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

Wednesday 29 April 2015

Money not enough, say millionaires: UBS

 
 
Seems millionaires are beset by stress and anxiety like the rest of the general population and part of that fear is they could lose it all, and then have to join the hoi polloi.

No matter how much wealth is accumulated, they fear they could lose it all with one wrong move, according to a UBS report released on Wednesday.

Half of those with US$1-5 million are afraid that one major setback such as job loss or market crash would have a significant impact on their lifestyle, versus 34 per cent of those with US$5 plus million.
For millionaire parents working full-time, the anxiety is even greater - 63 per cent feel that one major setback would have a significant impact on their lifestyle.

The Swiss bank surveyed 2,215 US investors with more than US$1 million in net worth for the report, UBS Investor Watch, a quarterly US publication analysing investor sentiment and behaviour.
It revealed that while millionaires recognise their good fortune, they feel compelled to strive for more and also their desire to protect their families' lifestyle, and an ever-present fear of losing it all.

"As a result, many feel stuck on a treadmill, without a real sense of how much wealth would make them satisfied enough to get off," the report said.

"The majority of millionaires say they have worked hard to earn their wealth and appreciate the lifestyle it affords them and their families.

"But enough never seems to be enough - even the wealthiest continue on the treadmill to achieve a better life," said Paula Polito, UBS Wealth Management Americas, client strategy officer.

Having worked hard for their millions, they feel they need even more to live the luxurious lifestyle.
The survey found that more than three-quarters of millionaires (77 per cent) grew up middle class or below. Working their way up the socioeconomic ranks was a conscious aim, as 61 per cent aspired to become millionaires and 65 per cent felt it was an important milestone to reach the US$1 million mark.

Fifty-eight per cent of millionaires report feeling increased expectations for their standard of living over the last 10 years.

Those with US$1 million want US$2 million; those with US$10 million want US$25 million.

Young millionaires are the most anxious, it seems.

They are constantly checking to see how much their peers have and worry about funding their lifestyles.
Millennials are more insecure and conscious about how their wealth compares to that of peers (68 per cent of millennials vs 53 per cent of baby boomers). Millennials are seen as those born from the early 1980s while baby boomers were born after the second world war.

With so much of their peers' lifestyle and spending information available online and through social media, millennials are most likely to say they feel pressure to "keep up with the Joneses" the report said.
"This sense of competition manifests itself in their career decisions and personal behaviour," it said.

For example, millennials are more likely to feel pressure to work long hours (49 per cent of millennials vs 28 per cent of boomers). Three-quarters of millennials have checked online for their peers' salary, career history, home price or purchases (74 per cent for millennials vs 57 per cent for boomers).

Even though millennials who are already millionaires are typically very successful, only 48 per cent believe they've "made it".

"They are the least content with their wealth and most likely to fear losing it. They also worry more about not having enough wealth to live the life they want."

On Blog Leave From 30 Apr to 1 May


Read? Discovering Johore by Bus and Walk - Mersing


This time to Masai, Johore. Exploring Johore by Bus and Walk.






Tuesday 28 April 2015

The remarkable life and lessons of the $8 million janitor


 Read? The remarkable life and lessons of the $8 million janitor

Avoid speculating; own blue chips: What did he buy? He owned 95 stocks, with many blue chips among them: Procter & Gamble, JPMorgan Chase, General Electric, Johnson & Johnson, Dow Chemical. He also owned consumer names such as J.M. Smucker and CVS Health. Like an investor named Warren Buffett, he avoided technology stocks and the hot stocks of the moment.
He did not own a concentrated portfolio; instead, he had a diversified portfolio with lots of companies in many sectors. This diversification allowed him to spread the risk broadly. Even owning failures such as Lehman Brothers had only a modest impact on his returns.


CW8888: Blue chips Great Grand Pa!

Is Never Wrong to take profits?

 

 

Monday 27 April 2015

DBS first-quarter profit rises 3% as interest income increases

SINGAPORE: DBS Group’s net profit rose 10 per cent year-on-year to a record S$1.27 billion in the first quarter of 2015, the bank announced on Monday (Apr 27).

Said Chief Executive Officer Piyush Gupta: “DBS started the year on a solid footing, with strong all-round performance yet again. Despite a slowdown in trade volumes, the bank’s first-quarter earnings reached a record high. This is testament to the strength and resilience of the DBS franchise. We will continue to grow our business, while keeping a watchful eye on the economy.”

The spike in profit came as DBS’ total income grew 12 per cent to S$2.74 billion, amid net interest income and non-interest income reaching new highs. The growth was broad-based across all business units, the bank said in a news release.

Net interest income increased 14 per cent to S$1.69 billion. Loans grew by 11 per cent to S$281 billion, as an increase in regional corporate borrowing and secured consumer loans was partially offset by a decline in trade loans, DBS said.

The bank’s non-interest income crossed S$1 billion for the first time, rising 9 per cent to S$1.05 billion. The fee income increased 10 per cent to S$560 million. Meanwhile, contributions from wealth management rose 43 per cent from higher unit trust and insurance sales, and fees from credit and debit cards rose 23 per cent.
Other non-interest income grew 7 per cent to S$486 million. Income from investment securities tripled to S$103 million amid profits from government securities.

All business units also attained record income, said DBS. The Consumer Banking/Wealth Management income rose 29 per cent to S$861 million, and income from Institutional Banking came in at 5 per cent higher, at S$1.35 billion. Meanwhile, Treasury income rose 38 per cent to S$386 million.

There was also a one-time gain of S$136 million during the quarter, from the disposal of a property investment in Hong Kong.

DBS’ total expenses rose 13 per cent to S$1.18 billion, in line with income growth. Profit before allowances were up 10 per cent to S$1.56 billion.

Total allowances were 20 per cent higher at S$181 million, but general allowances of S$21 million were lower than a year ago.



Sunday 26 April 2015

Diversify or Concentrate???



Not exactly how to fix his investing strategy into the commonly known investing theme - Diversify or Concentrate?

Uncle8888 is more of Diversify into rounds after rounds and leaving behind some Concentrate for storage like fake orange or apple juice.

His top three holding value of Kep Corp, Sembcorp Ind, and DBS at last Friday market closing price plus all past realized short-term P/L and accumulated dividends as percentage of his net worth. 

Recently, he has been selling down his stake in DBS to return money to His CPF.

CPF is Good for him!






Wah! Your CPF Solid!!!



This colleague said Uncle8888's CPF sibei solid. He still have a few more years to go with his housing loan.

He have upgraded; but Uncle8888 is still living in his 28 years old 4-room HDB flat.

In life, we will have to live with some trade off since most of us have limited capability and ability. We will live under those decisions which we have made in the past for a long time. If Uncle8888 hasn't fought off his wife over the years not to upgrade, today his CPF will be jialiat too!


A bigger house is a bigger asset; but we have to make a U-Turn to monetize the net value. There is no free lunch!







Saturday 25 April 2015

Size Matters!!!


Ask the lions and tigers about adult elephants!

Are you the elephants in generating passive income?






 


More Financial Educators nowadays than in Jan 2000



Luckily, when Uncle8888 seriously started his short-term trading and long-term investing journey to his financial independence there were LESSER financial educators trying to make some money from small retail traders/investors like him than making big monies themselves from Mr. Market.

Even listening to some investors telling their personal investing  stories also need to pay $1XX.

Join SIAS as associate members with no membership cost and you can attend many free seminars. This is what Uncle8888 was doing in those past years. 

Go to SIAS website and find out more yourself. One important thing to do as retail investors is proactive. You go and search for your own information instead of waiting for someone to spoon feed you with details. 

Get it?




We can be seriously distracted by too many testimonials, loud shouting in cyber space and lost ourselves when searching for better mouse traps.

Who can we believe now?

What can you do as newbies?

 


Friday 24 April 2015

I Can't Retire At 62!!!


Read? Retirement Income for Life??? (14)

Two persons have came back to tell Uncle8888 after their simulation they can't retire at 62 when they have initially thought so. They have to cut their assumed living expenses farther in order to retire at 62 or hopefully their retirement age will be extended to 65 by Govt.






Sembcorp clinches power-purchase deal for gas-fired power plant in Myanmar



SEMBCORP Industries has made its foray into Myanmar's power market.

On Friday, its wholly owned subsidiary, Sembcorp Utilities, received the notice of award to develop and operate a 225-megawatt gas-fired power plant in central Myanmar by the Myanmar Electric Power Enterprise (MEPE), a division under the Ministry of Electric Power of Myanmar.

The US$300 million power plant, located in the Myingyan district of Mandalay division, is set to be the largest gas-fired independent power plant in Myanmar.

The plant is expected to be completed in 2017 and will supply power to MEPE under a 22-year power-purchase agreement. Sembcorp will have at least an 80 per cent stake in the project.

Wednesday 22 April 2015

What is Wealthy?


If you would sell bonds for a living, for the sheer joy itself – the act of efficiently allocating capital or whatever you tell yourself – then you don’t care what your actual bonus is today from Goldman.  So what if you’re down 25% from last year, or you’re up 100%?  Who cares?   You love it!  If you’d do it anyway, and you can afford to do it, then you are a wealthy person. - See more at: http://www.bankers-anonymous.com/blog/what-is-wealthy/#sthash.Op4f1W75.0dKNdZoB.dpuf

Read? What is Wealthy?


Becoming wealthy in this manner, most of us should be able to achieve it.


Many times Uncle8888 has told his peers. You folks are lucky to be have one less competitor for your year-end bonus, salary increment and promotion.



Tuesday 21 April 2015

Rule of 72!!!


$100K passive income per year! 


Sibei impressive!!!


@10% dividend yield. One needs $1M or 1,000,000 dollars!

7.2 years ago, @10% dividend yield. One needs $0.5M or 500,000 dollars to begin with continue forward!

Again another 7.2 years ago, @10% dividend yield. One needs $0.25M or 250,000 dollars to begin with and continue forward!


Again another 7.2 years ago, @10% dividend yield. One needs $0.125M or 125,000 dollars to begin with and continue forward!


Again another 7.2 years ago, @10% dividend yield. One needs $0.0625M or 62,500 dollars to begin with and continue forward!


How old were you when you have $0.0625M or 62,500 dollars to begin with?

To be able to re-invest @ 10% CAGR for 28 years, who are you as an retail investor?




It is about value, not price???



It is about value, not price?

Is not wrong; but exactly right!


It is about value. It is about price! It is about position size

For small retail long-RUN investors with limited investing capital, lower price means more shares acquired at the same investment cost. In holding stocks in our portfolio, a larger position at the same cost is easier to manage during its life-cycle in our portfolio. We can pyramid them out and in across market cycles and still grow Money Trees!


A larger stock position will enable meaningful partial profit taking strategy over rounds after rounds and we still have large enough position size leaving behind to have meaningful impact to our net worth.

How much impact to our net worth when we only have 1,000 or 2,000 shares for our rare multi-baggers?

Uncle8888 would have keep his big mouth shut if his position size in Kep Corp is not his No 1 Top holding in his portfolio. 

 

 

Monday 20 April 2015

Retirement Income for Life??? (14)


Read? Retirement Income for Life??? (13)

This is reverse engineering to your investing. After this simulation, you will know:

(1) How much is enough for you?

(2) How much more you will need to build up your war chest?

(3) What is your expected ROC for your new investment?


(4) Review whether your expected ROC is realistic to achieve? 


(5) If no, you have to save harder for a bigger war chest.
















Sunday 19 April 2015

This Noble Group's Chairman - Sound bites


When Chairman or CEO who is also the largest shareholder ... retail shareholders are not their customers. Bo Hew. LOL!

The Moral of the Story ...  look for GLC's owned stocks where CEOs are just employees with imposed KPIs from the Board. :-)






How To Take Partial Profit In The Bull Market???



Some of us may like to sell part of of our position to take partial profit in the bull market e.g. sell XX% as our profit taking strategy.


Uncle8888 doesn't like to downsize on his initial positions when these stocks are sitting on wide margin of safety with dream of yield. 

In our lifetime in investing; how often can we get that many stocks so right!

Not many. Right? So we happily cut some because the stock market volatility has made us so nervous and lose our sleep.

When is stock market NEVER volatile?


We must be mentally and financially prepared for market volatility throughout our lifetime in investing.


We remember these wise words

"It's not whether you're right or wrong that's important, but how much money you make when you're right and how much you lose when you're wrong." ~ George Soros




How does Uncle like to take his profit during the Bull market?

Buy more of it but at much smaller position during Bull market to take partial profit!

See for yourself. 



 







But unfortunate event always seem to happen!
 



 



Retirement Income for Life??? (13)



Read? Retirement Income for Life??? (12) - Re-posting


An improved version for us to simulate and know (1) how much is enough to retire and (2) how hard we have to make our investment portfolio work for us?

Not everybody needs $50K passive income from our investment income to live our lifestyle.  

For example, like Uncle8888's colleague who doesn't like overseas travel and vacation so he doesn't see the need for Passport.


Ordinary retirees in Singapore are likely to depend on combination of their investment portfolio, CPF OA, CPF SA and CPF Life and supported by some level of emergency cash and adequate medical coverage that fix our daily lifestyle. Everyday, we treat ourselves 365 days a year and year after year  in B1, B2 or C Ward; but when we are suddenly sick; we "demand" A ward treatment. 

That is strange! Guilty conscience at play or what?

 
Try it out your yourself!

 
Email Uncle8888 if you like to have a copy.









Saturday 18 April 2015

The Most Important Financial Image Here!!!


Hardly any investment or financial bloggers seriously talk about Human Asset as part of financial education.


But, here. Uncle8888 keeps mentioning it. He realized it should be part of financial education. We can become rich and achieve financial independence through our human asset and NOT necessary through financial assets.


When we are younger, our human asset is the most important asset that keeps producing sustainable and growing cash flow in the form of salaries, commissions, fees, bonuses, etc.




Younger folks in their 20s; don't get overly excited over financial asset as your road to financial independence. Who knows you have been identified as the talent to be developed for your company's future leadership position.


When we reach our late 30s or early 40s, most of us should already know deep in our heart that option of our human asset to achieve financial independence has expired as we cannot see ourselves climbing higher up the corporate ladder to earn million dollars pay package.



BTW, we must not think that other people in our office are not watching what we are doing above our assigned activities. Remember, we are their competitor when come to distribution of annual rewards, bonus, compensation and recommendation for promotion.






Don't play play in the office. Eyes are watching and walls have ears!



 

How to become rich in stocks??? (27)


Read? How to become rich in stocks??? (26)


How many times have you read this?

Is never wrong to take profit?


Depending who are you asking?


Ask Uncle8888?

His answer ....

Yes and No!

Never wrong but not exactly right!


You are getting confused?




Uncle8888 has done both. Sell and Never Sell!

So this is not a theory and also not a concept.

Real People. Real Story here!

First, you must try to understand Uncle8888's Wealth Formula:

Wealth = Asset Value + Cash Flow

We create wealth from the stock market from high appreciating asset value (best are those multi-baggers) and receive (1) year after year of cash flow from dividends from these assets or (2) cash flow by taking small profit and return the asset back to the market and kill off future cash flow. Cash is King only when we can safely buy back similar asset value with the same level of cash flow. 

Buying back is not difficult. You may like to think so.

How many times have you try to do it? 

Uncle8888 has tried to buy back so many times. Try until sianz! 

So he knows what he is talking. Remember his Round X or Round XX. But, after 15 years, he still haven't hit his first Round 100 announcement. Sianz!


Self consolation. He is not full time trader! 




Next, you must try to understand when you should be taking small profits and when you should NOT even try to take small profits.




Hard to understand?

So cheem?











Profiting from the Bull market and profiting from the Bear market is never the same.



Buying in the late Bull and don't know how to take profits; soon you are going to regret and feel sorry!

When we buy in the Bull and especially buying in the late Bull, we must make our money from cash flow by realizing profits and even small profits; but buying in the late Bear, it is different story. 

Knowing that difference is how you can become richer from stocks.



No BS! No Snake Oil Selling here!


Based on his personal experience from last GFC as PART-TIME retail investor and after so many years; he finally realized that it is not that easy to become rich from cash flow by taking small profits.

Those who can they will trade full time for a living. Some also "can"; but teach full-time to show you can do it part-time.



Here is the case study on his Kep Corp.


Walan! 

Keep talking about Keppel.

Sianz bo Uncle! 

Some tulan folks may start to Twit or comment in their Facebook to show their displeasure!


But never mind. Old man likes "Wa Ka Li Kong!" Bo hew!




What happened when he never sell for 13.6 years since Sep 2001?



407% or 12.7% CAGR from cash flow over 13.6 yrs and add in value asset into Wealth Formula. BTW, it is not including $0.36 that will be XD on 22 Apr 15.

It is 1,009% or 19.9% CAGR over 13.6 years as of 17 Apr 15 market closing price.


























What happened when he buy and sell over 13.6 years since Sep 2001 for 94 rounds?

Read? Kep Corp : Bought @ $9.64 for Round 95

His total cash flow by taking small profits is about 564% and that is an average of about 6% per round.

If he takes 1,009% from "Never sell but receive cash flow from dividends" and divided by 94 rounds and that is an average of about 11% per round of earnING and earnED.


Did you see the difference?


One is doing nothing more. Shake leg and collect money dropping from Money Tree. The other one is analyzing hard to find where to collect money. Siao bo?















Buying in the Bull or especially in late Bull you better learn to take small profit fast and survive.



But, how do know we are in late Bull?

So, just sell and take small profit. It is that simple. Is never wrong to take profit in the Bull.

But; buying in the late Bear and by taking small profit in the Bull or especially in the early Bull, it is quite certain that you are going to miss out the rare opportunity of becoming richer from stocks. 


Cash flow by taking small profit and Cash flow from collecting dividends is different. We must try to understand how our mind think of cash flow. 

One is "scare to lose". Take first!

The other one is "no scare". Why scare? Got cash flow coming. Scare for what?




How to become rich from stocks?

Back to Uncle8888's Wealth Formula again.

Stock Wealth = Sitting on volatile unrealized high asset value (best are those multi-baggers) + growing cash flow. (growth dividend stocks)

Repeating it over long run by adding more stocks soon you will become richer and richer and then become rich enough to change to Sustainable Retirement Income For Life investing strategy.




Not actionable?


How do we know it is buying in late Bear and selling in the early Bull?

This is the precisely the reason why not many retail investors become richer from stocks.  Right?




Most can write with one hand. How about writing with both hand at the same time?


 








Thursday 16 April 2015

Why choose to return money to CPF OA to earn 2.5% CAGR for DBS?


You sold your pillow stock?

Read? DBS : Sold @ $21.04


You can see the recent rise in DBS stock price has made its dividend @ $0.58 not so attractive as cash flow for volatile asset comparing to the 2.5% interest earned in CPF OA as fixed asset.

It is a small premium paid to trade off for a peace of mind on the road to the next Bear market.
















Kep Corp 1Q 2015 REPORT CARD


1. Net Profit up 6% to S$360 million, compared to 1Q 2014's S$339 million.
 
2. Earnings per Share was 19.8 cents, up 6% from 1Q 2014's 18.7 cents.

3. Annualised Return on Equity was 12.9%.

4. Economic Value Added decreased from S$186 million to S$103 million.

5. Free cash inflow of S$226 million.

6. Net gearing was 0.37x.










DBS : Sold @ $21.04


Round 19: ROC +178%, 4,385 days, B $7.53 S $21.04


Round 18: ROC +144.7%, 2,174 days, B $8.27 S $20.31
Round 17: ROC - 31.1%, 232 days, B $24.20 S $16.80 
Round 16: ROC - 21.6%, 222 days, B $23.20 S $18.32
Round 15: ROC - 18.1%, 186 days, B $22.90 S $18.88
Round 14: ROC - 9.2%, 70 days, B $21.00 S $19.20
Round 13: ROC +9%, 65 days, B $20.50 S $22.50
Round 12: ROC +10.6%, 8 days, B $20.50 S $22.60


Total Return: 283% over 12 years or 11.8% CAGR!

Return money back to CPF OA




 

Gu Shen Feeling??? (3)



Read? Gu Shen Feeling??? (2)

The Most Important Question to clarify with your "Guru" at investment seminars or events?


Next time when your Gurus are talking about their great investment return, you should ask them the most important question.


Is this stock of your BEST investment return also your TOP holding for many year across market cycles?


From their answers, you do your own thinking?

Luck or Conviction?

See the difference!

Who don't want to make more money as investors or traders when they are so convicted of their stock pick?




Wednesday 15 April 2015

Sembcorp expands China wind farm business


SINGAPORE: Sembcorp Industries said on Wednesday (Apr 15) it will build a 150-megawatt wind farm in the Hebei province, further expanding its renewable energy business in China.

Construction of the wind farm in Laoshibeihe will start this year, with completion expected by the second half of 2017. The wind farm will cost about around S$300 million and Sembcorp’s share of the equity investment will amount to around S$45 million.

Separately, another wind farm in Jiedijianhe with a 48-megawatt power capacity has commenced operation and is supplying power to the Hebei South grid.

Sembcorp's green facilities include a biomass station and an energy-from-waste facility in the UK, energy-from-waste operations in Singapore and wind power assets in China. The Singapore firm also co-owns and operates wind and solar power assets in India.

Gu Shen Feeling??? (2)


 Read? Gu Shen Feeling???


That "Gu Shen" feeling is back again!

We are now seeing more bloggers exhibiting that "Gu Shen" feeling. 

We can also see some of their followers openly praising and thanking their "Shen" for helping them to make money.

STI is at the highest since Oct 2007.

Soon there will more "Shens" showing off as there are definitely many more investment bloggers now than in 2007.

Beware if you are followers!








Many Years Of Dividiends Upfront is Good. Easy To Buy Back???



It is not until you try your hand on short-term trading and long-term investing at the same time. How do you know?





Monday 13 April 2015

Lian Beng’s 9MFY2015 profit to shareholders up 5.7% to S$53.9 million


9MFY2015 revenue up 6.3% to S$569.9 million mainly due to higher revenue from construction segment from the on-going and new construction projects, despite the substantial revenue recognition from industrial project M-Space in 9MFY2014

Construction order book stood at approximately S$640 million as at 28 February 2015, providing sustainable flow activities through FY2017

Group’s cash and cash equivalents stood at S$153.6 million as at 28 February 2015, ready to fund potential investment opportunities

Co-development of workers’ dormitory and training centre for ASPRI expected to complete in mid-2016, contributing to Group’s recurring income thereafter



Keppel Infrastructure Trust Unaudited Results for the First Quarter Ended 31 March 2015

1Q2015 RESULTS HIGHLIGHTS

1. Cash generated from operations was $13.5 million for 1Q 2015 compared to $14.4 million for 1Q 2014. The lower cash generated from operations was mainly due to the transaction costs paid in relation to the proposed transaction with CitySpring Infrastructure Trust and the acquisition of a 51% stake in Keppel Merlimau Cogen Pte Ltd.

2. Group revenue for 1Q 2015 was $16.6 million, 1.1% lower than 1Q 2014. Operation and maintenance income was $12.8 million, 0.5% higher compared to 1Q 2014.

3. Profit after tax for 1Q 2015 was $4.3 million, resulting in earnings per unit (EPU) of 0.68 cents for the quarter, which was 21.4% higher compared to 1Q 2014 due to lower electricity costs and lower trust expenses.

4. Net asset value per unit as at 31 March 2015 was $0.90 compared to $0.94 as at 31 December 2014, mainly due to the distribution payment of 4.69 cents per unit on 13 February 2015.

Keppel REIT Unaudited Results for the First Quarter 2015

Keppel REIT's 1Q 2015 distribution income up approximately 18% q-o-q

Achieves DPU growth of 13% q-o-q,
Upward trend of office rental reversion gathers momentum
with 19% growth in rental rates in 1Q 2015
  • Sustained level of distributable income year-on-year ("y-o-y") notwithstanding the expiry of rental support from the 87.5% interest in Ocean Financial Centre in January 2015, the absence of income contribution from Prudential Tower and the absence of rental support from Marina Bay Financial Centre ("MBFC") Phase One
  • Distribution per Unit ("DPU") grew 13% quarter-on-quarter ("q-o-q") to 1.70 cents due to a full-quarter contribution from MBFC Tower 3 and stronger performance from Bugis Junction Towers
  • Successfully reviewed two-thirds of the leases due in 2015, all with positive rent reversions
  • Achieved positive rental rate reversion of 19% for all office leases signed, renewed and reviewed in 1Q 2015
  • High tenant retention rate of approximately 96% in 1Q 2015
  • Close to 80% of total leases are not due for renewal till 2017 and beyond
  • Maintained high committed portfolio occupancy of 99.3%, with nine of 11 completed office towers in Singapore and Australia fully committed
  • Proactive capital management strategy saw the maiden issuance of a seven-year $50 million fixed-rate Medium Term Notes, which is due in 2022
  • Over 80% of borrowings are not due for repayment till 2017 and beyond
  • Continuing the upward trend of office rental reversions, Keppel REIT's current strong portfolio will continue to deliver sustainable distributions for FY2015

Sunday 12 April 2015

The Need to be Weathy Is Not equal to Pursuing Financial Independence???


Of course, Uncle8888 knows you love your works/job so much that you are NOT keen to pursue financial independence when staying employed becomes an option. 

You also don't care about freedom of time and don't mind being scheduled for most of your time.

BUT. Like it or not. We all need to learn to become wealthy. Being wealthy, we don't have to worry about paying our next bills.  





The Most Important financial education image which has been shared with many by Uncle8888 ...

Not pursuing financial independence?

Never mind. It is okay!

But, at least you can be inspired and learn to become wealthy. 

Still No?





Saturday 11 April 2015

Does Experience With Past Market Cycles Made Us Wiser and Profitable??? (3)


Read? Does Experience With Past Market Cycles Made Us Wiser and Profitable??? (2)

Looking back on hindsight and learning from past experience.


A larger war chest with spread out buying when the market down at least 20% i.e. technically enter into a bear market.

A larger war chest is something Uncle8888 regretted not preparing for it in 2007. 

Let see how far off in his market timing when he had a larger war chest to spread out his buying before GFC for his top three holding - Kep Corp, Sembcorp, and DBS.






You die. I die. Doctors also die???


Last week, Uncle8888 visited his 84 years old relative who has suffered heart attack but manage to recover from the attack to stay alive. 

His doctor has advised him to go for heart by-pass, stent, or balloon; or else he will die soon.

He refused to do anything. He said nobody is going to change his mind.

He said he is 84 and lives long enough to face his Lord!


When his doctor told him that he will die if he chooses to do nothing. 

He told me that he replied to his doctor: "You die. I die. Doctors also die!". His doctor said: : "Ya." and smiled.



Does Experience With Past Market Cycles Made Us Wiser and Profitable??? (2)



Read? Does Experience With Past Market Cycles Made Us Wiser and Profitable???



Kep Corp


Since acquiring the first position in 18 Sep 2001, with more than 13 years of holding it for dividends and further supported by 94 rounds of trading gains

SembCorp Ind


Since acquiring the first position in 24 Dec 2002, with more than 12 years of holding it for dividends and further supported by 53 rounds of trading gains.


So what!

We will bear the consequence of "losses" when we get our market timing wrong. Anything else is about consolation or comforting ourselves we are going to be alright soon!





SCI - Hmm ... Are the Pros closing it? A series of white candles!


Thursday 9 April 2015

Does Experience With Past Market Cycles Made Us Wiser and Profitable???



Uncle8888 has been probing those white-hair Zebras around in his office; but his probing results didn't show that experience with past market cycles made us wiser and profitable. Once we were badly burnt; we are likely to chop our fingers and stay away from the market.


He is 55+. He couldn't meet his CPF Minimum Sum so his 5-Rm HDB flat was automatically pledged.

He confessed he lost heavily during AFC and especially in CLOB saga.

He still remember those days of just watching TeleText and made easy money doing active contra trading. 

One particular stock, he could remember so well - Van Horst. (Oldies may know this stock). He "contra-ed" for seven times in one week and made lots of money.

In pre-AFC days, CPF members could draw out their profits to spend; but losses were retained in their CPF investment account. This was how CPF members hold on their losses but spent away their profits on expenses. Shiok?


Read? In Investing, ACCOUNT SIZE really MATTERS! Why???


Read? What was I thinking and feeling in Mar 2009 Bear market low? (2) - Re-posted



Createwealth8888 till today can still remember clearly when two very experienced cyber investing kakis in the stock market who believed in their favourite and trusted Guru's view in Mar 2009 were congratulating themselves for staying very cash rich in Mar 2009. One was 90% cash and the other 100% cash!!! 

 

Wednesday 8 April 2015

DBS, Manulife ink US$1.2b regional distribution deal

SINGAPORE: DBS Bank and Manulife Financial Asia on Wednesday (Apr 8) announced a 15-year regional distribution agreement whereby the Canadian insurance group will pay the Singapore lender an initial US$1.2 billion (S$1.6 billion).

The exclusive life partnership, which takes effect on Jan 1, 2016, will cover Singapore, Hong Kong, China and Indonesia. DBS' current bancassurance agreement with Aviva will conclude at the end of 2015.

Manulife will gain access to DBS' large and growing retail, wealth and small and medium enterprise (SME) customer base of 6 million, while DBS will be able to sell a suite of life and health insurance solutions from Manulife through its branch network as well as via its internet and mobile banking platforms.

Besides the initial payment of US$1.2 billion, Manulife will also make ongoing, variable payments to DBS "based on the success of the partnership", the two firms said in a joint statement.

The bancassurance model - which involves selling insurance through banks as opposed to the traditional agency - is lucrative for commercial banks in Asia because global insurers are willing to pay hefty fees for access to lenders' branch networks.

According to Reuters, AIA Group struck a 15-year exclusive deal with Citibank in Asia in 2013, for which AIA made a US$800 million upfront payment. UK insurer Prudential also struck an agreement last year with Standard Chartered, agreeing to pay US$1.25 billion in fees to extend its current agreement for 15 years.
DBS CEO Mr Piyush Gupta said: “Bancassurance is a key focus for DBS and an important part of our overall customer value proposition."

Manulife is the world's sixth-largest life insurer with principal operations in Asia, Canada and the United States, where it operates under the John Hancock name. The company first established a presence in Singapore in 1898 while its Hong Kong operations began in 1897. Assets under management by Manulife and its subsidiaries were approximately C$691 billion (S$753 billion) as at Dec 31, 2014.

The Most Thing in 3M's - Mind and Money???



Whenever we read in the cyber world that someone said this: "I nimble."

They are practicing sound Mind and Money principle. They won't feel sorry when the stock price drops farther and farther as their Money will help to keep them in the game longer than expected.

With 100 shares lot size, many retail can nimble?

Yes. We can. 

But, it can be costly affair to nimble that many rounds. 

Why in investing our account size really matters?

So that we can nimble. Sound Mind and Money!








6 Years Since Mar 2009 and the Bulls are still charging on .....




Sunday 5 April 2015

Top Up CPF SA From CPF OA? Depending On Who You Ask! (2)



Read? Top Up CPF SA From CPF OA? Depending On Who You Ask!

Uncle8888's comment to one blog post on topping up our SA:  

"I only did it once contrary to the common wisdom as advised by many investment bloggers and advisers"



Think, Think, Think and think above the common wisdom of compounding interests of 4%. 

Mr. Market rarely gives us his opportunity; but over the next 10 to 20 years when he did. Can we after so many years in the stock market as active learners and inspiring to be "savvy" investors in our lifetime beat this 4% compounding wonder?


What do you think?


Kep Corp, Sembcorp Ind, and DBS



How come we always seems to buy too early and sell too early?





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