Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

Singapore shares dipped earlier today amid a mixed session for Asian markets. The Straits Times Index moved 0.29% lower to 4,290.13 points at 2.16pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$754.49M seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch for today, we have Seatrium. The offshore, marine and energy engineering solutions provider announced yesterday that it has divested its AmFELS shipyard in Brownsville, Texas, for a consideration of S$65 million.  Elsewhere, from Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba announcing its largest-ever artificial intelligence (AI) language model, to what mixed messages from the Federal Reserve on interest rates mean for investors – more corporate and international headlines remain in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Jeremy Tan, CEO, Tiger Fund Management.

Matchweek 3 of the Singapore Premier League had it all - red cards, refereeing controversy, and late late drama. From Balestier’s last-gasp winner to the Sailors’ seven-goal showcase, plus a standout performance from Ong Yu En, Sports Minutes breaks down the biggest talking points. Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg

Today’s the second day of Parliament’s sitting. Among the topics discussed were school bullying, where Education Minister Desmond Lee outlined ongoing public consultations and the push for stronger support in schools. Manpower Minister Tan See Leng also introduced the new Graduate Industry Traineeships or GRIT scheme, aimed at helping fresh graduates secure longer-term jobs. And in the debate on the President’s Address, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung reflected on the outcome of the recent General Election, while the Workers’ Party offered its response on the choices it made during the campaign. On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Chong Ja Ian, Associate Professor of Political Science, National University of Singapore, to discuss today's Parliament session.

Gold is back in the spotlight, and this time it’s not just glittering for retail investors. With central banks piling up reserves and global gold ETF assets surging past $375 billion, 2025 is shaping up as a landmark year for the precious metal.  But is this a fleeting safe-haven frenzy, or a deeper rethink of gold’s place in modern portfolios? And more importantly, how should investors navigate the growing maze of ways to gain exposure? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Sam Hui, Senior Analyst, Manager Research, Morningstar, to find out more.

Pétale Tea is Singapore’s first blooming tea specialist, founded with the vision of turning tea into more than just a drink, but a mindful ritual and an experience to be savoured. Established by tea expert Rosemary Kwa after more than a decade managing a renowned tea room, Pétale Tea was born from her desire to create a brand that blends the artistry of tea-making with emotional storytelling and social purpose. What sets Pétale Tea apart is its signature blooming teas - delicate hand-sewn tea balls that blossom into flowers when steeped in hot water. Each bloom is a visual and sensory journey, inviting drinkers to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with themselves. Beyond blooming teas, Pétale also curates matcha experiences and intentional gifting options that weave together wellness, beauty, and meaning. On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Rosemary Kwa, Tea Experience Director & Founder, Pétale Tea, to find out more.

Singapore shares were little moved as Asian markets struggled for direction today. The Straits Times Index nudged 0.04% higher to 4,299.17 points at 2.36pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$911.64M seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch, we have Keppel. That’s after the infrastructure division of asset manager Keppel and Keppel Asia Infrastructure Fund (Kaif) announced today a joint divestment of their combined 80 per cent interest in 800 Super Holdings.  Elsewhere, from how Singapore’s core and headline inflation slowed in August, contrary to expectations, to how Nvidia will invest up to US$100 billion (S$128 billion) in OpenAI and supply it with data centre chips, more economic and corporate headlines remained in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Kelvin Wong, Senior Analyst, OANDA.

Keller Williams (KW) Singapore is the next-generation real estate model for today's consultants.  The agency, led by PropertyLimBrothers co-founder Melvin Lim, brings Keller Williams’ global franchise to Singapore with a platform-based model designed around one core idea: treat real estate consultants like business owners, not just salespeople. Here’s what that looks like on the ground: consultants keep up to 94% of their commission earnings. They’re backed by an in-house Media-as-a-Service arm that gives them access to media studios, curated vendors, and AI-assisted content production, allowing them to focus on visibility, storytelling, and reach.  There’s also a revenue-sharing programme that allows consultants to build teams and earn from the people they onboard, giving them equity-style income that doesn’t disappear when they stop closing deals. That kind of model is rare in Singapore, especially one paired with this level of infrastructure. On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Melvin Lim, Founder & Operating Principal, Keller Williams Singapore, to find out more.

Markets are shifting faster than ever, with equities rebounding, volatility persisting, and private markets capturing growing attention. How should investors navigate this evolving landscape? Which strategies will build truly resilient portfolios, and what under-the-radar trends could reshape the next 3 to 5 years of investing? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Brian Griggs, Managing Director, Portfolio Strategist at Nuveen, to find out more. 

Today marks the first day of Parliament since the April dissolution of the 14th Parliament, and MPs wasted no time setting the agenda with more than 200 questions for the Government. Transport reliability, Singapore’s stance on the Israel-Gaza conflict, and vaping featured prominently, alongside the start of the debate on the President’s Address - officially a motion of thanks, but in practice a key chance for MPs to scrutinise policies and set out their own priorities. And for the newly elected MPs, it was also a platform to deliver maiden speeches and signal the issues they intend to champion. On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Dr Mustafa Izzuddin, Senior International Affairs Analyst, Solaris Strategies Singapore, to discuss the key themes and takeaways from today’s Parliament sitting.

Singapore shares dipped today amid mixed trade in Asia today.  The Straits Times Index was down 0.06% at 4,300.16 points at 1.15pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$850.13M seen in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have SGX, after the group today launched new indices that track the next tier of large and liquid mainboard companies beyond the 30 constituents of the Straits Times Index. Elsewhere, from how the Singapore government said today that it has extended the 4 per cent CPF interest rate floor for interest earned on all Special, MediSave and Retirement Account (SMRA) monies for another year, to how Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway has fully exited Chinese automaker BYD – more financial and corporate headlines remain in focus.   On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with David Kuo, Co-founder, The Smart Investor.