Under The Radar

Remember the time when we would scour through magazines and newspaper articles to cut out photos and design ideas to paste on your scrapbooks for an art project?  Well, we might not do that physically these days, but millions of us still do so digitally through a platform called Pinterest. And yes, that is the company that we’re going to talk to today.  Founded in 2010, Pinterest is a visual search and discovery platform where people find inspiration, curate ideas and shop for products. Unlike traditional social media of its time, the San Francisco headquartered company began as a digital pinboard and was focused on helping users find the inspiration they need to lead the life they love.  This positions Pinterest as a high-intent platform where users arrive not just to browse, but with a purpose. Users sit closer to the moment of decision making, where inspiration can turn into action and commerce. Today, Pinterest sees 1.5 billion pins saved every week, with over half of the users thinking of the platform as a place to shop. In May 2026, the firm reported FY2026 Q1 revenue of US$1.008 billion, up 18 per cent on a yearly basis. Pinterest also saw its tenth consecutive quarter of double-digit user growth with its base of global monthly active users reaching 631 million, an 11 per cent increase over the previous year.  But what is the firm’s assessment of its latest performance as major retailers and advertisers in the US grapple with tariffs? Meanwhile, the firm continues to see revenue driven by the US and Canada even with a growing user base in Asia. So how far is Asia an undertapped market for the firm and what is the company doing to close the monetisation gap? Also – the firm is also doubling down on AI-driven platform improvements, but what does this mean in more granular terms, and how will AI help the firm optimise advertising reach and consequently its top and bottom lines? On Under the Radar, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Martin Machinandiarena, Managing Director, Channel Sales, Pinterest.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The company that we’re going to talk about today has its beginnings traced back to 1984, when a then married couple from Stanford University helped build the foundation of the Internet by inventing the first-multi-protocol router that helped to link computer networks. If Cisco comes to mind, yes, that is our guest for today. Of course, a lot has changed for Cisco in the decades since its founding, during which we saw a power struggle between investors and its original founders (that was back in the 1990s).  Fast forward to today, Cisco is a worldwide technology leader who prides itself in securely connecting “everything to make anything possible”.  The aim is to power an inclusive future for all, by helping customers reimagine their applications, power hybrid work, secure their enterprise and transform their infrastructure. Increasingly, the firm is also focused on helping customers harness the potential of generative AI safely. On the business front, Cisco has also grown from strength to strength. For its third quarter ended April 25th, Cisco posted record revenue of US$$15.8 billion, up 12 per cent on the year.  Net income on a generally accepted accounting principles (or GAAP) basis came in at US$3.4 billion, a 35 per cent increase on the year. Cisco attributed the performance to the relevance of its technology for connecting and securing AI. But what does the firm mean by that more specifically? Meanwhile, the firm hosted its Cisco Live 2026 in June. At the event held in Las Vegas, the firm announced a slew of products to help customers modernise their technology capabilities and protect critical systems.  Among them – a unified Cisco Cloud Control platform for humans and AI agents to run critical IT infrastructure together. But what are the key takeaways from the event? Also – how is the firm anticipating future AI threats, especially with the development of Claude Mythos, which can independently find vulnerabilities in software and computer systems? On Under the Radar, finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Ben Dawson, President, Asia Pacific, Japan and Greater China, Cisco.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It is the time of the year where global investment firm Temasek releases its annual financial results. To this end, the company reported a Net Portfolio Value of S$518 billion on a mark-to-market basis as at 31 March 2026, representing a doubling of its portfolio over the past decade.  Long-term returns remained resilient, with the 20-year Total Shareholder Return at 6.8% and the 10-year TSR coming in at 7.1%. The five-year TSR stood at 4.6%, weighed down by headwinds in China’s capital markets from 2021 to 2024.  Meanwhile, the one-year TSR was at 10.5%, with NPV rising by S$49 billion on the year thanks to the strong showing of Singapore-based Temasek Portfolio Companies and realised gains from key divestments, though the figure was tempered by the situation in the Middle East. Beyond the present, the global investor announced a major restructuring in August 2025, where it set up three wholly owned entities called: (1) Temasek Singapore, (2) Temasek Global Investments and (3) Temasek Partnership Solutions to target three distinct portfolio segments to tackle macroeconomic changes in an increasingly uncertain world. The three entities came into effect in April 2026. But how does the structural overhaul help Temasek sharpen differentiated strategies to achieve better outcomes? Where are the opportunities for the firm looking ahead? In her fifth year covering the Temasek Review, finance presenter Chua Tian Tian headed down to Temasek’s office for this “On the Go” Special episode of Under the Radar, where she posed the questions to Png Chin Yee, Chief Financial Officer, Temasek International and President, Temasek Singapore.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we’re going to take you through the ins and outs of a technology company that makes the personal computers we use at work and at home.  But here’s the twist. The company was founded all the way back in 1939 when there were no fully electronic computers, and where Palo Alto, Califonia was not a Silicon Valley hub, but an area filled with fruit orchards.  Make a guess – bingo if you’ve guessed HP! HP’s founding story takes us back to the 1930s, when American culture was dominated by sound film and radio, made possible by electronic signalling.  Inspired by the zeitgeist, two Stanford University friends, Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard decided to work part-time building devices in a Palo Alto garage. In 1938 and with only US$538 in capital, the duo invented the HP Model 200A, which was an oscillator that was used to test sound equipment.  What was worthy of note was how The Walt Disney Company actually bought 8 of the HP oscillators to get movie theatres ready to screen Fantasia in 1940.  The company was formalised as Hewlett-Packard in the 1940s, as a result of a coin toss to decide whether Bill or Dave’s name comes first, and grew in success over the years as the electronic industry expanded. But why are we speaking to HP you might ask? Well, per data by Statista, HP is a market leader in the global PC space, coming in at second place with a market share of 27.2 per cent in 2025. But what is the ongoing demand for PCs like?  Also, what will the future of work look like with AI-processes embedded in employees’ workflows, and what does this mean for HP when it comes to new product designs and launches? How will AI adoption augment the firm’s growth trajectory globally and right here in Southeast Asia? Speaking of Southeast Asia, HP chose Singapore to launch Garage 2.0, an initiative where the technology company lends its engineering expertise and business insights to accelerate the growth of AI startups. But why did it choose to launch the programme in sunny Singapore? How important is Singapore or Southeast Asia to the firm? On Under the Radar, finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Koh Kong Meng, Managing Director, Southeast Asia and Singapore, HP.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

48 teams, 104 matches and six billion fans eagerly watching what the best of football has to offer.  It is no surprise that the FIFA World Cup 2026 is the talk of the town right now. After all, this year’s edition marks the largest in the tournament’s history, featuring 16 stadiums across Canada, Mexico and the United States. But have you wondered about the innovations powering a sporting event of this scale?  Think of an Intelligent Command Centre that handles everything from pre-game to post-game insights.  Or an AI stabiliser solution that offers fans an immediate on-field broadcast stream of the matches without any loss in visual quality? Well, these are just some of the offerings provided by global PC and technology solutions heavyweight Lenovo, who’s also the official technology partner of the FIFA World Cup 2026. In this “On the Go” Special episode of Under the Radar, finance presenter Chua Tian Tian flew halfway around the world to Miami in the US at the invitation of Lenovo for a deep dive into the solutions driving FIFA World Cup 2026. She also spoke with Art Hu, SVP and Global CIO, as well as Chief Technology and Delivery Officer, of the Solutions and Services Group at Lenovo for an overview of how everything came together.  That’s before wrapping up the trip by catching Match 71 of the FIFA World Cup between Portugal and Colombia featuring football legend Cristiano Ronaldo!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special “On the Go” episode of Under the Radar, finance presenter Chua Tian Tian headed down to Suntec Tower 3 for an interview with the leadership of a company that invented the Portable Document Format or the PDF format in 1993.  Founded close to 45 years ago in 1982 to revolutionise printing and publishing with an all-digital approach, Adobe has since evolved into a design software company that empowers everyone to imagine, create and bring any digital experience to life.  Its Creative Cloud suite of solutions, from Photoshop to Illustrator and Premier, helps customers from creators, students, small businesses to global enterprises create multimedia projects efficiently to drive business outcomes.  Adobe is an interesting company to look at, particularly given recent developments surrounding generative AI, which can help users create images, videos and even movies with a simple text or voice prompt.  To tap the technology advancements in AI, Adobe had in April 2026 launched a suite of artificial intelligence tools to help corporate clients automate and personalise digital marketing functions.  Called the CX Enterprise, the products make use of AI agents to help customers manage their interactions with customers. At the same time, the firm is also said to be working with US big tech players like Amazon, Microsoft, Anthropic, OpenAI and Nvidia to ensure that its new AI system works across multiple platforms.  But how does the firm define its value proposition in the age of generative AI given its in-depth knowledge and expertise in the design and creativity space, and how does the firm assess the competitiveness of its products against say Anthropic’s Claude Design?  How is competition like in Asia Pacific with Chinese AI-tech firms coming in fast and furious? Tian Tian posed these questions to Ben Goodman, President of JAPAC (Asia Pacific and Japan), Adobe.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we’re going to take you through a hotel brand that is directly linked to American personality, Paris Hilton. Yes, we’re indeed talking about global hospitality company Hilton, which boasts a portfolio of 27 world-class brands including Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Canopy by Hilton and Doubletree by Hilton. Fun fact, Paris Hilton’s great-grandfather, Conrad Hilton, or the founder of Hilton, entered into the hotel business in Cisco Texas back in 1919 when he was on the way to buy a bank but bought a local hotel called The Mobley instead.  The first hotel which formally bore the Hilton name though, was opened in Dallas Texas only a couple of years later in 1925. Fast forward to today, the hotel company comprises over 9,100 properties and over 1.3 million rooms in 143 countries and territories. It also welcomed over 4 billion guests across its century of history.  In April 2026, the firm reported Q1 adjusted EBITDA of US$901 million, up 13 per cent on the year. The firm also reported a 3.6 per cent growth in system-wide RevPAR or revenue per available room. But how far is this contributed by the Southeast Asia region? Looking ahead, the firm continues to face headwinds in the second half of the year amid trade volatility which could dampen global travel spend and weigh on US demand. The war in the Middle East could also result in reduced travel to the region. But to what extent will this make Asian or Southeast Asian markets more attractive for Hilton to double down on? On Under the Radar, finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Alexandra Murray, Vice-President and Regional Head of South East Asia, Hilton.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finance Presenter Chua Tian Tian had been under the radar for the past two weeks on her annual vacation across Asia, but she’s not coming home without bringing our listeners a little something – a Special episode of Under the Radar from AI chip darling NVIDIA’s GTC Taipei, which took place in the first week of June.  GTC Taipei 2026 brought together developers, researchers and industry leaders to dive into the latest breakthroughs shaping every industry, from AI factories, agentic and reasoning AI, physical AI and robots and even more.  Think of a reinvention of the personal computer by Nvidia and Microsoft to allow the running of personal AI agents.  In this Special, “On the Go” episode of Under the Radar, Tian Tian gave an overview of the highlights at NVIDIA GTC Taipei.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we’re going to take you to a sleepy pocket of Japan’s countryside called Myoko. Located about a three-hour train ride from Tokyo, Myoko was said to be one of the oldest ski areas in Japan, where it once saw young skiers streaming along its neon-lit streets. That was, of course, during the economic boom back in the 1980s and 1990s, before ski-lovers swapped Myoko for other popular destinations like Niseko in Hokkaido and Hakuba in Nagano.  But one Singaporean company is hoping to inject life back into the area by buying up ski resorts in Myoko and the nearby Madarao, and building an integrated township out of them. And that company is called Patience Capital Group. Founded in 2019 by the former head of Japan at Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund GIC Ken Chan, Patience Capital Group manages assets on behalf of institutional and private investors worldwide.  The firm says it currently manages two close-ended funds. The first is a hospitality fund focused on unlocking value in the Japanese tourism sector, and that’s where the ski resorts come in.  The fund, in particular, was said to have raised 39 billion yen from institutional investors ranging from sovereign wealth funds to a university endowment fund. The other close-ended fund, meanwhile, is a residential fund investing in mid-market residential assets located in the Greater Tokyo Area.  Beyond that, the firm also has a lifestyle vertical that aims to create a suite of consumer experiences and businesses to complement its portfolio and encourage placemaking in its destinations. But how will the various business operations under Patience Capital Group come together to create viable recreational townships in Japan? Meanwhile, the firm says it is tapping into the Japanese tourism and residential markets given a rise in investors’ interest in the country amid relatively low cost of capital.  But how much money is in the Myoko and Madarao areas exactly and what are the risks of pulling off a transformation project of this size? How sustainable is the tourism boom in Japan for long-term infrastructure projects in both the recreational and residential space? On Under the Radar, finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Ken Chan, CEO, Patience Capital Group.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we’re going to talk all about a leading hospitality player who began its business as not a property owner but an A&W Root Beer franchise!  Founded by J. Willard and Alice Sheets Marriott close to a century ago in 1927, our guest for today Marriott International got its start quenching people’s thirst during the hot muggy summers in Washington D.C.  The company then moved into serving food and becoming The Hot Shoppes, where it opened the first drive-in restaurant on the East Coast in 1928. The firm had also at one point dabbled in inflight catering as well as cafeteria management at government buildings and major institutions between the 1930s and the 1950s. But it was only thirty years after its founding in 1957 that the Hot Shoppes Inc. expanded into the lodging business with the Twin Bridges Motor Hotel in Alington, Virginia, and the rest was history.  The Hot Shoppes was renamed Marriott Corporation in 1967, before splitting into Host Marriott Corporation and Marriott International Inc in 1993 as it grew in the hotel business.  More recently in 2016, Marriott International bought over Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide for US$13 billion, bringing in 11 new brands including St. Regis Hotels and Sheraton Hotels, making it the largest hotel chain operator in the world. In 2025, the region delivered its third straight year of record development performance with nearly 200 deals signed, adding over 28,000 rooms to its development pipeline. That’s a 32 per cent increase over the year, driven by growth markets including India, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and Japan. But what are the key trends supporting the development activity and which is the most important market for the firm?  Meanwhile, the firm is also laser focused on doubling down room signings for its luxury segment brands including JW Marriott and The Ritz-Carlton and Luxury Collection. It is also looking at expanding beyond traditional gateway cities to emerging destinations with rich cultural heritage. But what should we know about the moves, and how will they augment the firm’s top and bottom line numbers? On this Special episode of Under the Radar, finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Neeraj Govil, Chief Operating Officer, Asia Pacific excluding China (APEC), Marriott International.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This time, finance presenter Chua Tian Tian got up bright and early to head down to global investor Temasek’s corporate headquarters located at The Atrium@Orchard to find out more about the key happenings at Ecosperity Week 2026. Organised by Temasek, Ecosperity is the firm’s key platform for sustainability and advocacy.  Themed ‘Asia’s Race Towards 2030: Powered by Innovation, Driven by Intent’, the event, which took place earlier this week, brought together leaders across government, business, finance and civil society to explore practical, scalable innovations, policies and partnerships that can help translate the region’s 2030 climate ambitions into real-world impact.  So where does Temasek see capital moving and how is it encouraging long term-investors to put money into the energy transition through a systems approach across renewables, infrastructure and other climate technologies?  How does Temasek see what makes a green project investable and how does it align the interests of innovators, policymakers and investors to get deals done?  And in terms of execution, how can policymakers and the business community come together to structure deals in such a way to de-risk projects while unlocking capital? Tian Tian posed these questions to Steve Howard, Vice Chairman, Sustainability, Temasek.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Helping companies build resilience, unlock growth opportunities and navigate evolving regulations landscape across issues surrounding carbon, waste and energy – that’s what we’re going to talk about today. Founded in 2013, our guest Evercomm is a Singapore-based engineering and technology company that aims to assist enterprises in optimising resource efficiency, managing climate risk scenarios and meeting international compliance standards to ensure long-term operational and financial sustainability.  This is done through the use of the firm’s advanced planning and simulation tools that provide precision-driven carbon, energy and waste reduction strategies that are customised for different company’s needs and operations.  The company said its strategic partners include CTBC Bank, Mitsubishi Electric as well as Shell Energy. Its solutions are also used in projects involving the Punggol Digital District and the Jurong Port. But why are such asset performance management solutions provided by Evercomm Singapore critical to enterprises, particularly those in the energy intensive sector?  What are the key opportunities for the firm particularly in Southeast Asia where emerging economies walk the tightrope between industrial growth and net-zero ambitions? On Under the Radar, finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Ted Chen, Co-founder, CEO and Chief Product Architect, Evercomm.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ll revisit the real estate sector today by looking at a REIT that is solely focused on the UK market.  Founded in 2020 and listed on the Singapore Exchange, Elite UK Reit aims to provide unitholders with what it calls a secure income stream from public sector tenants such as the UK Department for Work and Pensions.  The Reit’s portfolio spans across 148 properties which are mostly freehold or virtually freehold in places within town centres, near amenities or transportation nodes.  More notably, the Manager of the Reit said it is also tapping on sectors that exhibit strong growth potential in the UK, say purpose-built student accommodation and built-to-rent residential assets.  On the whole, the manager said the Reit has what it describes as a “long and diversified lease expiry profile and prudent capital management”, and is positioned for sustainable stability and growth from government-leased properties and the living sector.  All in, Elite UK Reit posted a distribution per unit of £0.0149 (1.49 British pence) for the second half of the 2025 financial year ended Dec 31. That’s around 1.4 per cent higher than the DPU seen in H2 2024. The figure also represented a payout ratio of 95 per cent.  Elite UK Reit is a counter that we want to talk about given how the firm is on the charm offensive to appeal to the investing community.  For one thing, the Reit had in February 2026 signed new lease agreements with the UK Government for properties occupied by the Department for Work and Pensions, a move that has helped it improve its Weighted Average Lease Expiry (or WALE) to 7.2 years from 2.4 years. The Reit’s manager said this is one of the longest WALE duration among Singapore Reits.  Beyond that, the Reit is also actively repositioning some of its properties including one in Peel Park, Blackpool. Its manager said the Reit has secured planning consent to develop a data centre building on the roughly 20-acre plot. So how will the moves augment the firm’s growth trajectory while increasing income stability? On Under the Radar, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Joshua Liaw, CEO, Elite UK Reit.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we turn our attention to look at renewable energy as companies around the world look to decarbonise and reduce their consumption of traditional fossil fuels.  Founded in 2008 with a mission to address the challenges of climate change, our guest for today is pure-play renewable fuel producer EcoCeres.  Backed by international investors Bain Capital and Kerogen Capital, the company transforms sustainable feedstocks into advanced biofuels and renewable products such as Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) or Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO).  The firm says its solutions turn 100% waste-based biomass into renewable fuels, renewable chemicals and materials resulting in up to 90% reduction in lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions.  So far, EcoCeres said some of its customers include Cathay Pacific and HSBC, and that it holds 20% of the global SAF market in the years 2022 to 2023. EcoCeres is a company that we want to speak to given the rise in adoption of biofuels around the world to cut greenhouse gas emissions.  For one thing, the International Air Transport Association (or IATA) had estimated that Sustainable Aviation Fuel could contribute around 65% of the reduction of emissions needed by the aviation industry to reach net zero carbon dioxide emissions by the middle of this century (or 2050 that is). So what opportunities does this present for EcoCeres looking ahead? What are the barriers to producing enough biofuels for consumption, and which markets will be key to the growth of the biofuels industry?  Speaking of markets, EcoCeres opened Malaysia’s first commercial-scale sustainable aviation production facility in January 2026. But what were the reasons behind the move, and which are the other markets of interest to the firm?  Meanwhile, media reports out in December 2025 and January 2026 noted that EcoCeres was eyeing a potential Hong Kong IPO that could raise about US$1 billion.  But what was the rationale behind the move and how would the company use the proceeds, if it turns out to be true?  On Under the Radar, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Matti Lievonen, CEO, EcoCeres.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian reports from Jakarta, Indonesia in this “On the Go” special episode of Under the Radar, as she covers the key highlights of GrabX 2026.  That’s the Southeast Asia superapp’s annual product showcase, where the firm unveiled the latest innovations to be rolled out progressively this year. Themed “Your Everyday Guide”, this year’s event features 13 new AI-powered product features and seeks to highlight Grab’s evolution into an intelligent guide that supports users and merchants seamlessly from living to travelling, in Southeast Asia and beyond.  From a Group Ride solution that helps sequence a trip among several passengers efficiently, to a virtual store manager that uses existing CCTV hardware to monitor store operations and hygiene standards using AI, Tian Tian brings you a sneak peek at the firm’s new offerings.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we’re going to revisit a guest whose mission is to increase the GDP of not a country, but the internet.  If it rings a bell, yes, we are indeed talking about Stripe, the payments processing company whose aim is to build the economic infrastructure for the internet.  For starters, the San Francisco and Dublin headquartered firm assists customers from the world’s largest enterprises to budding startups in accepting payments, growing their revenue and tapping new business opportunities.  More specifically, its service offerings cut across functions such as pricing, billing, checkouts, payment links, revenue recognition to invoicing and marketplace solutions.  We are speaking to Stripe once again because a lot has happened since our last interview with the company in 2024.  Per the firm’s latest annual letter, Stripe reached a valuation of a whopping US$159 billion as of 2026, climbing up from US$106.7 billion achieved in September 2025. So what are the key drivers of growth bolstering the numbers? Also – how is the firm preparing for a world enabled by artificial intelligence, with technologies such as agentic commerce set to shake up the online shopping landscape? Meanwhile, Stripe is also big on stablecoins, having in February 2025 acquired stablecoin orchestration platform Bridge for US$1.1 billion. But how has the firm tapped on the speed and cost advantages of stablecoins in its business thus far? On Under the Radar, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Paul Harapin, Chief Revenue Officer, Asia Pacific & Japan, Stripe.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the largest aeronautics and space company in Europe, Airbus provides products, services and solutions for the commercial aircraft, helicopter, defence and space sectors.  They range from the commercial aircraft and helicopters that connect people from around the world to military aircraft and satellites that aim to protect citizens and countries. Its 12,000-plus Airbus aircrafts in service collectively serve over 48,000 routes globally, closing the distance between people every day.    In February 2026, the firm reported net orders of 889 commercial aircrafts after cancellations in 2025, higher than the 826 seen in 2024, while the order backlog amounted to a year-end record of 8,754 commercial aircrafts at the end of 2025. But how much of this is contributed by Asia Pacific, and how does the company assess the speed at which it is delivering to customers in the region amid shortages in Pratt & Whitney engines? Also – how does it assess competition from up and coming players in the region, say China’s state-owned planemaker Comac? Meanwhile, Airbus has said that Asia Pacific will need almost 20,000 new aircrafts as it is set to remain as the world’s fastest-growing air travel market.  But what are the key trends supporting the numbers, and how is Airbus working to capture and realise demand from the region? In this “On the Go” Special episode of Under the Radar, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian headed down to the Airbus Campus at Seletar Aerospace Park, where she posed the questions to Anand Stanley, President, Airbus Asia-Pacific.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we’re going to take you through the company behind the GLP-1 drugs Wegovy and Ozempic that are used to treat obesity and diabetes.  Founded in 1923 and headquartered just outside Copenhagen in Denmark, Novo Nordisk prides itself as a global healthcare company that aims to drive change to defeat serious chronic disease and build on its heritage in diabetes.  The Danish drugmaker said it seeks to do so by pioneering scientific breakthroughs, expanding access to its medicines and working to prevent and ultimately cure the diseases it treats.  Fast forward to today, Novo Nordisk’s global footprint spans across 170 countries, with production facilities in 13 of them, and 10 research and development centres in key markets China, Denmark, India, the UK and the US.  Novo Nordisk is a company to watch because of its breakthrough GLP-1 injectable medications for diabetes and obesity care in recent years. But what are the key drivers of growth for the firm right now? Meanwhile, concerns surrounding competition against other industry peers such as Eli Lilly continue to weigh on investors’ minds as they mull what the next battleground for the big pharmaceutical players will be.  That’s especially so with the expiry of the firm’s patents in key markets nearing. But it seems like oral pills are the next chapter for pharmaceutical firms targeting the obesity market, with Novo Nordisk rolling out its first GLP-1 pill for weight loss in the US earlier in January. With Goldman Sachs in 2025 forecasting the daily oral pills will capture about a quarter of the anti-obesity medication market by 2030, how will Novo Nordisk’s oral GLP-1 medications augment its growth trajectory? On Under the Radar, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Jay Thyagarajan, Senior Vice President, Region APAC, Novo Nordisk.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This time, Money Matter’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian reports from aboard the new Disney Adventure, the first Disney Cruise Line ship for guests in Asia and also the first to be homeported out of Singapore. Drawing on over 100 years of storytelling from Disney, Marvel and Pixar franchises, Disney Adventure promises to fill everyone with endless adventures and a magical experience. The ship has a passenger capacity of 6,700 and boasts seven themed areas, including the Marvel Landing which features the longest rollercoaster at sea.  Its maiden voyage will take place on the 10th of March or next Tuesday, and will operate as a “Cruise to Nowhere”.  In this Special, “On the Go” episode of Under the Radar, Tian Tian brings you more on the christening ceremony of Disney Adventure, as well as a sneak peek into what to expect aboard as she spends the next couple of days exploring the ship during its preview sailing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we’re going to take you through the ins and outs of a leading independent digital wealth platform in Asia that provides bespoke investment solutions for personal savings, private wealth and even public pension (say in the case of CPF and SRS in Singapore).  Founded in 2017, our guest for today Endowus operates out of both Singapore and Hong Kong with a vision to help investors grow their wealth holistically and offer what it describes as conflict-free advice and access to institutional financial solutions, through a personalised digital wealth experience.  Fast forward to today, the firm works with over 80 global fund managers to provide access to investment strategies across public and private markets, hedge funds and alternatives.  The digital wealth platform had also in October 2025 crossed US$10 billion in assets under management after seeing record inflows and assets from Hong Kong customers tripling. The firm also noted that its alternative business surged to over US$500 million.  So what’s driving the numbers and what are the growth trends for the firm with Federal Reserve interest rates set to fall further this year? At the same time, Endowus also raised over US$70 million that same month, in a funding round led by Illuminate Financial and joined by existing investors including Citi Ventures and various Asian family offices.  According to Tech Node Global, the firm said at the time that funds raised will be used to help the firm scale further, and to zoom in on creating retirement solutions and pension platforms in Singapore and Hong Kong. Resources will also be channelled to AI innovation, new B2B solutions for financial advisers and further geographic expansion.  But how far are we seeing that play out? Where is Endowus moving into next and how will the role of its Singapore operations evolve? Meanwhile, robo-advisory AutoWealth had in January 2026 become the second digital adviser for the CPF Investment Scheme after Endowus. So what does the move mean for Endowus then and will it double down on efforts to grow its market share right here in the Lion City? On Under the Radar, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Samuel Rhee, Co-founder, Chairman and Group CIO, Endowus.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Semiconductors are the invisible foundation of our digital world – powering everything from data centres and electric vehicles to smartphones and even satellites.  But behind the global chip ecosystem lies precision engineering firms that make tools and parts used in the manufacturing process.  And our guest for today, Micro-Mechanics, is one of them. Founded in 1983, and listed on the SGX-Sesdaq in Singapore in 2003, the company designs and manufactures a range of consumable tools and parts used in the assembly and testing of semiconductors.  The company also engages in the contract manufacturing of precision parts and tools used in process-critical applications for the semiconductor wafer-fabrication and other high-technology industries.  In July 2008, the listing and quotation of Micro-Mechanics’ shares were upgraded to the SGX Mainboard.  Today, Micro-Mechanics’ boasts a headcount of 450 globally, with five factories located in Singapore, China, Malaysia and the Philippines, as well as in Silicon Valley in the US.  Micro-Mechanics is a company that we want to talk about right now, given how ongoing trade tensions and tariff spat between the US and China have thrusted the semiconductor industry and supply chain into the spotlight. Despite global headwinds, Micro-Mechanics said it was somewhat sheltered given how it had plants set up in both China and the US.  So how is the firm capitalising on its relative advantage in the global semiconductor supply chain right now, and what are the growth opportunities present within the industry right now? How does the firm assess the role of its presence in Singapore, and the vibrancy of the local stock market in boosting its valuation? In this Special episode of Under the Radar, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Kyle Borch, CEO, Micro-Mechanics.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we’re going to turn the clock back to the 1800s to share with you the story of a young man, Georges Nagelmackers, who had just fallen out of love.  Like some of us who might travel abroad to take a breather, Nagelmackers fled to the US, where he discovered railroads with the world’s first sleeping cars.  The enterprising Belgian engineer decided to take that idea back to Europe, where he would launch luxurious trains leading to the Gates of the Orient.  That’s right, we are talking about the Orient Express, or the luxurious train experience provider that would later be further popularised by a suspense novel by writer Agatha Christie in the early 1930s.  Then called the CIWL (Compagnie Internationale des Wagon-Lits), or The International Sleeping Car company, Orient Express’ inaugural trip happened in October 1883 from Paris to Constantinople (or the modern day Istanbul), redefining the meaning of long distance travel for luxury travelers.  As we know, the development of air travel has changed the way people move between places. That dealt a blow to CIWL, and eventually, the Orient Express made its last direct trip between Paris and Istanbul in 1977.  That same year, the SNCF or the French National Railway Company acquired the Orient Express brand, and the last Orient-Express train left Vienna for Strasbourg in December 2009.  But hope is not lost. Nearly 140 years after making its first trip, Accor Hotels fully bought over and redeveloped the brand in 2022, expanding the portfolio of Orient Express to include hotels and even yacht sailings.  As for the original Orient Express carriages – they will be back on railway tracks in 2027, though details are still scant at the moment. So, what should we know about the Orient Express portfolio of hospitality solutions today, and what is next for the firm?  In this episode of Under the Radar “SPECIALS”, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Gilda Perez-Alvarado, Group Chief Strategy Officer of Accor & CEO of Orient Express.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we’re going to take you through the ins and outs of a semiconductor optics company that made the headlines for its performance post-IPO on the Singapore Exchange.  Listed on the SGX in September 2025, our guest for today MetaOptics develops metalenses, or flat, glass-based lenses made with the same technology and process as semiconductor chips. But what does this mean exactly? Well, lenses are typically made using curved glass, which helps them refract and focus light rays, say in the case of camera lenses or magnifying glasses.   MetaOptics, on the other hand, uses a different process to make its lenses. Instead of using curved glasses, it uses a process called semiconductor photolithography to carve out microscopic pillars on a flat wafer, just like how transistors are engraved onto silicon chips.  With the microscopic pillars engraved on the lenses, the lenses behave like silicon chips, where their reflective index changes when varying amounts of electricity passes through it. This means the same lens can adopt multiple properties and perform multiple tasks from zooming in, focusing, or even shifting depth, depending on the situation.  In application, this means that devices such as smartphones, laptops or projectors will only need one metalens to perform multiple functions. This reduces the thickness and weight of hardware devices, making them easier to carry around. Beyond that, metalens can also be used to transmit information using light. This presents an opportunity for the firm to tap the rise in demand for computing devices in the age of AI. So how does the firm define its value proposition exactly, and what are the key revenue drivers for it?  Meanwhile, MetaOptics listed on the Catalist board of the Singapore Exchange in September 2025, and has seen its shares rise five fold in three months. More recently, the firm also announced plans to seek a dual listing on the US NASDAQ stock exchange. So how has the firm used the additional public capital raised? What are its plans for the future and what is its assessment of the effectiveness of listing on the local bourse then? On Under the Radar, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Mark Thng, CEO, MetaOptics.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re going to talk all about a hotpot ingredient that is sure to be on your reunion dinner table on Chinese New Year eve – the humble, inexpensive, yet comforting fishball that completes the meal. Speaking of fishballs, one must talk about Thong Siek Food Global, who’s also better known as the parent company of Dodo fishballs. Founded in 1976 as a family run backyard operation, Thong Siek Food Global has since evolved into a leading manufacturer, distributor and retailer of surimi (or minced fish paste) based seafood products in Singapore. At its factory in Senoko spanning over 150,000 square feet, Thong Siek Global processes well over 28,000 kg of fish meat daily and more than 60 varieties of fish-based products including fishballs, prawn balls, cuttle fish balls and crab flavoured sticks. These are exported to markets across Europe and Southeast Asia as well as the US, Canada, Dubai, Qatar, Australia and more. But how is Thong Siek Global positioning its supply chain to grow internationally? Which are the key global markets for the firm? Also – what are the key product trends that Thong Siek Global is tapping to relate with next generation consumers?  In this Special, “On the Go” episode of Under the Radar, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian headed down to Thong Siek Food Global’s factory floor to seek some answers from Novelle Lim, CEO of Thong Siek Global and Fayy Lim, Chief Operating Officer of Thong Siek Global.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It is back to the real estate sector today as we take you through the ins and outs of a real estate management services group that recently spun off its coliving arm on the Singapore Exchange.  You might have guessed it by now. Yes we are talking about the majority shareholder of coliving brand Coliwoo, or the SGX mainboard listed LHN Group. Established in 1991, LHN Group prides itself with the ability to generate value for space owners and users alike with its expertise in Space Optimisation.  The firm engages in four types of business operations, namely (1) space optimisation, where it redesigns unused, old and under-utilised spaces to maximise leasable area, (2) property development and investment where it engages in the acquisition, development and sale of properties, (3) facilities management including the provision of car park and energy management services, and finally (4) energy solutions, including the provision of charging stations for electric vehicles. LHN had in November posted a net profit of S$5.9 million for the half-year ended September 2025. The performance marks an 82.7 per cent decrease from levels seen in the previous year, on the back of fair value losses on its investment properties. Revenue for the same period, though fell by a more modest 8.4 per cent on the year to S$60.9 million. So how does the firm assess its latest performance and what will be the key drivers of growth going forward?  Meanwhile, the firm’s coliving subsidiary Coliwoo went public on the Singapore Exchange in November 2025. The move was said to help LHN better allocate resources within the remaining businesses within the group. So how far are we seeing that play out?  Speaking of resource allocation, LHN Group appears to be doubling down on its space optimisation business through its storage solutions subsidiary Work+Store. So how important will Work+Store be to the firm post-listing of Coliwoo? On Under the Radar, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Kelvin Lim, Executive Chairman and Executive Director of LHN Group and Danny Wong, Chief Executive Officer of Work+Store. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The CES is arguably one of the most powerful tech events in the world featuring speakers like Jensen Huang, CEO of AI chip darling Nvidia, Lisa Su, CEO of AMD and Yuanqing Yang, CEO of the world’s biggest PC maker Lenovo. Happening alongside the CES was Lenovo Tech World @ CES, or Lenovo’s annual global innovation affair taking place at the Las Vegas Sphere.  Money Matter’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian was part of the media team invited to the PC maker’s 11th Tech World, which featured conversations from its key executives, as well as a series of product launches and showcases.  In this three-part, “On the Go” Special series of “Under the Radar”, Tian Tian dived into the key announcements at CES and Lenovo Tech World 2026. She also sat down with Lenovo’s top executives to find out how the firm is harnessing the power of AI. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore has long been recognised as a premier destination for Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions – or MICE events – backed by its world class infrastructure, connectivity to the world, and its business friendly ecosystem. And today, we’re going to revisit a guest that sits at the heart of this industry to kickstart the year.  Incorporated in 2005, our guest Experia specialises in conceptualising, creating and curating trade events of strategic interest that spur industry development.  The firm prides itself in bringing together what it calls “captains” from all over the world to inspire ideas, influence decisions and move the needle in strategic issues for global, national and societal needs and progress.  More notably, Experia manages the Changi Exhibition Centre, and is also the player behind Asia’s largest aerospace and defence exhibition, or the Singapore Airshow.  But why are we speaking to Experia you might ask? Well, the MICE industry which Experia lies in is experiencing exciting growth of late.  In June 2025, the Singapore Tourism Board said the MICE global market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate or CAGR of 7.2 per cent from 2024 to 2032.  Asia Pacific in particular, is expected to take the lead due to the relatively higher growth rates seen in regional economies, the rising trend of business travel, as well as improvements in social services and infrastructure.  At Experia, the firm is preparing for the coming Singapore Airshow 2026 happening every two years. It is also organising the inaugural Space Summit 2026, an event which will see national space agencies, policy makers, investors and industry players convene to address gaps in the growing industry.  So how is Experia preparing ahead of the events, and how is the firm positioning itself for future growth, and working with industry players such as hospitality players to spur tourism spending and grow the pie for all? On Under the Radar, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Leck Chet Lam, Managing Director, Experia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It is a Special, “On the Go” episode of Under The Radar with Money Matters’ Finance Presenter Chua Tian Tian, who’s roughly about 14,300 km away from Singapore in the US city of Las Vegas attending CES 2026. The CES is arguably one of the most powerful tech events in the world featuring speakers like Jensen Huang, CEO of AI chip darling Nvidia, Lisa Su, CEO of AMD and Yuanqing Yang, CEO of the world’s biggest PC maker Lenovo. The event is expected to host some 140,000 attendees from the 6th to the 9th of January 2026. In this episode, Tian Tian provides a first look into how AI is transforming business, technology and everyday life, as well as the innovations to watch at CES 2026.  She was also part of the media team invited to Lenovo Tech World @ CES, where she spoke with Amar Babu, President of Asia Pacific of Lenovo, on the key themes for Tech World 2026. Tian Tian will be back with more details in a radio Special, LIVE from Las Vegas on tomorrow’s Breakfast Show with Ryan, Emaad and Audrey so stay tuned!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s back to the financial services industry as we speak to a financial advisory firm that’s wholly owned by Singlife.  Founded in 2016, Singlife Financial Advisers seeks to empower individuals to achieve financial freedom with its team of digitally enabled advisers, through innovative solutions that support its clients at every stage of their life.  The firm primarily looks at four areas: (1) Protection through insurance, (2) Savings and retirement, (3) Investment, and finally (4) Legacy planning, and is now seeing increased demand for services across the board in Singapore given a growing number of high-net worth individuals and an ageing population in the country.  According to numbers by data analytics provider GlobalData out in early 2025, Singapore’s general insurance industry is expected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (or CAGR) of 6.2% to hit S$8.1 billion in gross written premiums by 2029.  That’s supported by regulatory developments, economic expansion as well as a rise in market demand. So what will the numbers mean for the firm’s growth roadmap in the medium to longer term?   And as demand for insurance coverage increases, the Financial Industry Disputes Resolution Centre (or Fidrec) in Singapore is also seeing consumer complaints against investment-linked insurance policies or (ILPs) increase.  So what does this mean for the firm, and how will the firm ensure transparency in the selling of its products amid consumer concerns across the industry? At the same time, more support is also provided for the industry, with Singlife Financial Adviser’s parent Singlife setting up a shared service hub in Singapore earlier this year to help financial advisory firms with services like electronic financial need analysis, client onboarding and more. So how is Singlife Financial Advisers tapping the shared resource then? On Under the Radar, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Justin Ho, CEO, Singlife Financial Advisers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Helping every person and business do all things money – be it spending, saving, investing, borrowing or managing – in just a few taps. That is the mission of our guest today, Revolut.  Founded in 2015, and touted as a “super app” providing services from digital banking, cross-border payments, equity and cryptocurrency trading, card services and even travel perks, Revolut has quickly evolved into one of the most talked about fintechs in the world.  With a network that supports 160 countries and regions, Revolut says it now serves over 60 million personal customers around the world, and over hundreds of thousands of business customers globally. And the numbers are set to increase as the firm experiences a period of rapid growth right now.  For one thing, a Bloomberg report out in September 2025 noted that the company is set to deliver over £4.1 billion (S$7.1 billion) in annual revenue this year. Media reports also noted that the firm launched a secondary share sale the same month, valuing the firm at US$75 billion, with some noting that the fintech darling is exploring a dual listing in London and New York, for what’s said to be its “blockbuster” IPO. That same month, the firm also launched its global headquarters in London and announced a US$13 billion investment to attract 100 million users and enter 30 new geographies by 2030.  In Singapore, Revolut plans to double its headcount within a year from September 2025 in line with the company’s wider ambitions to expand into Southeast Asia and around the world.  So what’s underpinning Revolut’s aggressive expansion plans and what role will the company’s Singapore operations play in this regard? On Under the Radar, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Raymond Ng, CEO of Singapore and Southeast Asia, Revolut.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we’re going to revisit one of our guests that’s long been a cornerstone of Singapore’s mobility ecosystem.  Think the yellow and blue coloured taxis that ply the streets, or the SBS Transit buses and Mass Rapid Transport or MRT trains we take to work and to go home.  Bingo if you’ve guessed ComfortDelGro, a household name in Singapore that has also evolved into one of the largest land transport firms in the globe. And talking about evolution and change, 2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for the group’s point-to-point business, having in September acquired all of ST Engineering Land Systems’ shares in taxi operator CityCab for a total purchase consideration of S$116.3 million.  While ComfortDelGro had been managing CityCab since 2005, what would the full ownership of CityCab mean for ComfortDelGro? But beyond acquisitions, ComfortDelGro is also making bold strides in the autonomous mobility space.  The firm had in March launched its first robotaxi pilot programme in Guangzhou, China, as part of a partnership with Pony AI, a company involved in the large-scale commercialisation of autonomous mobility.  And in September, the firm announced that it would expand the autonomous mobility services to Singapore, starting with the Punggol area early next year, in line with the country’s plan to integrate mobility solutions into existing transportation infrastructure.  But what should we know about the move, and how would the introduction of autonomous vehicles shake up the point-to-point mobility ecosystem, and in particular, the relationship between customers and taxi or private hire drivers? On Under the Radar, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Michael Huang, Head of Singapore Point-to-Point Mobility Business, and CEO of China Business Unit, ComfortDelGro.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we’re going to welcome you aboard Singapore Airlines as it reaches out to greater skies in a fast changing business environment.  Founded some 50 years ago through the demerger of the Malaysia-Singapore Airlines in 1972, SIA has evolved into one of the most recognised and respected travel brands globally.  The Singapore flag carrier and its low cost subsidiary Scoot now fly to over 120 destinations, and operates the world’s longest non-stop flight –  a 19-hour ride from Singapore to New York City.  SIA has long been presented in business schools as a textbook example of “cost-effective service excellence”, combining premium service with rigorous efficiency to deliver profitability and brand prestige.  But how is this playbook evolving as SIA navigates an intensifying competitive landscape?  For one thing, the ongoing US-China trade war, Middle East tensions and oil price volatility continue to weigh on airlines such as SIA. At the same time, Gulf carriers appear to have grown in prominence on long-haul flows and now capture sizable shares on some key city pairs, given the Middle East’s status as a gateway to Europe.  To stay ahead, SIA appears to be re-engineering parts of its product and network. In 2024, SIA said it will spend S$1.1 billion to retrofit 41 Airbus A350-900 long-haul and ultra-long-range aircraft with newer cabin products.  There were also adjustments to mileage redemption policies in 2025, which prompted conversations among customers and industry watchers. So how does the airline distill the changes into a single, condensed strategy for the future?  Professor Jochen Wirtz, Vice Dean of MBA Programmes and Professor of Marketing at the National University of Singapore has been studying the firm for over two decades, writing extensively about how the firm manages the tension between achieving product differentiation and cost leadership.  And Lee Lik Hsin, is Chief Commercial Officer at Singapore Airlines.  In this “In the Community” Special episode of Under the Radar, the duo share their thoughts with Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From a mirror glass producer into one of the world’s most enduring industrial giants. Today we’re going to take you through the ins and outs of French multinational corporation Saint-Gobain.  The founding of Saint-Gobain takes us all the way back to 1665, when Louis XIV (the 14th) founded the Royal Mirror Glass Factory, and granted the financier Nicolas Dunoyer and his associates an exclusive privilege to manufacture “mirror glass”.  The goal was to undermine the supremacy of the Republic of Venice in the European mirror market.  Decades later, The Royal Mirror Glass Factory and its competitor, the Thevart Company merged in the 1690s, and the enlarged entity eventually became the modern day Saint-Gobain. Fast forward to the present, Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures, and distributes materials and solutions for the construction, mobility and industrial markets. Some of its portfolio products include insulation, roofing and yes, glass.  With a presence in 80 countries with more than 161,000 employees, the company aims to be a world leader in light and sustainable construction.  And in Singapore, you can see the firm’s products used in some of its most beloved attractions, from Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay, Bird Paradise, Rainforest Wild Asia and more. But what should we know about Saint-Gobain’s operations right here in Singapore? Meanwhile, the firm had in July 2025, reported record high operating income of 2.803 billion euros, up 5 per cent in local currency terms. Notably, Asia Pacific delivered robust organic growth, driven by strong momentum in India and Southeast Asia.  So what are some growth trends that the company hopes to tap on, and how far will operations in Singapore and Malaysia help the company bolster its financial performance in the region amid a slowing economy in China? On Under the Radar, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Lynette Siow, CEO, Saint-Gobain Singapore & Malaysia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fashion is an art, but it is also big business. And our guest for today H&M Group has proven that the two can coexist at scale.  Since opening its first store nearly eight decades ago in 1947, the Swedish fashion giant has evolved to a network of over 4,000 stores across 79 markets, with online sales available in 60 markets.  The company prides itself on a simple promise: making great and sustainable designs available to everyone. Fast forward to 2025, and H&M is seeing strong momentum. In September, the firm reported a bigger than expected rise in third-quarter profit.  Operating profit from June to August came in at 4.91 billion Swedish crowns (or about US$523 million). That’s up from the 3.51 billion seen a year ago, and well above the 3.68 billion crowns forecasted by analysts in an LSEG poll.  The numbers come as CEO Daniel Erver embarked on an overhaul of the brand to improve profitability through trendier collections, tighter cost controls and a refreshed marketing strategy.  But even as H&M celebrates its early success, the broader business environment is shifting.  US tariffs are weighing on imports to and consumption within the US – the retailer’s second largest market after Germany.  So how far would that make Asia a bright spot for growth for H&M, and how does H&M intend to compete with other big name players such as Inditex’s Zara, Fast Retailing’s Uniqlo and even e-commerce first players like Shein and Temu? And perhaps more importantly – which Asian markets hold the greatest promise for the next chapter of H&M’s growth given China’s uneven economic recovery? On Under the Radar, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Saed El-Achkar, President H&M East Asia & Greater China.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tokenisation – or the process of turning real-world assets into digital tokens – has moved from concept to reality in recent years.  According to DBS Research, the tokenisation of real-world assets is at an inflection point towards exponential growth, with the market capitalisation of real-world asset tokens growing from virtually nothing five years ago to over US$25 billion as of August 2025.  That figure is expected to rise further, with McKinsey estimating that the total tokenised market capitalisation could hit about US$2 trillion by the end of the decade.  Trends driving the numbers include growing institutional adoption of digital assets, as well as increased regulatory clarity globally.  Back home, the first Singapore dollar-backed stablecoin was also launched in September 2025, with reserves held with DBS Bank and Standard Chartered Bank.  But what are the growth opportunities for the tokenisation of real-world assets and what does it mean for financial institutions like DBS? In this “On the Go” Special episode of “Under the Radar”, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian headed down to DBS’ Headquarters at Marina Bay Financial Centre to find out what’s next for the industry and how the bank is capitalising on the trend from David Hui, Chief Commercial Officer, DBS Digital Exchange.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marketing and communications has been an integral part of companies in shaping their brand image, selling values, advertising their products and services, which ultimately rings in the dollars and cents seen on balance sheets. But despite the importance of the profession, modern marketing as we know it to be is a relatively new field of business that took off only in the 1900s, with the widespread consumption of radio and television content. Our guest for today is one of the early players in the industry. Founded in 1901 in Tokyo, our guest for today is Dentsu, one of the largest global marketing and communications networks in the world.  The Tokyo-listed company boasts a presence spanning across 110 countries and regions, and is said to combine the talents of its global network of leadership brands to develop impactful and integrated growth solutions for enterprise customers.  That is particularly so through its landmark acquisition of UK-based Aegis Group for 3.2 billion British pounds back in 2012, and its purchase of US-based customer relationship management firm Merkle to expand its footprint and standing on the global stage.  In Singapore, Dentsu operates as a strategic hub for Southeast Asia, and delivers what it calls end-to-end experience transformation for brands, people and society. Yet, Dentsu's rapid internationalisation moves come at a cost – the kinks involved in integrating acquisition targets have put a dent on financial performance.  In August 2025, the firm reported an operating loss of 62 billion yen (S$540 million) for the quarter ended June, after booking an 86 billion yen impairment loss due to sluggish performance in the US and Europe. The company also said it will cut about 3,400 jobs in markets outside of Japan, or about 8 per cent of headcount in the region to streamline operations.  And in that same month, a report by the Financial Times noted that Dentsu is considering selling its international business.  So where are things at right now, and what would the recent developments mean for Dentsu’s Southeast Asia and Singapore’s operations? What would they mean for Dentsu's global growth ambitions too? On Under the Radar, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Prakash Kamdar, CEO, Clients & Solutions, SEA, and CEO, Singapore, Dentsu.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's all about hypercars in this “On the Go” Special episode of “Under the Radar” as Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian headed down to BUGATTI Singapore’s showroom at 45 Leng Kee Road.  Founded by Ettore BUGATTI in 1909, BUGATTI prides itself as a state-of-the-art hyper sports car marque, and is said to produce the world’s most powerful and luxurious cars.  Fun fact – each car is still hand-assembled at the firm’s Atelier in Molsheim.  Today, BUGATTI is part of the BUGATTI Rimac Group, and is laser focused on developing the next generation of hyper sports cars.  And the CEO and President of BUGATTI Mate Rimac is in town to mark the 20th anniversary of its iconic model, the BUGATTI Veyron. The BUGATTI Veyron became the world’s first production car with more than 1,000 hp and a top speed of over 250mph  in 2005. Tian Tian caught up with Mate briefly during the anniversary celebration event to find out about his priorities for the business, his take on the importance of Southeast Asia and Singapore as markets for the company, as well as BUGATTI’s future lineup. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Founded in 1981 through the spin-off by a team of engineers from Dassault Aviation to design products in three dimensions, Dassault Systemes seeks to revolutionise the aerospace industry with Computer Aided Designs or (CADs).  The aim is to advance virtual worlds and empower innovators to come up with sustainable solutions that address the most pressing global challenges.  Fast forward to today, the French software maker’s solutions touched multiple industries from aviation, to mobility and healthcare, serving 370,000 customers with differing needs and sizes.   And here are some fun facts. The firm says 90% of cars in the world are engineered or built using its collaborative solutions.  And if you’re wondering why your pair of Adidas running shoes perform or fits better – well, Dassault Systemes could have a part to play in that.   But beyond that, the firm is also involved in the building of digital twins of products, processes and even cities to help industries test and prepare for real world challenges.  All in, the company had in July 2025 reported total revenue of 1.52 billion euros for the second quarter of 2025, up 5 per cent from the year ago period. Diluted earnings, though, stood at 0.17 euros, down 19 per cent from the year prior.  But what are the key drivers of growth for the firm and what role did Asia and Singapore play in this regard?  Meanwhile, the firm also introduced its 3D UNIV+RSES at its Capital Markets Day, a comprehensive solution that embeds multiple generative AI technologies along with 3D designs, virtual twins and more. But what should we know about the new solution, and how will the generative economy reshape the growth trajectory for firms like Dassault Systemes? In this "On the Go" Special episode of "Under the Radar", Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian headed down to Tampines Grande to Dassault Systemes’ office to speak with CEO Pascal Daloz, who was in town for just about 24 hours.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s all about ice-cream and fast food today as we turn the spotlight on one of America’s most beloved brands. This brand is also well-loved by billionaires, more notably value investor Warren Buffett and Shark Tank’s Mark Cuban.  You might have by now guessed that I am talking about International Dairy Queen, a company known globally for its soft-serve treats like the Blizzard and the Dilly Bar.  Founded in 1940, International Dairy Queen or the parent company of American Dairy Queen Corporation and Dairy Queen Canada has grown to a global quick service restaurant player.  The firm is also famously known as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway, having been acquired in 1998.  Currently, the firm develops, licenses and services a system of over 7,700 Dairy Queen restaurants over 20 countries. But the firm doesn’t seem to stop there and appears to be on a charm offensive to expand internationally.  For one thing, the firm had in 2022, through American Dairy Queen Corporation and private equity firm FountainVest Partners, unveiled plans to open up 600 Dairy Queen restaurants in China by the end of the decade.  Then came July 2024, when International Dairy Queen teamed up with FountainVest Partner’s franchise ownership company CFB Group to open what’s said then to be the first DQ Blizzard & Burgers restaurant in Shanghai in Asia. So what was the rationale behind the firm’s aggressive expansion moves? And how far will the company’s international business bolster sales as global trade tensions and tariffs weigh on consumption in the US? Beyond international expansion, International Dairy Queen is also said to be placing a stronger emphasis on hot food, versus the dessert treats it was once famous for. But why is this the case? On Under the Radar, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Dr. Brandon Guthrie, Director of International Development, Dairy Queen.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Founded in 1929, Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group is owned by one of the most influential families in Hong Kong, namely the Cheng family behind the late property tycoon Cheng Yu-tung.  With a deep heritage, the firm’s brand aims to not only honour traditions, but also foster deep, meaningful connections, with a diverse customer base through its jewellery pieces. The company said its commitment to innovation and craftsmanship has been integral in helping it maintain mindshare among customers over the decades.  In this “On the Go” Special edition of “Under the Radar”, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian flew down to Guangdong, China on a media tour to see how the company is putting its words into action.  Her journey started at Chow Tai Fook’s Shunde Artisanal Smart Manufacturing Centre, about 1.5 hours drive away from Shenzhen, where she visited the firm’s diamond processing facilities and master studio.  She also visited the firm’s new image store in Shenzhen, where she spoke with Gabriela Ferreira, General Manager, International of Chow Tai Fook Jewellery on the firm’s corporate strategy and expansion plans – including those for Singapore.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re going to revisit an “Under the Radar” guest who first joined us on the show about two years ago.  And this is a leading homegrown Singapore company that delivers what’s said to be world-class communications, entertainment and digital services. And yes – you might be using its 5G network services to tune into this conversation as we speak.  Founded in 2000, telecommunications service provider StarHub seeks to provide people, homes and enterprises mobile and mixed services, a broad suite of premium content, as well as a diverse range of communications solutions through its extensive fibre and wireless infrastructure.  25 years on, the firm also develops and delivers solutions incorporating artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data analytics, Internet of Things for both corporate and government clients.  And we want to find out what is next for StarHub in a fast evolving market as it celebrates 25 years in the business.  Beyond that, the Singaporean telecommunications industry that StarHub lies in is also an interesting one to look at, as it undergoes a market consolidation. In August this year, Keppel announced the proposed sale of M1’s telecommunications business to Australian mobile network operator Simba Telecom, for an enterprise value of S$1.43 billion. The move disappointed investors who had hoped for StarHub to buy over M1.  Just a day later though, StarHub announced that it has taken full ownership of MyRepublic’s broadband business. The move was said to strengthen StarHub’s multi-brand and multi-segment strategy in the Singapore broadband market. But what opportunities and synergies is the firm looking to tap exactly?  And how far will a consolidation in the market give telco players like StarHub more flexibility in its pricing to boost its top line numbers? On Under the Radar, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Nikhil Eapen, Chief Executive Officer, StarHub.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we’re going to dive deep into a company which plays an instrumental role in the Defence, Aerospace and Cyber & Digital Sectors. With over 83,000 employees dotted across five continents, our guest Thales provides solutions, services and products to help companies, organisations and governments carry out their critical missions.  Think about air traffic management, training and simulation to even in-flight entertainment solutions used in the aerospace industry.  Or signals intelligence, electronic warfare and collaborative combat systems for the defence and security industry.  Or even satellite-based systems to help scientists observe our planet and better optimise the use of our solar system’s resources. Beyond that, the firm is also looking at identity management and data protection technologies that help banks exchange funds, people cross borders and energy become smarter and even more.  Why are we speaking to Thales you might ask? Well, the firm had in July 2025 raised its sales forecast for the year of 2025 while posting better first-half sales and profit.  Thales’ adjusted earnings before interest and taxes, or adjusted EBIT, came in at 1.248 billion euros, up 12.7% on the year on an organic basis. The strong showing was driven by strong sales growth in its aerospace and defence segment, and came on the back of increased military spending in Europe.    But how far can the positive momentum be sustained, and how far will US tariffs throw a spanner in the works? What role will Asia and Singapore play in Thales’ playbook for the future?  Speaking of Singapore, the firm said in May 2025 that it will launch a new artificial intelligence centre, called cortAIx, in the country to develop AI solutions for critical environments.  It also inked an agreement with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore to launch an International Avionics Lab in 2026. But what should we know about the moves, and how important are they to longer-term growth for Thales as a whole? On Under the Radar Specials, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Emily Tan, CEO & Country Director, Thales Singapore.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Energy, trade, technology and the green transition – the biggest questions in the oil and gas world converge this week at the 41st annual Asia Pacific Petroleum Conference or APPEC right here in Singapore. Hosted by S&P Global Commodity Insights, APPEC features over 200 industry leading speakers, and is said to deliver unparalleled insights into the future of the global energy landscape.  MONEY FM is in the thick of it all, as Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian brings you a series of “On the Go” Under the Radar Specials from our on-site booth with key leaders driving conversations ranging from Southeast Asia’s energy transition, to the forces shaping oil prices, global shipping and supply chains.  In the final of three interviews, she spoke with Rahul Kapoor, Global Head of Shipping Analytics & Research of S&P Global Commodity Insights.  The duo dived into the teething issues relating to trade, shipping and the shifting of global supply chains amid ongoing US tariffs and geopolitical uncertainties, and what that means for companies and governments.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Energy, trade, technology and the green transition – the biggest questions in the oil and gas world converge this week at the 41st annual Asia Pacific Petroleum Conference or APPEC right here in Singapore. Hosted by S&P Global Commodity Insights, APPEC features over 200 industry leading speakers, and is said to deliver unparalleled insights into the future of the global energy landscape.  MONEY FM is in the thick of it all, as Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian brings you a series of “On the Go” Under the Radar Specials from our on-site booth with key leaders driving conversations ranging from Southeast Asia’s energy transition, to the forces shaping oil prices, global shipping and supply chains.  In the second of three interviews, she spoke with Atul Arya, Chief Energy Strategist of S&P Global Commodity Insights , who gave an overview of the energy transition and net zero efforts in the global industry and the marketplace.  The duo also talked about what the energy mix will look like by the end of the decade, and whether the widespread use of nuclear power for data centres can be a reality.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Energy, trade, technology and the green transition – the biggest questions in the oil and gas world converge this week at the 41st annual Asia Pacific Petroleum Conference or APPEC right here in Singapore. Hosted by S&P Global Commodity Insights, APPEC features over 200 industry leading speakers, and is said to deliver unparalleled insights into the future of the global energy landscape.  MONEY FM is in the thick of it all, as Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian brings you a series of “On the Go” Under the Radar Specials from our on-site booth with key leaders driving conversations ranging from Southeast Asia’s energy transition, to the forces shaping oil prices, global shipping and supply chains.  In the first of three interviews, she spoke with Dave Ernsberger, co-President of S&P Global Commodity Insights,  who gave a summary of the key APPEC discussion topics and the overall macro energy outlook amid the current geopolitical backdrop.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s back to the real estate sector today as we speak to an SGX-listed REIT focused on commercial properties in Europe.  Founded in 2017, Stoneweg Europe Stapled Trust is a stapled group that comprises Stoneweg E-REIT and Stoneweg European Business Trust.  You might better know the REIT by its old name Cromwell European REIT before it was bought over by alternative investment group Icona Capital and real estate investment group Stoneweg for 280 million euros or S$395.5 million just a couple of months ago.  Cromwell European REIT was renamed as Stoneweg European Reit at the start of 2025, and later converted into a stapled group in June 2025. Today, the stapled trust has a principal mandate to invest be it directly or indirectly in income-producing commercial real estate assets across Europe.  In particular, the trust needs to maintain a minimum portfolio weighting of at least 75% to Western Europe and at least 75% to the light industrial or logistics and office sectors.  On top of that, the trust also takes on asset enhancement and redevelopment projects for existing office assets, with a focus on strong ESG credentials in prime and core locations within key European gateway cities.  On the whole, its portfolio value stands at around 2.2 billion euros, with over 100 predominantly freehold properties across major cities in key markets such as The Netherlands, Italy, France, Poland, Germany, Finland, Denmark and the UK.  The total lettable area comes in at around 1.7 million square metres and its client base – over 800 tenant customers.  Now, why are we speaking to Stoneweg Europe Stapled Trust you might ask? Well, we want to find out how the firm assessed its financial performance for the first half of 2025, as well as how its strategy has evolved through its stapled structure. But on top of that we also wanted to find out more about the outlook of the European office and logistics property market amid macroeconomic headwinds arising from US tariffs. On Under the Radar, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Simon Garing, CEO and Executive Director, Stoneweg Europe Stapled Trust.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we’re going full throttle into the world of performance by speaking to a super car brand known for its “Raging Bull” logo – and that is Automobili Lamborghini. If you’re a car enthusiast, you might have heard of the origin story of how Automobili Lamborghini was founded in 1963, as a result of an unpleasant exchange between two Italian car enthusiasts.   There are multiple variations of the story going around, but here’s the gist of it all. Well, Lamborghini’s founder, Ferruccio Lamborghini, was a successful tractor manufacturer in the 1960s, and he was supposedly dissatisfied with a clutch problem with his sports car.  Unhappy with the situation, Lamborghini paid a visit to its manufacturer, where his complaints were said to be dismissed with what some reports described as a “stinging” response.  Legend has it that it was exactly this comment from the manufacturer that gave Lamborghini the resolve to build a better sports car. Soon, the Lamborghini 350 GT emerged in 1964, and with it, a “Raging Bull” that aims to trump the “Prancing Horse” (if you get the hint).  That was in the 1960s. Over six decades had passed, and today, Automobili Lamborghini produces some of the most iconic and coveted super sports cars in the world.  In the first half of 2025, the firm delivered 5,681 cars – the highest-ever result for a first half, and a 2 per cent year on year increase from the figure seen in 2024.  But beyond the numbers, it is also an exciting time for Automobili Lamborghini, as the company positions itself for a sustainable future with a fully hybrid fleet. In fact, the CEO and Chairman of Automobili Lamborghini is right here in Singapore to promote the firm’s new Temerario, its second model in the Lamborghini High Performance Electric Vehicle range.  But what should we know about the new model, and how far is sustainability the key in turbocharging the “Raging Bull”? And what role will Asia and Singapore play in Automobili Lamborghini’s next bound of growth? On this “On the Go” Special of Under the Radar, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian sat down with Stephan Winkelmann, CEO and Chairman, Automobili Lamborghini at the launch of Lamborghini’s latest twin turbo V8 high performance electrified vehicle held within Aviation Hub at Seletar Aerospace View in Singapore.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It is all about software companies today, and this time, we’re going to talk about a company that builds and improves on the open-source Linux operating system – Red Hat.  The history of Red Hat takes us all the way back to 1993, when software was distributed through physical CDs in retail stores. That was when a small businessman named Bob Young, met tech geek Marc Ewing at a tech conference.  Young had been running a computer supply catalogue business out of his home at that point, and Ewing had been geek-hacking and spinning his own distribution (or his own improved rendition) of Linux operating systems on CDs from his home. Young decided to buy Ewing’s CDs to tap a growing interest in the Linux operating system, and he sold out of them so many times that the duo teamed up to found Red Hat Software in 1995. At Red Hat, the firm pursued a stable and accessible distribution of a constantly evolving, community-developed Linux operating system, instead of protecting trade secrets and filing patents for expensive proprietary products taken by most industry players.  The firm reached multiple milestones through the years, going public with a record setting IPO in 1999. It also became the first open source technology company to exceed US$1 billion in revenue in 2012.  Then came 2019, when IBM acquired Red Hat for US$34 billion in one of the largest software acquisitions in history.  Today, RedHat is the world’s leading provider of enterprise open source software solutions, using a community approach to deliver what’s said to be reliable and high performance Linux, hybrid cloud, container and Kubernetes technologies. But how is Red Hat faring at this moment in time? Also – how is it evolving in the age of generative AI? How far are partnerships with chip titans AMD and Nvidia key to future success? On Under the Radar, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Daniel Aw, Vice President of Enterprise Sales, Asia Pacific at Red Hat.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The leadership of enterprise identity security firm SailPoint is in Singapore for a business trip, and Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian headed downtown to meet with the team and to find out what’s brewing for the firm. But first, who is SailPoint and what exactly is identity security? Founded in 2005, SailPoint delivers innovative solutions that address what it describes as some of the world’s most dynamic security issues. In particular, the company focuses on identity security by automating and streamlining the complexity of delivering the right access to the right identities at the right time. It might sound like a mouthful, but think of SailPoint as a security guard that ensures only the right personnel enter the right office buildings and gain access only to information that they are authorised to hold.  Except that in this case, SailPoint manages and grants access to enterprise applications and data automatically, at speed and at scale. With a presence in over 60 countries and a team of over 2,600 employees, SailPoint serves some of the biggest enterprises in the world ranging from automaker General Motors, to chocolate manufacturer Hershey.  And SailPoint is an interesting company to talk about, given how it raised US$1.38 billion in its upsized IPO on the NASDAQ in February 2025 – the first major tech listing of 2025.  Now, this is not the first time that the firm has gone public. It first did so back in 2017, three years after being acquired by private equity firm Thoma Bravo.  The story gets more exciting here, because Thoma Bravo was the one who took the company private in a second acquisition after SailPoint’s first IPO. So what was the rationale behind the second IPO, and how is SailPoint faring in the months since going public again? Meanwhile, SailPoint said the company is setting its sights on Singapore and Asia Pacific at a time when demand for advanced, AI-driven identity security solutions is surging.  But what are the specific opportunities present in the region? What are some major investments by the firm in the region then? In this “On the Go Special” episode of Under the Radar, Tian Tian posed these questions to Mark McClain, CEO, SailPoint.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this “On the Go” Specials of “Under the Radar”, Money Matter’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian checks in with the OpenAI team to follow up on their new GPT-5 model.  The model promises state-of-the-art performance across coding, math, writing assistance, health advice, visual perception and more.  Touted as a unified system that knows how to respond quickly and when to think longer to provide expert-level responses, GPT-5 is also said to be more natural and thoughtful, with fewer hallucinations.  In all, OpenAI’s Co-founder and CEO Sam Altman described the latest version “clearly a model that is generally intelligent”.  Users though, had their doubts. Some in an article by Mint said answers by the new model are shorter, while others claimed the new model had less of a personality.    Altman and his GPT-5 team addressed some of the criticisms surrounding the model in a Reddit “Ask me Anything” session, including a notorious “chart crime”. To this end, Altman said a router function in GPT-5 was not working as it should, and that the model will appear smarter soon.  Still, the company remained bullish on the business. Speaking to CNBC on Friday, Altman emphasised that OpenAI should prioritise growth and investments, even if that meant a longer timeline towards the breakeven point.  But how far will GPT-5 reshape the firm’s growth trajectory? And how does the firm intend to navigate challenges regarding performance and pricing? Meanwhile, the release of GPT-5 comes at a crucial time for the industry, where Magnificent Seven tech firms ranging from Alphabet to Meta, Amazon and Microsoft ramp up capital expenditures on AI data centres dramatically.  Per a Reuters report, the four players are expected to spend a total of close to US$400 billion this fiscal year. But where does OpenAI see its place in a market that is heating up, and how far will Asia be the next battleground for AI innovation and adoption? Tian Tian posed these questions to Oliver Jay, Managing Director, International, OpenAI.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.