Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

The TIME 100 is an annual list published by TIME magazine, featuring the 100 most influential people in the world. It includes leaders, artists, thinkers, and icons who have shaped global conversations. The list also highlights both positive and controversial figures based on their impact.

Covid-19 is making a quiet comeback in Singapore.  After more than two years of living with the virus as an endemic threat, cases are once again on the rise—with over 14,000 infections reported in a single week, up sharply from the previous week. What’s driving this resurgence? And as the virus continues to evolve, how can individuals and communities stay prepared without returning to old restrictions? Are the current vaccines enough?  On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Professor Paul Tambyah, Deputy Chair, Infectious Diseases Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine from National University of Singapore (NUS Medicine), to find out more. 

Singapore shares inched higher today to track a positive session on Wall Street. The Straits Times Index was up 0.17% at 3,882.64 points at about 2.31pm with a value turnover of S$578.38M seen in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have DFI Retail Group. The group’s underlying profit for Q1 2025 fell 18 per cent compared with the same period a year ago, due to the divestment of Yonghui Superstores last year.  Elsewhere, from China’s central bank cutting two key interest rates to spur the domestic economy, to the Reserve Bank of Australia slashing its main cash rate by 25 basis points – more economic and international headlines remain in focus.  Also on deck – a look into Chinese battery giant CATL’s Hong Kong trading debut, with shares up 13 per cent from their listing price at the open today.  On Market View, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Kelvin Wong, Senior Analyst, OANDA.

Wild swings, bold bets: April brought dramatic moves to Singapore’s stock market.  Amid global trade tensions and a surprise US tariff shock, investors witnessed sharp sell-offs followed by powerful rebounds.  Yet, while the volatility spooked many, retail investors in Singapore leaned in—injecting over S$1.1 billion into the market, with a clear focus on beaten-down financial and maritime stocks. So, which counters caught their eye? What do their moves reveal about shifting investor behavior—and are we seeing sharper strategy or rising risk? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Geoff Howie, Market Strategist, SGX, to find out more.

The Workers’ Party’s (WP) Andre Low and Eileen Chong have been appointed as Non-Constituency Members of Parliament (NCMPs) in the 15th Parliament, bringing the WP’s total parliamentary presence to 12 seats. In a statement on May 19, the Elections Department (ELD) confirmed that returning officer Han Kok Juan had declared both candidates elected under the NCMP scheme, which guarantees a minimum of 12 opposition MPs in Parliament. Both were first-time candidates in the 2025 election, and their entry into Parliament is seen as a signal of WP’s ongoing renewal and efforts to broaden its reach and appeal among voters. On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Dr. Rebecca Grace Tan, Lecturer, Department of Political Science, National University of Singapore, to find out what their presence might bring to the Parliament.

A Japanese man, known as Toco, spent nearly $20,000 to live out a unique and surprising fantasy - becoming a dog. With a lifelike rough collie costume and a cage to sleep in, Toco embraced the life of his favorite breed, experiencing everything from belly rubs to walks on a leash.

Teleskop Technologies is a financial technology company dedicated to providing individuals with a comprehensive and structured view of their financial lives. Through an integrated platform, Teleskop enables users to consolidate and manage their global financial and non-financial assets, plan their legacies with clarity, and receive personalised insights to support informed decision-making. On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Chandrima Das, Co-founder & CEO, Teleskop Technologies, to find out more.

Singapore’s ongoing trade negotiations with the United States come at a critical juncture for the global economy. With Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong reporting progress, including the potential for zero tariffs on pharmaceutical exports, in the face of rising protectionism and uncertainty. Beyond tariff relief, what would constitute a meaningful win? How can Singapore build long-term trade resilience and secure access to emerging technologies in a fragmented global landscape? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to MEI Yuan, Assistant Professor of Economics from Singapore Management University to find out more. 

Singapore shares dipped today, tracking movements in the region.  The Straits Times Index was down 0.31% at 3,885.80 points at 2.13pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$681.30M seen in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have Creative Technology, after the company named Freddy Sim, the younger brother of its late founder Sim Wong Hoo, as chief executive officer.  Elsewhere, from shares of Alibaba slumping on the back of a report that its AI deal with Apple was facing scrutiny in the US, to how Nvidia plans to sell a technology to speed up chip-to-chip communication needed to build and deploy AI tools, more corporate and international 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.

The US dollar has taken a beating. But has it really fallen all that much this year? The greenback has fallen some 6% overall against a basket of world currencies since the start of the year. Will it continue to decline? If so, how much further? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Sim Moh Siong, Currency Strategist, Bank of Singapore, to find out more.