Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

Now imagine this: If all our local food places were shut down, one by one, because of high rent… where are Singaporeans going to enjoy a meal outside of home? It’s not just about losing our favourite hawker stalls, cafes, or family-run eateries, but about losing the heartbeat of daily life. So when rising rents start pushing F&B businesses out, it becomes a genuine concern. Yet some say that the increasing rents are part of a healthy, growing economy because it reflects demand, drives property development, and rewards landlords and investors.  On The Hot Seat, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Fabian Lim, Co-owner of JOFA Meepok, JOFA Grill and JOFA-Oji Donburi and Zoey T., Senior Associate Director, Propnex in order to find out whether raising rental prices, even for F&B businesses, is essential for economic growth.  

"The key to successful investing isn’t chasing the hottest stock—it’s knowing what to avoid." That’s wisdom straight from Warren Buffett, one of the greatest investors of all time. In a world of crypto hype, market noise, and rapid economic shifts, Buffett’s patient, value-driven approach can seem almost old-fashioned. But is it? Can his timeless strategies still guide investors today—especially here in Singapore? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Steve Alain Lawrence, CIO of Balfour Capital Group, to find out more. 

IHH Healthcare’s Q1 net profit fell 33%, mainly due to lower monetary gains and the absence of a one-off tax credit in Turkey. Across Asia, Japan’s inflation surge raises questions about the Bank of Japan’s next moves, while Hyundai’s potential US price hikes spotlight trade tensions and inflation concerns. In the US, softer-than-expected GDP figures and ongoing tariff debates add complexity to the Fed’s policy outlook and global investor sentiment. On Market View, Alexandra Parada speaks to Dan Chang, Investment Specialist and Trading Representative at PhillipCapital, to discuss the latest market movements.

Close With Copy is a hybrid human-AI copywriting consultancy that helps businesses grow through strategic content, founder branding, and practical AI integration. Built for lean teams and fast-moving businesses, Close With Copy specialises in conversion-focused copy which helps high-performing landing pages, sales funnels, and email sequences that turn traffic into revenue. It also works closely with founders to build personal brands that drive visibility, trust, and inbound opportunities. On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Audrey Chia, Founder, Close With Copy, to find out more.

Peter de Roo isn’t just walking away from Balestier Khalsa, he’s sounding the alarm on a sport he believes is stuck in survival mode. Speaking to Sports Minutes, the outgoing coach opens up about his frustrations with the system, the lack of ambition upstream, and why Singapore football seems allergic to bold ideas.  READ MORE: Balestier Khalsa’s departing coach Peter de Roo urges FAS to get out of comfort zone to improve SPL Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg

Jennie went on The Jennifer Hudson Show and casually mentioned Banana Kick, a sweet Korean snack from her childhood. Days later, it sparked a global craze and helped boost Nongshim’s market value by $136 million.

Elon Musk has stepped down from his role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency, marking a dramatic end to one of the most unconventional chapters in recent White House history.  Appointed by President Trump as a Special Government Employee, Musk’s mission was to slash waste and streamline federal operations through aggressive cost-cutting and structural overhauls. Though he claimed $160 billion in savings, critics allege mismanagement, inflated figures, and wide-reaching consequences for public services.  His departure follows public opposition to Trump’s sweeping “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” signaling a clear policy rift between the two once-aligned figures. What drove Musk to break ranks with the administration now? How does he reflect on the legacy of DOGE, and what does this mean for his return to the private sector? Most importantly, where does his political influence go from here? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Kevin Chen, Associate Research Fellow with the US Programme at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University, to find out more.

Mental illness is now the biggest health crisis facing Singapore’s youth — and it’s happening largely out of sight. A new study uncovers a stark truth: mental disorders are now the leading cause of disability and death among 10 to 14-year-olds in Singapore — more than in any other ASEAN country. What’s fueling this silent epidemic? And how can Singapore confront a mental health crisis that too often stays hidden behind closed doors? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Marie Ng, Associate Professor at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore and an Affiliate Associate Professor at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation to find out.

Singapore stocks rose this morning, after a US trade court blocked US President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs from going into effect. The Straits Times Index (STI) opened 0.2 per cent higher at 3,919.48 points after 102.5 million securities changed hands in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have CapitaLand Ascendas Reit. The company reported today that it has raised S$500 million from a private placement of 202.4 million units priced at S$2.47 each.  Meanwhile, from Nvidia’s forecast beating earnings, to Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg touted the tech giant’s generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) assistant at the firm’s annual gathering of shareholders and telling them that it is used by a billion people each month across its platforms, more corporate headlines remain in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian dived into the details with David Chow, Director, Azure Capital. 

Amid Asia’s surging economic momentum, one city emerges as the region’s financial nerve center: Singapore. As capital flows shift and private markets expand, investors are increasingly turning to this global hub - not just as a conduit, but as a catalyst for opportunity. What lies ahead in this evolving landscape? And how can savvy investors harness Singapore’s strategic edge to unlock the next wave of alternative asset growth across Asia? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Johnny Adji, Alternatives Investment Leader for Mercer Asia, to find out more.