Market View: The Trillion-Dollar Drug War & The AI Christmas Rush

Markets are moving. US lawmakers strike a compromise to end the shutdown, sending the S&P 500 and Nasdaq sharply higher, with Nvidia, Palantir among the day’s top gainers. We unpack Warren Buffett’s plan to step down as Berkshire Hathaway CEO, go quiet, and accelerate philanthropy - and what it means for Berkshire Hathaway investors. Our UP or DOWN game spotlights TSMC, Restaurant Brands , Vicom and YZJ Financial. We also take stock of the Straits Times Index, where Genting Singapore, DBS and ST Engineering made moves. Finally - a surreal “Last Word” - Paris launches a cemetery lottery! Get your finance wrap for the morning. Hosted by Michelle Martin.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11 Nov 11min

A toy titan stumbles - is the Labubu craze losing its bite? Pop Mart gets smashed by a livestream backlash while collector demand cools. Carl Icahn revs engines with a big bet on Monro’s struggling auto-service business. Wall Street slips despite solid earnings; investors weigh labour softness & shutdown risks. UP or DOWN: Ikea, Pfizer, Sri Trang, Boustead. Local highlights, STI movers - hosted by Michelle MartinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

10 Nov 15min

Has Singapore quietly become one of the world’s hottest IPO destinations? The city-state has rocketed into the global top 10, overtaking London as real-estate listings power its rise. Globally, IPOs are rebounding as 2025 sees stronger deal flow and an 89% surge in proceeds amid calmer markets. EY’s Chan Yew Kiang walks us through what’s driving the US, Greater China, and Southeast Asia - and why Hong Kong’s comeback matters. We explore sector trends, cross-border listings, and whether more issuers are choosing New York over home turf. Investors get a forward look at catalysts heading into 2026 - hosted by Michelle Martin.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

10 Nov 15min

What if cities could remember — and literature was the witness? The George Town Literary Festival (GTLF) returns for its 15th edition, exploring “Urban Myths and Memories” in Penang. This bold, internationally recognised festival champions free expression, world literature, and provocative conversations at the cultural edge. With 37 writers from 13 countries, GTLF gathers acclaimed voices, poets and performers to examine identity, politics, place and imagination. We ask Festival Manager Julia Tan what Singapore readers can expect - from standout writers to unmissable panels shaping regional literary discourse. A journey into storytelling, memory and why festivals still matter - hosted by Michelle Martin.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

10 Nov 14min

What does one of the busiest malls in China have no shoppers, yet billions in sales? China’s growth may be slowing, but its transformation is accelerating. Join Michelle Martin as she chats with Willie Keng, Founder of Dividend Titan, who toured Shanghai and Hangzhou with institutional investors. Discover how live-streaming has become China’s most powerful consumption engine, why local brands like Proya are winning hearts, and how asset-light models are reshaping industries. This podcast includes a specially recorded "Easter Egg" where Willie shares his views on the rise of robotics in China from AI-driven hotels to its place in building technology. Investors, you don't want to miss this view of China’s new playbook.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

7 Nov 31min

From Singapore’s banking results to Elon Musk’s trillion-dollar payday - markets are buzzing with big money moves. Singapore’s three big banks - DBS, OCBC, and UOB - are showing their hand this earnings season, revealing who’s playing defense and who’s cashing in. Michelle Martin breaks down the numbers behind OCBC’s steady profits and DBS’s record highs, plus UOB’s caution. Across the Pacific, Trump’s deal with Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk could reshape the obesity drug market. And Tesla’s US$1 trillion pay plan for Elon Musk? It’s the governance story investors can’t ignore. Plus, a quick game of Up or Down featuring Genting Singapore, SingTel, CapitaLand Investment, and SGX.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

7 Nov 14min

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

6 Nov 14min

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

6 Nov 21min