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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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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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.sgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Retirement brings reflection, and perspective. After 15 years in Singapore football, Emmeric Ong sits down with Sports Minutes to reflect on stepping away, the realities players can’t always say out loud, and what he hopes the future holds for Singapore football. Got a story to tell? Get in touch!raushan@sph.com.sgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On Money Matters' Budget 2026 Conversation, Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian speak to Harvey Koenig, Partner, Co-Head of BEPS COE, KPMG, Eugene Tan, Associate Professor of Law, Singapore Management University and former Nominated Member of Parliament, and Dr Clara Lee, Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies Social Lab, National University of Singapore, for their final thoughts on this year's Budget announcement, the hits and misses, and what to expect in the next couple of months as the Budget measures are being implement. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Harnessing the power of artificial intelligence to overcome structural constraints and turning AI adoption into a strategic advantage for the country. That’s the goal for Singapore in Budget 2026 plans laid out by Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong. On Money Matters' Budget 2026 Conversation, Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian looked at Singapore's plans to realise its AI ambitions with Harvey Koenig, Partner, Co-Head of BEPS COE, KPMG, Eugene Tan, Associate Professor of Law, Singapore Management University and former Nominated Member of Parliament, and Dr Clara Lee, Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies Social Lab, National University of Singapore. Among the measures discussed - a new set of national AI Missions targeted at driving AI transformation in key sectors of the economy, and a new National AI Council to be chaired by PM Wong to drive coordinated efforts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A major theme of Budget 2026 was to support businesses negotiating a changing global operating environment, where economic flows are becoming more selective, partnerships are being more strategic, and where resilience now matters as much as efficiency. On Money Matters' Budget 2026 Conversation, Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian unpacked the suite of measures aimed at helping businesses capture growth opportunities and mitigate short-term challenges with Harvey Koenig, Partner, Co-Head of BEPS COE, KPMG, Eugene Tan, Associate Professor of Law, Singapore Management University and former Nominated Member of Parliament, and Dr Clara Lee, Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies Social Lab, National University of Singapore. These measures ranged from tax rebates and deductions to the enhanced Market Readiness Assistance grant to help companies internationalise. The team also dived into the expansion of the Startup SG Equity scheme along with the launch of the second $1.5 billion tranche of the Anchor Fund to attract and anchor high quality public listings in Singapore.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Budget 2026 is putting a spotlight on helping workers navigate the shifts brought forward by AI and automation, with support for reskilling, career transitions and manpower planning. This includes government plans to expand the TechSkills Accelerator to help workers build more practical capabilities. Meanwhile, more support will be given to lower income workers, with the Progressive Wage Credit Scheme has been extended for 2 more years, to 2028, while co-funding support for 2026 has been raised from 20% to 30%. Budget 2026 has also included updates to Singapore’s foreign worker policies. What does this all mean for our Singapore workforce? How do the new measures aim to equip Singaporeans for the future of work? On Money Matters' Budget 2026 Conversation, Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian speak to Harvey Koenig, Partner, Co-Head of BEPS COE, KPMG, Eugene Tan, Associate Professor of Law, Singapore Management University and former Nominated Member of Parliament, and Dr Clara Lee, Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies Social Lab, National University of Singapore, to find out more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
About 1.4 million Singaporean households will each get $500 in CDC vouchers. There will also be additional U-Save rebates to help households with their utilities expenses. On top of this, 2.4 million eligible adult Singaporeans will receive a $200-$400 Cost-of-Living Special Payment in September 2026 to ease expenses. But are these all enough for Singaporeans to tide through the rising cost of living? And what more support are given to families with children, lower income families and our ageing population? On Money Matters' Budget 2026 Conversation, Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian speak to Harvey Koenig, Partner, Co-Head of BEPS COE, KPMG, Eugene Tan, Associate Professor of Law, Singapore Management University and former Nominated Member of Parliament, and Dr Clara Lee, Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies Social Lab, National University of Singapore, to find out more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The theme of Budget 2026 is "Securing our future together in a changed world," with key themes including, advancing our refreshed economic strategy, harnessing AI, budding a resilient and skilled workforce, giving families more support and greater assurance, protecting our security and sustainability and renewing and strengthening our Singapore spirit. So what was the tone of this year's budget? On top of this, the annual Budget is also about revising government revenue and expenditure projections for the current financial year, as well as planning ahead for the new financial year. The estimated size of this year’s budget is $154.7 billion, higher than $143.3 billion previously. On Money Matters' Budget 2026 Conversation, Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian speak to Harvey Koenig, Partner, Co-Head of BEPS COE, KPMG, Eugene Tan, Associate Professor of Law, Singapore Management University and former Nominated Member of Parliament, and Dr Clara Lee, Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies Social Lab, National University of Singapore, for a first look at this year's budget and to take a broader look in terms of Singapore’s economic direction and fiscal stance. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On What’s Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Alexandra Parada dive into China’s “doll mummy” craze where young women treat cotton dolls like real babies, celebrating birthdays, dressing them in designer outfits, and even taking them on holidays. And for football fans, would you refuse a haircut until your team won five games in a row? Manchester United fan Frank Ilett has been doing exactly that for 493 days, turning a viral joke into millions of followers, brand deals, and a fundraising campaign for children with cancer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Do you invest in what you know - the brands you recognise, the markets you’ve followed for years, the sectors that feel safe? You’re not alone. But today, we’re asking: does familiarity actually make your portfolio safer… or riskier? And how can investors tell when diversification is only superficial? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Jason Tan, Portfolio Manager at PhillipCapital, for the latest.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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