Random thoughts: FIRE for 2 weeks.

For the past 2 weeks, life is like retirement. Since a long time, my mind is totally free from work, and the last 2 weeks is Netflix, Games, volleyball, reading and some investing prospecting 

It is kind of like achieving FIRE 🔥

But I am actually looking forward to go back to work. I know when the time comes, I will feel "Sian" and as the grinding starts, fatigue will makes me a grumpy person again

Yet, I am kind of happy that I no longer fears work, and I actually looking forward to know new pupils, I will be teaching a younger level of pupils next year. 

Because of Covid, there is also no big overseas trip to plan, and I can really "Nuan" at home.

It is a time of classics, I start watching "Naruto" with my son, "Lucifer" with my wife. With the me time afforded, I read old titles like "the best I could", "is easy to cry". Those are really nice books/ biographies.

Covid has changed me. It brought me the hermit in me. I have turned down several invitations to meet up. The funny thing is, I dun really feel "lonely" or "upset".

Spending time with my son, and my wife, and myself seems good enough. Maybe at my future funeral wake, my family members can't find visitors for me, but we'll, it would not bothers me then.

There were several occasions where I have heart to heart chat over the WhatsApp with ex-pupil, parents, and I find those conversations insightful and many a times, quite deep sharings. Somehow, I prefer those unreal virtual sharings than a crowded meal with superficial talks or reminiscing the "past"

Sadly, perhaps, I didn't really have close friends to begin with, and this Covid Pandemic just exposed the sad truth. But well, I wish to call myself a loner since my college days, so I guess it is subconscious awareness. Luckily, the fact didn't overwhelmed me with sad pity.

Random thoughts: These stocks will likely increase their dividends in FY 2021

NOTE: 

I owned shares of the below mentioned counters, and hence have my biases and ulterior motives for writing this post (Evil laughs) 

1) UOBKayhian

• 1H earning beats 2020 earnings. UOBkayhian biggest earning segment is trading commission. 

• SGX trading volume and value for the last 11 months beats 2020 (11 months)

• US market is seeing new high, Thailand trading volume and value for the last 11 months are also significantly higher than 2020.

• If the 50% payout holds (which is the case for many years), there is a high probability that dividends will exceed last year 9.5 cents. (1H EPS is already 11 cents.)

2) Hotung 

• 2020 EPS is 5.42 NT$, and 1H 2021 EPS is already 3.28NT$

• 2021 there is frequent share buybacks, and this is NOT a yearly occurernce

• 2021 there are 2 vested companies of Hotung that are listed. (None in 2020)

• 2021 NTS$ has strengthen against SGD as compared to 2020

3) ComfortDelgro

• DPS in 2021 already exceeded 2020

• QOQ deterioration of earnings is not unexpected due to Heightened alert

• Q4 results should bounce back.

4) YZJ 

• Please read the wonderful article by Squirrel Drey. (One of the best analysis by bloggers for a while)

• As rightly pointed out, steel cost has come down, and with record order book, margins should recovers.

• Management has said the newer contracts has accounted for possible higher costs, and if the steel costs continue to be low, the mix of good and poor margins of contracts would enable better earnings

• Main reason for increase is expectation of special dividends due to spin off of investment business

5) Lung Kee (0255 HK, dual listed in SG )

•  1H 2021 EPS already grown more than 70%

• However Lung Kee did not have a fixed Payout Ratio (Although it is consistently high in the last 4 years)

6) OLAM 

• Record operational earnings in 1H

• Intern Dividends already increased

• Inflationary environment favours the agri-commodity sector

Conclusion:

It is important to note that the above POSSIBLE dividends increase did not take into account any price increase that has already taken place. However, most of the price increase with the exception of Lung Kee, seems modest. 

Random thoughts: SillyINC Streaming Channels

Silly Inc has a new subsidiary. It is venturing into live streaming channels. Competition is stiff, but SillyInc believed it has a several orginal titles that are going to be a hit, and give other streaming platforms a run of their money. Here are the trailers and introductions of the productions that took place in 2020/21

Sad soap operas:

1) DiaryFarm goats could not be milked

The story takes place in the early 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic is wrecking havoc and panic in every corner of the globe. The virus caused mutations in some people's brains, and they turned into Covidiots, a state some said are worse than Zombies, because they are actually still living.

The Covidiots cleared supermarkets of food, toilet papers and whatever they can lay their hands on. The opportunists saw runaway demands in the supermarket businesses. 

However, sadly, some of the goats in Yonghui China cannot bear milk, and where others supermarket chains are roaring with businesses and rewarded their staff with 16 months bonus, the opportunists got burnt in the market. 

2) E.S.R and green is red

The climate change has gather renewed impetus among the political elites and also the investing community. The corporate story began in China, where and listed Company known as TianNeng Power captured the imagination of a silly investor. The company boarded the E.S.R bandwagon, it produce batteries for electric bicycles and mini-vehicles, and spins off the battery producing company in STAR exchange of ShenZhen, and keep the parent company for recycling and trading of renewable materials.

Green is the future, and the silly investor thought his portfolio will be green too, with the addition of this future proof company. Every time the company exhibited price weakness, the silly investor accumulated the stock, believing that he knows better than the market. Will the story of David and Goliath be replayed, or will the market wipes out the confidence of the main character, silly investor? 

Thrillers:

1) Alibaba and the Magic Carpet that flies in only one direction-Down

This 2021 Remake of the Alibaba Story is not without controversy. Alibaba is a well-known character who beats the odds, outwits the 40 bandits, the Genie. 

The 2021 Alibaba show is a collaboration with the Marvel Studio, and Alibaba partners Ant Man in his adventures. It is a bold remake and meshing of Hollywood and CCTV.

However, when many thought that the duo would be invincible, Ant Man got crushed when he transformed himself into a Giant, and is crushed by another Giant Wheel. No one even saw it coming, Ant Man is a 23 billion foot Giant and when it is crushed, all one can see is a axis rolled over Ant Man! Alibaba discovered to his dismay, that he might he have accidently utter the ancient words that unleash the Heavenly Axis. 

As the Giant Axis destroyed everything in the path of Alibaba and came towards Alibaba, Alibaba hops on to his Magic Carpet and dives into the deepest Valleys to avoid the crush of the Giant Axis.

Will Alibaba ever raise to see the light again, will Ant Man survives? Stay tuned to Silly Inv Streaming.. …

Comedies:

1) Hotung 

Hotung is a Hot Taiwanese Chic who came to work in Singapore. She is a filial daughter who gave money regularly to her parents, yes! Parents. She has daddy issues and do a lot of freelance works, some years she earn more and some years she earn less. 

When Covid struck, and many projects dried up, many of her supposedly "parents" dumped her, thinking she will no longer be the money tree. Yet, instead of dying, she thrives with her technological projects as hot as her looks... 

2) Ho Say Bo? Calvin 

At the height of the Pandemic, Calvin company went into troubles, or it seems. It has problems paying dividends to the shareholders and disgruntled shareholders whistle blow and spread rumors that Calvin have helped moved illicit funds. 

The seemingly distressed Calvin is however, a master tactician, who has everything under control. Ho Say Bo? Calvin? appeals to the dialect speaking region, and the humorous yet cunning Calvin always replied Bo Ho Say, who is the greater fool?

Romance:  

1) Yangzi and Ah long

The story of kawaii Japanese Jiu Jing Yang Zi who worked in a shipyard. The flower of the dock had a husband who is a "Ah Long", high interest creditor.

Contrary to convention wisdom, despite the many naysayers and objections, they have built on each other strength and loved each other. They overcome many obstacles, yet, just when Yangzi is doing very well in his company, rumors has it that they are planning to divorce. Yang Zi has confirmed that the rumors are true, but "Ah Long" is still not sure how the parted couple are going to be in their separate ways. Will they have a chance together again? The truth is, there are many suitors going after YangZi and Ah Long has also found a tai-tai that said she could help him expand his credit business. 

Is money always the cause of the end of love?

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Silly Inc hope the highlights of the shows have got you intrigued. Do leave a comment or a rating after you have subscribed and seen the show. 

Random Stories: The Christmas Tree

There lived this poor boy, who always passes the gift shop on his way to help his hawker father to clean up his stall. His parents worked hard to provide for him and his siblings. He never had to go hungry or endure the cold. Yet, whenever he passed the shop, he would looked at the Christmas Tree with envy.

From the display windows, he would see images of his classmates, celebrating Christmas, exchanging Christmas gifts, and the adults bringing out the feast for the children. 

Christmas, was just like any other days for him. It was just busier than usual at the Hawker Center. He will have to help his father with the business. He would spent the night washing the dishes and serving the customers. Somedays, he would see his classmates on their way to their Christmas Party. They would ask if he would be joining them later, and he would always replied:" I might, if business is good, and we clean up the stall earlier." Yet, he would never join them, he did not know how to ask his dad for money to buy the gift for exchange. 

He worked hard, and graduated from university. He made a decent a living, and his aged parents retired. He could now enjoy all the indulges that he could not afford in the past.

One day, he decided to buy a Christmas Tree, and invited his friends over to his house. He played music, was a good host to his guest, and serve his friends with the best food he could find. He thoroughly enjoyed himself, and felt he had arrived.

A few years has passed, he found the Christmas Tree a nuisance.  

It was difficult to fit the Christmas tree back into the box after Christmas celebration was over. And the Christmas Tree would have to be replaced after 2 years of use, otherwise the Christmas tree would not look nice.

He also found shopping for the decorations for the Christmas Tree a nuisance and no longer enjoyable

He started to wonder why Christmas Tree always look so pretty in the display windows and not in the house. His neighbor suggested that there are different sizes and models of Christmas Tree, and it is an Art to choose the type of decoration for the Christmas Tree. 

One day, he decided to pay a visit to his parents. His parents have continued to lived in the older estates. He saw 4 kids playing at the playground. 

They are stacking up rocks and stones, and planting twigs between the cracks. They sang Christmas Songs and hug one another. 

He suddenly felt a wave of intense emotions cruising through his whole body, and he could not describe what it is. 

He went to a nearby shop, bought some snacks. He went to the kids, and said:" Merry Christmas, what a beautiful Christmas Tree!" He took a photo of it with the kids and pass them the snacks.  

 

Random thoughts: Touching Thank you cards

 Ok... This is a self-cheering type of post. 

Not too long ago, I was busy preparing pupils for PSLE, and I requested my pupils to send me their Oral recording. Many of them needed reminders.

So I did this:

During the last day of school, I received this

It just brought a smile to my face. They do appreciate our efforts.

There is also this very dreamy girl, always drifting off or doodling in her book. She did this for me.

She is so talented isn't it? But when I am teaching, and see doodles in her work, I am not sure to laugh to cry. But true to her style. She also dreams or doze off when doing this card. 

 

Hahahahha... Funny hor... The little joys in teaching

Random thoughts: Keppel lost the battle but won the war,?

Keppel was out bid by Cuscaden in SPH offer.

I am happy for that. Personally, there is some synergy with the reminding stake of M1 from SPH that comes with the deal beyond property 

Given that the bidding is at PB 1, I dun see why Keppel cannot bid for other companies that are trending at much lower valuation,.

HK land is at 0.4 PB, capitaland before restructing at 0.8, and City Dev also below 1. 

I do understand SPH properties are mostly investment properties and the capital-intensive part of the business is the part of the business that affect valuation, and the REITing SPH properties would have gotten most of the money back, but that is if the REIT properties can fetch valuation above 1, to worth the battle playing out now. Ascendas and MIT is at around 1.1 and 1.2 PB, I can't see the scale and scope of SpH properties to guaranteed them commanding a premium valuation. 

My reactions was "Yes,! Just walk away please, not like u dun have the scale to grow organically or there are no better properties to be bought, if u cannot buy cheap, dun buy."

I am mindful my opinions are usually not mainstream, you can have your differing views

Random thoughts: The highs of teaching in 2021

I have not been blogging for a while. I am not that busy, and I realized I have 2 drafts of blog posts that never get published. I guess the main reason is that I feel these blogs does not value-add to my readers in any way. I can't see how this post is different, but I guess I shall "talk to myself" once in a while.

What a year of teaching in 2021. I never expect a secondary 3 pupil to visit and say "Hi" during teacher's day. The meeting outside the school gate is boring, I felt "loss" when that group of pupils of 2018 came back to visit, I knew they came for others. I received a message to ask me to come to the gate to meet them, but I guess I am never good at socializing (What ironic statement, isn't it), after a while, I just left. The chat with the Secondary 3 pupil happens through whatsapp messages, and we chat for almost an hour. Truth to be told, I used to hate Teacher's Day, it is a very awkward day. I am particular happy this year, that I can have a proper chat with a student. I do not like small talks, but deep, engaged talk. There are so much to talk about,  her secondary life, and how she is coping and thriving in a top secondary school, and her attitude towards life. I only taught her for a year in P4, and I am very surprised when I continue to receive well wishes from her this year. Well, almost all pupils will stop visiting or send well wishes when they goes into secondary 2. 

The high point is I also had a heart to heart talk with her mum. Although we have known each other for years (She have 2 children), it is only this year we became friends. She told me that her daughter felt that I am still her best Chinese teacher all these years. I was very touched by that sharing. I think I work well with parents, but very few became "friends", with that kind of trust, talking about anything under the son. That trust has a "expiry" date too, usually after their children graduate for a year or 2, contacts will be few and in between, but I am still very thankful for all the friendship built, even if just for a few years. I believed in 活在当下。

I also believe that teaching is about relationship building, about trust. Although that relationship and trust has a expiry date, I am always very thankful for any pupil whom I have the "缘分” to connect with. When they trust me with their problems/ life beyond academic work, I believe some level of trust is established and I am careful not to break it. I believe teachers should be life coaches, a trusted adult, beside imparters of knowledge. While I cannot solve problems of potential divorces, death and sickness of loved ones, low self-esteem, I take every such case that I come across as "God" (I am a atheist btw) arrangements. I will check on them, when they are feeling overwhelmed. Don't ask me how I have helped them in their life, beyond chatting, and referring some pressing ones to counselors, I am not sure what to do. I do not pretend to be a bleeding heart too, and unlike stories that I know, where there are home visits, and real tangible help given, I simply talk to them, and if necessary, also to parents. I seek to influence some of the parents' thinking by slowly engaging with them, but if I feel there is no connections, I do not pursuit the matter too. This, perhaps is a "parent" year, with parents updating me about their graduated children. I  also managed to “话家常” with some parents, in hope of slowly planting the seeds of  awareness regarding the stress their children feel, without being seem as being noisy. (Although the ironic here again is I am being super kaypo here).  

My understanding of pupils also get challenged, this year. I am also happy for that. This is the year, I felt there really is a generation gap between me and them. The annual activity of making a business card for themselves, turns out occupations that shocked me. The activity is unlike the usual ECG lessons, I said upfront that NO doctors and lawyers, unless you are 100% sure that is what you like to do. I ask them to just think of what they like to do, what their ideal happiness is about, and what job would achieve those. I told them jobs that are imagined or do not exists counted too. I usually get 1 or 2 "evil" jobs, but this year, one third of pupils wanted jobs that see the "suffering of others", like squid manager, squid soldier, "body collector", demon slayers etc. 

When I watch some of the shows they watch during their short break, I am shocked but the gruesomeness and gore of some of the videos. Of course, there are still many innocent and pure minds, but those are getting lesser and lesser. I ask them to create thank you notes and good bye notes for their friends, and I told them I will get them printed for them so that they can give it to their friends during graduation party. I am quite shocked that some pupils created templated cards, and a number of them can't even pen a personalized message for 1 friend. What I have taken for granted, is no longer true, I must remind myself to be mindful that every batch are different. And this year batch cannot be more different. 

Last year, I had a lot of fun with the graduating class, we joke, talk about life, share about music in class, etc. I used to think as long as I keep an open heart and mind, and not be judgmental, I can easily connect with others. It is not really true. Some pupils just doesn't like small chats and are introvert. Initially, I thought they didn't like me, but I later realized they are just introverts. After the PSLE, they are more articulate, I guess the stress also play a part in they clamming up. But they will not and definitely can't talk about anything under the sun with me. 

In short, it is a year of abundance of relationship building, the negative or positive.