Over the past decade, the Singapore Exchange (SGX) has evolved from being just an exchange where investors can buy and sell Singapore-listed equities, to offering a wide range of asset classes that includes fixed income, indices, currencies and commodities and derivatives. One such product that launched on SGX in 2017 was Daily Leverage Certificates (DLC). Offered by Societe Generale, SGX currently has 76 DLCs on Singapore and Hong Kong stocks. DLCs allow investors to achieve higher short-term results as it utilises leverage to increase the exposure that investors take on for any stocks or index that they invest in. For example, if we think that DBS share prices will go up, we can buy a DLC SG5xLong DBS that provides us with 5 times the exposure on any daily changes for DBS share price. If

This article was originally published on 20 January 2021 and updated to reflect the latest events and webinars.  After a tumultuous year in 2020, 2021 is turning out to be another eventful year. As the world grapples with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there is no better time now than to start learning more about how to manage your finances and/ or start investing. To help you on your personal finance journey, we have curated a list of personal finance webinars and events in Singapore to help expand your knowledge and confidence. Take charge of your personal finances this year and make 2021 a better year ahead. #1 [10 to 11 September] Citi Foundation-SMU Financial Literacy Symposium: Democratisation of Financial Knowledge When: 10 to 11 September 2021 Time:  4.00 pm to 7.00 pm Regist

REITs are back in vogue In Singapore, REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts) are often heralded for their high dividend yields (typically ranging from 4% to 8%), low-entry diversification into real estate, and their liquidity as compared to physical investments. In fact, Singapore is the largest REIT market in Asia ex Japan. Singapore listed REITs invest in properties, not just in Singapore but also across the world, from the iconic Marina Bay Financial Centre to the Amsterdam Data Centre, and even CapitaMalls in China. REITs work by pooling together monies from investors to buy properties, lease and collect rent from these properties. They are also mandated to pay at least 90% of their earnings to investors. Currently, favourable tailwinds are pushing investors into this asset class. Given

LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP Keppel DC REIT (SGX: AJBU)’s ascend to the Straits Times Index (STI) has been the stuff of legend in SGX mainboard. Debuted in SGX only in 2014, the data centre REIT knocked the former CapitaLand Mall Trust off the pedestal in October 2020. That spectacular feat sent Keppel DC REIT (SGX: AJBU) share price flying to a record high of $3.04. Since then, the stellar form appears to lose plenty of steam in recent months. What on earth has happened? A Lifetime Member has written in to request for an explanation of the recent downtrend of Keppel DC REIT (SGX: AJBU) share price. If you are keen on coverage of other stocks, do sign up as member! For the longest time, I have been contemplating to invest in an S-REIT with special focus in data centres. Hence, I have been monito

Technical Analysis of FTSE ST REIT Index (FSTAS351020) FTSE ST Real Estate Investment Trusts (FTSE ST REIT Index) decreased slightly from 882.31 to 876.88 (-0.62%) compared to the last month update. Currently the Singapore REIT index is still trading with a range between 816 and 890. As for now, Short term direction: Sideway. Immediate Support at 816, followed by 775. Immediate Resistance at 890. Previous chart on FTSE ST REIT index can be found in the last post: Singapore REIT Fundamental Comparison Table on August 7, 2021. Fundamental Analysis of 38 Singapore REITs The following is the compilation of 38 Singapore REITs with colour coding of the Distribution Yield, Gearing Ratio and Price to NAV Ratio. Note 1: The Financial Ratio are based on past data and there are lagging indicator

With a history dating back to 1966, the Straits Times Index (STI) was originally coined as the Straits Industrial Index. After 30-odd years, the Straits Industrial Index was eventually succeeded by Straits Times Index on 31 August 1998. The reason for changing the index was to allow the index to cover more sectors and properly reflect the daily trading activities of stocks on SGX (or then-Stock Exchange of Singapore). Established by SPH, SGX and FTSE Russell, the index is reviewed on a semi-annual basis. Companies can be removed and added to the index based on their market capitalisation changes. Since STI’s official inception, the index has undergone several changes. The most recent major movement would be the replacement of SPH with Mapletree Industrial Trust on June 2020. Here, we com

This post was written in collaboration with Syfe. While we are financially compensated by them, we nonetheless strive to maintain our editorial integrity and review products with the same objective lens. We are committed to providing the best recommendations and advice in order for you to make personal financial decisions with confidence. You can view our Editorial Guidelines here. Having a steady flow of passive income that’s enough to support your monthly expenses is everyone’s dream. For one, it means that you don’t need to work like your life depends on it — any revenue stream that requires active work can now be channelled 100% into your savings. Also, like its name, passive income is money that you can earn with minimal effort. Sure, you may need to do the initial legwork

In this Dr Tee 1hr video education (Top 5 Factors of Global and Singapore REITs Investing), you will learn:1) Singapore Stock Market Outlook – Short term, medium term & long term2) LOFTP Investing Strategies for REITs Investing – Level Analysis (L1 Stock, L1 Sector, L3 Country, L4 World) – Optimism Analysis (0-100%) – Fundamental Analysis (Strong / Weak) – Technical Analysis (Follow-trend / Counter-trend) – Personal Analysis (Short Term Trading / Long Term Investing) 3) 4 Case Studies of Global and Singapore REITs Giant Stocks – Singapore Giant Reit: CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust, CICT (SGX: C38U) – Singapore Giant Reit: Parkway Life REIT (SGX: C2PU) – Hong Kong Giant Reit: Link REIT (

1.  SPH Reit  --  12th Jul 2021  (Business Update)2.  Mapletreelog Trust  --  19th Jul 20213.  SPH  --  19th Jul 2021  (Business Update)4. Suntec Reit  --  22nd Jul 20215.  Frasers Centrepoint Trust  --  22nd Jul 2021  (Business Update)6.  SATS  --  22nd Jul 2021  (Business Update)7.  MapletreeCom Trust  --  23rd Jul 2021  (Business Update)8.  SIA Engg  --  23rd Jul 2021  (Business Update)9.  Keppel DC Reit  --  26th Jul 202110.  Keppel Pac Oak US Reit  --  26th Jul 202111.  Mapletree NACT  --  26th Jul 2021  (Business Update)12.  Keppel Reit  --  27th Jul 202113.  MapletreeInd

The strategic restructuring and scheme resolution of CapitaLand was approved by shareholders at the recent extraordinary general meeting held on 10 August 2021. The approval sets into motion the privatisation of CapitaLand Limited (CL) and the new listing of CapitaLand Investment Limited (CLI).   Insights into the business of CLI was shared at a private media briefing and at the EGM for shareholders. What can shareholders and investors expect from the newly restructured CLI moving forward? Here are eight things I learned. 1. CLI’s new business model includes its fee income-related businesses and real estate investments. The fee income-related businesses (highlighted in blue) comprises fund management and lodging management – two areas where CLI manages third-party capital f

The lightning speed of the announcement this week by Keppel Corp on the acquisition of Singapore Press Holdings Group ("SPH") caught many folks by surprise. Although I have mentioned on my 25 July 2021 post that corporate actions for SPH should eventually come as "it is an inevitable eventuality given the benefits of economies of scale", the sudden materialization of corporate action still have me reeling in surprise and my jaw dropping. Are we finally bidding a last farewell to SPH which was incorporated on 4th August 1984? Is the offer of S$2.2 billion enough to convince existing Keppel Corp and SPH shareholders to say "yes" to the deal?1. S$2.2 billion offer by Keppel Corp is a very good deal?Unfortunately, the answer to this is a big "No No" as evident in the current market pricing of

The STI fell 12 points or 0.37% to 3,165.49 after earlier hitting 3,207; Banks were the main drivers; Singapore’s full-year GDP growth revised upwards to 6-7%; Wall Street indices set more all-time highs, investors ignored inflation data and focused instead on earnings, US$1 trillion infrastructure Bill; Trading volatility in banks inching upwards: SGX; Venture still a good bet despite component shortages: analysts; CDL’s hotel business shows signs of recovery; CapitaLand reported an almost 10-fold jump in 1H profit A holiday-shortened week saw the Straits Times Index undergo a fairly volatile five days in which banks and Singtel were its main movers. Providing the backdrop as always was Wall Street, where the major indices continued to set all-time highs as investors appeared to sh

Just sharing some of my thoughts here.Olam is a food commodity trader, processor, producer and distributor. There are a few pieces of good news that I thought but Olam shares are trading a recent low. (Post rights theoretical price should be around $1.6) Yet, they recently announced record earning and has firmed plans for demerger of OFI to primary list in LSE and secondary listing in SGX. Given commodity prices has a good run, and with 1H earning of 11 cents, even if they only 4 cents in 2H (Which is highly unlikely given the elevated food prices, as well as worries over supply disruptions and inflation etc), Olam will be in the PE range of 10. Olam also increase dividends in 1H, signaling the confidence of management. In terms of valuations, this is the first time in

It’s no big secret that we’re a fan of Singapore REITs in general. The good REITs own a portfolio of properties that generate steady rental income and pay a growing tax-free dividend. Besides that, you also get to enjoy some upside in capital appreciation. While the pandemic has affected retail and commercial REITs more so than others, the well-managed REITs that own high-quality properties in good locations will continue to do well in a post-pandemic world. In Singapore, the two largest retail-commercial REITs are CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust (CICT) and Mapletree Commercial Trust (MCT). Both own a portfolio of high-quality shopping malls and office buildings in Singapore (CICT also has a small portfolio in Germany), and have a track record of paying a stable dividend.

As a Singaporean investor, we might have heard of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). Individually, these two investment products are popular among investors due to their respective strengths in providing relatively good yields or stable market returns. To meet investors’ interest, Singapore launched its first REIT ETFs on the Singapore Exchange (SGX) in 2016. By combining ETF and REITs, a REIT ETF can provide an opportunity for investors to enjoy both benefits of having a good dividend yield along with diversified returns. Read Also: How Much Would Singapore Investors Have Made If They Invested $1,000 In Every REIT ETF Since Their Listing? Things To Note Before Investing In REIT ETFs In general, a REIT ETF would track an existing REIT index and seek t

InvestFair 2021 is happening! The first edition of InvestFair virtual features speakers and industry experts to bring across insights to WHERE and WHAT to invest in the current market. Click on the above banner to register for the event now. Technical Analysis of FTSE ST REIT Index (FSTAS351020) FTSE ST Real Estate Investment Trusts (FTSE ST REIT Index) increased slightly from 868.08 to 882.31 (+1.64%) compared to the last month update. Currently the Singapore REIT index is still trading with a range between 816 and 890. As for now, Short term direction: Sideway and Up. Immediate Support at 816, followed by 775. Immediate Resistance at 890. Previous chart on FTSE ST REIT index can be found in the last post: Singapore REIT Fundamental Comparison Table on July 4, 2021. Fundamental An

Capitaland China Trust ("CLCT") is a China-focused REIT that I have been holding on for about 2 years. It was memorable for me as I bought it in different tranches (the first 2 tranches at crazy high price). The first 2 tranches were bought in September 2019 and January 2020 respectively (under my Margin Account) while price per unit were at an all time high before the pandemic struck at around S$1.55 per unit before the price collapsed and I nearly had a heart attack.  But I still held on to it as I believed the China growth story and that China will be one of the first country to walk out of the shadow of COVID. The other huge tranche was bought at one of the lowest point during the depressing month of March 2020 at S$1.12 per unit. I was lucky to have picked up a substantial tranch

The Straits Times Index first fell, then rebounded to record a net gain of 5 points at 3,157.05 last week; Rising virus numbers led to the fall, Wall St’s gains helped the rebound; All 3 major US indices closed at record highs on Friday; 10-year US Treasury yield fell below 1.2% but ended week at 1.29%; US President Joe Biden said inflation is “temporary’’; Singapore’s return to May’s restrictions poses downside risk; SPH’s media revenue in secular decline; IFA said CapitaLand’s restructuring is “fair and reasonable’’; High Court grants winding-up order for Hyflux A plunge early in the week… Last week could best be divided into two halves when a plunge on Wall Street because of concerns over the spread of the Delta variant of the Covid-19 virus combined with news

The million dollar question is what has SPH REIT got to do with the divestment of the upcoming Media segment from Singapore Press Holdings ("SPH")? The short answer to that is that we are now seeing the conversion of SPH to a true property management company (and to a smaller extent a developer like Capitaland and City Development from its development of Woodleigh Residences). There are 2 interesting developments arising from the ripple effect, that is, the (i) up and coming Student Accommodation business being injected and (ii) the possibility of new shareholders in the future mounting a takeover of SPH and merging its properties portfolio into their own REITs currently listed on SGX. I will elaborate a bit more on the above 2 points later in my post below. 1. Misconception that Reta

Disclaimer: This post is only intended for informational and discussion purposes and should not be taken as financial advice. I am merely sharing my rationale for buying GL Limited shares, and may acquire more shares and/or divest my positions without updating this article. Please do your own due diligence and/or consult a licensed financial advisor before dealing with shares in GL Limited. Overview On 15th Jan 2021, GL Limited announced a voluntary conditional general offer from GuocoLeisure Holdings Limited, at an offer price of $0.70 per share. GL Limited is a company that operates in the hospitality, oil & gas, and property development segments. Following the announcement, analysts from Lim & Tan Securities have suggested that GL Limited could be worth as much as $1.16, a