Live Well with Michelle

Are there moves you should make now with your portfolio? The US central bank slashes rates by 25 basis points to 4 - 4.25%, with cautious guidance pointing to only a handful of cuts ahead. Standard Chartered’s Global Market Outlook calls this a “delicate balancing act,” with investors urged to rotate from US to Asia ex-Japan equities. EM local currency bonds and locking in yields...

Buffett cashes out, markets rally, and anime slays Hollywood! Asia-Pacific markets surge as Berkshire Hathaway ends its legendary 17-year run with BYD. SGX launches two mid-cap indices spotlighting names like CapitaLand Ascott Trust, ComfortDelGro, and Sheng Siong. In the U.S., Seagate and Micron ride the AI wave as “boring tech” takes center stage. RTX battles cyberattacks, Singtel&rs...

Given this mix of lower rates, a strong stock market, and lingering uncertainties, how should investors balance risk and return in their portfolios for the rest of the year? And if you wanted to skip complicated products like ILP's, what would alternative options be? Michelle Martin finds out with Cheng Chye Hsern, Head of Investment, Providend. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nvidia’s $5B bet on Intel has Wall Street buzzing. Hosted by Michelle Martin with Ryan Huang, this episode unpacks what the deal means for the chip industry, markets, and investors. We explore the small-cap rally, IPO action with Netskope and Zijin Gold, and the latest moves from CrowdStrike, FedEx, ComfortDelGro, and Hong Kong Land. Discover why tech giants are teaming up and what it signal...

How can deep tech change the world for the better? Hosted by Michelle Martin, this episode of  Influence  welcomes Jeep Kline, Founder & Managing Partner of Raisewell Ventures who has launched 4 VC funds to explore impact-driven investing. We discuss why climate tech and advanced manufacturing sit at the heart of Raisewell’s portfolio, how academia can bridge research and entre...

What happens when a borderless career meets a cross-border divorce? Hosted by Michelle Martin, this episode explores the financial and legal pitfalls facing globally-mobile professionals when marriages break down. Guest Foo Soon Yien, Senior Director at BR Law Corporation, breaks down jurisdictional rules, domicile requirements, and the risks of assuming Singapore’s courts will hear your cas...

Fed cuts rates - but what does it mean for investors?  Markets are reacting to the first rate cut of the year, with retail investors watching closely. Hosted by Michelle Martin with Ryan Huang, this episode dives into sector winners and losers as the Fed balances unemployment and inflation. Companies in focus include PayPal, Alphabet, Nvidia, Netskope, Jardine Matheson, and Hong Kong Land. We...

The STI has smashed past 4,300 – should you be looking to gain exposure to it? Tim Phillips, Founder of TimTalksMoney, joins the conversation to explore what investors should make of this milestone. We break down valuation risks, macro drivers, and whether DBS Group still has room to run. ETFs tracking the STI come under review for those eyeing a diversified route. Beyond Singapore, we scan...

A big deal for Disney and Webtoon sparks excitement across digital comics. US President Donald Trump says TikTok finally has a U.S. buyer lined up. Global IPO fever heats up with Hesai, Chery Automobile, MMC Ports, and StubHub making moves. Hollywood giants including Disney, Universal, and Warner Bros sue AI startup MiniMax. Local counters in focus include ComfortDelGro, Metro, CapitaLand Investme...

Global order is shifting - how can Southeast Asia seize opportunity amid uncertainty? Hosted by Michelle Martin with Prof Alfred Schipke, Professor of the Practice of International Finance at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy and Director of the East Asian Institute at NUS. Ahead of the FutureChina Global Forum’s Opening Plenary, Prof Schipke shares insights on China’s economic...

A record jobs revision, inflation still sticky, and yet markets soar - what’s going on? Hosted by Michelle Martin, this episode connects the dots with Simon Ree, Founder of Tao of Trading. From the latest PPI and CPI data to the Fed’s looming rate cut decision, we ask if investors should brace for volatility or ride the bull. Is the S&P 500 in bubble territory as valuations stretch...

Who’s buying, who’s selling, and what can investors learn from director deals? Join Michelle Martin on her tour of markets! Hosted by Michelle Martin with Ryan Huang, this episode dives into insider moves at Kingsmen Creatives, Nam Cheong, and TOTM Technologies. The team also explores the SPAC revival on Wall Street and fresh IPO buzz. From Armani’s surprising succession twist to...

Are investment-linked plans really balancing protection and wealth growth? Hosted by Michelle Martin. ILPs now make up 43% of new life insurance sales, but complaints have surged alongside. Regulators are considering classifying them as complex products by December 2025. Christopher Tan, CEO of Providend, joins Michelle to unpack how ILPs have evolved with bonuses and fund choices. Are costs still...

Spinoffs are heating up Singapore markets! Hosted by Michelle Martin. Hear more about Centurion and LHN shares jumping. In the US, JPMorgan spotlights Krispy Kreme, Opendoor, Rocket Mortgage, and Kohl’s as the latest meme stock darlings. We play UP or DOWN with Gemini, Adobe, Oracle, and Low Keng Huat. The STI closes higher, led by UOL and Jardine Matheson, while Thai Bev lags. And Kodak&rsq...

The Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone is shaping up to be one of the region’s most exciting growth stories. Could this cross-border initiative accelerate Johor’s economy beyond Malaysia’s average - and what does it mean for Singaporean investors? Michelle Martin dives into the industries set to benefit most, from manufacturing and logistics to the digital economy and se...

Oracle stuns Wall Street with a historic surge, shaking up the tech landscape and even billionaire rankings. US inflation data cools, boosting hopes for Fed rate cuts as equities inch to new highs. Michelle Martin takes you through Klarna’s red-hot IPO, Chipotle’s Asian expansion, Del Monte’s turnaround, and UOL’s property play. Can CNMC Goldmine’s shine last in a shi...

Burnout culture isn’t just a buzzword - it’s a crisis with real workplace consequences. Singapore ranks as the third most burnt-out city in the world, with sobering statistics on youth suicide and overwhelmed managers. Hosted by Michelle Martin, this episode explores what sustainable performance really looks like in high-pressure environments. Tim MacCartney, Senior Vice President, Asi...

Are selected older properties hidden gems in today’s market? Hosted by Michelle Martin with Daniel from Golden Goose, this episode dives into the dynamics of investing in aging real estate. Learn how older units can make strategic sense and when they fall short. We unpack key factors like location resilience, capital appreciation, and maintenance considerations. Daniel shares his expert take...

Wall Street climbs to fresh record highs as investors cheer tech and retail momentum. Alibaba slashes its stake in SingPost by more than half, losing its status as a substantial shareholder -what does this mean for the local mail giant? Oracle shares rocket 27%, marking their best day since 1999, as cloud projections overshadow an earnings miss. Apple unveils the iPhone 17 Air, AirPods Pro 3, and...

Is traditional marketing facing an uphill swim? How much money have you lost in marketing that doesn’t work? Join Michelle Martin as she dives into  Swimming Downstream  by Judd Labarthe, a strategist who’s guided brands like Volkswagen, Mastercard, Nestlé, and Leica. Discover why he believes marketing is “broken,” driven by myth, opinion, and herd mentalit...

Singapore’s small- and mid-cap IPO market is roaring back, powered by MAS liquidity measures and a wave of fresh listings. Join us as Vincent Toe, Co-founder and MD of ICH Group, shares how anchor investors are reshaping IPO confidence and attracting cross-border capital. We explore Singapore’s growing role as a listing hub amid global shifts, the readiness of deep tech and AI for IPOs...

Power struggles, cloud disruptors, and political shocks are moving markets. Hosted by Michelle Martin in this solo edition of Market View, dive into Lachlan Murdoch’s takeover of the Fox and News Corp empire, JPMorgan’s bullish call on a fast-growing cloud stock, and market reactions to leadership shifts in Japan and Indonesia. Hear why Nebius and Xpeng are gaining traction, while Cosc...

The 2025 Chainalysis Global Crypto Adoption Index shows APAC grew 69% year-over-year, adding nearly US$1 trillion in transaction volume. India, Vietnam, and Pakistan are driving grassroots adoption, while Singapore jumps into the top 20 globally when adjusted for population. Stablecoins are exploding in use cases. Meanwhile, Bitcoin remains the top fiat on-ramp. We break down the findings, U.S. po...

Want to know which companies Goldman Sachs says have real staying power? Hosted by Michelle Martin  we break down Goldman’s picks: Walmart, Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, T-Mobile, Charles Schwab, and Porch Group. We also spotlight Singapore’s Fitness Champs IPO and what its U.S. debut means for Asian expansion. Plus, the Fed’s next move, Apple’s iPhone launch, earnings...

A new Zoom study shows that while Singapore’s 18–24-year-olds value AI speed and efficiency, 92% still want the option of escalating to a human agent. What does this paradox reveal about the limits of AI in customer and workplace experiences?  We unpack how brands can avoid loyalty killers and design seamless journeys that balance tech and empathy. The findings also raise importan...