The Business Times Podcasts

US President Donald Trump's tariff hike on metals, his call for Hamas to release hostages, political turmoil in the Philippines, stagnant consumer confidence in Australia, and easing inflation in Singapore.  Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro ( claremb@sph.com.sg )  Produced and edited by: Clar...

The countdown to Singapore Budget 2025 has begun, and expectations are running high. Lens on Singapore hosts Claressa Monteiro and Howie Lim sit down with experts Nicholas Fang and Dr. Mathew Mathews to discuss what Singaporeans can expect from PM Lawrence Wong's budget debut. From cost of living to sustainability and AI, we examine the biggest issues facing Singapore today, and what the upcoming...

Last year, MediShield Life went through a review, with big changes about to kick in this year.  But the largest impact might come from a technicality that many of us might not be familiar with: the pro-ration factor. In this episode of WealthBT, host Genevieve Cua sits down with Alex Lee, president of the Singapore Actuarial Society, to explain the ins and outs of pro-ration, and unpack what...

Asian markets mixed as traders weigh Trump’s latest tariff salvo; Singapore’s STI breaks through to a new record as banks hit fresh highs; DBS posts 11% rise in Q4 profit to S$2.52 billion; shares cross S$46 for the first time; Malaysia palm oil production slumps due to heavy rains. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day&rsquo...

How did a home baker and former banker build herself a successful business hawking her delicious macarons and other baked gems? Howie Lim speaks to the founder of Annabella Patisserie to find out. Synopsis: Every Monday, The Business Times breaks down useful financial tips. This episode is brought to you by WorldFirst. Highlights: 01:34 The biggest challenges with cross-border payments 02:46 How c...

SGX soars 9% on profit surge and strong prospects ahead; India cuts rates for the first time in nearly 5 years; Rupee hovers near historic low, while yen climbs on rate hike bets; BYD shares soar 20% this week, Xiaomi shares surge 12% today. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s market movements and news from Singapore and the re...

US governmental changes under President Trump, currency market movements, and international relations involving Singapore. Highlights market trends, focusing on specific stocks and gold prices. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro ( claremb@sph.com.sg )  Produced and edited by: Claressa Monteiro Produ...

Asian markets rise as trade tensions ease temporarily; Malaysia rolls out bold tax perks for Johor-Singapore SEZ , eyeing high tech, talent; Nomura shares jump to 16-year high as Japan’s economy recovers. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s market movements and news from Singapore and the region. Written and hosted by: Em...

US-Panama Canal fee waiver, France’s budget-related no-confidence votes, US-China trade disputes, and Malaysia’s stance on Gaza. In Singapore, defense ties with the US are reaffirmed.  Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro ( claremb@sph.com.sg )  Produced and edited by: Claressa Montei...

Asian markets stutter as traders weigh China-US trade flare-up; Gold hits record high as China-US tariff war drives safe-haven demand; Nissan calls off Honda merger talks; Investors eye more dividends as  DBS, OCBC, UOB release Q4 earnings. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s market movements and news from Singapore and th...

Trump says the US would take over the war-shattered Gaza Strip; he is also in no hurry to speak to Chinese President Xi Jinping to try to defuse a new trade war; Australia bans DeepSeek from all government devices and the new Maintenance of Racial Harmony Act is passed in Singapore. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Clar...

Asian stocks boosted by Trump’s Mexico, Canada tariff delay; China hits back with tariffs on US goods after Trump imposes new levies; Indonesia approves Bill to set up Temasek-style investment firm managing 1,000 trillion rupiah in assets; Grab, GoTo are hoping to merge this year. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s marke...

Confirmation of Chris Wright as US energy secretary, EU defense spending, US tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China, Australian household spending, and updates on Singapore's racial harmony. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro ( claremb@sph.com.sg )  Produced and edited by: Claressa Monteiro Produced b...

OCBC’s offer for Great Eastern resulted in the insurer being suspended from trading. But the remaining minority shareholders of the insurer haven’t yet given in. And, one of them has made an interesting proposal. Senior correspondent Ben Paul examines the investment and regulatory implications of the story. Synopsis: Listen to senior correspondent Ben Paul's analysis and insight on mar...

Asian markets tumble while US dollar surges and gold prices fall as Trump imposes tariffs; TSMC shares fall amid global tech sell-off triggered by DeepSeek; China leaves the door open to trade talks with the US.  Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s market movements and news from Singapore and the region. Written and hosted...

Global tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, effects on markets, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's remarks, Australia floods, and Singapore's new Workplace Fairness Bill. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro ( claremb@sph.com.sg )  Produced and edited by: Claressa Monteiro Produced by: BT Podcasts,...

It’s time to make your spending work harder for you. It’s a step up from making your money work for you. Credit cards can offer astounding rewards and cashback but you have to put in some effort. Howie Lim gets expert help from Audrey Yap, a content creator with lobangsis.com Synopsis: Every Monday, The Business Times breaks down useful financial tips. Highlights: 01:05 Choosing the ri...

Global shares drift today, reflecting on relatively strong earnings from tech bellwethers; The dollar lifts and gold prices reach record highs; Global markets price in fewer rate cuts for the year and the BOJ must maintain loose monetary policy. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s market movements and news from Singapore and th...

Tragic US air disaster; Brexit developments; SoftBank's potential investment in OpenAI; India accelerates its AI initiatives and in Singapore, updates on Woodleigh bus interchange. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro ( claremb@sph.com.sg )  Produced and edited by: Claressa Monteiro Produced by: BT Po...

US maritime strategies in Panama, Australian business activity, and political concerns in Asia under President Prabowo Subianto. Also highlighted is the upcoming Jurong Region Line in Singapore. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro ( claremb@sph.com.sg )  Produced and edited by: Claressa Monteiro Prod...

Will HDB resale flats hit two million dollars this year? Is it time to invest in property in Johor? Will the government raise the income ceiling for Build-to-Order flats?  From the 2025 budget to the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, the Year of the Snake promises a lot of opportunities for the Singapore property market. In this episode, senior correspondent Leslie Yee sits down with Ism...

US stock futures and Asian shares outside China slumped today; Eurozone rate-setters are set to cut borrowing costs this week and China’s factory activity unexpectedly contracts in January. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s market movements and news from Singapore and the region. Written by: Howie Lim (howielim@sph.com....

US President Trump suggests Palestinians should move to Jordan and Egypt; Perplexity AI revises merger proposal with TikTok's parent ByteDance; South Korea's President Yoon faces insurrection charges and Singapore’s Changi Airport forecasts growth after missing full recovery. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Clare...

How do we safeguard our wallets during the festive season without taking the joy out of the celebrations? And should we use our bonuses to fund the merriment? Howie Lim speaks to Seth Wee, content creator and finfluencer from sethisfy.com and Dhanesh Sharma, financial services manager at PhillipCapital to find out. Synopsis: Every Monday, The Business Times breaks down useful financial tips. Highl...

Bank of Japan raises interest rates to highest in 17 years; BYD overtakes Toyota to become Singapore’s No. 1 seller; India’s Reliance Group could be building world’s largest data center. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s market movements and news from Singapore and the region. Written and hosted by: Emily Li...