SG Budget Conversations 2026

Singapore’s economy has closed the past fiscal year on a strong note, but many households are still navigating cost pressures, job uncertainty and a rapidly shifting global environment. As Budget 2026 is unveiled later today — the first of the new political term — expectations are high. Will the focus be on extending cost-of-living support, strengthening job security in an AI-driven economy, or rebuilding fiscal buffers for future shocks? Dr. Reuben Ng, Behavioural and Data Scientist at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at NUS, joins the Breakfast Show to unpack the public mood heading into this Budget, the trade-offs policymakers face, and the key signals Singaporeans should be listening for when the speech is delivered. For more Budget 2026 insights: https://www.moneyfm893.sg/whats-on/budget-2026/

Singapore shares inched higher today to track movements in the region. The Straits Times Index was up 0.39% at 4,983.73 points at 2.21pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$1.44B seen in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch today, we have CapitaLand Investment, after the real asset manager sank into the red with a net loss of S$142 million for its second half ended Dec 31, 2025, reversing from net profit of S$148 million in the previous corresponding period.  Elsewhere, from a lookahead to Singapore Budget 2026 Statement, to how China’s factory deflation eased more than expected in January, more economic headlines remained in focus.    On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Dan Chang, Investment Specialist and Trading Representative, PhillipCapital.

All eyes will be on Prime Minister Lawrence Wong as he delivers the Budget 2026 statement on Feb 12, a roadmap that could shape Singapore’s next phase of growth and support. This year’s Budget is expected to zero in on six key areas: accelerating AI adoption, manpower adjustments, smaller CDC payouts, helping businesses internationalise, clarifying carbon tax plans, and even the possibility of wealth taxes. But which of these will matter most to Singaporeans right now? How different will Budget 2026 look compared to last year’s package? And will it go far enough to tackle long-standing pressures, from cost of living concerns to global economic uncertainty? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Chan Kok Hoe, Senior Lecturer, National University of Singapore, to find out more. 

What if Budget 2026 could change the way you use your SRS , own your first home and teach your children about money? Ahead of Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s statement, we unpack ideas that could meaningfully reshape financial security in Singapore from a personal finance perspective.  Elijah Lee, Senior Financial Services Manager, Phillip Securities, shares his view on why SRS reform could be a powerful lever for retirement flexibility and tax efficiency. We examine how stronger first-property support can balance affordability without reigniting a property bubble, think through structural cost-of-living solutions - and why financial literacy in schools may be the ultimate long-term hedge. A forward-looking conversation on Singapore budget priorities, hosted by Michelle Martin. For more Budget 2026 insights: https://www.moneyfm893.sg/whats-on/budget-2026/  

As Budget 2026 approaches, Singapore’s dining and hospitality industry is warning that many of the pressures facing operators may be structural rather than temporary. Volatile rentals, rising manpower costs and persistent labour shortages are making it harder for businesses to plan ahead, invest and stay viable in an increasingly crowded market. Andrew Chan, Vice President of the Management Committee at the Restaurant Association of Singapore, joins the Breakfast Show to explain why the association is pushing for changes such as rental cost predictability, enhanced wage co-funding and adjustments to foreign worker policies and how these proposals could shape the future of dining in Singapore. For more Budget 2026 insights: https://www.moneyfm893.sg/whats-on/budget-2026/