Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

Once a budget-friendly and eco-conscious way to shop, thrifting is now a booming industry. Has second-hand shopping remained a sustainable and affordable alternative, or has social media, resellers, and rising prices turned it into just another overpriced trend? On The Hot Seat, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Marcus Ng, Fashion Model and Eden Tay, Co-Founder of Vintagewknd to find out whether thrifting is still affordable or overpriced now.   Presented by: Hongbin Jeong Produced and edited by: Nazirul Asrar Feel free to reach out to me via email (nazirulasrar@sph.com.sg), for collaborations and radio interviews!

Earnings season has flown by, but as it kicked off, it’s been reported that the Finance & Insurance sector was the second fastest-growing industry in Singapore in 2024, following Accommodation. In fact, our trio of banks DBS, OCBC, and UOB are set to distribute a combined S$13.7 billion in dividends for FY24. But other than these large caps, a number of other stocks related to Finance also saw tremendous growth.  On The Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Geoff Howie, Market Strategist, SGX to shed some light on some of our SGX-listed small caps.

Singapore shares were lower today with global trade tensions remaining on the top of minds of investors. The Straits Times Index dipped 0.11% to 3,833.44 points at about 2.18pm with a value turnover of S$754.39M.  In terms of counters to watch today, we have Sembcorp Industries. That’s after a deal inked by one of Sembcorp Industries’ subsidiaries to import natural gas from Indonesia has fallen through after regulatory approval was not obtained. Elsewhere, from US President Donald Trump threatening to slap a 200% tariff on wine and other alcohol imports from Europe, to Foxconn’s latest earnings, more international headlines remain in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Benjamin Goh, Head of Research and Investor Education, SIAS.

Transcelestial is a Singapore-based technology company focused on improving global internet connectivity through wireless laser communication. By replacing traditional fiber optics with laser links, Transcelestial provides a faster, more cost-effective way to transmit data, making reliable internet access more accessible in both urban and remote areas. Its flagship product, CENTAURI, a compact device, enables high-speed data transmission between buildings, cell towers, and other infrastructure—offering fiber-like speeds without the need for extensive cable installations. On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Rohit Jha, CEO and Co-Founder, Transcelestial, to find out more.   Presented by: Hongbin Jeong Produced and Edited by: Alexandra Parada (alexparada@sph.com.sg) Want to get featured on our show? Drop me an email today!

Power banks have become an essential travel companion, but starting April 1, Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Scoot will ban their use and charging in-flight, citing safety concerns. This decision follows a series of incidents involving overheating lithium batteries, including a Scoot flight fire in Taiwan and a Batik Air cabin smoke incident. With airlines like Thai Airways, AirAsia, and South Korean carriers implementing similar restrictions, this raises pressing questions. On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Associate Professor Palani Balaya, Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, NUS,  to help understand the risks associated with power banks, the reasoning behind this ban, and what it means for air travel moving forward.   Presented by: Hongbin Jeong Produced and Edited by: Alexandra Parada (alexparada@sph.com.sg) and Hongbin Jeong Want to get featured on our show? Drop me an email today!

Singapore shares hovered above the flatline today as investors continue to digest the outlook for the US economy.  The Straits Times Index nudged 0.02% higher to 3,833.84 points at about 2.20pm (2.19pm), with a value turnover of S$1.06B in the broader market.  In terms of companies to watch, we have City Developments Ltd. after the property giant’s executive chairman Kwek Leng Beng said in a statement last night that he will be discontinuing his lawsuit against his son Sherman Kwek and six other members of the CDL board.  Elsewhere, from US consumer prices increasing less than expected in February to what Trump’s US$1.4 trillion tariff threat means for companies – more international headlines remain in focus.  On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian dived into the details with David Chow, Director, Azure Capital.

If you’re an older or senior worker, you might be wondering what options there are to continue your career journey. That’s because many older workers find it difficult to get work. Kai Ning Lim is the co-founder of The Courage Chapter is looking to change that perspective. The Courage Chapter is a pioneering platform that’s reshaping how we think about senior professionals in the workforce. So how is The Courage Chapter changing the future of work for the better? On Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Kai Ning Lim, Co-founder at The Courage Chapter, to find out why this is the right business.    Presented by: Hongbin Jeong Produced and Edited by: Nadiah Koh (nadkoh@sph.com.sg)  Want to get featured on our show? Drop me an email today!

What should you be looking out for in a stock market rotation? Are we currently in one? And should this rotation continue, headline returns could become negative, at least in the short term. How should investors respond? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to J. Aston, Jr, Portfolio Manager and Managing Director at Neuberger Berman, to find out more. 

The Lion City Sailors' dream run in the ACL Two continues, as they defeated Sanfrecce Hiroshima 4-1 on aggregate to book a spot in the last four. This is only the third time a team from Singapore have reached the semi-finals of a continental competition. So how did the Sailors, the only South-east Asian outfit left in Asia’s second-tier club competition, defy the odds to overcome their illustrious opponents? Deepanraj Ganesan speaks to Sports Minutes after a historic night at the Jalan Besar Stadium. READ MORE:  https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/lion-city-sailors-eliminate-japanese-side-sanfrecce-hiroshima-to-seal-acl-two-semi-final-berth Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg

US President Donald Trump has nominated entrepreneur Anji Sinha to serve as the new United States Ambassador to Singapore. Yet, Dr Sinha is relatively little known, with no presence on websites or social media platforms. This appointment is still subject to confirmation by the Senate. So, who exactly is Dr Sinha? Why did Trump choose Sinha as his ambassador? And how will the Senate confirmation process play out given that there are other high-profile nominees awaiting approval? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Kevin Chen, Associate Research Fellow with the US Programme at IDSS, RSIS to find out more.    Presented by: Hongbin Jeong Produced and Edited by: Nadiah Koh (nadkoh@sph.com.sg) and Hongbin Jeong  Want to get featured on our show? Drop me an email today!