31 December 2013

December has been a quiet month for Singapore stock market. The market seemed concerned by the US tapering of QE3. STI traded in negative territory in the first half of the month with thin volume. Towards the end of the month however, the market started to move upwards, probably due to the year-end “window dressing” effect.

At the end of the month, STI closed at 3167.43, down 8.92 points or 0.28% from last month. My portfolio performed slightly better. Its value rose by 0.32%.

I received some MapletreeLog, MapletreeInd, AscottReit and Cambridge shares through script dividend scheme and rights issue. I received a total of S$9,437.16 in cash dividend.

Below are the top 30 holdings as at 31 December. Compared with last month, there is hardly any change in the list. Only difference is AscottReit replaced FraserCT due to the right subscription.

1.   SPH

2.   ComfortDelGro
3.   OCBC Bk
4.   DBS
5.   Semb Corp
6.   SP AusNet
7.   ST Engineering
8.   Starhub
9.   SGX
10. FraserComm
11. SembMar
12. CapitaLand
13. MetroHldg
14. CitySpring
15. CapitaComm
16. Nikko AM STI ETF 100
17. Kep Corp
18. GlobalInv
19. Yangzijiang
20. Sing Inv
21. SATS
22. Ascendasreit
23. Sabana Reit
24. SIA
25. SingTel
26. MapletreeLog
27. UE
28. PanUnited
29. AIMSAMPIReit
30. AscottReit

For the whole of 2013, STI was almost flat. The closing position was only 0.01%, or 0.35 points higher than a year ago, despite US and Japan stock market hitting historic high.

For the year 2013, I have stuck to my “dividend income” and “buy and hold” strategy. This same investment plan did not work as well as a year ago. For the whole year, my portfolio value was down S$16,283, or 1.18% on surface value. When I take into consideration the dividend received from shares minus the fund invested, the total return for the year is 2.24%. This is a far cry from last year, when I had a return of over 30%. This is also lower than Singapore’s economic growth of 3.7% in 2013. Anyway this is still a better return than leaving the money in the bank.

I received a total of S$95,000 in dividend from stock and unit trust portfolio. This has exceeded my dividend target of S$70,000 set a year ago.

Come next year, I will still continue the same investment plan. I will be cautious in adding new counters or long position since the index has reached quite a high level. Buying will be done when there is good opportunity offered, being a dip or correction in the market. I may add on to my UT portfolio for more dividend income.

For the dividend income, I set a target of S$110,000 next year. This will translate into a passive income of S$9,000 per month.

Let’s hope for a better year in 2014. Cheers!

29 November 2013

November has been quite a lull month in the local stock market. Market sentiment seemed to be dampened by the talk that US will scaled back the bond buying program next year, and the coming debt ceiling deadline early next year. Towards the end of the month, US market rallied, with index hitting highs. However, the local market went into an unusual lull period, moving side way for the past few days.


STI ended last month at 3176.35, down 1.07% from last month (October). My portfolio perform slightly worse than that, down 1.35% compared to a month ago. This could be timing issue, when counters go Ex Div, it usually drop a bit.

I did not do any trading this month. The only investment is receiving some Capital Retail China Trust units through subscription to rights issue. I also participated in script dividend scheme of MapletreeLog and Mapletree Ind Trust, as well as the rights issue from Ascott Reit.

Total dividend received this month was S$6,752, including those from UTs.

Here are my top 30 holdings as at 29 November. There is no change in the participant list, lest some changing of positions.

1. SPH
2. ComfortDelGro
3. OCBC Bk
4. DBS
5. Semb Corp
6. ST Engineering
7. SP AusNet
8. Starhub
9. SGX
10. FraserComm
11. SembMar
12. CapitaLand
13. MetroHldg
14. CitySpring
15. CapitaComm
16. Nikko AM STI ETF 100
17. Kep Corp
18. GlobalInv
19. Yangzijiang
20. Sing Inv
21. SATS
22. Ascendasreit
23. Sabana Reit
24. SIA
25. SingTel
26. UE
27. MapletreeLog
28. AIMSAMPIReit
29. PanUnited
30. FrasersCT

31 October 2013

The US politicians did not find a solution to raise the government debt ceiling on time and part of the US government was shut down for 2 weeks. The equity market reacted negatively to this. However when the politicians agreed on a temperary solution and the shutdown Wayang ended, market recovered immediately. The positive earning results of US corporation (and some SG companies) supported the market as well. As a whole STI ended in positive territory in October.

STI closed at 3210.67 on 31 Oct, or 1.35% higher than last month. My portfolio did slightly better, its value rose 1.78% for the month. In this month, I only did one buy transaction. I bought some K-Reit shares. As the index rose pass 3,200 level, I thought I should slow down in buying and build up my cash .

I received a total of S$6,700 in dividend from shares and UT (incl. capital return from MIIF). With the SG companies annoucing their results and dividend payout in next two months, I am already certain that I will exceed my dividend target for this year.

Below are the top 30 holding as at 31 October. There is no change in the list participants, except some swopping of positions.

1. SPH
2. OCBC Bk
3. ComfortDelGro
4. DBS
5. Semb Corp
6. SP AusNet
7. ST Engineering
8. Starhub
9. SGX
10. FraserComm
11. SembMar
12. CapitaLand
13. MetroHldg
14. CitySpring
15. CapitaComm
16. Nikko AM STI ETF 100
17. Kep Corp
18. SATS
19. Ascendasreit
20. GlobalInv
21. Yangzijiang
22. Sing Inv
23. Sabana Reit
24. SingTel
25. SIA
26. MapletreeLog
27. AIMSAMPIReit
28. UE
29. PanUnited
30. FrasersCT

30 September 2013

“世事如棋局局新”. Whatever were affecting the stock market negatively in August, were suddenly seemed averted: Fed announced that they were not scaling back their bond buying as yet, US military action against Syria was hold back. So the market reacted to the good news positively and rallied.

STI rose 94.95 points, or 3.13% in September. My share portfolio performed even better. Its value rose 5.24% (net of amount invested this month), almost recovered the losses in August.

During the month, all my CPF-OA shares and UT are converted to cash investment. I did not purchase any shares from open market, but received shares of Mapletree Industrial Trust, K-Reit, Boustead, UE and Pacific HC either through script dividend scheme or right issue subscription. Total amount injected was S$10,297.93. Total dividend received this month amounts to S$7,557.91, from shares and UT.

Going forward, I will still stick to my plan of investing for income. Whilst looking for good value stocks to invest, I am mindful that the US QE tapering is delayed but will still come back. The problem in Syria is still not solved. US government shutdown risk is still not resolved, but I think they will somehow find a solution for it. The turbulence it created may present some opportunities.

Below are the top 30 holdings as at 30 September:

1.       SPH
2.       ComfortDelGro
3.       OCBC
4.       DBS
5.       SembCorp
6.       ST Engineering
7.       SP AusNet
8.       Starhub
9.       SGX
10.   FraserComm
11.   SembMar
12.   MetroHldg
13.   CapitaLand
14.   City Springs
15.   Nikko AM STI ETF 100
16.   CapitaComm
17.   Sing Inv
18.   KepCorp
19.   SATS
20.   GlobalInv
21.   Ascendasreit
22.   Yangzijiang
23.   Sabana Reit
24.   SIA
25.   SingTel
26.   MapletreeLog
27.   UE
28.   AIMSAMPIReit
29.   FrasersCT
30.   PanUnited

LippoMalls and Asian Pay TV Trust were replaced by SingTel and UE, as new units of the latter were added to the portfolio.

31 August 2013

August has not been a good month for stock investers in Asia. Fear that US will scale back their easy money policy soon and the treat of a US-lead UN military action in Syria rock the global stock market. Value of Rupee, Rupiah and Ringget depreciated in recent months Hot money flowing out of Asian emerging markets like Thailand and Phillippines. Alls these news are not good for stock market.

China Minzhong was ambushed by a US short seller, whose report accused CMZ of fabricating customer report. The report sent CMZ shares tumbled 50%. I am lucky that I am not vested in CMZ. Not that I am smart, but I paid my lesson fees in Ferrochina shares.

For the month of August, STI dropped 192.99 points, or 5.99% to end at 3,028.94 yesterday. The value of my portfolio dropped almost in step with STI, or 5.72%. It also entered into negative terretory in term of P&L this month, if I ignore the dividends collected.

I bought into Boustead, LippoMalls and CapitaLand shares this months. I also received some MapletreeLog shares through script dividend scheme. I received S$18,000 of dividend this month, which I reinvested.

I have instructed CPF Board to transfer all my CPFIS stocks to my CDP account. I have received a letter from DBS to agree to charging the transfer fee from my account with them and close the CPF investment account. All investment done with CPF funds will become cash investment. CPF was kind enough to remind me that after being transferred to me, these investment are no longer protected from my creditors. That means if I should become a bankrupt, my creditors can take from me these investment, whereas they are protected when they were under CPF.

Below are the top 30 holdings as at 30 August.

1.   SPH
2.   OCBC Bk
3.   ComfortDelGro
4.   DBS
5.   Semb Corp
6.   ST Engineering
7.   SP AusNet
8.   Starhub
9.   SGX
10. FraserComm
11. CapitaLand
12. MetroHldg
13. SembMar
14. CitySpring
15. Nikko AM STI ETF 100
16. CapitaComm
17. Sing Inv
18. Kep Corp
19. Sabana Reit
20. GlobalInv
21. Ascendasreit
22. SATS
23. MapletreeLog
24. SIA
25. Yangzijiang
26. AIMSAMPIReit
27. FrasersCT
28. LippoMalls
29. PanUnited
30. Asian Pay TV Tr

LippoMalls replaces Sp Ship after I top up the shares.

31 July 2013

After falling for two consecutive months (May and June), the stock market stabilised and recovered in July. As the fear that Fed stopping easy money policy gets over, investors' confidence seems to return. STI recovered some losses in the month. At the end of July, STI rose 95.01 (3.02%) to close at 3245.45.

My portfolio did not do as well as STI, its value only rose 2.26%. This is mainly due to poor performance of property related counters and some Reits.

This month I bought some CapitaLand shares when its price dropped to nearly $3. I also received GIL shares from rights subscription. I accepted the cash offer for my Food Junction shares as I feel that the counter does not fit into my investment objective anymore.

Not many companies pay dividend in July. Thanks to my income funds (UT), total dividend received in July still reached S$3,000. I shall look forward to better dividend payout in August.

Talking about unit trust, I sold all the unit trust bought with CPF-OA this month. That is because I will be turning 55 next month and will be able to withdraw my CPF-OA. I sold the unit trust so that I can withdraw the cash for other investment opportunities. I have also instructed CPF Board to transfer all my shares in my CPF investment account to CDP.

Below are the top 30 holdings as at 31 July 2013.

1. SPH
2. ComfortDelGro
3. OCBC Bk
4. DBS
5. ST Engineering
6. Semb Corp
7. SP AusNet
8. Starhub
9. SGX
10. FraserComm
11. MetroHldg
12. SembMar
13. CitySpring
14. Nikko AM STI ETF 100
15. CapitaLand
16. CapitaComm
17. Sabana Reit
18. SATS
19. Sing Inv
20. Ascendasreit
21. Kep Corp
22. GlobalInv
23. AIMSAMPIReit
24. SIA
25. MapletreeLog
26. FrasersCT
27. Yangzijiang
28. PanUnited
29. Asian Pay TV Tr
30. Sp Ship

CapitaLand and GlobalInv moved up due to top up. ComfortDelGro had some positive price movement.

28 June 2013

The month June has been an unpleasant one. The global stock market was hit by news that US would scaled back the QE program and some bad news from China. Singapore market was not spared and went into correction mode. Some even fear the bear is back.

Market corrected quite a fair bid, depite some rebounds in between. As at month end, STI drop 161 points, or 4.86% compared with end of May. The value of my portfolio dropped 4.04% in the month, almost in line with the index.

As the market corrected, I felt that buying opportunities may appear. Unfortunately I was kept very busy from my job/business trip that I did not make any buying. I received shares of CIT, Mapletree Ind, AimsampIreit and AscendasHreit, all via script dividend scheme.

I received a total of S$5,820 in dividend this month. I shall look for good opportunity to reinvest them.

Below are the top 30 holdings as at 28 June 2013. There is not much change except at the bottom, where Cambridge and AscttReit replace CWT and Globalinv.

1.   SPH
2.   OCBC Bk
3.   ComfortDelGro
4.   DBS
5.   ST Engineering
6.   Semb Corp
7.   SP AusNet
8.   Starhub
9.   FraserComm
10. SGX
11. MetroHldg
12. SembMar
13. CitySpring
14. CapitaComm
15. Nikko AM STI ETF 100
16. Sing Inv
17. Sabana Reit
18. SATS
19. Kep Corp
20. Ascendasreit
21. AIMSAMPIReit
22. MapletreeLog
23. SIA
24. FrasersCT
25. CapitaLand
26. PanUnited
27. Asian Pay TV Tr
28. Yangzijiang
29. Cambridge
30. AscottReit

31 May 2013

For many years, May has always been a month when I received big dividend, but at the same time suffered loss in share prices. So this year, when STI did well in the first half of the month, I thought: "Hmm...., finally this year is different." Then came the bad numbers from China and Mr. Market reacted adversely to it. Alas.. history repeated itself.

Personally, I feel the sell down in the past few days was overdone. The market was waiting for a trigger to "correct" the run-up earlier. So when it found one it did just what everyone was waiting for - correction. Of course this is my personal opinion and I am not an expert. I may be wrong and this may be the beginn of the bear market. Who knows?

At the end of today, STI closed at 3,311.37, 56.81 ponts or 1.69% lower than last month. My portfolio performed poorly. Its value dropped 3.8% compared with last month. Most of the property related counters did badly this month.

For the MIIF capital reduction, I opted to receive APTT shares, as I thought the yield was okay. I applied for IPO but got nothing. On hindsight, "heng ah". When the counter started weak, I bought some from the open market to round my shares to full lot. I bought some Boustead shares and Sabana Reit. I received some K-Reit shares from KepCorp. I also received some Cambridge IT, Mapletreelog shares through Script Dividend Scheme. All in all, I invested S$20,000 in the stock market this month. This month I also  invested in Schroder Global Multi-Asset Income Fund, a UT which pays dividend monthly. I will start to receive dividend from this fund next month.

Going forward, if the market weakness continues, I will invest in some stocks/reits with good yield. 

This month, my total dividend income amounts to S$19,500 which is a record high. Looking at the chart, I should be well on track to hit or exceed my S$80,000 dividend target this year, baring unforeseen circumstances.

Below are my top 30 holdings as at 31 May 2013:

1.   SPH
2.   OCBC Bk
3.   ComfortDelGro
4.   DBS
5.   SP AusNet
6.   ST Engineering
7.   Semb Corp
8.   Starhub
9.   FraserComm
10. SGX
11. MetroHldg
12. SembMar
13. CitySpring
14. CapitaComm
15. Nikko AM STI ETF 100
16. Sabana Reit
17. Sing Inv
18. Ascendasreit
19. Kep Corp
20. SATS
21. MapletreeLog
22. SIA
23. AIMSAMPIReit
24. CapitaLand
25. FrasersCT
26. PanUnited
27. Asian Pay TV Tr
28. Yangzijiang
29. GlobalInv
30. CWT

Compared with last month, property related counters don't do so well this month. Sabana moved up due to new purchase. APTT and CWT replace MIIF and Cambridge.

30 April 2013

This month, US market seemed to perform pretty well, following some good corporate results. Not so for the local market. Corporate results was mix, and the ST Index was hovering up and down without a clear direction. Most of the months it stayed slightly below March closing, until the last week. Then it suddenly moved forwards to new high on the last few day, at a time when GDP forecast was revised downwards by some local bank. You ask me? I don't understand.

As at today, STI closed at 3368.18, up 1.82% from last month.Most of the gains were recorded during the last few days of trading, which looks to me like window dressing. My portfolio did slightly better, up 2.11% from last month.  I received a total of S$3,070 in dividend from shares and UT this month.

I did not do much trade this month, except received some KS Energy shares through right issue and Global Inv Ltd shares through script div scheme. I just continued to build up cash since index was high. (From the past experience, Stock price may correct a bit in May). I bought some Unit Trust that is investing in Gold stock.

Below are the top 30 holdings as at 30 April.

1.   SPH
2.   OCBC Bk
3.   ComfortDelGro
4.   SP AusNet
5.   DBS
6.   ST Engineering
7.   Semb Corp
8.   Starhub
9.   FraserComm
10. SGX
11. MetroHldg
12. CapitaComm
13. CitySpring
14. SembMar
15. Ascendasreit
16..Nikko AM STI ETF 100
17. Sing Inv
18. MapletreeLog
19. Kep Corp
20. AIMSAMPIReit
21. FrasersCT
22. CapitaLand
23. SIA
24. SATS
25. Sabana Reit
26. MacqIntInfra
27. Yangzijiang
28. PanUnited
29. Cambridge
30. GlobalInv

KepCorp, SembCorp, Sembmarine (oil rick builders) lost some ground. GIL replaces AscottReit due to buy up. Reits are performing well in this month.

28 March 2013

Time really flys! Before one realises it, a quarter of the year has passed. Since it's a public holiday tomorrow, today is the last trading day of the month. The biggest news this month affecting the stock market must has been the banking crisis in Cypus. The worst seems to be adverted, but as the problem was not yet solved, it may come back again. With the news that this problem was somehow released, the equity market did quite well in the past few days.

STI movement was somehow rangebound, staying slightly negative (relative to last month), but managed to get into positive territory towards the end of the month. It closed today at 3308.10, up38.15, or 1.17% from last month.

My portfolio value rose  1.4% this month, slightly better STI contributed by smaller counters. I bought some HTL shares and Mapletree Greater China Commercial Trust (IPO). I received some shares from MLT, MIT and CIT thrugh script dividend scheme. I also subscribe to rights of KS Energy. I opted for script of GIL in script dividend scheme too.

I received S$2,884 dividend this month, which was reinvested.

Below are the top 30 holding as at today. UE and GIL dropped off the list and were replaced by Cambridge and AscottReit.

1.   SPH
2.   OCBC Bk
3.   ComfortDelGro
4.   SP AusNet
5.   DBS
6.   Semb Corp
7.   ST Engineering
8.   Starhub
9.   SGX
10. FraserComm
11. MetroHldg
12. SembMar
13 CapitaComm
14. CitySpring
15. Nikko AM STI ETF 100
16. Ascendasreit
17. Kep Corp
18. Sing Inv
19. MapletreeLog
20. SIA
21. FrasersCT
22. SATS
23. CapitaLand
24. AIMSAMPIReit
25. Yangzijiang
26. PanUnited
27. Sabana Reit
28. MacqIntInfra
29. Cambridge
30. AscottReit

28 February 2013

The bull that had run up quite lot since late last year appeared to be a bit tired this month. Renew worry on the European crisis dampened investor sentiment. The global stock market started to consolidate and doing some yo-yo. The Italy poll result didn't help the situation. STI went up and down, but somehow range bound. It settled at 3269.95, or 10.44 (.32%) lower than last month. Corporate results were mix, while banks did well, others lik SCI, SCM reported lower profit (and lower dividend). This year's budget annoucement did not give any booster to the market, at least in the last few day.

My portfolio did slightly better than the index. Its value rose 0.33% (net). I did not do any trade this month, due to the holidays and 2 business trips. I accepted TCC's offer and sold them my F&N shares, as it was not clear at all what the Thai planned to do with F&N, now that he had acquired more than 90% of its shares. The proceed of the sale will go towards building up my "warchest" when opportunities arises.

The total dividend received this month was S$8,600 including those from F&N. I participated in the script dividend scheme of Cambidge and Mapletree trust.

Looking at the top table of the portfolio, there isn't much changes except F&N disappears. UE re-entered the list.

1.  SPH
2.  ComfortDelGro
3.  OCBC Bk
4.  Semb Corp
5.  SP AusNet
6.  ST Engineering
7.  DBS
8.  Starhub
9.  SGX
10. FraserComm
11. MetroHldg
12. SembMar
13. CapitaComm
14. CitySpring
15. Nikko AM STI ETF 100
16. Ascendasreit
17. Kep Corp
18. Sing Inv
19. CapitaLand
20. MapletreeLog
21. SIA
22. SATS
23. FrasersCT
24. AIMSAMPIReit
25. PanUnited
26. Yangzijiang
27. Sabana Reit
28. MacqIntInfra
29. UE
30. GlobalInv

31 January 2013

The stock market got onto a good start this year with STI powered to 3,280, or up 3.58% in January. Investors worldwide seem to have shrugged off their concerns and got on to a risk-taking mode. Recent datas from US and China also gave investor confident a boost.

My portfolio performed even better than STI in January. Its value rose 5% in January, due to price movement of some mid-cap counters.

I did my first sell trade this year and sold off Union Steel shares. I bought some Yangzijiang shares. I received a total of S$2,412 in dividend, mainly from income funds (Unit Trust).

As STI is nearing the pre-crisis level again, I will be more cautious in buy shares. My plan is to build up my "warchest" (borrow the word from AK47) and wait for good opportunity to strike again.

Below are the top 30 counters as at 31 January. Yangzijiang and Pan United enter the list. Yanzijiang due to buy in, Pan United due to price movement(up >20%).

1.   SPH
2.   ComfortDelGro
3.   F & N
4.   OCBC Bk
5.   Semb Corp
6.   SP AusNet
7.   DBS
8.   ST Engineering
9.   Starhub
10. SGX
11. FraserComm
12. MetroHldg
13. SembMar
14. CapitaComm
15. CitySpring
16. Nikko AM STI ETF 100
17. Ascendasreit
18. Kep Corp
19. CapitaLand
20. Sing Inv
21. SIA
22. SATS
23. MapletreeLog
24. AIMSAMPIReit
25. MacqIntInfra
26. PanUnited
27. Yangzijiang
28. FrasersCT
29. Sabana Reit
30. GlobalInv