Your Money with Michelle Martin

Money and Me:  Why Active ETFs Are Surging in 2026

The era of “set it and forget it” ETF investing is being challenged - are passive ETFs no longer enough? Michelle Martin dives into the shifting ETF landscape with Aman Pujara, Director of Quantitative Research and Portfolio Construction at Syfe, as investors rethink the classic “VOO and chill” strategy. Hosted by Michelle Martin, this episode explores why active ETFs are rapidly gaining ground, now accounting for over 80% of new launches in 2026. We examine how  market volatility has exposed the limitations of passive index tracking. Aman explains why active strategies are attracting a growing share of inflows and offering investors more flexibility. The conversation also tackles the hidden opportunity costs of staying fully passive during turbulent markets and the fees involved in active ETF investing. How investors can distinguish true active skill from trend-following products? See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Market View: Nvidia’s $1 Trillion AI Bet, Buffett’s Oil Windfall & Markets on the Move

AI demand is exploding - but can Nvidia really deliver a trillion-dollar future? Michelle Martin and Ryan Huang unpack Nvidia’s bold $1 trillion AI forecast driven by Blackwell chips, Vera Rubin systems and the rise of agentic AI that can act, not just respond. Hosted by Michelle Martin with Ryan Huang, the conversation explores whether Nvidia can maintain dominance as rivals circle and energy constraints loom. We also revisit Berkshire Hathaway’s $2 billion Iran oil windfall - a reminder of Buffett’s enduring edge in geopolitics and commodities. In corporate news, Dollar Tree surprises on pricing power while Peloton pivots to gyms, Sert expands logistics assets in Europe, and SATS rides cargo growth optimism. Back home, the STI climbs with Singapore Exchange, Singtel and Wilmar leading gains even as UOL lags. And in today’s Last Word, Pop Mart faces life after Labubu mania - can it reinvent its toy empire? See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Money and Me: The MOP Wave - Property Opportunity or Warning Sign?

Cheap mortgages, a flood of resale flats, and a widening condo price gap - is 2026 the year to buy, sell, or refinance your property? Michelle Martin explores Singapore’s unusual property moment and what it might mean for you. Daniel Sim, Founder, Golden Goose Properties and Michelle unpack whether owners should sell ahead of rising competition, refinance their loans while rates are low, or upgrade to private property. Could ripple effects could extend into executive condominiums and resale condos as more homeowners consider upgrading? With new launch prices climbing and the gap with resale condos approaching 50%, buyers and sellers face a complex set of decisions. We also explore what Singaporeans who bought overseas property should do if those investments are underperforming in today's market. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Market View: How oil shockwaves are spreading, potentially pressuring REITs, and who is taking a big move forward in Big Tech’s AI Spending Race?

Oil above $100, war in the Middle East, and AI spending from Big Tech are colliding to reshape the global market outlook. On this episode of Market View, hosted by Michelle Martin with Ryan Huang, we unpack how the Iran conflict and disruption in the Strait of Hormuz are pushing oil prices sharply higher and unsettling investors worldwide. Brent crude’s surge toward US$103 is raising fresh inflation fears just as the U.S. Federal Reserve prepares for a key rate decision. Closer to home, the ripple effects could hit Singapore’s REIT sector, which faces pressure from rising financing costs and property valuation risks. Meanwhile, corporate headlines span Meta’s AI-driven layoffs, Berkshire Hathaway’s buyback signals, and Singtel’s ambitious US$250 million AI investment fund. We also check in on the STI movers, with Wilmar International surging while ST Engineering and Yangzijiang Shipbuilding face selling pressure. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Money and Me: Is Headline DPU Hiding the Truth About Your REIT?

Are investors focusing too much on headline DPU when evaluating Singapore REITs? Michelle Martin examines why the familiar distribution-per-unit number may not tell the full story. In this episode of Money and Me, we explore whether investors should shift their focus from the quantity of distributions to the quality and sustainability behind them. REIT specialist and Wealth Advisory Director Kenny Loh introduces a new framework - the Management Efficiency Index (MEI) - meant to help investors evaluate how effectively REIT managers generate and protect long-term income. The conversation also unpacks the risks behind 100% payout strategies, accounting optic moves, and the impact of management fees paid in units. With AGM season approaching, Kenny shares the key questions retail investors should ask management teams to better understand the resilience of distributions. Any investor heading to a REIT AGM would benefit from knowing the right questions to ask to dive beyond the numbers to get at management "sweat equity". See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.