Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

Oil is front and centre today, with prices surging past US$100 a barrel. If listeners remember, we began 2026 with oil trading below US$60, marking a rapid jump of roughly 70% in just a few months. The sharp move higher has rattled markets, with equities broadly seeing a sea of red as investors grapple with the implications of higher energy prices. This also raises a key question for markets: are we now moving beyond a typical pullback of 5 to 10%, and entering a full correction territory of more than 10%? On Market View, Alexandra Parada speaks to Nirgunan Tiruchelvam, Head of Consumer and Internet at Alētheia Capital, to break down the biggest market movements today.

The conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran has entered a volatile new phase, raising fresh geopolitical and legal questions about the future of the region. Following reports of strikes that resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, attention has turned to who could succeed him and what that transition might mean for regional stability. US President Donald Trump has stated that he wants to play a role in discussions surrounding Iran’s next leader, a remark that has sparked debate over whether Washington is attempting to influence the country’s political direction. How realistic is it that the US could shape Iran’s leadership succession? And how might Tehran respond as it weighs its options and defends its sovereignty? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Dr Jessica Genauer, Associate Professor in International Relations at Flinders University, to find out more.

Gold prices have surged past $5,100 an ounce, up about 20% this year. However, amid continued tensions in the Middle East, spot gold's price slipped about 1.6% earlier this week to around $5,060 per troy ounce.  What’s driving this plunge and how much of this  is pure geopolitical panic given the ongoing Iran-US-Israel conflict? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Shaokai Fan, Head of Asia-Pacific (ex-China) and Global Head of Central Banks at the World Gold Council, to find out more. 

A man in Shanghai has gone viral after reportedly earning around 160,000 yuan during the Chinese New Year period just by feeding cats. Instead of travelling for the holidays, he stayed behind and helped care for pets while their owners were away, visiting hundreds of homes to feed cats and check on them. Meanwhile, Spotify has teamed up with beverage brand Liquid Death to create the “Eternal Playlist Urn.” It’s a cremation urn with a Bluetooth speaker in the lid, allowing your favourite songs to keep playing even after you’re gone. Only 150 units were made, and they sold out quickly. On What’s Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Alexandra Parada break down these two unusual stories.

On Market View, Sean Cheong speaks to Benjamin Goh, Head of Research and Investor Education at the Securities Investors Association (Singapore) to wrap up the week with a look at how markets have been navigating a mix of geopolitical tensions, economic signals and rising volatility. The Straits Times Index ended the day flat at 4,848 points, and they assess how Singapore equities performed both today and over the week, including the stocks that are drawing investor interest on the Singapore Exchange. They also examine the sharp moves in the oil market, after West Texas Intermediate crude briefly climbed above US$80 a barrel following reports that Iran struck an oil tanker with a missile. Finally, with the CBOE Volatility Index climbing into the mid-20s and the S&P 500 swinging between gains and losses, they explore how investors can navigate the current market dilemma and what to watch in the week ahead.

From head video analyst to interim head coach - Varo Moreno’s voyage has been anything but ordinary. Speaking to Sports Minutes,, he shares what it was like taking charge of the Sailors, how he handled the pressure, and his thoughts on Jesus Casas’ arrival. Plus, insight into the post-Lestienne era and how modern analytics is shaping football in Singapore. Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg

This time, Money Matter’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian reports from aboard the new Disney Adventure, the first Disney Cruise Line ship for guests in Asia and also the first to be homeported out of Singapore. Drawing on over 100 years of storytelling from Disney, Marvel and Pixar franchises, Disney Adventure promises to fill everyone with endless adventures and a magical experience. The ship has a passenger capacity of 6,700 and boasts seven themed areas, including the Marvel Landing which features the longest rollercoaster at sea.  Its maiden voyage will take place on the 10th of March or next Tuesday, and will operate as a “Cruise to Nowhere”.  In this Special, “On the Go” episode of Under the Radar, Tian Tian brings you more on the christening ceremony of Disney Adventure, as well as a sneak peek into what to expect aboard as she spends the next couple of days exploring the ship during its preview sailing.

China’s annual Two Sessions are underway, but it comes at a pivotal moment, with rising global tensions in the Middle East and fresh economic signals from Beijing. This year, China has set its lowest growth target since 1991, underscoring concerns about slowing momentum and shifting economic priorities. What does this more cautious outlook reveal about the state of the economy? And how much do external risks — from geopolitical conflict to US-China relations ahead of Donald Trump’s expected visit — factor into Beijing’s calculations? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Han-Shen Lin, Associate Professor of Practice in Finance and Capstone Director at NYU Shanghai, and Senior Advisor and China Country Director at The Asia Group, to find out more. 

Imagine being able to trade U.S. stock options before the market even opens, acting on overnight news, earnings, and global events, all from Asia. Today, we dive into how pre-market options are reshaping strategies, risks, and opportunities for investors, and why one brokerage is leading the charge in this game-changing shift. On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Xu Shengyu, CEO, Longbridge Securities Singapore, to find out more.

Would you shop at a mall at 3AM? Seletar Mall is experimenting with 4AM closing hours, complete with late-night activities and a viral 'Downmall Challenge' that shows a former Singapore Youth Olympic cyclist riding a bike down the mall’s escalators.  Then in a new update, a family feud twist: Brooklyn Beckham reportedly ignores peace talks from his parents and responds publicly to Nicola Peltz instead.  And finally, the burger bite heard around the internet. When a fast-food CEO posted a video eating his own company’s newest burger, it was supposed to be a marketing win. Instead, his tiny, awkward bite turned into a viral meme, with brands, rivals and the internet roasting him in real time. On What's Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Zia-ul Raushan break it all down.