Let's Talk, Singapore

World Immunisation Week kicks off today! This year, the world celebrates 50 years since the World Health Organisation launched the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI).  For those who might not know, EPI was first established in 1974 to target six high-risk infectious diseases - namely, poliomyelitis, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles and tuberculosis. The programme was inducted with a g...

Swiss multinational corporation Sulzer has opened its first Innovation Technology Hub (InTecH) in Asia, based in Singapore. With investments over S$10 million, InTecH will explore new methods for recycling plastics, EV batteries, and lubricant oils, while also developing bio-based goods such as Polylactic Acid (PLA). This expansion cements Sulzer's position as a leader in sustainable technology an...

US stocks soared higher for a second session, as a strong batch of corporate earnings eased concerns over higher rates. This is as Market veteran Howard Marks says the Fed is ‘not going back’ to ultra-low rates.  With current interest rates, what opportunities are present in the markets, and what risks should income investors watch for? Willie Keng speaks to Carinn Neo, Senior Portfolio Manager, P...

Willie Keng catches up with Ben Luk, Senior Multi Asset Strategist at State Street Global Markets,  to talk about the trajectory of the US dollar and Asian currencies; attractive sectors for investors in the equities space; why emerging markets are continuing to struggle; and the impact of potential Fed rate cuts on South-east Asia. Presented and produced by Willie Keng Edited by Emaad Akhtar See...

Inflationary pressures was one headwind that came up in every bank call. Consumer Price Index (CPI) for March came in higher-than-expected, showing sticky inflation is still in play and adding to the reasons why the US Federal Reserve may hold off on interest rate cuts again in Q2.  Frank Cappelleri Founder and President, CappThesis shares his insights on the latest inflationary pressures, expecta...

"Avoid complacency but don't adopt “catastrophic thinking”. Speaking at the recent Ecosperity Week organised by Temasek, Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam says that the investment needed to push us along on our net-zero journey is not a cost. Drawing from a buzz phrase made popular by the Chinese, Mr Tharman noted that too much climate pessimism leads to people ‘lying flat’. On this episo...

The world is marking English Language Day at the UN; a day to celebrate multilingualism and cultural diversity. We also use it to marvel at the development and usage of the language, which is the most-spoken language in the world (including native and non-native speakers). Audrey quizzes Emaad about some fun facts about the language, and tests his skills in pronouncing the longest word ever. Try i...

If you are into Mandopop, you would have heard of Eric Chou. Well, the Taiwanese singer-songwriter is not coming to our show. But we do have his lookalike, the Korean "Eric Chou." He is a talented young entrepreneur who turned his passion for his mother's kimchi into a successful chain of hawker stalls here in just 1.5 years. Discover the secret behind his success, his plans for the future, and ho...

April 22 each year should hold a special place in every human being's heart. Why, you may ask? Well it marks Earth Day, also known as International Mother Earth Day, an occasion that gives us all the opportunity to take action to protect our beloved planet, in whatever way possible.  Emaad and Audrey delve into the origins of Earth Day, this year's theme, and potentially the biggest Earth Day clea...

Essential air, sea and land transport operators could be subject to more controls under a new draft law, which could come into force in the second half of 2024. Under the proposed amendments, designated entities will face three types of controls in the areas of ownership, operations and management appointments.  How do the proposed changes affect the resilience of such firms, and why is greater go...

Balancing the demands of motherhood with career aspirations presents unique challenges for women who take a break to focus on family. Upon returning to the workforce, they often face hurdles such as outdated skills, potential biases, and a need to rebuild professional networks, all while navigating the complexities of work-life balance. We speak with with a mom, Ng Lai Yee, Singapore Managing Part...

Asia-Pacific markets are set to rebound from last Friday’s sell-off, as investors look to fresh data out of China, Japan and South Korea this week. The S&P 500 saw its worst week since March 2023, last week — extending a drawdown from its all-time high to more than 5%.  Shane Oliver, Chief Economist & Head of Investment Strategy, AMP Capital, spoke to Willie Keng about how the broader mark...

Market expansion can be a thrilling opportunity for businesses looking to expand their client base and increase sales. But entering a new market is not without its difficulties and there is also the risk of premature scaling. So, when is it the right time to expand abroad? What are the things to take note of before scaling your business beyond Singapore shores? Boon Tan, Managing Director, CST  jo...

Are Singaporeans financially resilient?  That's a question that the Singapore Investor's Financial Resilience report wanted to demystify.  Echo Zhao, Country Head, Moomoo Singapore , joins Sean Cheong in the studio to walk through some of the findings.  Presented and produced by Sean Cheong Edited by Emaad Akhtar See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Quite unsurprisingly, demand for batteries is expected to increase 30% each year until 2030. A greater need for batteries to power more electric vehicles means increased demand for metals like lithium, a finite resource whose extraction has raised ecological and human rights issues.  Lithium mining takes a heavy toll - trees are often cut down to make room for mines, chemicals used in the process...

Brenda Vingiello, Chief Investment Officer, Sand Hill Global Advisors shares her insights on whether Wall Street is mistaken in its hope that a recent uptick in inflation is an irregularity as opposed to a longer and more worrying trend, possible effects of the US, Japan and South Korea consulting closely on foreign exchange market developments, and if the bonds market has the potential to generat...

In a world grappling with urban congestion and environmental concerns, eVTOL (Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) technology emerges as a beacon of hope for revolutionising urban mobility. With its ability to lift off and land vertically, eVTOL promises efficient, eco-friendly transportation solutions. As investments surge and global interest grows, the stage is set for a transformative shift...

E-waste is a growing issue all around the world, with over 62 million tonnes generated in 2022. So what should you do with your broken electronics and appliances? Yes; you should recycle it - but anything with a plug or battery should be handled properly, and not just thrown away with general trash. Audrey and Emaad talk about the multiple ways you can do this: from home collection schemes, to tak...

Michele Schneider, Chief Strategist at MarketGauge Group shares her insights on whether investors are catching on to the fact that there are other parts of the market that are doing well, if growth stocks not bleeding is the same as leading, what will get gold to $3000 US dollars an ounce besides war. She also weighs in on which sectors are not liking the higher for longer conversation, and whethe...

Just a few weeks short of South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol’s two-year anniversary in his single five-year term, the ruling People Power Party suffered one of the biggest losses in Korean political history. What went wrong and can President Yoon turn things around in his remaining three years in office, with an opposition that is determined more than ever to hinder his legislative initiat...

Can you imagine living through more than 500 aftershocks after a strong earthquake?  That was what rocked Taiwan over the past week or so, following a 7.4 magnitude quake that hit Hualien earlier this month - the strongest to hit the region in a quarter-century. But some are worried that this earthquake is not the biggest event in this sequence. Is that a possibility that can be ruled out at...

What better way to celebrate a country's cultural heritage than through a museum? There are plenty of wonderful exhibitions, collections and archives that one can find in these museums. But those discussed by Emaad and Audrey on World Heritage Day are far from conventional. Ever heard of a museum for toilets? How about ramen? Or hair? Tune in to this edition of Breakfast Bites to learn more!   Pre...

How should investors adjust their portfolios, particularly in the area of fixed income? Sean Cheong discusses this with  Gershon Distenfeld, Director of Income Strategies, AllianceBernstein , as well as how investors should approach investing in bonds, especially when there are money-market funds offering yields of about 5% or more. Presented and produced by Sean Cheong See omnystudio.com/listener...

Are you in your 20s and worried about not being able to afford a home in Singapore? Have you ever wondered why some people are investing in overseas properties? Can you build a real estate portfolio with nothing? Speaking from experience, Chua Shir Yee, Head of International Sales, PropNex International to share more on how she invested in her first overseas property in her 20s.   Presented by Aud...

Heng Koon How, Head of Markets Strategy, UOB, weights in with Sean Cheong on how the latest Fed comments, Chinese GDP numbers and escalating tensions in the Middle East could impact Singapore markets. Presented by Sean Cheong Edited by Emaad Akhtar See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.