Singapore shares rose today to buck regional losses as the Middle East conflict remains on top of investors’ minds.

The Straits Times Index was up 0.86% at 4,932.73 points at 2.27pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$1.81B seen in the broader market.

In terms of counters to watch, we have Olam Group, after the agri-business company announced yesterday that its food, feed and fibre operating business, Olam Agri, secured a seven-year US$100 million financing facility, which will initially be guaranteed by the group. 

Elsewhere, from how a flurry of stock market listings by Chinese artificial intelligence companies opened up a gap in analyst coverage, to how US and Chinese trade negotiators are reportedly slated to meet in mid-March, more corporate and international headlines remained in focus.

On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Kelvin Wong, Senior Analyst, OANDA.

Singapore shares rose today to buck regional losses as the Middle East conflict remains on top of investors&rsquo; minds.
The Straits Times Index was up 0.86% at 4,932.73 points at 2.27pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$1.81B seen in the broader market.
In terms of counters to watch, we have Olam Group, after the agri-business company announced yesterday that its food, feed and fibre operating business, Olam Agri, secured a seven-year US$100 million financing facility, which will initially be guaranteed by the group.&nbsp;
Elsewhere, from how a flurry of stock market listings by Chinese artificial intelligence companies opened up a gap in analyst coverage, to how US and Chinese trade negotiators are reportedly slated to meet in mid-March, more corporate and international headlines remained in focus.
On Market View, Money Matters&rsquo; finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Kelvin Wong, Senior Analyst, OANDA.

Money Matters is your guide to navigating the day's most important topics, from politics and current affairs to wealth management and trending issues. Every evening, the team delivers insightful discussions on business news, market movements, and the latest in alternative assets. Whether navigating the political landscape, understanding the economy, or uncovering emerging investment opportunities, Money Matters keeps you informed and ahead of the curve. Tune in daily to Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian from 4 pm to 7 pm on MONEY FM 89.3.

Money Matters is your guide to navigating the day's most important topics, from politics and current affairs to wealth management and trending issues. Every evening, the team delivers insightful discussions on business news, market movements, and the latest in alternative assets. Whether navigating the political landscape, understanding the economy, or uncovering emerging investment opportunities, Money Matters keeps you informed and ahead of the curve. Tune in daily to Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian from 4 pm to 7 pm on MONEY FM 89.3.

Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

MONEY FM 89.3 is Singapore’s first and only Business and Personal Finance station. MONEY FM is a 24-hour English talk format station featuring local and international business and financial news. We provide you with financial market and currency updates and insights from analysts, economists, policy makers, industry experts and business owners.

In the lighter hours, listen to discussions on social issues and features on topics that include health, education, arts and music.

MONEY FM 89.3 is Singapore&rsquo;s first and only Business and Personal Finance station. MONEY FM is a 24-hour English talk format station featuring local and international business and financial news. We provide you with financial market and currency updates and insights from analysts, economists, policy makers, industry experts and business owners.
In the lighter hours, listen to discussions on social issues and features on topics that include health, education, arts and music.

MONEY FM 89.3 is Singapore’s first and only Business and Personal Finance station.

MONEY FM 89.3

Your evening guide to the day's most important topics — navigate the key events in politics, business, markets, wealth management, and top investment opportunities. Keeps you informed and ahead of the curve, daily.

Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian (4pm - 7pm)

Market View: Selloff in Asia amid Middle East conflict; US, China trade chiefs reportedly set to meet mid-March before Trump-Xi summit; Airline ticket prices soar on Asia-Europe routes after Gulf airport closures; Apple launches iPhone 17e and M4 iPad Air; China’s AI listings boom leaves investors flying blind; Olam Group to watch

Air travel across the Middle East has been thrown into turmoil as escalating hostilities between the United States, Israel, and Iran lead to widespread airspace restrictions, flight cancellations, and rerouting.

Thousands of passengers are being affected, including Singaporeans caught in the region, facing delays, uncertainty, and difficult decisions about when they can return home.

On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong hears from Annabelle Siena Lim, a Singaporean entrepreneur currently in Dubai, about her experience navigating sudden flight disruptions and the challenges of rebooking amid rapidly changing schedules.

We also speak with William Huang, Vice President at Super Travel Groups and Outbound Committee Member at NATAS, on how Singapore travel agencies are supporting anxious customers and responding in real time to the crisis.

Finally, independent aviation analyst Brendan Sobie from Sobie Aviation breaks down the broader impact on global aviation, including how Middle East airspace closures are affecting long-haul routes between Asia and Europe, potential fare increases, and how long the disruptions could last.

Air travel across the Middle East has been thrown into turmoil as escalating hostilities between the United States, Israel, and Iran lead to widespread airspace restrictions, flight cancellations, and rerouting. Thousands of passengers are being affected, including Singaporeans caught in the region, facing delays, uncertainty, and difficult decisions about when they can return home.
On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong hears from Annabelle Siena Lim, a Singaporean entrepreneur currently in Dubai, about her experience navigating sudden flight disruptions and the challenges of rebooking amid rapidly changing schedules.
We also speak with William Huang, Vice President at Super Travel Groups and Outbound Committee Member at NATAS, on how Singapore travel agencies are supporting anxious customers and responding in real time to the crisis.
Finally, independent aviation analyst Brendan Sobie from Sobie Aviation breaks down the broader impact on global aviation, including how Middle East airspace closures are affecting long-haul routes between Asia and Europe, potential fare increases, and how long the disruptions could last.

The Big Story: Cancelled flights, stranded Singaporeans - Will the Middle East travel chaos worsen as the Iran conflict continues?

2025 tested investors with geopolitical uncertainty, shifting interest rate expectations, elections across major economies, and uneven global growth.

Yet despite the volatility, Asian assets demonstrated surprising resilience, with fixed income delivering strong gains and equities across parts of Asia staging a constructive recovery.

So what does this mean for 2026 and beyond?

On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Hock Fai Chan, Head of Equities, Singapore, Manulife Investment Management, to unpack the outlook for Asian equities, the key themes shaping portfolio positioning, and whether the region is at the start of a sustained multi-year opportunity.

2025 tested investors with geopolitical uncertainty, shifting interest rate expectations, elections across major economies, and uneven global growth. Yet despite the volatility, Asian assets demonstrated surprising resilience, with fixed income delivering strong gains and equities across parts of Asia staging a constructive recovery.
So what does this mean for 2026 and beyond?
On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Hock Fai Chan, Head of Equities, Singapore, Manulife Investment Management, to unpack the outlook for Asian equities, the key themes shaping portfolio positioning, and whether the region is at the start of a sustained multi-year opportunity.

Wealth Tracker: Could 2026 be a defining year for Asian equities?

Would you call your spouse your “teammate” instead of “baby”?

And would you believe that your old laptop might be a better investment than gold?

On today’s episode of What’s Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Alexandra Parada dive into two unexpected trends shaking up the internet: married couples in China ditching lovey-dovey pet names in favour of practical titles like “teammate” or “roommate,” sparking debate over whether modern relationships are becoming more like partnerships than romance. And the surprising tech gold rush is happening at Sim Lim Square, where used laptops are being stripped for valuable RAM and SSD parts amid an AI-driven chip shortage that’s sending prices soaring.

Would you call your spouse your &ldquo;teammate&rdquo; instead of &ldquo;baby&rdquo;?
And would you believe that your old laptop might be a better investment than gold?
On today&rsquo;s episode of What&rsquo;s Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Alexandra Parada dive into two unexpected trends shaking up the internet: married couples in China ditching lovey-dovey pet names in favour of practical titles like &ldquo;teammate&rdquo; or &ldquo;roommate,&rdquo; sparking debate over whether modern relationships are becoming more like partnerships than romance. And the surprising tech gold rush is happening at Sim Lim Square, where used laptops are being stripped for valuable RAM and SSD parts amid an AI-driven chip shortage that&rsquo;s sending prices soaring.

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