Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

Singapore shares opened higher today, following significant gains in global markets on mild US inflation data and positive sentiments of a possible pause in interest rate hikes.  In early trade, the Straits Times Index (STI) was up 0.3 per cent to 3,197.76 points. after 73.1 million securities changed hands in the broader market. Elsewhere, from China increasing oil import quota to the latest US inflation numbers and to Amazon Web Services considering using AI chips from Advanced Micro Devices, international headlines continue to make the news today. On Market View, the Drive Time team unpacked these developments with Ken Shih, Head of Wealth Management, Greater China, SAXO Markets. 

Today we’re going to give you an overview of one of the largest privately held real estate investors and managers in the world.  Founded in 1957, Hines is a real estate investment, development and management firm with presence in 395 cities across 30 countries and US$95.79 billion of investment assets under management as of the end of last year.  The company has historically developed, redeveloped or acquired over 1,600 properties with 203 developments around the world underway at the moment.  With many APAC currencies devaluing against the US dollar, we want to find out what this means for the Houston-headquartered firm and its investors when it comes to expansion within Asia.  On Under the Radar, Drive Time’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian sat down with Ray Lawler, CEO, Asia Pacific, Hines for more. They also had a look at land development patterns and trends in urban sites within APAC and the opportunities they present for the company.

The Malaysian police are asking Interpol to help them track down comedian Jocelyn Chia. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has reaffirmed the need for reforms, saying Malaysia must change or it will not survive. He also is to clarify some issues surrounding the border agreement with Indonesia. Lastly, Thailand’s prime ministerial frontrunner Pita Limjaroenrat will be investigated over whether he was qualified to run in last month’s election. We talk more about these headlines with Dr. Felix Tan, Political Observer, Nanyang Technological University.

Sustainability in the fashion industry is increasingly important to consumers. _/\/\/\ake O is the brainchild of the founders of GINLEE Studio, as they create a design-led circular initiative to transform unused fabrics into uniquely re-designed products to close the loop of excess production. This is a unique approach compared to the approaches most other design and fashion companies use We speak to Gin Lee, Designer and Co-Founder, GINLEE Studio to learn more about this initiative. 

Singapore shares opened lower today in contrast to largely positive trading sessions in the global markets.   The Straits Times Index (STI) was down 0.2 per cent to 3,189.22 points in early trade after 65.1 million securities changed hands. In terms of companies to watch for today, we have Hatten Land and Quantum Healthcare.  The Catalist-listed medical group has signed a tenancy agreement to occupy 138,769 square feet of rental space at Hatten Land’s Imperio Mall@Hatten City in Melaka, Malaysia.  Meanwhile, a series of central bank actions in Europe, Japan are set to take the centre stage this week. Not to mention China’s central bank lowering a short-term lending rate for the first time in 10 months to restore market confidence and prop up a stalling post-pandemic recovery.  On Market View, the Drive Time team unpacked these developments with Toby Gresham, Investment Counselor Team Lead, Citi Private Bank.

The Singapore Academy of Law has recently published a new report on a legal principle that might be of interest to businesses. Two disputing parties cannot try to relitigate the same issue which was already decided by a foreign court, if they subsequently try to litigate again in Singapore. So what does this mean for businesses?  We speak to  Colin Seow, Managing Director, Colin Seow Chambers more about this.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will be in Beijing for talks on June 18 and US' latest claims of the existence of Chinese spy facilities in Cuba could have an impact on the tone of the visit. Amongst tense relations, China has ordered the last Indian journalist in the country to leave. Lastly, China's economic recovery seems to be slowing down recently. We speak to  Dr. Oh Ei Sun, Senior Fellow, Singapore Institute of International Affairs more about this.

We’re going to talk all about the buses we take to get to and off work every other day.  Our guest for today is from Volvo Buses, which is one of the world’s leading providers of sustainable people transport solutions.  Offering premium city and intercity buses, coaches, and chassis, Volvo Buses has sales in 85 countries and a global service network with more than 1,500 dealerships and workshops.  With Volvo Buses changing its business model in Europe to focus on chassis production to restore it to profitability, we want to find out what the situation is like over in Asia and what’s next for the company as far as APAC is concerned.  Speaking of APAC, the company revealed a made-in-Singapore city bus powered fully by batteries in November last year as part of a collaboration with Singapore’s SC Auto Industries, but how big of a market is Volvo Buses aiming in the region? On Under the Radar, Drive Time’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian sat down with Mats Nilsson, Vice President, Volvo Buses APAC for more.

Taking regular measurements of blood pressure is a simple yet effective way to monitor our overall health. Monitoring it allows us to detect ‘silent killers’ that result from hypertension. Regardless of age, we should all remember to take these efforts to keep track of our health. We speak to Alexis En, Director, Marketing and Digital Health, OMRON Healthcare Singapore more about this.

Singapore shares started the week higher today after US equities ended higher on expectations that interest rate hikes would be paused.    In early trade, the Straits Times Index (STI) was up 0.3 per cent to 3,197.42 points after 34.5 million securities changed hands in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch for today, we have Nio, after the electric vehicle maker sunk deeper into the red in the first quarter of 2023.  Meanwhile, from UBS completing the acquisition of former rival Credit Suisse to Qatar’s top dealmakers getting ready for a spending power boost and the US Federal Reserve’s next move at its monetary policy meeting mid-week, international headlines continue to be in focus.  On Market View, the Drive Time team unpacked the above developments with David Kuo, Co-founder, The Smart Investor.