Random thoughts: using stop order to protect profits

Posted by Sillyinvestor | Mar 3, 2017 | Investing |

Recently, I ask my broker for options in my interface for advance orders. I also pestered SMOL a lot since it is more complicated than I thought. I did read up a bit before that. It is simple concept, but the interface isn’t. Basically to protect profits, u sell at a price lower than current price but it will not be activated until the market hit your trigger price. What I want to achieve with this? Actually YZJ and Venture already hit my target gains. I am very tempted to take profits. So I actually key in...

Random thoughts: Joy is both the fuel and fire for sustained learning

Posted by Sillyinvestor | Mar 1, 2017 | Career & Education |

They say learning is to change. I reflected on my learning journey. What are some of the things that I have been doing on a sustained basis, they are those related in my work and those related to investment. The benchmark here is sustainability, not results. Not saying my teaching super solid or my investment skills power. But I am still trying out new ways of teaching despite all odds, even in school. While I might not be able to read as much in the past, I do have a habit of reflecting on the failures of...

Random thoughts: Buy New, buy used or just renew COE?

Posted by Sillyinvestor | Feb 26, 2017 | Saving & Spending |

I had the weirdest experience. My friend recently Trade in his previous Toyota Altis for 30K (about same age as mine) and bought a new one. I thought: Wow, it’s still worth so much. Assume Mine is worth 20K, it might be worth it to consider getting a new attrage (the cheapest Japanese saloon in market) I called the Mitsubishi showroom and ask for a quotation. I was quoted 8K for my Vios of mileage 180k. When I say de-registering the car now or by May would give me 8K too, since my ARF is about 14K and I...

Lee metals: Still delivering

Posted by Sillyinvestor | Feb 21, 2017 | Shares & Derivatives |

Dividends that is. While NP profits fell compared to a year ago, dividends of 2 cents is 0.71 of EPS and 0.35 of FCF. No financially strain here,. I recently increased my position. I felt 2017 will be a better year for Lee metals. I have holding this company since 2013, and has receive 8.5 cents. Before u poke, let me strip myself- I bought it at a av price 33 cents. If we track BCA demand, 2015 is a bountiful year. Billing was 35 Billion. 2016 was 26 billion. 2017 minimum range is from 28...

Random thoughts: The sense of urgency as a student

Posted by Sillyinvestor | Feb 19, 2017 | Personal Development |

Time flies, as much as I enjoy my semi-retirement life as a student, (Stressfree at full pay, how cool is that?)it is almost at half way point. It is quite a hectic schedule, but stress-free, makes hell a lot of difference. I felt an urgency to really read as much as possible, talk to people as much as possible and prepare as much as possible before I go back to school, because I am aware, once I return, my capacity is so stretched that I cannot even think properly. I have questioned many of my practices, formed...

Random thoughts: My biggest takeaway as a student

Posted by Sillyinvestor | Feb 13, 2017 | Personal Development |

My mental model. Not the slogan shouting type of positive attitude etc. it’s my understanding and analysis lens. I now see issues in 2 ways: the pendulum and the ice-berge. Pendulum It’s easier to see the faults or weaknesses of current situation. But we sometime forget the trade-off when we swing the other side. Anything extreme is not good. But it is important to know where we stand in the arc of pendulum none the less. It makes us aware of how we do damage control or value add in terms of costs of being at this side of...

FSL trust and signpost update

Posted by Sillyinvestor | Feb 13, 2017 | Shares & Derivatives |

FSL trust I used to own FSL trust and it has been on my radar since. Many things have happened, and I thought readers should know. 1) CEO left. He made no secret his unhappiness and the board did not mince words in explaining the reasons of letting him go. Apparently, there is some coporate issue and conflict of interest. The Ex-CEO is accused of pursuing his own interest over the trust. 2) Profit guidance. The trust is expected to report loss due to impairment but still positive in generating cash flow. U can read the announcements from the...

Random thoughts: Overpaying by 400% for years.

Posted by Sillyinvestor | Feb 7, 2017 | Saving & Spending |

Car servicing and repair, is what I am talking about. I have always gone to the authorized dealer for servicing and repair. I wanted a peace of mind. The fact that one of my friends had a bad experience with cheaper workshop also created my bias. Yesterday, my car’s air-con was spoilt. I drive it back to Buneo Motors. I was told it was most probably a coil problem. I was quoted $2300 after discount. Although the price is ridiculous, I am still willing to go along with it, as it has become my habit and I...

Random thoughts: meeting friends not seen almost over 2 decades

Posted by Sillyinvestor | Feb 5, 2017 | Personal Development |

My college friends, to be precise. We meet up during the CNY holidays but did not have enough. One of them is based in China, so we had a Friday lunch together. 5 hours just fly by. I have wanted to write a post on my student’s life. It is like my FI dream come true. But decided against publishing it. I wouldn’t be able to meet them for lunch if I am not a student. A student life is cognitive stimulating but emotional less fulfilling for me, but definitely less mentally and physically taxing. Anyway,...

Random thoughts: Visual metaphor for self-awareness

Posted by Sillyinvestor | Feb 5, 2017 | Personal Development |

During my course, there is this module on coaching. And my trainer causally remarked that when she was the principal, she actually ask the teachers to think of a metaphor for their school vision. I did the same for myself and realized a few things. 1) The first image that come to your mind reflect the state of current affairs. U have to be honest and not analyze too much. Just think of what comes to your mind. If it’s a beautiful picture, good, if it’s a ugly picture. Then u know u dun think too highly of yeh...

1st guest post from Ted of Redbrick

Posted by Sillyinvestor | Jan 27, 2017 | Property |

I receive no rewards/ compensation of whatsoever from this blog post. My intention is simple, someone ask me for help, I help. Red brick, is talking about HdB loans options. I do not see how providing convenient to Ted in this case can anyway turn out detrimental to my readers and I believe the info might be quite useful. Again, I emphasized, I do not endorse anything and receive nothing in return. Here goes: —————————————————- Buying a HDB flat for the first time can be an intimidating experience. It’s probably the first big ticket purchase in your life that...

Coporate announcement: Portfolio update

Posted by Sillyinvestor | Jan 25, 2017 | Investing |

As mentioned during the annual report of Sillyinvestor Inc, we will continue to trim our portfolio to hold more cash as and when opportunity arises. The management does not think there is anything fundementally wrong with the company. The privatization of parent company is just noise. With a holding period of 15 months, the return has been 16% including dividends. We feel it is a fair return as we await opportunity. The management want to take full advantage or a bear/ correction as and when it happens. Management believes it should not need to wait more...

Random thoughts: Annual Report 2016 Sillyinvestor Inc

Posted by Sillyinvestor | Jan 15, 2017 | Shares & Derivatives |

Chairman statement: Dear readers, the theme in 2016 is surviving in a volatile world. There are 2 shocker news: first Brexit and next Trump’s election. But the market survived and blossom. We are proud to announce we have grow from strength to strength. The company manage a dividend of $3849 in 2016, from a capital base of about $57000, giving a yield of about 6.5%. This is a 2.5% improvement in yield and 40% increase in dividend. However, trading profits is flat or negligible. The small profits in 1H was gone as we increase cash by taking a loss...

Random thoughts: Risk-reward profile by considerations and assumptions.

Posted by Sillyinvestor | Jan 12, 2017 | Investing |

I am sometimes able to draw parallel in the investing world with teaching and learning. This time round, it is the reverse, I draw valuable insights from teaching and learning that can be transferred to investment. We have a module on reflection, and suddenly I realize in investing, we made many considerations but seldom do a check on our most fundamental assumptions. Let’s do this: I consider 1) YZJ to be a cyclical play. 2) it to be a alpha company that will gain when turnaround happens. 3) it to be reasonably financially strong, unless u totally discount HTM...

Singpost: 2nd catalyst and 3rd catalyst

Posted by Sillyinvestor | Jan 8, 2017 | Shares & Derivatives |

Singpost has found a replacement CEO. This is a CEO with operating expertise in logistic and freight forwarding. A timely change as it move to synergied its accquistions. With this CEO, I hope this pace of accquistions will stop over the next few years. The second catalyst has happened. Market is not excited, but at least not disappointed. Singpost has risen intandem with the market The third catalyst, will be out in 2 months. Alibaba has a record sale during Nov 11. Amazon also had record sales. If u read their analysts meeting notes, Mervin has always “hint” that...

Author: Sillyinvestor