Examining Some Rules By Experts

Ask Warren Buffett or Soros, I am sure they will be able to give out a few rules of investing of their own. These rules or as I would prefer to call them pointers have been condensed from their years of experience, from their multitude of success and more probably because of their failure ~ you tend to remember your failures a lot more than your successes. From the respected Kirk Report, he has featured Michael Steinhardt's rules of investing which I have pasted below. Kirk himself has come up with 7 rules of his own as well. My comments in brackets.-----------------------Kirk Report: Michael Steinhardt is considered one of the most successful...

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APPLE Going For Number ONE

Ten years ago, if you asked 1,000 investors to pick out 5 stocks that would be possibly the biggest company in the world, I doubt very much Apple would be even on any of the shortlist. Now Apple looks likely to be near enough to overtake Exxon Mobil. Its fascinating, one company has billions in real assets in the ground and millions of tons of expensive heavy machinery. The other just have Steve Jobs. Now both are jostling for the bragging rights to be the world's biggest company in market cap.One would have thought Microsoft had a shot 20 years ago, or even Google had a shot 3 years ago. Don't worry, you will know exactly when Apple overtakes...

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Why I Still Like EAH

I have featured EAH as an emerging company with good prospects, despite being a small ACE market company. If you are a regular reader, you will find that there are some companies that I will blog about a few times while others I will just cover once. The reason being, unless I have spoken with senior management and/or visited the company (with other bankers/analysts or groups of investors), I am not likely to write regularly about the prospects of the company. So far, those companies include Notion Vtec, QL Resources, Evergreen, CSC Steel, KPJ, Media Prima, Sealink, and EAH.Its pointless to visit 100 companies if you haven't done your homework....

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The Real Business Of 1+3D and The Racing Totalisator

The Edge Weekly reported that the Cheng family is believed to be eyeing the gaming business of the soon-to-be privatised Tanjong plc. Other interested parties are said to be the Genting Group and Multi-Purpose Holdings. The key surprise is that the Chengs could be a new entrant into the NFO (Number Forecast) arena. Sure, many would be keen to claim the last NFO but they could face hurdles in the form of competition objectives and regulatory approvals.The key is many seem to forget that the "dastardly-run-hands-tied" Racing Totalisator (RTO) will be part of the package. If its just 1+3D operations, thats fine, I am not sure if the bidders are...

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Where Are We In The Stock Market Cycle?

The following chart was taken from The Kirk Report. So where are we at the present moment? Despite the fact that we are at the year's high, the feeling does not transpire to the broader market. Safe to say, its an institutional driven rally, mainly into large caps.If you look at the cycle below, its actually a continuous loop, i.e. the "optimism" coming out of recovery on the extreme right should connect back to the "optimism" on the extreme left.In terms of sentiment, we are nowhere near the "excitement" and "thrill" side. We are probably on the "hope" and "relief" points currently. Does that mean that the risk element is low then?Short answer...

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EPF To Buy PLUS Expressways?

Is this a scoop? THis was reported in an exciting newish blog named Taikuns & Taikors. It now looks like sensibility has won the day with EPF entering the fray to buy PLUS Expressways. I can so no better solution to that. This toll system is too ingrained to be in private hands. At least now, all profits will accrue to EPF holders. http://www.tnt.net.my/homeSome twelve million EPF members are in for a windfall as the huge profit stream from Plus will directly boost yearly interest payout to exceed the current average of five percent, though earlier MMC Corp and Asas Serba proposals to buyout Plus are rejected. The government has given...

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The Economic Transformation Program

My verdict: Good to Pretty Good. Liked the fact that PEMANDU is there, supposedly to ensure proper execution of the projects.Hwang DBS: The Government held an Open Day to present ideas for the Economic Transformation Program (ETP) on various key economic sectors for the country – including oil, gas & energy, financial services, palm oil and wholesale & trade. In our view, the program, approach and selected ideas/initiatives highlighted inspire optimism. If implemented successfully, we believe the projects will be able to generate greater economic activity.Among the key projects, we understand that the RM36bn KL MRT, which features in...

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HSBC Musical Chairs, Grow Up Old White Boys!

HSBC Holdings chairman Stephen Green (British descent) resigned from his position to become trade minister for the UK government. That's all fine and dandy. Thus the chairman's position is now vacant.Michael Geoghegan (British descent), who replaced Green as CEO in 2006, is expecting to be promoted to the chairmanship position. However, rumours are now swirling that he might be passed over for that position and may just remain as CEO only.The favourite to be the new chairman of HSBC is John Thornton (an American) joined HSBC as a non-executive chairman of its North American unit in December 2008, six months after division pushed the bank into...

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Warrants 'Renewal' Should Be Abolished

hng has left a new comment on your post "Islamic Finance, Malaysia's Bright Light":Hi DaliCan you advice on PJD and PJD-WB? i’ve bought many PJD on hope on its warrant on basis 3 for 8 as well as its upcoming dividend of 5sen (6.6% yield). PJD have slowly show some movement from 71sen to 76sen now, but its PJD-wb move much more from 4.5sen to current 7sen, a gain of >50%!?As these PJD-wb also entitle 3 for 8 warrant, its implies market price upcoming warrant at least 20sen (7sen x 8 unit) + (2sen x 3 unit) divided by 3 unit.What is your opinion on both PJD and PJD-WB, should i exchange in order to gain more exposure?Hng,You are right and the...

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Islamic Finance, Malaysia's Bright Light

There is a bright light in Malaysia's financial landscape, its Islamic Finance. Malaysia has been competing with the Middle East countries to wrangle the top spot. Malaysia held a good lead prior to the global financial crisis, and for the last 2 years have edged away from the competition to be a clear leader. The Middle East countries have had to grapple with debt restructuring of its own which weighs heavily on their Islamic Finance focus.Its not just a matter of prestige to be the center for Islamic Finance, its a viable and attractive area of finance. Its potential is enormous. Lagging behind Malaysia are the usual suspects, Saudi Arabia,...

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Gambler Jumps To Death After Losing HK$5m

Gambler jumps to death from floating casino after losing HK$5m Dennis Chong / The Standard HKMonday, September 20, 2010 A 51-year-old mainlander jumped off a 13-deck "floating casino" off Sai Kung after losing HK$5 million playing baccarat.The gambler, identified by police only as Xu, made his fatal leap off the Star Cruises vessel SuperStar Aquarius as it sailed back to Hong Kong from international waters shortly before 9am yesterday.Rescuers searched for Xu for almost an hour before fishing him out of the water. He was certified dead by the ship's doctor.Xu apparently boarded the ship on Saturday for a two-day gambling trip....

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Clair de Lune

If ever there was a song or a piece of music that deserves its own special posting, it has to be Clair de Lune. You cannot even call it a song as that seems to be belittling the music. Yes, it has to be called that masterpiece composition by Claude Debussy.If you ever needed to find solace, calmness and one with the world, just listen to Clair de Lune, possibly my favourite piece of music ever, and I am sure many of you feel the same.Listening to Clair de Lune kind of makes me feel that all people of the earth are so alike. I don't think anyone on earth do not feel the same when they listen to this song ~ any race, any nationality, any political affiliation, any religious group, everyone ~ we all feel the same kind of wonderment and will be moved by it. Coincidence or the humanity of it all.Translated,...

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IJM Land To Be Privatised?

This was from a local broker:Market talk indicates IJM Land may be privatized by IJM Corp, its parent company. Further details are not available at this point. We spoke to management and they were unable to comment. We are quite surprise by the rumor given injection of IJM Properties (previously 100% owned by IJM Corp) into RB Land and subsequent rebranding into IJM Land in mid 2008. IJM Land has suffered low liquidity as it is tightly held by its parent, IJM Corp, which has 62.5% stake. Inclusive of EPF (8.7%) and GSIC (7.3%) stake, free float is 21.5%. The stock has been a laggard with only +0.9% Ytd returns vs. KLPRP +11.3%. Catch-22...

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