Friday, March 05, 2021

China's two sessions

 The "two sessions" of China's political process is now in session.

Some people think that this is a "rubber stamp" body and that the actual decisions are taken by the Communist Party of China.

They are mistaken.

The political process in China is superior to the process in most democratic countries. It probably contributes to the progress that China has made during the past three decades.


Analysis of large cap technology stocks

 I present an analysis of large cap technology stocks - with a market capitalisation of $100 billion or more. The core stocks are referred as the FAANG stocks (Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix and Google). I have added a few others.


Keep an open mind about views of other people

 A former chief editor of the Straits Times (now retired) wrote an article conveying his observation about the bias in the western media towards events in China.

His observations are based on what is happening in recent days. Some of the media presented a biased view and did not give a balanced view on the subject.

Review of Tesla shares

 Here is a review of my investment in Tesla shares.

Thursday, March 04, 2021

Wisdom of the Crowd - New Issues

1. The governor of Texas decided to relax the covid restrictions

2. Should our ministers comment on the situation in Myanmar?

Vote in
https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/vote.aspx

Governor of Texas relax the covid measures

The governor of Tex has decided to remove the mask mandate and to allow businesses to operate at 100% capacity.


I give my reason why I agree with the his decision.

He made the following points:
a) The daily new cases and daily deaths have come down significantly
b) Many people have been vaccinated

I agree that the risk is now lower. With the warmer climate, the cases should come down further.

The question is - should be wait a few more months, or act now?
This is a judgment that a leader has to take. He took the decision to act earlier, so that the economy can recover.

There is the risk that the situation can get very bad, and he has to reintroduce the restrictions.

There is still the possibility that the situation can remain under control and the economy and livelihoods can start to recover.

Given the balance between the risk and the benefits, I agree with his decision to relax the measures.

If things turn out to be bad, he can reintroduce the measures. Furthermore, I expect that the people will be careful and will voluntarily observe the measures - if there is a need for them to take the precautions.
I wish the governor all the best in his bold decision.

http://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=4047

WOTC - Fave app

 Wisdom of the Crowd: Only 4% of the respondents use the Fave app.


Wednesday, March 03, 2021

Wisdom of the Crowd - New Issues


1. Does urban farming have a place in Singapore?
2. Statement by foreign minister about approval of vaccines in Singapore

Vote in
https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/vote.aspx

Should MAS and SGX allow SPAC to be listed in Singapore?

 Hong Kong is now considering to allow SPAC (special purpose acquisition company) to list in the HK exchange.

Quote:
Hong Kong is exploring whether to allow Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPAC) to list in the Asian financial hub, according to a government statement, indicating that a largely US phenomenon could be going global. A SPAC is a blank-cheque company that raises money through an initial public offering (IPO) with the intention of merging with another firm, allowing that business to list more quickly. Most SPACs so far have listed in the United States. They raised US$60 billion in the first two months of 2021, Dealogic data showed, already more than 70 per cent of 2020's annual deal value.

TKL comments - I expect that the Singapore Exchange SGX and MAS will also study this trend.

I suggest a different approach.

The interest in SPAC is a reflection of outdated listing practices in exchanges that increases cost and complexity of ordinary IPO.

Instead of allowing SPACS to get around the tiresome regulations, the exchanges should consider updating the listing requirements.


WOTC - Budget 2021

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 76% of the respondents have a negative view of budget 2021.


Tuesday, March 02, 2021

Wisdom of the Crowd - New Issues

1. What assistance should be given to people who still suffer financial distress in 2021?

2. Is is appropriate for the government to control postings in social media?

Vote in
https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/vote.aspx

Wisdom of the Crowd - New Issues

 

1. What assistance should be given to people who still suffer financial distress in 2021?

Vote in
https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/vote.aspx

Analysis of travel industry stocks

 I made an analysis of the travel related stocks (airlines, hotels, cruise operators). They have recovered strongly in recent months due to optimism over the rollout of the covid vaccines.

WOTC - Supermarket trolley

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 44% of the respondents prefer the customer to scan the QR code to use a supermarket trolley. 37% opted to disallow the customer from taking the trolley outside the supermarket.


Monday, March 01, 2021

DBS Invest Saver

 Dear Mr Tan,

I like to seek your advice on dbs invest saver. I am not very familiar if it is good. But I know you do recommend on STI etf.

And dbs invest saver I find is the convenient to transact for $100 every month. But must it be always the same fund?

For example I place $100 for Nikko Am. So all the way must be Nikko Am. Or I can change

REPLY BY TKL

Hello, you should ask DBS if they allow you to change from one fund to another.

Follow the example of China

 Singapore should follow the example of China, rather than America, in running the country for the benefit of the people.


Wisdom of the Crowd - New Issues

 

1. Do you agree with the National security law in Hong Kong

Vote in
https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/vote.aspx

WOTC - Circuit breaker restrictions

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 72% of the respondents disagree with the circuit breaker restrictions.

Sunday, February 28, 2021

Wisdom of the Crowd - New Issues


1. Are you positive about the quality of the ministers in Singapore?
2. Which mode do you prefer to receive government and business communication?

Vote in
https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/vote.aspx

Wisdom of the Crowd - New Issues

 

1. Are you positive about the quality of the ministers in Singapore?

Vote in
https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/vote.aspx

WOTC - Will the Singapore economy recover in 2021?

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 71% of the respondents do not expect the economy to recover in 2021.


Quora: Is it safer to live in China than US ? And why?


Ward Chartier. Retired. Former manufacturing ops General Manager (2017–present)

Lived in Shanghai for seven years. During that time I was aware of one local person who lost a wallet to a pickpocket operating in a tourist area. Another time, someone broke into the trunk of a friend’s car and took a few items of low value. I never suffered any losses.

Sometimes I might be walking home past midnight on lonely but well lit roads. There might be young women walking alone, going home after work in the factories or restaurants. They seemed to be completely unconcerned that they would reach home safely. I can’t imagine this happening in any city in the US with a population larger than 1 million.

I only traveled outside of Shanghai a little, maybe 6 weeks total. From what I hear, the smaller cities and countryside are very safe.

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