Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

Singapore shares fell today as investors continue to monitor developments on the global trade front. The Straits Times Index was down 0.36% at 4,214.12 points at 1.12pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$805.70M seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch, we have Hotel Properties Limited, after the property group said yesterday that it is still in discussions with parties over the redevelopment of Forum The Shopping Mall and voco Orchard Singapore.  Elsewhere, from US President Donald Trump saying that India may get a 20% to 25% tariff on goods exported to the US, to market movements ahead of big tech earnings and a Federal Reserve rate decision – more international headlines remain in focus.   On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Thilan Wickramasinghe, Head of Equity Research, Maybank Securities.

Gold has surged to new heights this year, breaking through the $3,000 mark and capturing global attention. Backed by strong central bank demand, growing ETF inflows, and a softer dollar, gold is reclaiming its status as a key strategic asset. But with economic tides turning and markets in flux, the pressing question is: will gold’s shine last into 2026 or is a correction on the horizon? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Robin Tsui, APAC Gold Strategist at State Street Investment Management, to find out more.

After days of heavy fighting along the Thai-Cambodia border, a truce brokered in Malaysia — with backing from ASEAN, the US and China — was meant to stop the violence. But fresh accusations are already testing its limits. Meanwhile, Donald Trump says his tariff threats made peace possible. So what really ended the fighting and will it last? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Hasan Jafri, Managing Director of HJ Advisory, to unpack the fragile diplomacy, trade pressure, and tensions still simmering beneath the surface.

Teenage pregnancy in Singapore is on the rise for the first time in nearly two decades. According to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, 244 babies were born to teens aged 19 and below in 2024, a 7% increase from the year before. This marks a notable reversal after nearly two decades of decline, where teen birth rates had steadily dropped from a high of over 850 in 2005. What’s driving the rise of teenage pregnancy in Singapore? And what more could be done to support teen mothers? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong spoke to Melisa Wong, Executive Director of Babes Pregnancy Crisis Support, to discuss the causes behind the recent uptick, the crucial role of parents, the gaps in support systems, and what more can be done to ensure no teen has to face pregnancy alone.

Singapore shares fell today to track losses in the region. The Straits Times Index was down 0.59% at 4,216.18 points at 2.44pm Singapore time with a value turnover of S$1.11B seen in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have Singapore Airlines, after the company reported a 58.8 per cent drop in Q1 FY2026 net profit to S$186 million yesterday, even as revenue rose 1.5 per cent to S$4.8 billion.  Elsewhere, from how China’s government spending hit its highest level in nearly two decades, to how the greenback is strengthening against the Singapore dollar, more international headlines remain in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Jeff Ng, Head of Asia Macro Strategy, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation.

With the likes of Fabio Cannavaro, Harry Kewell, Nick Montgomery and Mano Polking on the list, Singapore’s search for Tsutomo Ogura's replacement signals ambition. But will reputation trump relevance? Deepanraj Ganesan, who exclusively broke the shortlist for The Straits Times, sits down with Sports Minutes to share his thoughts. READ MORE:  https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/world-cup-winner-fabio-cannavaro-among-list-of-top-names-for-singapore-football-coach Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg

It’s not just markets that are volatile - it’s our minds. Behind every investing decision is a tug-of-war between logic and emotion. Why do smart people make risky, all-or-nothing bets? And what if the key to long-term success isn’t bold moves, but small, deliberate ones? Should this “all-or-nothing” approach to investing stop?  On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Steve Brice, Global CIO, Standard Chartered, to find out more.

A section of Tanjong Katong Road South collapsed, forming a sinkhole that swallowed part of the road and a car near an active sewer construction site.  The driver was rescued with minor injuries — but the incident has sparked serious public concern. What causes a sinkhole to occur? What are the civil legal ramifications arising from this incident? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with David Ng, Chairman of the Civil & Structural Engineering Technical Committee at the Institution of Engineers, Singapore, to find out about the causes of the sinkhole. Hongbin Jeong also speaks with Daniel Tay, Director at BR Law Corporation, as he explains the legal implications of the sinkhole.

YY Group, a Nasdaq-listed company headquartered in Singapore is redefining how people, technology, and essential services connect across borders. Once a local manpower provider, YY Group has evolved into a global powerhouse operating across 12 countries. With innovations like the YY Circle Super App and YY Smart iClean IoT platform, they’re transforming how businesses — from hotels and retail to residential sectors — manage people, property, and performance. It’s not just about cost savings or efficiency. It’s about rethinking the very nature of work. On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Jason Phua, Group Chief Financial Officer, YY Group Holding Limited and Mark Niu, Group Chief Strategy Officer, YY Group Holding Limited, to find out more.

Singapore shares moved lower today as investors looked ahead to a week of corporate earnings. The Straits Times Index was down 0.25% at 4,250.35 points at 2.46pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$898.75M seen in the broader market.  In terms of companies to watch, we have Singapore Airlines, after its chairman Peter Seah was redesignated as a non-independent director at the company’s annual general meeting on Friday.  Elsewhere, from a trade deal reached between the European Union and the United States, to how Chinese AI firms are forming alliances in a bid to develop a domestic ecosystem and reduce dependence on foreign technological know-how – more international headlines remain in focus. Also on deck – expectations ahead of big-tech earnings out this week from Amazon, Apple, Meta and Microsoft. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with David Kuo, Co-founder, The Smart Investor.