MONEY FM 89.3 - The Breakfast Huddle with Elliott Danker, Manisha Tank and Finance Presenter Ryan Huang

U.S. markets pulled back as investors digested a mixed bag of Big Tech earnings and a cautious tone from the Fed. While Alphabet impressed, Meta and Microsoft stumbled, sparking a rotation out of AI and into banks and healthcare. Portfolio Manager Daniel Tan from Grasshopper Asset Management unpacks the tech pull back, the Trump–Xi summit’s trade signals, and what it all means for markets heading into year-end. Produced/Presented: Ryan HuangImage by Mohamed Hassan from PixabaySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Could Singapore’s Straits Times Index really reach 10,000 points by 2040? That’s the forecast from DBS, pointing to sustained growth in the economy and capital markets. But as IPOs continue to be oversubscribed and institutional investors dominate allocations, the big question is: how can individual investors get a bigger piece of the pie? Phua Zhenghao, Group Head of Investments for Asset Management at CGS International, discusses what’s driving optimism in Singapore’s equity market, and what it’ll take to make that growth more inclusive.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are you ready to test your news smarts? This week on the Breakfast Show Quiz, we dive into the biggest stories from October — from global tech layoffs and the U.S. government shutdown, to Donald Trump’s Asia tour. Play along at home, see how well you’ve been keeping up with the headlines! Presented by Audrey Siek & Ryan Huang Produced by Audrey Siek Edited by Dan Koh Photo and music credit: Pixabay & its talented community of contributorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore is getting older, but also more active. Yet one in three seniors still suffers a fall each year, with treatment and rehabilitation costing families thousands. The Breakfast Show invites Martin John, Director & Osteopath at Orchard Health Clinic, to discuss how preventive care is reshaping Singapore’s healthcare economy, why movement is the new medicine, and what entrepreneurs can learn from building a business around better living.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when four market watchers pick wildly different stocks and track them for a month? Join Dan, Ryan, Emaad, and Audrey as they revisit their October stock picks, from Chinese e-commerce giants to biotech heavyweights and quirky toy makers, to see whose call crushed it and whose didn’t quite stick the landing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cyber threats never take a break, and neither can the companies protecting against them. Gene Yu, CEO and Founder of Blackpanda, shares how cybersecurity in Southeast Asia is evolving, why innovation matters without losing sight of the fundamentals, and how companies can stay resilient in this ever-changing world. Produced and presented by Audrey SiekSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re talking about the phenomenon known as BookTok, and how social media is giving publishing a real boost. Yu may have seen this in Kinokuniya or other bookstores that now have some shelves dedicated to social media recs! Audrey and Dan chat about our last reads and how we get our reviews. Presented by Audrey Siek & Dan Koh Produced by Audrey Siek Edited by Trisha Yeong Photo and music credit: Pixabay & its talented community of contributorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Agnes AI has become one of Asia’s fastest-growing AI platforms, built right here in Singapore. The Breakfast Show sits down with Bruce Yang, Founder & CEO of SapiensAI, to unpack how the company scaled to two million users in three months, what this says about Singapore’s AI adoption, and the lessons entrepreneurs can learn about building tech that truly adds value.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Even with inflation, higher rates, and talk of a spending slowdown, consumers are still tapping away, and Visa’s numbers prove it. With quarterly revenue up 12 percent and cross-border transactions climbing 12 percent, Visa remains one of the clearest reflections of how the world spends. Dan Koh and Audrey Siek find out what these results reveal about consumer confidence, digital payments, and the quiet power of a company that moves nearly half the world’s money.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Fed has begun cutting again, but without the comfort investors expected. Jerome Powell’s message was clear: the path to lower rates will be “data-dependent,” not automatic. Meanwhile, stocks remain at all-time highs, gold continues to glitter, and yields are refusing to budge. Dan Koh speaks with Ben Emons, Chief Investment Officer at Fed Watch Advisors, about what the Fed’s shift in tone really means, how the end of quantitative tightening could reshape liquidity, and whether markets are due for a healthy pullback after months of record highs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stocks surged to new records as the artificial intelligence frenzy showed no signs of cooling. Nvidia led the charge with a 5% jump and fresh announcements at its GTC conference, including a billion-dollar stake in Nokia to accelerate AI ambitions. Microsoft and Apple each crossed the $4 trillion mark, while investors braced for the Fed’s rate decision. But beneath the market euphoria, concerns are mounting over the wave of AI-driven layoffs reshaping the workforce. Josh Gilbert, Market Analyst at eToro discusses how Wall Street’s AI winners are fueling record valuations and what that means for jobs and the broader economy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In two years, Singapore-based OMS Energy Technologies went from a management buyout to a Nasdaq listing, posting more than US $200 million in revenue and securing long-term contracts with Saudi Aramco and Petronas. At the centre of that transformation is How Meng Hock, a CEO who staked his own money to save jobs and rebuild culture before taking the company global. The Breakfast Show invites How Meng Hock, CEO of OMS Energy Technologies, to talk about leading with empathy, building credibility in global markets, and how he turned a quiet industrial brand into an international success story.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Smartphones made it famous, but servers may define its future. Qualcomm is stepping into the AI-chip arena with its new AI200 and AI250 accelerators, designed to challenge NVIDIA’s dominance with smarter, more efficient designs. Dan Koh and Ryan Huang explore what makes these chips different, what’s at stake for investors, and whether Qualcomm’s AI pivot can truly pay off.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are you one of those people who can’t resist a good cashback deal?You know, you’re shopping online, and then you see that magic phrase: “Get 5% cashback!” It’s that little dopamine hit that makes you go, “Eh, it’s okay, I’m getting something back.” But is cashback a smart financial move… or are we just tricking ourselves into spending more? Presented by Audrey Siek & Ryan Huang Produced by Audrey Siek Edited by Trisha Yeong Photo and music credit: Pixabay & its talented community of contributors —-See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Leaders are often expected to stay composed under pressure, make quick decisions, and guide others through uncertainty. Yet behind that sense of control lies a growing conversation about how those in senior roles manage their own mental and emotional well-being. As therapy and executive coaching become more common tools for reflection and growth, how are leaders using them to build resilience and clarity? And what does it take to create workplaces where those conversations can happen more openly? Dr. Jonathan Marshall, Executive Coach and Psychologist, Marshall Consulting, joins us to discuss the evolving relationship between leadership, self-awareness, and mental well-being and how understanding the difference between therapy and coaching can help leaders decide which form of support best fits their needs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Easing U.S.-China tensions are fueling a record-setting rally across major indexes. With the S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Dow all hitting fresh highs, chipmakers and Big Tech led the charge in a week of a packed earnings to come. However, beneath the market euphoria, headlines of layoffs and trade uncertainty hint at deeper questions about growth. Christine Short, Vice President of Research, Wall Street Horizon unpacks the market mood, the potential trade deal framework, and what investors should watch as the Fed gears up for its next rate cut decision. Produced/presented: Ryan Huang Image: Geralt via PixabaySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a city full of food trends, few concepts blend heritage and creativity quite like Tiaptiap. Founded by mother-daughter duo Sophia and Nicole, the home-dining brand reimagines Peranakan cuisine through storytelling and experience. The Breakfast Show invites Sophia Yeow, Founder of Tiaptiap, to talk about the inspiration behind the brand, how she transformed her personal journey into a creative business, and what it really takes to bring meaning back to the table.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AI might grab the headlines, but the real story lies underground, in the cables and fibre that carry the data. Join Dan Koh and Ryan Huang as they uncover how Fujikura, a 140-year-old Japanese company, became one of 2025’s top stock performers by supplying the backbone of AI data-centres.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Has this happened to you: You’ve finally gotten a nice raise, or landed a higher-paying job, and you have more hard-earned cash. But somehow, by the end of the month, your wallet still feels empty. You’re not imagining it; it’s called Lifestyle Creep. Basically, as our income rises, so do our expectations. And before you know it, your spending has snuck up alongside your salary, leaving you feeling, ironically, poorer. Audrey and Ryan talk about the sneaky creep that keeps dipping into your accounts, and how you could possibly chase it away. Presented by Audrey Siek & Ryan Huang Produced by Audrey Siek Edited by Trisha Yeong Photo and music credit: Pixabay & its talented community of contributorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Small and medium-sized enterprises make up the backbone of Singapore’s economy, yet a new Flo Energy survey finds that 62 percent still prioritise cost over sustainability when choosing an energy provider. As Singapore pushes toward its net-zero target by 2050, what will it take to bring SMEs on board the green transition? Matthijs Guichelaar, Co-founder and CEO of Flo Energy, and Jeryl Yep, Co-founder and Innovation Lead at Semula, join the Breakfast Show to discuss what’s driving the gap between ambition and action, how SMEs can balance cost with sustainability, and the kinds of support that could help smaller firms play a stronger role in Singapore’s low-carbon future.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The world’s biggest fashion houses are learning to live with slower growth. LVMH’s Q3 rebound and Kering’s cautious recovery signal that the luxury cycle may be bottoming out, but not evenly. Dan Koh and Audrey Siek dives into how beauty, travel, and Chinese demand are driving the comeback, and why the battle between brand power and consumer fatigue could define 2026.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gold is retreating after its sharp run-up, meme stocks are still making noise, and investors are digesting a cooler-than-expected US inflation print — one that’s reshaping expectations for the Federal Reserve’s next move. At the same time, reports of new US trade deal discussions are adding another layer to the global outlook. Phan Vee Leung, Chief Investment Officer at TrackRecord, unpacks what the latest CPI data means for rate cuts, whether gold’s rally may be losing steam, and where markets could head next as trade diplomacy and Fed policy take center stage.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every year, when the temperature doesn’t drop in Singapore, thousands of Singaporeans head overseas to find places where it does. From Japan to Europe, winter escapes have become a national pastime, and one local brand has been helping travellers gear up for nearly two decades. The Breakfast Show invites Dinah Poh, General Manager of Winter Time, to talk about why Singaporeans love their cold-weather holidays, how travel habits are changing, and what goes into keeping a retail business relevant in a warming world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when politics comes up at family dinner... or worse, during Chinese New Year? Elections may be over, but the conversations continue at home. Ryan and Audrey talk about what happens when political opinions clash within families — across generations, relationships, and friendships — and how to stay connected even when you don’t agree. Presented by Audrey Siek & Ryan Huang Produced by Audrey Siek Edited by Trisha Yeong Photo and music credit: Pixabay & its talented community of contributorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three in four business leaders in Singapore say their companies are already adopting Agentic AI, yet nearly half admit they don’t fully understand the technology. As this next wave of automation reshapes how work gets done, the gap between experimentation and real capability is widening. To help close it, Singapore’s Heicoders Academy has teamed up with Manus.AI the world’s first general-purpose AI agent platform to launch GA100, a hands-on course that teaches professionals to design and deploy autonomous AI systems. Beh Min Yan, co-founder and CEO of Heicoders Academy joins the Breakfast Show to discuss what makes Agentic AI different from traditional automation, why mid-career professionals are most at risk of being left behind, and how Singapore’s AI training push under Singapore’s National AI Strategy 2.0 could turn today’s workforce into tomorrow’s AI leaders.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The beauty industry is saturated with global giants, yet one homegrown brand has found its place by staying true to ethics and craftsmanship. From confronting the hidden cruelty behind traditional brush-making to creating a line that meets professional standards, 13rushes has shown that values and performance can go hand in hand. The Breakfast Show invites Yuhui Tay, Founder of 13rushes, to talk about building a purpose-driven business from scratch, staying resilient in a fast-changing market, and what entrepreneurs can learn from her decade in the beauty world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trade tensions between Washington and Beijing are flaring again. A quiet rule change by the US Bureau of Industry and Security has widened Washington’s trade blacklist, prompting Beijing to tighten its export controls on rare earths — critical materials for everything from smartphones to fighter jets. The back-and-forth has rattled markets, and raised questions about how far this standoff could go. Jeep Kline, Founder and Managing Partner at Raisewell Ventures, joins the Breakfast Show to unpack what’s driving this escalation, how it’s reshaping global supply chains and investment flows, and what it means for Asia’s role in the shifting trade landscape.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A tech-fueled rally lifted Wall Street, with the S&P 500 closing in on record highs as easing trade tensions and strong earnings boosted investor confidence. Hopes for progress ahead of President Trump’s upcoming meeting with China’s Xi Jinping helped offset worries about oil prices and inflation. Ryan Detrick, Chief Market Strategist at Carson Group, break downs what’s driving the rebound, how investors are positioning ahead of key inflation data, and what the latest corporate layoffs signal about the broader economy. Produced/Presented: Ryan HuangSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s Friday, it’s quiz time, and today we’re raising a glass to one of France’s finest exports — champagne! Join us for a fun, fizz-filled quiz on Global Champagne Day, where we test your knowledge from bubbly history to luxury labels. Play along at home and see if you’ve earned a toast! Presented by Audrey Siek & Ryan Huang Produced by Audrey Siek Edited by Trisha Yeong Photo and music credit: Pixabay & its talented community of contributorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Innovation starts young. Dixon Lim, Executive Director of Antica Foundation, shares how students aged 13 to 16 are gaining hands-on experience in emerging tech — from AI to smart home automation — through early internship programmes. We explore how these opportunities build confidence, spark creativity, and prepare Singapore’s next generation of innovators for the rapidly evolving workforce. Produced and presented by Audrey SiekSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

U.S. equities stumbled as renewed trade tensions with China and disappointing earnings from major names like Netflix and Texas Instruments weighed on investor sentiment. Adding to the uncertainty, the White House is reportedly considering fresh export curbs on software made with U.S. technology. With GDP growth showing signs of resilience but inflation pressures and labor market slowdowns clouding the outlook, investors are asking: where to next. George Schultze, Founder and Managing Member at Schultze Asset Management, unpacks the market reaction, assess the implications for sectors from housing to utilities, and share his investment outlook amid rising geopolitical and economic crosswinds.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the holiday season heats up, so does the competition for your clicks. And for some retailers, they might be losing sales before they even hit “checkout.” A new survey by Ping Identity found that 54% of shoppers abandon purchases because of frustrating logins, while 63% would switch to a competitor offering a smoother experience. The Breakfast Show invites Jasie Fon, Regional Vice President for Asia at Ping Identity, to unpack what these findings reveal about changing consumer behaviour, why login friction quietly costs retailers millions, and how businesses can turn digital trust into their next big advantage this shopping season.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Flat soda sales, shrinking cans, and shifting tastes haven’t stopped Coca-Cola from popping strong results this quarter. Join Dan Koh and Audrey Siek as they find out how the 130+ year-old brand is reinventing itself for the health-conscious consumer, the AI-driven marketer, and the long-term investor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The idea of manifestation has picked up in recent years: If you believe, think positive and put the energy out in the world, you can achieve that goal. And in recent times, there is a viral trend on Tiktok all about manifesting money. Sounds nice, right? But is there any truth to this? What’s a healthy balance? Audrey and Ryan discuss how experts view this trend, and about how the best way to “attract wealth” might still be to earn it, plan it, and protect it. Presented by Audrey Siek & Ryan Huang Produced by Audrey Siek Edited by Trisha Yeong Photo and music credit: Pixabay & its talented community of contributorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China’s Communist Party is holding its Fourth Plenum, a key meeting that will shape the country’s next five-year plan and guide economic priorities through 2030. With growth slowing, a deepening property downturn, and renewed trade uncertainty, how will policymakers keep the recovery on track? Heng Koon How, Head of Markets Strategy at UOB, joins us to discuss China’s outlook, the path of the renminbi, and how ASEAN markets could be affected as Beijing charts its next phase of growth and reform. Produced/Presented: Ryan HuangSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Dow hit a record high on strong earnings from Coca-Cola, 3M, and General Motors, even as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq struggled to follow through. Is this a sign that the market’s rally is starting to broaden, or just another short-lived rebound? Frank Cappelleri, Founder and President of CappThesis, unpacks the latest technical signals — from improving market breadth to bullish setups in small-cap value stocks — and shares what investors should watch this earnings season to gauge whether the rally can truly sustain its momentum. Produced/Presented: Ryan HuangSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore’s F&B industry has always been vibrant, but also unforgiving. Costs are up, margins are down, and the market has never been more competitive. The Breakfast Show speaks with Chef Houssein Hafian Rodriguez, the mind behind Asador and Mamma Mia Focaccia, on how he’s learned to adapt, diversify, and rethink what makes a restaurant work in today’s environment.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When AWS went dark, the internet blinked. A single network glitch took out apps, games, and entire websites, all powered by Amazon Web Services. Dan Koh and Ryan Huang find out what caused Amazon’s biggest outage in years, how it’s shaking investor confidence, and what it means for the trillion-dollar cloud race.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singaporeans are really getting into resale - topping the region in secondhand furniture purchases on Carousell. That’s a big shift from just a few years ago, when “second-hand” still had a bit of a stigma. What's the psychology behind this boom? Audrey and Ryan chat about the thrill of the find, decluttering our minds and the push for sustainability. Presented by Audrey Siek & Ryan Huang Produced by Audrey Siek Edited by Trisha Yeong Photo and music credit: Pixabay & its talented community of contributorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Next week’s 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur — the largest in the bloc’s history — will bring together over 12,000 delegates and global leaders including President Donald Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. Behind the diplomacy lies an invisible web of encrypted communications managing more than 500 meetings in real time. Powered by BlackBerry, these systems shield sensitive exchanges from interception and ensure operational continuity. Jonathan Jackson, Senior Director for APAC at BlackBerry joins The Breakfast Show to discuss how ASEAN nations are modernising diplomatic coordination and crisis communications to meet converging threats, from cyber espionage to climate-driven disruptions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US stocks kicked off the week on a strong note, buoyed by optimism over a possible end to the government shutdown and anticipation ahead of key earnings and inflation data. Dilin Wu, Research Strategist, Pepperstone unpacks what’s driving market confidence, why Wall Street is rallying even as Asian markets lag, and how easing US–China trade tensions could shape the next phase for investors. Plus, with Tesla set to report and gold facing renewed volatility, we ask: is it still safe to “buy the dip,” and where are the smart opportunities in this earnings-heavy week? Produced/Presented: Ryan Huang Image: Gerd Altmann from Pixabay See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Across Southeast Asia, burnout and attrition are straining healthcare systems even as AI promises relief. Yet most tools still miss the mark. The Breakfast Show invites Dr Nelson Lau, Co-founder and CEO of HealthBridge AI, to share how clinician-led innovation is bridging that gap with JarvisMD, an AI copilot that automates clinical notes and gives doctors more time for patients.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.