While investment firm Temasek Holdings racked up a record portfolio value of $308 billion as at the end of March 31, it is taking a decidedly cautious approach now with plans to temper the pace of investments.

This will be a significant change of tack: It notched up a one-year return of 12.19 per cent on its portfolio in the 12 months to March 31, while investing a net $13 billion - $29 billion in investments versus $16 billion in divestments. The cautious tone comes as trade tensions between the world's two largest economies - the United States and China - ratchet up.