I started serious Investing Journey in Jan 2000 to create wealth through long-term investing and short-term trading; but as from April 2013 my Journey in Investing has changed to create Retirement Income for Life till 85 years old in 2041 for two persons over market cycles of Bull and Bear.

Since 2017 after retiring from full-time job as employee; I am moving towards Investing Nirvana - Freehold Investment Income for Life investing strategy where 100% of investment income from portfolio investment is cashed out to support household expenses i.e. not a single cent of re-investing!

It is 57% (2017 to Aug 2022) to the Land of Investing Nirvana - Freehold Income for Life!


Click to email CW8888 or Email ID : jacobng1@gmail.com



Welcome to Ministry of Wealth!

This blog is authored by an old multi-bagger blue chips stock picker uncle from HDB heartland!

"The market is not your mother. It consists of tough men and women who look for ways to take money away from you instead of pouring milk into your mouth." - Dr. Alexander Elder

"For the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them." - Aristotle

It is here where I share with you how I did it! FREE Education in stock market wisdom.

Think Investing as Tug of War - Read more? Click and scroll down



Important Notice and Attention: If you are looking for such ideas; here is the wrong blog to visit.

Value Investing
Dividend/Income Investing
Technical Analysis and Charting
Stock Tips

Saturday 31 August 2013

War Room Planning for market correction and next Fat Bear





Book : Happy Money


We don't need to spend lots of money to be happy!

But, cannot under-spend our money too. Later other people happily spend huge amount of leftover money.

"Life is short and fragile". When we tio dementia we also don't know how to count money liao.

This book is available at NLB.







 

Benchmark Your Gross Monthly Income From Work









 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Source: Comprehensive Labour Force Survey, MOM
Latest figures published in: Labour Force in Singapore
 
Notes:
  • Data exclude full-time National Servicemen.
  • Data are for mid-year.
  • Residents refer to Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents.
  • Gross monthly income from work refers to income earned from employment. For employees, it refers to the gross monthly wages or salaries before deduction of employee CPF contributions and personal income tax. It comprises basic wages, overtime pay, commissions, tips, other allowances and one-twelfth of annual bonuses. For self-employed persons, gross monthly income refers to the average monthly profits from their business, trade or profession (i.e. total receipts less business expenses incurred) before deduction of income tax.
  • Before 2009, full-time refers to employment where the normal hours of work is at least 30 hours a week while part-time refers to employment where the normal hours of work is less than 30 hours a week. From 2009 onwards, the threshold between full-time and part-time was revised from 30 hours to 35 hours to align with the revised definition in the Employment Act.
  • Data for 2005 are not available as the Comprehensive Labour Force Survey was not conducted due to the conduct of the General Household Survey by Department of Statistics, Ministry of Trade and Industry. 
  • ^ Deflated by Consumer Price Index for all items at 2009 prices (2009 = 100). Figures in brackets are deflated by Consumer Price Index less imputed rentals on owner-occupied accommodation at 2009 prices (2009 = 100).
  • n.a.= Not available


Read? http://www.iras.gov.sg/irasHome/page.aspx?id=15060#IIT


Benchmark yourself as Tax Payer.

Individual Income Tax
Taxable Individuals by Income Group
As at 31 March 2013 for the Year of Assessment 2012


 





Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 30.64 points (0.21 percent) at 14,810.31

NEW YORK: US stocks closed a mostly downcast week on a sour note on Friday following fresh indications the Obama administration plans military action against Syria.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 30.64 points (0.21 percent) at 14,810.31.

The broad-based S&P 500 dropped 5.20 points (0.32 percent) to 1,632.97, while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index gave up 30.43 points (0.84 percent) at 3,589.87.

Friday's trade was light on the last session of the month and before the long holiday weekend. US financial markets will be closed Monday for the Labour Day federal holiday.

Uncertainty about Syria, coupled with uncertainty about the Federal Reserve's September policy meeting and low trading volumes, produced a "buyer's strike" this week, said David Levy, portfolio manager of Kenjol Capital Management.

"There's just no impetus to buy," Levy said. "We're heading into a three-day weekend with plenty of uncertainty and we're also heading into a month with quite a bit of uncertainty."


Wednesday 28 August 2013

Singapore shares prices fell 1.0% on Wednesday for the 10th straight session of losses.


SINGAPORE: Singapore shares prices fell 1.0% on Wednesday for the 10th straight session of losses.
The blue-chip Straits Times Index (STI) shed 29.84 points to close at 3004.18.
The fall was in line with Asian market weakness.
Jitters over a possible US military strike against Syria hit Asian markets and added to recent worries the US may pull back on its stimulus.
The STI initially dipped below its 3000 support but recovered some ground towards the closing.
In the broader market, losers outnumbered gainers 373 to 114 and trading volume totalled 3.05 billion shares.
Thai Beverage was among the losers, shedding 7.7% to close at S$0.420.
Real-estate stocks were hit by the latest government property-cooling measures announced, with CapitaLand down 2.3% to S$2.93 while City Developments lost 2.2% to end at S$9.76.   






The Habits of Highly Effective Retirees

By | The Exchange – Fri, Aug 23, 2013 3:55 PM EDT


Habits are a good thing.

They keep us focused, keep us on task and help us organize the day-to-day tedium of our working lives.

Hawaii-based retiree Rik Rodriguez surfs regularly to keep his mind and body sharp.


But habits remain important even when the working stops. In fact, after waiting decades to give up on their full-time careers, many retirees wake up to the realization that they actually need their daily routines more than ever to help them structure and make sense of their suddenly wide-open schedules.

How do they do it? What habits are particularly helpful for today’s retirees? We reached out to our Yahoo! Contributor Network community to find out what habits our retired members rely on and how they help them make the most of their golden years. Several of their responses are shown below.

I Challenge Myself Every Day

“I face it daily. At age 88, being retired for so many years is often challenging. My method of coping is to keep busy, both mentally and physically. Every morning I swim or hike for an hour. Then I attack blogging, my most energizing new routine. Actually, I've been a writer all my life, and made quite a good living at it in advertising and public relations. However, most was done on typewriters, and later on desktop computers before the Internet explosion.

“To create an active retirement, I attack the need for mental fitness as I fulfill physical conditioning. It requires work, stretching my mind as I do my body. At my advanced age, it's often very challenging, but it's also a lot of fun.” -- Ted Sherman, 88

Working Part-Time Is My Key to a Happy Retirement






“Working is a life-long habit -- a habit I decided to keep when I retired last year at age 62. Now, however, I work only part-time. I've been a substitute teacher since day one of my retirement. Substitute teaching is inherently a part-time job. Workers drawing Social Security in 2013 may earn up to $15,120 annually without reducing their monthly benefits. Subbing ensures that my earnings won't exceed the annual limit. And, because I'm working, my Social Security benefits keep on increasing. I also maintain ‘active’ employee status in the public school retirement system, and continue to accrue contributions to my pension.

“Substituting connects me to creative, bright students. They ‘keep me on my toes,’ and I share my years of experience with them. There's a mutual exchange of teaching and learning. Working part-time in retirement brings balance. I have the best of both worlds.” – Susan Durham, 63



A Good Retirement Begins With Friendships

“When I stopped teaching, along with that went the interactions between my students and me and my colleagues and me. I had friends, but not as many as I wanted; an extremely demanding work schedule had meant little time for friends, let alone a family.

“As a single woman, I knew I had to reach out to others. I made sure I had a plan in place to get out with people, make new friends, and to reach back to others in my past to get out and have some fun. I began filling up Fridays with dates for shopping, lunches, an occasional movie, and more. I am a natural hermit, but I knew being solitary was not good for my mental or physical well-being.” – Sandra Snow, 61



Retirement Is All About Attitude




“Although many factors contribute to my successful retirement, being a consistent and dedicated surfer helped me attain many of my retirement goals. Surfing requires focus, dedication and timing to name a few things. Most of us will excel in any endeavor utilizing these three elements. I have found a productive activity that I love and I turned it into a habit. The success of my retirement depended on it.

“Surfing has been my motivation most of my life now, and is something I do several times a week near my home on the Big Island of Hawaii. Staying in good shape is very important to me. Surfing is fun and challenging with many hidden benefits. It most certainly has enhanced my life in more ways that I can tell.” -- Rik Rodriguez, 56

Scheduling Time Makes for More Satisfying Retirement Days

“If you have a regular date with a garden club, book club, or just a coffee klatch, those ‘appointments’ give you a daily dose of meaningful moments that are priceless. I make a point every week to send birthday cards, letters, or messages to friends far away in distance, but never in heart. I don't depend on time for these things to just appear -- I plan for it! These remembrances really make a difference to you and the ones you remember!” – Tresa Patterson, 54

Volunteering Makes for a Successful Retirement






“Volunteering gives me the opportunity to meet new interesting and talented people. For example, I currently volunteer as an usher at the Chapman Cultural Center’s David Read Theatre in Spartanburg, SC. The theatre hosts plays, musical entertainers, movies, lectures, etc. The perks of volunteering are that I get to attend the events I usher for free. I have made many new friends, and I am able to learn while I have fun!

“Volunteering at my church also contributes to my happy retirement. I attend Restoration Church in Spartanburg, SC and volunteer as a greeter, serve on the decorating team, and at special events.” – Freida Thomas, 51


 

Sembcorp Extends its Wastewater Treatment Business to Two New Sites in China's Liaoning Province

SHENYANG, CHINA, August 28, 2013 - Sembcorp is pleased to announce the expansion of its water business in China's Liaoning province with two new wastewater treatment projects in industrial parks in Panjin city. Its wholly-owned subsidiary Sembcorp China will sign agreements later today for new wastewater treatment projects in Panjin City's Panjin Fine Chemical Industrial Park and Panjin Liaodong Bay New District.

The signings will take place on the sidelines of the Singapore-Liaoning Economic and Trade Council meeting in Shenyang, and will be witnessed by Singapore's Acting Minister for Manpower and Senior Minister of State for National Development Tan Chuan-Jin and Liaoning Governor Chen Zheng Gao.

a) Wastewater treatment project in Panjin Fine Chemical Industrial Park

The first of the agreements will be a joint venture agreement to build, own and operate a new RMB 117.3 million (approximately S$24.3 million) industrial wastewater treatment plant to serve industrial customers in Panjin Fine Chemical Industrial Park (PFCIP). Sembcorp will hold a 95% share in the joint venture, with the remaining 5% held by Panjin Fine Chemical Industrial Park Development, a company wholly-owned by the Panjin Fine Chemical Industrial Park Administrative Commission. Completion is subject to certain conditions precedent, including the signing of memoranda of understanding with key customers and necessary government approvals.

The first phase of the plant will have a capacity of 10,000 cubic metres per day, with commercial operations targeted to commence by the first quarter of 2015.

Panjin Fine Chemical Industrial Park is located in Panjin City, where China’s third-largest oil field – Liaohe Oil Field – is located. The chemical park houses a 7 million tonnes per annum refinery and a 800,000 tonnes per annum ethylene cracker operated by North Huajin Chemical Industries Group Corporation, a wholly-owned entity of China North Industries Group Corporation (Norinco). Norinco is wholly-owned by the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, and is one of the country’s largest industrial conglomerates.

b) Wastewater treatment project in the Panjin Liaodong Bay New District

The second agreement to be signed will be a non-binding agreement with the Panjin Liaodong Bay New District Administrative Committee, which supplements an exclusive concession granted to Sembcorp for the provision of wastewater treatment to companies located in a 60.3-square kilometre industrial park in the west of the Panjin Liaodong Bay New District.

Sembcorp plans to develop an industrial wastewater treatment plant with an initial capacity of 22,000 cubic metres per day, to serve customers in the industrial park. The plant will be capable of treating highly concentrated industrial wastewater, and is expected to cost around RMB 185 million (S$38.4 million). It is targeted for completion by the first quarter of 2015. The Panjin Liaodong Bay industrial park is a national-level development park with strong growth potential, and is located close to the Panjin Fine Chemical Industrial Park.

Commenting on the signings, Alan Yau, CEO of Sembcorp China, said, “These new agreements build on the momentum created with the signing of the strategic cooperation framework between our company and the Liaoning Provincial Bureau of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation in 2011.

“Sembcorp is excited to embark on these new projects and extend our expertise in complex industrial wastewater treatment to more industrial parks in Liaoning. In providing effective, reliable industrial wastewater solutions backed by an international track record and a strong reputation for environmental sustainability, we hope to support the central and provincial government in their drive to develop the province into an economic powerhouse under the ‘Liaoning Coastal Economic Belt Strategy’.

“Sembcorp will continue to deepen our foothold in Liaoning, given the increasingly important role it will play in China’s economic development as a centre to drive greater prosperity in the northeast. Through our proven utilities solutions, backed by our track record of operating in world-class chemical and petrochemical sites, Sembcorp will also continue to add value as a partner to the government in its efforts to develop a world-class chemical and petrochemical industry here.”

As a Group, Sembcorp has invested in China for close to two decades. Its presence spans 15 provinces across the country. Sembcorp has the expertise to provide essential utilities like energy, water and wastewater treatment, as well as urban development solutions such as sustainable, self-sufficient townships, to support China’s continued growth. In addition, its commitment to sustainability is aligned with the strong emphasis on environmental protection in China’s 12th Five-year Plan. In Liaoning province, Sembcorp’s utilities business currently operates in Fushun, Xinmin and Shenyang.

These transactions are not expected to have a material impact on the earnings per share and net asset value per share of Sembcorp Industries for the current financial year.

- END -

Average Down or Pyramid Up? (6)




Read? Average Down or Pyramid Up? (5)


Let China Minzhong be life-long investing lesson for many of us.

Never, never, never Average Down!!!

50% down in two hours is not a myth!

What if you aggressively average down in the first hour.

Nightmare!!!


Read? China Minzhong halts trading as shares plunge 48% on Glaucus report

Wall Street posts worst day since June on Syria concerns

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Wall Street stocks suffered their worst day since June on Tuesday, slumping in a broad decline as geopolitical uncertainty rose over a possible U.S.-led military strike by the West against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces.

The S&P 500 closed under its 100-day moving average for the first time since June 24, a sign of weak near-term momentum. The day's fall extended recent declines on uncertainty over when the U.S. Federal Reserve will start to slow its stimulative monetary policies.

Odds grew that a strike would occur against al-Assad's forces for a chemical weapons attack against civilians as a number of nations and groups - including Britain, France, Canada and the Arab League - joined Washington in urging a firm response to Assad. Adding to the tension, Russia has supported Assad Syria's civil war.











Tuesday 27 August 2013

Two years later, Lighthouse Advisors realized their mistake on China Minzhong and cut losses at 50%!


Some lessons can be learnt here!


Read? Client Newsletter for the period ended 2010 Q2


Read? Client Newsletter for the period ended 2012 Q2


GIC to share the fraud???



Buying China Stocks Often Has 'Worse Odds Than Gambling' (Re-posting)


Just For Thinking ....



With China Minzhong still fresh in our mind, let me re-post an article that was posted in Jan 2011.

Buying China Stocks Often Has 'Worse Odds Than Gambling' 


Read? Buying China Stocks Often Has 'Worse Odds Than Gambling'





S'pore: Shares end 50.39pts lower

Singapore shares ended lower on Tuesday with the Straits Times Index slipping 50.39 points to 3,034.02.

Some 3.34 billion shares, valued at S$1.40 billion were traded. Gainers numbered 80 while losers numbered 409.





Monday 26 August 2013

China Minzhong halts trading as shares plunge 48% on Glaucus report


27215106
Fujian-based food producer China Minzhong has called a trading halt on its shares after a report published by short-seller Glaucus Research Group caused its shares to plunge 48 per cent -PHOTO: CHINA MINZHONG FOOD CORP

Fujian-based food producer China Minzhong has called a trading halt on its shares after a report published by short-seller Glaucus Research Group caused its shares to plunge 48 per cent.
China Minzhong called for the halt at 11.15 am on Monday, pending the "release of material announcement".

Its shares opened at S$1.015 each but rapidly plunged to 53 cents, down 48.5 cents or 48 per cent. More than 24 million shares changed hands.

In a 49-page report published this morning, Glaucus alleged that Minzhong fabricated sales to its top two customers, and that its financial performance for its fresh produce segment, with average margins of 66 per cent in the past five years, was too good to be true.



Createwealth8888:

This is an eyes opening event for new arrivals to the stock market of what can happen.


Down 50% in just two hours!!!

We must constantly remind ourselves.

All investment by nature is risky.

We need to protect ourselves against huge losses and wiping out too much of our capital. It is very hard to recover.

Read? Learning or improving your investing knowledge and skills from Financial Bloggers and Forumers???





Look at how strong 1H13 was for Singapore rig builders



Read? Look at how strong 1H13 was for Singapore rig builders



Keppel clinched S$3.5bn worth of contracts.

According to Phillip Securities, 1H13 has remained a strong quarter in terms of order wins for rig builders.

Here's more from Phillip Securities:

Keppel Corp bagged S$3.5bn worth of contracts, which included a S$1bn contract from SOCAR for a semi-sub rig based on its proprietary KFELS DSS 38M design, customized for the Caspian Sea’s harsh environment condition.

The group has a net order book of S$13.1bn, with visibility until 2019. Similarly, Sembcorp Marine fared well with total new orders of S$3.5bn, including S$750mn worth of contract for an ultra-high spec jack-up rig based on the proven Gusto MSC CJ70 design for Noble.

The group’s net order book is at a new record high of S$14.4bn. 
 
 
Createwealth8888's Guesstimation
 
 
If net margin is too squeezed by more competitions, Kep Corp's earning should be okay.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Sunday 25 August 2013

Invest now to retire in comfort

invest, thesundaytimes August 25, 2013


Investment-linked plans, ETFs and unit trusts are options for average S'porean with little time

Createwealth8888:

Okay. Fair enough as Red Flag has been raised too.

"As regular-premium ILPs usually  pay the insurance coverage charges by selling fund units, the liquidated amount for a fund that performs poorly may not be sufficient to cover the rising insurance coverage costs as you get older, may thus erode the investment objective."

If not, Uncle8888 is going to ........ (You know what. Right?)


Read? Shocking Discovery On My ILP (Re-posting)

Don't ever get yourself a Time Bomb to explode during your retirement!




Knowing is not enough!!! (2)



Just For Thinking ....


Read? Knowing is not enough!!!

After a few years in investing, many retail investors will have read enough, hear enough, see enough and know enough what to do with their capital.

But few of them actually do what they know.

How come?


Knowing is not enough?


Tell me how many of them actually commit themselves to written investment strategies, plan, short-term goals e.g. Yearly; and long-term goals e.g. 10-Year and watch over them diligently so they can revise their investment strategies to meet their long-term goals when their short-term goals seem at risks of meeting their long-term goals and objectives.

Some may think that keeping records of their investment is the same as tracking and measuring their investment performance.

It is not!!!

Read? Measuring investment performance









Saturday 24 August 2013

The Story Of The Duck - Nice time for re-posting!



Uncle8888 was reading somewhere in the Cyber World some people complaining about their Market Maker!

Probably, it is nice time to do a re-posting of a story in 2009.


Read? The Story Of The Duck


CreateWealth8888:

The Market Makers play the role of the Bankers and especially true for markets such as covered warrants and retail forex.

The market sharks are also waiting at major technical charting points, turning points or levels and they have all the resources and expertise to know the charts better than anyone here and we are so naive to think that we can beat the market sharks at their game. So just open your eyes wide and understand why sometime market moves unexpectedly in the opposite direction - The Sharks are in Action!



Knowing is not enough!!!



Just For Laugh .....

$36 durian nice , come with vacuum pack.

9/kg can eat lah , $36 one big box.

















 
 
 
 
Where to buy?
 
Don't know.
 
 
Same as reading investment and stock tips in the Cyber world.
 
 
Knowing is not enough!!!
 
They never tell you where to buy.
 
Where is my durian?
 
$36 durian nice , come with vacuum pack.
 
 
Knowing is not enough!!!
 
We need to be able to buy leh.
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To be Greedy or To be Fearful or To be Patient???










 

















2013


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Since Uncle8888 has already met his 2013 Goal, what will be his investment strategy till end of the year?
 
 
To be Greedy?
To be Fearful?
To be little more Patient till tapering actually begins?
 


 
 
 

First-time car buyers disappearing fast

After financing restrictions kicked in, not many can afford the hefty downpayment

28134427
 
IT APPEARS the first-time car buyer is becoming a rare species in Singapore, saved from extinction only by wealthy parents - PHOTO: ST

Singapore

IT APPEARS the first-time car buyer is becoming a rare species in Singapore, saved from extinction only by wealthy parents.

According to some motor distributors here, the number of first-time buyers has dropped sharply from six months ago when the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) introduced vehicle financing restrictions. Since Feb 25, a 40 per cent cash downpayment is required if the OMV or open market value of the car being bought is below $20,000, and 50 per cent if the OMV is above $20,000.

So if the average entry-level car costs $120,000, then the 40 per cent downpayment would come up to $48,000.




Friday 23 August 2013

STI: To be Greedy or Fearful???





Thursday 22 August 2013

Dow Jones industrial average (^DJI) fell 105.52 points

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks ended lower in choppy trading on Wednesday after minutes from the U.S. Federal Reserve's July meeting offered few clues on the timing of a reduction in its bond-buying program.

Minutes from the meeting showed almost all the policymakers on the central bank's Federal Open Market Committee agreed that a change to the stimulus was not yet appropriate, and only a few thought it would soon be time to "slow somewhat" the pace of the stimulus policy.

"The minutes didn't tell us much. It tells us that like everybody else the Fed is confused and they are not getting any clear signals from the economy. That is what you see in an economy bumbling along at 2 percent," said Erik Davidson, deputy chief investment officer for Wells Fargo Private Bank in San Francisco.

The release of the minutes in midafternoon sparked volatility in equity markets, as the major indexes fluctuated between session lows and highs in the final hours of trading.

The volatility was exacerbated by light volume, with about 5.58 billion shares traded on the New York Stock Exchange, NYSE MKT and Nasdaq, below the daily average of 6.31 billion.

Yields on the 10-year U.S. Treasuries note rose after the announcement, touching 2.89 percent. (US/)

Market participants have been cautious recently, with the S&P 500 dropping for five of the past six sessions amid uncertainty over how soon the Fed will begin to wind down its $85 billion a month stimulus program.

"It's only a question of how much they are going to let up on the gas. There is no question they will not be tapping on the brakes," said Davidson.

Some Fed officials have said the policy, which has fueled Wall Street's steep gains this year, could be slowed as early as September, assuming economic growth meets its targets.

Economic data earlier on Wednesday showed U.S. home resales rose in July to their highest level in over three years, suggesting that a surge in mortgage rates is having only a limited impact on the housing market recovery.

The Dow Jones industrial average (^DJI) fell 105.52 points or 0.7 percent, to 14,897.47, the S&P 500 (^GSPC) lost 9.53 points or 0.58 percent, to 1,642.82 and the Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) dropped 13.801 points or 0.38 percent, to 3,599.79.

The Dow has fallen for six straight sessions, matching the longest losing streak since July 2012.


Wednesday 21 August 2013

Sembcorp joint venture to launch US$135m IPO in Oman

[SINGAPORE] Singapore's Sembcorp Industries Ltd said on Wednesday a joint venture that owns and operates a US$1 billion power and water plant in Oman will launch an initial public offering next week to raise around S$172.2 million (US$135 million).

(CW8888: Taking back 13.5% of the investment through this IPO

EI: Expected $36m and revaluation gain of $73m. Total = $109m)



Sembcorp Salalah Power and Water Co will offer 33.4 million existing ordinary shares, representing 35 per cent of its issued share capital, at 1.59 Omani rial or around S$5.17 per share. The IPO is set to be launched on the Muscat Securities Market on Aug 28.

Sembcorp Utilities, a unit of Sembcorp Industries, currently has a 60 per cent stake in the joint venture. Oman Investment Corp (OIC) owns 35 per cent and Bahrain-based BDCC Investment Company (BDCC) holds 5 per cent.

After the listing, Sembcorp will hold a 40 per cent stake, while OIC will have 21.9 per cent and BDCC 3.1 per cent. - Reuters

Malaysia next in crosshairs as Asian contagion risks grow


MRBB3821

[KUALA LUMPUR] Indebted, commodity-dependent Malaysia will be in investors' crosshairs on Wednesday as heavy selling of Indonesia and India's currencies threatens to spread to other Asian economies seen as most vulnerable to a withdrawal of US monetary stimulus.

After Indonesia, where concerns over a gaping current account deficit sparked a stock market and currency rout this week, Malaysia and neighbouring Thailand are seen as the most vulnerable Southeast Asian markets to contagion effects.

"There is a lot of resemblance to prior crises like 1997-98. We have had two countries going down, India and Indonesia, and now you have got to start thinking about the third and fourth countries," said Pradeep Mohinani, a Nomura credit analyst in Hong Kong.


"The likely candidates would be those with high fiscal deficits, slowing economies and high foreign ownership of government bonds. Thailand and Malaysia tick most of the boxes in that regard."

Economists say that both those countries, as well as the fast-growing Philippines, are to some extent protected from major turmoil by their much stronger external balances compared with Indonesia and India.

Tuesday 20 August 2013

Keppel to build fifth accommodation semi for Floatel at about US$280 million

Keppel FELS Limited (Keppel FELS) has been awarded a contract worth about US$280 million by Floatel International Ltd (Floatel), to build its fifth accommodation semisubmersible (semi) for delivery in 4Q 2015.

Keppel FELS previously delivered the accommodation semis, Floatel Superior and Floatel Reliance, in 2010 and is currently constructing two more - Floatel Victory and Floatel Endurance.

The new semi will be a sister vessel to Floatel Victory and will be built to Keppel's proprietary SSAUTM5000NG design.

Mr Wong Kok Seng, Managing Director (Offshore) of Keppel Offshore & Marine and Managing Director of Keppel FELS said, "We have a strong track record in the design and construction of accommodation semis. This fifth order is a reflection of the win-win partnership we have built with Floatel, the strength of our rig designs and the reliability of our execution. The SSAUTM5000NG is customised for operations in deep and harsh environments with world class safety and efficiency."

"I am pleased to report that work on Floatel Victory and Floatel Endurance are progressing on schedule and we look forward to providing yet another quality vessel to Floatel safely, on time and within budget."

Able to accommodate up to 500 persons in one- and two-man cabins, the new semi will have state of the art accommodation and recreational facilities which provide increased comfort for its occupants.

Mr Peter Jacobsson, CEO of Floatel said, "Floatel Superior and Floatel Reliance, which are in our operating fleet, are both committed on long term contract and our two new buildings, Floatel Victory and Floatel Endurance are committed for work immediately on delivery. This latest order is another significant addition to our fleet of high end accommodation vessels which will further enhance our offerings to the market."



Createwealth8888's estimated Order Book









The new semi will incorporate the latest technology such as Dynamic Positioning (DP) 3 capability and enhanced station-keeping, enabling it to operate securely alongside fixed platforms, floating platforms and Floating Production Storage and Offloading Vessels, with a full complement of deck cranes, large open deck area, workshops and fire fighting capabilities.

Mr Jacobsson added, "In teaming up with Keppel FELS, we are able to assure our customers of having a technologically advanced rig which is environmentally friendly and cost efficient. Gauging from past deliveries, we have always received the rigs on time or ahead of time and I am confident it will be the same for our next rigs to be delivered, which can then start work earlier for our customers."

Floating accommodation platforms are needed to provide additional living quarters for drilling and production personnel. Such support is required during hook-up and commissioning in the development phase, for maintenance and upgrading during the production phase, as well as for decommissioning.
This latest contract is not expected to have any material impact on the net tangible assets and earnings per share of Keppel Corporation Limited for the current financial year.

Saving, Lending and Investing (5) - Revisit



Read? Saving, Lending and Investing (5)

Stop comparing





 


Book: Taming the Money Sharks.


Quite an easy read for beginners and good enough for newbies to avoid becoming victims from shark attack!


Available at NLB.


Read? Who Moves My Market?


Read? Do and Don't in Investing - Re-Visit!








 

Wall Street falls for fourth straight session as Fed eyed

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks lost ground on Monday, with each of the major indexes falling for a fourth straight session, as investors were hesitant to make new bets ahead of an expected shift in Federal Reserve policy that could lead to higher interest rates.

The declines marked the longest losing streak of the year for the Dow and S&P 500, while the Nasdaq matched its longest string of declines since mid-June.

The Nasdaq was positive for most of the session, spurred by gains in technology shares, such as Apple Inc and Google Inc , before selling pressure in the last hour of trading turned the index negative. Apple shares gained 1.1 percent to $507.74 while Google advanced 1 percent to $865.65.

The Fed's policy of buying large amounts of bonds in an attempt to keep interest rates low has been a major force in the nearly 16 percent gain in the benchmark S&P 500 for the year. But many analysts expect that to change at the Fed's September policy meeting.

With a relatively light calendar this week for economic indicators, market participants are focused on the minutes from the July Fed meeting, due on Wednesday, for possible clues into policymakers' thinking.

"The market is just sitting on its hands right now until Wednesday with the Fed," said Terry Morris, senior equity manager for National Penn Investors Trust Company in Reading, Pennsylvania.

"The market has made a big run year-to-date and now investors have to consider the possibility of rising interest rates that could be for real, because the economy is growing for real, as opposed to all the stimulus and there is the possibility of the stimulus tapering."

Growing concerns about a pullback in the program contributed to the Dow's largest weekly drop in more than a year last week. In the bond market, the U.S. benchmark 10-year note yield touched a two-year high of 2.90 percent on Monday.

Market breadth deteriorated in the latter stages of trading. The cumulative net of trades on listed stocks was slanted by over 32,000 to the negative, the largest disparity since June 20, the day after Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke said the Fed could reduce its bond-buying plan.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.dji> fell 71.11 points or 0.47 percent, to 15,010.36, the S&P 500 <.spx> lost 9.77 points or 0.59 percent, to 1,646.06 and the Nasdaq Composite <.ixic> dropped 13.692 points or 0.38 percent, to 3,589.086.

The S&P 500 closed below its 50-day moving average for a second consecutive session, a technical support level which could portend further declines.


Monday 19 August 2013

STI ETF for passive retail investors. What is your total return since 2008? (4)



STI ETF for passive retail investors. What is your total return since 2008? (3)


Createwealth8888:

Soon we can DIY our own version of STI ETF!!!





 

 

 

SGX seeks to reduce standard board lot size to 100 units

 
 
SINGAPORE: The Singapore Exchange (SGX) is seeking to reduce the standard board lot size of securities listed on the exchange from 1,000 to 100 units.

SGX is consulting the public on the proposed move, before it makes a formal application to the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

In a statement released on Monday, SGX said it aims to introduce the smaller board lot size by the first quarter of next year. It added that this move is "subject to regulatory approval and member readiness".

This proposal is being made with a view to reduce the standard board lot size to one unit in the longer term.


SGX said the smaller board lot size will benefit both retail and institutional investors.

Retail investors will find investing in index component stocks and blue chips more affordable, and need not be limited to lower-priced penny stocks.

Institutional investors will be able to better manage their risk exposures through finer asset allocation of funds.

The proposed standard board lot size of 100 units will apply to ordinary shares, real estate investment trusts, business trusts, company warrants, structured warrants, extended settlement contracts and shares on GlobalQuote.

But board lot sizes for exchange traded funds - barring the SPDR STI ETF and ABF SG Bond Fund - American Deposit Receipts and fixed income instruments, including Singapore Government Securities and preference shares, will remain unchanged. 

STI ETF for passive retail investors. What is your total return since 2008? (3)


Just For Thinking ....


STI ETF for passive retail investors. What is your total return since 2008? (2)

  •  
  • asked:
  •  
    "What would the return look like if you invested a fixed some into STI ETF (instead of 1 lot) ?"
  •  
     
     
     

     
    Let us invest between $3,306 and $3,756 i.e. buying more unit shares when STI ETF stock price is lower.
     
     
    As of last Friday, 16 Aug 2013 STI ETF closing stock price:
     
     
    Total Return = 24.2%
     
    Annualised Total Return is about 4.8%
     
     
    Happy?
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    Sunday 18 August 2013

    STI ETF for passive retail investors. What is your total return since 2008? (2)


    Just For Thinking ....


    Read? STI ETF for passive retail investors. What is your total return since 2008?


    Let continue with this dollar averaging in STI ETF similuated portfolio.

    What is the monthly Total Return since 2008?




    By nature, stock market is volatile. STI ETF is the market so be mentally prepared to ride the roller coaster ride across market cycles of Bull and Bear.




    Your Money??? Really is yours???



    Just For Laugh ....

    One wise man's word: Whatever money a person has, it is just a number. The money is not yours until you spend it.


    Createwealth8888:

    We better pray very hard not to be hit by dementia too early; otherwise we didn't even know money is just a number.


    Get an idea what to do when you still know how to count your money?








    Keppel celebrates 45 years (2)


    Just For Thinking ....


    Read? Keppel celebrates 45 years

    In commemoration of its 45th Anniversary, themed “Shaping the Future”, Keppel Corporation commits $12 million to National Art Gallery, Singapore in support of its centre for art education, to be named Keppel Centre for Art Education

    Committed to shaping the future, Keppel Corporation presented, as a gift to children of Singapore, the commitment of $12 million to National Art Gallery for its centre for art education, which will be named Keppel Centre for Art Education.






    Has Kep Corp forgot about its own shareholders in commemoration of its 45th Anniversary?



    Uncle8888 has just realised that ...


    In 2013, its shareholders are rewarded with ....


    H2 FY2012, final dividend of cash: $0.27 and dividend in specie: $0.274.

    Total of $0.544

    H1 FY2013, interim dividend of cash: $0.10 and dividend in specie: $0.108

    Total of $0.208

    Grand Total of dividends in 2013: $0.752!!!

    So, for Uncle8888, it has been translated to Yield on Investment Cost in 2013 for his three positions in Kep Corp as 57.1%, 23.4%, and 6.2% respectively.


    Thank you for not forgetting us in celebrating your 45 years!

    It is the highest in your dividend history for the year: 2013!

    Looking forward to celebrating 50 years and bigger reward waiting for shareholders?














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