Your Way Home with Hongbin Jeong

When it comes to sportswear and sneakers, one can’t help but think of two brothers who went from working partners to worst rivals after World War II and a family feud.  Yes, we’re talking about Rudolf or Rudi and Adolf or Adi Dassler. The duo are also better known as the Dassler brothers.  Both brothers ended up starting shoe companies of their own, and they grew to become two of the most prominent players in the industry today – PUMA and Adidas. And today we’re going to turn the spotlight on PUMA , which was founded by Rudi Dassler in 1948. Since its founding, PUMA has become one of the world’s leading sports brands that has been designing and marketing footwear, apparel and accessories for over 75 years.  The firm prides itself on offering performance and sport-inspired lifestyle products in categories including (1) Football, (2) Running and Training, (3) Basketball, (4) Golf and (5) Motorsports.  With a distribution network in over 120 countries, PUMA Group’s influence runs deep into street culture and fashion, particularly so given the brand’s multiple collaboration with renowned brands and designers who are closely connected with the community on the ground.  Puma is an interesting company to look at given the ongoing tariff situation between the US and China.  In February 2025, the shoemaker said it is shipping far fewer Chinese-made sneakers to the US as the trade war between the two economic superpowers heats up. But how are things looking like right now, and how far is Southeast Asia a bright spot for the firm then?  Meanwhile, PUMA is also ramping up the throttle on a brand refresh to increase its presence in higher-end channels for sports and lifestyle products.  More recently, the firm teamed up with Spanish luxury fashion house Balenciaga on a new Winter 2025 collection that include tracksuits and reimagined versions of the PUMA’s iconic Speedcat shoes. But how far will such collaborations help the firm anchor its positioning in the sportswear industry? On Under the Radar, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Sanjay Roy, Managing Director, South East Asia & Oceania, PUMA Group.

The world of asset management is growing faster and more complex than ever before. With new funds flooding the market, investors face a pressing question: how do you separate the winners from the noise? Before diving in, it’s crucial to ask…What’s the fund’s strategy? Is it backed by solid reasoning or just riding the latest trend? Who’s managing your money, and does it fit your financial goals? And perhaps most importantly, are the fees worth it? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Hunter Beaudoin, Analyst, Manager Research, Morningstar, to find out more. 

As Singapore celebrates 60 years of nationhood, we take a step back to reflect: What does the Singaporean Dream look like today? Back in the 1990s, if you asked someone what success looked like, they’d probably say cash, car, credit card, condominium, and country club. But in 2025, has this vision shifted with the times or do these aspirations still hold sway? Is the Singaporean dream still the 5Cs? On The Hot Seat, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Adam Wong, Editor in Chief, Fifthperson and Vanessa Ho, Co-Founder, Fintech Nation, to find out more. 

Blind boxes are everywhere. From Labubus to Crybabies, the thrill of not knowing what’s inside has taken over the hearts of collectors around the world. But Agora is flipping the script with their latest creation, Fuzozo. It’s not just another collectible - it’s a smart, emotionally intelligent AI companion that learns and grows with its owner, adding a whole new layer to the world of toys. On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Yisheng (Sam) Yao, Director of Product Management, Agora, to find out more. 

Singapore shares fell today on the back of earnings out of blue chip firms. The Straits Times Index was down 0.81% at 4,223.85 points at 2.19pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$1.29B seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch, we have Singapore Exchange. The bourse operator announced today that its net profit for the second half ended June 2025 declined 2.6 per cent to S$308 million, from S$316.3 million in the year prior.  Elsewhere, from how Japanese stocks rallied on the back of US trade deal hopes, to how Intel’s CEO Tan Lip-Bu responded to US President Donald Trump’s call for his resignation for the first time – more international and corporate headlines remain in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Benjamin Goh, Head of Research and Investor Education, SIAS.

Corporate bonds are taking center stage in today’s investment world. Offering attractive yields and a window into the financial health of companies, they’re becoming a go-to choice for investors looking beyond traditional government debt. With economic stability and steady interest rates shaping the backdrop, the corporate bond market is buzzing, from booming issuance in emerging markets to the growing influence of ESG-focused bonds. What’s driving this momentum, and what should investors be watching next? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Henry Loh, Head of Asia Credit on the Asian Fixed Income Team at Aberdeen, to find out more.

BlueSG will wind down its current operations on Aug 8 at 11.59pm. The carsharing company added that billing, account closures, and subscription adjustments and refunds will be managed until the end of August. The firm said it is embarking on a major platform upgrade to better serve the “evolving needs of urban mobility” in Singapore. What kind of impact does it leave on the people behind the wheel? And what does it mean for the future of shared mobility in Singapore? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Terence Fan, Assistant Professor Strategy & Entrepreneurship, Lee Kong Chian School of Business, Singapore Management University, to find out more. 

Have you ever wished that you could hire help for pretty much any errand under the sun? Like hiring packers, event assistance or even requesting graphic design work? That’s where Quest comes in. The platform was launched back in 2021 as a way for people to post and seek freelance gigs. Today, Quest is a full fledged community platform where people can share or respond to different requests and make some money as a side hustle along the way. On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Evan Chow, Co-founder of Quest, to find out more.

A bombshell SEA Games omission. A league with no sponsor. A national team in transition. On his 100th day in charge, Forrest Li & his team had some hard questions to answer. Reporting from the FAS Media Day, Sports Minutes recaps how Singapore football’s new leadership is plotting a bold revival - and why the road ahead will need more than just vision and vigour. Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg

Singapore shares moved higher today as investors continue to digest earnings out of the country including from the remainder of the trio of local banks who reported today – OCBC and UOB. The Straits Times Index was up 0.76% at 4,260.01 points at 11.40am Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$1.03B seen in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have DBS. The share price of DBS soared to a record-high in early trade after the group posted marginally higher Q2 earnings before the market opened, nearing the S$50 mark.  Elsewhere, from how big name chip firms made big advances after US President Donald Trump said those investing in the United States would be exempted from a threatened 100-per cent tariff on semiconductors, to how what the financial performance of Lyft and Uber can tell us about the state of the US economy – more corporate and international headlines remain in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian dived into the details with David Chow, Director, Azure Capital.