Sunday, 31 March 2013
Should our investing decisions be continuous struggle??? (4)
Just For Thinking ...
Read? Should our investing decisions be continuous struggle??? (3)
Why Investing Goals?
Uncle8888 set for himself a 10-year Investing Goals.
10-year Goals, Yearly Target, Quarterly Review
Why 10-year Goals?
10 years is a long time for your investing horizon.
You will encounter one or more market cycles of Bull and Bear.
There will more than enough time and opportunity for you to learn, re-learn , correct, revise, and make up for whatever you need to do in the stock market to win more and avoid losing big.
We must always remember this. Once big losses are locked in as negative return; you may have to struggle a long time just to break even.
It will be terrible lessons to be found out by yourself! May be it is worth learning it.
You have 10 years to deliver your investing performance and verdict.
Why you need to be Kan Cheong Spider?
There will be enough Cooling Off days for you to overcome your greed and fear and to calm your nerves and better informed.
There will be enough time for your save more from your salaries and to slowly enlarge your war chest to fight the next few battles.
In investing, Your Account Size Really Matters!
Why Yearly Target and Quarterly?
Your Yearly Targets are not set for fun.
These Yearly Targets will serve as your milestones along your investing journey to achieve your 10-year Goals.
These milestones will be driving you to take some actions every year to try to meet your yearly target; otherwise when we don't know what to do next, we rather do nothing and wait far too long for something to happen to drive us again.
Saturday, 30 March 2013
Should our investing decisions be continuous struggle??? (3)
Just For Thinking ...
Read? Should our investing decisions be continuous struggle??? (2)
How about Capital Re-cycling?
Are you a day trader?
If you are not a day trader, active capital re-cycling is not that easy as you think.
For those who have longer time horizon; they may be better off to be long-term investors than to be day traders who have another full time jobs to take care.
We also like to think that we can easily buy back stocks after selling for profits. Actually, it is emotionally tough to buy back. It is never an easy task to do it. BTW, look at your own past trading history, how many times have you actually bought back and still better off than holding for dividends and potential capital gains.
That is why Uncle always stressed the importance of Tracking and Measuring Performance. No tracking and measuring? How to tell?
Even Jesse Livermore, who is the author of "How to Trade in Stocks"(1940), was one of the greatest traders of all time.
In the famous book entitled Reminiscences of a Stock Operator, Jessie Livermore said: “After spending many years in Wall Street and after making and losing millions of dollars I want to tell you this: It never was my thinking that made the big money for me. It always was my sitting. Got that? My sitting tight!
It is no trick at all to be right on the market. You always find lots of early bulls in bull markets and early bears in bear markets. I've known many men who were right at exactly the right time, and began buying or selling stocks when prices were at the very level, which should show the greatest profit.
And their experience invariably matched mine -- that is, they made no real money out of it.
I found it one of the hardest things to learn. But it is only after a stock operator has firmly grasped this that he can make big money. It is literally true that millions come easier to a trader after he knows how to trade than hundreds did in the days of his ignorance.”
Men who can both be right and sit tight are uncommon.
Read? Investing Made Simple by Uncle8888 (19)
Why are some retail investors holding to their stocks across market cycles of Bull and Bear?
For the right or wrong reasons?
One, holding on to losing stocks as it doesn't make sense to cut losses anymore. Sunk costs!
Two, Yield to Cost on holding stocks is higher than current market dividend yield.
Three, they are growth-dividend stocks and businesses are still growing or expanding.
Four, stocks are not "over-valued"???
No other reason, then sell???
Right?
Read? Should our investing decisions be continuous struggle??? (2)
How about Capital Re-cycling?
Are you a day trader?
If you are not a day trader, active capital re-cycling is not that easy as you think.
For those who have longer time horizon; they may be better off to be long-term investors than to be day traders who have another full time jobs to take care.
We also like to think that we can easily buy back stocks after selling for profits. Actually, it is emotionally tough to buy back. It is never an easy task to do it. BTW, look at your own past trading history, how many times have you actually bought back and still better off than holding for dividends and potential capital gains.
That is why Uncle always stressed the importance of Tracking and Measuring Performance. No tracking and measuring? How to tell?
Even Jesse Livermore, who is the author of "How to Trade in Stocks"(1940), was one of the greatest traders of all time.
In the famous book entitled Reminiscences of a Stock Operator, Jessie Livermore said: “After spending many years in Wall Street and after making and losing millions of dollars I want to tell you this: It never was my thinking that made the big money for me. It always was my sitting. Got that? My sitting tight!
It is no trick at all to be right on the market. You always find lots of early bulls in bull markets and early bears in bear markets. I've known many men who were right at exactly the right time, and began buying or selling stocks when prices were at the very level, which should show the greatest profit.
And their experience invariably matched mine -- that is, they made no real money out of it.
I found it one of the hardest things to learn. But it is only after a stock operator has firmly grasped this that he can make big money. It is literally true that millions come easier to a trader after he knows how to trade than hundreds did in the days of his ignorance.”
Men who can both be right and sit tight are uncommon.
Read? Investing Made Simple by Uncle8888 (19)
Why are some retail investors holding to their stocks across market cycles of Bull and Bear?
For the right or wrong reasons?
One, holding on to losing stocks as it doesn't make sense to cut losses anymore. Sunk costs!
Two, Yield to Cost on holding stocks is higher than current market dividend yield.
Three, they are growth-dividend stocks and businesses are still growing or expanding.
Four, stocks are not "over-valued"???
No other reason, then sell???
Right?
US shale gas spells opportunities for Keppel
Group could become an early player in projects to develop floating LNG facilities, says CEO
By
KEPPEL Corporation is making preparations to tap business
opportunities that may arise from the US shale gas revolution, CEO Choo
Chiau Beng has revealed in the group's recently released annual report.
In particular, the group is "looking at projects in the area of floating LNG (liquefied natural gas) facilities", he said. LNG is natural gas that has been supercooled into a liquid so it can be shipped.
Keppel could become one of the early players in the development of these facilities if it does enter into such projects. No floating LNG facilities currently exist, although one is being developed by Royal Dutch Shell, and is due to start up in 2016.
Theoretically, such facilities will float above an offshore natural gas field and produce, liquefy, store and transfer LNG at sea before carriers ship it directly to markets.
Read? Conversion of a FLNG for Golar by Kep Corp
More ...
LONDON/SEOUL, March 6 (Reuters) - South Korean shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries on Wednesday cancelled a $2.39 billion order from Oslo-listed Flex LNG for four floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) production units, the companies said.
Samsung said in a regulatory filing on Wednesday that it had cancelled the order, first made in 2008, due to a lack of financing by the European buyer.
Although Samsung did not name the company, Flex LNG confirmed in a separate statement on Wednesday that the order for four FLNG vessels has been abandoned.
Although prospects for the floating LNG industry have brightened, thanks to technological innovations, it remains commercially untested and no such facilities currently exist.
Royal Dutch Shell is the only company so far to have taken the leap with its flagship Prelude project off the coast of western Australia, due to be delivered by Samsung in 2016.
Flex and Samsung have held regular talks over the past few years in an attempt to resolve a dispute over a $458.7 million down payment that Flex LNG made to Samsung on the four orders.
In talks last year, Flex LNG wanted Samsung to redeploy the capital for the construction of a conventional LNG tanker, but the companies failed to reach a resolution, Flex LNG said.
"As previously announced, FLEX LNG considers the four shipbuilding contracts ... that were entered into with SHI (Samsung Heavy Industries) in 2008, to have been abandoned," it said in a statement.
"FLEX LNG has requested that SHI repays a net amount in excess of USD 300 million and appropriate actions are being taken to secure the repayment of the said funds," it said, referring to arbitration proceedings.
The firm hired lawyers Pincent Masons to claw back the money paid-in, which Samsung considers non-refundable, and has taken steps to initiate arbitration proceedings, it said.
In particular, the group is "looking at projects in the area of floating LNG (liquefied natural gas) facilities", he said. LNG is natural gas that has been supercooled into a liquid so it can be shipped.
Keppel could become one of the early players in the development of these facilities if it does enter into such projects. No floating LNG facilities currently exist, although one is being developed by Royal Dutch Shell, and is due to start up in 2016.
Theoretically, such facilities will float above an offshore natural gas field and produce, liquefy, store and transfer LNG at sea before carriers ship it directly to markets.
Read? Conversion of a FLNG for Golar by Kep Corp
More ...
UPDATE 1-Samsung Heavy cancels $2.4 bln order from Norway
By Oleg Vukmanovic and Joyce LeeLONDON/SEOUL, March 6 (Reuters) - South Korean shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries on Wednesday cancelled a $2.39 billion order from Oslo-listed Flex LNG for four floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) production units, the companies said.
Samsung said in a regulatory filing on Wednesday that it had cancelled the order, first made in 2008, due to a lack of financing by the European buyer.
Although Samsung did not name the company, Flex LNG confirmed in a separate statement on Wednesday that the order for four FLNG vessels has been abandoned.
Although prospects for the floating LNG industry have brightened, thanks to technological innovations, it remains commercially untested and no such facilities currently exist.
Royal Dutch Shell is the only company so far to have taken the leap with its flagship Prelude project off the coast of western Australia, due to be delivered by Samsung in 2016.
Flex and Samsung have held regular talks over the past few years in an attempt to resolve a dispute over a $458.7 million down payment that Flex LNG made to Samsung on the four orders.
In talks last year, Flex LNG wanted Samsung to redeploy the capital for the construction of a conventional LNG tanker, but the companies failed to reach a resolution, Flex LNG said.
"As previously announced, FLEX LNG considers the four shipbuilding contracts ... that were entered into with SHI (Samsung Heavy Industries) in 2008, to have been abandoned," it said in a statement.
"FLEX LNG has requested that SHI repays a net amount in excess of USD 300 million and appropriate actions are being taken to secure the repayment of the said funds," it said, referring to arbitration proceedings.
The firm hired lawyers Pincent Masons to claw back the money paid-in, which Samsung considers non-refundable, and has taken steps to initiate arbitration proceedings, it said.
Should our investing decisions be continuous struggle??? (2)
Just For Thinking ...
Read? Should our investing decisions be continuous struggle???
Should our investing decisions be continuous struggle???
Uncle8888's last reply to her.
Do stress test on current holding stocks.
How much will you lose back your unrealised gain?
Worth taking this risk for potential gain and dividends?
Learnt from wise men from the past
” If you have a worry problem, do these three things:
1. Ask yourself: “What is the worst that can possibly happen?”
2. Prepare to accept it if you have to.
3. Then calmly proceed to improve on the worst.”
(Carnegie 49)
Newton said: "If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants."
Read? Value Investing Or Active Investing? - Part 2
Example of stress test and simulation
Should Uncle8888 take partial profit on his Kep Corp on Monday and keep the winning money safe in the bank?
It is not an exact Science but it will help your Investing Mind to think about it. It may help to ease the continuous struggle in making investing decisions.
Number in Red is the simulation of something bad that may happen in the future and cash flow is needed at 2023.
Wise men's word of the past is worth listening!
If you have a worry problem, do these three things:
1. Ask yourself: “What is the worst that can possibly happen?”
2. Prepare to accept it if you have to.
3. Then calmly proceed to improve on the worst.”
Friday, 29 March 2013
Smart Student or Stupid Master. Is it??? (3)
Just For Laugh ...
Read? Smart Student or Stupid Master. Is it??? (2)
Be Street Smart Students in investing!!!
Q1: Why Singapore Pools is not listed in SGX?
Q2: Why Gurus need to conduct Trading/Investing courses?
What are your answers to Q1 and Q2?
Anyone?
Should our investing decisions be continuous struggle???
Just For Thinking ...
Should our investing decisions be continuous struggle???
Someone asked me few questions last night ....
To take some profit since market is trending higher and the chance of Bear market is even nearer?
How about capital re-cycling?
Is collecting dividend a bit slow in building wealth from the stock market?
Uncle8888 has went through such questions before. He is quite sure many more retail investors who have smaller account size may be asking similar questions themselves.
Are we continuously struggling with our investing decisions across market cycles of Bulls and Bears?
One way to ease our continuous struggle in making investing decisions is to use Goal Based Investing Approach.
One, clearly set your Investing Goals
Two, track and measure your investing performance
Three, continuous improve your portfolio and money management skills
Four, knowing where you want to go and knowing how you are doing along your investing journey will help to ease your continuous struggle in making investing decision across market cycles.
For example,
You will feel happy when you can see money crediting to your bank from CDP on quarterly basis; then dividend income investing should be good fit for you. It will help to ease your continuous struggle in making investing decisions as the next quarter is always around the corner. No meh?
Many time, Uncle888 have seen many happy retail investors posting in the cboxes and forums.
Dividend is coming ...
You may want to think of S-REITs and some other high dividend payout ratio counters like ST Eng or SPH.
Sometime ST Eng or SPH even paid out 100% of their earning for you to count money.
Happy. Right?
But, for retail investors like Uncle8888 who don't have large account size to start off in the stock market.
Sometime, we have to be realistic! It is quite obvious that by counting money credited by CDP into our bank account and by slowly accumulating these dividends till the money is large enough for re-investing. It is definitely going to be slow approach in building wealth from the stock market.
Why do we think re-investing dividends for compounding growth is easy?
Do we believe that by the time we have accumulated fairly large money from dividends to re-invest, the market may have already move much higher that the investing opportunity for higher yield could have been lost. No???
Another example,
When you feel happy when you make some money that is good enough to take your family to Swensen for set meals and ice-cream; then do small trading instead of long-term investing as there are likely to be more chances of going to Swensen.
If you want to be investor, then it is good to know thyself.
Read? Do and Don't in Investing
Dow Posts Best Q1 Since 1998 : 14,578.54 Up 52.38(0.36%)
Record-Smashing Quarter: S&P 500 Ends Above 2007’s Record Close, Dow Posts Best Q1 Since 1998
By: JeeYeon Park CNBC.com Writer
Stocks closed out the first quarter on a high
note with the S&P 500 piercing through levels last seen in 2007 to
end at a record high near 1,570 and the Dow logging its strongest
quarter in 15 years.
The S&P finally surpassed its closing high level of 1,565.15 shortly after the market open after flirting with the milestone for weeks, recovering all its losses from the financial crisis. The next milestone for the index is its all-time intraday high of 1,576.09, set on October 11, 2007.
The S&P finally surpassed its closing high level of 1,565.15 shortly after the market open after flirting with the milestone for weeks, recovering all its losses from the financial crisis. The next milestone for the index is its all-time intraday high of 1,576.09, set on October 11, 2007.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average
soared an impressive 11.25 percent in the first three months of the
year to log its best first-quarter performance since 1998.
Interestingly, the blue-chip index has never finished a year in negative
territory when the first quarter is up at least 8 percent.
Hewlett-Packard was the biggest gainer on the Dow for the quarter, skyrocketing more than 67 percent. Caterpillar and Alcoa were the only two blue-chip stocks to finish in the red.
The S&P 500 surged 10.03 percent, while the Nasdaq jumped 8.21 percent for the quarter, logging their fifth-straight monthly gains. The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), widely considered the best gauge of fear in the market, ended below 13, plunging approximately 30 percent for the quarter.
Hewlett-Packard was the biggest gainer on the Dow for the quarter, skyrocketing more than 67 percent. Caterpillar and Alcoa were the only two blue-chip stocks to finish in the red.
The S&P 500 surged 10.03 percent, while the Nasdaq jumped 8.21 percent for the quarter, logging their fifth-straight monthly gains. The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), widely considered the best gauge of fear in the market, ended below 13, plunging approximately 30 percent for the quarter.
Thursday, 28 March 2013
DBS gains market share: CEO
DBS Bank has gained market share in key areas such as mortgages,
car loans and business loans and intends to continue doing so, its
chief executive Piyush Gupta has said.
And it has done this while halving the margin gap with its key rivals, OCBC Bank and United Overseas Bank (UOB), he noted.
In mortgages, after reversing its market share slide in 2008/2009, when it fell to 24 per cent from 42 per cent 10 years ago, it is now 25 per cent, he said.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday evening on the transformation of DBS over the three years since he joined DBS, he said it would take the bank a "long, long time" to return to a 42 per cent market share.
And it has done this while halving the margin gap with its key rivals, OCBC Bank and United Overseas Bank (UOB), he noted.
In mortgages, after reversing its market share slide in 2008/2009, when it fell to 24 per cent from 42 per cent 10 years ago, it is now 25 per cent, he said.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday evening on the transformation of DBS over the three years since he joined DBS, he said it would take the bank a "long, long time" to return to a 42 per cent market share.
DBS at $16!!!
That was many years back!
Q1 2013 Investment Performance Report
Read? Full Year 2012 Investment Performance Report
A Goal-based Investing Approach
Using a Goal-based Investing Approach by setting a 10-year progressive Goal Targets to achieve for each year from 2012 to 2021.
Year 2: Q1 2013 Result
Achieved 7.6% of 2021 Goal Target.
Portfolio XIRR
Track, measure and visualise!
Without doing it how to revise investing strategies and improve year-on-year investing performance?
My portfolio XIRR includes all investible cash plus the current stocks value at market closing price as on 28 Mar 2013.
Since one year ago: +5.0%
Since 1 Nov 2008: +7.8%
Since 1 Jan 2003: +11.5%
Since 1 Jan 2000: +10.4%
Since one year ago: +5.0%
Since 1 Nov 2008: +7.8%
Since 1 Jan 2003: +11.5%
Since 1 Jan 2000: +10.4%
Liquidity and Permanency
Liquidity of Capital for the Next Bear and Permanency of staying Invested for the Next Bull!
Having taken back 100% of Investing Capital as War Chest for the next Bear; it is like Year 2000 all over again; but this time Uncle8888 is armed with Master Degree in Stock Market and going for PhD. in Stock Market.
It is going to be more exciting!
This time, regular readers will be able to watch "Full Time" actions on how investing lessons for PhD course are conducted here. In the last two courses, readers could only manage to watch "Half Time" actions as Uncle8888 started to blog in 2006.
When will Mr Bear come?
Retirement Income for Life
Current: 59% Target: 67%
Work in progress ...
SBM Offshore, partners win $3.5 bln Petrobras contract
CW8888: Keppel Shipyard's ongoing projects for SBM Offshore are the conversion
of FPSO OSX-2 for Brazil as well as modification and upgrading of FPSO
N'Goma for Angola. Will the below news translate to more projects for Keppel?
(Reuters) - SBM Offshore and its partners have won a $3.5 billion contract from Brazilian oil company Petrobras to build two oil platforms, the Dutch maritime services firm said on Tuesday.
The order is the biggest-ever for SBM Offshore and is for so-called floating, production, storage and offloading platforms (FPSOs), its main area of business.
SBM Offshore settled a long-running dispute two weeks ago over a Norwegian project that involved the production of a so-called mobile offshore production unit (MOPU), and on which SBM had to write down $1.4 billion over three years.
It is planning a rights issue of 10 percent of its share capital to cope with the write down.
SBM Offshore and its partners, including Brazil's Queiroz
Galvao Oil & Gas SA, will work in a joint venture to
deliver two FPSOs in 2015 and 2016, SBM Offshore said in a
statement.
The joint venture will manage the two platforms for 20 years, and contract finalisation is expected by the second quarter of 2013, SBM Offshore said.
"The two FPSO's represent the biggest contract ever awarded to us, underlining our unparalleled expertise and leading position in the market for large-scale tanker conversions to FPSOs," SBM Offshore Chief Executive Bruno Chabas said.
(Reuters) - SBM Offshore and its partners have won a $3.5 billion contract from Brazilian oil company Petrobras to build two oil platforms, the Dutch maritime services firm said on Tuesday.
The order is the biggest-ever for SBM Offshore and is for so-called floating, production, storage and offloading platforms (FPSOs), its main area of business.
SBM Offshore settled a long-running dispute two weeks ago over a Norwegian project that involved the production of a so-called mobile offshore production unit (MOPU), and on which SBM had to write down $1.4 billion over three years.
It is planning a rights issue of 10 percent of its share capital to cope with the write down.
The joint venture will manage the two platforms for 20 years, and contract finalisation is expected by the second quarter of 2013, SBM Offshore said.
"The two FPSO's represent the biggest contract ever awarded to us, underlining our unparalleled expertise and leading position in the market for large-scale tanker conversions to FPSOs," SBM Offshore Chief Executive Bruno Chabas said.
Keppel to build four more jackup rigs worth US$820 million for Mexican offshore market
YTD Mar 13 Order Book for 2013
Cw8888: Not too bad at US$205 per rig despite tough competition coming from cheapskate Chinese Yards.
Cw8888: Not too bad at US$205 per rig despite tough competition coming from cheapskate Chinese Yards.
Keppel FELS, a unit of Keppel Offshore & Marine, Thursday
said it has secured contracts from Mexican drilling company, Grupo R, to
build four jackup rigs worth US$820 million (S$1 billion).
The jackup rigs are scheduled for delivery progressively from the second quarter of 2015 to the fourth quarter of 2015.
The rigs, to be built to Keppel's proprietary KFELS B Class design, will be able to operate in water depths of up to 400 feet and drill to depths of 30,000 feet.
When completed, Keppel FELS will have built ten KFELS B Class jackup rigs for Mexican customers since 2012, including two for the Mexican national oil company PEMEX.
The jackup rigs are scheduled for delivery progressively from the second quarter of 2015 to the fourth quarter of 2015.
The rigs, to be built to Keppel's proprietary KFELS B Class design, will be able to operate in water depths of up to 400 feet and drill to depths of 30,000 feet.
When completed, Keppel FELS will have built ten KFELS B Class jackup rigs for Mexican customers since 2012, including two for the Mexican national oil company PEMEX.
Wednesday, 27 March 2013
The Two Biggest Misconceptions About Gold
Just For Thinking
Read? Why must be Gold for hedging Inflation???
By Alex Rosenberg
Misconception One: If Gold Falls for a While, That Gives You a Good Chance to Buy It
Gold bars at South Africa's Rand Refinery. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko
This one sounds pretty obvious. Gold is worth a given amount, so if people keep selling it, than it will fall to a level at which it's a good value - right?
Well, not exactly. As Gero explains, "Asset managers look for performance - and performance has not been with gold." This explains why the major stock market rally has presented a serious headwind for gold. As stocks have seriously outperformed bullion, managers moved their money out of bullion and into what was working.
That's why trends in the gold market can be far more important than any sense of inherent value - meaning that, paradoxically, falling gold prices are bad news for people who are looking to buy in.
Misconception Two: Gold Is a Safe Haven That People Should Buy When They're Worried About the Market.
Okay, so if stocks and gold often move in opposite directions, then you should buy gold if you think the market will drop, right?
Sorry, wrong again. Gold, Gero explains, "is a misunderstood safe haven trade. Because the real safe haven for gold has been maintenance of purchasing power."
In other words, people might scramble to buy gold when they become fearful of inflation, because gold stores value in a way that dollars don't. But gold isn't necessarily a "safe haven" in the way that treasury bills or U.S. dollars are. It protects only against inflation - and not against a market downturn. And for that reason, Gero said, "Gold is not meant to be a buffer against stock market moves."
So now that we've got those cleared up - what should the average investor do with gold?
Read? Why must be Gold for hedging Inflation???
By Alex Rosenberg
Gold
is one of the most widely held financial assets - but that doesn't mean
everyone understands the catalysts that drive gold higher or lower. On
Tuesday's "Futures Now," RBC Precious Metals Strategist George Gero set
out to clear two of the biggest misconceptions people have about gold.
Misconception One: If Gold Falls for a While, That Gives You a Good Chance to Buy It
Gold bars at South Africa's Rand Refinery. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko
This one sounds pretty obvious. Gold is worth a given amount, so if people keep selling it, than it will fall to a level at which it's a good value - right?
Well, not exactly. As Gero explains, "Asset managers look for performance - and performance has not been with gold." This explains why the major stock market rally has presented a serious headwind for gold. As stocks have seriously outperformed bullion, managers moved their money out of bullion and into what was working.
That's why trends in the gold market can be far more important than any sense of inherent value - meaning that, paradoxically, falling gold prices are bad news for people who are looking to buy in.
Misconception Two: Gold Is a Safe Haven That People Should Buy When They're Worried About the Market.
Okay, so if stocks and gold often move in opposite directions, then you should buy gold if you think the market will drop, right?
Sorry, wrong again. Gold, Gero explains, "is a misunderstood safe haven trade. Because the real safe haven for gold has been maintenance of purchasing power."
In other words, people might scramble to buy gold when they become fearful of inflation, because gold stores value in a way that dollars don't. But gold isn't necessarily a "safe haven" in the way that treasury bills or U.S. dollars are. It protects only against inflation - and not against a market downturn. And for that reason, Gero said, "Gold is not meant to be a buffer against stock market moves."
So now that we've got those cleared up - what should the average investor do with gold?
George Gero says retail investors should look to keep about 5% of their
portfolio in gold. Since holding bullion will not protect you against a
major downward move in stocks, Gero explains, you should just keep
enough around to hedge yourself against inflation.
Here are 6 ugly facts about Singaporeans' incomes
From Singapore Business Review
There's a downward trend in average monthly incomes.
According to the Singapore Social Health Project 2013 by the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre, declining trend in average monthly incomes and the increasing cost of living have made many Singaporeans feel vulnerable, especially those from lower-income families. The inadequacy of CPF for many who are retiring poses a threat to the well-being of the fast ageing population of Singapore.
Singaporeans, especially the lower income, are increasingly finding it difficult to cope with escalating costs. The Gini coefficient has also increased, reflecting greater income inequalities.
The report outlines six points that describe the current trends in Singapore's income security.
1. Real growth in average monthly household income per member increased for all residents in 2012; poor households suffered a decline in incomes. Income security in Singapore declined for the low income between 2010/11 to 2011/12. The lowest 10% are the hardest hit with a decline in wages in 2012.
Gross real median wages across the common occupations listed by the Ministry of Manpower fell in all nine occupation categories from 2007 to 2011.
2. Cost of living has increased, eroding the purchasing power of savings. The inflation rates of 5.8% in 2011 and 4.6% in 2012 were higher than the average inflation rate of 1.9% over the last two decades. The inflation rates exceeded the 4% Central Provident Fund (CPF) interest rates on the Special and Retirement Accounts.
3. Inequality has increased. The Gini coefficient for Singapore increased from 0.473 in 2011 to 0.478 in 2012. It is the second highest in the world according to the Human Development Report among "very high human development countries”.
The share of income among the lower deciles has declined from 2000 to 2010. In 2000, the top 10% had 27.4% of the total share of income of resident employed households. In 2010, this increased to 30% and except the 9th and 10th deciles, all groups have seen a decline in the income share.
4. Indebtedness has increased. Consumer loans have increased from $41.7 billion in 2000 to $179.5 billion in 2011. This is largely contributed by hefty home loans. Also, the total number of main credit cards crossed six million in October 2010 and the rollover balances breached the $4 billion mark in November 2010.
Rollover balances have been growing at an average annual rate of 11.5% from 2009 to 2011.
If the economy performs poorly and real estate prices decline, many individuals will be unable to pay off their debts. The bankruptcy rate has shot up by 28% between 2010 and 2012.
5. Poor retirement adequacy. The 2012 Global Pension Index measuring the strength of retirement income systems ranked Singapore 17th out of 18 countries for the adequacy of its system and 13th in terms of its overall score.
CPF alone is inadequate to meet the retirement needs of the majority of Singaporeans. According to a study, tertiary-educated Singaporeans who entered the workforce in 2010 with a pay of $2,560 and who go on to buy a five-room public housing flat worth about $560,000, would get monthly CPF payments of only 22% of their lastdrawn pay when they retire at age 65.
CPF was found to be adequate only for low income families, provided they do not withdraw money to buy property.
Based on CPF’s retirement estimator, the current Minimum Sum of $139,000 is only sufficient for Singaporeans earning a gross monthly wage of $1,100 or less.
6. Other marginalised groups are at risk of impoverishment. Single parent families, especially those headed by women are at risk of impoverishment due to lower wages and less support from the government. With increasing divorce rates, single-parent families are likely to grow in the future.
The disabled are at particular risk of falling through the cracks due to poor skills, limited employment opportunities and lower wages (if they do get employed), and they become more vulnerable as they age.
There's a downward trend in average monthly incomes.
According to the Singapore Social Health Project 2013 by the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre, declining trend in average monthly incomes and the increasing cost of living have made many Singaporeans feel vulnerable, especially those from lower-income families. The inadequacy of CPF for many who are retiring poses a threat to the well-being of the fast ageing population of Singapore.
Singaporeans, especially the lower income, are increasingly finding it difficult to cope with escalating costs. The Gini coefficient has also increased, reflecting greater income inequalities.
The report outlines six points that describe the current trends in Singapore's income security.
1. Real growth in average monthly household income per member increased for all residents in 2012; poor households suffered a decline in incomes. Income security in Singapore declined for the low income between 2010/11 to 2011/12. The lowest 10% are the hardest hit with a decline in wages in 2012.
Gross real median wages across the common occupations listed by the Ministry of Manpower fell in all nine occupation categories from 2007 to 2011.
2. Cost of living has increased, eroding the purchasing power of savings. The inflation rates of 5.8% in 2011 and 4.6% in 2012 were higher than the average inflation rate of 1.9% over the last two decades. The inflation rates exceeded the 4% Central Provident Fund (CPF) interest rates on the Special and Retirement Accounts.
3. Inequality has increased. The Gini coefficient for Singapore increased from 0.473 in 2011 to 0.478 in 2012. It is the second highest in the world according to the Human Development Report among "very high human development countries”.
The share of income among the lower deciles has declined from 2000 to 2010. In 2000, the top 10% had 27.4% of the total share of income of resident employed households. In 2010, this increased to 30% and except the 9th and 10th deciles, all groups have seen a decline in the income share.
4. Indebtedness has increased. Consumer loans have increased from $41.7 billion in 2000 to $179.5 billion in 2011. This is largely contributed by hefty home loans. Also, the total number of main credit cards crossed six million in October 2010 and the rollover balances breached the $4 billion mark in November 2010.
Rollover balances have been growing at an average annual rate of 11.5% from 2009 to 2011.
If the economy performs poorly and real estate prices decline, many individuals will be unable to pay off their debts. The bankruptcy rate has shot up by 28% between 2010 and 2012.
5. Poor retirement adequacy. The 2012 Global Pension Index measuring the strength of retirement income systems ranked Singapore 17th out of 18 countries for the adequacy of its system and 13th in terms of its overall score.
CPF alone is inadequate to meet the retirement needs of the majority of Singaporeans. According to a study, tertiary-educated Singaporeans who entered the workforce in 2010 with a pay of $2,560 and who go on to buy a five-room public housing flat worth about $560,000, would get monthly CPF payments of only 22% of their lastdrawn pay when they retire at age 65.
CPF was found to be adequate only for low income families, provided they do not withdraw money to buy property.
Based on CPF’s retirement estimator, the current Minimum Sum of $139,000 is only sufficient for Singaporeans earning a gross monthly wage of $1,100 or less.
6. Other marginalised groups are at risk of impoverishment. Single parent families, especially those headed by women are at risk of impoverishment due to lower wages and less support from the government. With increasing divorce rates, single-parent families are likely to grow in the future.
The disabled are at particular risk of falling through the cracks due to poor skills, limited employment opportunities and lower wages (if they do get employed), and they become more vulnerable as they age.
Though
the employment of the disabled in sheltered work environment has
increased over the years, the Enabling Masterplan 2012 recognised that
this has not reached sustainable levels yet. Single older women with
almost no savings and who may not receive as much family support are
also at a greater risk of being marginalised.
Rotary secures two contracts worth $42m
ROTARY Engineering has secured two new contracts worth about $42 million for work on Jurong Island.
The oil and gas infrastructure services company said yesterday that the first contract, valued at $30 million, was awarded by an international independent storage operator for oil, gas and chemicals. The project involves engineering design, procurement and construction (EPC) of three spherical storage tanks.
The second contract, worth $12 million, was awarded by an international speciality chemicals company. This project is for the fabrication and installation of pipe rack modules.
Both the contracts will commence this quarter.
The oil and gas infrastructure services company said yesterday that the first contract, valued at $30 million, was awarded by an international independent storage operator for oil, gas and chemicals. The project involves engineering design, procurement and construction (EPC) of three spherical storage tanks.
The second contract, worth $12 million, was awarded by an international speciality chemicals company. This project is for the fabrication and installation of pipe rack modules.
Both the contracts will commence this quarter.
Dow posting a new high 14,559.65 Up 111.90(0.77%)
By: JeeYeon Park CNBC.com Writer
Stocks ended near their best levels Tuesday,
with the Dow posting a new high and S&P 500 finishing less than 2
points from its closing peak.
Stocks moved higher on a handful of encouraging economic reports that pointed to an improving economy and as investors seemed to temporarily overlook worries in the euro zone.
Stocks moved higher on a handful of encouraging economic reports that pointed to an improving economy and as investors seemed to temporarily overlook worries in the euro zone.
The S&P 500 jumped 12.08 points, or 0.78 percent, to finish at 1,563.77, less than two points from its closing high from 2007. The Nasdaq gained 17.18 points, or 0.53 percent, to end at 3,252.48.
The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), widely considered the best gauge of fear in the market, ended below 13.
Tuesday, 26 March 2013
This Buffett Technique Will Increase Your Dividends
By
Roland Head
LONDON -- Billionaire investor Warren Buffett is well-known for his focus on companies with strong earnings that pay good dividends. At the same time, he doesn't care much about share prices -- except when he's buying.
Buffett's investment style is as far as away as you can get from the aggressive, heavy-trading approach pioneered by hedge funds -- but his returns are far more consistent and much easier for investors like you and I to replicate.
Here's the secret.
Buffet's 50% yield
One of Buffett's most famous long-term holdings is his 8.9% stake in The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO ) . The $15 billion shareholding is the largest holding of Buffett's company, Berkshire Hathaway, and most of it dates back to 1988, when Berkshire spent $1 billion to acquire a 6.2% stake at an approximate cost, adjusted for splits and dividends, of $3.75 per share.
Back in 1988, Coke shares offered a yield of 4% -- decent, but not remarkable. Since then, the company has maintained its 50-year unbroken record of annual dividend increases. The result is that in 2011, the dividend payout was $1.88, providing Buffett with a massive 50% yield on his original investment.
Yield on cost
Despite its golden record of annual dividend increases, Coca-Cola is not necessarily thought of as a high-yielding stock: At current prices, it only yields around 3.1%.
This 50% is Buffett's "yield on cost" -- the dividend yield on the price he originally paid. This is one the key benefits of holding shares in big companies over long periods, as I'll demonstrate below.
By simply maintaining his holding in a quality company, Buffett has seen the yield on his shares rise continuously to provide an amazing 50% annual return on his original investment.
LONDON -- Billionaire investor Warren Buffett is well-known for his focus on companies with strong earnings that pay good dividends. At the same time, he doesn't care much about share prices -- except when he's buying.
Buffett's investment style is as far as away as you can get from the aggressive, heavy-trading approach pioneered by hedge funds -- but his returns are far more consistent and much easier for investors like you and I to replicate.
Here's the secret.
Buffet's 50% yield
One of Buffett's most famous long-term holdings is his 8.9% stake in The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO ) . The $15 billion shareholding is the largest holding of Buffett's company, Berkshire Hathaway, and most of it dates back to 1988, when Berkshire spent $1 billion to acquire a 6.2% stake at an approximate cost, adjusted for splits and dividends, of $3.75 per share.
Back in 1988, Coke shares offered a yield of 4% -- decent, but not remarkable. Since then, the company has maintained its 50-year unbroken record of annual dividend increases. The result is that in 2011, the dividend payout was $1.88, providing Buffett with a massive 50% yield on his original investment.
Yield on cost
Despite its golden record of annual dividend increases, Coca-Cola is not necessarily thought of as a high-yielding stock: At current prices, it only yields around 3.1%.
This 50% is Buffett's "yield on cost" -- the dividend yield on the price he originally paid. This is one the key benefits of holding shares in big companies over long periods, as I'll demonstrate below.
By simply maintaining his holding in a quality company, Buffett has seen the yield on his shares rise continuously to provide an amazing 50% annual return on his original investment.
XIRR is really simple to use but don't make it diificult for yourself!
Don't make our life more difficult with our investing when our life is really tough with our daily jobs.
You just need to separate into two different worksheets in your MS Excel file for
1) Detailed recording of transactions and tracking of portfolio and
2) Measuring of portfolio performance and return on capital (ROC) using XIRR.
Two is simpler than One. How come???
Read? XIRR is really simple to use!
Monday, 25 March 2013
Smart Student or Stupid Master. Is it??? (2)
Just For Laugh - Investors
Read? Smart Student or Stupid Master. Is it???
Chinese New Year lion dance, mandarin oranges were peeled to form auspicious words and 4D numbers.
These 4D number will be any random 4 D number ending with XX88
If that 4D number "chun chun" came out as First Prize, come next year, more punters will be rushing to that office, canteen, shopping mall, shop, etc to beo.
When ToTo JackPot Prize is $5M or $10M, how many winners did you notice?
Most of the time is more than one winner!
Why???
It is just Law of Numbers!
When more and more people joining in the Game, someone in that numbers will become winner by pure chance.
Many times winners come from Quick Pick.
ToTo's Quick Pick System sibei chun!!!
Testimonials are found below ToTo's result in the newspapers.
Why you still choose your own numbers???
Same as Guru's Quick Pick System. No meh?
Singapore inflation jumped to 4.9% in February
Blame it on soaring road transport cost.
According to a joint statement of the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Monetary Authority of Singapore, all Items inflation rose to 4.9% in February from 3.6% in January 2013.
This temporary pickup had been anticipated in the January Inflation Report and was largely attributed to the more significant increase in private road transport cost. Food and services inflation were also stronger during the month.
Private road transport cost climbed by 17.4% in February, up from 10.5% a month earlier. This was due to the spike in COE premiums in January, which was exacerbated by the low base a year ago when premiums declined.
The step-up in private road transport cost alone accounted for more than two thirds of the 1.3% points rise in overall inflation in February.
Accommodation cost inflation eased to 5.9% in February from 6.1% in the preceding month, reflecting a slightly smaller increase in market rentals.
Nevertheless, imputed rentals on owner-occupied accommodation (OOA) continued to contribute a significant 1.1% points to overall inflation. Together, the costs of private road transport and accommodation accounted for more than three quarters of CPI-All Items inflation in February.
Food inflation was higher at 2.3% in February, compared with 1.0% in January, mainly on account of the seasonal uptick in food prices and a reversal of the base effects associated with the Chinese New Year.
Services fees rose by 2.7% in February, up from 1.9% in January, largely led by the increase in the cost of household services following the new regulation for foreign domestic workers.
According to a joint statement of the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Monetary Authority of Singapore, all Items inflation rose to 4.9% in February from 3.6% in January 2013.
This temporary pickup had been anticipated in the January Inflation Report and was largely attributed to the more significant increase in private road transport cost. Food and services inflation were also stronger during the month.
Private road transport cost climbed by 17.4% in February, up from 10.5% a month earlier. This was due to the spike in COE premiums in January, which was exacerbated by the low base a year ago when premiums declined.
The step-up in private road transport cost alone accounted for more than two thirds of the 1.3% points rise in overall inflation in February.
Accommodation cost inflation eased to 5.9% in February from 6.1% in the preceding month, reflecting a slightly smaller increase in market rentals.
Nevertheless, imputed rentals on owner-occupied accommodation (OOA) continued to contribute a significant 1.1% points to overall inflation. Together, the costs of private road transport and accommodation accounted for more than three quarters of CPI-All Items inflation in February.
Food inflation was higher at 2.3% in February, compared with 1.0% in January, mainly on account of the seasonal uptick in food prices and a reversal of the base effects associated with the Chinese New Year.
Services fees rose by 2.7% in February, up from 1.9% in January, largely led by the increase in the cost of household services following the new regulation for foreign domestic workers.
Prices
of oil-related items declined at a more moderate pace of -0.2% in
February compared to -1.4% in January. While electricity tariff was
lower, petrol pump prices increased in tandem with higher global oil
prices at the beginning of this year.
Investing Made Simple by Uncle8888 (26) - Read Again!
Just For Thinking ....
Read? Investing Made Simple by Uncle8888 (26)
"Less Analysing. More Investing!" - Createwealth8888
"To make money from the stock market, it is not how well you analyse it. It is how well you invest into it." - Createwealth8888
Which way is already proven to make money in the stock market by those successful XO retail investors now in their 70s and 80s???
Got Internet har???
What do you think?
Putting lots of energy and efforts into ...
Method, Mind and Money Management
or
Method, Mind and Money Management
Read? Value Investing Made Simple by Uncle Chua (2)
Read? Me, No multi-baggers (7)
Lastly, read them all!
Still don't get it???
Next Big Bear, don't think you can make it!
Sunday, 24 March 2013
XO Investors who are blogging for free!!!
Just For Thinking ....
small changes, invest, Mar 24, 2013, thesundaytimes
Best investment strategy: Build on the past
Lessons from history can help save you from rash decisions and in times of crisis.
Goh E. Y said that older investors as his father have a treasure of stories to tell about the stock market, and it is amazing to find just how much the past resonates with the present.
How many XO investors are bloggers too?
Not many. Right?
Here got one old Uncle8888 telling his stories ..
But, some of Uncle8888's "BIAS" blog posts can make some people read liao so "tulan".
Borrow the idea from La Papillion
** "BIAS" is a special feature in my blog where I get to say whatever I want with scant regards for your feelings. I'm not politically correct in this feature, so go ahead, judge me."
Hope many more who come here will one day discover their own treasures and their own stock market wisdom over time.
small changes, invest, Mar 24, 2013, thesundaytimes
Best investment strategy: Build on the past
Lessons from history can help save you from rash decisions and in times of crisis.
Goh E. Y said that older investors as his father have a treasure of stories to tell about the stock market, and it is amazing to find just how much the past resonates with the present.
How many XO investors are bloggers too?
Not many. Right?
Here got one old Uncle8888 telling his stories ..
But, some of Uncle8888's "BIAS" blog posts can make some people read liao so "tulan".
Borrow the idea from La Papillion
** "BIAS" is a special feature in my blog where I get to say whatever I want with scant regards for your feelings. I'm not politically correct in this feature, so go ahead, judge me."
Hope many more who come here will one day discover their own treasures and their own stock market wisdom over time.
Saturday, 23 March 2013
Smart Student or Stupid Master. Is it???
Just For Laugh ....
Are some people that naive and don't have that street smart intelligence???
Are you among those who read something like this in some blogs and tends to believe what you read?
One of my students made $X,XXX or $XX,XXX and course fee has already taken back!
Here is the testimonial of student who made $X,XXX or $XX,XXX from this stock call!
Did anyone ever read like something this?
Guru: I made $X,XXX or $XX,XXX with this stock call. Here is my proof and X or XX of my students also made $X,XXX or $XX,XXX by following my stock call. Here are the proof!
Have or not?
How to be street smart???
Are some people that naive and don't have that street smart intelligence???
Are you among those who read something like this in some blogs and tends to believe what you read?
One of my students made $X,XXX or $XX,XXX and course fee has already taken back!
Here is the testimonial of student who made $X,XXX or $XX,XXX from this stock call!
Did anyone ever read like something this?
Guru: I made $X,XXX or $XX,XXX with this stock call. Here is my proof and X or XX of my students also made $X,XXX or $XX,XXX by following my stock call. Here are the proof!
Have or not?
How to be street smart???
Funding Your Child’s University in the Future? - OMG! It is finally over.
Read? Funding Your Child’s University in the Future? - Updated for fourth year
Ah Ger has already secured a job. She will be starting her work in Jul 13.
OMG! It is finally over.
Tuition fees and all living and studying expenses
Three Year Uni course at NUS for son: $30.6K
Four Year Uni course at SMU for daughter: $61.4K ( including an Overseas Exchange Programme in Paris)
Total for two children = $92K!
Remember that they are young adults so they may incur some additional costs in socialising with friends for entertainment and meals.
As for daughters, they may have extra costs for beauty and skin care products and more clothing need.
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