CPF holds untapped resources for your investment journey should you know how to generate better returns than the interests. After procrastinating long enough, I finally eked out time to set this up in case there is a need for me to deploy my CPF OA. I found the process not that straightforward, so coming out with a simple guide if anyone gets a bit lost like me. I am using DBS and DBS Vickers as an example, but the steps should be similar to other banks or brokerages. 1. Apply for a CPF Investment Account If you plan on using DBS, head straight here. Scroll down until you reach the “Get start ..read more

2023 has been a great year overall for investing in equities. The S&P 500 is up by a whopping 24.8%. For 2022, we were down around 17%. But 2023 came with its own sets of challenges and losses. Just when we thought the world couldn’t be more fragmented from the Russian-Ukraine war, Hamas and Israel broke into a major war again. We also lost the investing legend Charlie Munger as well. 2023 was a challenging year for me, as I am crossing over to be nearer to my 40s than being in my 30s. Here are some of my reflections and lessons as I age, hopefully, wiser as an investor that I want to be ..read more

A job and Financial Independence (FI) via investing may seem mutually exclusive of each other on the surface. However, if you drill down the blueprint of achieving FI via investing, having a well-paid and stable job is a precursor to FI. In my first substack post, I briefly covered what I call the investor flywheel. Borrowing that adage from Jeff Bezos, the more we earn from our main occupation, the more we can plow into building up our portfolio. So, if that holds ground, even if your ultimate goal is to achieve FI, your first deliverable is to get a stable and well-paying job. Defining well ..read more

The S-REIT earning seasons are here again and the limelight is on Mapletree Pan Asia Trust (SGX: N2IU) Most blue-chip REITs have all but announced their final year results. An upcoming wave of other S-REITs results are also on the way. Most S-REITs have seen DPU dip due to higher interest expenses. This is not something unusual given the high interest rates now. Mapletree Pan Asia Trust also reported a dip in its DPU. Due to work commitments, I never made it to any AGMs before. But I did have the time to go through some of the questions posted and the management’s responses. Actual latest res ..read more

It is the month of independence for the 2 countries where I spent my 34 years of existence collectively. This article and thought manifested on the 9th of August, which is on the independence day of Singapore. The Malaysian in me would then remind myself that Malaysia’s National Day is also around the corner. Independence Day when I was still a kid was to look at the National Day processions on TV. But as I grew older, it just became yet another Public Holiday. But I think this year, the Independence theme struck me hard that it rattle the F.I.R.E chords in my mind. F.I.R.E is the abbreviation ..read more

United Hampshire US REIT (SGX: ODBU) is in a rather special position. It joins a list of S-REITs with exposure in the US, trading at a cheap valuation. The US commercial building space is facing a tough time. But that has nothing to do with United Hampshire – it isn’t a commercial REIT! So is United Hampshire (UHREIT) unluckily trading at a discount right now just because of its US-centricity? Understanding United Hampshire US REIT United Hampshire is a US REIT that owns investment properties anchored by grocery and necessity-based retail properties. Source: UHREIT.comSource: UHREIT website It ..read more

I always treat corporate exercises of stocks and REITs that I hold as one-off case studies. Given the opportunity, I would love to cover all of the corporate exercises. I believe I have the skills and communication to clearly dissect everything. But with so many obligations and tasks, my focus and time are usually on stocks and REITs that I own. And not to forget other tasks and obligations that I have on hand. That said, I am always amazed at the improvements in corporate exercises of SGX stocks and REITs. My latest discovery is that rights issues and preferential offerings can be executed vi ..read more

CapitaLand India Trust (SGX: CY6U), also known as CLINT, is raising capital. Existing unitholders are getting a non-renounceable preferential offering. For every 1,000 existing units, a unitholder will be having the offer to subscribe to 119 new units at an issue price of S$1.060 per unit. These rights will not be floated and traded. So it’s a Yes or No decision for existing unitholders on the preferential offering. How much will CLINT be raising? CLINT will be raising around S$150.1 million. This will consist of the issuance of around 141.6 million new units. So against the current total unit ..read more

CYPARK RESOURCES BERHAD (KLSE: CYPARK) is a company that operates in integrated renewable energy and green technology. With the recent focus on the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) theme, Cypark should be seeing plenty of catalysts and opportunities. However, the share prices of Cypark are currently down by close to 50% for the last 5 years. So what is wrong with Cypark? 1. Flat revenue and net profit trend Source: TIKR.com Share prices go up and down every day for various reasons. But for a long-term consistent uptrend, the business must show potential and growth prospects. And it ..read more

The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) shares are languishing close to their 52-week lows. Its recent Q2’23 results serve out the recovery in its core businesses. Yet, Wall Street seems to be too fixated on the Direct To Consumer (DTC) business. The share price dipped after the results. But after going through the results, I am convinced that Main Street has got it wrong. And I am doubling down. 1. The big concern on the subscriber loss Let’s go straight to the point that the bear camps are making. Source: Walt Disney Q2’23 Earnings Presentation A whopping 4mil loss in subscribers, specifically i ..read more