Your Way Home with Hongbin Jeong

Singapore shares moved higher today as all eyes remained on US interest rate movements for September and beyond. The Straits Times Index was up 0.44% at 4,249.32 points at 2.05pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$668.43M seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch, we have Singapore Post, after the postal service provider’s operating profit for the first quarter ended June came in at S$3.4 million, a 60 per cent year-on-year drop from S$8.4 million. Elsewhere, from Tesla raising the price of its Cybertruck Cyberbeast in the US, to how postal services across the world are cutting off parcel deliveries to the US given the fast-approaching end of a tariff exception for low-value packages, more corporate and international headlines remained in focus.  Also on deck, what to watch when Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell speaks at the Jackson Hole Symposium in a couple of hours’ time. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Benjamin Goh, Head of Research and Investor Education, SIAS.

Three Primary 3 boys from Sengkang Green Primary School were suspended after bullying a female classmate, with one caned for sending violent death threats to her mother. The girl was so distressed by the incidents that she temporarily stopped attending school, and has since returned under a safety plan. The case has sparked public debate about how bullying escalates, how schools respond, and the role of parents in ensuring children’s safety. On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong spoke to Jean Tan, Clinical Psychologist, Clinical Psychology Associates, to find out more about the psychological factors behind such extreme bullying, why children might engage in hurtful behaviour at a young age, and what steps schools and parents can take to prevent and address these incidents effectively.

As global markets brace for more tariffs, shifting rates, and political uncertainty, Asia’s bond markets are quietly holding their ground. Could this be the region’s moment to shine for fixed income investors? Or are hidden risks about to surface?  On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Omar Slim, Co-Head of Asia Fixed Income at PineBridge Investments, to dive into where the real opportunities and vulnerabilities lie in Asia’s evolving credit landscape.

Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest carrier, is strengthening its presence in Singapore with a fifth weekly flight to Addis Ababa. The move signals deeper business and tourism ties, positioning Singapore as a key Asian gateway to Africa. With Ethiopia’s economy set to grow nearly 9% this year, the timing couldn’t be better. So why Singapore and why now? What’s at stake in this growing connection? On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Telila Deressa Gutema, Regional Manager for Singapore and ANZ at Ethiopian Airlines, to find out more.

Singapore shares rose today, tracking a broadly positive day in Asia. The Straits Times Index was up 0.18% at 4,227.21 points at 12.53pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$630.67M seen in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have Sats, after the airline caterer yesterday reported a 9.1 per cent year-on-year rise in net profit to S$70.9 million for the first quarter ended Jun 30, 2025, on the back of growth in aviation cargo and food service volumes.  Elsewhere, from more on share price movements in Great Eastern, to how South Korea is reportedly set to unveil about US$150 billion in US investment plans by private companies during a summit between President Lee Jae Myung and US President Donald Trump – more corporate and international headlines remained in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian dived into the details with David Chow, Director, Azure Capital. 

Singapore’s indie film community is reeling: The Projector, long cherished as a cultural refuge for cinephiles and creatives, has shut its doors after more than a decade.  Rising costs and dwindling cinema audiences played their part, but its closure raises bigger questions.  Is this the end of an era for independent cinema here, or a symptom of shifting cultural appetites in a city that’s always racing ahead? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Dr Jinna Tay, Senior Lecturer, Communications And New Media, National University of Singapore, to find out more.

Precious metals continued their powerful climb, with gold and silver gaining momentum as inflation concerns, dollar weakness, and industrial demand all came to a head. Investors are flocking to hard assets, not just for safety, but for opportunity, as green tech and clean energy sectors drive a surge in demand, especially for silver, platinum, and palladium. At the same time, the US dollar is under pressure, with fiscal instability and expected rate cuts weighing heavily on confidence. And while crypto assets like Bitcoin have shown resilience, regulatory uncertainty still clouds the picture.  So how should investors position themselves in this rapidly shifting environment? What’s the smart move amid a world of rising debt, slowing growth, and accelerating structural change? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Zvika (Zack) Rotbart, Director of Business Development, J. Rotbart & Co., to find out more. 

Gex Academy is a pioneering digital upskilling platform and a subsidiary of Gex Ventures, dedicated to empowering Singaporeans, particularly older workers and those affected by market disruption with practical, income-generating skills. The Academy bridges the gap between traditional education and real-world opportunities, focusing on hands-on learning that enables students to immediately monetize their knowledge. And with students ranging from their 40s to even their 70s, Gex Academy provides tailored support, combining digital strategy, practical workshops, and community mentorship to ensure learners succeed in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Dr Patrick Liew, CEO, Gex Ventures, to find out how they’re helping older professionals overcome barriers, gain new skills, and unlock meaningful opportunities in today’s workforce.

Singapore shares rose to buck regional movements today.  The Straits Times Index was up 0.26% at 4,227.31 points at 2.23pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$825.56M seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch, we have CapitaLand Investment. That’s as the global real asset manager said yesterday that it will provide retail advisory services to Malaysian property developer Astaka for a new mixed-use project in Johor worth RM1.2 billion (S$364.5 million) in gross development value.  Elsewhere, from how prices on Grab briefly jumped about a hundred times from the usual rates briefly today, to how shares of Pop Mart International Group rose to a new record on the back of news of a mini Labubu – more corporate and international headlines remain in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Too Jun Cheong, Dealing Manager from Moomoo Singapore.

Imagine giving your life to football - close to 100 caps for Singapore, 250 club games, countless memories...only to be left without a contract. That was Shahdan Sulaiman’s reality until late July. And his struggle mirrors that of many local players battling rule changes, foreign influx, and uncertain futures. Now handed a lifeline by Geylang International, the 37-year-old is out to prove that experience and leadership still matter. Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg