Money and Me

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.

From Singapore’s AI ambitions to China’s EV and bubble tea giants - where is the smartest risk-reward right now? Singapore’s Budget 2026 signals an accelerated AI roadmap just as Chinese growth names like BYD, XPeng, Pop Mart and Guming Holdings capture investor attention, hosted by Michelle Martin. We unpack Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s innovation-led strategy and what it could mean for Singapore equities and AI infrastructure plays. Then we pivot to China’s EV landscape as global registrations soften and policy shifts test demand resilience. BYD’s battery leadership and export muscle face off against XPeng’s tech-driven autonomy ambitions. Pop Mart’s IP-powered collectibles and Guming’s beverage expansion highlight the power - and risk - of consumer identity investing. Are these companies building durable global franchises, or riding policy tailwinds and cyclical momentum?

Can your child’s $10,000 today really turn into $86,000 - and what does Budget 2026 have to do with it? Michelle Martin unpacks the latest Budget goodies - from CDC vouchers and CPF top-ups to corporate tax rebates - and what they mean for families, seniors and businesses. Daniel Sim, Founder of Golden Goose Properties, breaks down the new voluntary CPF investment scheme and whether those in their late 40s should even consider taking market risk. We explore the bold 864% CPF growth strategy for kids, and the real trade-offs between long-term compounding and short-term liquidity. Plus, what Singapore’s new AI Park at One-North could mean for District 5 property values, rental premiums and long-term capital appreciation. A practical, future-focused conversation on money, mindset and opportunity - hosted by Michelle Martin.

You asked for it! Michelle Martin sits down with Dion Thong, Senior Manager, Retirement Withdrawals Department, CPF Board, to demystify CPF LIFE with questions listeners sent in. They tackle common fears - is CPF LIFE truly for life, what happens to your money when you pass on, and is the “up to 6%” interest too good to be true? We unpack enrollment rules, the threshold for inclusion, whether you can switch plans later, and what you can do today to  boost your monthly payouts  Find out: which plan best protects against inflation, which gives the highest starting payout, and how risk-pooling really works behind the scenes. A clear, practical guide to making one of retirement’s most irreversible decisions - hosted by Michelle Martin with guest Dion Thong, Senior Manager, Retirement Withdrawals Department, CPF Board.

What if Budget 2026 could change the way you use your SRS , own your first home and teach your children about money? Ahead of Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s statement, we unpack ideas that could meaningfully reshape financial security in Singapore from a personal finance perspective.  Elijah Lee, Senior Financial Services Manager, Phillip Securities, shares his view on why SRS reform could be a powerful lever for retirement flexibility and tax efficiency. We examine how stronger first-property support can balance affordability without reigniting a property bubble, think through structural cost-of-living solutions - and why financial literacy in schools may be the ultimate long-term hedge. A forward-looking conversation on Singapore budget priorities, hosted by Michelle Martin. For more Budget 2026 insights: https://www.moneyfm893.sg/whats-on/budget-2026/