Live Well with Michelle

Gold surges, Hong Kong banks tumble, and Uniqlo hits another record - what’s really driving markets this week? HSBC’s massive Hang Seng buyout shocks investors, while Wall Street buzzes over the “debasement trade” as commodities soar. Michelle Martin and Ryan Huang unpack what’s behind gold at US$4,000, silver at US$50, and Asia’s shifting sentiment. Plus: quick takes on PepsiCo, TSMC, Delta, Ferrari, Top Glove, and Fast Retailing. From matcha trends to market turns - this is your morning market intelligence, hosted by Michelle Martin with Ryan Huang.

Can Asia’s economic resilience and the AI revolution shield its markets from U.S. political turbulence? Morningstar’s Kai Wang joins Michelle Martin to break down where the real long-term value lies in Asia’s equity landscape. From semiconductors powering the AI wave to Macao’s gaming revival and China’s restaurant rebound, discover how investors can look past the noise. Hear insights on sectors set to thrive amid trade fragmentation, consumer shifts, and policy change. A data-driven roadmap to the next phase of Asia’s growth, hosted by Michelle Martin.

Gold smashes through the $4,000 mark for the first time ever, igniting debate over whether this is a 1970s-style inflation hedge moment or a sign of fear overtaking fundamentals. Michelle Martin breaks down what’s driving the record surge, why Ray Dalio says investors should own more gold, and how the U.S. shutdown and Wall Street’s pause tie into this moment. Plus, Singapore’s STI rallies as DBS hits a historic S$150 billion valuation. In “Up or Down,” Michelle spotlights Grab, CapitaLand Ascendas REIT, LG Electronics, Trilogy Metals, and Dell - and what their latest moves reveal about market sentiment. Hosted by Michelle Martin.

What would you do if $129,600 landed back in your account overnight? Hosted by Michelle Martin, this episode dives into the maturity of Singapore’s first-ever 10-year Savings Bond and what investors might be weighing to do next. Elijah Lee from Phillip Securities joins to unpack reinvestment strategies, the trade-offs between safety, liquidity, and yield, and how SSBs stack up against T-Bills and SGS bonds. Learn whether to hold, ladder, or redeploy your cash - and where the smartest low-risk opportunities may lie now.  

OpenAI doubles down on the AI arms race - first Nvidia, now AMD. But what does a trillion-dollar chip war mean for investors? Hosted by Michelle Martin, this episode breaks down OpenAI’s new stake in AMD, Figma’s AI moment, and record-breaking highs on Wall Street and in Tokyo. We also look at Thailand’s capital market revamp, Malaysia’s hidden gems spotlighted by UOB Kay Hian, and Singapore’s STI climbing higher. Companies featured: OpenAI, AMD, Nvidia, Figma, Spotify, LG Electronics, ST Engineering, and UOB Kay Hian.

Meet Mr Hyun Soo Kim, Founder and CEO of Sun Biotech, who’s spent 25 years developing vaccines for diseases big pharma overlooks. From pioneering the first WHO-prequalified vaccine from China to launching affordable options for Asia, his mission is saving lives, not chasing margins. Michelle Martin explores how purpose and innovation intersect in vaccine development. Discover how one man’s conviction is reshaping public health in the Global South. Hosted by Michelle Martin.

Markets are brushing off a U.S. government shutdown - but how long can they ignore the risks? OpenAI’s $500 billion valuation, record gold prices, and Bitcoin at $120K all raise new questions about bubbles, belief, and safe havens. Michelle Martin and Simon Ree unpack whether this is Dot-Com 2.0 or durable growth. They explore George Soros’ bubble logic, the Fed’s data blackout, and how investors can spot real earnings in the AI frenzy. Expect talk of OpenAI, Tesla, JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, Delta, and Bitcoin as Q3 earnings season kicks off. Hosted by Michelle Martin.

AI is reshaping everything from Foxconn’s factory floors to investors’ portfolios. Record sales, surging Nvidia demand, and OpenAI’s $400B Stargate project fuel this week’s tech momentum. Michelle unpacks whether we’re in an AI bubble - or just the next phase of growth. She also spotlights market movers including Foxconn, Nvidia, Microsoft, TSMC, Keppel, DBS, Freeport-McMoRan, and Asahi. Get her take on Singapore’s latest rally and the week’s must-watch earnings from Dell, McCormick, and Delta. Hosted by Michelle Martin.

How far can $1,350 a month really take you in retirement? Hosted by Michelle Martin, this episode explores CPF Life and whether the Standard or Escalating Plan is better suited for your golden years. Daniel Sim, Founder of Golden Goose Properties, joins the conversation to unpack the trade-offs of starting payouts at 65 versus delaying till 70. They also discuss strategies to supplement CPF with rental income, downsizing, or non-property investments. If your retirement target is $2,500–$4,500 a month, where will the extra cash flow come from? Tune in to learn how to think of property as a secondary “CPF Life” and what other income streams can bridge the retirement gap. * The Full retirement sum is $213 000 for 2025, it will be $228 000 in 2027. This amount is the standard to set aside by age 55 on your Retirment Account to receive monthly payouts under the CPF LIFE Standard Plan upon reaching the Payout Eligibility Age. 

What if your entire business trajectory could change with one client?  Meet author Tim Castle, one of the world’s Top 30 Negotiation Professionals and author of The First Domino. Tim walks us through his new playbook for anyone who wants their first big break and big client. What's the link between communication frameworks, confidence and magic in sales psychology as shared in this book?  Tim shares the mindset shifts, and emotional intelligence that let small players punch above their weight in big deals. Learn how to engineer trust quickly and make the choices that can help you land that first client in under 90 days in this conversation.