Let's Talk, Singapore

Etsy’s shares spiked after announcing two bold moves: a switch from Nasdaq to the NYSE, and a first-of-its-kind integration with OpenAI’s ChatGPT that lets users shop directly in chat. Bulls say this could be a game-changer for growth and visibility, while bears warn fundamentals and competition haven’t changed. Join Dan Koh and Audrey Siek as they break down the case on both sid...

"If at first you don't succeed, try again." "Winners never quit and quitters never win." We have a lot to say about quitting something... that it’s like a failure, that you didn’t stick it out, and you didn’t try hard enough. But maybe there is a right time to drop something. Audrey, Ryan and Emaad talk about the power of knowing when to walk away, and the signs psychologists say...

Singapore draws a firm line on freelance work. Foreigners need valid passes to take on physical gigs like food delivery, private hire driving or on-site photography, whereas the lines are more blurred for firms hiring overseas talent for remote jobs such as coding, design and content creation. The approach has sparked debate over fairness, competition, and how Singapore can protect local livelihoo...

APAC travellers haven't held back when it comes to making overseas trips in 2025. And the proof is in the pudding. Data from Booking.com revealed some interesting patterns, including a greater interest in exploring domestic destinations and the rise in intra-regional travel. Laura Houldsworth, Managing Director, Asia-Pacific, Booking.com  explains these findings and more. Produced & Prese...

In 2024, more than 3,000 F&B outlets shut down in Singapore, yet new ones keep opening. Is this oversaturation, or survival of the fittest? The Breakfast Show speaks with Leo Pang, Special Projects Manager, The Fat Sparrow & Daydream Desserts about the realities of running restaurants in today’s climate, from balancing quality with affordability to staying relevant in a fast-changing...

After soaring more than 30% on its Tokyo debut, Sony Financial Group is one of the hottest new listings in Asia. But is it just IPO buzz, or a long-term play for investors? Join Dan Koh and Emaad Akhtar as they find out why Sony decided on a spin-off of its banking and insurance arm, how investors should think about this new stock, and what it signals for Japan’s corporate landscape. See omn...

 The recent retrenchments at Agoda have stirred debate after clauses in its severance terms drew criticism from unions and the Ministry of Manpower. The saga highlights bigger questions facing workers in Singapore: What should employees expect in a layoff, what rights do they retain, and where are the boundaries of employer obligations? So how are severance agreements usually structured, what...

After five straight months of gains, the S&P 500 is heading into a historically volatile October with strong momentum on its side. Growth looks solid, consumption remains resilient, and AI is giving GDP a powerful boost. Conversely, inflation, Fed policy, and the looming U.S. government shutdown still cloud the outlook. Dan Koh speaks with Sonu Varghese, Vice President & Global Macro Strat...

As Washington edges closer to a government shutdown, contradictory signals in the US economy are keeping investors on edge, from a cooling labor market to resilient growth and consumption. Meanwhile, Trump’s tariffs remain unpredictable but markets seem largely unfazed. Mel Siew, Portfolio Manager for Asia Public Credit at Muzinich & Co , also examines how China’s Golden Week may r...

We’ve all been there: an old friend suddenly pops back into your life, and you’re excited to reconnect… until you realize they’re now an insurance agent, life coach, or some other professional, and you’re the target of a pitch. In this episode of  Breakfast Bites , we explore the delicate balance between supporting a friend and protecting your wallet, with pract...

Starbucks has dominated for decades, but consumer habits are shifting and smaller cafés are stealing time and traffic. Add in layoffs and closures, and the world’s biggest coffee chain is suddenly on the defensive. Join Dan Koh and Ryan Huang as they digest the latest on the coffee chain’s restructuring plan, shifting consumer trends and what it all means for global investors. S...

The bottleneck in education isn’t content, it’s capacity. Attention spans are shrinking, working memory is under strain, and technology risks eroding the very skills students need to succeed. The Breakfast Show speaks with Hoa Ly, Co-founder and CEO of Nuroe about building a venture that brings science out of the lab and into family life. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informa...

AI is now at the top of the agenda for many boards across Asia, but turning those investments into business value has proven far harder than expected. Egon Zehnder’s latest CIO survey shows 60% of Asian boards prioritise AI, yet most organisations still struggle to scale projects or see real returns. So what explains this gap between ambition and outcomes? What kind of leadership do companie...

Daniel Tan, Portfolio Manager at Grasshopper Asset Management, discusses why global equities may be running ahead of fundamentals, and where fresh catalysts could emerge. From China’s tech rebound to defense stocks and the dollar’s slide, we explore the forces shaping markets into year-end. Produced/Presented: Ryan Huang See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most of us in Singapore don’t think twice about the longkang, until it floods. And we rarely think about the people who keep them clear, even though their work keeps our city safe from floods, pests, and disease. Too often, these essential jobs are stigmatised, seen as “less meaningful” or “less dignified.” The Breakfast Show invites Shaik Nifael, Founder, Jetters Inc...

Asia’s financial markets are undergoing a quiet revolution. Instead of relying on global capital, more Asian households and institutions are now channeling their vast savings into local investments. HSBC calls this the Asia Buys Asia mega-trend - one that could reshape financial resilience, investment flows, and the role of Asia in global markets. Herald van der Linde, Head of Equity Strateg...

How closely were you following the news this month? September was undoubtedly a busy time: we saw a slew of global and local headlines from a big shakeup of the US's HB-1 visas, to Charlie Kirk's high profile assassination and Singapore's parliamentary debates.  Play along and let us know how well you do!   Presented by Audrey Siek, Ryan Huang and Emaad Akhtar Produced by Audrey Siek Edi...

Lithium Americas shares nearly doubled after reports that Washington may take a 10% stake in its Nevada project. Join Dan Koh and Ryan Huang as they break down what this means for the Thacker Pass mine, U.S. EV supply chains, and whether this stock is a speculative trade or a long-term strategic investment. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joint bank accounts are a pretty common occurrence between couples and families.  But would you open a shared account with a friend as a means to invest more in the bond you have with them? Some are already doing so, and reporting stronger friendships as a result. This is not to say that such a move is not without its risks. Emaad, Ryan and Audrey dive into the positives and negatives on Brea...

U.S. stocks stumbled for a second day as AI leaders like Nvidia, Oracle, and Micron lose momentum amid concerns over sky-high valuations. Dilin Wu, Research Strategist, Pepperstone discusses the risks and opportunities in tech, the bullish gold rally, and the dollar’s surprising strength. We explore what it all means for markets, Fed policy, and investors seeking opportunities across U.S. an...

AI is reshaping how we work, but while 81% of organisations are piloting or scaling AI, only 15% succeed. So what separates flashy AI pilots from enterprise projects that truly scale? The Breakfast Show speaks with Russell Fishman, Global Head of AI Solutions at NetApp to discuss why so many projects stall, which industries stumble most, the true cost of failed pilots, and the detailed solutions e...

A new REIT has arrived on the SGX, and it’s all about accommodation! With its focus on worker dorms and student housing, Centurion Accommodation REIT is offering projected yields of 7 to 8 percent! Join Dan Koh and Ryan Huang as they unpack its IPO details, strengths, and risks, and ask whether this new REIT belongs in your portfolio.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information...

The United Nations marks its 80th General Assembly in New York this week, with leaders gathering to debate conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine alongside wider challenges facing the global community. From humanitarian crises to climate risks and women’s rights, the session comes at a moment when international cooperation is being put to the test. What should we watch for in the days ahead, and how...

As Formula 1 season revs up on our shores, many brands are constantly looking for ways to stand out and tap into such a global event - and that's when marketing innovation comes in at full speed. We zoom over to the iconic ION Orchard as the mall shifts gears and turns to F1! We find out more about its "Live the Race" campaign from  Yeo Mui Hong, CEO of Orchard Turn Developments. Produced and...

September has been a record-breaking month for global markets, with the Dow, S&P, and NASDAQ hitting all-time highs. Asian equities have also soared, led by KOSPI and Hang Seng gains, as investors shift from fixed income to equities in search of higher returns. In Singapore, initiatives like the Equity Market Development Programme and new rules for single-family offices are strengthening the l...