Companies To Watch: Can SM Entertainment hit the right note with China

With U.S. tech giants showing signs of fatigue and Asia’s growth stories regaining investor attention, is a global equity rotation finally taking shape? Aadil Eebrahim, Global Head of Equities at Klay Group, breaks down the shifting market dynamics, Japan’s renewed momentum, and the thematic trends shaping portfolios for the year ahead. Produced/Presented: Ryan HuangSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Markets took a sharp turn lower on Tuesday, with AI heavyweights such as Palantir and Nvidia dragging the broader indices down. The S&P 500 slipped 1.2%, the Nasdaq tumbled 2%, and even gold and crypto were not spared in the risk-off move. With investors increasingly worried about stretched valuations in market leaders and headlines of Michael Burry shorting Nvidia, are we seeing the first cracks in the bull market’s AI-led momentum? Chris Weston, Head of Research at Pepperstone, joins us to unpack what’s driving the derisking, how far the pullback could go, and where investors might find resilience amid the volatility.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Quantum breakthroughs are rewriting the future of cybersecurity, but are businesses ready? The Breakfast Show speaks with Kevin Bocek, Senior Vice President of Innovation at CyberArk, to unpack how machine identities are transforming security, why Asia is especially vulnerable, and what leaders can do today to prepare for the coming quantum age.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ve talked about a lot of different workplace trends going on lately, like “quiet quitting” or “rage applying”. But now, we’re talking about a new trend called “The Big Stay", which means... people don't want to leave their jobs! According to a new survey by Robert Walters Singapore, 81% of professionals here say fears around job security are stopping them from moving jobs, even if the grass looks greener elsewhere. Audrey, Emaad and Ryan chat about why it’s not just about the salary anymore — it’s about stability.   Presented by Audrey Siek, Ryan Huang and Emaad Akhtar Produced by Audrey Siek Edited by Trisha Yeong Photo and music credit: Pixabay & its talented community of contributorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

K-pop might be getting its biggest encore yet. Seoul and Beijing’s new content-exchange deal has investors tuning in again, and SM Entertainment is centre stage. Dan Koh and Ryan Huang dive into why SM is the market’s purest China-sensitivity play, how its Tencent link could open mainland doors, and why backstage drama, from EXO’s CBX dispute to the Kakao saga, might still steal the spotlight.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the Singapore FinTech Festival returns for 2025, the industry stands at a crossroads where AI is transforming how we bank and invest, digital assets are gaining mainstream traction, and sustainability is reshaping what it means to innovate responsibly. Kenneth Gay, Chief FinTech Officer at the Monetary Authority of Singapore, joins us for a behind-the-scenes look at what to expect this year, from the big themes driving FinTech’s next chapter to how Singapore is charting its path as a global hub for trusted, inclusive financial innovation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you've ever harboured ambitions of travelling to Mongolia but were put off by the prospect of a cumbersome journey, here's some good news. With effect from today (Nov 4), Singapore is launching a twice-weekly non-stop service to Ulaanbaatar, the Mongolian capital. It has been branded a strategic move to bolster trade, tourism and business ties between the two countries, and gives Singaporeans a chance to explore another exotic destination. Brendan Sobie, Independent Analyst & Consultant, Sobie Aviation discusses the significance and timeliness of this development, and whether it will be a commercially viable proposition in the medium to longer-term. Produced and presented by Emaad Akhtar Photo credit: Changi Airport / FacebookSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cross-border flows are rising, but so are the complexities. And with trade, travel, and digital transactions surging across ASEAN, what must businesses know to thrive? The Breakfast Show sits down with Chong Wee Yeat, Head of Global Banking at Maybank Singapore, to unpack what SMEs and leaders should know about financing expansion, managing risk, and navigating ASEAN’s increasingly connected financial landscape.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Want to discover Mongolia, or maybe you were thinking about visiting for the first time? It just got easier for us, as the Breakfast Show marks the launch of MIAT Mongolian Airlines' direct flights from Singapore to Ulaanbaatar.  Emaad and Audrey explore fun facts about the world’s vast, sparsely populated land of nomads, epic history, and yes... throat singing!   Presented by Emaad Akhtar and Audrey Siek Produced by Emaad Akhtar Edited by Trisha Yeong Photo and music credit: Pixabay & its talented community of contributorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the heart of Singapore’s neighbourhoods, a local supermarket chain is quietly delivering strong results, store-count up, profits up, and grocery demand holding firm. Dan Koh and Emaad Akhtar dive into Sheng Siong’s latest numbers, what they reveal about Singapore consumers, and whether this house-hold name is worth keeping in your portfolio as tides shift in retail.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.