | raushan@sph.com.sg

Singapore stocks began trading in negative territory this morning, following overnight losses in global equity markets. In early trade, the Straits Times Index (STI) declined 0.2 per cent to 3,128.97 points after 112 million securities changed hands in the broader market. CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust is in focus today after it posted a distribution per unit (DPU) of S$0.0545 (5.45 Singapore cents) for the second half ended December 2023, up 1.7 per cent from the previous corresponding period.  Meanwhile from McDonald’s deepening its presence in China to more on e-commerce giant Alibaba, more international and corporate headlines are in store. On Market View, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Kelvin Wong, Senior Market Analyst, OANDA.

2023 was a year of recovery for cryptocurrency, as the industry rebounded from the scandals, blowups, and price declines of 2022.  With crypto assets rebounding and market activity growing over the course of 2023, many believe that crypto winter is ending, and a new growth phase may soon be upon us. But what does all these mean for crypto crime? Ian Lee, Founding Team and Product Lead, Merkle Science tells us more.

From Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump saying he would impose tariffs on China again if he is elected in November to Australian writer Yang Hengjun sentenced to death on China spy charges.  Dr. Oh Ei Sun, Senior Fellow, Singapore Institute of International Affairs gives us an analysis of those headlines and more, 

The market for hard-to-find fashion and electronics is heating up with Gen Z and millennials consumers increasingly valuing self-expression and individuality.  And one way for consumers to purchase these rare items is through the secondary market and in particular through e-commerce platforms.   But in a situation where the supply is limited and demand is high, how do consumers determine what is a fair price to pay for the items, and if the product they purchased is authentic?  Well, that’s exactly the work of our guest for today, StockX. Founded in 2016 in Detroit, StockX is a global platform for trading and consuming current culture.  It provides access to high-demand products like sneakers, shoes, apparel, electronics and collectibles that are often unavailable at traditional retailers.  For one thing, its product catalogue consists of over 200,000 products from hundreds of brands including Jordan Brand, adidas, Nike, Supreme, Off-White and Louis Vuitton.  The marketplace also connects buyers and sellers using dynamic pricing mechanics, just like the stock market, allowing users to buy and sell their most coveted items at their true market price. All products sold via the platform will also need to be sent to StockX to be verified for their authenticity and quality before payment is released to sellers.  So far, the firm said it has facilitated over 50 million lifetime trades with an average of 30 million visitors to its platform every month in the year of 2023. Also – which are the top traded and fastest growing brands, and how does the firm navigate its relationships with these brands?   In terms of corporate developments, the company’s valuation jumped to US$3.8 billion in April 2021 after it closed a US$195 million secondary tender offering and an additional US$60 Series E-1 primary shares.  But how is valuation looking like three years down the road, and any IPO plans for private investors to cash out? On Under the Radar, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Greg Schwartz, President & Chief Operating Officer, StockX.

Arsenal's 3-1 win over Liverpool has blown the Premier League title race - with 3 teams now in the mix. Reigning champions Manchester City, who have a couple of games in hand, remain the favourites amongst bookmakers - but can the Gunners spring a surprise? Plus Chelsea's season hit a brand new low after yet another defeat. Will Pochettino last the season?  Got a story to tell? Get in touch with us! edanker@sph.com.sg | raushan@sph.com.sg

Singapore stocks fell during early trade today, led by declines from the banks. In early trade, the Straits Times Index (STI) declined 1.2 per cent to 3,143.33 points after 53.6 million securities changed hands in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have Pan-United Corporation. The ready-mix concrete provider today said it will partner Cleantech Solar for a project that installs 900 solar panels on top of Pan-United’s Kaki Bukit operational headquarters in Singapore, and its slag grinding plant in Johor, Malaysia.  Elsewhere from China’s investment into the Belt and Road Initiative rising to the highest since 2018 last year, to a potential IPO by Hyundai Motors Indian unit worth at least US$3 billion to a new quality glitch at Boeing – more international headlines are in focus. 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 memory of eagerly unwrapping a White Rabbit candy and munching on the edible rice paper before popping the sweet into our mouths is likely one that most of us can relate to. Hao Food SG is the exclusive importer of White Rabbit ice cream in Singapore and has worked with White Rabbit to bring us new food items and collaborations. Lydia Kuan, Director, Hao Food SG tells us more. 

As a dominant e-commerce player in Southeast Asia, Singapore has seen a significant transformation over recent years. The journey of the consumer has also now increasingly intertwined the online and offline, each providing unique benefits.  With Lunar New Year celebrations and shopping coming up, what are consumers’ retail pain points and preferred payment methods in recent times and how can retailers enhance their customers’ shopping experience?  Warren Hayashi, President of Asia-Pacific, Adyen shares more.

Former US President Donald Trump said he might impose a tariff on Chinese goods of more than 60 per cent if elected, signalling an increasingly hawkish tone against the top supplier of goods to the United States. Is Trump trying to start a trade war with China?  In other news, the US launched airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against more than 85 targets linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guard and militias it backs, reportedly killing nearly 40 people, in retaliation for a deadly attack on US troops. Will the Biden administration face any criticism? What's next?  Trisha Craig, Vice President (Engagement) and Senior Lecturer of Social Sciences (Sociology and Political Science), Yale-NUS College weighs in.