Money and Me: Should you use leverage when investing today? Can AI minimise risk?

Markets are rattled by geopolitics - but panic is rarely a strategy. From US military action in Venezuela to tensions over Greenland, investors are questioning whether uncertainty now warrants a shift in portfolios. We examine how US equities have actually behaved through geopolitical shocks - and what history suggests about staying invested. The Magnificent 7 start the year unevenly, raising the question of whether leadership is broadening beyond mega-cap tech into SMID caps. A weaker US dollar prompts a closer look at currency exposure in global portfolios - risk, opportunity, or both? With noise rising across geopolitics and policy, we ask the hardest question: sit in cash, or stay the course? Hosted by Michelle Martin. Guest: Cheng Chye Hsern, Head of Investment, Providend.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

23 Jan 19min

Intel beats earnings - but supply bottlenecks spook markets. We unpack why Intel sold off despite stronger revenue, and what supply constraints signal for the chip cycle. From semiconductors to staples, Procter & Gamble bets on premium pricing with luxury diapers - is pricing power holding up? US inflation stays sticky at 2.8%, reshaping expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts and equity valuations. Markets rally as tariff threats fade, with investors choosing policy relief over economic caution. UP or DOWN on Ubisoft, JPMorgan Chase, Suntec REIT, and City Developments Limited - hosted by Michelle Martin with Ryan Huang.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

23 Jan 22min

A 140-year-old healthcare giant shows it can still grow, as Johnson & Johnson beats earnings expectations and doubles down on its ambition to lead the global fight against cancer. On geopolitics, markets rebound after U.S. President Donald Trump walks back tariff threats tied to Greenland, reframing the issue around mineral rights and strategic access instead. We unpack whether this is real policy clarity - or another case of TACO economics - as U.S. stocks rally on relief. In UP or DOWN, we look at L’Oréal’s big bet on Indian beauty tech, Lululemon’s brand stumble with squat-failing tights, Ryanair’s monetisation of controversy, and whether CDL is poised for a catch-up trade. Back home, the STI tests key support as only a handful of blue chips finish in the green. And in our Last Word, a tool-using cow in Austria challenges what we think we know about intelligence - in markets, and in life - hosted by Michelle Martin with Ryan Huang.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

22 Jan 21min

Is leaving your CPF alone the safest option in 2026 or are there smarter moves for more than 2.5% interest? As Singapore’s retirement rules shift, what do you need to know about the moves that you can make for greater savings and smaller tax bills. With new dollar-for-dollar government matching schemes, the roadmap to retirement offers new possibilities regardless of paycheck size. We break down how the RSTU, MRSS and the newly launched MMSS actually work - and who benefits most. From withdrawal rules at 55 to whether CPF LIFE truly delivers a paycheck for life, we tackle listeners’ most pressing questions. We also explore how to prioritise top-ups for yourself versus your parents, and where spare cash should go now that SA rules have changed. A practical, clear-eyed guide to building retirement income with confidence - hosted by Michelle Martin with guest Boo Chiang Tat, Manager, Retirement Savings Department, CPF Board.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

22 Jan 23min

A nation’s birth story, revisited through freshly released interviews. A major new book and permanent exhibition at the National Library reopens the story of Singapore’s separation from Malaysia in 1965. The Albatross File: Inside Separation draws on newly declassified Cabinet papers, handwritten notes by Dr Goh Keng Swee, and oral history accounts to examine what was long seen as a sudden rupture. Joining the conversation is Mr Janadas Devan, Senior Adviser to the Ministry of Digital Development and Information, who coordinated the creation of the book. We explore why these records are being released now, what Singaporeans still misunderstand about separation, and how negotiated settlement differs from the idea of forced expulsion. The discussion humanises the leaders involved and political pressures on both sides of the divide. Hosted by Michelle Martin.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

22 Jan 20min

From Netflix’s earnings pop to a bond-market shock out of Tokyo - markets are suddenly on edge. Netflix posts a near-30% jump in quarterly profits, but shares slide as investors digest higher content spending and a massive all-cash bid for Warner Bros., aimed at outflanking Paramount. We zoom out to Wall Street’s sharp sell-off as geopolitical tensions flare and volatility spikes. Then to Japan, where a sudden bond rout rattles global markets and raises fears of contagion beyond Tokyo. Billionaire investor Ray Dalio warns of looming “capital wars” as foreign holders rethink US Treasuries. Plus: UP or DOWN on United Airlines, Pop Mart, Busy Ming, Indonesia stocks - and a surprising airline angle tied to weight-loss drugs, hosted by Michelle Martin with Ryan Huang.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

21 Jan 22min

The market looks strong - but only a handful of stocks are doing the lifting. As 2026 begins, investors are grappling with a big question: can mega-cap dominance last, or is leadership finally starting to broaden? With just 10% of the S&P 500 driving gains, valuation gaps are widening even as market breadth quietly improves. We explore whether easing rates, broader earnings, and capital rotation are setting the stage for SMID-cap companies to step into the spotlight. The conversation digs into AI’s shift from infrastructure to application, separating real earnings leverage from hype. We also assess how new US tax incentives are shaping corporate behaviour - and whether small- and mid-cap fundamentals are truly recovering. Joining the discussion is Ann Miletti, Head of Equity Investments and Chief Diversity Officer at Allspring Global Investments, hosted by Michelle Martin.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

21 Jan 17min

Asia’s markets are flashing mixed signals - so how is a smart investor to think through where to really place money? Michelle Martin unpacks Morningstar’s Q1 2026 Asia Investment Outlook with Lorraine Tan, cutting through the noise on growth, rates and risk.From AI-driven earnings to valuation support - what’s real, what’s hype, and where the cracks could form. We zoom in on fund flows, asset allocation shifts, and how China and Japan are shaping the regional picture. Plus four Singapore stocks in focus - Singtel, StarHub, ST Engineering and SIA - and what investors should actually watch for next. Finally, we talk portfolio anchors, red flags, and how to balance opportunity with defence in the year ahead - hosted by Michelle Martin.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

20 Jan 22min