Your Money with Michelle Martin

Did you know, a local study had found that more than half of adults here in Singapore say they are financially illiterate? Well that might soon be a problem of the past because Dan Koh invites Kirk Kenny, Chief Development Officer (CDO) of Junior Achievement, Asia Pacific to share how Junior Achievement's recent partnership with FWD Group is boosting financial literacy in the region. They also discuss the importance of supporting financial education at a young age and how an individual can get started on improving their financial literacy today. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What’s driving economic resilience despite looming recession fears? What’s causing the yuan’s weakness against the US dollar? And what would it take to reverse the depreciation expectations in the exchange rate market? Dan Koh unravels with Ryan Huang and Sean Cheong.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With so many insurers out there pitching a myriad of policies, some of us might be thinking, could we be overspending on insurance? Well today on Money and Me, Dan Koh settles this once and for all with Edwin Ooi, Financial Advisory Specialist, MoneySmart Financial as they discuss what insurance policies you should be getting and some “nice-to-haves” policies that you may/may not necessarily need. They also find out how you can effectively integrate your insurance plan with your overall financial planning.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Latest US economic data are showing signs of strength in several corners of the US economy! What does this suggest about the likelihood of a recession? Meanwhile, how is the integration of UBS and Credit Suisse faring so far? Find out with Dan Koh as he speaks to Ryan Huang and Sean Cheong on this episode of Market View.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to Randstad's 2023 Salary and Bonus Expectations report, 53% of respondents who lived and worked in Singapore do not feel that they are fairly compensated for their work contributions. So what does this signal to employers in terms of keeping talent? And how can employers making new hires this year effectively secure top talent? Dan Koh asks Jaya Dass, Managing Director of Permanent Recruitment in Asia Pacific at Randstad. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Market View, Dan Koh speaks to Ryan Huang and Sean Cheong to discuss why technology giant stocks are pulling back overnight - contributing heavily to the Nasdaq’s sharp decline - and how oil prices are moving against the backdrop of Russia’s political instability.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Money and Me, Dan Koh speaks to Kevin Fitzgerald, Managing Director, Asia, at Employment Hero about what businesses can do to support their employees through inflation without a raise, and how payroll providers can help businesses navigate economic challenges and better manage cash flow. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why is Russia’s short-lived insurrection spelling trouble for the global economy? And as we step into the final week of June, where could the stock market be headed after a wild first half? Dan Koh finds out with Ryan Huang and Sean Cheong. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does the recent US Fed’s interest rate decision and new economic projections mean for Singapore REITs? And are investors’ interests rotating from banks to the REITs sector? Dan Koh unravels these questions and more with Kenny Loh, REIT Specialist and Independent Financial Advisor. They also discuss the attractiveness of REITs today and some signs of a turnaround that investors should be watching closely. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Moody’s Mark Zandi vs Treasury bond investors - who triumphs in the debate over the odds of a US recession? And why is Asia fast becoming the new centre of gravity for cryptocurrency markets? Dan Koh discusses these headlines and more with Ryan Huang and Sean Cheong.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How can the integration of alternative investments as part of an investor’s portfolio help reduce market volatility? And what opportunities can be found amidst the rise of alternative assets and luxury asset tokenization as an investment class in Southeast Asia? Dan Koh asks Benjamin Twoon, Co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer of Alta.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What were some of the key takeaways from Fed Powell’s testimony before the US House Financial Services Committee? And why aren’t investors happy with Intel’s new reporting structure which could potentially help control costs at the chipmaker? Dan Koh breaks down the details with Ryan Huang and Sean Cheong.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The topic of ownership has often been a complicated one, especially during the internet's present phase. But that could soon be a problem of the past because one local company is utilising blockchain and related technologies to unlock, enhance and preserve the value of media and entertainment intellectual property. So today on Money and Me, Dan Koh invites Raymond Chua, CEO, Marvion to find out everything you need to know about the Web 3.0 space, how Hybrid Digital Ownership Token (DOT) is improving the overall crypto ecosystem, and the untapped potential of the Web 2.0 and 3.0 space. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What did FedEx’s latest earnings results and forecast suggest about the health of the economy? And while US stocks are rushing back into the bull-market territory, why is Morgan Stanley's top strategist saying that investors may be in for “a rude awakening”? Dan Koh explores these questions and more with Ryan Huang and Sean Cheong. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Unlike the CPF Special and MediSave Account, which will see an increase in interest rate to 4.01% per annum in the third quarter of this year, the Ordinary Account will remain unchanged at 2.5%. And that’s sparking debate on the need to further increase interest rates to fight inflation! Joining Dan Koh on Money and Me, is Christopher Tan, CEO, Providend to discuss the significance of the 0.01% increase in interest rates, the odds of the OA rates increasing, and if you should be topping up your CPF accounts or investing your money to beat inflation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following an earlier meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang on Sunday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken ended a high-stakes visit to Beijing with an unexpected meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping yesterday! What went down during the short 35 minute meeting? Dan Koh and Ryan Huang investigate. They also find out why Warren Buffet is doubling down on his investment in Japan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How much are you willing to give up to live in a bungalow? For some, it might mean their retirement… Did you know, there is a growing number of distressing predicaments today, faced by retirees who own million-dollar homes, but have insufficient cash savings to meet their living expenses? That’s a term that some of us may describe as ‘asset rich, cash poor’. So today on Money and Me, Dan Koh invites Elijah Lee, Senior Financial Services Manager, Phillip Securities to discuss how you can avoid the trap of being ‘asset rich, cash poor’, and finding the balance between growing our assets in the long run, while ensuring that we have sufficient cash flow in the short run to meet our financial commitments. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How is the HKD-RMB Dual Counter Model reviving the longer term prospects of the benchmark Hang Seng Index? Did U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang manage to bring back some semblance of normalcy back to a strained relationship during their meeting in Beijing? Dan Koh and Ryan Huang look into these headlines and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How did the overall economic outlook change in light of the US Fed’s latest policy decision? What’s fuelling the confidence of the US stock market even in the face of recession warnings or fresh monetary threats from Jerome Powell? Dan Koh invites Cheng Chye Hsern, Head of Investment, Providend to break down the latest market reactions and what investors should make of the recent bull run. They also find out what’s driving interest in Japanese equities of late and how investors here should think about investing in Japan. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite recession warnings or fresh monetary threats from Jerome Powell, it seems like they’re not enough to dampen investors’ spirits, with the S&P 500 touching a fresh 13-month high. But could this signal an overbought market? Meanwhile, how is Adobe’s AI integration bringing back confidence to the stock? Dan Koh and Sean Cheong explore these headlines. They also discuss BlackRock’s latest push into crypto and what’s driving TikTok’s bet in South-east Asia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a widely anticipated move, the US Federal Reserve agreed to hold interest rates steady after 10 consecutive increases, but surprised with a forecast of two more quarter-point hikes in its economic projections this year. How are markets reacting to news of this renewed hawkish stance? Dan Koh and Sean Cheong dive into the details. They also find out if the stocks squeezing the S&P 500 higher, bouncing off the AI theme, have what it takes to tamp down inflation or simply, just a bubble waiting to burst.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are widely known to provide broad-based market exposure and present one of the most cost-effective ways to start our investment journey. But given the evolution of the diversity and complexity of ETFs since its creation, it can certainly be challenging to navigate this complex market. But fret not, because today on Money and Me, Dan Koh speaks to Tim Phillips, Head of Content & Investment Lead for ProsperUs, CGS-CIMB Securities about how to trade ETFs, the key factors to consider when picking an ETF and how you can effectively integrate them into your investment portfolio. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What are the key takeaways from the US inflation report for May 2023? How likely is it to influence the US Fed policy decision? And how is AMD stepping up its challenge against Nvidia? Dan Koh and Ryan Huang analyze these headlines and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you have the ability to withstand life events that may significantly impact your income or assets? How financially resilient are you in the face of unforeseen circumstances? On today’s episode of Money and Me, Dan Koh invites Seow Kai Lun, Managing Editor, The Simple Sum to discuss the importance of financial resilience in this day and age, and the key pillars that can help you financially weather through any storm that life and the markets throw at you.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is Apple considered a safe haven amid the banking turmoil and recession risks? What’s driving confidence back into Salesforce? And why is Chinese electric car brand Nio cutting prices for its cars and ending free battery swaps for new buyers? Dan Koh investigates with Ryan Huang on this episode of Market View. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While US stocks are back in a bull market, why are bond investors sticking to their forecasts for a downturn and advising hedging any bets on risk assets? And why is UBS Group imposing strict restrictions on bankers from Credit Suisse Group ahead of its takeover this week? Find out with Dan Koh and Ryan Huang. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What are the driving factors sending Tesla stocks screaming to the upside? How will the launch of Star Wars: Ashoka help Disney+ attract more subscribers after the company lost around 4 million paid customers compared to the end of last year. Adrian Abraham analyses these headlines and more with Ryan Huang and Sean Cheong. They also discuss whether Inter Miami's 1000% ticket price increase is sustainable in the long term given the arrival of Lionel Messi. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michelle Martin speaks to Raju Chellam, Chief Editor, AI Ethics & Governance Body of Knowledge to discuss the kinds of emerging job roles and opportunities being created thanks to Artificial Intelligence and what you can do to position yourself for these exciting new roles that AI is creating. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What’s the rationale behind the Bank of Canada’s surprise decision to resume raising interest rates? To what extent would it influence the US central bank’s interest rate decision? And why is venture capital giant Sequoia Capital splitting its China business into a separate entity? Dan Koh analyses these headlines and more with Ryan Huang and Sean Cheong. They also discuss why JP Morgan and Invesco Asset Management are overweight on Chinese stocks today.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Crypto’s early backers, co-founders of Gemini Exchange Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss discuss the platform's offshore growth plans. We find out what investors in Singapore, Hong Kong and Thailand can expect from their new crypto derivative offerings and discuss their views on the evolving regulatory landscape for cryptocurrency.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What are some of the significant changes in the travel industry since the pandemic, and how are these transformations shaping the overall travel ecosystem? Dan Koh finds out with David Mann, Chief Economist, Asia Pacific and Middle East Africa at the Mastercard Economics Institute as he breaks down the Mastercard Economics Institute's fourth-annual travel report, Travel Industry Trends 2023. They also discuss what are some of the hotspot predictions for this spring and summer by region of origin and why travelers are choosing to spend more on destinations than 'things' in this new age of travel? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just a day after the US Securities and Exchange Commission sued Binance, it is now charging Coinbase, the biggest crypto trading platform in the US, with operating illegally. What implications will this have on crypto investors? Meanwhile, why did the Reserve Bank of Australia turn hawkish since a pause in April, even as jobs growth eases and consumer spending cools? Dan Koh and Ryan Huang investigate. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apple kicked off its 2023 Worldwide Developers Conference keynote last night, unveiling one of its long awaited products... The mixed-reality headset, the Vision Pro! But with a staggering price tag of $3,499, how well does it stack up against competition like Meta and Sony? Meanwhile, what do you need to know about the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s charge against Binance? Find out with Dan Koh as he breaks it all down with Ryan Huang and Sean Cheong.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does Goldilocks mean in the stock market? And why is Saudi Arabia surprisingly making an extra 1 million barrel-a-day oil supply cut in July? Dan Koh and Ryan Huang walk you through the details. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The tech sector of the S&P 500 ended May with a bang, leaping 9.29% as semiconductor stocks like Nvidia rallied on the buzz about AI technology! But why does BlackRock still think that the US may already be in a recession? Also, what are the factors contributing to the Singapore total market capitalization’s fall of 2.8% - the second month in a row in which Singapore stocks booked a decline in value? Dan Koh and Ryan Huang unravel these headlines and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What do the recent headline events, from the likes of FTX’s fallout to the failure at Silicon Valley Bank, that have rocked the crypto landscape mean for crypto traders and the larger cryptocurrency ecosystem? Dan Koh investigates with Chengyi Ong, Head of Policy APAC at Chainalysis. They also discuss how the issues of market integrity and investor protection are being addressed.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Market View, Dan Koh and Ryan Huang find out what went down during Elon Musk’s meeting with Foreign Minister Qin Gang during his visit to China, why Musk is looking to pick a fight with the EU over speech moderation and how Singaporean investors can start participating in the Thai economy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amid the US debt ceiling turmoil, where can investors find a 'market opportunity'? What are the risks of a US credit rating being downgraded? And what AI product did Nvidia unveil? Dan Koh and Ryan Huang investigate. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How receptive are companies when looking towards a model of having permanently distributed teams spread across multiple locations? Today on Money and Me, Dan Koh invites Christopher McNamara, Chief Revenue Officer, Remote to discuss the key highlights of the IDC AP SMB & Mid-Market Hiring Trends 2023 survey and the evolution of remote work adoption among Asia-Pacific companies. They also find out what else can be done to motivate companies to accept remote working in their workplace.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What were some of the key takeaways of the US debt ceiling deal discussed between US President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy? And did Nvidia just help create an AI-fueled stock bubble? Find out with Dan Koh and Ryan Huang as they analyze the details. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why has the Singapore Dollar strengthened against the Malaysian Ringgit? Why is Intel’s stock falling? Why has Bill Ackman resurrected the billionaire feud with Carl Icahn and what is at stake? Michelle Martin dives into the issues details Ryan Huang. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does GenZ want from their banks? How are they saving when they don’t necessarily earn that much? Are they concerned about the economy? What language should you speak to best get through to this generation? Michelle Martin speaks to Aditi Kohli, Senior Vice President, APAC, GWI to find out more about the Gen Z approach to work life, their personal financial health and what institutions can do better to engage this group of people.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why are investors selling off luxury goods companies? Why should investors put more money in gold? Why is it a good time to invest in the chipmaking space?Michelle Martin speaks with Yeap Jun Rong, Market Strategist with IG.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michelle Martin finds out more about two new Amundi index funds with expense ratios at 0.1% and 0.05% offered by Endowus, available as standalone funds, and as part of their “CPF core allocation portfolios”. What do the funds track? How have they performed to date? What should you weigh before buying a passive index fund with your CPF? Guests: Sunny Leung, Head of ETF, Indexing and Smart Beta for South Asia, Amundi and Samuel Rhee, Chairman & Chief Investment Officer at EndowusSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michelle Martin speaks to Lee Quane, Regional Director, Asia, ECA International to unpack what is driving daily rates for business travellers to Singapore, the locations for relatively lower costs, and how Singapore ranks in terms of expenses compared to global business destinations.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Which sectors should investors be looking at to bank on AI’s development? Will Apple’s $3000 headset be successful? What is a Singapore Depositary Receipt and can anyone buy one? Michelle Martin unwraps these details with Yeap Jun Rong, Market Strategist with IG.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why is India so important to DBS? Why is OCBC betting on Greater China? Are S-Reits on a buying spree? Why is India pulling the 2000 rupee note? Michelle Martin unwraps these details with Yeap Jun Rong, Market Strategist with IG.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michelle Martin speaks to Willie Keng, Founder, Dividend Titan who shares what’s on his watch-list. They also discuss China labelling Micron a cybersecurity risk and what that could mean for Chinese and South Korean chip stocks.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some insurers are now offering additional coverage for cancer treatment and services through their rider policies. What are their implications for your long-term costs and care? Michelle Martin speaks to Elijah Lee, Senior Financial Services Manager, Phillip Securities to find out more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How are financial institutions/banks preparing for a possible US default? What’s the current market narrative for Singapore stocks? Are concerts and events gearing up and who could benefit? Michelle Martin unwraps these details with Yeap Jun Rong, Market Strategist with IG. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.