Let's Talk, Singapore

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell's highly anticipated speech next week could shape expectations for future U.S. interest rate cuts starting in September.  Now, with elections coming up and potential rate cuts around the corner, how will this impact global markets for the year? Steve Brice, who is the Chief Investment Officer, Standard Chartered, speaks to Willie Keng on the opportunities tha...

Historically, US presidential candidates have leveraged the power of television ad campaigns, mass rallies and in more recent times, social media, to garner attention from voters ahead of an election. But did you ever think video games could play a role too? Well, believe it or not, they are. Video games have surfaced as an unlikely means for politicians to access valuable younger demographics of...

Will you respond to your boss after work hours?  Well, we did a social media poll and the majority of those who took part gave a resounding yes! Some of you said “Only for emergencies”. And only a small few said “No”. Australia is the latest country to pass a new legislation granting a ‘right to disconnect’ outside of work hours. The law doesn't strict...

With Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s recent emphasis on bilingualism and preserving Singapore's cultural heritage, preschools are increasingly pivotal in nurturing young bilingual learners. A preschool, renowned for its innovative bilingual curriculum, stands out with its balanced approach to teaching both English and Mandarin. We speak with Elizabeth Wu, Co-Founder & COO, Trehaus and Sheila En...

Willie Keng speaks to Kelvin Wong, Senior Market Analyst, OANDA,  who provides an overview of how big a rate cut we can expect from the Fed next week. He also analyses economic data indicators that the Fed is watching to justify its approach; how markets and other central banks may react; and investor risks in the current market environment. Presented & Produced by Willie Keng Edited by Emaad...

Transforming from a single hospital into a regional healthcare powerhouse, HMI Medical's 25-year journey is marked by its commitment to enhancing both lifespans and health spans through innovation and strategic partnerships. This vision recently earned the company the prestigious Enterprise Award at the Singapore Business Awards. Leading this evolution is the Group Chief Executive Officer, Chin We...

For the first time since 1989, residents of Housing Board flats are now legally allowed to keep pet cats in their homes. 1st September marks the start of a two-year transition period until 31st August 2026, to help cat owners ease into the changes. By the end of the transition period, all pet cats must be microchipped and licensed. Up to two cats (and one dog of an approved breed, according to cur...

As sustainability becomes integral to business strategies, the role of the Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) is more crucial than ever. Beyond regulatory compliance, CSOs require a diverse skill set that includes technical knowledge in energy management, cybersecurity, and adherence to ISO standards. In this episode of Biz-How-To, we explore how and where aspiring CSOs can acquire these essential...

Cut out lattes, meal prep lunches, take public transport... we’ve all heard the traditional money-saving advice, right? But what about some less conventional strategies? Turns out, the psychological impact of handing over cash has proven to be very effective when it comes to intentional spending as compared with swiping and tapping credit cards.   Presented by Audrey Siek & Emaad Akhtar Produc...

We've all at some point probably enlisted the help of a friend to act as a "wingman" in our pursuit of finding a partner in the dating world. But would you trust an AI-powered wingmen? That's exactly what online dating apps like Tinder, Bumble, Hinge and Grindr are building and testing in a bid to bring customers who have been complaining of "dating app fatigue" back to their platforms. Emaad and...

Yussef Gheriani, Director of Investments and Operations at IHT Wealth Management shares his insights on how he views the investments in the EV versus tech space, as well as advice for investors’ positioning through the rest of the year, especially in the fixed income space. Presented by: Yeap Junrong Produced & Edited by: Yeo Kai Ting (ykaiting@sph.com.sg) Photo credits: team Hewins See omnyst...

From a humble hawker stall to a beloved shop at Coronation Plaza, a self-taught mother-and-son duo has turned their passion for agar agar cakes into a thriving family business. With no formal culinary training, they’ve perfected the art of creating exquisite and affordable agar agar cakes, including mooncakes that blend tradition with innovation. They join us in the studio to share their journey o...

This week has been a busy week of economic data, which includes a range of PMI numbers. The S&P Global Singapore’s PMI came in at 57.6 in August: the fastest expansion since October 2022. What are the key drivers behind the strength of this expansion? Can we expect more to come? Yeap Junrong speaks to Jingyi Pan, Economics Associate Director, S&P Global Market Intelligence PMI Team. See om...

To keep global warming to no more than 1.5°C  - as called for in the Paris Agreement - emissions need to be reduced by 45% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050. But as the days pass, the world is staring at a growing emissions gap.  Back in 2021, Speed & Scale - a global initiative aimed at pushing leaders to act on the climate crisis - built a plan based on 10 objectives, each with its own set...

Jay Woods, CMT, Chief Global Strategist at Freedom Capital Markets shares his insights on how the US Presidential Election will impact credit markets, whether the ‘Trump trade’ is over and if we will see a ‘Harris’ trade, as well as sentiments surrounding the US non-farm payroll report. Presented by: Yeap Junrong Produced & Edited by: Yeo Kai Ting (ykaiting@sph.com.sg) Photo credits: financial...

Vice President Kamala Harris rolled out a series of economic proposals, including a 28 percent tax on investment income for wealthy individuals that is far lower than the rate proposed by President Joe Biden.  The proposals, which include an expanded tax break for start-ups, mark her biggest policy move away from Mr Biden since taking over the top of the Democratic ticket. On this episode of...

Yeap Jun Rong converses with Christopher Wong, Client Portfolio Strategist, South East Asia at Fidelity International  about how a likely September rate cut by the Fed will impact Southeast Asian markets; implications for the region's central banks; Asian currencies that may perform well through the rest of 2024; and expectations for Friday's US non-farm payroll data. Presented & Produced by Y...

The upcoming Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Johor Bahru is set to transform the region into a dynamic hub for economic growth and investment. Positioned strategically close to Singapore, this SEZ offers attractive incentives like tax breaks and streamlined regulations, making it a compelling option for Singaporean investors. However, with rising interest in Johor's property market and the promise...

Yep, it's Audrey's birthday today! Though she won't reveal how old she is, she did bring in some cake today to share with the crew.  There’s something about cake being the centrepiece of most birthdays - but have you ever wondered why? That’s the topic for today’s breakfast bites, as we dive into the sweet tradition of birthday cakes—from ancient rituals to the modern-day celebration. Plus, who re...

Today's edition of Breakfast Bites is dedicated to the (sometimes) unsung heroes in the employment world: recruiters. On Global Talent Acquisition Day, Emaad and Audrey delve into some unusual hiring practices around the world, and also discuss "blind hiring" recruitment to stave off potential discrimination during the process.   Presented by Emaad Akhtar & Audrey Siek Edited by Emaad Akhtar M...

Sonu Varghese, Vice President & Global Macro Strategist at Carson Group shares his insights on what's driving declines seen in Nvidia of late, why September is historically a weak month and which sectors capital flows are rotating into.  Presented by: Willie Keng Produced & Edited by: Yeo Kai Ting (ykaiting@sph.com.sg) Photo credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributors  Se...

A nationwide study led by Nanyang Technological University found that people who caught dengue and recovered are more likely to face long-term health complications about a year later compared to those who contracted COVID-19.  More specifically, dengue patients have a 55 per cent higher risk of heart complications, such as irregular heartbeats, heart disease, and blood clots, compared with those w...

Farming has always been at the heart of food production, but it's facing new challenges with outdated practices and environmental pressures. In the world of shrimp farming, these issues are even more pronounced. What if there was a way to turn these challenges into opportunities? Well, we speak with a leader in aquaculture and shrimp farming technology, transforming this niche with groundbreaking...

With the recent August sell-off across broader markets, cryptocurrencies are also experiencing high volatility. Simultaneously, investors are also asking what the impact of the upcoming US elections would be on the crypto market. Willie Keng unpacks this with Taimur Baig, Chief Economist, DBS Bank Presented & Produced by Willie Keng Edited by Audrey Siek See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

Willie Keng speaks to Lee Kian Soon, CEO, Astral Asset Management  about the health of China's tech sector; the country's economic growth outlook against the backdrop of recent PMI data; how effective government stimulus measures have been in restoring market confidence; and sectors that investors should pay attention to. Presented & Produced by Willie Keng Edited by Emaad Akhtar   See omnystu...