The Business Times Podcasts

Market news for December 15, 2025: Asian markets drop with Wall Street as tech fears revive; Bank of Japan expected to hike rates on Friday; Ringgit’s outperformance set to extend next year on AI boost; Thai baht is too strong, impacting economy, finance minister says. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s market movements and news from Singapore and the region. Written by: Emily Liu (emilyliu@sph.com.sg) Produced and edited by: Chai Pei Chieh & Claressa Monteiro Produced by: BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media Produced with AI text-to-speech capabilities --- Follow Market Focus Daily and rate us on: Channel: bt.sg/btmktfocus Amazon: bt.sg/mfam Apple Podcasts: bt.sg/mfap Spotify: bt.sg/mfsp YouTube Music: bt.sg/mfyt Website: bt.sg/mktfocus Feedback to: btpodcasts@sph.com.sg Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party’s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice.  Discover more BT podcast series: BT Money Hacks at: bt.sg/btmoneyhacks BT Correspondents at: bt.sg/btcobt BT Podcasts at: bt.sg/podcasts BT Lens On: bt.sg/btlensonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headline news for December 15, 2025: Australia mourns deadly antisemitic shooting, Ukraine signals a major concession in peace talks, Thailand’s border conflict escalates, and Japan’s business sentiment climbs as Singapore employers brace for cautious pay rises in 2026. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro (claremb@sph.com.sg)  Produced and edited by: Claressa Monteiro Produced by: BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media Produced with AI text-to-speech capabilities --- Follow Lens On Daily and rate us on: Channel: bt.sg/btlenson Amazon: bt.sg/lensam Apple Podcasts: bt.sg/lensap Spotify: bt.sg/lenssp YouTube Music: bt.sg/lensyt Website: bt.sg/lenson Feedback to: btpodcasts@sph.com.sg Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party’s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice.  Discover more BT podcast series: BT Mark To Market at: bt.sg/btmark2mkt  WealthBT at: bt.sg/btpropertybt PropertyBT at: bt.sg/btmktfocus BT Money Hacks at: bt.sg/btmoneyhacks BT Market Focus at: bt.sg/btmktfocus BT Podcasts at: bt.sg/podcasts BT Lens On: bt.sg/btlensonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your business is your biggest asset—but is it your smartest retirement plan? SME owners often risk starving personal wealth by betting everything on a future sale. Howie Lim learns the essential strategies for valuing your business, achieving tax-smart profit extraction, and building a separate, resilient retirement portfolio from Grace Tay, associate director, finexis advisory. Stop risking your future for the business's growth. Synopsis: Every Monday, The Business Times breaks down useful financial tips. Highlights: 01:05 Methods to value an SME for sale 03:28 The business is the engine that fuels retirement 09:32 Four factors that make a business attractive to buyers 12:11 Common pitfalls for SME owners --- Send us your questions, thoughts, story ideas, and feedback to btpodcasts@sph.com.sg. --- Written and hosted by: Howie Lim (howielim@sph.com.sg) With Grace Tay, associate director, finexis advisory Edited by: Howie Lim & Claressa Monteiro Produced by: Howie Lim A podcast by BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media --- Follow BT Money Hacks podcasts every Monday: Channel: bt.sg/btmoneyhacks Amazon: bt.sg/mham Apple Podcasts: bt.sg/oeXe  Spotify: bt.sg/oeGN  YouTube Music: bt.sg/mhyt Website: bt.sg/moneyhacks Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party’s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice.  --- Discover more BT podcast series: BT Correspondents: bt.sg/btcobt BT Market Focus at: bt.sg/btmktfocus BT Podcasts at: bt.sg/pcOM BT Lens On: bt.sg/btlensonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vikas Pershad, a portfolio manager for APAC equities at M&G Investments, dives into the latest market shifts. He discusses the Fed's hawkish cut and its future implications for Asia's neutral rates. Silver’s rise is linked to industrial demand from green technologies, while Korea navigates a weak won despite booming equities. The geopolitical impact of Nvidia's new chips for China is explored, along with the daunting challenges in China’s property market, which may not see a quick recovery.

Headline news for December 12, 2025: Political upheavals in Europe, sanctions pressure in Venezuela and early polls for Thailand, while Asian markets steady after the Fed’s cut and Singapore buyers chase smaller landed homes. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro (claremb@sph.com.sg)  Produced and edited by: Claressa Monteiro Produced by: BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media Produced with AI text-to-speech capabilities --- Follow Lens On Daily and rate us on: Channel: bt.sg/btlenson Amazon: bt.sg/lensam Apple Podcasts: bt.sg/lensap Spotify: bt.sg/lenssp YouTube Music: bt.sg/lensyt Website: bt.sg/lenson Feedback to: btpodcasts@sph.com.sg Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party’s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice.  Discover more BT podcast series: BT Mark To Market at: bt.sg/btmark2mkt  WealthBT at: bt.sg/btpropertybt PropertyBT at: bt.sg/btmktfocus BT Money Hacks at: bt.sg/btmoneyhacks BT Market Focus at: bt.sg/btmktfocus BT Podcasts at: bt.sg/podcasts BT Lens On: bt.sg/btlenson  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Market news for December 11, 2025: Divided US Fed lowers rates by 25 bps, signals pause and one 2026 cut; Asian markets mixed post Fed cut; Malaysia to break ground on Southern Agropolis in January, unlocking ‘plug-and-play’ food hub for JS-SEZ. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s market movements and news from Singapore and the region. Written and hosted by: Emily Liu (emilyliu@sph.com.sg) Produced and edited by: Chai Pei Chieh & Claressa Monteiro Produced by: BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media --- Follow Market Focus Daily and rate us on: Channel: bt.sg/btmktfocus Amazon: bt.sg/mfam Apple Podcasts: bt.sg/mfap Spotify: bt.sg/mfsp YouTube Music: bt.sg/mfyt Website: bt.sg/mktfocus Feedback to: btpodcasts@sph.com.sg Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party’s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice.  Discover more BT podcast series: BT Money Hacks at: bt.sg/btmoneyhacks BT Correspondents at: bt.sg/btcobt BT Podcasts at: bt.sg/podcasts BT Lens On: bt.sg/btlensonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headline news for December 11, 2025: The Fed cuts rates again but signals restraint, US bombers fly with Japan, Mexico slaps tariffs on Asian imports, fighting flares on Thailand’s border, and Singapore trains with China in urban counter-terror drills. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro (claremb@sph.com.sg)  Produced and edited by: Claressa Monteiro Produced by: BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media Produced with AI text-to-speech capabilities --- Follow Lens On Daily and rate us on: Channel: bt.sg/btlenson Amazon: bt.sg/lensam Apple Podcasts: bt.sg/lensap Spotify: bt.sg/lenssp YouTube Music: bt.sg/lensyt Website: bt.sg/lenson Feedback to: btpodcasts@sph.com.sg Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party’s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice.  Discover more BT podcast series: BT Mark To Market at: bt.sg/btmark2mkt  WealthBT at: bt.sg/btpropertybt PropertyBT at: bt.sg/btmktfocus BT Money Hacks at: bt.sg/btmoneyhacks BT Market Focus at: bt.sg/btmktfocus BT Podcasts at: bt.sg/podcasts BT Lens On: bt.sg/btlensonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Navigating professional services today demands purpose and future-readiness. Hear Deloitte’s country managing partner, Shariq Barmaky, and recent graduate, Chan Juin Jieg, discuss how multidisciplinary expertise, continuous learning, and mentorship unlock career growth amidst global shifts and emerging tech like AI. Discover the path to thriving in a dynamic economy. Synopsis: The Business Times Podcast Channel presents diverse perspectives, in-depth analysis and news covering career, business, markets, investing, current affairs and tech. This episode is produced in collaboration with Deloitte. Highlights: 01:00 Blurring lines between sectors and services 04:33 Choosing professional services for real impact 08:33 Diverse academic backgrounds hired 14:04 Crucial non-technical qualities 15:53 Mentorship provides essential soft skills 19:08 Advice for staying relevant More about: Deloitte Southeast Asia Careers at Deloitte Deloitte’s Amplify Programme in Singapore --- Send us your questions, thoughts, story ideas, and feedback to btpodcasts@sph.com.sg. --- Written and hosted by: Howie Lim (howielim@sph.com.sg) With Shariq Barmaky, country managing partner, Deloitte Singapore, and Chan Juin Jieg, accounting & reporting assurance analyst, Deloitte Singapore Edited by: Howie Lim & Claressa Monteiro Produced by: Howie Lim & Emily Liu Executive producer: Claressa Monteiro A podcast by BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media --- Follow BT Podcasts: Channel: bt.sg/pcOM Apple Podcasts: bt.sg/pcAP Spotify: bt.sg/pcSP YouTube Music: bt.sg/giK9 Website: bt.sg/podcasts Feedback to: btpodcasts@sph.com.sg Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party’s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice.  --- Discover more BT podcast series: BT Money Hacks at: bt.sg/btmoneyhacks BT Correspondents at: bt.sg/btcobt BT Market Focus at: bt.sg/btmktfocus BT Lens On: bt.sg/btlensonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Market news for December 10, 2025: Asian stocks in retreat as traders eye Fed decision, tech earnings; Gold edges lower as dollar climbs to near one-week high ahead of Fed verdict; Amazon to invest over US$35 billion in India on AI, exports; Indonesia pushes back on Bali’s plan to ban Airbnb rentals. Synopsis: Market Focus Daily is a closing bell roundup by The Business Times that looks at the day’s market movements and news from Singapore and the region. Written and hosted by: Emily Liu (emilyliu@sph.com.sg) Produced and edited by: Chai Pei Chieh & Claressa Monteiro Produced by: BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media --- Follow Market Focus Daily and rate us on: Channel: bt.sg/btmktfocus Amazon: bt.sg/mfam Apple Podcasts: bt.sg/mfap Spotify: bt.sg/mfsp YouTube Music: bt.sg/mfyt Website: bt.sg/mktfocus Feedback to: btpodcasts@sph.com.sg Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party’s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice.  Discover more BT podcast series: BT Money Hacks at: bt.sg/btmoneyhacks BT Correspondents at: bt.sg/btcobt BT Podcasts at: bt.sg/podcasts BT Lens On: bt.sg/btlensonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dubai is engineering its future with uncommon precision. In this episode of Lens on Singapore, Claressa Monteiro speaks with Dr Marwan Al Zarouni, CEO of Artificial Intelligence at the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, and Mohammad Alblooshi, CEO of DIFC Innovation Hub, to unpack how AI, governance and digital assets are being built into Dubai’s economic architecture.  From the D33 agenda to tokenised finance, this conversation explores what Singapore can learn from a city that treats innovation as a national engine. Highlights of the conversation:  01:38 Dubai’s AI blueprint and the AED 100 billion ambition 02:43 Governing AI: Ethics, trust and cybersecurity at scale 05:07 DIFC’s design advantage: How a financial centre became an innovation hub 07:13 Talent density: Why global founders are choosing Dubai 09:25 Blockchain, VARA and the future of tokenised finance 13:49 Singapore–Dubai synergies and what both economies can learn --- Now, we want to hear from you! Send us your questions, thoughts, story ideas, and feedback to btpodcasts@sph.com.sg. We’ll look into it for future episodes. --- Written and presented by: Claressa Monteiro (claremb@sph.com.sg) With Dr Marwan Al Zarouni, CEO of Artificial Intelligence at the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, and Mohammad Alblooshi, CEO of DIFC Innovation Hub Post-production: Claressa Monteiro and Emily Liu Coordinating producer: Emily Liu A podcast by BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media --- Follow Lens On and rate us on: Channel: bt.sg/btlenson Amazon: bt.sg/lensam Apple Podcasts: bt.sg/lensap Spotify: bt.sg/lenssp YouTube Music: bt.sg/lensyt Website: bt.sg/lenson Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party’s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice.  Discover more BT podcast series: BT Money Hacks at: bt.sg/btmoneyhacks BT Correspondents at: bt.sg/btcobt BT Market Focus at: bt.sg/btmktfocus BT Podcasts at: bt.sg/podcastsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.