Invest Fair 2011 @ Suntec (13 - 14 Aug)

The spate of bad news might have dampen some markets around the world, but it certainly didn't dampen the appetite of Singapore investors and traders. This was evident in the turnout at the Invest Fair 2011 at Suntec. There was a large crowd at this event - not like the scale of IT fair, but sufficient enough people to fill the hall.

I was at the Invest Fair this afternoon, and there were large groups of people thronging the different booths. There were a healthy number of financial firms offering different products and services. Many companies are familiar names with local investors. For example I saw Shareinvestor.com, GFT, Philips, Lim & Tan, Traders Round Table and many others.

Some companies had live talks at their booths, while others rolled out big gimmicks (see the car below - from City Index). I guess folks who went to Invest Fair would already have a clear purpose of their visits, and gimmicks are not that necessary. The 'big sign board' by AIA rightly summarised a key aim of many investors - Future Proof Your Wealth. I would prefer cut in commission charged for my trading vis-a-vis any chance to win anything.

What was of interest to many people were the seminars. The seminars were practically packed full. I couldn't get any seats, and had to stand just outside the seminar area in order to peep at what was going on. I think many visitors were hoping to catch some tips / strategies to deal with the current volatile market.

Even after the seminar, many people still surround key personnel who was willing to share more about their views in the current market. I guess we the investors (or punters if you like) are often captured audience of experienced traders who shared valuable insights.

The Invest Fair 2011 is a free event, and thus for those who are interested, do drop by on Sunday for a visit. The location is Suntec Exhibition Hall 401, and opening hours are 10am till 7pm. Invest Fair also had a website with more details about the speakers, exhibitors, and other paid workshops.

US market, AA+, and QE3 - what it means for Singapore market

Standard & Poor has downgraded the US credit rating from AAA to AA+, while Fitch & Moody maintained a poor outlook for the US. I guess the downgrade is to be expected after the pro-long battle between the Democrats and Republicans over the US debt ceiling debates. It is strange that the US's economy is held ransom by the bi-partisan divide, i.e. internal politics literally killing the country. It is worrying that such a stalemate scenario is likely to happen again and again since the debt deal involved the setting up of a bi-partisan committee to decide on deficit cutting measures.

One clear effect of the debt deal is that there will be a form of Quantitative Easing coming up, i.e. QE3. This was an effect observed by Li Daokui, an adviser to the People's Bank of China. So once again US government will unleash large amount of money, and that means stock markets, commodities and prices around the world will go through another round of the roller-coaster ride.

For a start, US dollar will crumple if QE3 comes about. No brainer there. Arbitrage opportunities will be abundant for the fore market, since different currencies will react to different degree to the weakening US dollar. Sing dollar should not rise as much compared to some currencies, since Sing dollar is pegged to a basket of currencies. This also means inflation will be a bigger headache in the months to come for the Singapore consumers.

After the forex effect, next will come the general uplifing of the stock market. It was a blood bath for the past few days. In the coming weeks, there will be bargain hunting, as funds with large inflow of liquidity will hunt for safe / growing stocks in Asian markets. Singapore stock market will feel the positive effect, since funds find it easier to trade the Singapore stock market. The effect will not be over-powering, but a general rising tide should lift many ships.

So in the coming weeks, look out for valued stocks / blue chips / reliable S-Chips in the Singapore stock market. At least earn some in order to offset the inflation that will come. :)

SembCorp Marine - 1H 2011 Net Profit @ S$300.4 million

At the close of the market today, SembCorp Marine announced that it achieved a net profit of S$300.4 million for 1H ended 30 June 2011. This is 8% lower compared to the corresponding period in 2010, attributable mainly to the timing in recognition of new rigs projects since 4Q 2010.

I guess that last statement simply means there will be more profits for the 2H of 2011 then.

In addition, SembCorp Marine announced that it will be giving out a one-tier tax exempt interim dividend of 5 cents per share (i.e. $50 for a lot of 1,000 shares), the same amount that was paid out in 1H 2010. This interim dividend will be paid on 31 August 2011.

The full report, including charts about the turnover and other details (e.g. profit margins) can be found on SGX website.

SGX's 1st Full Day Trading - 1st Aug 2011

1st August 2011 marked the first full day trading for counters on the Singapore Exchange - SGX. The US debt deal lifted markets across Asia and thus SGX is no exception; it rose 26 points (0.82%) to end at 3215.27. Top volume counter was clinched by Genting, which closed 4 cents higher at $1.94, with a volume of 95,528 lots traded. There was even a transaction at 13:29:27 with 2000+ lots traded.

So I guess the 'full day trading' became a non-event, i.e. no particular news about the effect of full day trading on SGX. Perhaps the actual effects will be seen in a month or two, when dealers / remisiers have enough comments to give a proper full account of this new change. Trading volume seemed alright on 1st August, but hard to say if the volume an effect of US debt deal, or because of the full day trading.

See related:

- Full Day Trading on SGX on 1st August 2011