CDP
| Security | # shares | Price S$ | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| DBS | 300 | 32.82 | 2.56 |
| UOB | 300 | 28.22 | 2.20 |
| OCBC Bank | 700 | 12.58 | 2.29 |
| SGX | 2,700 | 9.55 | 6.68 |
| iFast | 5,700 | 4.62 | 6.85 |
| CapitaLand Investment | 7,400 | 3.72 | 7.16 |
| ST Engineering | 6,900 | 3.62 | 6.50 |
| SATS | 8,200 | 2.54 | 5.42 |
| Powermatic Data | 8,500 | 2.52 | 5.57 |
| TheHourGlass | 5,000 | 2.08 | 2.70 |
| Micro-Mechanics | 11,100 | 2.10 | 6.06 |
| Vicom | 11,800 | 1.85 | 5.68 |
| Sheng Siong | 13,000 | 1.77 | 5.98 |
| Nanofilm | 15,400 | 1.50 | 6.01 |
| ComfortDelGro | 11,200 | 1.19 | 3.47 |
| Genting Singapore | 11,700 | 1.14 | 3.46 |
| Credit Bureau Asia | 14,300 | 0.98 | 3.64 |
| HRnetGroup | 21,900 | 0.75 | 4.27 |
| China Sunsine | 41,800 | 0.46 | 5.00 |
| TalkMed Group | 14,500 | 0.42 | 1.58 |
| HC Surgical | 35,500 | 0.355 | 3.28 |
| Silverlake Axis | 15,000 | 0.335 | 1.31 |
| Kimly | 27,000 | 0.33 | 2.32 |
Trades
- None
SRS
| Security | # shares | Price S$ | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| OCBC Bank | 900 | 12.58 | 7.91 |
| SGX | 1,300 | 9.57 | 8.69 |
| iFast | 2,100 | 4.62 | 6.78 |
| CapitaLand Investment | 2,600 | 3.72 | 6.76 |
| ST Engineering | 3,000 | 3.62 | 7.59 |
| SATS | 3,800 | 2.54 | 6.74 |
| Powermatic Data | 3,400 | 2.52 | 5.99 |
| Micro-Mechanics | 3,100 | 2.10 | 4.55 |
| Vicom | 4,700 | 1.85 | 6.08 |
| Sheng Siong | 8,700 | 1.77 | 10.76 |
| Nanofilm | 5,500 | 1.50 | 5.76 |
| ComfortDelGro | 6,900 | 1.19 | 5.74 |
| Credit Bureau Asia | 5,700 | 0.98 | 3.90 |
| China Sunsine | 10,800 | 0.46 | 3.47 |
| TalkMed Group | 5,800 | 0.42 | 1.70 |
| HC Surgical | 19,500 | 0.355 | 4.84 |
| Silverlake Axis | 6,000 | 0.335 | 1.40 |
| Kimly | 5,800 | 0.33 | 1.34 |
Trades
- None
Singapore Savings Bonds
| Security | Amount ($) | Avg Yld % |
|---|---|---|
| GX18070N | 12,500 | 2.63 |
| GX22120S | 14,000 | 3.47 |
| GX23010Z | 15,000 | 3.26 |
Commentary
Another month passed in the blink of an eye. Market was directionless most of the time, and I stayed on the sidelines.
Economists are worried about a global recession, caused by record high interest rates not seen in the past decade. The Singapore labour market however, is holding up well [release]. While there is the occasional tech retrenchment, e.g. Amazon [news], packed shopping malls and higher Retail Reits' tenant sales are indicators that consumers are still confident to spend, eat out and travel. So B2C companies continue to thrive.
I read about NIM pressure on banks, but not seeing any impact yet. UOB just reported 1Q23 result [here]. Net profit was S$1.58b, up 74% YoY. This came after the bank completed its acquisition of Citi's businesses in Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. (Acquisition of Citi's business in Indonesia will complete by year end.) ROE rocketed to 14.9%, up 6.1% YoY. NIM moderated to 2.14% from 2.22% in 4Q22 while NPL ratio remained stable at 1.6%.
Overall, a positive report card. I expect similar good news for DBS reporting on May 2, and OCBC reporting on May 10.
I recently evaluated the companies held in my portfolio. The worst companies - according to my personal performance scorecard - are ComfortDelGro, SATS and iFast.
ComfortDelGro (CDG) has seen improved ridership, but its share price is stuck around the $1.20 range. Broker analysts are optimistic about the company, considering the number of buy calls, but the market isn't hopeful at all. There is sign of P/E contraction, and it begs me to think whether the heyday of Singapore's main public transport operator is over. Currently, CDG is vying to operate metro lines in Sweden from 2025 onwards [news].
SATS hasn't reinstated its dividend since the pandemic. Instead, it boosted staffing in anticipation of demand. It is unknown whether the recent surge in revenge travel from China will translate into tangible earnings for the company. The airport service operator will also need time to integrate WFS into its corporate structure and derive synergy savings. The loan taken to acquire WFS will weigh on the bottom line too.
iFast reported dismay 1Q23 result [here]. Revenue was S$48.9m, down 5.7% YoY. Net profit was S$4.62m, down 18.5% YoY. The company is still nursing a loss from its UK bank acquisition while experiencing reduced YoY AUA (Assets Under Administration). The delayed start of revenue contribution from its Hong Kong ePension Services in late 2023 is a ray of hope that the asset manager will reverse its beleaguered fortune.
Around the same time, I researched on new stock ideas. Ran my screener on local listed companies and it identified Riverstone Holdings, AEM Holdings and UMS Holdings.
Riverstone sells clean-room products (including gloves). Its business soared during the COVID19 period, but now that the pandemic is behind us, its share price has come back down to earth and its dividend yield will probably retrace to the historical 1.5-2.5% range, which is unsatisfactory in my opinion.
AEM manufactures test equipment for the semiconductor industry. The company has seen dramatic improvement in its top and bottom line over the last three years, and has won plaudits from broker analysts. I find fellow blogger TFI's coverage of AEM AGM 2023 [here] to be insightful.
UMS manufactures high precision semiconductor components and complex electromechanical assembly. The company has shown similar improvement in its top and bottom line over the last three years. The company has been consistent in doling out dividends through good times and bad. I have placed UMS on my watchlist.
Both AEM and UMS operate in the same industry as Micro-Mechanics Holdings (MMH) which I currently hold. Of the three, I favour MMH most because of its zero debt burden. But even the healthiest company cannot escape an industry cyclical downturn. MMH reported its 3Q23 result last Friday. Revenue was S$14.9m, down 24.2% YoY. Net profit was S$1.63m, down 63% YoY. Such poor showing was expected, coming off a high base in 2022. MMH share price has declined in recent months. Nonetheless, I'm confident the company will ride through unscathed.
Buffett's "20 slots" punch card rule keeps nagging at the back of my mind. At the moment, I have 23 stocks in my portfolio. If I add UMS, that will be #24. My limited capital is being spread out on too many bets. Ownership bias has afflicted me far too long, especially when the reason I first bought the stock no longer holds. Time to get rid of the laggards and free up capital to focus on my higher conviction ideas. Watch this space.
By the way, James Clear, author of the New York Times bestseller Atomic Habits, explains [here] how you can apply Buffett's "20 slots" rule not just to investments, but to life too.
On the savings side, the latest SSB average yield is 3.07%, worse than prevailing FD rates in the market. I'm sitting out to conserve dry powder. That said, I'm not discouraging anyone from investing in SSB. There is mounting evidence the U.S. has hit peak inflation [article], even though the ECB still struggles to keep inflation in check [news]. The MAS Core Inflation fell to 5.0% YoY in March compared to 5.5% in February [release]. Investing in short-term FDs means one faces reinvestment risk when interest rates start to head south.
Per my February blog post, I have been reflecting on my financial freedom journey. I have doubts on and off whether I will be able to retire comfortably and pursue other interests in life. I am in a stable financial position now, but there is a big hairy audacious retirement goal that I aspire to achieve. (Embarrassing to say it out loud, but you will know when I hit it!)
I'm saddended by the demise of fellow blogger Createwealth8888. I had been a regular reader of his posts. I first learnt about the term "multi-bagger" from his writing. My deepest condolences to his family. (Reminder to self: Life is short. Cherish it. Nothing is worth sacrificing in the pursuit of a big hairy audacious retirement goal.)
Signing off for now. Thank you for reading. Until next time, take care.
Economists are worried about a global recession, caused by record high interest rates not seen in the past decade. The Singapore labour market however, is holding up well [release]. While there is the occasional tech retrenchment, e.g. Amazon [news], packed shopping malls and higher Retail Reits' tenant sales are indicators that consumers are still confident to spend, eat out and travel. So B2C companies continue to thrive.
I read about NIM pressure on banks, but not seeing any impact yet. UOB just reported 1Q23 result [here]. Net profit was S$1.58b, up 74% YoY. This came after the bank completed its acquisition of Citi's businesses in Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. (Acquisition of Citi's business in Indonesia will complete by year end.) ROE rocketed to 14.9%, up 6.1% YoY. NIM moderated to 2.14% from 2.22% in 4Q22 while NPL ratio remained stable at 1.6%.
Overall, a positive report card. I expect similar good news for DBS reporting on May 2, and OCBC reporting on May 10.
I recently evaluated the companies held in my portfolio. The worst companies - according to my personal performance scorecard - are ComfortDelGro, SATS and iFast.
ComfortDelGro (CDG) has seen improved ridership, but its share price is stuck around the $1.20 range. Broker analysts are optimistic about the company, considering the number of buy calls, but the market isn't hopeful at all. There is sign of P/E contraction, and it begs me to think whether the heyday of Singapore's main public transport operator is over. Currently, CDG is vying to operate metro lines in Sweden from 2025 onwards [news].
SATS hasn't reinstated its dividend since the pandemic. Instead, it boosted staffing in anticipation of demand. It is unknown whether the recent surge in revenge travel from China will translate into tangible earnings for the company. The airport service operator will also need time to integrate WFS into its corporate structure and derive synergy savings. The loan taken to acquire WFS will weigh on the bottom line too.
iFast reported dismay 1Q23 result [here]. Revenue was S$48.9m, down 5.7% YoY. Net profit was S$4.62m, down 18.5% YoY. The company is still nursing a loss from its UK bank acquisition while experiencing reduced YoY AUA (Assets Under Administration). The delayed start of revenue contribution from its Hong Kong ePension Services in late 2023 is a ray of hope that the asset manager will reverse its beleaguered fortune.
Around the same time, I researched on new stock ideas. Ran my screener on local listed companies and it identified Riverstone Holdings, AEM Holdings and UMS Holdings.
Riverstone sells clean-room products (including gloves). Its business soared during the COVID19 period, but now that the pandemic is behind us, its share price has come back down to earth and its dividend yield will probably retrace to the historical 1.5-2.5% range, which is unsatisfactory in my opinion.
AEM manufactures test equipment for the semiconductor industry. The company has seen dramatic improvement in its top and bottom line over the last three years, and has won plaudits from broker analysts. I find fellow blogger TFI's coverage of AEM AGM 2023 [here] to be insightful.
UMS manufactures high precision semiconductor components and complex electromechanical assembly. The company has shown similar improvement in its top and bottom line over the last three years. The company has been consistent in doling out dividends through good times and bad. I have placed UMS on my watchlist.
Both AEM and UMS operate in the same industry as Micro-Mechanics Holdings (MMH) which I currently hold. Of the three, I favour MMH most because of its zero debt burden. But even the healthiest company cannot escape an industry cyclical downturn. MMH reported its 3Q23 result last Friday. Revenue was S$14.9m, down 24.2% YoY. Net profit was S$1.63m, down 63% YoY. Such poor showing was expected, coming off a high base in 2022. MMH share price has declined in recent months. Nonetheless, I'm confident the company will ride through unscathed.
Buffett's "20 slots" punch card rule keeps nagging at the back of my mind. At the moment, I have 23 stocks in my portfolio. If I add UMS, that will be #24. My limited capital is being spread out on too many bets. Ownership bias has afflicted me far too long, especially when the reason I first bought the stock no longer holds. Time to get rid of the laggards and free up capital to focus on my higher conviction ideas. Watch this space.
By the way, James Clear, author of the New York Times bestseller Atomic Habits, explains [here] how you can apply Buffett's "20 slots" rule not just to investments, but to life too.
On the savings side, the latest SSB average yield is 3.07%, worse than prevailing FD rates in the market. I'm sitting out to conserve dry powder. That said, I'm not discouraging anyone from investing in SSB. There is mounting evidence the U.S. has hit peak inflation [article], even though the ECB still struggles to keep inflation in check [news]. The MAS Core Inflation fell to 5.0% YoY in March compared to 5.5% in February [release]. Investing in short-term FDs means one faces reinvestment risk when interest rates start to head south.
Per my February blog post, I have been reflecting on my financial freedom journey. I have doubts on and off whether I will be able to retire comfortably and pursue other interests in life. I am in a stable financial position now, but there is a big hairy audacious retirement goal that I aspire to achieve. (Embarrassing to say it out loud, but you will know when I hit it!)
I'm saddended by the demise of fellow blogger Createwealth8888. I had been a regular reader of his posts. I first learnt about the term "multi-bagger" from his writing. My deepest condolences to his family. (Reminder to self: Life is short. Cherish it. Nothing is worth sacrificing in the pursuit of a big hairy audacious retirement goal.)
Signing off for now. Thank you for reading. Until next time, take care.
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