Money and Me

Markets are flashing warning lights - and investors are wondering if the rules have changed. Gold and silver tumble after a near-vertical rally as politics collides with monetary policy. We unpack why Microsoft fell despite beating earnings and whether its OpenAI bet is turning from moat into risk. Japan’s bond yields surge to multi-decade highs, reviving fears of a yen carry trade unwind. Simon Ree, Founder of Tao of Trading, explains what traders are watching across metals, tech, and currencies. All this and more, hosted by Michelle Martin.

It used to be the good old reliable way to grow wealth, but is it time to look away from this old favourite?  As concentration risk hits record highs, one dividend investor says the S&P 500 is no longer the “safe default.” Willie Keng of Dividend Titan explains why valuations look disconnected from reality - and what he uses instead to judge fair value. We explore three unexpected alternatives: Hershey in the US, Lendlease REIT in Singapore, and Indonesian brewer Multi Bintang. From cocoa prices to commercial property and emerging market dividends, this episode challenges passive investing assumptions. All this and more, hosted by Michelle Martin.

You think you’re diversified… but what if you’re just betting on the same seven tech stocks again and again? The so-called Magnificent Seven now dominate both US and global indices, quietly shaping returns for anyone holding “broad” ETFs. We examine whether global diversification is becoming important again as big institutional players like Vanguard cut back on UK exposure and also talk about the rise and rise of gold. Has one of our best known commentators changed his long-standing tactical view on the metal? Michelle Martin speaks with Arun Pai, Associate Partner at Monk’s Hill Ventures, about how to spot unintended exposure and what a smarter diversification strategy really looks like, hosted by Michelle Martin.

Bad news is piling up, yet markets keep climbing - so which signal should investors trust? Gold surges past US$5,000 an ounce as investors hedge against trade wars, political risk and warnings of a looming “capital war” from Ray Dalio. Elon Musk claims robots will outnumber humans and could make up most of Tesla’s long-term value, even as the car business faces slowing deliveries and rising competition. We ask whether stock prices are rising because the economy is healing - or simply because the dollar is weakening. With US market concentration at record highs, what does this mean for portfolios heavily exposed to American equities? Michelle Martin speaks with Swapnil Mishra, author of Investing for the Clueless, Reckless and Overly Cautious, about whether this is resilience, illusion, or the start of a structural shift 

Michelle Martin asks if falling interest rates are changing the maths for Singapore’s savers who love hoarding cash. With billions still parked in T-Bills and money-market funds, investors now face a new risk: opportunity cost. Michelle speaks with Afdhal Rahman of OCBC about what could trigger a shift from cash into equities, bonds and gold. They unpack why Asia ex-Japan may look more attractive than the US as the dollar weakens and valuations diverge. The conversation also explores how bonds are becoming income engines again, and why gold is moving from hedge to strategy. What happens when staying on the sidelines costs more than riding out volatility. 

Today Michelle picks up a thought-provoking book by a serial British entrepreneur Gary Ashworth. The book unpacks a simple framework; what if becoming rich wasn’t about genius or luck - but about repeating one maths movement, ten times?  Michelle Martin speaks with self-made multi-millionaire and author Gary Ashworth about his “Double Up” wealth framework. The conversation explores responsible leverage, three-year wealth cycles, and why starting small doesn’t mean thinking small. Money and Me is hosted by Michelle Martin, and this episode reveals how patience, structure, and psychology shape long-term financial freedom. 3 High-Impact Insights: Wealth grows through repeatable maths, not one big win - what if doubling capital consistently became your new north star? Value is created, not found: improving assets is as important as buying them cheaply. Time and psychology matter as much as money - most people fail because they hesitate about getting started. No journey is perfect.

Markets are rattled by geopolitics - but panic is rarely a strategy. From US military action in Venezuela to tensions over Greenland, investors are questioning whether uncertainty now warrants a shift in portfolios. We examine how US equities have actually behaved through geopolitical shocks - and what history suggests about staying invested. The Magnificent 7 start the year unevenly, raising the question of whether leadership is broadening beyond mega-cap tech into SMID caps. A weaker US dollar prompts a closer look at currency exposure in global portfolios - risk, opportunity, or both? With noise rising across geopolitics and policy, we ask the hardest question: sit in cash, or stay the course? Hosted by Michelle Martin. Guest: Cheng Chye Hsern, Head of Investment, Providend.

Is leaving your CPF alone the safest option in 2026 or are there smarter moves for more than 2.5%  interest? As Singapore’s retirement rules shift, what do you need to know about the moves that you can make for greater savings and smaller tax bills. With new dollar-for-dollar government matching schemes, the roadmap to retirement offers new possibilities regardless of paycheck size. We break down how the RSTU, MRSS and the newly launched MMSS actually work - and who benefits most. From withdrawal rules at 55 to whether CPF LIFE truly delivers a paycheck for life, we tackle listeners’ most pressing questions. We also explore how to prioritise top-ups for yourself versus your parents, and where spare cash should go now that SA rules have changed. A practical, clear-eyed guide to building retirement income with confidence - hosted by Michelle Martin with guest Boo Chiang Tat, Manager, Retirement Savings Department, CPF Board.

The market looks strong - but only a handful of stocks are doing the lifting. As 2026 begins, investors are grappling with a big question: can mega-cap dominance last, or is leadership finally starting to broaden? With just 10% of the S&P 500 driving gains, valuation gaps are widening even as market breadth quietly improves. We explore whether easing rates, broader earnings, and capital rotation are setting the stage for SMID-cap companies to step into the spotlight. The conversation digs into AI’s shift from infrastructure to application, separating real earnings leverage from hype. We also assess how new US tax incentives are shaping corporate behaviour - and whether small- and mid-cap fundamentals are truly recovering. Joining the discussion is Ann Miletti, Head of Equity Investments and Chief Diversity Officer at Allspring Global Investments, hosted by Michelle Martin.

Asia’s markets are flashing mixed signals - so how is a smart investor to think through where to really place money? Michelle Martin unpacks Morningstar’s Q1 2026 Asia Investment Outlook with Lorraine Tan, cutting through the noise on growth, rates and risk. From AI-driven earnings to valuation support - what’s real, what’s hype, and where the cracks could form. We zoom in on fund flows, asset allocation shifts, and how China and Japan are shaping the regional picture. Plus four Singapore stocks in focus - Singtel, StarHub, ST Engineering and SIA - and what investors should actually watch for next. Finally, we talk portfolio anchors, red flags, and how to balance opportunity with defence in the year ahead - hosted by Michelle Martin.