Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

Half-day trading is conducted today given how it is Christmas eve, and Singapore shares started trading in positive territory this morning, mirroring overnight gains in global markets. The Straits Times Index (STI) opened 0.2 per cent higher at 3,760.29 points after 49 million securities changed hands in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch today, we have Seatrium, after the offshore and marine specialist was awarded a contract by BP Exploration and Production for a deepwater new-build floating production unit (FPU) in the US Gulf of Mexico.  Elsewhere, from how TSMC shares touched a record high to how Microsoft is reportedly adding internal and third-party artificial intelligence models to power its flagship AI product Microsoft 365 Copilot to diversify from OpenAI and reduce costs – more international and corporate headlines remain in focus.  On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments of the day.

Singapore stocks rose in early trade today, tracking gains in the broader Asia-Pacific region. In early trade, the Straits Times Index (STI) gained 0.2 per cent to 3,726.78 points after 69.3 million securities were transacted across the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have Singapore Post after the firm said three of its senior management staff were terminated after they were found to be negligent in the handling of internal investigations over a whistleblower’s report.  Elsewhere, from more on a cooler-than-expected US personal consumption expenditures index report out on Friday, to how US President-elect Donald Trump indicated that he favoured allowing TikTok to keep operating in the US for at least a little while – more international and corporate headlines remain in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Chin Hui Leong, Co-founder, The Smart Investor.

And so, it’s Vietnam that await in the semi-finals of the ASEAN Championship - after Singapore secured their spot in the last four finishing runners up in Group A. Missing key players and struggling for form, many had written the Lions off before a ball was even kicked, but is it time we start 'trusting the process'? Gavin Lee, assistant head coach of the Singapore Men's national team, joins us on Sports Minutes from the Lions camp to tell us more. Got a story to tell? Get in touch with us! raushan@sph.com.sg

Art is often celebrated as "a freedom of expression," a boundless medium through which individuals convey their thoughts, emotions, and perspectives. But how free is this expression when government regulations intervene, potentially stifling artistic creativity? Can art truly thrive in an environment where it is subjected to oversight and control? Consider the case of the Samsui mural. The artwork, which depicted a Samsui woman - a historic icon of resilience - holding a cigarette, faced demands for alteration or removal, since it clashed with societal norms and regulatory concerns. Does Singapore impose excessive constraints on artistic expression? And is there even a need to regulate art in the first place? On The Hot Seat, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Ryan Su, OC Queen Street, The Ryan Foundation, and Michelle Lim, Assistant Professor, NTU School of Humanities.

Singapore stocks opened lower today, following another downbeat session on Wall Street as the US Federal Reserve’s hawkish pivot continued to weigh on sentiment. In early trade, the Straits Times Index (STI) had fallen 0.5 per cent to 3,743.96 points after 30.8 million securities transacted across the broader market. In terms of counters to watch, we have CapitaLand Investment and CapitaLand Ascott Trust. That’s after CapitaLand Investment sold stapled securities in CapitaLand Ascott Trust for S$162 million to an unrelated party. Elsewhere, from more on Japanese inflation rising more than expected last month, to what to expect ahead of the release of US personal consumption expenditures tonight – more international headlines remain in focus.  Also on deck – Beijing calling on AstraZeneca to expand its research and development investment in the city despite an ongoing probe against some of its executives. Plus – a quick look at MayBank’s take on what to watch in 2025. On Market View, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Eddy Loh, Chief Investment Officer, Maybank Group Wealth Management.

The Singapore Women's National team recently clinched third-place at the 2024 AFF Cup, which secured qualification for the 2025 ASEAN Women’s Championship. But despite the main objective being met, observers have questioned the performances. So what are the challenges that plague the women's game, and what are the efforts being taken to overcome them? Karim Bencherifa, head coach of the Women's National Team, sheds light on Sports Minutes. Got a story to tell? Get in touch with us! raushan@sph.com.sg

“Reflexivity” theory suggests that investors base their decisions on perceptions and expectations that can be off the mark from reality. But there are portfolio dangers when the dichotomy between expectations and reality becomes extreme. So how is reflexivity playing in markets right now? How are high expectations of growth in markets affecting investors' portfolios? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Desmond Chua, Investment Counselor, Citigold Private Client, Citibank Singapore, to find out more.

Changing traditional notions of entrepreneurship across the globe, a new breed of entrepreneurs is taking center stage: Zillennials, a small cohort of people born between the early 1990s and the early 2000s. But just how are young entrepreneurs changing the way we see and do business? One such example of this is Dr Vishnu Sunil, the CEO of Emerstat, a company that aims to revolutionize bleeding management with their cutting-edge super hydrophobic hemostatic solution. On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Zat, Editor-in-Chief, The Peak Singapore to find out more.  

Singapore shares opened in the red today, tracking broader losses in Asia after the US Federal Reserve signalled fewer interest rate cuts next year. In early trade, the Straits Times Index (STI) fell 0.9 per cent to 3,744.93 points after 74.4 million securities were transacted in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have Yeo Hiap Seng. The beverage manufacturer today said it would lay off 25 employees as a direct result of Oatly’s evaluation of its supply network.  Elsewhere, from US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s remarks on Bitcoin and interest rates, to how Chinese banks raised new mortgage costs for the first time in three years amid narrowing margins, more 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.

The November CPI, the second inflation data release since the US presidential election, shows further signs that, even before tariffs are implemented, the US is taking another step toward reflation. Under reflation, what do investors need to understand to protect their wealth? What kind of investment strategies can they consider in such economic conditions? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Laurent Lequeu, Founder of The Macro Butler Newsletter, to find out more.