Live Well with Michelle

The private-credit boom promises high returns and flexibility - but is the shine justified? Private credit is booming - but beneath its reputation for stability and diversification lies a more complicated story. In this episode, hosted by Michelle Martin, Morningstar’s Senior Analyst Arvind Subramanian breaks down what private credit really is, why borrowers and investors are piling in, and the key marketing claims investors should interrogate. He explains how low volatility may reflect opacity rather than safety, why diversification benefits are overstated, and how floating rates can both protect and punish portfolios. We also unpack the hidden risks around leverage, liquidity, and covenant protection. Ultimately, private credit can play a role, but investors need to scrutinize fees, transparency, and risk.

Big earnings shocks and tariff twists keep markets on edge. DBS and UOB headline today as Q3 earnings diverge, with UOB hit by a 72% plunge while DBS holds up better than expected. In the U.S., tariff-linked stocks like Lululemon, Macy’s, and Mattel rallied as the Supreme Court heard challenges to Trump-era import duties. We also play Up/Down with McDonald’s, Pinterest, Snap, Apple, Google, HKEX, PropNex, and Yangzijiang Shipbuilding. Yangzijiang sinks after a major BlackRock selldown, while Singtel finds a bid. Hosted by Michelle Martin with Ryan Huang.

Singapore’s inheritance expectations are rising - and so are the stakes.  Over half of Singaporeans say they expect to receive or have already received an inheritance, with one in five anticipating a million-dollar windfall. Michelle Martin unpacks Etiqa Insurance’s new Wealth Transfer Insights Report with Jess Tan, Chief Distribution Officer, Etiqa Insurance Singapore. They explore how Singaporeans are rethinking legacy, why financial literacy is key to managing sudden wealth, and what families can do to avoid conflict and ensure smooth intergenerational planning. Hosted by Michelle Martin.  

Big brands, bold bets, and billion-dollar questions. Michelle Martin and Ryan Huang unpack Yum Brands’ plan to potentially sell Pizza Hut after a strong quarter led by Taco Bell and KFC. Plus, a check-in on Aramco, Pfizer, Spotify, and SIA Engineering’s earnings - who’s up, who’s down? Then, a look at Singapore’s new $1 billion wellness attraction, the Khoon Group sanctions fallout, and why Norway’s wealth fund is saying no to Elon Musk’s trillion-dollar pay deal. Hosted by Michelle Martin with Ryan Huang.  

As interest rates tumble to three-year lows, Singapore’s homeowners are racing to refinance their HDB loans. Could now be the smartest time to switch from HDB’s 2.6% rate to a bank loan? Or are there hidden risks that could derail your savings goals? From lock-in penalties to cash rebates and the one-way nature of HDB refinancing, learn what every borrower needs to check before signing. Then, turn your attention to retirement - how much insurance coverage do you really need to protect your future without overpaying? Hosted by Michelle Martin with guest Daniel Sim, Founder of Golden Goose Properties.  

The AI wave just got louder - Palantir posts a sixfold profit surge while Grab edges closer to sustainable profitability. Investors are also buzzing over Amazon’s mega cloud deal with OpenAI and Nvidia, and whispers of a CapitaLand–Mapletree merger shake up Singapore’s market scene. From global tech breakouts to local REIT speculation, Michelle unpacks the trends that could shape portfolios next quarter. Featuring insights on Palantir, Nvidia, Amazon, Grab, Jardine Matheson, and CapitaLand.  

Earnings are soaring, rates are falling, and investors can’t decide whether to celebrate or brace for impact. Join Michelle Martin and trading expert Simon Ree, Founder of Tao of Trading, as they unpack a blockbuster week for markets - from Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, and Meta’s AI-driven profits to the Fed’s latest rate cut and the U.S. - China trade truce. Can trillion-dollar tech giants hold their lead as AI spending skyrockets? And how long can markets keep levitating on optimism alone? Plus, a sneak peek into Simon’s upcoming Tao of Trading Mastermind Live in Singapore. Hosted by Michelle Martin.

Big Oil meets Big Tech - as ExxonMobil and Chevron beat Wall Street expectations while pivoting toward powering AI’s next frontier. Join the market ride from ExxonMobil and Chevron’s earnings to the AI-fueled spending surge at Alphabet, Meta, Microsoft, and Amazon. Michelle and Ryan unpack whether an AI bubble could be forming, what’s fueling U.S. markets, and what to watch this week - from Palantir and Pfizer to McDonald’s, Warner Bros Discovery, and YZJ Maritime. Hosted by Michelle Martin with Ryan Huang.

What happens when the private equity boom meets a world of higher rates and lower liquidity? INSEAD Professor Claudia Zeisberger returns with a rewritten edition of Mastering Private Equity for a new financial era. Discover how investors are shifting from growth to stability, embracing private debt, and navigating the surge in secondaries and continuation funds. Hear how democratising the once-exclusive world of private capital is reshaping the landscape.

Gold surges past US$4,000. Tech valuations swing. Emerging markets rise as supply chains shift east. Are KGI’s “ACE” pillars - Alternatives, Credit, and Elite Stocks - still winning in 2025? Bryan Low, Head of International Wealth for Singapore at KGI, joins Michelle Martin to unpack  opportunities driven by the AI boom, shifting geopolitical risks, emerging markets and the resilience of REITs in income portfolios.