Let's Talk, Singapore

In 2023, Singapore recorded its 4th hottest year since records started in 1929, with homeowners facing the dual challenge of sweltering heat and rising utility costs. In this landscape, solar installation emerged not just as an eco-friendly solution but also as an investment for property owners. Benedict Goh, CEO of Utica Projects, sheds light on whether he has seen a surge in demand for solar sol...

Recently, the phrase “Karaoke to lose weight” has been trending on Chinese social media on sites like Xiao Hong Shu and Weibo. Bloggers have documented online that they manage to burn hundreds of calories after singing for hours... while sitting down! So more young women and their friends are going on marathon karaoke sessions as a cheap replacement for the gym.  Is this legit, or not? Audrey, Rya...

Michele Schneider, Chief Strategist, MarketGauge Group shares her insights on advertising revenue being a reflection of business outlook for the months ahead, sentiments surrounding the big tech stocks, and where money is flowing in recent times. Presented by: Ryan Huang Producer: Yeo Kai Ting ( ykaiting@sph.com.sg )  Graphics credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributors  See omny...

January 31 is World Scotch Tape Day!  And what better way to celebrate our sticky, adhesive little friend than to wax lyrical about some of its more inventive household uses. Think cleaning your keyboard, picking up shards of broken glass from the floor, arranging flowers in a neat fashion, and even sealing back a piece of fruit you cut out after checking how fresh it is. Listen to Emaad, Ryan and...

Simon Ree, founder, TAO of Trading discusses the mixed bag of earnings coming through so far, why Microsoft despite beating expectations is seeing a sell off. He also explains why a rate cut in the FOMC's March meeting is unlikely. Presented: Ryan Huang See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore attracted $12.7 billion in fixed asset investment commitments in 2023, a sharp fall from record figures in 2022, but still above the country’s medium-to-long-term goals.  On this episode of Morning Shot, Jillian Lim, Executive Vice President of the Singapore Economic Development Board shares her insights about the key drivers behind those numbers, risks, as well as new growth opportuniti...

In the fast-paced fashion landscape, sustainability and fast fashion typically appear incompatible. But a leading online retailer is reshaping this narrative. Renowned for its fast fashion model, the company actively integrates sustainability into its green roadmap, proving that style and environmental consciousness can go hand in hand. Annabella Ng, Senior Director of Public Affairs, SHEIN sheds...

Marcus Weyerer, Senior ETF Investment Strategist, Franklin Templeton, discusses the pros and cons of actively managed ETFs; whether investors can achieve higher returns from these ETFs; how big the ETF market is and where most of the money is flowing to; and sectors / themes that are trending.   Presented by Ryan Huang Podcast edited by Emaad Akhtar ( eakhtar@sph.com.sg ) See omnystudio.com/listen...

You can't make this stuff up! South Korean authorities have come out to discourage  frying and eating cornstarch or sweet potato starch toothpicks, as influencers take to social media with this trend. They may be made of starch, but those have not been verified as safe to eat! On top of that, "rat snacking" is the latest food trend to hit Tiktok - the idea of digging through your cupboards, fridge...

Having your plans derailed while travelling is the last thing anyone would hope for.  From recent flight incidents of late that involved a runway collision and a door plug blowout, to hundreds getting stuck in snow storms that led to delayed or cancelled flights - worries before a trip are often valid, and many would opt for travel insurance.  On Morning Shot today, we’ll be speaking with Constanc...

Can we balance health and the craving for sugary drinks? Well, one pioneering solution -  a sugar-free syrup with a fruity twist - might be able to fix that. Adrian Khong, CEO & Founder, Jewel Coffee sheds light on the inspiration, the unique formula, and its impact on children, diabetics, and on-the-go lifestyles.    Presented by Ryan Huang and Emaad Akhtar This podcast is produced and edited...

Alexander Morris, Chief Investment Officer, F/m Investments shares his insights on the Fed's fight against inflationary pressures and where that's headed, as well as impact of companies having to cut back on prices.  Presented by: Ryan Huang Producer: Yeo Kai Ting ( ykaiting@sph.com.sg )  Graphics credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributors  See omnystudio.com/listener for privac...

Have you spent your childhood and the majority of your adult life so far believing food myths that might've been told to you without actually verifying whether they are true? If the answer is yes, you aren't alone. Too many of us welcome new information to the brain that has probably been passed down through many generations over many decades without questioning its origins. It's easier to believe...

Charu Chanana, Head of FX Strategy & Market Strategist, SAXO Singapore discusses why the MAS is staying pat and what to look out for from the FOMC when it is in action later in the week. She also previews some of the big tech earnings on tap this week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Mind Your Business, we speak with a leader with nearly three decades of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. We explore her focus and passion for healthcare sustainability, insights on navigating diverse global healthcare landscapes, the influence of her hobbies such as running, tennis and scuba diving on leadership, and gain insights into her company’s future plans post-C...

A recent reversal by the Land Transport Authority on its decision to phase out adult EZ-Link and NETS FlashPay cards in favour of the SimplyGo platform for public transport has got people wondering how new systems can be phased in more progressively to ensure no one’s left behind.  On this episode of Morning Shot, Walter Theseira, Associate Professor of Economics & Head, Master of Management (...

In our digital landscape, protecting assets, from data to virtual currencies, is crucial for individuals and businesses. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), often vulnerable to cyber threats, can now enhance their cybersecurity with just a few clicks. Daniel Bernard, Chief Business Officer, CrowdStrike joins us all the way from the US, to shed light on their latest innovation.   Presented b...

Phil Orlando, Chief Equity Market Strategist, Federated Hermes discusses how over the course of the last century, there has been a strong positive correlation between the performance of the equity markets and the economy and the results of presidential elections in the United States. He looks at how much history will repeat itself this year. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a multi-cultural society like Singapore, you probably speak more than one language; right? But how often do you use your mother tongue? Turns out, bilingualism and speaking more than one language have more benefits than you may think: from connecting to your culture and roots to boosting your marketability in a workplace. Audrey, Ryan and Emaad chat about how bilingual (or not!) they are, and h...

The maritime industry is swiftly adopting electrification to combat climate change, and one company in Singapore is leading the charge through innovative projects with the launch of the first electric cargo harbour craft. Jan-Viggo Johansen, Managing Director, MarinEV, Yinson GreenTech sheds light on its initiatives and innovations that underscore Singapore's commitment to eco-friendly maritime so...

Yussef Gheriani, Director of Investments and Operations, IHT Wealth Management weighs in on the latest US GDP figures, effects of the tight labour market on the US economy and inflation, as well as things to watch out for against the backdrop of the US Presidential Election. Presented by: Ryan Huang Producer: Yeo Kai Ting ( ykaiting@sph.com.sg )  Graphics credits: pixabay & its talented commun...

Soil is often an overlooked aspect of nature. Now, if you dig deeper, you’d realise that healthy soils serve not just as the backbone of safe and sustainable agriculture, but also helps with carbon sequestration.  In many parts of the world however, poor management and climate change have led to soil degradation and a huge amount of carbon released by the top layer soil over the past 12,000 years....

Idanna Appio, Portfolio Manager and Senior Research Analyst at First Eagle Investments discusses how expectations for a soft landing the US square with the latest earnings season as well as another wave of tech layoffs. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finding love can prove to be a difficult task even at the best of times, which is why many have resorted to dating apps to aid their search. And a major reason why this industry has morphed into a multi-billion dollar one is because of the exponential rise of paying subscribers, who enjoy enhanced features that give them an advantage over peers navigating the crowded waters of the dating pool. Big...

Green finance is heavily dependent on identifying what is green and evaluating the impact that solutions can bring, which isn't always straightforward. On this episode of Breakfast Special,  Srini Nagarajan, Managing Director & Head of Asia, British International Investment elaborates on the BII’s latest partnership with the Asian Development Bank to boost Asia’s transition to clean energy and...