Live Well with Michelle

AI, war tensions and a potential trillion-dollar IPO - markets are juggling momentum and risk. Asia-Pacific markets trade higher as investors bet on easing geopolitical tensions and AI-led growth. Intel surges on signs of a manufacturing-led turnaround, while Visa rolls out AI tools to reshape payments disputes. Microsoft doubles down on Singapore with a US$5.5 billion AI investment, underscoring regional tech ambition. Meanwhile, Elon Musk’s SpaceX IPO could rewrite valuation records even as Iran tensions cast a shadow over tech. In corporate news, OCBC hits a S$100 billion milestone and ST Engineering secures major contracts - hosted by Michelle Martin with Ryan Huang.

Wall Street explodes higher as hopes of a U.S.-Iran de-escalation sparked a powerful relief rally across global markets. But with the Strait of Hormuz still constrained, energy supply risks remain dangerously real beneath the surface. Are markets transitioning into a new, more volatile regime? Also, it is getting harder to figure out interest rate direction.  What does a “trapped Fed” mean when inflation stays high but growth weakens? Michelle Martin explores what this means for your portfolio with Simon Ree, Founder, Tao of Trading.

AI optimism hits a reality check as Microsoft posts its worst quarter since 2008, raising doubts about near-term returns from massive AI investments. Competition from Google, OpenAI and Anthropic intensifies as Copilot adoption lags expectations. Meanwhile, McCormick’s $45B acquisition of Unilever’s food unit signals a major shift in consumer staples strategy. Wall Street rallies hard, with the Dow surging over 1,100 points, as investors weigh geopolitics, oil and positioning. In corporate moves, Nvidia backs Marvell Technology, while Eli Lilly expands into sleep therapeutics. Closer to home, STI weakness masks deeper corrections in names like City Developments Limited and Jardine Matheson - hosted by Michelle Martin with Ryan Huang. 

Michelle Martin chats with the Chairman of real estate agency Crestbrick for insights into today's valuable property and prospects for future gains. A sold-out launch in Tampines and rising global uncertainty are reshaping how investors view property. Rivelle Tampines’ rapid sales at nearly $1,900 psf raise questions about affordability, demand, and the evolving upgrader market. Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are driving relocation interest into Singapore, reinforcing its appeal as a safe-haven destination. We explore what could trigger temporary renters to become long-term property investors - and what that means for yields. The AI revolution is quietly transforming demand for office, residential, and industrial space, with winners and losers emerging. And with Singapore’s aging population, the very definition of “prime property” may be shifting in ways investors can’t ignore.

A property trust is selling, and a millionaire is buying more of his own company. What signals are markets sending today?  Markets are navigating a complex mix of asset sales, geopolitical tension, and tech sector volatility, find out how in the show hosted by Michelle Martin with Ryan Huang.  Manulife US REIT and OUE REIT both move to divest assets, but for very different strategic reasons. In the US, stocks wobble as the Iran conflict weighs, even as the Fed signals no urgency to hike rates. Tech names like Nvidia and Micron slide sharply, raising fresh questions about AI demand durability. Meanwhile, insider buying at Palo Alto Networks hints at confidence beneath the surface. Back home, the STI struggles to hold key levels, but there is a bright spot shining amid broader weakness.

When geopolitical shocks ripple through supply chains and markets, what should investors hold onto? The war’s ripple effects are spreading - from energy disruptions hitting everyday businesses to growing stress across global markets. Michelle Martin speaks with Swapnil Mishra, Author of Investing for the Clueless, Reckless and Overly Cautious, on how investors are navigating this uncertainty. We unpack why the US dollar is surging as a safe haven while gold behaves unexpectedly. Energy and defence stocks are in focus - but are investors chasing momentum too late? And where can you still find resilience and opportunity in a market defined by volatility, hosted by Michelle Martin.

When CEOs are buying, markets are falling, and butter chicken disappears off menus - what is the market trying to tell us? Asia-Pacific markets tumble as Iran war fears deepen, while Wall Street logs its longest losing streak in nearly four years. Michelle Martin and Ryan Huang unpack insider buying at Palo Alto Networks, Pop Mart and ABR - even as institutional investors pull back. We explore how geopolitical shocks are rippling through everyday life - from fuel shortages in the Philippines to supply chain disruptions in India. Meanwhile, more than half of S&P 500 sectors are in correction territory - raising the question: is a broader downturn inevitable? In corporate focus: BYD, Gap, Berkshire Hathaway and DBS, alongside weakness in Singapore REITs like Keppel DC REIT and Mapletree Logistics Trust. Plus, what to watch this week as earnings from Nike and Conagra Brands take centrestage, hosted by Michelle Martin with Ryan Huang.

Markets turned volatile as a Google AI efficiency breakthrough rattled memory chip makers like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, raising questions about future demand. Meanwhile, Jefferies flags a coming humanoid robot wave, spotlighting players like Analog Devices and NXP Semiconductors. Wall Street saw its sharpest drop since the Iran conflict began, with oil volatility and inflation fears weighing on sentiment. In corporate news, earnings disappoint at Concord New Energy and Shangri-La Asia signal cracks in recovery narratives. Plus, Singapore markets weaken as Hongkong Land and Jardine Matheson Holdings drag the STI lower - hosted by Michelle Martin with Ryan Huang.

What if the future of leadership isn’t full-time - but precisely on demand? Fractional leadership seems to have gone from niche to mainstream almost overnight - but the reality is, this has been building for years. Michelle Martin speaks with Sara Daw, Global CEO of The CFO Centre and The Liberti Group, and author of Strategy and Leadership as a Service. We explore what’s driving the post-pandemic surge, and whether this is a cost play - or a fundamental redesign of leadership itself. How does fractional leadership actually work in practice, and can companies balance flexibility with accountability and cohesion? Plus, what this means for talent, the future of the C-suite, and whether entire companies could soon be built on fractional models - hosted by Michelle Martin.

Where is the Asian equivalent to Fort Knox? How can you invest in physical gold? Michelle Martin breaks down the surge in gold investing as prices hit record highs and uncertainty drives demand for safe havens. With guest Ong Xun Xiang, Head of ETFs at Lion Global Investors, we unpack how gold ETFs offer access without the hassle of storing physical bars. What exactly is a “physical gold ETF,” and is it truly backed by real gold stored in vaults like Le Freeport Singapore? We explore the pros, cons, and misconceptions - from “paper gold” fears to liquidity advantages over jewellery and coins. Plus, what Singapore’s first homegrown gold ETF listing in 20 years means for investors - hosted by Michelle Martin.