Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

Two games, two assists...and PLENTY of buzz. But who is Harry Spence beyond the highlight reels? From making a splash in top-flight football with the Young Lions, to learning from seasoned teammates and dreaming of bigger stages, the 19-year-old speaks to Sports Minutes about life, football, and the road ahead. Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg

Behind every vet consultation lies an invisible burden: hours of paperwork that keep veterinarians from spending more time with their patients. Broby Pets, a startup born out of Singapore Polytechnic, is using AI to cut down the admin and give vets back precious time. Recently recognized among the Top 100 Startups at Echelon Singapore 2025, the team is in the thick of user testing, refining their technology with clinics on the ground.  On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Hyuga Kuramochi and Caleb Yap Keane Yang, Co-founders, Broby Pets, to find out more. 

Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu have unveiled a 20-point plan to end the war in Gaza, but only if Hamas agrees within 72 hours.  The proposal sidelines Hamas from governance, installs a technocratic Palestinian committee, and puts Trump at the helm of a new ‘Board of Peace.’  While some Muslim nations have voiced support, many Palestinians remain deeply skeptical.  So what’s actually in the plan, and could it really work? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Dr Stephen Hoadley, Retired Professor of International Relations, University of Auckland, to find out more.

Amid global market turbulence, Singapore-listed companies are proving their resilience. With average dividend yields hitting around 5% in August 2025, investors have a steady income stream to rely on, even as more US interest rate cuts ahead threaten volatility. Could dividend stocks be the stabiliser your portfolio needs? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Dhanesh Sharma, Financial Services Manager at PhillipCapital, to find out more.

Singapore shares inched higher today as Asian markets traded mixed. The Straits Times Index was up 0.45% at 4,289.14 points at 2.24pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$874.21M seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch, we have UOB. The bank announced yesterday that its cardholders in Singapore will be able to redeem reward points when travelling in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Elsewhere, from how US President Donald Trump signed a proclamation to set a 10 per cent tariff on imports of lumber and 25 per cent on vanities and upholstered wooden products, to how China’s Zijin Gold International saw shares soar as much as 66 per cent in their trading debut as gold prices reach record high – more international headlines remained in focus. Also on deck – more on a possible US government shutdown.  Plus – how Boeing is reportedly in the early stages of developing a replacement for the 737 MAX. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Eddy Loh, Chief Investment Officer, Maybank Group Wealth Management.

Singapore’s population has risen to 6.11 million, according to the National Population and Talent Division, which released the Population in Brief 2025 report on Sept 29.  The increase was mainly due to the growth in the non-resident population, such as work permit holders in the construction sector and domestic helpers. Meanwhile, the nation’s population continued to age rapidly, and more Singaporeans remained single. These shifts pose pressing questions about the future of the workforce, social cohesion, and the long-term sustainability of the economy. On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Paulin Straughan, Director, Centre for Research on Successful Ageing (ROSA), to find out more. 

Amid growing global isolation and protests at the UN, Netanyahu is set to meet U.S. President Trump, who has proposed a 21-point plan to halt the Gaza conflict. Can Netanyahu withstand mounting pressures at home and abroad? How might the meeting between the two leaders shape the next steps in the conflict and the future of US-Israel relations? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Amin Saikal, Emeritus Professor of Middle Eastern, Central Asian and Islamic Studies at The Australian National University, to find out more.

South Korea and the United States are set to hold their first business visa working group talks, focusing on the obstacles South Korean firms face when sending employees to the US. With investment projects and business continuity at stake, these discussions could have major implications for US-South Korea commercial ties. What is the possibility of the US granting South Korea a special treaty work visa now? What impact will they have on companies navigating trans-Pacific operations? On The Big Story. Hongbin Jeong speaks with Benjamin Engel, Assistant Professor, Department of Korean Studies, Dankook University, to find out more.   

US stocks are soaring at valuations not seen since the dot-com bubble and pandemic highs, but the economy tells a different story. Manufacturing remains weak, housing is struggling, and growth is modest. The rally, fueled by a surge in AI spending, has many asking: how long can it last? What risks lie ahead, and how should investors navigate these turbulent waters? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Tim Murray, CFA, Capital Markets Strategist, Multi‑Asset Division at T. Rowe Price, to find out more.

Singapore shares inched higher today as Asian markets started the week on a positive note. The Straits Times Index was up 0.22% at 4,275.36 points at 2.26pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$937.56M seen in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have Yangzijiang Shipbuilding, after the shipbuilder on Saturday announced that three of its subsidiaries have cancelled contracts valued at US$180 million with an unknown party.  Elsewhere, from what an in-line personal consumption expenditures price index reading for August meant for investors, to how gold surpassed the key US$3,800 per ounce level for the first time today – more international and economic headlines remained in focus.  Also on deck, more on CapitaLand Commercial C-Reit and Sony Financial Group’s trading debut in Shanghai and Tokyo respectively.   On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with David Kuo, Co-founder, The Smart Investor.