Your Way Home with Hongbin Jeong

Singapore shares saw gains today as most Asian markets traded higher. The Straits Times Index was up 1.09% at 12.54pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$953.72M seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch, we have Yangzijiang Maritime, after the maritime financial solutions provider announced yesterday that it will hold an extraordinary general meeting on Mar 6 to seek shareholders’ approval on the proposed adoption of a share buyback mandate.  Elsewhere, from how minutes from the Federal Reserve’s latest meeting showed policymakers in no rush to cut rates, to a rise in tech heavyweights after news on Tuesday that Nvidia signed a multiyear deal to sell Meta Platforms millions of its current and future artificial intelligence chips, more international and corporate headlines remained in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian dived into the details with David Chow, Director, Azure Capital.

What does Budget 2026 really mean for Singaporean youths? For young adults stepping into the workforce? For couples thinking about starting a family? Was this Budget a hit or did it miss the mark? And are the support measures enough to ease the pressures young Singaporeans are feeling today? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Keith Yap, Founder and Host of The Front Row Podcast, to find out more. 

Gold and silver have experienced significant volatility, with gold around $5,033 per ounce and silver slipping over 2% to $76.34 as investors react to US inflation data, a stronger dollar, and profit-taking. Industrial demand and retail interest in China remain strong, even during Lunar New Year, while market positioning continues to respond to US rate expectations and real yields. On The Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Gregor Gregersen, Founder of Silver Bullion Group, to explore what is driving these movements, how gold and silver are behaving differently, and what investors should consider in the current market environment.  

On What's Trending today, Hongbin Jeong and Nadiah Koh dive into how the Singaporean government is exploring regulating blind boxes to better manage gambling inducement risks, and how, over in China, a growing number of young people are celebrating what’s being called a “Cyber Lunar New Year.”

Singapore shares were little moved in a shortened session today as investors looked ahead to the Chinese New Year holiday.  The Straits Times Index was down 0.04% at 4,935.69 points at 11.37am Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$733.14M seen in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have Marco Polo Marine, after the integrated marine logistics company today posted revenue of S$32.8 million for its first quarter ended Dec 31, up 27 per cent from S$25.8 million in the same period a year earlier.  Elsewhere, from how Singapore’s key exports expanded by a slower-than-expected 9.3 per cent year on year in January, to how shares of Chinese jeweller Laopu Gold and miner CMOC Group rallied in Hong Kong, more economic and international headlines remain in focus. Also on deck, how Alibaba Group Holding led a Chinese tech-share sell-off after the Pentagon added some of the country’s biggest names to a list of companies aiding the military, only to withdraw that roster minutes later without explanation. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with David Kuo, Co-founder, The Smart Investor.

Breakups and rebounds took centre stage this Valentine’s weekend in domestic football, as BG Tampines Rovers parted ways with their head coach before a twist of events gave them a second chance to stay alive in the ACL Two. Sports Minutes dives in with the latest. Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg

 AI is now at the heart of Singapore’s economic strategy. From supercharging adoption to building talent pipelines and reshaping how businesses operate, what does this mean for you, your job, and your company’s future? Are businesses ready, and will workers keep up? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Kwek SoCheer, Partner, Digital Solutions at PwC, to unpack how Budget 2026’s AI push will shape business strategy, workforce transformation, and Singapore’s position in the global AI race.

Nearly US$99 trillion in private wealth is set to flow across Asia by 2029, but shockingly, almost half of first-generation wealth holders haven’t planned who gets what. Why do so many families avoid the conversation about succession? And what happens when wealth is left unmanaged? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Sissi Goh, Legacy Planner, Wealth Advisor, & Author, for the latest.

Planning a trip across the Causeway for Lunar New Year or Ramadan? You may want to pause and take stock. Malaysia has reported 10 new tuberculosis clusters so far this year, including a recent outbreak in Kota Tinggi involving 37 cases. With thousands of Singaporeans expected to travel in the coming weeks, concerns are growing. How serious is the situation? Should you postpone your trip or simply take extra precautions? On What's Trending, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Professor Hsu Li Yang, Director of the Asia Centre for Health Security at the NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, to break down the risks, explain how tuberculosis spreads, and share practical steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones.

The Singapore market pulled back today following Budget 2026 announcements, even as the government unveiled measures to boost existing equities, startups and new listings. The Straits Times Index (STI) crossed the 5,000-point barrier before the statement was delivered yesterday, buoyed by a strong 43.5 per cent net profit increase for Singtel.  The momentum did not hold, though. In the first hour of trading today, the STI fell 1.1 per cent back below the 5,000 mark to 4,963.68 points.  In terms of counters to watch, we have iFast, after the digital bank and wealth management platform’s net profit rose 70.4 per cent to S$32.9 million for the fourth quarter ended Dec 31, 2025, up from S$19.3 million in the year-ago period.  Elsewhere, from the potential winners and losers from Singapore’s Budget 2026, to how Anthropic raised US$30 billion in its latest funding round, more corporate and international headlines remained 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.