President Obama wins! What next?

President Obama has been re-elected! Seems that Mr. Ben Benanke's job is safe. More quantitative easing, a weaker US$ and stronger inflationary pressure? Seems like it.

People are concerned about the "fiscal cliff". Could it turn out to be a non-event? Could the Democrats and Republicans reach a compromise?

What is the "fiscal cliff" all about and why should we be concerned?

If the current laws slated for 2013 go into effect, the impact on the economy could be dramatic. While the combination of higher taxes and spending cuts would reduce the deficit by an estimated $560 billion... the policies set to go into effect would cut gross domestic product (GDP) by four percentage points in 2013, sending the economy into a recession.

See full write up at: The fiscal cliff explained.

President Barack Obama won re-election in a tight campaign, besting Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney in enough swing states to secure four more years in office.

The specter of gridlock would undoubtedly loom before Obama as he confronts an immediate task in addressing the series of automatic tax hikes and spending cuts – the so-called “fiscal cliff” – set to spring into place at the end of this year. As Obama won a second term, House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, said Republicans’ retention of their House majority meant “the American people have also made clear that there is NO mandate for raising tax rates.”

Read full story at: NBC News!

The story does not end with President Obama's re-election, for sure. Another chapter is about to begin.

Want to be wealthier without higher risk?

More than a year ago, I wrote about a conversation I had with someone who was worried about the effects of inflation on his personal wealth. By chance, I met him over the weekend and we spoke briefly. He lamented that he did not listen to me as he could not come to terms with the idea that to protect his wealth, he had to take risk.

This reminds me of a saying in Hokkien I heard recently:
Afraid that grasping too loosely might let the bird fly away and that grasping too tightly might kill the bird.

So, fearing the wealth destructive effects of higher inflation, he wants higher returns from investments that have higher risk but the problem is that he cannot accept the higher risk!

If not for the fact that he looked so serious and troubled, I would have made a joke out of it.

This person is very careful with his money. Perhaps, too careful. Well, he has a family to care for and with young kids, I suppose he is right to fear risk. If there should be an investment that would offer him high returns with near zero risk, I am sure he would have jumped on it, but is there such a thing?

Anyway, I did not know what to say to make him feel better and after making some small talk, I bid him farewell. Would you know what to say to make someone feel better in such a situation?

Some people are just ill disposed to risk taking. Live and let live, I guess.

The paradox is that he is actually already taking risk by leaving his money in his bank account in the current low interest rate, high inflation environment and he is definitely not growing any wealthier.

Related post:
To protect our wealth, we have to take risk.

Music and movie!

 

 

I am Your Superstar -

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It is movie time!

 

Do you have a pet? Everyone who has a pet would know how heartbreaking it is when your pet leaves you.

For Victor Frankenstein he doesn't want to lose his beloved pet dog Sparky. He brings Sparky back to life only to face unintended and monstrous consequences.

Catch Tim Burton's Frankenweenie for a thrilling ride of comedy, adventure and horror!

 

See the previews at: Frankenweenie!

 

Sound Global: Smart money is buying.

On 17 Oct, I mentioned a downside target of 48c for Sound Global's share price. This might or might not materialise. Personally, I am not averse to buying a few bids higher if the technicals tell me that it could be a good idea.

As Sound Global's share price declined, volume has also declined. This picture of a low volume pull back suggests that the selling is weak. Indeed, looking at the MACD, we see a higher low possibly forming. Looking at Chaikin Money Flow, we see how money flow has turned positive even as its share price weakened lately.

Immediate resistance is at 51c while immediate support is at 49.5c.

This is another stock I am accumulating on weakness.

Water treatment investments are set to double in the 12th Five Year Plan Period (2011-2015) to CNY430b in an effort to improve China’s wastewater treatment rate to 85% by 2015, from 77% currently. Commercialisation and privatisation of the Chinese water treatment market is also a long-term trend. With over 20 years of experience, Sound Global has become one of the leading one-stop integrated wastewater treatment solution providers in China, with a respectable market share.

 

In our view, Sound Global’s revenue will be supported by: 1) continuous order wins thanks to a long-term relationship with the government, and 2) more BOT projects entering their collection period. A hike in water tariffs in China will also have positive effect on revenue.

 

Although we are positive on Sound Global’s revenue outlook, its high net margin of the past few years would be very hard to maintain, in our view. Recent high-cost borrowing will weigh on the company’s net margin for the next few years, assuming it does not redeem the senior notes before maturity.

 

Sound Global is trading at a large discount to its peers (6.7x FY12PE based on consensus vs average of 12.8x for HK-listed peers and Hyflux’s 16.7x). We currently do not have a rating and target price on Sound Global. However, we think the deep discount may not be justified given Sound Global’s comparable net margin and higher-than-peers ROE. Sound Global is worth considering if investors are looking for cheaper alternatives.
 

(Maybank Kim Eng, 8 Oct 12)

Related post:
Sound Global: Accumulate on weakness.

CapitaMalls Asia: Any correction is a buying opportunity.

CapitaMalls Asia's share price is enjoying a strong follow through after breaking resistance. Further increase in share price is likely to meet stronger resistance at $1.93, the 138.2% Fibo line. Overcoming this resistance level would see the next two golden ratios at $2.00 and $2.07 providing resistance.

It remains to be seen if $1.84 is resistance turned support. Stronger support is at $1.705 as that was a many times tested resistance that finally gave way after a period of seven months. Bears would have to be out in full force and more in order to push the share price below $1.705 as the bulls who missed the boat earlier would likely try to get on the boat at this very price, give or take a couple of bids.

All the daily MAs are rising and the picture has turned nicely bullish. Any correction to test supports would be a buying opportunity.

We reckon there may be opportunities for CMA to monetize some assets in 2013, such as Queensbay Mall and its 50% stake in ION Orchard. With continued strong underlying performance from the malls, we maintain our BUY recommendation. Target price is raised to SGD2.25. (Maybank Kim Eng, 29 Oct 12)

Related post:
CapitaMalls Asia: Broke resistance.

China Minzhong: Accumulate on weakness.

There are a few stocks which I would like to accumulate on weakness in the near term. China Minzhong is one such stock.

Many like Jim Rogers have put forth a convincing case of an impending food crisis. In the event of global food shortages, it is logical to expect food prices to rise. So, investing in food producers seems to make good sense.

Improving numbers, insider buying, an experienced management and the right industry, I believe China Minzhong is a good company to invest in. Also, there could be more positive catalysts and these could push its share price higher.

After hitting a low of 53c in early June, its share price rose to hit a high of 87.5c on 19 Oct. That is a meteoric 65% increase in a short span of 4 months.

The daily chart is showing some fatigue. Some consolidation is to be expected. The immediate support is at 78c. If that should go, next supports are at 74c and 70c. The MACD which is a pure price oscillator suggests that supports could continue to be tested. However, the Chaikin Money Flow does not show any significant outflow of funds which suggests that long holders are not in any hurry to sell. We could see share price doing what Daryl Guppy calls a correction using time which means people waiting on the side hoping to get back in when there is a price correction could be disappointed.

The weekly chart shows quite clearly that the downtrend has reversed. Breaking immediate support could see share price declining to test the 20w MA in the longer term. This currently approximates 71c. As the 20w MA is rising, the longer term support would be a higher value over time. The declining 100w MA, currently at $1.10, could cap any further price increase in the near future.

Buying when there is a test of supports with longer term MAs rising seems like a good idea. However, remember, TA shows where the supports and resistance are but it does not mean that they will be tested.

Related post:
China Minzhong: Opportunity in slowing momentum.

“If food inflation in China remains high, there is a high chance that the management’s revenue target (of 15% growth) could be surpassed.” Maybank-KE keeps a Buy call with $1.16 target. Read full article in The EDGE.

AirBook at US$464.96 only!

Looking for an inexpensive and sleek notebook? This looks cool and the price is amazing!

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OS: Windows XP.
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Storage device: Reader modules (SD/MS/MMC),MAX. 32GB.
Camera: 1.3 mega pixels camera.
I/O Port: 3.5mm audio jack, 2 USB 2.0 ports, Card Reader (SD/MS/MMC), DC IN, Mini HDMI. Adapter power supply: 100-240V Input; 19V/2.2A DC Output.
Battery: 7.4V/4200mAh.
Dimension: 334.5 x 223.5 x 21.8mm.
Weight: 1.45kg.
Language: English   

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Check it out:
13.3 inch Aluminum Shell Slim AirBook Notebook Computer with WIFI

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