Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

We’re going to revisit an “Under the Radar” guest who first joined us on the show about two years ago.  And this is a leading homegrown Singapore company that delivers what’s said to be world-class communications, entertainment and digital services. And yes – you might be using its 5G network services to tune into this conversation as we speak.  Founded in 2000, telecommunications service provider StarHub seeks to provide people, homes and enterprises mobile and mixed services, a broad suite of premium content, as well as a diverse range of communications solutions through its extensive fibre and wireless infrastructure.  25 years on, the firm also develops and delivers solutions incorporating artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data analytics, Internet of Things for both corporate and government clients.  And we want to find out what is next for StarHub in a fast evolving market as it celebrates 25 years in the business.  Beyond that, the Singaporean telecommunications industry that StarHub lies in is also an interesting one to look at, as it undergoes a market consolidation. In August this year, Keppel announced the proposed sale of M1’s telecommunications business to Australian mobile network operator Simba Telecom, for an enterprise value of S$1.43 billion. The move disappointed investors who had hoped for StarHub to buy over M1.  Just a day later though, StarHub announced that it has taken full ownership of MyRepublic’s broadband business. The move was said to strengthen StarHub’s multi-brand and multi-segment strategy in the Singapore broadband market. But what opportunities and synergies is the firm looking to tap exactly?  And how far will a consolidation in the market give telco players like StarHub more flexibility in its pricing to boost its top line numbers? On Under the Radar, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Nikhil Eapen, Chief Executive Officer, StarHub.

What if power wasn’t just about wealth or status, but about opening doors for those shut out? That’s the idea behind ErudiFi, a student financing platform founded by John Tan, which has already helped tens of thousands of young people in Southeast Asia pursue higher education. But can a business built on social impact also stand on solid financial ground? And how do you measure success when it’s not just about returns, but about mobility? On Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Zat Astha, Editor-in-Chief of The Peak Singapore, who recently sat down with John Tan, founder of ErudiFi, to find out more. 

In Singapore, migrant domestic workers are legally allowed to work only for their registered employer.  Yet some are turning to part-time “moonlighting” jobs due to financial pressures, family obligations, or debt, despite the serious penalties involved.  A recent case saw a helper fined S$13,000 for working for two unofficial employers, highlighting the high stakes for both workers and employers. So should Singapore allow foreign domestic workers to take on part-time work during their rest days? On The Hot Seat, Hongbin Jeong spoke with Gloria James-Civetta, Head Lawyer, Gloria James-Civetta & Co and Yuri Tan, Senior Associate, Christopher Bridges Law Corporation, to find out more. 

Fine wine prices are at multi-year lows, creating a rare window for investors and collectors to snap up some of the world’s most coveted bottles. But with risks like liquidity, storage, and counterfeits, the market is far from simple. How are these price trends reshaping investment strategies? Which vintages and regions could outperform? And what should both new and seasoned investors be watching next? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Joe Alim, Managing Director, Asia of Cult Wines, to find out more.

The STI opened higher at 4,315 points but closed down 0.2% at 4,302 as early momentum faded. Across Asia, markets were mixed after the Fed’s rate shift, with eyes on an upcoming Trump-Xi call. Japan’s Nikkei slipped 0.59% after the BOJ held rates steady, while Taiwan is poised to overtake South Korea in GDP per capita as early as 2025. What do these signals mean for investors? And where might the next opportunities or risks emerge? On Market View, Nadiah Koh breaks down these developments with Benjamin Goh, Head of Research and Investor Education at SIAS.

Airport workers at 15 major hubs in South Korea, including Incheon and Gimpo, will begin a nationwide strike tomorrow that could stretch through Oct 9, overlapping with the peak Chuseok holiday rush. The dispute centers on exhaustion, safety concerns, and calls for improved shift schedules. Airlines are already bracing for widespread delays and cancellations that could hit millions of passengers. Just how big will this strike be, and how badly might it disrupt travel? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Dr. Oh Ei Sun, principal adviser at Pacific Research Center of Malaysia and Senior Fellow at Singapore Institute of International Affairs, to find out more. 

Singapore’s equity market is buzzing with activity. The MAS has rolled out a S$5 billion Equity Market Development Programme, aiming to boost liquidity and attract investors, but what does it really mean for valuations and market confidence? Momentum in some stocks is rising, yet the balance between technical signals and fundamental value remains a puzzle. Which stocks are poised for longer-term uptrends? How should investors blend technical momentum with fundamentals in their decision-making? And in a market with concentrated value opportunities, what’s the best approach to diversification?  On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Lim Siew Khee, Deputy Group Head of Research and Head of Research for Singapore at CGS International and Chua Wei Ren CMT, Technical Analyst, CGS International Securities Singapore, to find out more.

Stick ’Em is a hands-on STEAM education platform that makes learning accessible, affordable, and fun for kids everywhere. Using simple chopstick-based robotics kits and an online academy, Stick ’Em empowers students to build hundreds of creations ranging from catapults and hydroponic farms to bomb-disposal robots, while encouraging creativity with everyday materials like cardboard, string, and bottles. Designed for scale, Stick ’Em allows teachers with little or no STEAM experience to run engaging, self-guided lessons stress-free. With over 10,000 students and 1,200 teachers across 11 countries, Stick ’Em is proving that problem-solving, creativity, and adaptability can be taught anywhere, without expensive equipment or high-tech labs. On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Kai, Founder, Stick 'Em, to find out more.

Singapore's Straits Times Index (STI) opened lower in early trade, as investors reacted to caution stemming from the US Federal Reserve’s first interest rate cut since December 2024.  Among key stocks, DBS, OCBC and UOB fell between 0.6-1%. This comes as current rate pressures and sector rotation weighed on the counters. Meanwhile, Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed, with Japan’s benchmark Nikkei index rose around 1% to a fresh record in early trade.  On Market View, Willie Keng speaks to David Chow, Director of Azure Capital, to find out more about the latest market developments. 

Today we’re going to dive deep into a company which plays an instrumental role in the Defence, Aerospace and Cyber & Digital Sectors. With over 83,000 employees dotted across five continents, our guest Thales provides solutions, services and products to help companies, organisations and governments carry out their critical missions.  Think about air traffic management, training and simulation to even in-flight entertainment solutions used in the aerospace industry.  Or signals intelligence, electronic warfare and collaborative combat systems for the defence and security industry.  Or even satellite-based systems to help scientists observe our planet and better optimise the use of our solar system’s resources. Beyond that, the firm is also looking at identity management and data protection technologies that help banks exchange funds, people cross borders and energy become smarter and even more.  Why are we speaking to Thales you might ask? Well, the firm had in July 2025 raised its sales forecast for the year of 2025 while posting better first-half sales and profit.  Thales’ adjusted earnings before interest and taxes, or adjusted EBIT, came in at 1.248 billion euros, up 12.7% on the year on an organic basis. The strong showing was driven by strong sales growth in its aerospace and defence segment, and came on the back of increased military spending in Europe.    But how far can the positive momentum be sustained, and how far will US tariffs throw a spanner in the works? What role will Asia and Singapore play in Thales’ playbook for the future?  Speaking of Singapore, the firm said in May 2025 that it will launch a new artificial intelligence centre, called cortAIx, in the country to develop AI solutions for critical environments.  It also inked an agreement with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore to launch an International Avionics Lab in 2026. But what should we know about the moves, and how important are they to longer-term growth for Thales as a whole? On Under the Radar Specials, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Emily Tan, CEO & Country Director, Thales Singapore.