Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

Singapore stocks dipped today as investors anticipated key US inflation data to be released later this week.  In early trade, the Straits Times Index (STI) fell 0.4 per cent, to 3,246.08 points, after 50.6 million securities traded hands across the broader market. In terms of companies to watch today, we have SIA Engineering Company, after the aircraft engineering and maintenance provider reported a 20.4 per cent on-year drop in net profit to S$33.9 million for the second half-year ended March.  Elsewhere, softening imports and a rally in financial stocks in China weighed on markets in the region. That’s as investors continue to mull the Federal Reserve’s survey of bank loan officers.  The US debt ceiling standoff is also on the top of mind of investors after a report said US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is calling on CEOs to personally warn them of the impact of a US default on its debt. On Market View, the Drive Time team sat down with Jeremy Tan, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Tiger Fund Management for more. 

Another tournament, another debacle. With Singapore football at a new all-time low after both the men's & women's teams suffered early exits at the 2023 SEA Games, the spotlight has once again shifted onto the governing body - the Football Association of Singapore. How do we pick up the pieces? Deepanraj Ganesan, sports reporter with The Straits Times, chimes in on the back of his commentary accusing the FAS of lacking honesty & accountability.  READ MORE: https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/dear-fas-it-s-time-to-be-honest Got a story to tell? Get in touch with us! edanker@sph.com.sg | raushan@sph.com.sg

How happy is Singapore? Despite Singapore being a country often defined by fast-paced lifestyles, high levels of stress and an unrelenting drive for progress, Singapore fared relatively well in UN’s 2023 World Happiness Report, ranking 25th-happiest out of 137 nations. However, what is stopping us from aiming for first place? Simon Leow, Co-Founder, Happiness Initiative shares with us on what his social enterprise is doing to promote happiness in Singapore. 

Recent insights have revealed that consumers would rather travel cheaper than stay home. With online travel experiencing a 13 percent jump from pre-pandemic figures, Asia is also leading the global shift in preference towards booking trips online.   So how is Agoda leveraging the latest technology to optimise the travel experience to meet these emerging consumer preferences? Enric Casals, Associate Vice President, Supply, SEA and Oceania, Agoda and Director, Agoda shares more. 

From Chinese President Xi Jinping to host a two-day summit with the leaders of five Central Asian nations from May 18 to May 19 and China announcing its first known ChatGPT arrested over alleged fake train crash news.  Dr. Oh Ei Sun, Senior Fellow, Singapore Institute of International Affairs gives us an analysis of those headlines and more. 

Generative AI has been the talk of the town in recent months with the launch of ChatGPT.  But have you ever wondered just how much data is processed for these so-called ‘AI models’ to build up their so-called ‘experience’ and provide us with the answers we want? Plus, how do AI companies get around the issue of data protection worldwide amid rising user awareness on privacy?  Well, one answer to this is the use of synthetic data that mimics real-world data without compromising quality and privacy. Our guest for today is a Singapore-based startup Betterdata, which converts limited real data into limitless synthetic data.  The company says this is faster and safer than traditional data-sharing methods that use data anonymisation to destroy information and ensure privacy. How does this work and to what extent does it lower the costs of acquiring data to an AI firm? Meanwhile, Betterdata has raised US$1.7 million in an oversubscribed seed round, where investors included Franklin Templeton Investments and the Singapore University of Technology and Design. But how does it intend to use the money? On Under the Radar, Drive Time’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian sat down with Kevin Yee, Co-Founder and CTO, as well as Dr Uzair Javaid, Co-Founder and CEO at Betterdata for more.

It’s almost summer time.  Most Koreans are probably planning or already on a diet in preparation for the summer.  South Korean celebrities have their own plans they follow when they want to lose a tremendous amount of weight in a short period of time.  And so today on K-food, here are some diet plans top celebrities follow.

Singapore shares opened the week higher today after global markets ended the previous week markedly higher.  The Straits Times Index (STI) rose 0.2 per cent in early trade to 3274.07 points after 81.2 million securities changed hands.  In terms of companies to watch for today, we have Seatrium, after the group announced on Friday that it has secured a contract worth more than S$500 million. That’s to develop platforms for two offshore wind farms located off the coast of Long Island in the US.  Meanwhile, global investors continue to brace themselves for a data heavy week. April’s US inflation data will likely grab the attention of traders, as will the US monthly budget statement for April.  On Market View, the Drive Time team unpacked these developments with David Kuo, Co-founder, The Smart Investor.

Another day, another mistake. David de Gea has now made four errors leading to a goal in all competitions this season, the joint most of any Premier League player - the latest coming in United's 1-0 defeat to West Ham. So despite leading the charts with 15 clean sheets this season, is the Spaniard's time as United's custodian over? Fans of the club weigh in on this conversation, as Elliott and Raushan discuss the future of the under-fire goalkeeper. Got a story to tell? Get in touch with us! edanker@sph.com.sg raushan@sph.com.sg

The inception of passwords in the 1960s has changed the digital world as we know it. Passwords are now an unconscious standard practice in our lives and today they are the primary guardians of our privacy, personal data and finances.  So how can we make sure our password hygiene is up to standards?  Ian Lim, Field Chief Security Officer, JAPAC, Palo Alto Network shares some tips on how one can do just that.