Your Way Home with Hongbin Jeong

Home renovations are often seen as an exciting journey, but for many homeowners in Singapore, it can quickly turn into a source of stress and frustration. HomeMatch, co- founded by Mervin Foo has a solution that’s changing the renovation game. Their groundbreaking platform aims to make the renovation process smarter, safer, and more transparent for homeowners across Singapore. How exact...

Once a budget-friendly and eco-conscious way to shop, thrifting is now a booming industry. Has second-hand shopping remained a sustainable and affordable alternative, or has social media, resellers, and rising prices turned it into just another overpriced trend? On The Hot Seat, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Marcus Ng, Fashion Model and Eden Tay, Co-Founder of Vintagewknd to find out whether thrifting i...

Earnings season has flown by, but as it kicked off, it’s been reported that the Finance & Insurance sector was the second fastest-growing industry in Singapore in 2024, following Accommodation. In fact, our trio of banks DBS, OCBC, and UOB are set to distribute a combined S$13.7 billion in dividends for FY24. But other than these large caps, a number of other stocks related to Finan...

Singapore shares were lower today with global trade tensions remaining on the top of minds of investors. The Straits Times Index dipped 0.11% to 3,833.44 points at about 2.18pm with a value turnover of S$754.39M.  In terms of counters to watch today, we have Sembcorp Industries. That’s after a deal inked by one of Sembcorp Industries’ subsidiaries to import natural gas from Indone...

Transcelestial is a Singapore-based technology company focused on improving global internet connectivity through wireless laser communication. By replacing traditional fiber optics with laser links, Transcelestial provides a faster, more cost-effective way to transmit data, making reliable internet access more accessible in both urban and remote areas. Its flagship product, CENTAURI, a compact dev...

Power banks have become an essential travel companion, but starting April 1, Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Scoot will ban their use and charging in-flight, citing safety concerns. This decision follows a series of incidents involving overheating lithium batteries, including a Scoot flight fire in Taiwan and a Batik Air cabin smoke incident. With airlines like Thai Airways, AirAsia, and South Korean...

Singapore shares hovered above the flatline today as investors continue to digest the outlook for the US economy.  The Straits Times Index nudged 0.02% higher to 3,833.84 points at about 2.20pm (2.19pm), with a value turnover of S$1.06B in the broader market.  In terms of companies to watch, we have City Developments Ltd. after the property giant’s executive chairman Kwek Leng Beng...

If you’re an older or senior worker, you might be wondering what options there are to continue your career journey. That’s because many older workers find it difficult to get work. Kai Ning Lim is the co-founder of The Courage Chapter is looking to change that perspective. The Courage Chapter is a pioneering platform that’s reshaping how we think about senior profession...

What should you be looking out for in a stock market rotation? Are we currently in one? And should this rotation continue, headline returns could become negative, at least in the short term. How should investors respond? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to J. Aston, Jr, Portfolio Manager and Managing Director at Neuberger Berman , to find out more.  See omnystudio.com/listene...

The Lion City Sailors' dream run in the ACL Two continues, as they defeated Sanfrecce Hiroshima 4-1 on aggregate to book a spot in the last four. This is only the third time a team from Singapore have reached the semi-finals of a continental competition. So how did the Sailors, the only South-east Asian outfit left in Asia’s second-tier club competition, defy the odds to overcome their illus...

US President Donald Trump has nominated entrepreneur Anji Sinha to serve as the new United States Ambassador to Singapore. Yet, Dr Sinha is relatively little known, with no presence on websites or social media platforms. This appointment is still subject to confirmation by the Senate. So, who exactly is Dr Sinha? Why did Trump choose Sinha as his ambassador? And how will the Senate confi...

Singapore shares were higher in the afternoon after starting the day lower.  The Straits Times Index was up 0.46% at 3,843.41 points at about 2.18pm, with a value turnover of S$1.04B in the broader market.  In terms of companies to watch, we have GuocoLand, after the property developer secured S$367.1 million in green financing from DBS to develop a residential site in Faber Walk. ...

Did you know that amongst the NINE teams competing in the Singapore Women’s Premier League - there is ONLY ONE that does not have an active men’s team. And that team is Still Aerion Women’s Football Club. Dedicated to female footballers - the club have a roster that includes players who’ve featured in the Women’s World Cup, stars of the Singapore Lionesses past and pr...

Bitcoin fell to start off the week as volatility in the price of the world’s largest cryptocurrency continues. That's after an executive order signed by President Donald Trump to create a strategic bitcoin reserve for the United States was seen as a disappointment to many crypto investors, who wanted more detail.  So should you still stay heavily invested in crypto? Could crypto rally o...

Automa8e Technologies is revolutionizing accounting with AI-driven automation, streamlining bookkeeping, tax filing, and financial reporting. By eliminating manual inefficiencies, Automa8e enhances accuracy, compliance, and real-time decision-making. With Tier 3 ASR+ accreditation from IRAS, the company is setting new standards in financial automation and expanding across Asia to drive the future...

Major changes have been made to Singapore’s electoral map, with just five GRCs and four single-seat wards remaining unchanged from the last election. The total number of constituencies now stands at 33, compared to 31 previously. Additionally, the next parliament will comprise 97 elected Members of Parliament. So what impact will these changes have on GE2025? How will the electoral landscape...

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has been arrested following an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant for crimes against humanity over his deadly drug war. Duterte was taken into custody upon landing in Manila on March 11 after attending a campaign event in Hong Kong. His arrest follows a shift in stance by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., whose administration agreed to cooperate wi...

Singapore shares tumbled in early trade this morning, joining Asia-wide declines as US markets dropped deep into negative territory on fears over tariffs and recession risks. The Straits Times Index (STI) fell 1.5 per cent to 3,839.812 points early on after 71.1 million securities changed hands in the broader market.  In terms of companies to watch, we have the Singapore Exchange given its pl...

Financial services firm Chocolate Finance on March 10 suspended instant withdrawals, citing high demand. It said on its mobile app that it was experiencing an unusually high volume of withdrawal requests, so users making requests during this period would have to wait between three and 10 days to get back their money. This disruption has raised a number of concerns among customers, particularly reg...

Trust Bank has launched TrustInvest — a new investment product designed to make investing more accessible, transparent, and user-friendly for everyone. It's also partnered with global investment firm aberdeen to offer users a chance to build a diversified portfolio with just a few taps on their phones. So what are the  different funds that users can invest in? And how is TrustInvest a g...

Soul Parking is a leading parking management service provider in Indonesia, revolutionizing urban parking through technology-driven solutions. By integrating vertical parking systems, a cloud-based Operating System, and real-time data analytics, Soul Parking optimizes space utilization, enhances efficiency, and delivers a seamless, cashless parking experience. The company’s innovative approa...

Canada has chosen its next prime minister. Mark Carney has won the race to succeed Justin Trudeau. He’s managed the financial crisis, then Brexit and now - he faces Trump’s trade war. He’s vowed to win the trade war against US President Donald Trump. So what can we expect from Canada’s new prime minister? And given his prior experience, is he the right person to be tac...

Singapore stocks were lower as all eyes remained on escalating trade tensions in the region.  That’s after Beijing’s retaliatory tariffs on certain US farm goods took effect today.  The Straits Times Index was down 0.17% at 3,908.01 points at 12.20pm, with a value turnover of S$526.29M in the broader market.  In terms of companies to watch, we have Hongkong Land, after t...

The Lion City Sailors take centre stage on this episode of Sports Minutes - and for obvious reasons, after the furore surrounding their ACL Two Quarter-final. With the first leg declared a walkover after Sanfrecce Hiroshima's error of fielding an ineligible player, can the Sailors get the job done to secure a historic spot in the Semis? And, could the return of the legendary Kadir Yahya as Unleash...

Trying to predict what US President Donald Trump is going to do next is a risky business. So given his unpredictability, investors need to recognise that they are headed for a new normal where uncertainty, along with market and portfolio volatility, will become fixtures in the next few years. And this brings out a good case for investing in bonds. What are the opportunities now for the bond market...