Money and Me

Is Singapore’s property market quietly shifting after Budget 2026?  In this episode of Money and Me, hosted by Michelle Martin, we break down what new policies on foreign work passes, AI investment and housing demand could mean for buyers and investors. Michelle speaks with Christine Sun, Chief Researcher and Strategist at Realion Group (OrangeTee & ETC), about whether the absence of new cooling measures signals confidence that prices have stabilised. They unpack why demand for some Prime and Plus HDB flats appears softer, and why first-time buyers may now prioritise space over central locations. The conversation also explores how stricter foreign hiring rules could affect rental demand and whether Singapore’s push to become an AI hub might boost long-term property values. Finally, Christine shares where investors might find the smartest opportunities in Singapore’s property market in 2026.

Is the so-called “sleepy” Singapore market waking up - or are we at the start of a full-blown IPO revival? In this episode of Money and Me, hosted by Michelle Martin, we unpack Southeast Asia’s reopening equity capital markets with Art Karoonyavanich of DBS. Trading volumes are up to S$1.65 billion a day in early 2026, and billion-dollar deals like UI Boustead REIT are landing smoothly despite tariff headlines. We explore why CapitaLand India Trust and Lendlease REIT can raise fresh capital even amid global trade noise - and what that says about investor confidence. Beyond property, we examine Ultragreen’s S$520m tech IPO and whether healthtech, AI and digital infrastructure are next in line. Is Singapore simply benefiting from regional recovery — or positioning itself as Southeast Asia’s IPO hub for the next cycle?

Oil is spiking, AI firms are being blacklisted, and inflation just ran hotter than expected - what does that mean for your money in March? As US-Israel strikes on Iran and retaliation across the Gulf rattle markets, we examine how a potential Strait of Hormuz disruption could drive energy prices higher and reignite inflation fears globally — including in Singapore. Then we turn to AI turmoil: Anthropic’s Claude has been labelled a national security risk, while OpenAI swiftly secured a Pentagon deal. Are we entering an era where political alignment determines corporate survival - and how do investors price that risk? Add in Jack Dorsey’s Block cutting nearly half its workforce for agentic AI and fresh layoff data, what does that mean for global economic growth? Simon Ree, Founder of Tao of Trading, joins us to break down safe havens,  and how to position portfolios for volatility ahead - hosted by Michelle Martin.

Is the world quietly walking away from U.S. tech - and should you? In this episode, hosted by Michelle Martin, we unpack the US$52 billion exodus from U.S. equities - the fastest in 16 years - where is smart money going? Guest Swapnil Mishra, author of Investing for the Clueless, Reckless and Overly Cautious, explains what “rotation” really means beneath the headlines. We examine whether U.S. tech is simply expensive - or structurally peaking after years of dominance. Nvidia posts a record US$68.1 billion in revenue while defending AI’s long-term case, even as Salesforce slides on fears of AI-driven job disruption. Are markets pricing in consumer stress and white-collar layoffs or is that a myth?

When the Dow drops 800 points in a day, is it panic - or opportunity knocking? In this episode, hosted by Michelle Martin, we break down the brutal US selloff triggered by fresh 15% tariffs and rising policy uncertainty under President Trump. Guest Cheng Chye Hsern, Head of Investment at Providend, explains which sectors are taking the hardest hit - and where investors can pivot strategically. We examine whether today’s volatility risks echoing last year’s “Liberation Day” market tremors. Closer to home, Singapore’s big three banks post record profits even as margins soften late in the quarter. With a $1.5 billion boost to the Equity Market Development Programme, we ask whether it’s time to increase home bias toward local stocks. Finally, we explore how to balance blue-chip resilience with smaller, high-growth opportunities on the STI.

In China’s 2026 market, survival isn’t about buying the dip - it’s about finding the moat. In this episode, hosted by Michelle Martin, we dissect why investors are shifting from momentum plays to structural dominance with Willie Keng, Founder of Dividend Titan (https://www.dividendtitan.com/). We explore four defining themes and why hyper-competitive sectors are being left behind. From China Tower’s near-97% telecom dominance to Tencent’s evolving identity from growth darling to cash-generating powerhouse, we unpack where durability lies. We also assess whether LVMH can maintain pricing power amid China’s luxury fatigue and the rise of local brands. Finally, in an easter egg  moment, our guest shares his view on the rush for gold from the value investor perspective.

What if the real AI opportunity in 2026 isn’t in the stocks everyone already owns? In this episode, hosted by Michelle Martin, we explore whether the crowded “AI Builder” trade is reaching diminishing returns and where capital could rotate next. Guest Raisah Rasid, Vice President, Global Market Strategist, JP Morgan Asset Management, maps out under-owned sectors quietly integrating AI for margin expansion. We examine how traditionally low-margin industries could see profitability leap as automation scales. With Trump’s global tariff rate rising from 10% to 15%, we unpack what Asia’s calm reaction - including the STI’s resilience - is signaling. We also look at how investors can diversify away from mega-cap concentration without losing AI exposure. Finally, we ask what contrarian AI view could define the rest of 2026.

Is Singapore witnessing a durable capital markets revival - or the final act of a liquidity-driven surge? In this episode, hosted by Michelle Martin, we examine whether the STI’s charge past 5,000 marks a structural re-rating of Singapore equities or a cyclical rebound fuelled by policy tailwinds. With Jason Saw, Group Head of Investment Banking at CGS International, we unpack Budget 2026’s S$1.5 billion EQDP top-up and the new Anchor Fund - and what they mean for price discovery and pre-IPO pipelines. We explore how improving breadth - with more small- and mid-cap counters trading above S$1 million daily - signals deeper liquidity and broader participation. The conversation turns to sector leadership: banks, offshore oil & gas, construction, AI-linked plays, and real estate - where fundamentals and sentiment intersect. We assess whether rising IPO activity and corporate actions point to sustainable issuer confidence across primary and secondary markets. Finally, we ask how investors can “read” momentum cycles to gauge when expansion gives way to consolidation.

What if you could own a slice of a prime building in Singapore for the price of a holiday - and trade it like a stock? In this episode, hosted by Michelle Martin, we unpack whether real estate tokenisation is a breakthrough or just a buzzword. What do you actually own? How does tokenised property differ from a REIT? How as an investor can you tell  whether liquidity is real or theoretical? Does Singapore’s strong REIT market make tokenisation redundant - or is there a genuine access advantage? To what extent is tokenisation of property an opportunity in Singapore - or still a wait-and-see experiment? Michelle Martin speaks with Keith Ong, CEO, RealVantage for his view on the issues.

If AI can replace junior lawyers overnight, what does that mean for your portfolio tomorrow? In this episode, hosted by Michelle Martin, with guest Arun Pai, Associate Partner, Monk’s Hill Ventures  we unpack how an AI model from Anthropic is unsettling legal firms and deepening the AI scare trade across tech markets. Why did billions evaporate in a single session - was it panic, or a recognition that business models are being rewritten? We explore whether value now lies in proprietary data, ecosystem dominance, or AI infrastructure control. In Asia, Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani and Larry Fink of BlackRock are urging Indians to pivot from gold into domestic equities - could this fuel a 1990s-style retail boom? We assess India’s growth outlook and whether capital rotation signals explosive expansion ahead.