The Afternoon Update with Lynlee Foo

On Health Suites, while many are rejoicing over the easing of travel restrictions, those with atopic dermatitis may not be too excited at the prospect of travelling, especially those with moderate to severe forms of the disease. Melissa Hyak speaks to Dr Mark Tang, Consultant Dermatologist, The Skin Specialists & Laser Clinic to find out how we can manage moderate to severe eczema while travelling.

On Market View, Melissa Hyak speaks to Sani Hamid, Director for Wealth Management, Financial Alliance to discuss today's markets with focus on whether or not Shanghai’s easing of virus restrictions offer an instant panacea to an Asian slowdown; how quantitative quantitative tightening have an effect on markets in the region; and OPEC+'s meeting. 

On The Soul of Business, as borders reopen and COVID-19 restrictions have eased, we are now moving towards an endemic stage. Many are now able to return to the workplace, but hybrid working is still an option for most companies. Melissa Hyak speaks to Sami Ammous, Vice President Asia-Pacific and Japan (APJ) at Avaya to explore trends seen in the region in terms of managing a hybrid workforce.

On Market View, Melissa Hyak speaks to Vishnu Varathan, Head of Economics & Strategy of Asia at Mizuho Bank to talk about market movements as several COVID-19 restrictions ease today in the region, with a focus on how China's detailed stimulus policies can support its virus-hit economy; President Joe Biden's meeting with Fed chair Jerome Powell; and whether oil prices will continue to rise. 

On Soul of Business, there’s some tough competition out there in the brokerage industry, as new online trading platforms have entered the market.  Some adjusted their fees in response to low-cost online brokerages. Melissa Hyak speaks to Gavin Chia, Managing Director of Futu Singapore to find out whether or not a $0 fee actually means it’s free.   Highlights: 00:33 Moomoo's settlement fee is practically free right?  04:22 Is the commission cap important?  06:13 How do trading platforms make up income stream from reduced fees? 08:32 What are some of Futu Singapore's initiatives in Singapore? 10:38 What are the trends amongst people that use your trading platform?   

On Health Suites, a recent Milieu Insight Study on femtech found that 85% of Southeast Asian women faced difficulty finding information and resources related to female health and wellness. Melissa Hyak speaks to Juda Kanaprach, Co-founder & Managing Director, at Milieu Insight to find out how femtech can step in and help.

On Market View, Melissa Hyak is joined by Geoff Howie, Market Strategist at the SGX for a wrap of how markets did this week, with focus on how the Straits Times Index did throughout the week; how China-Australia ties are shaping up; and more on Wall Street gains after optimistic retail earnings outlooks and waning concerns about overly aggressive interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve. 

On Soul of Business, most employees have returned to the office, hybrid work arrangements will continue to be the norm, even though most employees have returned to the office. Melissa Hyak speaks to Ng Sing Hwee, Head of HR, Johnson & Johnson Singapore to find out how Johnson & Johnson welcomed their employees back to the office and how they manage the “new norm” of work arrangements.

On Market View, Melissa Hyak is joined by Jerome Tay, Investment Analyst, Asian Fixed income Team at abrdn to dive into more insights on Singapore's final 1Q 2022's GDP with a focus on inflation and policies moving forward, as well as news on the release of US Federal Reserve's minutes. 

On Soul of Business, the Singapore’s Best Employers 2022 list is based on a vast and comprehensive research project comprising tens of thousands of evaluations, the opinions of thousands of employees and the scores for hundreds of companies. Melissa Hyak speaks to Chia Khong Shoong, Group Chief Corporate Officer, Frasers Property Limited, on how the company made the list for the first time.   Highlights: 00:36 - What's the secret behind making it onto Singapore’s Best Employers 2022? 03:28 - How does Frasers prepare its managers to carry out the company's culture and values? 04:40 - What kind of impact has the COVID-19 pandemic have on Frasers' employees? 08:18 - How does Frasers promote gender equity? 11:50 - How is Frasers combating the potential disconnect employees may have as they work in a hybrid environment?