What do shipping and property investments have in common? Well, not much, except for the fact that they are both key pillars of our guest’s business.

Listed on the Singapore Exchange since 2007, Uni-Asia is an alternative investment group that specialises in creating alternative investment opportunities. Its investment targets are mainly handysize dry bulk ships and properties. 

But what does this mean exactly? Well, ship investors can approach UniAsia for ship investments, while operators can reach out to the firm for ship chartering and management. 

On the property side of things, Uni-Asia develops small residential properties in Tokyo under its ALERO brand, which are sold for profits. Aside from building properties for sale, the firm also provides property assessment management services in the country. 

As you can see, the two engines of growth are very much uncorrelated. But the question is – how far has that boosted the firm’s resilience? 

Meanwhile, Uni-Asia had in August reported a 74% on-year drop in first half profits. But why is this the case? How does the firm assess its reliance on the two drivers of growth? Does it intend to move beyond its niche in the near term?

On Under the Radar, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Lim Kai Ching, Group Chief Financial Officer, Uni-Asia.

What do shipping and property investments have in common? Well, not much, except for the fact that they are both key pillars of our guest’s business.
Listed on the Singapore Exchange since 2007, Uni-Asia is an alternative investment group that specialises in creating alternative investment opportunities. Its investment targets are mainly handysize dry bulk ships and properties. 
But what does this mean exactly? Well, ship investors can approach UniAsia for ship investments, while operators can reach out to the firm for ship chartering and management. 
On the property side of things, Uni-Asia develops small residential properties in Tokyo under its ALERO brand, which are sold for profits. Aside from building properties for sale, the firm also provides property assessment management services in the country. 
As you can see, the two engines of growth are very much uncorrelated. But the question is – how far has that boosted the firm’s resilience? 
Meanwhile, Uni-Asia had in August reported a 74% on-year drop in first half profits. But why is this the case? How does the firm assess its reliance on the two drivers of growth? Does it intend to move beyond its niche in the near term?
On Under the Radar, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Lim Kai Ching, Group Chief Financial Officer, Uni-Asia.

We speak with businesses, industry leaders, venture capitalists and startups on their assessment of the business environment they're in, and what the future holds for them.

We speak with businesses, industry leaders, venture capitalists and startups on their assessment of the business environment they're in, and what the future holds for them.

Under The Radar

From politics to pop culture, we've got it all. Get ready to immerse yourself in the world of business, lifestyle, culture, travel, and sports.

From politics to pop culture, we've got it all. Get ready to immerse yourself in the world of business, lifestyle, culture, travel, and sports.

The Evening Runway with Elliott Danker, Timothy Go and Chua Tian Tian

Under the Radar: Property and Shipping – Uni-Asia’s Group CFO assesses its two vastly different engines of growth

It’s all about sentiment within financial markets today as we speak to one of the earliest fintech companies in the world. . 

Founded in 1992, our guest is Saxo is an international investment firm for investors and traders under the supervision of the Danish FSA, with a reach of over 2,500 professionals around the world including in key financial hubs such as Singapore.

Its investment platform provides users access to global capital markets across asset classes, while its open banking technology powers over 200 financial institutions to enhance their investment experience.

Why are we talking to Saxo you might ask? Well, with economic data out of the US coming in hot in the early months of the year, putting into question the Federal Reserve’s rate cut timeline, a property slump in China, and ongoing geopolitical tensions around the world – we want to find out how if investors’ are indeed on a risk-off mode right now, and if that has influenced demand for investment products investment platform. 

The firm also revamped its pricing structure to lower trading costs for customers in March this year – but how far has that got to do with the wider business environment and the competitive landscape of the global online trading platform market? 

More recently, the firm was reportedly said to be exploring a possible sale after talks to go public through a SPAC merger fell through. But what were the reasons behind the move and what can we expect from here? 

On Under the Radar, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Kim Fournais, Founder and CEO of Saxo.

It’s all about sentiment within financial markets today as we speak to one of the earliest fintech companies in the world. . 
Founded in 1992, our guest is Saxo is an international investment firm for investors and traders under the supervision of the Danish FSA, with a reach of over 2,500 professionals around the world including in key financial hubs such as Singapore.
Its investment platform provides users access to global capital markets across asset classes, while its open banking technology powers over 200 financial institutions to enhance their investment experience.
Why are we talking to Saxo you might ask? Well, with economic data out of the US coming in hot in the early months of the year, putting into question the Federal Reserve’s rate cut timeline, a property slump in China, and ongoing geopolitical tensions around the world – we want to find out how if investors’ are indeed on a risk-off mode right now, and if that has influenced demand for investment products investment platform. 
The firm also revamped its pricing structure to lower trading costs for customers in March this year – but how far has that got to do with the wider business environment and the competitive landscape of the global online trading platform market? 
More recently, the firm was reportedly said to be exploring a possible sale after talks to go public through a SPAC merger fell through. But what were the reasons behind the move and what can we expect from here? 
On Under the Radar, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Kim Fournais, Founder and CEO of Saxo.

Under the Radar: Saxo’s founder and CEO Kim Fournais sheds light on investors sentiment, pricing revamp and changes in leadership at the investment firm

It’s all about travel today as we speak to one of the world’s leading online travel agencies – Trip.com. 

On its own, Trip.com is a familiar name to many, with a network of over 1.4 million hotels in 200 countries and regions, as well as more than 2 million individual flight routes connecting over 5,000 cities around the globe. 

It is actually part of the NASDAQ and Hong Kong Exchange listed Trip.com Group which includes other brands such as Ctrip, Qunar and more notably, Skyscanner. 

The Group had in February reported a 105 per cent year-on-year growth in Q4 revenue to RMB 10.3 billion (US$1.5 billion), higher than market expectations of RMB 10.2 billion. 

The showing was said to be boosted by China’s tourism recovery post-pandemic. But what were the other factors at play and how far did Trip.com as a brand contribute to the Group’s balance sheet?

Speaking of growth drivers, Trip.com Group had earlier noted that it is embarking on a “Hotel + X” strategy” to cater to millennial and Gen Z consumers who are looking to purchase both accommodations and experiences in one go. 

So what does this strategy look like when it comes to Trip.com as a standalone platform and how far has the move to cross-sell products bolstered its top and bottom lines?

Meanwhile, Trip.com Group recently signed a deal with AirAsia owner Capital A to enhance travel offerings within Asia. But again, what will this mean for the platform Trip.com?

On Under the Radar, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Schubert Lou, Chief Operating Officer, Trip.com.

It’s all about travel today as we speak to one of the world’s leading online travel agencies – Trip.com. 
On its own, Trip.com is a familiar name to many, with a network of over 1.4 million hotels in 200 countries and regions, as well as more than 2 million individual flight routes connecting over 5,000 cities around the globe. 
It is actually part of the NASDAQ and Hong Kong Exchange listed Trip.com Group which includes other brands such as Ctrip, Qunar and more notably, Skyscanner. 
The Group had in February reported a 105 per cent year-on-year growth in Q4 revenue to RMB 10.3 billion (US$1.5 billion), higher than market expectations of RMB 10.2 billion. 
The showing was said to be boosted by China’s tourism recovery post-pandemic. But what were the other factors at play and how far did Trip.com as a brand contribute to the Group’s balance sheet?
Speaking of growth drivers, Trip.com Group had earlier noted that it is embarking on a “Hotel + X” strategy” to cater to millennial and Gen Z consumers who are looking to purchase both accommodations and experiences in one go. 
So what does this strategy look like when it comes to Trip.com as a standalone platform and how far has the move to cross-sell products bolstered its top and bottom lines?
Meanwhile, Trip.com Group recently signed a deal with AirAsia owner Capital A to enhance travel offerings within Asia. But again, what will this mean for the platform Trip.com?
On Under the Radar, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Schubert Lou, Chief Operating Officer, Trip.com.

Under the Radar: Trip.com’s COO on China’s travel recovery, booking recovery in Japan; partnerships with AirAsia’s CapitalA

It’s literally cherry on the cake to speak to a company said to be the only in the world so far that produces wine from – not grapes, but cherries! 

Our guest for today is Frederiksdal, a Danish firm that specialises in beverages like juices and wines made from Danish Stevns Cherry. 

These are not the sweet cherries we eat during summer time, but those that taste sour with high sugar and acid content. 

Such cherries are called Grapes of the North. They are not eaten directly but are said to be perfect for making items like sauces, juices, jams or even wines. 

Back to Frederiksdal, the firm is named after the Frederiksdal Estate in Southern Denmark which grows these cherries. 

It traces back to 1756 and has been owned by the Krabbe family for three generations, who used to sell the cherries to juice manufacturers. 

But as life would have it, cherry prices tumbled in 2006, prompting its third generation owner to make the cherries farmed into wine and juices on its own instead. 

The story takes itself forward from there, as the firm grows to become one of the biggest wineries in Nordic cities, shipping its products to all parts of the world. So how has Frederiksdal’s value proposition changed over the years and how has that transformation process reaped benefits for the firm?

Meanwhile, the company had said in a media report that its key export markets now include Singapore, China, the US and Japan. But what is driving export demand right now and what will continue to be its key drivers of growth?

On Under the Radar, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Harald Krabbe, Founder, Frederiksdal.

It’s literally cherry on the cake to speak to a company said to be the only in the world so far that produces wine from – not grapes, but cherries! 
Our guest for today is Frederiksdal, a Danish firm that specialises in beverages like juices and wines made from Danish Stevns Cherry. 
These are not the sweet cherries we eat during summer time, but those that taste sour with high sugar and acid content. 
Such cherries are called Grapes of the North. They are not eaten directly but are said to be perfect for making items like sauces, juices, jams or even wines. 
Back to Frederiksdal, the firm is named after the Frederiksdal Estate in Southern Denmark which grows these cherries. 
It traces back to 1756 and has been owned by the Krabbe family for three generations, who used to sell the cherries to juice manufacturers. 
But as life would have it, cherry prices tumbled in 2006, prompting its third generation owner to make the cherries farmed into wine and juices on its own instead. 
The story takes itself forward from there, as the firm grows to become one of the biggest wineries in Nordic cities, shipping its products to all parts of the world. So how has Frederiksdal’s value proposition changed over the years and how has that transformation process reaped benefits for the firm?
Meanwhile, the company had said in a media report that its key export markets now include Singapore, China, the US and Japan. But what is driving export demand right now and what will continue to be its key drivers of growth?
On Under the Radar, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Harald Krabbe, Founder, Frederiksdal.

Under the Radar: From cherry supplier to cherry wine and juice maker - Frederiksdal’s founder on how a slump in cherry prices kickstarted the firm’s transformation process

Under the Radar: Property and Shipping – Uni-Asia’s Group CFO assesses its two vastly different engines of growth

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