Your Way Home with Hongbin Jeong

Singapore stocks slipped in the first few minutes of trade today, led by declines by real estate investment trusts and other index counters. That’s as investors await a slew of earnings in the coming weeks. In early trade, Straits Times Index headed down 0.2 per cent to 3,148.54 points, after 33.9 million securities changed hands in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have Mapletree Logistics Trust. The trust manager announced a 1.2  per cent year-on-year rise in distribution per unit on the back of a resilient portfolio, contributions from acquisitions and divestment gains. Elsewhere, from Elon Musk’s comments on Chinese EV firms to the US Federal Reserve raising the rate on its emergency loan programme, more international headlines remain in focus. On Market View, The Evening Runway’s Timothy Go dived into the details with Terence Wong, CEO, Azure Capital.  (Produced by: Chua Tian Tian)

The HSBC Women's World Championship returns to Singapore in February 2024 for a 16th edition. Featuring the world's best, the four-day festival of golf will be a platform to celebrate the sport of golf, all the brilliant women competing, and many inspirational women from all facets of life around the world. We speak to Becky Harding, Tournament Director of HSBC Women’s World Championship & local qualifier Chen Xing Tong to find out more! Got a story to tell? Get in touch with us! edanker@sph.com.sg | raushan@sph.com.sg

French President Emmanuel Macron arrives in India on Thursday as the chief guest at the Indian Republic Day celebrations. The French presidency says the trip will "consolidate and deepen diplomatic and economic relations". Will the French be eyeing any lucrative trade deals with India? Can Macron's visit give a push to India-EU trade deal talks? Cedomir Nestorovic, Professor of Geopolitics, ESSEC Business School, Asia-Pacific breaks it down with Elliott Danker and Timothy Go. 

Most of us are eagerly anticipating the festivities of the Lunar New Year, we can't help but revel in the joyous celebrations that come with delectable treats like pineapple tarts, yusheng, bak kwas and festive drinks.  However, amidst the festive indulgence, it is crucial to shed light on the potential impact of sugary, starchy, and highly acidic foods on our oral health. Dr James Ho, Founder of GPlus Dental Center and G Dental Center shares practical tips to minimise the risk of dental issues during this festive period. 

What is the one common factor between an astronaut on the international space station, billionaire Elon Musk, and South Korean actor Song Joong Ki? The answer might make you go ‘What, Seriously?’ Now, are you ready for the answer? Well, the answer is that all three of them eat Kopiko candies at some point in their lives.  If you’re a K-drama lover, you might have noticed Kopiko candies appear out of nowhere  – sometimes almost as frequently as Subway – in the middle of your favourite shows.  And in 2017, a then-Twitter post by the official International Space Station account showed a group of astronauts enjoying their Thanksgiving dinner, with Kopiko candies in the picture.  Fast forward to 2022, Elon Musk was offered Kopiko candies by Indonesia’s minister of maritime and investment affairs when they met in Texas. The billionaire tried the candied treat for the first time and was caught in video raising both his thumbs.  But what have these got to do with money you might ask. Believe it or not, shares of Kopiko’s owner Mayora Group jumped 7.3 per cent as a result of the video featuring Elon Musk.  So what is Kopiko’s secret to building a strong brand both organically and inorganically, and what is the financial reward for doing so?  Also – what is the return on investments in promotional strategies such as product placements?  And how far is Kopiko’s proliferation into K-dramas a good strategy for the firm to position itself as a global brand? On Under the Radar, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Pak Ricky, Director and Global Marketing Director, Mayora Group. 

Manchester United have persuaded Omar Berrada - one of the architects of Manchester City's success under Pep Guardiola - away from the Etihad to become their new CEO. But who is the 46-year old Spaniard? And what will he bring to the table to rescue the ailing red half of Manchester? We speak to ex-Singapore footballer Sasikumar, who worked with Berrada during his time in Spain, to find out more! Got a story to tell? Get in touch with us! edanker@sph.com.sg | raushan@sph.com.sg

Another longstanding mall is being poofed from existence. But despite its closure following a run of over 40 years, Peace Centre is not going down quietly. Instead, the establishment wants you to make plenty of noise at the PeaceOut Festival. Organised by the Bring The Roof Down initiative, the festival hopes to give Peace Centre a fitting curtain call as it rides off into the sunset.  Chris Milliken, CEO & Founder, PengWine, Author & Entrepreneur tells us more about the event. 

From January to June 2024, Belgium will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU), a position it has not held since 2010. With the motto  "Protect, Strengthen, Prepare", Belgium will be tasked with presiding over all matters dealt with at the European level, from research to justice, industry to employment, and extending to finances and telecommunications.  Colette Taquet, Ambassador of Belgium to Singapore tell us how Belgium is aiming to build a better Europe during their tenure. 

Singapore stocks dipped at the opening bell today after global equities turned out a mixed showing overnight. In early trade, the Straits Times Index (STI) fell 0.2 per cent to 3,128.55 points as 36.9 million securities worth S$58.8 million changed hands in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have Suntec Real Estate Investment Trust. The Reit’s manager reported that its distribution per unit (DPU) for the second half of 2023 fell by 10.2 per cent from a year earlier. Meanwhile from a rally in Alibaba shares to more on Comfort Delgro - more corporate headlines are in focus. Also on deck – Netflix posting its best customer gain since the pandemic surge, and Ebay move to slash 1,000 jobs. On Market View, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian dived into the details with Willie Keng, Founder, The Dividend Titan.

In focus in this week's Regional Roundup is Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) latest probes on former finance minister Daim Zainuddin and his family and former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad’s son Mirzan Mahat.  Adib Zalkapli, Director, BowerGroupAsia shares his analysis on these headlines.