Your Money with Michelle Martin

Oil is surging, LNG flows are threatened, and defense stocks are flying - but are markets underestimating the inflation shock? In this episode of Market View, hosted by Michelle Martin , we unpack how a widening Middle East conflict is rippling across global markets. Crude jumps past $78, gold climbs, and LNG futures explode as Qatar halts production - yet US equities steady on hopes oil stays below the $100 danger zone flagged by Morgan Stanley. Defense names like Palantir, Lockheed Martin and ST Engineering rise, while travel and aviation players including Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific and SATS face pressure. Meanwhile, Nvidia doubles down on photonics with Coherent and Lumentum, CrowdStrike gets an upgrade, and Apple rolls out a lower-cost iPhone 17e. We break down what matters for inflation, rate cuts, and sector rotation - and where smart money may hide if energy volatility persists.

When oil spikes and planes are grounded, markets move fast - and so should you. As Middle Eastern airport hubs shut and global airlines reroute, we unpack what escalating Iran-US-Israel tensions mean for rerouted travel to this region and for Singapore investors. How long can markets stomach disruption around the Strait of Hormuz? What might this all mean for gold momentum? Nirgunan Tiruchelvam of Alethea Capital joins the conversation to map the risks and opportunities — hosted by Michelle Martin.

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.

War in the Middle East sends oil surging and markets are scrambling for cover. Brent crude spikes to four-year highs as investors rotate into classic safe havens, while Dow futures tumble. We unpack how OPEC may respond - and what higher energy costs mean for inflation and equities. Then, in our “Invest Like Buffett” segment, we assess Berkshire Hathaway’s final quarter under Warren Buffett and the market’s early verdict on Greg Abel. We also break down why UBS is turning cautious on U.S. stocks and preview earnings from cruise lines to chipmakers. Plus, UP or DOWN on Anthropic, the Yangzijiang names, and the Straits Times Index - hosted by Michelle Martin with Ryan Huang. Companies in focus: Berkshire Hathaway, Warren Buffett, Greg Abel, UBS, Anthropic, Apple, Yangzijiang Financial, Yangzijiang Maritime, Yangzijiang Shipbuilding, Genting Singapore, OPEC

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?

A US$100 billion media deal collapses, a gold miner surges 400%, and Nvidia still can’t satisfy investors - what’s really driving markets? In this episode, hosted by Michelle Martin with Ryan Huang, we unpack Netflix’s decision to walk away from acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery after a superior cash bid from Paramount, and what that means for streaming economics and consumers. We track CNMC Goldmine’s near-400% profit surge as gold prices power earnings - and ask whether momentum can last after a 500% share price run. Our UP or DOWN segment ranks Singapore earnings from Soilbuild’s 84% jump to Centurion’s 82% slide - separating operating strength from one-off gains. In the US, Nvidia drops despite strong results, dragging the NASDAQ lower, while the STI slips below 5,000 with UOL and City Developments leading losses. We close with market breadth, leadership shifts, and what this rotation tells long-term investors. Plus: a quick cultural pivot with the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees - because markets, like music, are about timing.

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.

Is the AI trade still unstoppable - or is smart money quietly rotating? In this episode, hosted by Michelle Martin with Ryan Huang, we unpack Nvidia’s blockbuster US$43 billion quarter and CEO Jensen Huang’s bold pushback against fears of an AI threat to software firms. We examine why Salesforce is leaning on a US$50 billion buyback as shares slide - and what that signals about SaaS sentiment. Closer to home, we explore how OCBC is prioritising special dividends over buybacks as Singapore payouts surge to multi-year highs. In UP or DOWN, we look at diverging fortunes across Air New Zealand, Qantas, Axon Enterprise and Lynas Rare Earths. We also check in on the Straits Times Index after Genting Singapore’s sharp drop. Finally, Malaysia’s durian-fuelled tourism push rounds out today’s Last Word.

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.

Will dividends, one-off gains and Washington politics reshape market momentum this week? In this episode, hosted by Michelle Martin with Ryan Huang, we unpack why OCBC’s Q4 profit rose 3% to S$1.75 billion and what its special dividend signals about capital strength. We compare performance across Singapore’s banking trio - OCBC, DBS, and UOB - and examine why OCBC shares are outperforming. Then we turn to Singapore Airlines, where record operating revenue contrasts sharply with a steep drop in net earnings after last year’s Vistara one-off gain. From there, we assess what investors will be listening for as U.S. President Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union - tariffs, cost-of-living pressures, and election risk in focus. In UP or DOWN, we track deal tension around Warner Bros. Discovery, Paramount, Stripe, PayPal, JPMorgan Chase, and Genting Singapore, before checking whether the STI is clawing back losses.