Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

Global markets are navigating a stormy mix of uncertainty, driven by US President Donald Trump and his slew of tariff threats. As the world watches closely to see how the 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs plays out—alongside the looming threat of new sectoral tariffs—the stakes for markets and the broader economy are high. So what’s ahead and how should investors position themselves? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Vasu Menon, Managing Director, Investment Strategy, OCBC, to find out more.

In the world of hospitality, where every interaction shapes a guest’s experience, ensuring that staff are well-trained is paramount. Atiom, an AI-powered, gamification platform is on a mission to redefine how hospitality companies develop their teams.   Atiom isn’t just another training tool. It’s a novel approach to building high-performing, satisfied, and loyal workforces. On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Matthew Spriegel, Founder and CEO of Atiomto find out more. 

A striking blend of nature, science, and conceptual art, The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living features a 13-foot tiger shark suspended in a tank of formaldehyde. Created by Damien Hirst in 1991, the artwork invites viewers to confront the raw presence of death while gazing into the preserved stillness of a once-lethal predator.

Singapore stocks opened higher this morning, buoyed by a rally across Asia-Pacific markets. In the US, President Trump launched investigations into the pharmaceutical and semiconductor sectors, weighing the possibility of new tariffs, this follows his recent announcement to pause auto tariffs, offering a brief respite to global markets. Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Tech Index bucked the trend, dropping 1% after five consecutive sessions of gains. Over in the luxury sector, LVMH reported weaker-than-expected Q1 results, hit by softer demand in the US and China, sparking concerns over the global luxury market. On Market View, Willie Keng speaks to Dan Chang, Investment Specialist and Trading Representative, Phillip Capital, to find out more.

President Donald Trump's newly introduced tariffs are expected to have a larger-than-anticipated impact on the economy, leading to higher inflation and slower growth. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has highlighted these concerns, signaling a potentially challenging decision-making environment for the central bank moving forward. For investors, this presents a period of uncertainty, with the likelihood of inflationary pressures rising and growth slowing, the question arises: are there still attractive investment opportunities in the current market? On The Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Vincent Chung, Co-portfolio Manager for Diversified Income Bond Strategy at T. Rowe Price, to find out more.

DiMuto is a global agri-fintech company revolutionizing agri-food trade by digitizing and connecting every step of the supply chain. Using a powerful mix of AI, blockchain, IoT, and data analytics, DiMuto provides end-to-end visibility from farm to fork, helping businesses reduce waste, build trust, and access financing. Their integrated platform combines a global marketplace for fresh produce, a trade management system that digitizes products and documents for greater traceability, and embedded trade financing that leverages verified trade data to unlock working capital.  On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Gary Loh, Founder and CEO, DiMuto, to find out more.   Presented by: Hongbin Jeong Produced and Edited by: Alexandra Parada (alexparada@sph.com.sg) and Nadiah Koh Want to get featured on our show? Drop me an email today!

Parliament has been officially dissolved, marking the start of Singapore’s next General Election.  Nomination Day has been set for April 23, kicking off a minimum nine-day campaigning period before Cooling-off Day. This election marks the first election under Prime Minister Wong’s leadership but also a time of growing global uncertainty, rising geopolitical tensions, and renewed focus on domestic issues like cost of living, housing affordability, and job security. On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Dr Gillian Koh, Senior Research Fellow, Institute of Policy Studies, National University of Singapore, to find out more.

It’s one of the oldest myths around: cats have nine lives. But where did that idea come from? With their graceful movements, air of mystery, and uncanny ability to land on their feet, cats have earned a reputation for being nearly indestructible. This myth spans centuries, rooted in ancient civilizations and passed down through folklore and cultural storytelling - from the sacred temples of ancient Egypt to Arabic legends and old English tales, cats were often seen as magical, mystical, and even divine.

Singapore shares opened lower on Monday, with the Straits Times Index down 1% in early trade.  US President Donald Trump paused tariffs on some consumer electronics, easing pressure on tech giants like Apple, but investors remain on edge. Over in the US, bank stocks have tumbled. JP Morgan is down 15%, Wells Fargo has fallen 21%, and Citigroup slid 24% in just two months right as Q1 earnings season kicks off. Back home, the MAS eased monetary policy slightly and lowered its inflation forecast, raising concerns of slower growth ahead. On Market View, Willie Keng speaks to David Kuo, Co-Founder of The Smart Investor, to share more.

Election season is in full swing as both the People’s Action Party (PAP) and opposition parties unveil their candidates ahead of the upcoming General Election. The PAP is fielding over 30 new faces, including teams for key opposition-held constituencies like Aljunied and Sengkang GRCs. Meanwhile, opposition parties are preparing for a fiercely contested race in areas like Tampines and Sembawang GRCs. On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Dr. Teo Kay Key, Research Fellow at the IPS Social Lab, Institute of Policy Studies, to discuss more about these key developments.