Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

We’ve seen growing conversation around work culture, especially with the global shift toward a shorter workweek. Countries like the US, UK, and New Zealand have already piloted programs to explore the viability of a four-day workweek. But in Singapore, the idea has faced significant pushback. Should Singapore take the leap and adopt a four-day workweek? Will this be the new norm in the future?  On The Hot Seat, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Kurt Wee, CEO, Celligenics and Sriram Iyer, Founder & CEO of hrtech to find out. 

Singapore stocks began the day trading in negative territory as markets abroad mostly posted losses overnight. In early trade, the Straits Times Index (STI) was down 0.3 per cent at 3,726.33 points after 42.3 million securities changed hands in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch today, we have ComfortDelGro. The transport giant’s net profit grew 15.2 per cent to S$57.5 million for its third quarter ended September, as revenue rose by 18.4 per cent to S$1.2 billion. Elsewhere, from more on China’s retail sales growing at its fastest clip since the start of the year, to how US automakers fell earlier on the back of a report that US President-elect Donald Trump plans to eliminate a key consumer tax credit aimed at boosting electric vehicle adoption – more international and corporate headlines remain in focus.  On Market View, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Too Jun Cheong, Assistant Dealing Manager from Moomoo Singapore.

Bullion fell the most since June and copper had the biggest drop since July 2022 on a closing basis as Trump’s win rippled through global markets and pushed the greenback up the most since 2020. That's as investors are concerned with Trump's campaign promise to impose tariffs as high as 60 percent on Chinese imports. So what does this mean for the metals market going forward? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Sabrin Chowdhury, Global Head of Commodities, APAC, BMI to find out where there are any opportunities in the metals market investors can still look forward to. 

AMILI is a company at the forefront of microbiome research and healthcare innovation, aiming to help us reshape the way we think about our gut health. As Asia’s first and only gut microbiome transplant bank, AMILI is on a mission to build the world’s largest multi-ethnic microbiome database, focusing specifically on the diverse populations of Southeast Asia. On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Zat, Editor-in-Chief, The Peak Singapore to find out more. 

A late comeback clinched Singapore a 3-2 victory over Myanmar - their first win in over a year. But can the Lions keep this momentum heading into the AFF Championship? We hear from the goal scorers and Faris Ramli, who doesn’t hold back on the team’s flaws – plus, Safuwan Baharudin - who's availability for selection is now in question.  READ MORE: https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/late-comeback-sees-singapore-beat-myanmar-in-warmup-match-for-mitsubishi-electric-cup Got a story to tell? Get in touch with us! raushan@sph.com.sg

Singapore stocks were pulled into negative territory today after global equities ended mixed overnight. In early trade, the Straits Times Index (STI) slid 0.3 per cent to 3,707.72 points after 80.6 million securities changed hands in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have Jardine Cycle and Carriage, after the investment holding company announced yesterday that earnings for the first nine months of the year were down slightly year on year.  Elsewhere, from how trading activity in Singapore surged on the back of a Trump-win at last week’s US presidential elections, to how Amazon.com yesterday launched an online storefront designed to compete with Temu, more local and international headlines remain in focus. On Market View, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian dived into the details with David Chow, Director Azure Capital.

COP29 is underway. And the key topic this year is money. In fact, COP29 has been dubbed the "finance COP" as delegates gathered at Azerbaijan need to resolve a deal for up to US$1 trillion in annual climate finance for developing countries. Getting agreement on a new finance target is seen as a critical step in building trust between rich and poor nations as. But so far, the track record hasn’t been great. So what can we expect at this year’s COP 29? What should you be looking out for? And why is this important for us?  On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Edwin Seah, NbS Partnerships Lead, The Nature Conservancy and Head of Secretariat, SCeNe Coalition, to find out more. 

Music royalties are an increasingly attractive asset class. In fact, in recent years, music royalties have attracted investment from Blackstone, KKR, Kobalt Capital Limited and Dundee Partners.But how does investing in music royalties actually work? And does it make sense to add them to your investment portfolio? How can you strike a chord with music royalties? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Gary Young, CEO of Royalty Exchange to find out more. 

Despite the increase in eco-friendly solutions in the hospitality industry, there remains a gap in providing premium hydration options that align with sustainable practices on a large scale. As a result, many establishments continue to rely on imported bottled water and single-use packaging, contributing to a high environmental cost. BE WTR is revolutionising the industry by offering sustainable, locally-sourced water solutions that match the quality of natural spring water while minimising the carbon footprint and waste. On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Mike Hecker, Founder & CEO of BE WTR to find out more. 

Singapore shares began trading lower today, extending global equity market declines overnight. In early trade, the Straits Times Index (STI) fell 0.7 per cent to 3,687.17 points after 47.8 million securities changed hands in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch for today, we have Singtel. The telecommunications operator’s net profit for the first half ended September fell 42.4 per cent year on year to S$1.23 billion, in the absence of a S$1.2 billion exceptional gain booked in the same period a year prior.  Elsewhere, from US President-elect Donald Trump naming Tesla’s Elon Musk to a role aimed at creating a more efficient government, to how Asian markets are reacting to uncertainties surrounding another Trump presidency – more international headlines remain in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Carl Ashton, Investment Counselor, Citi Private Bank.