Claim OwnershipMoney Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian
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Money Matters is your guide to navigating the day's most important topics, from politics and current affairs to wealth management and trending issues. Every evening, the team delivers insightful discussions on business news, market movements, and the latest in alternative assets. Whether navigating the political landscape, understanding the economy, or uncovering emerging investment opportunities, Money Matters keeps you informed and ahead of the curve. Tune in daily to Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian from 4 pm to 7 pm on MONEY FM 89.3.
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Fuel shortages across Asia are prompting governments to take drastic steps, from four-day work weeks to school closures, all aimed at reducing energy consumption. But how effective are these measures really? And could Singapore ever consider similar policies if the crisis worsens? On The Big Story, Nadiah Koh speaks with June Goh, Senior Oil Market Analyst, Sparta Commodities, to find out more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A Barcelona fan missed a Champions League match after following his GPS to the wrong stadium. Instead of Newcastle’s St James’ Park, he ended up at St James Park in Exeter and watched a completely different football game instead. Meanwhile, an Australian fashion designer named Katie Perry has finally won a nearly two-decade legal battle against pop superstar Katy Perry over the right to use the name for her clothing brand. On What’s Trending, Nadiah Koh and Alexandra Parada unpack the GPS mix-up and the unusual name dispute between a small business owner and a global pop star.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Global financial markets are currently facing a complex mix of uncertainty and opportunity. Rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have pushed energy prices higher, adding pressure to an already delicate inflation outlook. At the same time, central banks are carefully balancing the need to control inflation with the possibility of shifting monetary policy as economic conditions evolve. Meanwhile, Asia continues to stand out as a key engine of growth, particularly as artificial intelligence and technology-related investments accelerate across the region. These forces are creating both risks and potential upside across asset classes—from equities and bonds to commodities and alternative investments. Which industries may benefit from current trends, and which areas could face challenges? And how can investors position their portfolios to stay adaptable in a rapidly changing environment? On Wealth Tracker, Nadiah Koh speaks with Ecaterina Bigos, CIO for Core Investments in APAC ex-Japan at BNP Paribas Asset Management, to find out more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Singapore shares were little moved today as investors’ focus remained squarely on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The Straits Times Index hovered 0.03% above the flatline at 4,856.64 points at 1.16pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$791.71M seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch, we have ST Engineering, given how the company’s urban solutions business will be deploying a suite of intelligent transport systems solutions for Singapore’s Land Transport Authority. Elsewhere, from how the US tried to ease supply concerns by issuing a 30-day license for countries to buy Russian oil and petroleum products stranded at sea, to how Alibaba Group Holding launched a dedicated mobile app claiming to help users install and deploy OpenClaw within minutes – more international and corporate 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Raihan Rahman’s football journey has been anything but straightforward. From losing his place in the professional game to rebuilding his career in the amateur ranks, his return to Tanjong Pagar United is a story of resilience. Now a leader in the squad and approaching 100 appearances, Raihan reflects on his comeback and the Jaguars’ difficult season.Got a story to tell? Get in touch!raushan@sph.com.sgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Asian markets started 2026 with a bang, fueled by last year’s AI-driven rallies, renewed momentum in China, and a patchwork of opportunities across the region. But with valuations high and risks on the radar, the big question for investors now is: how are fund managers actually positioning their portfolios? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Germaine Share, Director of Manager Research, Morningstar and Arvind Subramanian, Senior Analyst, Manager Research, Morningstar, to find out more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The International Energy Agency is rolling out the largest emergency oil release in its history - 400 million barrels - as the Iran conflict threatens energy supplies through the critical Strait of Hormuz. But what does this mean for global fuel markets? In Singapore, authorities say the country has several safeguards to ensure energy security, although consumers could still see electricity prices edge higher in the coming months. So how much higher could electricity prices rise? And could Budget 2026’s U-Save rebates help cushion the impact? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with David Broadstock, Partner of The Lantau Group, to find out more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A cancelled ride could soon mean compensation for drivers. Ride-hailing platform Tada is revising its cancellation policy so drivers can receive $3 if a passenger cancels while they are already on the way and within 500 metres of the pickup point, a change that follows feedback raised by the National Private Hire Vehicles Association. Then, we zoom out to the staggering fortunes at the top of the global rich list. The latest Forbes Billionaires List once again places Elon Musk at number one, with an estimated US$839 billion net worth making him the wealthiest individual ever recorded and highlighting the massive surge in tech-driven wealth. On What’s Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Zia-ul Raushan unpack these headlines from gig workers on Singapore’s roads to the growing concentration of wealth among the world’s tech titans.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Singapore shares dipped today as investors closely monitor developments out of the Middle East. The Straits Times Index was 0.46% lower at 4,841.35 points at 2.19pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$1.15B seen across the broader market. In terms of counters to watch, we have Del Monte Pacific. The food and beverage group posted yesterday a net profit of US$10 million for the three months ended Jan 31, over three times that of the US$2.5 million in the same year-ago period. Elsewhere, from how the Singapore Exchange announced that its February performance had the highest securities daily average value (or SDAV) since 2020, to how Brent crude surged above US$100 a barrel again as Iraq stopped operations at its oil ports after two tankers were targeted, more financial headlines remained in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian dived into the details with David Chow, Director, Azure Capital.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
From tea stalls in Kolkata to jeepney drivers in Manila, the shockwaves from the war involving Iran are already being felt far beyond the battlefield. Cooking gas prices are rising, fuel costs are climbing, and businesses across Asia are bracing for shortages as energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz face severe disruption. The region buys the vast majority of its oil from the Middle East, meaning households, transport workers and food vendors could be among the first to feel the squeeze. So how big could this fuel crunch become, and what does it mean for economies across Asia? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Mukesh Sahdev, Founder and CEO, XAnalysts, to find out more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Private markets have long been the playground of institutional investors: think venture capital, private equity and exclusive funds with massive minimum investments and years-long lock-ups. But, blockchain and tokenisation are making it possible to break large investments into smaller pieces, potentially allowing more investors to access private deals that were once out of reach. So could this be the moment private markets finally open up to the masses? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Inmoo Hwang, Co-Founder and Group Managing Director of ADDX, about how blockchain is changing the way people invest and whether it could solve the long-standing liquidity problem in private assets.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Coins in your pocket could be worth far more than you think. From a humble 5-cent coin selling for nearly $15 to rare Singapore pieces fetching 100 times their face value, could the spare change sitting in your drawer actually be a hidden investment? Then, we turn up the volume on another everyday habit: loud fitness classes. New research suggests the booming music in spin and high-intensity workouts can potentially put your hearing at risk. If louder music doesn’t actually improve your performance, why are gyms still blasting it? On What’s Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Nadiah Koh explore the surprising value of Singapore coins and the hidden cost of turning your workouts up to 108 decibels.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Singapore shares were little moved today as all eyes remained on oil price movements and developments in the Middle East. The Straits Times Index was down a marginal 0.05% at 4,858.11 points at 2.47pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$1.09B seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch for today, we have Jardine Matheson Holdings, after the Hong Kong-based conglomerate yesterday reported an 11 per cent year-on-year increase in underlying profit to US$1.7 billion for financial year 2025. Full-year revenue fell 4 per cent to US$34.2 billion. Elsewhere from how the International Energy Agency has reportedly proposed the largest release of oil reserves in its history to bring down crude prices,to how Meta has agreed to acquire Moltbook, more international and corporate headlines remain in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Kenneth Goh, Director, Private Wealth Management, UOB Kay Hian.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Malaysia’s long-standing RON95 petrol price of RM1.99 per litre is under threat. Surging global oil prices, a tense Middle East, and a potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz are putting the government and consumers on high alert. What could rising fuel costs mean for households, businesses, and the Malaysian economy at large? Could subsidies survive, or are higher petrol prices inevitable? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Lavanya Venkateswaran, Senior Economist, OCBC Bank, to find out more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Think wealth is just about returns? Think again. Ultra-high net worth families are taking a longer view—building legacies that span generations and borders. Lombard Odier’s second Rethink Family Wealth report reveals how families, family offices, and foundations are managing wealth differently today. From governance and family alignment to private markets and endowment-inspired strategies, we explore how long-horizon investors are turning today’s market shifts into lasting value. On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Jack Siu, Head of Discretionary Portfolio Management, Asia, Lombard Odier, to find out more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Is there something you know so well you could recognise it blindfolded? On What’s Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Alexandra Parada talk about a Barbie collector who knows her dolls so well she can identify them blindfolded, and a viral road sign in Tianjin, China warning drivers not to make jokes while behind the wheel.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Singapore shares rose today as oil prices retreated from earlier highs. The Straits Times Index was up 1.74% at 4,839.48 points at about 2.11pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$1.33B seen in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have Suntec REIT, after property tycoon Gordon Tang’s Acrophyte Asset Management yesterday received approval from the Monetary Authority of Singapore to acquire ESR Trust Management (Suntec), the manager of Suntec Reit. Elsewhere, from how oil driven inflation could weigh on transport and logistics players on the SGX, to how Apple reportedly increased iPhone production in India by about 53 per cent last year, more corporate and international headlines remained in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Thilan Wickramasinghe, Head of Equity Research, Maybank Securities.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Balestier keep the good times rolling with a fourth straight win, while BG Tampines put five past the Young Lions to keep pace at the top of the table. But beyond the scorelines, Sports Minutes runs the rule over domestic recruitment - from signings that are flourishing, to those flattering to deceive.Got a story to tell? Get in touch!raushan@sph.com.sgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Iran has named Mojtaba Khamenei as its new supreme leader after the killing of his father, Ali Khamenei, in a US-Israeli strike — a move that could reshape the country’s political future and its relations with Washington. The appointment comes despite strong opposition from Donald Trump, who had previously said the younger Khamenei would be “unacceptable” as Iran’s next leader and suggested the United States should have a say in the succession. So who exactly is Mojtaba Khamenei? And with Washington openly opposed to his leadership, could his appointment push tensions between Iran and the US to an even more dangerous level? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Dr James M. Dorsey, Adjunct Senior Fellow at S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Nanyang Technological University, to find out more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Gold and silver are shedding their image as old-school safe havens and emerging as the new entry point for a younger generation of investors. According to a report by OCBC Bank, two in three first-time retail investors in 2025 chose precious metals over traditional options like equities and funds, a sharp shift in how people are starting their investment journeys. With investors under 40 now making up half of all precious metals customers, the fastest growth is coming from those in their 20s, drawn by accessibility, affordability and a sense of stability. But as gold and silver become more mainstream through digital and fractional investing, the bigger question is whether this signals a long-term change in wealth-building behaviour, or a more cautious response to an uncertain global environment. On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Germaine Tan, Head of Treasury Products and Equities, OCBC, to find out more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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