Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

Singapore stocks dropped at the opening bell today, after geopolitical tensions in the Middle East left Wall Street and European markets in a sea of red. But it recouped its losses to end the day 0.3 per cent higher. So what’s been driving the STI this week?  Meanwhile, fears about the Middle East crisis are growing with investors awaiting Israel’s response to Iran’s missile attack. But are reactions in the oil market subdued? If our oil supplies are disrupted - how high could oil prices go?  Additionally, on the equities front, Chinese stocks in Hong Kong are back to rallying after a one-day dip, with investors pinning hopes that data on the nation’s holiday spending will provide more impetus for the market. Are consumer stocks leading the rally here? Will Mainland Chinese stocks follow suit after markets reopen next week? On Market View, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Sunny Soh Lead Technical Analyst (Capital Markets & Investor Education), SIAS, to find out more about the latest market movements. 

From the royal treasury to a legendary house of fine jewellery, Yash Agarwal is the third generation of jewellers behind the iconic jewellery brand in India, Birdhichand Ghanshyamdas. The story of the brand begins in the 1890s with his great-great-grandfather, Birdhichand Agarwal, who had a keen eye to spot the rarest of gems. He was commissioned by Maharaja Madho Singh II of Jaipur as the treasurer of his prized possessions. Fast forward to today, Birdhichand Ghanshyamdas is bringing their incredibly intricate craftsmanship to Singapore’s shores. This exclusive event will see over 300 exquisite pieces. On Culture Club, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Yash Agarwal, Creative Director of Birdhichand Ghanshyamdas to find out more. 

A 2-year-old beaver named Nibi has been released into the wild after a court decision. The state issued a permit to Newhouse Wildlife Rescue for Nibi to remain at the rehabilitation facility and serve as an educational animal. Nibi has been a hit on the rescue group's social media since she was a baby, and an online petition to save her from being released has received over 25,000 signatures. Also, Wendy's has partnered with Paramount to celebrate the 25th anniversary of SpongeBob SquarePants with a new Krabby Patty Kollab Burger and Pineapple Under the Sea Frosty. The burger features a quarter pound of Wendy's beef, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion, and a "top-secret" Krabby Kollab sauce, while the Pineapple Under the Sea Frosty, has a Vanilla Frosty base and a pineapple-mango puree.

After today’s court proceedings, former Singaporean transport minister S. Iswaran was sentenced to 12 months in prison, following charges of accepting gifts from a public servant and obstructing justice. Does he deserve a longer sentence or is this enough? Hongbin Jeong spills the tea.

Dayana is the founder of Singapore’s first romance book club, a vibrant initiative that unites fellow romance enthusiasts within the TikTok book community. As a popular BookToker, she has garnered a significant following through her captivating book recommendations, unboxing videos, and beautifully curated book content, all of which showcase her deep passion for literature. Driven by her love for romance novels, Dayana established the book club to create a welcoming space for readers to connect and share their favourite stories. On R.I.C.H., Hongbin Jeong speaks to Dayana Yakob, Marketer, to find out more how founding a community of readers forge lasting connections. 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!

US stock markets continued to edge higher to start the new month of October with the expectation of the upcoming big earnings season. So what has been driving markets?  And in corporate news, Nike has released its first-quarter earnings, while Levis Strauss is also reviewing a potential sale for its Dockers brand, citing lower revenue growth. So what does it tell us about the state of the U.S. consumer sector? On Market View, Willie Keng finds out more about the US market movements with Thomas Chua, Founder, Steady Compounding. They also touch on China - its blistering stock market rally and jumbo stimulus measures.

The Singapore River Festival 2024 is back, celebrating its 8th edition with the theme ‘River of Lights and Colours.’ This year’s festival promises an unforgettable experience with dazzling light shows on iconic bridges, immersive cultural activities, delicious food tours, live music, and even pet-friendly events. Taking place from 4th to 13th October, it’s a celebration of Singapore’s rich heritage, culinary diversity, and vibrant entertainment scene along the historic river. On Culture Club, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Zen Xu, Manager of Events and Marketing, Singapore River One, to uncover what visitors can expect at this year’s exciting festival and how it continues to bring people together at the heart of Singapore. 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!

Nintendo's first museum in Japan offers a nostalgic trip back in video game time, set in the company's former factory complex in Uji. The museum, spread across three main buildings, features rare consoles, prototypes, interactive games, experiences, and a themed burger restaurant. Visitors can access insights into Nintendo mastermind Shigeru Miyamoto, known as the father of Super Mario, and its main attraction is the "Discover" area, featuring displays of almost every product ever released by the company. Also, a junk dealer, Luigi Lo Rosso, discovered an asymmetrical painting of a woman in the basement of an Italian villa in 1962. The painting, believed to be a distorted image of French photographer and poet Dora Maar, is believed to be the work of Pablo Picasso.

Have you ever wondered if AI could predict the future? Snapchat users are putting this idea to the test, using the platform's AI chatbot to speculate on one big question: Who will be the next U.S. President? Think you know the answer? Join Hongbin Jeong as she spills the tea!

The 28th edition of the fabled Lion City Cup, Singapore’s premier youth football tournament, takes place on 4th & 6th October 2024 at the Jalan Besar Stadium. With a stellar cast of regional powerhouses including Japan's Tokyo Verdy FC, Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT), Thailand’s BG Pathum United - the Singapore U16s will have their work cut out despite home advantage. So how are they preparing for the baptism of fire? Shahir Hamzah, assistant team manager of the Singapore Under-16s, speaks to Sports Minutes to tell us more. Got a story to tell? Get in touch with us! raushan@sph.com.sg