Your Way Home with Hongbin Jeong

Cleaning barnacles and algae off the hulls of some of the world’s largest liners – that’s the work of our guest for today.  Founded in 2018, Neptune Robotics is a pioneer in AI-powered robotics and uses robots to reduce biofouling or an accumulation of microorganisms, algae, plants and animals on ship hulls. For context, removing biofouling and hull cleaning is important for...

Singapore shares were trading in the negative territory today, after overseas markets closed mixed.  As at the midday break, the Straits Times Index (STI) was down 0.1 per cent at 3,786.46 points after 481.1 million securities changed hands in the broader market.  In terms of counters to watch, we have First Real Estate Investment Trust after it received a preliminary non-binding letter...

The Workplace Fairness Bill has been recently passed in Parliament, marking a major milestone in Singapore's employment landscape. Aimed at tackling workplace discrimination, the bill protects employees from biases ranging from age, race, nationality, and so on. But while the bill is a positive step towards fostering a more inclusive community, it also presents challenges for SMEs, which are exemp...

The world is on the cusp of a new era. The US economy is in a healthy position, supported by cyclical and structural tailwinds and a Federal Reserve in easing mode.  But with uncertainties remaining, how can investors better position their portfolios? How can they seize on the opportunities to generate additional value based on strong convictions around specific markets and segments.&nbs...

Many men ignore early health symptoms, brushing them off as stress or fatigue — but these signs, like low energy or performance issues, can signal serious problems such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes. Nano Singapore aims to close this gap in men’s health awareness with proactive outreach and their Men’s Vitality Formula. This potent blend, featuring superfoods like spiruli...

The devastating wildfires sweeping across Los Angeles have claimed at least 24 lives, with officials warning that its worsening condition could intensify the crisis. Gavin Newsom, California’s governor, described the recent wildfires as the “worst disaster in US history”. The Palisades and Eaton fires have scorched over 40,000 acres combined, leaving a path of destruction that th...

Singapore equities began the day in negative territory, tracking losses in global markets last Friday. In early trade, the Straits Times Index (STI) fell 0.3 per cent to 3,790.51 points after 36.9 million securities changed hands in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch, we have Stoneweg E-Reit, after it received a “BBB-” long-term issuer credit rating from S&P Global R...

Hougang United’s season hangs in the balance, and newly-appointed interim head coach Robert Eziakor has 12 league games to turn things around. Bold moves, fresh tactics, and big decisions—will it be enough to reignite the Cheetahs? Tune in as he sits down to Sports Minutes to tell us more. READ MORE: https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/robert-eziakor-steps-up-as-hougang-interim...

Elections and central bank actions have dominated global markets over the past year, and analysts expect unusually high monetary policy risk to remain a key driver in 2025. That means the impact on Asia’s credit markets will likely be less marked, especially for US dollar denominated Asian bonds. So what’s the outlook for Asian fixed income in 2025? Will Asian fixed income have a good...

Sara Soong suffered years-long battle against eczema that had left her skin reddened, drying, and constantly peeling. But that wasn’t even the worst of it — she had been left a husk of her former self as the eczema ate away at her, becoming a drawn-out war with depression and anorexia too. In fact, 1 in 3 Singaporean youths grapple with mental health, largely fuelled by appearance...

Converting complex data landscapes into actionable insights that can drive strategic business outcomes.  That’s the work of our guest for today, Qlik. Founded in 1993, Qlik is a software company that focuses on data integration, analytics and artificial intelligence, providing enterprise grade artificial intelligence and machine learning powered solutions that work with diverse data sou...

 Is hybrid working still productive in 2025? What was once an emergency measure, a temporary solution borne out of necessity, has now evolved into the heartbeat of modern work culture.  But the tides of time do not wait for us to catch up. As we stand at the threshold of a new era, we must ask ourselves—has hybrid working truly lived up to its promise?  Has the fusion of home...

Singapore equities began the day in negative territory, with the benchmark index retreating further by the midday break, driven by losses in banking stocks. As at noon, the Straits Times Index (STI) was down 1.7 per cent at 3,795.3 points after 419.9 million securities changed hands in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch today, we have Sats given how the company and its wholly owned...

From Tokyo to Tanjong Pagar, Noh Alam Shah is back from his training stint in Japan - rejuvenated and ready to to reignite the Jaguars’ season. Tune in as we talk to the freshly minted interim head coach of Tanjong Pagar United about earning credibility as coach, navigating challenges and managing expectations ahead of the resumption of the Singapore Premier League. READ MORE: https://www.st...

These days, Gen Z students are managing multiple tools and subscriptions just to streamline their studies. This digital overload isn’t helping—it’s leaving them drained, financially strained, and pressed for time. Two years ago, one student decided to do something about this problem. He dropped out of school to pursue his startup, Intellecs.ai, a tool that helps Gen Zs get p...

Since Donald Trump won the election last November, the US dollar has extended its rally. Across the same time frame, the greenback has also strengthened substantially against the Singapore dollar. Meanwhile, a Hawkish Fed risk is now better reflected in the USD. But tariff risk could continue to keep the USD supported in the early stages of Trump 2.0 So how far can the US dollar go in 2025? On Wea...

In recent years, Singapore has seen a rise in the prevalence of sham marriages, where individuals enter into marriages for fraudulent purposes. The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority reported that between January and September in 2024, there were 32 cases of marriage of convenience, up from four cases during the same period in 2023. Will this growing trend in sham marriages lead to social probl...

Singapore shares started trading in negative territory today, mirroring overnight losses in European markets. The Straits Times Index (STI) opened 0.5 per cent lower at 3,869.13 points after 25.2 million securities changed hands in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have Suntec Real Estate Investment Trust, after property tycoon Gordon Tang and his wife Celine have raised their...

President-elect Donald Trump’s market honeymoon may just be over.  US markets rallied sharply to close at record highs after Trump won the presidential election back in November in a stunning comeback four years after being voted out of the White House. But that’s already turned sour. More than half of the stock market's post-Trump-election rally has been erased towards the end of...

In 2024, Singapore made significant strides in EV adoption, outpacing many of its regional counterparts. According to a report by Bloomberg, Singapore leads Southeast Asia in EV market penetration, with electric vehicles making up nearly 20% of all new car registrations. This shift comes amid government initiatives to encourage sustainable mobility, but a question lingers: is progress as smooth as...

It’s a deep dive into the private equity landscape as we speak to an investment firm that’s indirectly owned by Temasek Holdings.  Set up in 2015, our guest Azalea Investment Management defines itself as being in the business of PE investments, with a focus on the development and innovation of new investment platforms and products.  The firm said its goal is to bring private...

After many years of delays, Malaysia and Singapore have signed a deal to establish the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ). This comes as the two nations seek to develop a new economic growth area centered on one of the busiest land crossings in the world. Modelled after China’s Shenzhen Special Economic Zone, the JS-SEZ will provide tax breaks and ease the transit of goods and pe...

Singapore shares started trading in positive territory this morning, even as global markets ended the previous day mixed. The Straits Times Index (STI) opened 0.2 per cent higher at 3,836.94 points after 28.1 million securities changed hands in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have Centurion, after the accommodation assets operator said yesterday that it is exploring the esta...

Joke crypto Fartcoin started as a parody, and now it is on a tear. Fartcoin’s market cap of nearly $800 million now exceeds that of several well-known brands. The memecoin has even surpassed Dogecoin’s all-time highs and blown fellow memecoin Shiba Inu completely out of the water. What exactly is Fartcoin, and why is it surging?  On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to  Ca...

Having spent close to 5-years with BG Tampines Rovers, scoring 110 goals in 138 appearances to become the club's ALL-TIME top scorer - Boris Kopitovic sent shockwaves through the fraternity when news broke of his departure to Bali United. So how and why did this mid-season move materialise, what are his ambitions in Indonesia, and how close was he to attaining PR status in Singapore? Boris himself...