Your Way Home with Hongbin Jeong

Rising energy costs linked to the Iran conflict are no longer just a distant headline, they’re hitting businesses in Singapore where it hurts most: the bottom line.  A new poll by the Singapore National Employers Federation reveals the scale of the strain: 96% of employers report higher operating costs, with nearly one in five facing increases of more than 25%. So, is this just a temporary squeeze or the start of a deeper, long-term shift in Singapore’s business landscape? And as costs climb, how are companies balancing competitiveness with the need to protect jobs and workforce stability? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Hao Shuo, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore National Employers Federation, to unpack what this means for businesses and workers moving forward.

Would you take on a dangerous job for big money? One woman in China is doing exactly that, managing over 60,000 venomous snakes and earning six figures a year. Plus, over at Coachella, it’s not just festival-goers losing things. From a possible $8 million ring dropped on stage to Madonna’s missing vintage outfits, things are getting a little chaotic. On What’s Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Alexandra Parada discuss high-risk jobs and high-value items that mysteriously disappear.

Singapore is stepping up its ambitions to become a global hub for precious metals trading, with efforts to enhance market infrastructure, improve price discovery, and attract central bank gold reserves. At the same time, investor behaviour is shifting with stronger participation in Asia, diverging global flows, and continued demand despite volatility. On The Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Judy Goh, Managing Director for APAC at Integral, to unpack the outlook for Singapore’s precious metals market, how investor strategies are evolving, and where the key opportunities and risks are.

Singapore shares nudged higher today, tracking movements seen in the region. The Straits Times Index was up 0.08% at 5,008.16 points at 2.55pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$1.38B seen in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have Keppel Reit. The real estate investment trust (Reit) today said distributable income from operations for the first quarter rose 19.7 per cent on the year from S$48.4 million to S$57.9 million.  Elsewhere, from how Asian stocks edged higher today amid signs that Iran may join talks with the US, to how Apple shares slipped in late US trading after naming John Ternus its next CEO, more corporate and international headlines remained in focus. Also on deck – how Hello Kitty creator Sanrio is launching a new gaming brand as it looks to monetise its portfolio of popular characters and tap into the fast-growing global games market. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Thilan Wickramasinghe, Head of Equity Research, Maybank Securities.

The United States has seized an Iranian cargo ship in the middle of a fragile ceasefire, raising fresh doubts over whether tensions with Tehran are already escalating again. With Iran rejecting further talks and instability returning to the Strait of Hormuz, the prospects for diplomacy and the truce itself are increasingly uncertain. On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Dr Leon Goldsmith, Honorary Senior Lecturer in Middle East Politics at the University of Otago, on whether the ceasefire can hold and what this latest escalation means for regional stability and global energy markets.

After years of “sit tight and stay defensive,” investors are now facing a very different question, not whether to take risk, but where it actually makes sense again. So what’s changing in how Asia’s wealthy are investing right now, and where is the smart money starting to move next? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Sharon Tan, Head of Wealth APAC and CEO of DWS Singapore, to find out more.

On What’s Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Nadiah dive into a 20-cent ‘gas and oil surcharge’ at a Joo Koon Thai stall that has sparked debate in Singapore. Is it fair transparency or hidden profiteering? As netizens split over rising costs and hawker survival, the issue goes beyond just price, raising bigger questions about what we expect from small businesses in an inflationary world. Meanwhile in Beijing, humanoid robots have completed a half-marathon, and some even beat human runners. From struggling machines last year to record-breaking performance today, how close are we to robots competing with humans in everyday life?

Singapore shares were little moved today as investors mull renewed geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.  The Straits Times Index hovered 0.09% above the flatline at 5,002.22 points at 2.31pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$1.09B seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch, we have Wilmar International, after the agribusiness company on Friday said it foresees “certain indirect impact” on its operations from the ongoing Middle East conflict, but believes its current structure is sufficient to manage the situation.  Meanwhile, from how oil prices jumped more than 5 per cent today, on fears that the ceasefire between the US and Iran could collapse after the US seized an Iranian cargo ship, to how iQIYI expects artificial intelligence to create a big chunk of its films and shows virtually from scratch someday soon, more corporate and international headlines remained in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with David Kuo, Co-founder, The Smart Investor.

Singapore shares dipped today in line with movements seen in the region.  The Straits Times Index was down 0.23% at 4,996.10 points at 3.27pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$1.35B seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch, we have Yangzijiang Maritime, after the maritime investments company said yesterday that it has signed contracts to acquire eight very large crude carrier newbuilds and sell four medium-range tankers.  Elsewhere, from how Singapore’s key exports expanded by a stronger-than-expected 15.3 per cent year on year in March, to how Netflix chairman Reed Hastings is quitting the streaming service he co-founded 29 years ago, more economic and corporate headlines remained 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.

Geopolitical tensions in Iran are shaking markets once again, sending oil soaring and investors scrambling. But instead of rushing into gold, many are heading for cash, so what does that really signal? Is cash king again?  On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Gautam Chadda, Executive Director at RBC Wealth Management Asia, to find out more.