Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

FX and gold have been choppy lately, but how can you tell if the market is worth trading, or if it’s better to sit out? Technical analysis offers clues, not just for short-term traders but also for long-term investors.  On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Lim Jun Kit, Senior Strategist, Phillip Nova, to break down the signals, the traps, and the tools to help make smarter decisions.

It’s been more than a decade since the Singapore National Team last lifted silverware - but Mustafic Fahrudin knows what it takes. In his first interview since becoming the Lions’ interim assistant coach, the 2-time AFF Champion shares the inside story of his partnership with Gavin Lee, preparations for Malaysia and India, and his hunger to help resurrect Singapore football. Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg

GuocoLand reported a 48% decline in half-year net profit to S$32.4 million, down from S$62.4 million a year ago, even as revenue rose 20% to S$906.3 million, highlighting the impact of losses in China on the company’s overall performance. Meanwhile, Shangri-La Asia posted a net profit of US$57.9 million for the first half, down 38.7% from US$94.5 million, while revenue remained steady at US$1.06 billion. Across the region, Japan’s industrial output fell 1.6% in July, with automobile production down 6.7%, while Tokyo food prices rose 7.4% year-on-year, reflecting persistent inflationary pressures that leave the Bank of Japan in a challenging policy position. Globally, Nvidia forecast roughly US$54 billion in revenue for its fiscal third quarter, meeting Wall Street’s average estimates but falling short of the most bullish projections. On Market View, Alexandra Parada speaks to  Benjamin Goh, Head of Research and Investor Education at SIAS, to discuss more about the latest market movements.

Hawkers at several Socially-conscious Enterprise Hawker Centres are questioning why they continue to shoulder the costs of budget meals and app-driven discounts, despite recent changes easing other obligations. At Bukit Canberra Hawker Centre, management recently scrapped a controversial clause requiring stallholders to provide free meals for the needy at their own expense, a move that was initially met with relief. Yet many hawkers remain frustrated that they must still absorb costs tied to budget meals priced under $3.50 and 10 per cent discounts given through operator apps. While operators frame such schemes as customer loyalty initiatives, hawkers argue that the discounts eat into already thin margins amid rising ingredient and utility costs.  So, is it fair to treat social initiatives as a mandatory responsibility for hawkers? On The Hot Seat, Hongbin Jeong speaks with KF Seetoh, Makansutra Founder, Street Food Advocate and Entrepreneur and George Wong, Assistant Professor of Sociology, SMU, to find out more. 

Coffee is back in the spotlight and not for the reasons caffeine lovers might hope. Prices have spiked to their highest levels in over a decade, driven by US tariffs on Brazilian beans and weather shocks hitting supply. With China emerging as a possible new heavyweight buyer and Africa stepping up exports, the global coffee trade is being reshuffled in real time. So, are we looking at a new normal for coffee prices or just another jolt in a market that never sits still? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Lucrezia Cogliati, Commodities Analyst, BMI,to find out more.

Ever wondered how your bank or insurance app seems to know what you need—sometimes before you even do? It’s not magic. It’s AI, working quietly behind the scenes to power faster service, smarter recommendations, and seamless digital experiences. But making AI truly work for people—and feel relevant to local markets—is no easy feat. How are financial institutions in Southeast Asia and the Gulf pulling it off? And what role do smart regulations play in helping them innovate safely and fast? On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Tomas Skuomal, Chairman & Co-Founder of Dyna.ai, to find out more. 

Vying for a Singapore National Team breakthrough, Jared Gallagher steps into the new season with fresh motivation. Called up to Gavin Lee’s local centralised training squad soon after being appointed co-captain at Albirex Niigata for the season ahead -  the 23-year-old opens up on leadership, pressure, and the dream of representing Singapore while cementing his place in domestic football and beyond.

The United Nation has established its independent international scientific panel on artificial intelligence, aimed at advising governments on both the opportunities and risks of this rapidly evolving technology. The panel will produce evidence-based assessments, facilitate dialogue among countries with differing regulatory approaches, and guide the responsible use of AI to support global development goals. What outcomes can we anticipate from the panel? And how will it influence global AI governance? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Paul Henman, Professor of Digital Sociology and Social Policy, The University of Queensland, to learn more about the UN’s new AI advisory panel and what it means for governments and societies worldwide.

US earnings are holding up, AI is driving gains, and markets are hitting new highs, but not all sectors are sharing in the upside. Europe lags, emerging markets face short-term headwinds, and risks from tariffs and slowing growth are rising. The big question for investors: how do you ride the tailwinds of AI and rate cuts without getting caught off guard if the tide turns? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Jack Siu, Head of Discretionary Portfolio Management, Asia at Lombard Odier,to find out more.

The gaming world is on the verge of a seismic shift. With over 3 billion players and millions of streamers powering a market projected to reach US$625 billion by 2030, the demand for faster, easier ways to build games has never been higher. But what if creating a game didn’t require coding skills, a massive studio, or years of development? That’s the vision of Ambitionz. The company is breaking down barriers with an AI-driven platform that lets streamers and aspiring developers generate game-ready assets on the fly and even co-create live with their fans. On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeeong speaks with Pavel Bains, CEO, Ambitionz, to find out more.