Let's Talk, Singapore

We are all fans of something we love, be it sports, fashion and even food. In this episode, we will be speaking with a loyal customer who became a key leader driving the strategic growth of a brand that he loves. We take a look at how his extensive FMCG experience and a passion for ethical products have played a pivotal role in expanding market reach and forging impactful collaborations for the br...

A first-of-its-kind financial aid targeted at workers who lose their jobs involuntarily was launched by Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at the National Day Rally recently. Under the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support scheme, lower- to middle-income individuals who have been retrenched can receive up to S$6,000 over six months, with payouts starting at a maximum of S$1,500 in the first month a...

It's known as the happiest place on earth... but what's the cost? As prices climb and perks shrink, even die-hard Disney fans are questioning if a vacation to the 12 theme parks is still worth it. Data shows a 25% hike in prices since 2019. So, would you still pay the price for a Disney adventure? Audrey, Emaad and Willie review some of the latest reports, and remember their own trips to Disneylan...

What's there not to love about coconuts? We can drink coconut water on a hot summer's day, apply coconut oil to hydrate our skin, and eat coconut flesh, which has myriad health benefits. On World Coconut Day, Emaad dives into the origin of our hard-shell friends, their longevity, what they were used for during World War II, and also answers the age-old question about whether coconuts are a fruit.....

A record 506 patrons were recognised for their significant contributions to Singapore’s arts scene at the 2024 Patron of the Arts Awards, where the National Arts Council celebrated a landmark year for arts patronage since the awards began in 1983. In 2023, contributions to the arts soared to $50.2 million, a 56% increase from the $32.1 million in 2022, with cash donations alone rising by 36% to re...

US Corporate Q2 earnings season is wrapping up, so far reporting very strong numbers.  So far, tech, financial and healthcare sectors all saw earnings growth of more than 20%.  In the spotlight is chipmaking giant Nvidia: its shares fell despite beating earnings estimates. Willie Keng speaks to Kyle Rodda, Senior Financial Market Analyst at capital.com.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inf...

Defying industry norms, our guest today is a leader who became the youngest CEO of a major bank in Singapore at just 35. After nearly two decades with the leading Australian financial institution, he made a bold move to a prominent European bank, taking on the role of Country Manager in Singapore. What motivated this transition, and how does he navigate complex industry challenges while driving st...

In a market where staying relevant means constantly evolving, Vaseline realises the need to rebrand in an already competitive skincare space. Having exhausted all methods of their iconic brand, they were in need of fresh ideas. To achieve this, it has partnered with a brand innovation consultancy, leveraging their unique approach to scale their business. What is this approach and how effective is...

U.S. stocks rose Thursday as stronger-than-expected growth data helped to push back against fears of a severe slowdown in the American economy. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed to a record, supported by gains in Goldman Sachs, Intel and Visa. But on the other hand, investors are also struggling with Nvidia’s recent results, with the AI darling stock falling 6.4%. Yeap Junrong speaks to Pha...

Joseph Sroka, Chief Investment Officer & Co-Founder, NovaPoint Capital addresses recessionary fears and investors' confidence levels coming on the back of the latest US economic data including weekly jobless claims and Q2 GDP. He also shares his insights on artificial intelligence darling, Nvidia - whether the surge in AI spending will drive free cash flow for the company, and if it's time for...

Can airlines truly make a difference in the fight against climate change? Emirates is leading the charge, and their pilots are the unsung heroes. We dive into the cockpit with Captain Dwayne Walker, Emirates’ Chief Pilot, Airbus , to uncover how they're transforming flight into a more sustainable journey.   Presented by Emaad Akhtar  This podcast is produced and edited by Anthea Ng ( nganthea@sph....

Singapore could be at risk of a tsunami, if an undersea volcano in its neighbouring region erupts. Globally, tens of thousands of submerged volcanoes lurk beneath the ocean's surface, often going unnoticed and are vastly understudied.  With the help of published data sets and sea-floor topography information, new research has revealed that there are some 466 submarine volcanoes in the waters of So...

With hearing loss affecting over 400 million people in Southeast Asia and an increasingly ageing population, WS Audiology (WSA) is addressing this critical issue with the launch of ORCA Asia in Singapore. This state-of-the-art audiological research laboratory, supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), is set to drive innovation in hearing aid technology tailored to the Asian mar...

Laila Pence, President & Co-Founder, Pence Wealth Management shares her insights on top conviction calls including utilities and REITs, why the Artificial Intelligence and Big Tech worlds are just starting to take flight, and how investors should navigate the bonds and fixed income space. Presented by: Ryan Huang Produced & Edited by: Yeo Kai Ting (ykaiting@sph.com.sg) Photo credits: pixab...

The race for the coveted title of Japan’s next Prime Minister is on. Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party is finalising its plans to hold the party's leadership election on 27th September. This comes after Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced that he will not re-contest for a second term as leader of the incumbent Liberal Democratic Party, after his tenure ends in September. The upcomin...

We’re diving into the tricky world of asking for a raise. You think you’ve been doing an awesome job at work, you've gone above and beyond... you deserve it! How should you go about it? Ever wondered about the best time, what to say, and how to make your case? Audrey and Ryan review some of the tips you need to boost your chances of success.   Presented by Audrey Siek & Ryan Huang Produced and...

Han Zhong Liang, Investment Strategist, Chief Investment Office, Group Wealth Management, Standard Chartered Bank discusses what investors should think about ahead of expected rate cuts in September, as well as key takeaways from the earnings season. Produced/Presented: Ryan Huang See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michele Schneider, Chief Strategist at MarketGauge Group shares her insights on how investors are riding the Nvidia wave, a forecast of how consumer sentiments are headed and her latest stock picks, including RIVIAN, SLG and BLOK. Presented by: Ryan Huang Produced & Edited by: Yeo Kai Ting (ykaiting@sph.com.sg) Photo credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributors  See omnystudio...

We're diving into the topic of family finance, and how couples decide to manage their money together. Should you combine everything into a joint account, keep it separate, or find a balance between both? Audrey and Ryan share what their families do, and explore the pros and cons of each approach to help you figure out what might work best for your relationship.   Presented by Audrey Siek & Rya...

Amazon has surpassed its 100% renewable energy goal seven years ahead of schedule, reflecting its leadership in sustainability. With significant investments in solar and wind projects globally, including impactful initiatives in Singapore and the Asia Pacific region, Amazon is paving the way towards its Climate Pledge commitment of net-zero carbon by 2040. This achievement highlights Amazon's dedi...

A new strain of the mpox virus, known as clade Ib, has the world's attention again.  Faced once again with a rapidly spreading mpox epidemic, the World Health Organisation had declared an international health emergency, following a surge in cases linked to a new mpox strain in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has since spread beyond its borders. Scientists studying the new mpox strain...

Ryan Detrick, Chief Market Strategist, Carson Group shares his insights on America's employment landscape, and how markets are pricing in the rotation away from tech once again, the US Presidential Election, and why the recent refinancing surge could unlock a big part of the economy that has struggled. Presented by: Ryan Huang Produced & Edited by: Yeo Kai Ting (ykaiting@sph.com.sg) Photo cred...

Liao Yi Ping, Assistant Portfolio Manager, Franklin Templeton Emerging Markets Equity explains why South Korean companies trade at valuations which are on average the lowest among emerging market peers, even though the market hosts some of the most globally dynamic and innovative companies in the semiconductor and materials industries.  Produced/Presented: Ryan Huang See omnystudio.com/listener fo...

Making and sharing mooncakes is one of the hallmark traditions of the Mid-Autumn festival. The sharing and eating of round mooncakes among family members signifies unity, and coming together. Plus, they're delicious! Audrey and Ryan chat about the interesting history of this treat, as well as the most popular type to gift and share. Plus: how much should you eat??   Presented by Audrey Siek &...

A new report by the World Intellectual Property Organisation is shedding new light on the rapidly growing field of Generative Artificial Intelligence. Along with the advancement of technology over the last decade, the number of patent families in GenAI has grown from just only 733 in 2014 to more than 14,000 in 2023. Since the introduction of the transformer in 2017, the deep neural network archit...