Let's Talk, Singapore

“I have done my duty, and I am very happy I chose this path of public service all those many years ago.” said PM Lee, in his last major speech as Prime Minister at NTUC's May Ray Rally on 1st May 2024.  Despite dark clouds on the horizon, PM Lee, who was also marking his 40th year in politics and two-decades as Singapore's Prime Minister, says that the Republic has built a strong foundation for it...

Have you ever considered the role of butlers in managing modern-day life in Singapore? We delve into the evolution of this decades-old industry with Poon Da Qian, Founder and CEO, Butler - a company specialising in housekeeping, hospital and real estate management services, at affordable rates.   Presented by Audrey Siek This podcast is produced and edited by Anthea Ng ( nganthea@sph.com.sg ) She...

Today is World Password Day - and this is a day to remind ourselves how important these little keywords are in our lives. It protects our money, our health records, social media, our emails… everything!  So it's shocking to learn that the world’s most common online password is... 123456. Other than that, 12345, 12345678, password and admin are the other top choices. In fact, 10,000 of the most com...

Laila Pence, President & Co-Founder, Pence Wealth Management shares her expert analysis on the sustainability of the strong earnings season, whether Q2 seems even more volatile than Q1, her conviction calls (Streaming Services, Property & Casualty Insurers, Big Tech & AI), why there's value in intermediate term fixed income investments, especially with rates yielding north of 4.5% and...

US security officials are bracing for an onslaught of fast-paced influence operations from a wide range of adversaries, aimed at impacting the country’s coming presidential election. As the rapid uptake and development of generative AI tools take speed, will it be the next political game changer for the US - the world’s largest economy, as Americans head to the polls later in November?...

It's International Jazz Day, but there's never a time where we can't celebrate this wonderful, soothing music genre. Legends like Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, John Coltrane and countless others introduced the world to the wonders of jazz, and its only right that we give back through our appreciation of these talented artists.  Emaad and Audrey discuss the origins of the word "Jazz," how jazz musi...

Since 2014, the DBS Foundation Grand Award was introduced to recognise, reward and support businesses for impact, both Social Enterprises and Small and Medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). 10 years on, it has provided over $17 million dollars in grant funding to over 100 social enterprises and SMEs to scale their business model and deepen their social and/or environmental impact. We chat with Shaun Ta...

Early results from the US reporting season indicate that over 80% of companies are surpassing expectations, with first-quarter earnings on track to increase by 4.7% from a year ago.  Meantime in Asia, speculation has emerged that the Japanese government has intervened to support its currency, the yen, for the first time since 2022. The yen experienced significant volatility, rallying over 2% after...

Have you always been a fan of dancing but never mustered the courage to actually get up on stage and perform? On International Dance Day, you might be encouraged to do so, especially given the myriad benefits this art form offers. From better balance and posture to improved cognitive function, dancing is a great way to feel better both physically and mentally (and by extension, emotionally). Sadly...

More than 50 businesses and corporations have joined a new Corporate Action Network set up by the Public Hygiene Council. It’s a move to urge people to make it a habit to keep the country clean throughout the year. This was unveiled at the launch of this year’s Keep Singapore Clean campaign - along with the announcement that SG Clean Day will be held every two months, instead of three, from next y...

In this episode of Mind Your Business, we discover the relentless spirit of a senior entrepreneur who has traversed from zoological research to leading multinational operations and reshaping traditional industries. Now turning his attention to transforming healthcare delivery, he introduces an initiative that is set to redefine convenience and efficiency in medical services. His story is a masterc...

Inflation data continues to climb at a rate still considerably higher than the Federal Reserve’s 2% annual goal. With a strong consumption spending, and inflation data, what’s the Fed stance on interest rates, and what’s the outlook of the US economy? Matt Taylor, Senior Director, FTI Consulting, unpacks all this with Willie Keng. Produced and presented by Willie Keng See omnystudio.com/listener f...

In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, finding the right talent for board-level and C-suite positions is crucial for the success and sustainability of any organisation. As businesses navigate through complexities such as digital transformation, globalisation, and changing consumer behaviours, the role of executives at the highest levels becomes increasingly pivotal. We delve into the stra...

In this episode of intergenerational series on Mind Your Business, we delve into the heart of a thriving family business in the world of optometry. From the roots set down by the father in the 1980s to the innovative approaches introduced by his son, they exemplify the evolution and resilience of a family-owned enterprise in the face of modern challenges and technological advancements.  Lee Kai Hu...

Mark Matthews, Managing Director & Head of Research Asia, Julius Baer shares his insights on policy divergence between the US and China, how Chinese companies are placing a greater emphasis on shareholder returns, in part by increasing dividends and buy-backs, what can investors do to build quality exposure when it comes to investing in China and whether there are specific risks they should lo...

It's World Intellectual Property Day, an apt time to be waxing lyrical about everything IP, including copyrights, patents and trademarks. What is the oldest active trademark? Who is the most patented inventor? Is intellectual property in outer space a thing? Scent and colour trademarks exist too? Emaad and Audrey answer these questions on today's edition of Breakfast Bites!   Presented by Emaad Ak...

As US markets have edged higher, sometimes it’s hard to find opportunities when valuations are so high. Willie Keng speaks to Shekhar Jaiswal, Head of Equity Research, RHB Bank Singapore, who worked with a team to publish an extensive report called "ESG Diamonds In the Rough", and pinpoints 12 stocks to look at. Presented and produced by Willie Keng See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informat...

Have you been to Phillip Island Nature Parks in Australia?  It’s home to the largest little penguin population - better known as fairy penguins - globally. They’re the smallest penguin species in the world.  But today’s focus is on another seabird - short-tailed shearwaters that use Phillip Island as their breeding grounds! From this week, four-month old fledglings are starting their migration and...

Sentosa Cove condos, once sold for premiums, have hit below $2,000 psf. At the recent relaunch of The Residences at W Sentosa Cove Singapore, the average selling price was below $1,800 psf. It is a bargain compared to new launches on mainland Singapore this year, including those in the Outside Central Region, with one development selling at over the $2,000 psf mark. With property values on the isl...

Willie Keng speaks to Vasu Menon, Managing Director, Investment Strategy, OCBC Bank , about how potential delayed interest rate cuts will impact the US commercial real estate sector and housing mortgages; how these rates will affect Big Tech earnings and margins; and how investors should manage their asset allocation in the current environment. Presented and produced by Willie Keng Edited by Emaad...

April 25th marks World Penguin Day! These flightless birds begin their annual northern migration around March and April each year, so we get to celebrate these special creatures and learn more about their plight. Audrey and Emaad chat about the different species of penguins, how they used to be human-sized (2 metres tall!), and why they're idolised for their relationships.   Presented by Audrey Si...

David Martin, Founder & Chief Investment Officer at Martin Fund Management LP shares his insights on where else should investors be looking ahead of eventual rate cuts, whether tech giants like Meta Platforms and others will continue to see drops, and if defensive trading is the way to go in the current economic climate. Presented by: Willie Keng Producer: Yeo Kai Ting ( ykaiting@sph.com.sg ) ...

While landing on the parameters for a region-to-region free trade agreement is difficult, discussion has now shifted towards more specific areas of cooperation. Speaking at the EU-ASEAN Business Council’s 10th anniversary gala dinner, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat explained that the difficulty is due to differences in ambition and readiness between member states. He also highlighted that bo...

It's World Day For Animals In Laboratories, and a time for us all to commemorate the suffering of our pet friends subject to lab experiments. Emaad and Audrey talk about some of the more outlandish experiments scientists have conducted on animals for benefit of humankind. Think vibrating live earthworms, a chicken walking like a dinosaur, and magnetised cockroaches! Yes, you read that correctly!  ...

Dave Sekera, Chief US Market Strategist at Morningstar Research Services shares his insights on whether the US stock market’s ‘bad breadth’ is making even stalwart bulls nervous, implications of market gains driven disproportionately by a handful of stocks, how investors can approach Magnificent 7 through a different lens, and what the running theme is across the Q1 earnings calls. Presented by: W...