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?

The era of &ldquo;set it and forget it&rdquo; 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 &ldquo;VOO and chill&rdquo; 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&nbsp; 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?

Start your day on a positive note with Live Well with Michelle Martin.

The show explores wellbeing in all its dimensions — from self-awareness and personal growth to money, investing, and everyday lifestyle. Through thoughtful interviews and engaging conversations, Michelle speaks with experts and changemakers on living and ageing well, while helping you discover new ideas — from great books on READ and inspiring voices on INFLUENCE, to practical financial insights on MONEY AND ME.

In a fast-moving world that can often feel overwhelming, Live Well offers a refreshing counterpoint — with insights, ideas and stories that help you feel informed, empowered and ready to take on the day.

Start your day on a positive note with Live Well with Michelle Martin.
The show explores wellbeing in all its dimensions &mdash; from self-awareness and personal growth to money, investing, and everyday lifestyle. Through thoughtful interviews and engaging conversations, Michelle speaks with experts and changemakers on living and ageing well, while helping you discover new ideas &mdash; from great books on READ and inspiring voices on INFLUENCE, to practical financial insights on MONEY AND ME.
In a fast-moving world that can often feel overwhelming, Live Well offers a refreshing counterpoint &mdash; with insights, ideas and stories that help you feel informed, empowered and ready to take on the day.

Live Well with Michelle

Michelle Martin speaks with financial advisors on how to make the most of your money. Learn how to get started,  manage your expenses and start your smart money investment journey today. 

Michelle Martin speaks with financial advisors on how to make the most of your money. Learn how to get started,&nbsp; manage your expenses and start your smart money investment journey today.&nbsp;

Money and Me

MONEY FM 89.3 is Singapore’s first and only Business and Personal Finance station. MONEY FM is a 24-hour English talk format station featuring local and international business and financial news. We provide you with financial market and currency updates and insights from analysts, economists, policy makers, industry experts and business owners.

In the lighter hours, listen to discussions on social issues and features on topics that include health, education, arts and music.

MONEY FM 89.3 is Singapore&rsquo;s first and only Business and Personal Finance station. MONEY FM is a 24-hour English talk format station featuring local and international business and financial news. We provide you with financial market and currency updates and insights from analysts, economists, policy makers, industry experts and business owners.
In the lighter hours, listen to discussions on social issues and features on topics that include health, education, arts and music.

MONEY FM 89.3 is Singapore’s first and only Business and Personal Finance station.

MONEY FM 89.3

Start your day on a positive note with Live Well with Michelle Martin.

Live Well with Michelle (10am to 1pm)

Money and Me:  Why Active ETFs Are Surging in 2026

Are consumers falling out of love with Lululemon’s famous leggings?

Shares plunged after disappointing earnings and a weaker outlook - but the bigger question is whether fashion itself has moved on.

Meanwhile, DBS analysts see a stronger yield opportunity in S-REITs than Singapore bank dividends. What has changed in the income equation?

Michelle Martin also looks at what falling US bond yields mean for tech stocks before playing Up or Down on Nvidia’s US$12.9 billion Hugging Face acquisition, SpaceX’s return to the US$2 trillion club and Volkswagen’s plan to cut 50,000 jobs.

Plus, why is the Dutch central bank moving part of its gold reserves away from the US - and does it tell us anything about changing perceptions of geopolitical risk?

Are consumers falling out of love with Lululemon&rsquo;s famous leggings?
Shares plunged after disappointing earnings and a weaker outlook - but the bigger question is whether fashion itself has moved on.
Meanwhile, DBS analysts see a stronger yield opportunity in S-REITs than Singapore bank dividends. What has changed in the income equation?
Michelle Martin also looks at what falling US bond yields mean for tech stocks before playing Up or Down on Nvidia&rsquo;s US$12.9 billion Hugging Face acquisition, SpaceX&rsquo;s return to the US$2 trillion club and Volkswagen&rsquo;s plan to cut 50,000 jobs.
Plus, why is the Dutch central bank moving part of its gold reserves away from the US - and does it tell us anything about changing perceptions of geopolitical risk?

Market View: Lululemon Plunges, S-REITs vs Banks, Nvidia’s $13B AI Bet & Why the Dutch Are Moving Gold

What if we managed our health the way we manage our money - investing early, tracking risk and thinking about long-term returns?

Functional nutritionist Jieun Wrigley of Rapid Nutrition Therapy says preventive-minded individuals are moving beyond conventional annual health screenings towards more detailed biomarkers, biological-age profiling and inflammation tracking.

But which tests are genuinely useful, and which belong to the increasingly crowded world of wellness hype?

On Live Well with Michelle, Jieun joins Michelle Martin to explore the idea of health as “biological capital”: what newer health panels can reveal, where she believes conventional screening may fall short, and how nutrition fits into a proactive approach to longevity.

And for the busy, burnt-out professional who doesn't have hours a day to optimise their health, what actually moves the needle?

What if we managed our health the way we manage our money - investing early, tracking risk and thinking about long-term returns?
Functional nutritionist&nbsp;Jieun Wrigley of Rapid Nutrition Therapy&nbsp;says preventive-minded individuals are moving beyond conventional annual health screenings towards more detailed biomarkers, biological-age profiling and inflammation tracking.
But which tests are genuinely useful, and which belong to the increasingly crowded world of wellness hype?
On&nbsp;Live Well with Michelle, Jieun joins&nbsp;Michelle Martin&nbsp;to explore the idea of health as &ldquo;biological capital&rdquo;: what newer health panels can reveal, where she believes conventional screening may fall short, and how nutrition fits into a proactive approach to longevity.
And for the busy, burnt-out professional who doesn't have hours a day to optimise their health, what actually moves the needle?

Advanced Diagnostic Tests the Super Health-Conscious are opting for 

Singapore’s housing market could be entering a new phase.

The BTO household income ceiling is rising to S$16,000, while the Executive Condominium ceiling moves to S$18,000 - potentially widening the pool of households eligible for public and subsidised housing.

At the same time, thousands of new BTO flats are coming onto the market, with a growing number of HDB flats reaching their Minimum Occupation Period in the years ahead.

Could more supply finally shift some bargaining power back to buyers?

And should someone planning to buy over the next year or two move now - or wait?

Looking further ahead, could Long Island eventually do for the East Coast what reclamation once did for Marine Parade?

Michelle Martin speaks with Ivan Cai, Chairman of Crestbrick, about whether Singapore’s housing ladder is being reshaped, where demand could intensify, what greater supply could mean for resale and private property prices, and the decisions prospective home buyers should be thinking about now.

Singapore&rsquo;s housing market could be entering a new phase.
The BTO household income ceiling is rising to&nbsp;S$16,000, while the Executive Condominium ceiling moves to&nbsp;S$18,000 - potentially widening the pool of households eligible for public and subsidised housing.
At the same time, thousands of new BTO flats are coming onto the market, with a growing number of HDB flats reaching their Minimum Occupation Period in the years ahead.
Could more supply finally shift some bargaining power back to buyers?
And should someone planning to buy over the next year or two move now - or wait?
Looking further ahead, could&nbsp;Long Island&nbsp;eventually do for the East Coast what reclamation once did for Marine Parade?
Michelle Martin speaks with Ivan Cai, Chairman of Crestbrick, about whether Singapore&rsquo;s housing ladder is being reshaped, where demand could intensify, what greater supply could mean for resale and private property prices, and the decisions prospective home buyers should be thinking about now.

Money and Me: Why Active ETFs Are Surging in 2026

In 3 playlist(s)

Live Well with Michelle (10am to 1pm)

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips