Beware of China markets

This article explained that the Chinese government are allowing the people to buy stocks with borrowed money, and they can even use their house as collateral to buy stocks. This move is aggressive and not sustainable.

Source: http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2015-07-06/chinese-imitate-western-steps-with-stock-market-interventions

Although Goldman Sachs and DBS CEO said that the china markets are not in a bubble yet, it could probably be the case of easing the public about the dangers of the China market.

Source:
http://www.smh.com.au/business/markets/goldman-sachs-stays-bullish-on-china-stocks-20150708-gi7cjs

Today, Chinese government told China state-owned firms not to sell shares despite stock market plunge with hope to stablise share prices.

Source:
http://www.straitstimes.com/business/companies-markets/china-tells-central-government-owned-firms-not-to-sell-shares-as-stocks

If there is too much reliance on the government to influence share prices, markets may move up or down corresponding to government decisions rather than fundamentals.

As of now, i think that retail investors should still look into SGX stocks. Although SGX had reported failling liquidilty in the markets. However illiquid SGX may be, it based in Singapore and supported by a stable currency.

As SGX is highly regulated by MAS, it is for now safer to invest here than China.

SIBOR rates have risen

According to todayonline.com, SIBOR rates hit a 7 years high in Singapore. Seems like new properties have to slash their prices even more to make up for the rise in SIBOR.

Cooling measures from the government are still in place for properties, but whether it will be lifted after a rising SIBOR rates is unknown. As for now, property companies with developments in Singapore could be hit the hardest from this.

Source : http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/homeowners-hit-sibor-rises-highest-seven-years

REITS are in the danger zone if interest rates continue to rise. It is now the best time to keep some cash and wait for something to happen.

A right decision to sell Pan United

I bought Pan united on the 1 Oct 12 and sold it on 16 May 14. Initially, i see this company as a dominant supplier of basic building materials in Singapore, coupled with huge government initiatives to upgrade infrastructure and build public housing.

However, the company acquired Changshu Changjiang International Port (CCIP) for RMB436.5m in Feb 14. The news was bad in my perspective because port facilities will incur more expenses to maintain.

I like its supply of basic building materials business in Singapore, but do not like that fact that it is acquiring a port and not focusing on its profitable business. With so much assets to handle, this company may not be able to concentrate on what's most profitable to itself as well as to shareholders.

The image below is taken from SGX website show a review of its FY2014 performance indicating that CCIP was part of an increase in interest costs and depreciation expenses.