Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

Singapore’s shares bucked the regional trend today as Asian markets fell hard on the back of US President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs. The country imposes no tariffs on US products under the US-Singapore Free Trade Agreement and was only subject to the baseline 10 per cent rate. The Straits Times Index (STI) was relatively little moved, falling about 0.5 per cent shortly after the open.  In terms of companies to watch, we have OCBC after the bank announced yesterday that it plans to deploy £10 billion (S$17.4 billion) in financing over the next six years to support foreign direct investment into the UK.  Elsewhere, from the impact of US tariffs on key Asian markets such as Japan, South Korea and China, to the implications of possible retaliation by the US largest trading partners – more international headlines remain in focus.  Also on deck, how gold hit a record high today as investors rushed towards the safe haven asset. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian dived into the details with David Chow, Director, Azure Capital. 

In Singapore, many SME owners have built their companies over decades of hard work, only to see them shut down due to a lack of proper succession planning. Entrepreneur Eldred Wee witnessed how the failure of a business can lead to strained relationships and missed opportunities. That experience inspired him to found Edenity, a company dedicated to honoring the legacies of SME owners. Edenity’s mission is to provide sustainable strategies that ensure SME businesses secure their place in the economy for generations to come. On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Eldred Wee, Founder and Managing Director, Edenity to find out more.    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!

Senator Cory Booker held a 25-hour and 5-minute marathon speech on the Senate floor, setting a new record for the longest continuous address in Senate history. This episode dives into the significance of his speech, the history he broke, and the impact it could have on American politics.

More fresh faces with potential political aspirations have been spotted engaging with residents across Singapore – a sign that preparations for the upcoming General Election are gaining pace.  This comes as the Elections Department announced last Thursday (Mar 27) that the election expense limit has been raised from S$4 to S$5 per voter. It also confirmed the designation of Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs) where candidates from Malay, Indian or other minority communities are required. Who are the fresh faces? Will we see younger potential candidates being fielded for this year’s General Election and what impact might this have on voting sentiments? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Dr Teo Kay Key, Research Fellow at IPS Social Lab at the Institute of Policy Studies 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!

Singapore shares fell today as investors continue to mull heightened trade tensions globally. The Straits Times Index dipped 0.27% to 3,957.94 points at about 1.30pm (1.29pm) with a value turnover of S$672.15M in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have Sembcorp Industries, after its wholly owned subsidiary Sembcorp Utilities signed a deal to raise its interest in Senoko Energy to as much as 70 per cent, more than doubling its current 30 per cent stake.  Elsewhere, all eyes remain on the US with President Donald Trump poised to impose sweeping new reciprocal tariffs on its trading partners tomorrow morning. Also in focus – how the Land Transport Authority (LTA) issued a street-hail service operator licence to Singaporean ride-hail and delivery company Grab, and what this could mean for the country’s taxi industry.  On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with James Cheo, Chief Investment Officer, Southeast Asia and India at HSBC Global Private Banking and Wealth.

Crude oil prices have remained lackluster and out of the spotlight since September 2024, as the market has been range-bound between $65 and $80 per barrel.  Some experts say oil prices are likely to be lower in 2025 than last year, with Brent crude oil prices averaging $73 per barrel in 2025. That’s down $7 per barrel per barrel from 2024. Could this be a likely scenario? Could oil prices be lower in 2025, than it was in 2024? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Mukesh Sahdev, Global Head of Commodity Markets - Oil, Rystad Energy, to find out more.

From almost hanging up his boots to hitting his best-ever goal tally—Ignatius Ang is having a season to remember. But despite his standout performances for Balestier Khalsa, a national team call-up still eludes him. And on Sports Minutes, we unpack the highs and lows of his journey—his resurgence on the pitch, the motivation he draws from coaching young players, and the reality of Singapore footballers juggling side hustles to secure their futures. READ MORE: https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/motivated-by-his-trainees-balestier-khalsas-ignatius-ang-sets-career-best-goal-tally Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg

Ombré was born from the need to bridge the gap between traditional multi-step skincare routines and the growing demand for simplicity and effectiveness. Many consumers struggle to find products that deliver real results without requiring an extensive regimen, especially those with sensitive or reactive skin. Ombré addresses this by formulating multi-functional skincare solutions that streamline routines while maintaining efficacy.  On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Jasmine Ee, Co-Founder, Ombré, 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!

The 2% Rule is a fundamental principle used in both trading and real estate investing to manage risk and assess profitability. But while the 2% Rule serves as a useful benchmark, market conditions and investment strategies may require adjustments. Whether you’re trading stocks or investing in properties, understanding this rule can help you make smarter, data-driven decisions while managing risk effectively.

Trump’s latest tariff threats are keeping global markets on edge, with investors bracing for potential disruptions across key sectors, from autos to technology. Asian markets have been treading cautiously ahead of the April 2 announcement, with fears of escalating trade tensions weighing on sentiment. Meanwhile, in Singapore, corporate moves are making headlines - Keppel’s divestment in Vietnam signals a continued shift toward asset management, while CapitaLand Ascendas Reit’s major redevelopment underscores a pivot to higher-growth sectors. On Market View, Alexandra Parada speaks to Dan Chang, Investment Specialist and Trading Representative, PhillipCapital, to find out more.