MONEY FM 89.3 - Prime Time with Howie Lim, Bernard Lim & Finance Presenter JP Ong

Climate change is no longer a distant threat, it’s unfolding in real time. Sea levels are creeping higher, heatwaves are becoming more intense and frequent, and global supply chains are increasingly strained by extreme weather. At the same time, the world’s attention is pulled in other directions, from geopolitical tensions to ongoing energy crises. So where does that leave Singapore, a low-lying island nation already grappling with rising temperatures and long-term sea level risks? And how will Singapore plan decades ahead when international cooperation is fragmenting, funding is uncertain, and the impacts of climate change are becoming more unpredictable by the year? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with international freelance climate editor Rachel Kelly, to find out more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In just a few months, investors have had to navigate geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, trade uncertainty in the US, and disruptions to global energy supply. And yet, despite all that, global equities actually hit record highs as recently as late February. So are markets brushing off the risks, or are investors simply focusing on the bigger economic picture? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Steve Brice, Global CIO, Standard Chartered, to find out more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How far is too far when it comes to bosses keeping tabs on employees? On What’s Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Nadiah Koh dive into the increasingly invasive world of workplace surveillance, from sensors tracking posture and heart rate to timed toilet breaks. Then, we hit the road with Will.I.Am’s latest brainchild: Trinity, a city-friendly, AI-powered electric vehicle that doesn’t just drive - it thinks with you. Imagine turning your daily commute into a moving brainstorming session, guided by an AI assistant that’s always learning, observing, and helping you get things done.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore shares dived today to track hefty losses across regional markets. The Straits Times Index was down 2.38% at 4,831.30 points at 2.44pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$1.76B seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch, we have Lendlease Global Commercial Reit, after the Reit’s preferential offering of 352.4 million units was only 62.2 per cent subscribed. Elsewhere, from how Singapore’s core inflation picked up, while headline inflation eased in February, to how owners of luxury brands ranging from Gucci to Fendi and Bulgari opened more stores in Europe last year despite a slowdown in the wider sector, more economic and international headlines remained in focus. Plus – all about the selloff in Asia today, and how Kpop agency HYBE saw shares drop after boyband BTS’ comeback concert. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with David Kuo, Co-founder, The Smart Investor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore imports more than 90% of its food, yet less than 1% comes from the Middle East. Despite this, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu has warned that ongoing conflicts could still drive up food prices through disruptions to global shipping routes like the Strait of Hormuz. Higher fuel and fertilizer costs may increase production and transport expenses, affecting farmers, businesses, and hawkers. On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Associate Professor Goh Puay Guan from the National University of Singapore Business School, about how these global pressures are shaping food prices in Singapore.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Conflict in the Middle East is rocking global energy markets. Oil prices are spiking, shipping routes are under threat, and supply chains are stretched to the limit.But what does this mean for your investments, and the future of renewable energy? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to James Koh, Partner, Energy & Natural Resources, Oliver Wyman, to find out more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On What’s Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Alexandra Parada dive into the world of K-pop from fan reactions that spiralled into real-world disruption, to the massive economic power of global superstars. They unpack the fallout from Heeseung’s departure from Enhypen, which escalated from petitions and protest trucks to overwhelming South Korea’s national pension fund lines. Then, they look at BTS’ long-awaited comeback, a return so big it could rival Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, generating billions and boosting entire industries.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore shares fell today as investors continue to mull the impact of the Middle East war on global growth. The Straits Times Index was down 0.55% at 4,940.11 points at 2.18pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$1.04B seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch, we have Hongkong Land and Suntec Real Estate Investment Trust, after the property developer acquired a 10.8 per cent stake in the trust, for S$541 million in a bid to grow its presence in Singapore’s prime commercial sector. Elsewhere, from how Alibaba Group declared a target of reaching US$100 billion of cloud and AI-related business revenue in five years, to how the Indian rupee fell past the 93 per dollar level for the first time today, more corporate and international headlines remained in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian dived into the key developments to watch for the day.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jordan Webb, remember him? He arrived as a fleet-footed winger from Canada in 2010, and spent close to a decade making a mark in the Singapore Premier League - most notably for Tampines Rovers. 6 years since departing in fairly abrupt circumstances, he sits down with Sports Minutes to tell us how close he came to representing his "second home", his regrets on never achieving that goal and how a failing marriage forced him to return back to Canada in 2020.Got a story to tell? Get in touch!raushan@sph.com.sgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the past year, the spotlight has been firmly on students and their use of AI, questions around academic integrity, strict guidelines, and even penalties for those who don’t disclose it. But now, the conversation is shifting. Several universities here in Singapore, including Nanyang Technological University, Singapore University of Technology and Design, Singapore Institute of Technology, and National University of Singapore, are beginning to incorporate AI tools into the grading process itself. So that raises a big question: if students are being closely monitored for their use of AI, is it fair for educators to lean on the same technology when marking their work? Is this a step towards greater efficiency… or does it risk changing the very nature of assessment and feedback? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Ben Leong, Associate Professor of Computer Science at NUS and Director of the AI Centre for Educational Technologies, to find out more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s not just global investors driving the surge in gold, but buyers right here in Singapore. From bullion dealers to pawnshops, demand for gold bars, coins, and even jewellery has spiked sharply in recent months, fuelled by rising tensions in the Middle East, volatile markets, and growing expectations of interest rate cuts. At the same time, prices have been anything but stable, swinging between record highs and sharp pullbacks. So what’s really going on, and is this a smart time to be buying gold? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to David Mitchell, Managing Director, Indigo Precious Metals, to find out more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On What’s Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Zia-ul Raushan talk about world leaders with unexpected talents including Thailand’s King and Queen, who made headlines for flying their own plane on a state visit. Plus, a Singaporean family learns a costly lesson at the airport after a toy gun in their child’s carry-on led to a missed flight and S$3,000 in new tickets.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore shares dipped today as investors continued to mull the Federal Reserve’s move to hold interest rates overnight. The Straits Times Index was down 0.44% at 4,980.01 points at 12.06pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$1.38B seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch, we have Manulife US Real Estate Investment Trust, after its distributable income for the second half ended Dec 31 fell 31.1 per cent year on year to US$10.6 million. Elsewhere, from how Apple posted a 23 per cent surge in China smartphone sales in the first nine weeks of 2026, to how Micron Technology warned that it will need to spend heavily on production to meet burgeoning demand, more corporate headlines are in focus today. Plus – what investors should make of the Federal Reserve and the Bank of Japan’s moves to hold interest rates this week. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian dived into the details with David Chow, Director, Azure Capital.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Iran has confirmed that its top security chief, Ali Larijani, was killed in an Israeli airstrike, alongside his son and senior aides, a major setback for Tehran’s leadership since the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei earlier in the conflict. In response to his death, Iran has launched missile strikes on Israel, while targets in Lebanon have also been hit, raising concerns of a broader regional escalation. What does Larijani’s assassination mean for the balance of power in Iran? Could it undermine diplomatic efforts in the region? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Dr James Dorsey, Adjunct Senior Fellow at Nanyang Technological University's S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, to unpack the latest developments.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oil prices are surging, the US dollar is holding firm, and Asian currencies are under pressure. Could the Korean won and Indian rupee slide further? And why might the Chinese yuan and Singapore dollar weather the storm better? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Christopher Wong, FX strategist, OCBC, to find out more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On What’s Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Nadiah Koh dive into chaos, both robotic and edible. First, a humanoid robot in Macau goes rogue, terrifying a 70-year-old woman and forcing cops to step in. How did a 4-foot-tall bot designed for education end up getting arrested? And, what does this say about our increasingly unpredictable relationship with technology? Then, we turn to a very different kind of frenzy: the Dubai chocolate craze has evolved into a full-blown cake obsession in Taiwan, with fans sprinting, queuing for hours, and even reselling slices at triple the price. Is the Dubai chocolate hype getting out of hand?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore shares moved higher today as investors looked ahead to the latest Federal Reserve rate decision due overnight. The Straits Times Index was up 1.18% at 4,993.97 points at 2.06pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$1.18B seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch for today, we have Singtel, after a second disruption of mobile services in recent days hit some of the telco’s users yesterday. Elsewhere, from how Malaysia’s ringgit rose to the strongest versus the Singapore dollar in five years as higher energy prices supported the net energy exporter, to how Nvidia has reportedly won Beijing’s approval to sell its second-most powerful AI chips to China, more international and corporate headlines remained in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Jeremy Tan, CEO, Tiger Fund Management.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the largest aeronautics and space company in Europe, Airbus provides products, services and solutions for the commercial aircraft, helicopter, defence and space sectors. They range from the commercial aircraft and helicopters that connect people from around the world to military aircraft and satellites that aim to protect citizens and countries. Its 12,000-plus Airbus aircrafts in service collectively serve over 48,000 routes globally, closing the distance between people every day. In February 2026, the firm reported net orders of 889 commercial aircrafts after cancellations in 2025, higher than the 826 seen in 2024, while the order backlog amounted to a year-end record of 8,754 commercial aircrafts at the end of 2025. But how much of this is contributed by Asia Pacific, and how does the company assess the speed at which it is delivering to customers in the region amid shortages in Pratt & Whitney engines? Also – how does it assess competition from up and coming players in the region, say China’s state-owned planemaker Comac? Meanwhile, Airbus has said that Asia Pacific will need almost 20,000 new aircrafts as it is set to remain as the world’s fastest-growing air travel market. But what are the key trends supporting the numbers, and how is Airbus working to capture and realise demand from the region? In this “On the Go” Special episode of Under the Radar, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian headed down to the Airbus Campus at Seletar Aerospace Park, where she posed the questions to Anand Stanley, President, Airbus Asia-Pacific.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A growing divide has emerged among Western allies after President Donald Trump urged partners to send warships to escort vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. Countries including Germany, Spain and Italy have declined, citing legal limitations, the lack of consultation before the strikes on Iran, and the absence of a mandate from organisations such as NATO, the EU or the United Nations. On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Dr Leon Goldsmith, Honorary Senior Lecturer in Middle East Politics at the University of Otago, to examine why some US allies are reluctant to get involved, what this reveals about tensions within Western alliances, and what it could mean for efforts to secure one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Could the yuan start quietly gaining ground against the dollar over the next five years? China’s latest Two Sessions suggest the country is serious about its ambition to become a financial superpower, codifying rules that could boost the yuan’s international standing. From economic growth to trade surpluses and monetary policy, there are multiple forces at play. On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Abbas Keshvani, Director (Asia Macro Strategy) at RBC Capital Markets, to find out more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People in Los Angeles are getting paid to film themselves doing housework, wearing cameras while doing chores to help train robots and AI systems to understand human movements. Meanwhile, photos of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s oversized shoes have gone viral, with reports suggesting they may be part of an unusual White House habit where Donald Trump buys shoes for staff. On What’s Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Alexandra Parada dive into these stories where robots learn housework and politics involves very big shoes to fill.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore shares registered gains today as investors continue to set their sights on a flurry of central bank decisions from major economies around the world. The Straits Times Index was up 1.05% at 4,919.83 points at 2.29pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$1.19B seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch today, we have Singapore Airlines, after its low-cost arm Scoot posted a 17.4 per cent year-on-year increase in passenger traffic for February, of three billion revenue passenger-kilometres. Elsewhere, from how Singapore’s key exports rose 4 per cent year on year in February, easing from the preceding month’s downwards revision of 9.2 per cent growth, to developments out of Nvidia’s annual flagship event or the GTC in San Jose, more economic and corporate headlines remain in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Dan Chang, Investment Specialist and Trading Representative, PhillipCapital.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sudden job losses can hit hard, leaving employees with little time to process the news or plan next steps.Recent cases, like the Providore Group retrenchments, highlight how confusing and stressful the experience can be for workers.How much notice should workers get before retrenchment and would earlier notification make a meaningful difference for workers?Beyond when layoffs happen, how can employees be supported in the first moments after losing their job?On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Amarjit Kaur, Partner and Head of Employment Law at Withers KhattarWong, to find out more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gold and Silver are back in the spotlight, surging as global tensions heat up, while Bitcoin tumbles to one of its worst months on record.What’s driving this flight to safety, and where should investors turn next? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Richard Wang, Country Manager, J. Rotbart & Co., to find out more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On What's Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Nadiah Koh find out if you could really win a S$3 million apartment… for just 85 cents a month. A South Korean YouTuber with over 17 million subscribers says yes. His latest giveaway promises a fully furnished luxury apartment, complete with a massive TV, high-end gaming setup, and designer interiors, to one lucky paid subscriber. Genius marketing, or just too good to be true? Then, we shift from influencer giveaways to the red carpet, where a Chinese actress recently went viral for carrying… a yellow plastic bag to a glamorous film festival. At first, people thought it was another outrageous luxury fashion stunt, but the real reason behind the bag tells a very different story.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wall Street is looking to start the week on a firmer footing as markets attempt to recover from a three-week slide. Dow futures are currently in the green, while Asian markets have begun the week on a mixed note. The big driver for markets right now is the escalating U.S.-Iran conflict, with the Strait of Hormuz effectively choked off, oil prices have been extremely volatile. Brent crude surged past US$100 for the first time since 2022 last week, briefly pulled back, and has since climbed again. On Market View, Alexandra Parada speaks to David Kuo, Co-Founder of The Smart Investor, to discuss the latest market movements.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Surprises galore this Singapore Premier League weekend - with Geylang snapping a 4-game winless streak, coaches opting to be experimental in their team selections and a refereeing decision that left fans scratching their heads We unpack it all, plus cast our eye on potential nominees for season-ending awards on Sports Minutes. Got a story to tell? Get in touch!raushan@sph.com.sgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we’re going to take you through the company behind the GLP-1 drugs Wegovy and Ozempic that are used to treat obesity and diabetes. Founded in 1923 and headquartered just outside Copenhagen in Denmark, Novo Nordisk prides itself as a global healthcare company that aims to drive change to defeat serious chronic disease and build on its heritage in diabetes. The Danish drugmaker said it seeks to do so by pioneering scientific breakthroughs, expanding access to its medicines and working to prevent and ultimately cure the diseases it treats. Fast forward to today, Novo Nordisk’s global footprint spans across 170 countries, with production facilities in 13 of them, and 10 research and development centres in key markets China, Denmark, India, the UK and the US. Novo Nordisk is a company to watch because of its breakthrough GLP-1 injectable medications for diabetes and obesity care in recent years. But what are the key drivers of growth for the firm right now? Meanwhile, concerns surrounding competition against other industry peers such as Eli Lilly continue to weigh on investors’ minds as they mull what the next battleground for the big pharmaceutical players will be. That’s especially so with the expiry of the firm’s patents in key markets nearing. But it seems like oral pills are the next chapter for pharmaceutical firms targeting the obesity market, with Novo Nordisk rolling out its first GLP-1 pill for weight loss in the US earlier in January. With Goldman Sachs in 2025 forecasting the daily oral pills will capture about a quarter of the anti-obesity medication market by 2030, how will Novo Nordisk’s oral GLP-1 medications augment its growth trajectory? On Under the Radar, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Jay Thyagarajan, Senior Vice President, Region APAC, Novo Nordisk.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fuel shortages across Asia are prompting governments to take drastic steps, from four-day work weeks to school closures, all aimed at reducing energy consumption. But how effective are these measures really? And could Singapore ever consider similar policies if the crisis worsens? On The Big Story, Nadiah Koh speaks with June Goh, Senior Oil Market Analyst, Sparta Commodities, to find out more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Barcelona fan missed a Champions League match after following his GPS to the wrong stadium. Instead of Newcastle’s St James’ Park, he ended up at St James Park in Exeter and watched a completely different football game instead. Meanwhile, an Australian fashion designer named Katie Perry has finally won a nearly two-decade legal battle against pop superstar Katy Perry over the right to use the name for her clothing brand. On What’s Trending, Nadiah Koh and Alexandra Parada unpack the GPS mix-up and the unusual name dispute between a small business owner and a global pop star.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Global financial markets are currently facing a complex mix of uncertainty and opportunity. Rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have pushed energy prices higher, adding pressure to an already delicate inflation outlook. At the same time, central banks are carefully balancing the need to control inflation with the possibility of shifting monetary policy as economic conditions evolve. Meanwhile, Asia continues to stand out as a key engine of growth, particularly as artificial intelligence and technology-related investments accelerate across the region. These forces are creating both risks and potential upside across asset classes—from equities and bonds to commodities and alternative investments. Which industries may benefit from current trends, and which areas could face challenges? And how can investors position their portfolios to stay adaptable in a rapidly changing environment? On Wealth Tracker, Nadiah Koh speaks with Ecaterina Bigos, CIO for Core Investments in APAC ex-Japan at BNP Paribas Asset Management, to find out more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore shares were little moved today as investors’ focus remained squarely on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The Straits Times Index hovered 0.03% above the flatline at 4,856.64 points at 1.16pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$791.71M seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch, we have ST Engineering, given how the company’s urban solutions business will be deploying a suite of intelligent transport systems solutions for Singapore’s Land Transport Authority. Elsewhere, from how the US tried to ease supply concerns by issuing a 30-day license for countries to buy Russian oil and petroleum products stranded at sea, to how Alibaba Group Holding launched a dedicated mobile app claiming to help users install and deploy OpenClaw within minutes – more international and corporate headlines remained in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Benjamin Goh, Head of Research and Investor Education, SIAS.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Raihan Rahman’s football journey has been anything but straightforward. From losing his place in the professional game to rebuilding his career in the amateur ranks, his return to Tanjong Pagar United is a story of resilience. Now a leader in the squad and approaching 100 appearances, Raihan reflects on his comeback and the Jaguars’ difficult season.Got a story to tell? Get in touch!raushan@sph.com.sgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Asian markets started 2026 with a bang, fueled by last year’s AI-driven rallies, renewed momentum in China, and a patchwork of opportunities across the region. But with valuations high and risks on the radar, the big question for investors now is: how are fund managers actually positioning their portfolios? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Germaine Share, Director of Manager Research, Morningstar and Arvind Subramanian, Senior Analyst, Manager Research, Morningstar, to find out more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The International Energy Agency is rolling out the largest emergency oil release in its history - 400 million barrels - as the Iran conflict threatens energy supplies through the critical Strait of Hormuz. But what does this mean for global fuel markets? In Singapore, authorities say the country has several safeguards to ensure energy security, although consumers could still see electricity prices edge higher in the coming months. So how much higher could electricity prices rise? And could Budget 2026’s U-Save rebates help cushion the impact? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with David Broadstock, Partner of The Lantau Group, to find out more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A cancelled ride could soon mean compensation for drivers. Ride-hailing platform Tada is revising its cancellation policy so drivers can receive $3 if a passenger cancels while they are already on the way and within 500 metres of the pickup point, a change that follows feedback raised by the National Private Hire Vehicles Association. Then, we zoom out to the staggering fortunes at the top of the global rich list. The latest Forbes Billionaires List once again places Elon Musk at number one, with an estimated US$839 billion net worth making him the wealthiest individual ever recorded and highlighting the massive surge in tech-driven wealth. On What’s Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Zia-ul Raushan unpack these headlines from gig workers on Singapore’s roads to the growing concentration of wealth among the world’s tech titans.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore shares dipped today as investors closely monitor developments out of the Middle East. The Straits Times Index was 0.46% lower at 4,841.35 points at 2.19pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$1.15B seen across the broader market. In terms of counters to watch, we have Del Monte Pacific. The food and beverage group posted yesterday a net profit of US$10 million for the three months ended Jan 31, over three times that of the US$2.5 million in the same year-ago period. Elsewhere, from how the Singapore Exchange announced that its February performance had the highest securities daily average value (or SDAV) since 2020, to how Brent crude surged above US$100 a barrel again as Iraq stopped operations at its oil ports after two tankers were targeted, more financial headlines remained in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian dived into the details with David Chow, Director, Azure Capital.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From tea stalls in Kolkata to jeepney drivers in Manila, the shockwaves from the war involving Iran are already being felt far beyond the battlefield. Cooking gas prices are rising, fuel costs are climbing, and businesses across Asia are bracing for shortages as energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz face severe disruption. The region buys the vast majority of its oil from the Middle East, meaning households, transport workers and food vendors could be among the first to feel the squeeze. So how big could this fuel crunch become, and what does it mean for economies across Asia? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Mukesh Sahdev, Founder and CEO, XAnalysts, to find out more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Private markets have long been the playground of institutional investors: think venture capital, private equity and exclusive funds with massive minimum investments and years-long lock-ups. But, blockchain and tokenisation are making it possible to break large investments into smaller pieces, potentially allowing more investors to access private deals that were once out of reach. So could this be the moment private markets finally open up to the masses? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Inmoo Hwang, Co-Founder and Group Managing Director of ADDX, about how blockchain is changing the way people invest and whether it could solve the long-standing liquidity problem in private assets.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Coins in your pocket could be worth far more than you think. From a humble 5-cent coin selling for nearly $15 to rare Singapore pieces fetching 100 times their face value, could the spare change sitting in your drawer actually be a hidden investment? Then, we turn up the volume on another everyday habit: loud fitness classes. New research suggests the booming music in spin and high-intensity workouts can potentially put your hearing at risk. If louder music doesn’t actually improve your performance, why are gyms still blasting it? On What’s Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Nadiah Koh explore the surprising value of Singapore coins and the hidden cost of turning your workouts up to 108 decibels.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 yesterday reported an 11 per cent year-on-year increase in underlying profit to US$1.7 billion for financial year 2025. Full-year revenue fell 4 per cent to US$34.2 billion. Elsewhere from how the International Energy Agency has reportedly proposed the largest release of oil reserves in its history to bring down crude prices,to how Meta has agreed to acquire Moltbook, more international and corporate headlines remain in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Kenneth Goh, Director, Private Wealth Management, UOB Kay Hian.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Lavanya Venkateswaran, Senior Economist, OCBC Bank, to find out more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.