Global Stock Market Weekly Roundup

Global Stock Market Weekly Roundup

US stocks rallied strongly on Wed pushing the Dow to close above the 10,000 level for the first time since October 2008, spurred by a better than expected earnings result from global banking giant, JP Morgan Chase & Co, together with a positive report on retail sales for September. Asian was buoyed by US’s moves and also signs that the economic outlook in China was improving – most notably in terms of exports. We expect markets to remain highly volatile in the short-term. Clients should consider investing in tranches or RSP to ride out the volatility.

Keeping a Roof Over Your Head?

One of the most interesting insights that I’ve gathered from Singaporeans is the way of proposing for marriage. Singaporeans are pretty creative people and they usually propose by saying, “Let’s register to buy a HDB flat!”

In Singapore, it’s pretty common to regard the home that they live in as an investment for retirement. Real estate has the benefit of appreciating over time and it’s a pretty good tool to hedge against inflation.

The very success of the CPF system contributed to Singapore having one of the world’s highest number of homeowners. However, this has also rendered Singaporeans as “asset-rich but cash-poor” during retirements. This saying is pretty common because most of Singaporeans’ savings are locked up in their property and they may faced with the possibility of selling their property upon retirement if they do not have other sources of funds to rely on.

For those who wish to monetize their property in their golden years in order to fund their retirement, two options with respect to their properties are available.

Life Without Limbs in Singapore!

This week, Nick Vujicic spent 2 nights in Singapore, sharing with the congregation of Heart of God Church. The church was packed when I was there on the first night with the line flowing outside the church doors.

Just a little introduction about Nick. He was born without arms or legs and given no medical reason for this condition. His life was filled with difficulties and hardships. Being bullied at his school, Nick grew extremely depressed, and by the age of eight, started comtemplating suicide. After begging God to grow arms and legs, Nick eventually began to realize that his accomplishments were inspirational to many, and began to thank God he was alive. When he was seventeen, he started to give talks at his prayer group, and eventually started his non-profit organization, Life Without Limbs…

MAS! Please HELP!

Over the weekend, The Straits Times Money Section reports that the Monetary Authority of Singapore has revealed that almost 10,000 retail investors bought products linked to now-bankrupt US investment bank Lehman Brothers amounting to $501 million!

It was also reported that investors were left fuming after the complicated derivative instruments were pitched to them by local banks as “not risky”, only to realize too late that these products were really more complex than they had thought.

Terms Associated With The On-Going Financial Meltdown

Just for Laugh!

Humpty Dumpty had a great fall~

US Companies – What a great fall!

Worth of US Companies:

* A I G -Then: $178.8 billion… Now: $5.46 billion. Down 96.95%.
* Bank of America -Then: $236.5 billion… Now: $123.4 billion. Down 47.82%.
* Citigroup -Then: $236.7 billion… Now: $76.34 billion. Down 67.75%.
* Merrill Lynch – Then: $63.9 billion… Now: $30.2 billion. Down 52.74%.
* Fannie Mae – Then: $64.8 billion… Now: $0.45 billion. Down 99.3%

Develop Great Financial Strategies

In the very recent weeks, there had been a common trend among the clients that I met. Just 2 weeks ago, my client told me that he purchased a savings plan from an Insurance Adviser who was doing MRT prospecting 2 years ago. It was to his horror when I pointed out that he purchased an Investment Linked Whole Life Insurance policy with merely $12,000 Sum Assured which will take 12 years to break even.

Again, just last week, he introduced his friend who paid $3,000/year for a $15,000 Sum Assured Investment Linked Policy which will take him 7 years to break even.

You see, there is a translator of Sun Tzu: The Art of War which describes in very simple terms that winning strategy achieves victory before the battle:

A victorious army seeks its victories before seeking battle.
An army destined to defeat fights in the hope of winning.

I’m a big fan of Sun Tzu and I believe what Sun Tzu really meant is Success is left to chance without a strategy. With strategy, we have direction and goals!

In fact, we should apply Sun Tzu’s advise on our financial plan as well!

Dr. Demartini

Dr. John Demartini, one of the featured teachers in the phenonmenal movie “The Secret” and author of many best selling books, including “Count Your Blessings” and “The Heart of Love” was in Singapore recently. I had the pleasure of attending his seminar.

Who is Dr. John Demartini?

At the age of 17, John was living on the streets, begging to survive. After a near death experience due to strychnine poisoning, he made a decision that would change his life forever. John dedicated his life to becoming a teacher, healer and philosopher.

Dr. Demartini spent the next 29 years researching and studying more than 28,000 texts and over 200 different disciplines ranging from philosophy, metaphysics and theology.

Honestly, I was quite impressed. Dr. Demartini is already in his 50s but he definitely do not look like one! He wasn’t the type of speaker who would jump up and down to get his audience moving. He was standing and it was just like a chatting session. He is indeed a man who can share alot with those who want to listen.

The Greatest Stories Never Told

Adapted from ‘Tales From The Marketing Wars’ By Jack Trout

Great marketing is great storytelling. All great religions are sold via storytelling, or parables as they are often called in Christianity. This is a good strategy; people are inherently interested in stories, whether in films or novels or, even, brands. The problem is that the stories often go untold. If you’re still a skeptic, let me tell you some amazing stories you’ve never heard about some very well-known companies and brands. Let’s start with the world’s largest company.