Good afternoon folks. One of the few things that I like to do is to catch up or recap on some important news from recent times. So, what are some of the interesting articles from end July to early August? 1. First of all, my colleague Jeremy China shared with us some important things he looks at when analyzing a bank. This includes how to assess a bank’s balance sheet here, how to value a stock here and how to analyze a bank’s profitability here. If you are an investor or potential investor looking at banks like DBS Group Holdings Ltd (SGX: D05), United Overseas Bank Ltd (SGX: U11) and Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp Limited (SGX: O39), it will be useful to read his articles above. 2. As investors, we try to learn from great investors like Warren Buffet to improve our investing skills.

North Korea’s nuclear test last week triggered a responsive global sell-off which saw the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) pulling back 1.1 percent within a single day on 5 September. Nevertheless, the US bellwether displayed remarkable resilience with a quick recovery and continued to set new record highs. Over the fortnight, DJIA rose 1.4 percent to close at 22,203.48. Meanwhile, the much-anticipated launch of Apple’s new iPhones lent strength to the tech giant and its suppliers. Over the last two weeks, tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index climbed one percent to finish at 6,429.08. Following ECB’s decision to leave benchmark interest rates unchanged and affirmed commitments to its bond-purchase program, as well as Fed vice chair Stanley Fisher’s announced departure which implied

The Straits Times Index (SGX: ^STI), the most prominent stock market benchmark in Singapore, is made up of 30 different companies. These 30 companies are reviewed on a quarterly basis to determine whether any changes should be made. The review also brings up five companies for the reserve list. These “benchwarmers” are meant to step up to the plate should any existing Straits Times Index constituent drop out for whatever reason. The latest review revealed that contract manufacturer Venture Corporation Ltd (SGX: V03) is now in the reserve list. Because of this, the company could well find its way into the Straits Times Index in the future. The five amigos Here’re a few things that investor might want to know about the benchwarmers: 1. The previous reserve list consisted of logistics

As Foolish investors may know, the Straits Times Index (SGX: ^STI), the most prominent market benchmark in Singapore, is made up of 30 different stocks. What may not be well-known is that the list of 30 is reviewed on a quarterly basis to determine whether any changes should be made.  In a joint release yesterday, the index’s co-creators – Singapore Press Holdings Limited (SGX: T39), Singapore Exchange Limited (SGX: S68), and FTSE Russell – announced that SIA Engineering Company Ltd (SGX: S59) would be dropped from the index.   Jardine Strategic Holdings Limited (SGX: J37) will take SIA Engineering’s place. You say goodbye, I say hello Before dropping out, SIA Engineering was the smallest contributor to the Straits Times Index, accounting for just 0.33%. Interestingly, Jardine

We’ve come to the end of the earnings season. As is common with every earnings season, there will be some companies posting growth, some companies posting mixed numbers, and some companies experiencing declines. So, which are the companies that have recently delivered higher profits? Let’s look at two of them: 1. In early August, Venture Corporation Ltd (SGX: V03) released its 2017 second quarter results. As a quick background, Venture is an electronics manufacturing services provider. It has its fingers in a range of activities, such as printing & imaging; networking & communications; retail store solutions, and more. During the reporting quarter, the company saw its revenue jump by 48.3% year-on-year to S$1.01 billion. Profit attributable to shareholders did even better, soa

Venture Corporation Ltd (SGX: V03) is an electronics manufacturing services provider. It has its fingers in a range of activities, such as printing & imaging; networking & communications; retail store solutions, and more. Earlier this month, the company reported its 2017 second quarter earnings. There are some good aspects of the company’s business from the latest announcement that investors may want to know about: 1. Strong growth seen Venture delivered strong growth during the reporting quarter, both in terms of revenue and profit. See below: Source: Venture Corporation 2017 second quarter earnings press release The company said that its growth was driven by its “diversified customer base and continuing strong execution of customers’ programmes launched in prior quarters

Market Sentiments In the US, this week was the second worst week of the year, with the Standard & Poors 500 (S&P 500) declining 1.4%. This was mainly due to investors weighing up geopolitical tension between the US and North Korea. Weak inflation numbers and lower expectations of a Fed rate rise also muted stock markets recently. In Singapore, there were knock-on effects as the Straits Times Index (STI) dived 1.4% for the week, bringing its return for the year to 13.9%. Manufacturing in Singapore Many in Singapore see manufacturing companies as sunset businesses or one that will likely be shifted to cheaper countries. Businesses in software engineering, internet technologies, consumer retail space and even property development and ownership are often deemed sexier by investors in

MARKET OVERVIEW- The market is likely to drift lower in the holiday-shortened week, with investors focused on next batch of results from Singtel, City Dev and ST Engineering.- Technically, the STI faces topside resistance at 3,360, with downside support is at 3,275.SECTOR WATCH*Property developers- Brisk demand for new private homes continued unabated following another good take-up during the weekend launch of Le Quest, a 516-unit mixed development in Bukit Batok.- Developed by Qingjian Realty, the 99-year leasehold project, all 280 units available were snapped up at an average price of $1,280 psf. - MKE prefers UOL and City Dev for exposure to the residential sector.CORPORATE RESULTS*UOL- 2Q17 results were in line as net profit jumped 59% to $109.4m on higher sales recognition from Princi

The local stock market, as represented by the Straits Times Index (SGX: ^STI), ended the week at 3326.52, inching down 0.1%. Out of the 30 index components, half were in the red, while the other half ended the week on a positive note. Telecommunications outfit, Singapore Telecommunications Limited (SGX: Z74), finished Friday at S$3.83, slumping 4.3% for the week. The firm will be reporting its first quarter results on 11 August 2017. On the other hand, the biggest winner in the index was shipbuilder, Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Holdings Ltd (SGX: BS6). It rang up gains of 11.9% to S$1.46. A few companies released their quarterly reports during the week so do check out their coverages below: Raffles Medical Group Ltd (SGX: BSL) – click here OKP Holdings Ltd (SGX: 5CF) – click here Star

Venture Corporation Ltd (SGX: V03) reported in its second-quarter earnings report on Friday. The reporting period was from 1 April 2017 to 30 June 2017. The electronic services manufacturer serves a variety of industries: printing & imaging, networking & communications, retail store solutions & industrial, computer peripherals & data storage and test & measurement / medical & life science / others. The firm primarily serves the Asia Pacific region. You can also catch up with the previous quarter’s earnings here. Financial highlights The following’s a quick take its financial figures for the second-quarter: 1. Revenue was up 48.3% year over year to $1.01 billion. 2. Net profit for the period was $69.8 million, up 61% from a year ago. 3. Earnings per share (EP

Market Sentiments Closing at 3330.75, the Straits Times Index (STI) ended at two-year highs this week. This was on the back of a 15.6% gain in 2017 so far and 0.5% improvement in the past one week. In Singapore, one of the worst kept secret was finally announced when Amazon entered the retail foray on Thursday (27 July 2017). While CNA reported that its delivery has ground to a halt due to overwhelming orders, it remains to be seen what the long-term implication will be for the local retail scene. Globally, uncertainty was kept in check with the US Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting concluding without any increase in interest rates. This resulted in global and regional markets putting in a stable performance. Information Technology Information Technology, or IT, has been one of t