Your Way Home with Hongbin Jeong

Singapore shares were little moved today as all eyes remained on oil price movements and developments in the Middle East.  The Straits Times Index was down a marginal 0.05% at 4,858.11 points at 2.47pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$1.09B seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch for today, we have Jardine Matheson Holdings, after the Hong Kong-based conglomerate y...

Malaysia’s long-standing RON95 petrol price of RM1.99 per litre is under threat. Surging global oil prices, a tense Middle East, and a potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz are putting the government and consumers on high alert. What could rising fuel costs mean for households, businesses, and the Malaysian economy at large? Could subsidies survive, or are higher petrol prices inevitable...

Think wealth is just about returns? Think again. Ultra-high net worth families are taking a longer view—building legacies that span generations and borders. Lombard Odier’s second Rethink Family Wealth report reveals how families, family offices, and foundations are managing wealth differently today.  From governance and family alignment to private markets and endowment-inspired s...

Is there something you know so well you could recognise it blindfolded?  On What’s Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Alexandra Parada talk about a Barbie collector who knows her dolls so well she can identify them blindfolded, and a viral road sign in Tianjin, China warning drivers not to make jokes while behind the wheel. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore shares rose today as oil prices retreated from earlier highs.  The Straits Times Index was up 1.74% at 4,839.48 points at about 2.11pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$1.33B seen in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have Suntec REIT, after property tycoon Gordon Tang’s Acrophyte Asset Management yesterday received approval from the Monetary Autho...

Balestier keep the good times rolling with a fourth straight win, while BG Tampines put five past the Young Lions to keep pace at the top of the table. But beyond the scorelines, Sports Minutes runs the rule over domestic recruitment - from signings that are flourishing, to those flattering to deceive. Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in...

Iran has named Mojtaba Khamenei as its new supreme leader after the killing of his father, Ali Khamenei, in a US-Israeli strike — a move that could reshape the country’s political future and its relations with Washington. The appointment comes despite strong opposition from Donald Trump, who had previously said the younger Khamenei would be “unacceptable” as Iran’s ne...

Gold and silver are shedding their image as old-school safe havens and emerging as the new entry point for a younger generation of investors. According to a report by OCBC Bank, two in three first-time retail investors in 2025 chose precious metals over traditional options like equities and funds, a sharp shift in how people are starting their investment journeys. With investors under 40 now makin...

A TikTok-viral baker says living with his parents lets him save, invest… and splurge on designer bags. But is it savvy financial planning or a little too comfortable? On What's Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Nadiah Koh dive into the growing debate around adult children living at home — what they should contribute, and whether independence is being delayed. Then, as global tensions threat...

Oil is front and centre today, with prices surging past US$100 a barrel. If listeners remember, we began 2026 with oil trading below US$60, marking a rapid jump of roughly 70% in just a few months. The sharp move higher has rattled markets, with equities broadly seeing a sea of red as investors grapple with the implications of higher energy prices. This also raises a key question for markets: are...

The conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran has entered a volatile new phase, raising fresh geopolitical and legal questions about the future of the region. Following reports of strikes that resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, attention has turned to who could succeed him and what that transition might mean for regional stability. US President Donald T...

Gold prices have surged past $5,100 an ounce, up about 20% this year. However, amid continued tensions in the Middle East, spot gold's price slipped about 1.6% earlier this week to around $5,060 per troy ounce.  What’s driving this plunge and how much of this  is pure geopolitical panic given the ongoing Iran-US-Israel conflict? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Shaokai Fa...

A man in Shanghai has gone viral after reportedly earning around 160,000 yuan during the Chinese New Year period just by feeding cats. Instead of travelling for the holidays, he stayed behind and helped care for pets while their owners were away, visiting hundreds of homes to feed cats and check on them. Meanwhile, Spotify has teamed up with beverage brand Liquid Death to create the “Eternal...

On Market View, Sean Cheong speaks to Benjamin Goh, Head of Research and Investor Education at the Securities Investors Association (Singapore) to wrap up the week with a look at how markets have been navigating a mix of geopolitical tensions, economic signals and rising volatility. The Straits Times Index ended the day flat at 4,848 points, and they assess how Singapore equities performed both to...

From head video analyst to interim head coach - Varo Moreno’s voyage has been anything but ordinary. Speaking to Sports Minutes,, he shares what it was like taking charge of the Sailors, how he handled the pressure, and his thoughts on Jesus Casas’ arrival. Plus, insight into the post-Lestienne era and how modern analytics is shaping football in Singapore. Got a story to tell? Get in t...

This time, Money Matter’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian reports from aboard the new Disney Adventure, the first Disney Cruise Line ship for guests in Asia and also the first to be homeported out of Singapore. Drawing on over 100 years of storytelling from Disney, Marvel and Pixar franchises, Disney Adventure promises to fill everyone with endless adventures and a magical experience. The s...

China’s annual Two Sessions are underway, but it comes at a pivotal moment, with rising global tensions in the Middle East and fresh economic signals from Beijing. This year, China has set its lowest growth target since 1991, underscoring concerns about slowing momentum and shifting economic priorities. What does this more cautious outlook reveal about the state of the economy? And how much...

Imagine being able to trade U.S. stock options before the market even opens, acting on overnight news, earnings, and global events, all from Asia. Today, we dive into how pre-market options are reshaping strategies, risks, and opportunities for investors, and why one brokerage is leading the charge in this game-changing shift. On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to  Xu Shengyu, CEO, Longb...

Would you shop at a mall at 3AM? Seletar Mall is experimenting with 4AM closing hours, complete with late-night activities and a viral 'Downmall Challenge' that shows a former Singapore Youth Olympic cyclist riding a bike down the mall’s escalators.  Then in a new update, a family feud twist: Brooklyn Beckham reportedly ignores peace talks from his parents and responds publicl...

Markets across the Asia-Pacific rebounded today, with most major indices trading higher after several days of steep losses. South Korea’s Kospi led the gains, surging as much as 12% at one point — a sharp turnaround after suffering its worst session on record just a day earlier. Overnight in the U.S., stocks also moved higher, extending the rebound from the previous session. The Dow ro...

As tensions flare in the Middle East, global oil markets are on edge. Here in Singapore, major players like Shell, Caltex, Esso and Sinopec have raised 95-octane prices to around $2.92 a litre. Behind the spike? Growing fears that supplies could be disrupted through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints. But this isn’t just a story for motorists. Sin...

Markets bled red as the Straits Times Index (STI) slid to 4,812, with banks and blue chips, from DBS and UOB to Singtel and SIA, leading the losses. Over $3.6 billion in value changed hands, but confidence was harder to find. On Market View, Sean Cheong speaks with Dan Chang of Philip Securities to break down what’s really driving the sell-off, and whether Singapore is more vulnerable than i...

AI is everywhere, from trillion-dollar tech giants ramping up spending to Asian markets stepping up their role in the global supply chain. But with valuations stretched and volatility creeping back in, is it still about chasing the AI trade, or is it time to get more disciplined? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to  Jason Kuan (CFA), Director, Investment Research and Advisory, Chief In...

Students in Singapore are rating their teachers based on whether they cause “high cortisol” or “low cortisol”, complete with photos, stress meters, and viral TikTok edits. Harmless school humour or public shaming that’s gone too far? At the same time, a shocking case out of South Korea is raising uncomfortable questions about beauty, bias, and social media obsession....

Sanctions. Forfeits. Points docked. It’s been a bruising week for Hougang United following the ruling by the Football Association of Singapore over the fielding of an ineligible player. In an EXCLUSIVE Sports Minutes sit-down, club captain Ryaan Sanizal tackles the tough questions head-on — speaking openly about accountability, resilience, and guiding a young squad through one of the m...