The authorities are pushing companies to strengthen their businesses, optimise their capital structures, and engage with investors. Are corporate boards up to the task? What might stop them from effecting the necessary changes? How can the interests of boards and minority shareholders be aligned? Senior correspondent Ben Paul offers some views..

Highlights of the podcast:

01:55 Directors ought to be catalysts for value creation

03:25 Market benchmarks are recognition mechanisms

09:13 Controlling shareholder backing required for change

12:48 Align interests of boards and minority shareholders

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---

Written and hosted by: Ben Paul ([email protected])

Edited by: Howie Lim & Claressa Monteiro

Produced by: Ben Paul, Howie Lim & Chai Pei Chieh

A podcast by BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media

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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.

---

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In a surprise twist, Simba rather than StarHub has emerged as the acquirer of M1’s telco business. Has the plucky upstart outflanked its more established competitor? Or, has StarHub dodged a bullet? Are Singapore’s telco stocks attractive? Senior correspondent Ben Paul delves into the implications of the deal.

Highlights of the podcast:

03:46 Does consolidation mean less competition?

05:16 How the telcos have jostled for market share

08:12 Simba’s ASX-listed parent tapping investors

13:25 StarHub prepares to fight, reduces guidance

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Send your questions, thoughts, story ideas, and feedback to [email protected]. 

---

Written and hosted by: Ben Paul ([email protected])

Edited by: Howie Lim & Claressa Monteiro

Produced by: Ben Paul, Howie Lim & Chai Pei Chieh

A podcast by BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media

Follow BT Correspondents:

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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.

---

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MAS has begun appointing fund managers under its S$5 billion Equities Market Development Programme, and plans to consult proposals to enable investors to seek recourse if they suffer losses due to market misconduct. Senior correspondent Ben Paul explains how this might reshape the market.

Highlights of the podcast:

02:28 A S$5 billion boost to smaller-cap stocks

04:36 EQDP fund managers should press for change

07:49 Reducing “friction” to seeking civil recourse

10:43 Boardroom or courtroom? Try the public square

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---

Written and hosted by: Ben Paul ([email protected])

Edited by: Howie Lim & Claressa Monteiro

Produced by: Ben Paul, Howie Lim & Chai Pei Chieh

A podcast by BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media

Follow BT Correspondents:

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Website: bt.sg/btcorresp

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.

---

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IFAs play a big role in take-private offers, but their work is often criticised by investors. Senior correspondent Ben Paul looks at what they have done right and wrong in deals involving Sinarmas Land, Dyna-Mac and Great Eastern.

Highlights of the podcast:

03:28 Major shareholders versus minorities

06:04 Lowball offers draw heightened scrutiny

10:15 Consider private market value of assets

13:30 Hew to the thinking of minority investors

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Send your questions, thoughts, story ideas, and feedback to [email protected]. 

---

Written and hosted by: Ben Paul ([email protected])

Edited by: Howie Lim & Claressa Monteiro

Produced by: Ben Paul, Howie Lim & Chai Pei Chieh

A podcast by BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media

Follow BT Correspondents:

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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.

---

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The rationale for Paragon Reit and FHT seeking to delist hold important lessons on the risks of investing in S-Reits, and how to ride the next upcycle. Senior correspondent Ben Paul offers his views on how investors should position themselves.

Highlights of the podcast:

03:14 Real estate requires periodic reinvestment

04:48 Higher debt costs, lower market valuations

08:46 Sponsor groups adapt to changing market

13:04 Turnaround coming; go for biggest S-Reits

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Send your questions, thoughts, story ideas, and feedback to [email protected]. 

---

Written and hosted by: Ben Paul ([email protected])

Edited by: Howie Lim & Claressa Monteiro

Produced by: Ben Paul, Howie Lim & Chai Pei Chieh

A podcast by BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media

---

Follow BT Correspondents:

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Website: bt.sg/btcorresp

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.

---

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Just weeks after Donald Trump’s "Liberation Day", the S&P 500 has recovered almost all the ground it lost. But supply shocks in the US and demand shocks everywhere else could shake the markets again. Senior correspondent Ben Paul explores what it all means for investors.

Highlights of the podcast:

01:03 Trump blinked amid bond market turmoil

03:47 Get ready for demand and supply shocks

08:00 Triffin dilemma leading to Trump disaster

12:45 Hold cash and wait for new opportunities

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Send your questions, thoughts, story ideas, and feedback to [email protected]. 

---

Written and hosted by: Ben Paul ([email protected])

Edited by: Howie Lim & Claressa Monteiro

Produced by: Ben Paul, Howie Lim & Chai Pei Chieh

A podcast by BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media

---

Follow BT Correspondents:

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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.

---

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BT Money Hacks: bt.sg/btmoneyhacks

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CDL’s executive chairman called the recent appointment of two independent directors a boardroom “coup”, but changed his mind two weeks later. Is the fight really over? What should investors do? Senior correspondent Ben Paul offers some views.

Synopsis: Listen to senior correspondent Ben Paul's analysis and insight on market trends and corporate issues in Singapore in this podcast series based on his weekly column in The Business Times.

Highlights of the podcast:

02:05 Short-lived fight was ostensibly about governance

10:12 Why market regulators will probably do nothing

12:30 Minorities have to accept the Kweks are in charge

18:08 Grill each of the directors, and vote accordingly

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Send your questions, thoughts, story ideas, and feedback to [email protected]. 

---

Written and hosted by: Ben Paul ([email protected])

Edited by: Howie Lim & Claressa Monteiro

Produced by: Ben Paul, Howie Lim & Chai Pei Chieh

A podcast by BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media

---

Follow BT Correspondents:

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Amazon: bt.sg/btcoam

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Website: bt.sg/btcorresp

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: bt.sg/btmoneyhacks

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

MAS will farm out S$5 billion to fund managers as part of a national plan to boost the Singapore market. Will the programme succeed? What more needs to happen? BT senior correspondent Ben Paul analyses the latest developments.

Synopsis: Listen to senior correspondent Ben Paul's analysis and insight on market trends and corporate issues in Singapore in this podcast series based on his weekly column in The Business Times.

Highlights of the podcast:

04:51 MAS review group beats low expectations

08:23 STI lifted by value unlocking, repositioning

10:54 Many market watchers are still sceptical

13:32 Holistic approach, more measures to come

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Send your questions, thoughts, story ideas, and feedback to [email protected]. 

---

Written and hosted by: Ben Paul ([email protected])

Edited by: Howie Lim & Claressa Monteiro

Produced by: Ben Paul & Howie Lim

A podcast by BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media

---

Follow BT Correspondents:

Channel: bt.sg/btcobt

Amazon: bt.sg/btcoam

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Website: bt.sg/btcorresp

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: bt.sg/btmoneyhacks

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OCBC’s offer for Great Eastern resulted in the insurer being suspended from trading. But the remaining minority shareholders of the insurer haven’t yet given in. And, one of them has made an interesting proposal. Senior correspondent Ben Paul examines the investment and regulatory implications of the story.

Synopsis: Listen to senior correspondent Ben Paul's analysis and insight on market trends and corporate issues in Singapore in this podcast series based on his weekly column in The Business Times.

Highlights of the podcast:

00:48 Great Eastern is suspended, but the story isn’t over

04:29 Dissident minority investor makes another proposal

08:03 Always assess the intentions of majority shareholders

10:39 Why OCBC should distribute its Great Eastern shares

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Send us your questions, thoughts, story ideas, and feedback to [email protected].

---

Written and hosted by: Ben Paul ([email protected])

Edited by: Howie Lim & Claressa Monteiro

Produced by: Ben Paul, Howie Lim & Chai Pei Chieh

A podcast by BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media

---

Follow BT Correspondents:

Channel: bt.sg/btcobt

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Website: bt.sg/btcorresp

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.

---

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Solid US economic performance and Fed rate cuts provide a strong underpinning for the markets, despite the risks posed by Trump 2.0. BT senior correspondent Ben Paul offers views on how to invest in 2025.

Synopsis: Listen to senior correspondent Ben Paul's analysis and insight on market trends and corporate issues in Singapore in this podcast series based on his weekly column in The Business Times.

Highlights of the podcast:

02:40 US economic resilience is still surprising forecasters

04:12 Analysts’ target prices point to further gains for S&P 500

08:21 Trump’s victory sparked a rally, so why the nervousness?

12:46 Bet on Singapore banks, Reits, value-unlocking plays

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Send your questions, thoughts, story ideas, and feedback to [email protected]. 

---

Written and hosted by: Ben Paul ([email protected])

Edited by: Howie Lim & Claressa Monteiro

Produced by: Ben Paul & Howie Lim

Engineered by: Chai Pei Chieh

A podcast by BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media

---

Follow BT Correspondents:

Channel: bt.sg/btcobt

Amazon: bt.sg/btcoam

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Website: bt.sg/btcorresp

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: bt.sg/btmoneyhacks

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