Next year, Singapore’s lower-wage workers could be taking home a little more. The National Wages Council is recommending a pay rise of up to 7.5%.

But how much difference will it really make? 

And can businesses keep up amid a slowing global economy?

On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Dr Ong Ee Cheng, senior lecturer at the department of economics at the National University of Singapore, to find out more. 

Next year, Singapore&rsquo;s lower-wage workers could be taking home a little more. The National Wages Council is recommending a pay rise of up to 7.5%.
But how much difference will it really make?&nbsp;
And can businesses keep up amid a slowing global economy?
On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Dr Ong Ee Cheng, senior lecturer at the department of economics at the National University of Singapore, to find out more.&nbsp;

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)

The Big Story: A pay rise recommendation from NWC - But will it really make a difference? 

On What’s Trending, Hongbin Jeong, Nadiah Koh, and Alexandra Parada peek inside UOB’s safe deposit boxes, discovering treasures that range from gold bars to umbilical cords, because sometimes the most valuable things aren’t for sale.

Then, we travel to Malaysia, where burned-out Gen Zers are “retiring” in their twenties, embracing the art of doing absolutely nothing for a month.

And back home, Tiong Bahru residents are living a real-life alarm clock nightmare, with blaring sirens disturbing sleep and sanity alike.

On What&rsquo;s Trending, Hongbin Jeong, Nadiah Koh, and Alexandra Parada peek inside UOB&rsquo;s safe deposit boxes, discovering treasures that range from gold bars to umbilical cords, because sometimes the most valuable things aren&rsquo;t for sale.
Then, we travel to Malaysia, where burned-out Gen Zers are &ldquo;retiring&rdquo; in their twenties, embracing the art of doing absolutely nothing for a month.
And back home, Tiong Bahru residents are living a real-life alarm clock nightmare, with blaring sirens disturbing sleep and sanity alike.

What’s Trending: Hour-long alarms haunting Tiong Bahru, a retirement home for Gen Zs & what’s inside our safe deposit box?

AI headlines are set to dominate 2026, but with sky-high valuations and markets that have outpaced economic reality, investors are asking: where are the real opportunities, and how can you protect your portfolio from potential shocks?

To find out how you can invest like a viking, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Angelina Lai, Chief Investment Officer, Asia and Middle East, St. James’s Place,on Wealth Tracker.

AI headlines are set to dominate 2026, but with sky-high valuations and markets that have outpaced economic reality, investors are asking: where are the real opportunities, and how can you protect your portfolio from potential shocks?
To find out how you can invest like a viking, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Angelina Lai, Chief Investment Officer, Asia and Middle East, St. James&rsquo;s Place, on Wealth Tracker.

Wealth Tracker: Is AI everything in 2026 investment portfolios? 

Singapore shares dipped today, tracking movements in most Asian markets.

The Straits Times Index was down 0.21% at 4,802.25 points at 11.58am Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$573.84M seen in the broader market.

In terms of counters to watch, we have UOB, after the bank priced S$850 million in perpetual capital securities at 3 per cent under the bank’s US$30 billion Global Medium Term Note Programme. 

Elsewhere, from how South Korea’s central bank left its benchmark interest rate unchanged in a widely expected move, to how Alibaba Group Holding plans to link its flagship online shopping and travel services to its artificial intelligence app, more international and corporate headlines remained in focus. 

Also on deck, how US President Donald Trump imposed a 25 per cent tariff on certain AI chips.

On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian dived into the details with David Chow, Director, Azure Capital.

Singapore shares dipped today, tracking movements in most Asian markets.
The Straits Times Index was down 0.21% at 4,802.25 points at 11.58am Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$573.84M seen in the broader market.
In terms of counters to watch, we have UOB, after the bank priced S$850 million in perpetual capital securities at 3 per cent under the bank&rsquo;s US$30 billion Global Medium Term Note Programme.&nbsp;
Elsewhere, from how South Korea&rsquo;s central bank left its benchmark interest rate unchanged in a widely expected move, to how Alibaba Group Holding plans to link its flagship online shopping and travel services to its artificial intelligence app, more international and corporate headlines remained in focus.&nbsp;
Also on deck, how US President Donald Trump imposed a 25 per cent tariff on certain AI chips.
On Market View, Money Matters&rsquo; finance presenter Chua Tian Tian dived into the details with David Chow, Director, Azure Capital.

Market View: Oil prices, gold retreat as Trump calms Iran fears; Trump imposes 25% tariff on imports of some AI chips; Alibaba to link Taobao shopping to main AI app; Bank of Korea stands pat; UOB, Sembcorp, Advanced Systems Automation to watch

The Big Story: A pay rise recommendation from NWC - But will it really make a difference?

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