Money and Me: When Interest Rates are on the Floor, When is Investing Smart Leverage or a Debt Trap?

Big earnings, so why did Wall Street sell? Earnings season kicks off with surprises as JPMorgan Chase posts higher revenue but lower profits - and investors head for the exits. Michelle Martin and Ryan Huang unpack why a one-time Apple card charge and booming trading desks still weren’t enough to calm markets. Delta Air Lines delivers soaring profits powered by premium travel - yet its shares dip as expectations run even hotter. UP or DOWN breaks down GigaDevice’s explosive Hong Kong debut, SK Hynix’s US$13 billion chip bet, Meta’s Ray-Ban push, and Singapore port records. A bullish Broker’s Take sees UOB Kay Hian calling 40% upside for NTT DC REIT, riding global demand for data centres. And in The Last Word, a viral Chinese app called “Are You Dead?” reveals a surprisingly human fear in hyper-connected cities - hosted by Michelle Martin with Ryan Huang.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

14 Jan 22min

A digital bank, a S$1.3 billion war chest - and a big question: can a newcomer really change how Singaporeans save, invest and bank. Michelle speaks with Natalia Goh, CEO of MariBank, on how a digital-first model is reshaping everyday finance. Backed by Sea Limited and licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, MariBank has rapidly grown its investment offerings to over S$1.3 billion in AUM. We unpack how the Lion - MariBank SavePlus Fund works, what investors should know about short-term bonds and capital preservation, and how gold investing fits into a digital wallet for this bank's customers. Natalia also explains fixed deposit rates, the rationale behind the S$100,000 deposit cap, and what safety looks like in a digital bank. Finally, we ask the big question for savers and investors alike: is putting your money with a digital bank worth a thought?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

12 Jan 19min

A surge in insider buying puts diesel engines, cocoa and construction firmly in focus. Hosted by Michelle Martin with Ryan Huang, we track director deals at XMH Holdings, JB Foods and Reclaims Global - and what those trades signal for small-caps. Institutional action heats up as United Overseas Bank tops buy-backs while US markets notch fresh highs. Earnings season looms with big banks and airlines reporting, setting the tone for equities. UP or DOWN breaks down moves in Rolls‑Royce, Walmart, Apple and TSMC. We close with Singapore stocks - and a global pop-culture pulse check as BTS prepares a long-awaited comeback.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

12 Jan 25min

As 2026 begins, Money and Me takes a moment of introspection - looking not just at how much you made, but how you spent. What did money add to your life in 2025 - and what quietly drained your peace, health, or joy? Hosted by Michelle Martin, this episode features Christopher Tan, CEO of Providend, who introduces a powerful reframing: Return on Spending, not just Return on Investing. From a $10,000 wedding anniversary to resisting ego-driven purchases, Christopher shares how values - not status - guided his big financial decisions. The conversation explores how spending today shapes the future story of our health, ageing, and relationships. Listeners are invited to do a simple year-end money audit - no spreadsheets required - before setting their goals for the year ahead. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

9 Jan 20min

Defense stocks swing sharply as US President Donald Trump pivots from threatening dividends to floating a staggering US$1.5 trillion military budget. Hosted by Michelle Martin, this episode unpacks why names like Lockheed Martin, L3Harris Technologies and AeroVironment surged - and what it says about policy-driven markets. We also look to Europe, where defense stocks extend a four-day rally as geopolitical tensions reshape spending priorities. In Asia, Hong Kong gets a boost as China-backed tech champions debut, led by AI firm Zhipu AI alongside chip and robotics players. UP or DOWN tackles movers including CrowdStrike and Fast Retailing, while Singapore stocks pause near record highs. And finally, from AI fridges to strange CES gadgets, we ask whether tech innovation is getting smarter - or just louder.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

9 Jan 24min

As the China growth narrative fades, attention is shifting from the New Economy to an overlooked source of income: high-dividend state-owned enterprises. Raymond Cheng explains why China’s energy and infrastructure giants have delivered strong returns even as oil prices fell. We explore how Beijing’s policy reset has effectively programmed state firms to return more cash to shareholders. Why Hong Kong-listed H-shares may offer higher yields than identical A-shares in Shanghai — and why that matters now. Plus, what Southbound Connect flows, falling bank rates, and balance-sheet quality tell cautious investors about China’s role in a diversified portfolio. Hosted by Michelle Martin with guest Raymond Cheng, Chief Investment Officer for North Asia at Standard Chartered Bank’s Wealth Solutions unit.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

8 Jan 15min

Samsung’s blockbuster profits put South Korea’s market back in the global spotlight, as investors ask whether the AI-driven rally still has legs. We play UP or DOWN on defence contractors like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman after President Donald Trump targets dividends and buybacks. Alphabet overtakes Apple in market value for the first time since 2019 - is Big Tech leadership shifting for good?Meanwhile, deal drama surrounds Paramount Global, while Serve Robotics jumps into focus after praise from Nvidia’s Jensen Huang. We check in from CES 2026 in Las Vegas to separate investor signal from gadget noise. Plus, brokers turn bullish on Micron Technology and lithium producer Albemarle, as Singapore stocks push deeper into record territory - hosted by Michelle Martin with Ryan Huang.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

8 Jan 23min