Live Well with Michelle

Thinking about investing up north but unsure about loan rates and long-term capital appreciation? Germaine Chow, Co-founder, I Quadrant talks about the macro -factors, regulations, taxes and must have questions in mind for the general property investor looking at Malaysia's powerhouse cities of KL and Johor. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US markets surged overnight, with the S&P 500 brushing record territory and the Nasdaq jumping nearly 1%. But Nike's shocking plunge in profits raises questions about consumer demand and inventory strategy. Michelle and Ryan discuss what this could signal for global apparel and retail. Plus, corporate moves from Core Scientific and FWD, AEM’s guidance boost, and a Tesla vs Xiaomi EV show...

Singapore’s million-dollar HDB club is growing fast. From just 0.3% of the market five years ago to nearly 6% today, the public housing landscape is shifting. Are we on the brink of seeing S$2 million flats? Or will policy curb the climb? Michelle Martin asks Mark Yip, CEO of Huttons Asia, whether this is a trend,  tipping point or if there is a good argument to be made not to rush into...

Micron's record US$9 billion quarter and Nvidia’s US$1.4 trillion rebound are setting the pace for tech stocks. Is Singapore Inc. the next market darling? Morgan Stanley seems to think so. From DBS and CapitaLand to SGX, we unpack the bullish call on Singapore equities. Plus, a closer look at AeroVironment, Keppel, ST Engineering, and Yangzijiang Shipbuilding. And in our final word: Can Coop...

Operation Midnight Hammer provided limited damage to Iran's nuclear programme. Markets are weighing if an end to the 12 day war is in sight and Powell’s calm as geopolitical tensions and oil risks rise. Meanwhile, FedEx beats the street with bold cost cuts, while Carnival sails back to profitability. Apple and Tesla are back in analyst crosshairs as upgrades and rollouts shape sentiment. And...

How do global investors view a shift to a multipolar world? Michelle Martin speaks with Mark Ho of RealVantage to hear how the company views tariff risk, long-term demographic drivers, and how investors can view opportunistic positioning today. Hosted by Michelle Martin, this episode helps us understand how long-view investors frame what’s next. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform...

Her book has become a worldwide literary sensation. Michelle Martin meets and chats with Jemimah Wei, author of The Original Daughter a book set in Singapore anchored by themes of sisterhood, family bonds and family secrets. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if your grocery run could help pay for your next flight? Singaporeans are getting smarter with every swipe — stacking CDC vouchers, KrisFlyer miles, and loyalty points to stretch every dollar. Enter the yuu Rewards Club — now linked to over 1,000 brands including 7-Eleven, Cold Storage, Giant, and Gojek. With cost-of-living pressure still high, intentional spending is going mainst...

Markets rise on a mix of relief and restraint as Trump announces a ceasefire timeline between Israel and Iran. Oil prices tumble, erasing war premiums and easing inflation fears. Tesla surges after its robotaxi launch, but is the hype real? Meta faces political heat over WhatsApp, and Pop Mart stumbles after China warns on blind-box toys. The Fed's Jerome Powell heads to Capitol Hill — will...

China’s retail sales are soaring—but is this recovery real or just a policy sugar rush? With consumer spending lifted by subsidies yet long-term income growth slowing, investor confidence is being tested. Pop Mart’s plunge shows how quickly sentiment can shift amid regulatory rumblings. Michelle Martin asks Dividend Titan’s Willie Keng what he saw on his recent China trip&m...

A U.S. strike on 3 Iranian nuclear sites sends Asian markets reeling—what are the ripple effects for investors? Gold climbs, the dollar strengthens, and Bitcoin slides as tensions spike in the Strait of Hormuz. We also dig into Morgan Stanley’s surprising picks in China’s humanoid robot race. Plus, a look at AI moves by DBS, Apple’s lawsuit drama, Meta’s new smart gla...

Is your CPF money working hard enough for your future? Michelle Martin finds out what the 4% SMRA rate really means for your retirement goals. Christopher Tan, CEO of Providend, breaks down how this rate is calculated and what it means in today’s market. Should you transfer funds from your Ordinary Account to your Special Account now?  How do CPF options compare with SSBs, T-bills, and...

Berkshire Hathaway's shares nosedive—what's behind the biggest drop in over a decade? Michelle Martin and Ryan Huang unpack how oil spikes create winners and losers. Airbus soars with a blockbuster showing at the Paris Air Show, while Boeing stumbles. Can ExxonMobil and United Airlines ride the energy wave? Singapore's STI edges up—what are the levels to watch today? Hosted by Michelle...

If you've been dismayed at the changes to your mile earn rates on your credit cards, we have you covered with credit card strategies to spend smarter. Hosted by Michelle Martin with guest Tim Phillips, Founder of TimTalksMoney, this episode unpacks recent cuts to high miles-per-dollar credit cards and what savvy Singaporeans can do now. We ask: is the ultra-pricey Amex Platinum worth it or just hy...

With U.S. markets closed for Juneteenth, Asia takes center stage. We break down the unfolding multi-trillion rupiah corruption probe rocking Wilmar International — a scandal dating back to Indonesia’s 2022 cooking oil crisis. Despite the headwinds, Wilmar is striking a new deal in Nigeria — is it business as usual or damage control? Plus, DBS makes a bold pitch for nuclear energy...

How much does it really cost to send your child to uni - whether local or overseas? How will you fund this without compromising the build up of your retirement funds? Daniel Sim, Founder of Golden Goose Properties, says its possible to do both strategically. He explains why the shift from ownership to consumption changes how we plan for education. Instead of sinking funds into non-recoverable expe...

A herbal stock with zero revenue rockets 64,000%—what’s behind the madness? Michelle and Ryan unpack DBS’s latest bullish call on industrial REITs. Wilmar faces a billion-dollar graft probe in Indonesia—could there be spillover effects? Wall Street wobbles on energy jitters, while gold continues to dazzle. From AI-driven SK Hynix to Airports of Thailand, it’s time for...

A rising tide of uncertainty is pushing investors out of the long end of the U.S. bond curve. Hosted by Michelle Martin, this episode explores what surging 30-year Treasury yields mean for your portfolio. Cheng Chye Hsern of Providend joins to break down the impact of Trump's fiscal policies and slower Fed cuts. What’s the playbook if yields stay high? Is it time to rethink your S&P 500...

Energy names rally, IPOs pop, and WhatsApp rewrites the rules. Hosted by Michelle Martin with Ryan Huang, this episode covers a spike in SGX-listed oil plays like Rex International and RH Petrogas. We explore Meta’s plans to monetise WhatsApp, Goldman Sachs' bullish stock picks including Apple and Valvoline, and the return of IPO mania. Will Apple’s antitrust woes drag it down? Can DBS...

Could 2025 be the year Singapore's REIT market regains its shine? With Centurion gearing up for a REIT IPO backed by worker and student housing, Keppel DC REIT reclaiming a spot on the STI, and Singapore office REITs posting resilient Q1 numbers, the landscape is shifting fast. Hosted by Michelle Martin with guest Kenny Loh, REIT Specialist and Wealth Advisory Director, this episode explores what&...

Chinese biotech stocks are breaking out—with deals involving Pfizer, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and BioNTech rewriting the playbook for global pharma partnerships. But will the rally last? Back in Singapore, banks like DBS, OCBC, and UOB are buying back shares at scale. And Q&M Dental’s CEO is doubling down on his stock. Plus: Amazon and Walmart explore launching their own stablecoins&m...

Could Hong Kong’s stablecoin push set the tone for a digital currency shakeup across Asia? Hosted by Michelle Martin with Chengyi Ong, Head of Policy for APAC at Chainalysis, this episode unpacks the implications of Hong Kong’s newly passed Stablecoins Bill. We explore why local stablecoins matter, their role in payments, trading, and FX. Can digital USD stablecoins coexist with domest...

Asia-Pacific markets trade down  as investors digest the Israeli military strike on Iran this morning. Hosted by Michelle Martin with Ryan Huang, today’s Market View also unpacks DBS’ bullish stance on supermarket giant Sheng Siong, China’s “Terrific 10” AI stocks, and the ripple effects of its export slump. Could Singapore’s logistics players benefit from...

Digital upskilling shouldn't feel like drowning in code or self-doubt. Hosted by Michelle Martin, this episode explores how adult learners - from civil servants to mid-career professionals - can overcome fear, burnout, and anxiety in the digital age. Psychologist and trainer Haja Navaz from Sparkz Counselling and @ASK Training shares real stories, proven strategies, and a compassionate framework f...

Tacos, Tariffs, and Treasury Twists are at the forefront of today's show.   Hosted by Michelle Martin with guest Arun Pai of Monk’s Hill Ventures, this episode dives into the rise of the “TACO” trade, the real weight behind Trump’s rare earths “deal” with China, and whether the latest US-China trade deal is calming markets. Why are traders hyper-focused on...