Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

Tottenham ended their trophy draught in Singapore, clinching the Tiger Cup after defeating the Lion City Sailors. We caught up with Spurs' talisman Son Hueng-min post-match to get his thoughts and Anumanthan Kumar, the Singaporean who captained the Sailors. Plus, we checked in it with Ledley King on his club's pitstop in Singapore. Got a story to tell? Get in touch with us! edanker@sph.com.sg | raushan@sph.com.sg

Singapore shares opened stronger today after global markets finished mixed overnight. In early trade, the Straits Times Index (STI) rose 0.7 per cent to 3,328.99 points after 76.3 million securities changed hands in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have UOB. The bank’s net profit for the second quarter rose 27 per cent to S$1.4 billion on higher net interest income, and trading and investment income. Meanwhile, from a quick look at the latest distribution numbers from S-Reits including Mapletree Industrial Trust and CapitaLand China Trust, to the US Federal Reserve’s decision to take interest rates to the highest level since 2001, more corporate and international headlines are in focus. On Market View, the Drive Time team unpacked these developments with David Chow, Director Azure Capital.

Did you know that football star Cristiano Ronaldo is somewhat of an investor himself? Today we’re going to talk to a company that he has recently invested in – and that’s online luxury watch resale marketplace Chrono24.  Founded in 2003, Chrono24 prides itself as the number one address for luxury watches for commercial watch dealers and private sellers from around the world.  It currently has over 30,000 professional dealers and private sellers from over 120 countries offer more than 500,000 watches. The company’s website sees over half a million visitors everyday.  In 2020, in particular, it saw watches worth about 2 billion euros transacted through the platform. But what is the demand for luxury watches right now with economies slowing down, interest rates going up, and with cryptocurrencies tumbling?  Also – with prices of Swiss watches near the lowest in almost two years amid falling prices of Rolex, Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet models, what does this mean for platforms like Chrono24 which charge a fee out of every transaction? And how far can Rolex and AP’s move to certify pre-owned watches boost the secondary watch market? On Under the Radar, Drive Time’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian sat down with Tim Stracke, Co-CEO and Founder, Chrono24 for more.

A survey by software company Procore Technologies says that 4 in 10 prefer to wait till the tech is proven and established. This company looks to help companies in the construction industry progress in their next stage of digital transformation . We speak to Kin Weng Tan, Regional Manager, Asia, Procore Technologies more about this.

Personality tests are not just to give us personal insight into the reasons for our behaviour or to satisfy interest in our own personality. They also could have benefits in the workplace, giving hints as to how to improve understanding and hence workplace collaboration. We speak to Borwen Neo, Program Head, Next Level Academy more about this. Try the personality test: http://www.thel0.com 

From the band The 1975's lead singer Matt Hayley's comments causing the Music festival in Malaysia to be cancelled to updates on Thailand's tumultuous political scene. We speak to Dr. Felix Tan, Political Observer, Nanyang Technological University about the headlines coming out from the region.

Ahead of UFC Fight Night in Singapore on 26th August 2023, we speak to former UFC Women's Strawweight Champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk all about what we can expect when the world's best fighters take centre stage in the Lion City, her biggest lessons from her fighting career and her very-packed schedule since retiring from the sport. Tune in now! Got a story to tell? Get in touch with us! edanker@sph.com.sg | raushan@sph.com.sg

Singapore shares were little changed today following strong overnight gains in global markets.  In early trade, the Straits Times Index (STI) was up 0.02 per cent to 3,286.97 points after 51.2 million securities changed hands in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch today, we have Sembcorp Industries. The energy company has scrapped plans to sell its waste-management business and its energy-from-waste plant. Also in focus – SIA Engineering and Suntec Reit as we look at their latest financial numbers.  Elsewhere, from Elon Musk’s entering into the fintech space with Twitter, to a preview on what the US central bank could do today at its monetary policy meeting, more international headlines are in focus today.  On Market View, the Drive Time team unpacked the developments of the day.

What happens when you have a group of engineers with backgrounds in 3D data processing in an online class studying computer vision?  Well – they form a company that develops software systems for self-driving cars! And that’s the story behind our guest for today Seoul Robotics.  Founded in 2017, Seoul Robotics develops software systems for self-driving cars to determine traffic conditions.  Its systems rely on data from Light Detection and Ranging or LiDAR sensors rather than a combination of camera sensors, which was unheard of at that point in time.  The firm is also pioneering a new approach to automating vehicles called ‘Autonomy Through Infrastructure’, where autonomous driving systems are placed on infrastructure rather than cars.  This can lower the costs of building autonomous transportation networks, as vehicles do not need to be fitted with cameras and sensors individually. It can also make autonomous transportation safer because autonomous driving systems placed on infrastructure can have a better vantage point and eliminate blind spots. But how revolutionary is this concept and how much money can this bring to the firm? Meanwhile, Seoul Robotics is currently working with partners including Qualcomm, and Nvidia, as well as major automakers such as BMW, Mercedes and Volvo. It has also closed a US$25 million Series B funding round led by KB Investment Company back in March. But what value do these strategic partners bring to the table? On Under the Radar, Drive Time’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian sat down with HanBin Lee, Captain and CEO, Seoul Robotics  for more.

The Gem Museum is a private museum of gemstones set up by a husband-and-wife duo, with 700 specimens on display. It helps to create an understanding about gemstones, what the value is, how to differentiate between different ones, and simply helping to develop an appreciation for and interest in gemstones amongst the public as well. We speak to Tay Kun Ming and Loke Hui Ying, Co-Founders and Directors, The Gem Museum more about this.