In view of
the Hazy outlook ahead, I am currently sitting with approx. 75%
cash and 25% equity invested. The cash here is all my cash which includes rainy day
cash expenses, while the investment excludes property, CPF, other insurance
saving plans etc.
the Hazy outlook ahead, I am currently sitting with approx. 75%
cash and 25% equity invested. The cash here is all my cash which includes rainy day
cash expenses, while the investment excludes property, CPF, other insurance
saving plans etc.
If you are wondering did I suffer REALISED LOSSES after cashing out? The answer is YES!
BUT,
overall I am glad that I break-even in REALISED TRADES this year including dividends
received so far! Having said that, I suffered PAPER LOSS OF 7-8% in my overall
portfolio YTD.
overall I am glad that I break-even in REALISED TRADES this year including dividends
received so far! Having said that, I suffered PAPER LOSS OF 7-8% in my overall
portfolio YTD.
Of course, if you are a truly long term fundamental investors, the
hoarding of large amount of cash does not make any sense. If you are already
well-prepared for a crisis with all your rainy day expenses locked up,
please go ahead to commit your balance resources in a sustainable manner over long
term. Nonetheless do remember to at least have some cash to take advantage of unexpected plunge
in the market. Staying 100% invested without diversification and rainy day expenses now is going to be
kind of risky.
hoarding of large amount of cash does not make any sense. If you are already
well-prepared for a crisis with all your rainy day expenses locked up,
please go ahead to commit your balance resources in a sustainable manner over long
term. Nonetheless do remember to at least have some cash to take advantage of unexpected plunge
in the market. Staying 100% invested without diversification and rainy day expenses now is going to be
kind of risky.
Knowing where you stand
Therefore
what you are going to read as follows is for someone “Kiasi” (scare to die) like
me, and still struggling to attain the “so-called” long term investor syndrome.
Also, for someone like me, who face larger expenses coming from more mouths to
feed and for someone like me who fear the losing of jobs for prolong period of time?
what you are going to read as follows is for someone “Kiasi” (scare to die) like
me, and still struggling to attain the “so-called” long term investor syndrome.
Also, for someone like me, who face larger expenses coming from more mouths to
feed and for someone like me who fear the losing of jobs for prolong period of time?
Do not get
me wrong. I vouch that by no means I am proselytize how pitiful I
am having coming from a background with so many mouths to feed. I need no empathy for I know myself better than anyone else in this world – That I am very sure!
me wrong. I vouch that by no means I am proselytize how pitiful I
am having coming from a background with so many mouths to feed. I need no empathy for I know myself better than anyone else in this world – That I am very sure!
It is just my way to remind of my own situation and be prudent in view of uncertainty ahead. Frankly, I love having many mouths to feed. My family/children are not dragging me down. On the contrary, they are my best impetus to strive ahead, and I boldly predict that they will be my best investments ever too!
Given that I has not gone through several cycles in the
market for decades to be able to stomach the losses and gains “emotionlessly”, I am not ready to classify myself as a 100% long term investor! Yet, a good way to propel my experiences, is to read as much as I could. The accelerated knowledge can then replace what I
lack in decades of experiences in the market.
market for decades to be able to stomach the losses and gains “emotionlessly”, I am not ready to classify myself as a 100% long term investor! Yet, a good way to propel my experiences, is to read as much as I could. The accelerated knowledge can then replace what I
lack in decades of experiences in the market.
Haze – something
we cannot control
we cannot control
The Haze is getting worse recently. I hate it, as it put a halt to my favorite outdoor activities such as swimming and jogging. If you are at home, then aircon is turned on for longer periods inevitably. It is not just that utility bills will swell, but it is also for the fact that I dislike staying in air-con environment for a long time.
Picture: Source: www.theaustralian.com.au
Can we
control the haze? The haze is something we cannot control. Not even our
government! As PM put it during the
recent National Rally 2015 :
control the haze? The haze is something we cannot control. Not even our
government! As PM put it during the
recent National Rally 2015 :
“On our National Day, just
recently on the 9th of August, one Indonesian newspaper published an overview
of the relationship between them and us. And they quoted a senior Indonesian
politician what he said about the haze. He said, “I
would only consider apologising for the haze if Singapore and Malaysia are
thankful for the oxygen from Indonesian forests for 11 months each
year”.
recently on the 9th of August, one Indonesian newspaper published an overview
of the relationship between them and us. And they quoted a senior Indonesian
politician what he said about the haze. He said, “I
would only consider apologising for the haze if Singapore and Malaysia are
thankful for the oxygen from Indonesian forests for 11 months each
year”.
So you know where you stand
and please know your place in the world. Do not get uppity. This may not
reflect the Indonesian Government’s view, but we have to take note of it. It is
a deep seated mindset – that a little red dot red dot should know its place in
the world – and this mindset will not disappear for a long time.”
and please know your place in the world. Do not get uppity. This may not
reflect the Indonesian Government’s view, but we have to take note of it. It is
a deep seated mindset – that a little red dot red dot should know its place in
the world – and this mindset will not disappear for a long time.”
This is another stark reminder of the need to know where you stand!
Stock market – Uncertainties Ahead
Similarly,
if I am to view the stock market today, the short term outlook ahead is equally “Hazy”
and it seems that even IMF, US Fed, ECB or any governments are already running out of tools to fix the situation if it worsens.
if I am to view the stock market today, the short term outlook ahead is equally “Hazy”
and it seems that even IMF, US Fed, ECB or any governments are already running out of tools to fix the situation if it worsens.
There are
just too many uncertainties at the moment. China is slowing, emerging markets confronting recession, dubious interest rate hike, volatility in oil and commodity prices etc.
just too many uncertainties at the moment. China is slowing, emerging markets confronting recession, dubious interest rate hike, volatility in oil and commodity prices etc.
As I read
somewhere, the market will prefer to have a sustain bull or a bear for ease of
planning, rather to have market volatility bleeding into the real
economy without you knowing or getting ready.
somewhere, the market will prefer to have a sustain bull or a bear for ease of
planning, rather to have market volatility bleeding into the real
economy without you knowing or getting ready.
Is stocks really dirt cheap now?
After the Black
Monday on 24 Aug this year, which seen close to 20% wipeout of market cap in a
single day, some investors are streaming “Leh Long, Leh Long” , Time to be
greedy? I am cautious instead!
Monday on 24 Aug this year, which seen close to 20% wipeout of market cap in a
single day, some investors are streaming “Leh Long, Leh Long” , Time to be
greedy? I am cautious instead!
Let us use Shiller CAPE ratio to illustrate if stocks are really cheap now.
The Cyclically Adjusted Price-Earnings (CAPE) ratio
also known as the Shiller Ratio or the P/E 10 ratio was developed by Dr.
Robert Shiller (who won the Nobel Prize for his work on 10/14/2013) and Dr.
John Campbell in a paper written in 1988 and can be traced to
the principles of Graham. This Price earnings ratio is
also based on average inflation-adjusted earnings from the previous 10 years.
also known as the Shiller Ratio or the P/E 10 ratio was developed by Dr.
Robert Shiller (who won the Nobel Prize for his work on 10/14/2013) and Dr.
John Campbell in a paper written in 1988 and can be traced to
the principles of Graham. This Price earnings ratio is
also based on average inflation-adjusted earnings from the previous 10 years.
Shiller PE
ratio for the S&P 500.
ratio for the S&P 500.
Source: www.multpl.com
Current CAPE ratio: 24.86
Mean: 16.62
Median: 6.01
Min: 4.78 (Dec
1920)
1920)
Max: 44.19 (Dec
1999)
1999)
As of Fri
Sep 11, current Shiller PE Ratio is 24.86. It is
not the most expensive, but it is also by no means cheap. In fact S&P 500 is on the high side now! Please also note that
the US stocks already has a good run of 6 years or more now since the GFC. Is the bull run in US going to continue indefinitely?
Sep 11, current Shiller PE Ratio is 24.86. It is
not the most expensive, but it is also by no means cheap. In fact S&P 500 is on the high side now! Please also note that
the US stocks already has a good run of 6 years or more now since the GFC. Is the bull run in US going to continue indefinitely?
How about Straits Times Index?
Currently
STI is valued at PE ratio of ~12.99. Meanwhile, STI’s average PE ratio over the 37-year
period stretching from 1973 to 2010 is 16.9. STI’s floor is during GFC with
PE ratio of just 6, while ceiling is in 1973 when PE ratio hits 35.
STI is valued at PE ratio of ~12.99. Meanwhile, STI’s average PE ratio over the 37-year
period stretching from 1973 to 2010 is 16.9. STI’s floor is during GFC with
PE ratio of just 6, while ceiling is in 1973 when PE ratio hits 35.
Not
crazily expensive but not dirt cheap too!
crazily expensive but not dirt cheap too!
Ok, one
certainty at least for Singaporeans is that PAP won again to provide continuity!
And it is not just a victory, but a really
convincing one at 69.86%. I “sort of” gathered that sentiments reflected in my
last post. Refer here.
certainty at least for Singaporeans is that PAP won again to provide continuity!
And it is not just a victory, but a really
convincing one at 69.86%. I “sort of” gathered that sentiments reflected in my
last post. Refer here.
The Harbinger – Prudent man prepares!
I just
finished reading the book “The Harbinger” by author/pastor John Cahn. I am not
a Christian and this book was a birthday gift from my former boss who is a
staunch Christian. To get an idea about the 9 Harbingers, refer to a 2012
interview on Glenn Beck TV here.
finished reading the book “The Harbinger” by author/pastor John Cahn. I am not
a Christian and this book was a birthday gift from my former boss who is a
staunch Christian. To get an idea about the 9 Harbingers, refer to a 2012
interview on Glenn Beck TV here.
The ancient mystery, according to Cahn,
explains everything from the September 11 attacks to the financial collapse of
2008 and beyond. The author posits that God is sending the U.S. a “prophetic
message” of what is yet to come, just as he did once in ancient Israel. Thus,
according to the book, these same “Nine Harbingers” are now manifesting
themselves here on U.S. soil.
I have no crystal ball and is sceptical on the Crash Date of 13 Sep 2015, which apparently is
today or tomorrow when stock markets are concern. Meanwhile, please please please do not let your imagination run wild! The main point for me in the 9 Harbinger is not market crash.
today or tomorrow when stock markets are concern. Meanwhile, please please please do not let your imagination run wild! The main point for me in the 9 Harbinger is not market crash.
What I appreciate MOST is the fact that Cahn advocates that “Prudent Man Prepares!”
Rolf’s Thoughts
Focus on
what you can control
what you can control
So its obvious I cannot control the Haze, neither is PAP for now. But what I can do it is to get ready my N95 masks in case PSI conditions worsen over a prolonged period. Otherwise stay indoors, switches on air-cons more often but that will mean more expenses though. As such, I shall be more careful on my expenses. And
maybe I should pray more often for rain or wind to blow in other direction.
maybe I should pray more often for rain or wind to blow in other direction.
Likewise,
I am unable to foretell which direction the stock market will trend in the
short term. But what I am going to do now, in view of the current volatility, is to
sit on more cash. This is at least something I can control and can do now, to prepare
for the worst, if it really turn worse. If not worse, I am also happy and probably can wait till the market is less volatile. How long is the wait? I am not sure!
I am unable to foretell which direction the stock market will trend in the
short term. But what I am going to do now, in view of the current volatility, is to
sit on more cash. This is at least something I can control and can do now, to prepare
for the worst, if it really turn worse. If not worse, I am also happy and probably can wait till the market is less volatile. How long is the wait? I am not sure!
I am more
comfortable to diversify my allocation to put more resources into cash. Ignore the percentage of
cash/equity 70-30, 40-60, 50-50, 40-60 etc. It all depends on each individual. Do
not get mistaken with figures! This
is because you are not me, and you do not really know how much is my expenses
or if I may have other investments, and how much they cost for me – property, other life-saving plans, CPF etc.
comfortable to diversify my allocation to put more resources into cash. Ignore the percentage of
cash/equity 70-30, 40-60, 50-50, 40-60 etc. It all depends on each individual. Do
not get mistaken with figures! This
is because you are not me, and you do not really know how much is my expenses
or if I may have other investments, and how much they cost for me – property, other life-saving plans, CPF etc.
Know where you stand now and what is most comfortable for you in your allocation of
resources.
resources.
Be positive
The most
worrying thing about doing a book review is that readers will start thinking that I am 100% in favor of the author of the book. The objective of my book review is for the sake of sharing. To be honest its primary objective is not even meant for public readers! Sorry guys, I love your comments flowing in…! In the main, it was meant to be a platform, so that I can discuss with my kids in a easier and portable manner.
worrying thing about doing a book review is that readers will start thinking that I am 100% in favor of the author of the book. The objective of my book review is for the sake of sharing. To be honest its primary objective is not even meant for public readers! Sorry guys, I love your comments flowing in…! In the main, it was meant to be a platform, so that I can discuss with my kids in a easier and portable manner.
Even
before and after reading the book, I am absolutely in favor that positive
thinking does not create positive events happening in our life! It is the
action that is needed. It is pretty clear for me.
before and after reading the book, I am absolutely in favor that positive
thinking does not create positive events happening in our life! It is the
action that is needed. It is pretty clear for me.
Nevertheless
being positive can put me in the right frame of mind, so that my actions can be
more constructive when I experiences difficult times in my life. That applies to me. If it is not working for you, I sincerely respect you.
being positive can put me in the right frame of mind, so that my actions can be
more constructive when I experiences difficult times in my life. That applies to me. If it is not working for you, I sincerely respect you.
People who
truly know me in real life, knows that I never complain about my humble past, and hate
to brag about any achievements (if any few ones) as well. Ok…I love to share and that invites unnecessary perceptions/comments. But this is something I can do little about.
truly know me in real life, knows that I never complain about my humble past, and hate
to brag about any achievements (if any few ones) as well. Ok…I love to share and that invites unnecessary perceptions/comments. But this is something I can do little about.
For now, whether it is hazy or clear sky outlook ahead, I still stick to my philosophy as follows:
Be positive and prudent, learn from the past, while focus on the present and the future!
The number of statistical points are still small in the whole scheme of things. Perhaps focus on the company's business rather than the wider economic outlook? The latter can seem depressing and yet the company will still thrive. Consider the Thai stock market as an extremity – despite coups after coups, the stock market still thrives.
Hi Lizardo,
I agree with u.. but If I am not working in the O&G industry and with lesser mouths to feed, maybe I will be already busy scooping many temporary fallen angels.
🙂
Hi Rolf
By cashing out, I am sure you will strike when prices are too attractive. However, your safety net could be higher, which I can understand based on the responsibility and other plans that you have. 🙂
Hi FD,
To be honest, just to explain and not at all to "blow cow skin", I am still heavily invested (for my standard) in absolute terms if ignore the percentage! I also mentioned it excludes other asset classes of investment eg property, CPF etc. So overall I may be even more highly invested when you calculate in terms of %.
Also now that prices are slight more reasonable, the cashing out is also my way to take some of my profits to offset the losses, so that I can re-organize and rebalance my portfolio once and for all, if opportunity arises.
My approach relates more to myself as I am very clear what I am doing and I feel comfortable. More importantly I knew deep down that my "green" investment and emotional management skills is still continuously improving as time advances!
End of the day, I know am still not as good as so many of the guys out there. Such as many already emulating the likes of WB and many classic investors of Buy and Hold with no emotions attached, and ignoring the noises of the Market. Which is absolutely the right way of investing.
I am sure I will become a true "Buy and Hold" investor soon, but maybe not now yet.
🙂