Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

Singapore shares opened in the red today, mirroring declines in the broader Asian region. In early trade, the benchmark Straits Times Index (STI) was down 0.4 per cent, at 3,807.9 points after 54.3 million securities changed hands in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch today, we have Sembcorp Industries, after the group’s wholly owned subsidiary, Sembcorp Fuels, signed a 10-year sale-and-purchase agreement with oil major Chevron Corp for approximately 0.6 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas each year.  Elsewhere, from more on how Wall Street banks are predicting the biggest China rate cuts in a decade, to how Intel has named two chip veterans to its board amid its search for a new CEO – more international and corporate headlines remain in focus.  Also on deck – how Elon Musk’s xAI raised US$6 billion in new capital based on new regulatory filings. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Too Jun Cheong, Assistant Dealing Manager from Moomoo Singapore.

When it comes to investing in spirits, fine wines and whiskeys have long dominated headlines with their record-breaking auction prices and sought-after vintages, but there’s a new contender on the rise in the luxury drink market - aged tequila. Aged tequila is quickly becoming a compelling opportunity for investors, offering potential returns akin to those seen in fine wines and whiskies. But what makes aged tequila such an exciting investment? And how does it compare to more established alternatives? On The Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Samuel Gordon, CEO, GORDON PWC and Marc Mouannes, CFO, GORDON PWC, to find out.

You might have heard of the global ride hailing service called TADA, which was launched back in 2018, but how much do you know about its parent company MVL?  Well, this is an interesting one, because its parent MVL is actually an incentive-based blockchain mobility ecosystem, more so than a transport app maker.   Its consumer facing businesses include the ride hailing service TADA, as well as ONiON Mobility, an electric vehicle manufacturing and battery charging infrastructure brand best known for its electric tuk-tuks in Cambodia Behind the action, MVL also has other business verticals including a decentralised physical mobility infrastructure network that collects mobility data as well as a crypto wallet called Clutch.  The mechanics of the business may be complicated, but MVL said it can be better understood as a player providing Web 3.0 mobility. But what is Web 3.0 mobility exactly? And how does MVL see Tada and ONiON mobility’s roles in its blockchain ecosystem?  Aside from the mechanics, MVL is also a company to zoom in on because it is seeing some developments of late relating to Tada and ONiON mobility specifically.  For one thing, Tada had said in August 2024 that it will expand into Hong Kong as authorities there plan to regulate private ride-hailing services. But what were the reasons behind entering Hong Kong, and what are the key drivers of growth for the business?  Where will it expand into next, say Vietnam, after fellow industry player Gojek exited the country after six years? And on ONiON mobility had in May 2022 launched a US$20 million electric motorcycle and three-wheeler assembly plant in Cambodia. But what’s next for the firm on this front? On Under the Radar, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Sean Kim, Chief Executive Officer at TADA Mobility and Chief Operating Officer at MVL.

South Korea is facing a deepening political crisis following President Yoon Suk Yeol's unprecedented declaration of martial law late Tuesday night. In a dramatic response, the opposition Democratic Party has vowed to impeach the president, moving quickly to hold a vote this weekend. However, Yoon’s ruling People Power Party, despite internal divisions, has declared its intent to oppose the impeachment. Prosecutors in South Korea have also launched an investigation into President Yoon, his interior minister, and the now-former defense minister, Kim Yong-hyun, regarding their roles in the martial law attempt. On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Hyejin Kim, Senior Lecturer of Political Science at NUS, to share more.

Singapore stocks jumped more than 1 per cent this morning, nearing a record high. As at 11:52 am, the Straits Times Index (STI) rose 1.07 per cent to 3,840.43 points after 511.58 million securities changed hands in the broader market. That put it on pace to break the last record high of 3,906.16 points reached in 2007. In terms of companies to watch, we have CapitaLand Investment, because the real asset manager said today that its self-storage platform Extra Space Asia has entered into a partnership with Japan’s largest indoor self-storage manager Ambitious.  Elsewhere from more on equity movements in South Korea as investors continue to mull a martial law row that stunned the nation, to how Bitcoin topped US$100,000 for the first time on the back of optimism over US President-elect Donald Trump’s pro crypto plans – more international headlines remain in focus.  Also on deck – how Robinhood Markets is set to expand into Asia next year, with Singapore being its local base in the region. On Market View, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian dived into the details with David Chow, Director Azure Capital.

Auptimate is redefining fundraising for tech startups and angel syndicates by addressing the challenges of setting up and managing syndicates or Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs). As a one-stop digital platform, it helps empowers angel syndicates, founders, and fund managers to seamlessly create and operate SPVs and syndicates. And this is by offering a fully digital, paperless experience, the platform eliminates the need for face-to-face meetings and simplifies workflows. On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Olivier Too, Co-founder & CEO at Auptimate, to share more. Presented by: Hongbin Jeong Produced and Edited by: Alexandra Parada (alexparada@sph.com.sg) and Nadiah Koh Want to get featured on our show? Drop me an email today!

From an auction perspective, the growth and interest in coloured diamonds are perpetually on the rise.Auctions set the price point attractively, offering an opportunity to bid for a collectible signed piece from the renowned jewellers. But how do we define collectible jewels? What’s on the seasoned jewellery connoisseur’s radar? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Cristel Tan, International Specialist, Jewellery, Phillips, to find out more.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Dec 3. declared emergency martial law in an unannounced late night address broadcast live on YTN television, which the opposition-led Parliament voted hours later to revoke. Mr Yoon is facing anger from the public, the opposition, and even from his own camp following his decision to impose martial law, an order he backtracked on just hours later. What comes next after Yoon Suk Yeol’s U-turn? Will the botched attempt of his martial law lead him to his political downfall?  On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Sean King, Senior Vice President, Park Strategies to find out more. 

Singapore shares began the day trading in positive territory, even as investors noted the uncertainty in the region after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol lifted a martial law decree he had imposed the night before.  In early trade, the Straits Times Index (STI) was up 0.2 per cent at 3,795.11 points after 44.9 million securities changed hands in the broader market.  In terms of companies to watch, we have Marco Polo Marine, after the integrated marine logistics company’s net profit for the second half ended September fell 41.5 per cent on the year to S$10.7 million.  Elsewhere, from more on the outlook of South Korean assets amid ongoing political uncertainties in the country, to gold prices steadying ahead of Friday’s release of November’s US non farm payrolls report – more international headlines remain in focus. On Market View, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Kelvin Wong, Senior Analyst, OANDA.

Bitcoin stalls short of US$100,000. The cryptocurrency is failing to breach this level despite the tailwind from Donald Trump’s election win. So what’s pulling it back? When can it reach past that key level? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Valentin Fournier, Digital Asset Analyst at BRN, to find out more.