Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

Does the price of an engagement ring define the depth of your love? For generations, diamonds have symbolised eternal commitment, with extravagant rings tied to greater devotion - an idea shaped by societal expectations and advertising. But does spending more truly mean loving more? At its heart, an engagement ring represents a promise, not a price tag. So, is it the cost of the ring that matters or the commitment it symbolises? On The Hot Seat, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Amanda Ang, Founder, August Bespoke and Vinod More, Co-Founder, The Jewel Box to find out.

Singapore shares started trading in negative territory today, tracking overnight losses in US markets. The Straits Times Index (STI) opened 0.2 per cent lower at 3,793.46 points after 17.4 million securities changed hands in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch today, we have City Developments Limited, after the real estate company achieved total divestments of more than S$600 million in 2024 as part of its capital recycling initiative.  Elsewhere, from Asian markets’ reaction to China’s 2024 economic growth numbers, to how Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is set to miss the inauguration of US president-elect Donald Trump on Monday, more international and corporate headlines remain in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Sunny Soh, Lead Technical Analyst (Capital Markets & Investor Education), SIAS.

Oil prices kicked off the year with an unexpected boost, fueled by speculation that President-elect Donald Trump will intensify oil sanctions on Iran. Does this now set the tone of how oil prices will fare for the rest of the year? Are there any significant or perhaps underpriced risks to crude oil prices at the moment? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Mukesh Sahdev, Global Head of Commodity Markets - Oil, Rystad Energy to find out more.

As financial institutions invest in new platforms, it becomes necessary to make them accessible for every user, regardless of disability conditions.   Audax is a Singapore-based Banking-as-a-Service firm, dedicated to democratizing digital banking services and transforming the financial landscape. With a vision to make advanced banking solutions more accessible, Audax empowers banks and financial institutions to rapidly scale, modernize, and innovate.  On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Kelvin Tan, CEO of audax to find out more.   

The Singapore Premier League returns to action proper this weekend. And with a host of incomings and outgoings - both for playing personnel and managers - the second half of the campaign promises to be an exciting race to the finish line. So ahead of the BIG kick-off we check in with fans from all 9 SPL clubs to find out about their expectations, as well as hear from Deepanraj Ganesan on his expert opinions. Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg

Singapore equities began in the positive territory today tracking gains in global markets. In early trade, the Straits Times Index (STI) climbed 1.2 per cent to 3,816.94 points after 41.7 million securities changed hands in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have Singapore Airlines, after the national carrier and its low-cost arm carried a total of 3.6 million passengers in December 2024, up 7.1 per cent from the previous year.  Elsewhere, from how Asian markets reacted to healthy US bank earnings and a below forecast inflation print, to how Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s profit in the December quarter topped estimates, more international and corporate headlines remain in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian dived into the details with David Chow, Director, Azure Capital.

A recent abduction of a Chinese TV actor to Myanmar and his subsequent release is shedding new light on the lengths to which human traffickers operating online scam centers in the war-torn country will go to in order to lure would-be victims. Wang Xing flew to Thailand for what he expected to be a movie casting call. Instead, he was driven to a scam center in Myanmar’s Myawaddy, a notorious cyber-fraud hub across the border from Thailand. The kidnapping has now dented Thailand's appeal among tourists just weeks before China’s biggest annual holiday. Can Thailand's tourism recover?  On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Gary Bowerman, Director of Check-in Asia to find more.   

Coffee customers around the world are now experiencing a rise in coffee prices due to coffee-producing countries like Brazil and Vietnam battling against unfavourable weather conditions and are struggling to meet market demands. What’s the outlook like for coffee prices in 2025 then? Will the bullish sentiment continue in the coffee market throughout the year? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Matthew Biggin, Commodities Analyst, BMI, to find out more.

Singapore's rapid economic growth continues to dominate headlines, yet beneath the success lies an alarming challenge — the unhappiest workforce in Southeast Asia. Despite the nation’s prosperity, employees are grappling with burnout, dissatisfaction, and worsening mental health. Hearback, developed by Cloudsquire, offers a transformative solution. This AI-powered feedback platform captures and analyses employee sentiment in real time, enabling businesses to shorten feedback cycles, address concerns faster, and foster transparent communication. On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Violet Yeo, Co-founder, Cloudsquire Pte Ltd to share more.   Presented by: Hongbin Jeong Produced and Edited by: Alexandra Parada (alexparada@sph.com.sg) Want to get featured on our show? Drop me an email today!

170 million Americans are on TikTok, but maybe not for much longer. The app is due to be shut down in the US on January 19.  As a potential ban looms, speculation over where TikTok users would migrate if a ban were to take effect has centred around alternatives like YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels. However, one Chinese-owned app has crept to the top of the App Store’s free downloads. Some creators – ‘TikTok refugees’, are opting for Xiaohongshu, or Little Red Book to fill the impending TikTok void. Is RedNote the next TikTok? And what does it all mean for the fate of TikTok in the US after January 19? Could a US entity buy over TikTok's US operations? And the biggest question of all: Would ByteDance sell its most successful app? On The Big Story, Pushan Dutt, Professor of Economics and Political Science at INSEAD to find out more.