US rig count - 946

HOUSTON (AP) — The number of rigs exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. fell by one this week to 946.

That exceeds the 729 rigs that were active this time a year ago.

Houston oilfield services company Baker Hughes reported Friday that 765 rigs drilled for oil this week and 181 for gas.

Among major oil- and gas-producing states, Colorado increased by two and North Dakotaand Ohio each gained one.

Wyoming lost three rigs and Louisiana and Texas each decreased by one.

Alaska, Arkansas, California, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Utah and West Virginia were unchanged.

The U.S. rig count peaked at 4,530 in 1981. It bottomed out in May of 2016 at 404.

=====================

Related stocks: Keppel Corp, Sembcorp Marine & Cosco

Genetic testing must NEVER be allowed for insurer!

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/brunch/the-future-of-insurance?xtor=EREC-16-1%5BBT_Newsletter_1%5D-%5B20180203%5D-%5BThe+future+of+insurance%5D&xts=538380

We must never allow genetic testing for the insurer because the basis for the insurance business should be based on chance rather than selection between good genes and bad genes.

Let me put forth a simple analogy.  An accident happens by chance but bad genes with health problems happen with certainty.  We must not let genetic testing become a standard practice in the insurance industry because people with bad genes will be penalized and this practice will only improve the profitability of the insurance companies.  In the future, all insurance payouts will only be for accident-related incidents because of selections based on genetic testing.

It seems that SGX is kicked out of the Aramco IPO race.

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/business/in-aramco-ipo--china-talks-crucial-for-choice-of-listing-venue--sources-9917622

Saudi didn't talk to Singapore at all except China, Japan & SK.

We stated previously that SGX won't stand a chance.  However, the CEO was being too unrealistic and optimistic about his goal and he showed his naivety in his analysis.

When a CEO doesn't understand the capital market, SGX will deteriorate under his helm.

http://sg-stock.blogspot.sg/2017/10/is-sgx-being-too-optimistic-or-naive-in.html

MM2 Asia - Stock calls

Date	Analyst	Company	Last	Target	Call	Valuation
01/06/16	DBS Vickers	MM2 Asia	0.77	1.05	Buy	PER19x
01/12/16	UOB Kay Hian	MM2 Asia	0.745	1.01	Buy
02/05/16	DBS Vickers	MM2 Asia	0.71	1.05	Buy
02/10/16	UOB Kay Hian	MM2 Asia	0.72	1.01	Buy	PER20.3x FY17
03/08/16	DBS Vickers	MM2 Asia	0.49	0.52	Buy
03/24/16	UOB Kay Hian	MM2 Asia	0.54	0.64	Buy	PER22.3x
03/28/16	DBS Vickers	MM2 Asia	0.52	0.63	Buy	PER20x FY17
04/01/16	UOB Kay Hian	MM2 Asia	0.535	0.64	Buy
05/10/16	CIMB	MM2 Asia	0.54	0.7	Add	PER22x CY17
05/25/16	DBS Vickers	MM2 Asia	0.58	0.75	Buy
05/26/16	CIMB	MM2 Asia	0.62	0.73	Add	PER22x CY17
05/26/16	UOB Kay Hian	MM2 Asia	0.62	0.74	Buy
06/10/16	DBS Vickers	MM2 Asia	0.67	0.75	Buy	PER22x FY17
06/13/16	CIMB	MM2 Asia	0.7	0.73	Hold	PER22x CY17
07/01/16	DBS Vickers	MM2 Asia	0.69	0.83	Buy
08/01/16	CIMB	MM2 Asia	0.66	0.73	Hold	PER22x CY17
08/25/16	CIMB	MM2 Asia	0.705	0.84	Add	PER22x CY17
09/13/16	DBS Vickers	MM2 Asia	0.77	0.95	Buy	PER24x FY17
09/14/16	UOB Kay Hian	MM2 Asia	0.78	0.74	Buy
11/09/16	CIMB	MM2 Asia	0.465	0.52	Add	PER22x CY18
11/10/16	DBS Vickers	MM2 Asia	0.465	0.56	Buy	PER24x FY18, Ex 1-for-1 stock split
12/15/16	DBS Vickers	MM2 Asia	0.42	0.56	Buy	PER24x FY18
01/11/17	DBS Vickers	MM2 Asia	0.49	0.56	Buy
04/07/17	CIMB	MM2 Asia	0.5	0.6	Add	Sum of parts, PER22.6x FY18
04/13/17	DBS Vickers	MM2 Asia	0.5	0.63	Buy	Sum of parts
05/23/17	DBS Vickers	MM2 Asia	0.575	0.63	Buy	Sum of parts
05/24/17	DBS Vickers	MM2 Asia	0.585	0.7	Buy	Sum of parts
05/25/17	CIMB	MM2 Asia	0.585	0.65	Add	Sum of parts
06/14/17	CIMB	MM2 Asia	0.62	0.72	Add	Sum of parts
06/14/17	DBS Vickers	MM2 Asia	0.62	0.7	Buy
07/20/17	DBS Vickers	MM2 Asia	0.59	0.75	Buy	Sum of parts
07/25/17	CIMB	MM2 Asia	0.525	0.58	Hold	Sum of parts
08/14/17	DBS Vickers	MM2 Asia	0.465	0.6	Buy	Sum of parts
08/17/17	CIMB	MM2 Asia	0.475	0.58	Add	Sum of parts
11/02/17	DBS Vickers	MM2 Asia	0.58	0.73	Buy	Sum of parts
11/06/17	CIMB	MM2 Asia	0.55	0.76	Add	Sum of parts
12/20/17	CIMB	MM2 Asia	0.52	0.76	Add
01/05/18	DBS Vickers	MM2 Asia	0.545	0.73	Buy

MIT - Stock calls

Date	Analyst	Company	Last	Target	Call	Valuation
08/03/17	Kim Eng	MIT	0.245	0.32	Not Rated	PB1.6x
11/22/17	Lim & Tan	MIT	0.245	0.32	Buy	PER8x FY18
01/03/18	Lim & Tan	MIT	0.26	0	Buy

Stock calls for 2 February 2018

Date	Analyst	Company	Last	Target	Call	Valuation
02/02/18	CIMB	AEM	4.97	6.62	Add	PER10x CY19
02/02/18	Kim Eng	AIMS AMP Cap Ind Reit	1.37	1.5	Buy
02/02/18	Lim & Tan	Ascendas Hospitality Trust	0.895	0	Hold
02/02/18	phillip	Cache Logistics	0.88	0.93	Accumulate	DDM
02/02/18	OCBC	Cache Logistics	0.88	0.85	Hold
02/02/18	DMG & Partners	Cache Logistics	0.88	0.98	Buy	DDM
02/02/18	Kim Eng	Cache Logistics	0.88	0.95	Buy
02/02/18	CIMB	Cache Logistics	0.88	0.88	Hold
02/02/18	Phillip	CapitaRetail China	1.67	1.66	Neutral	DDM, PB1.02x
02/02/18	OCBC	Comfortdelgro	2.15	2.12	Hold
02/02/18	UOB Kay Hian	DBS	26.61	28.38	Buy
02/02/18	CIMB	Guocoland	2.25	2.88	Add	RNAV (25% discount)
02/02/18	Deutsche	Keppel Corp	8.7	8.4	Hold
02/02/18	Deutsche	Sembcorp Marine	2.57	2.9	Buy
02/02/18	OCBC	Singapore Post	1.3	1.26	Hold
02/02/18	CIMB	Yongnam	0.35	0.53	Add	PB0.8x FY18

Another setback for Noble Group.

https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/noble-group-says-proposed-deals-sell-four-ships-033536957--sector.html

Noble Group is finding it difficult to sell its assets as buyers are getting wary of Noble.

Why are buyers getting wary of Noble?

More bad news for Bitcoin!

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/bitcoin-plunges-20-japan-fearing-inspection-043203511.html

Bitcoin price has dropped to $8,000 now.

Let's see how Bitcoin will react to the G20 summit in March 2018.

India to ban cryptocurrency! Another setback for bitcoin!

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/bitcoin-skids-lowest-since-november-124450120.html

Besides merchants dumping bitcoin payment system, governments are also banning crypto trading.

Do you still believe in crypto?

USA aegis missile defence system failed to intercept an incoming hostile missile.

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/missile-test-fail-u-unable-091712478.html

The effectiveness of the USA missile defence system is overstated by the USA.  The latest test showed that the Aegis defence system failed to intercept a simple incoming missile.  If the missile carries multiple warheads, the Aegis cannot protect the country at all.

Midas - Stock calls

Date	Analyst	Company	Last	Target	Call	Valuation
01/20/16	OCBC	Midas	0.27	0.29	Hold
02/04/16	DBS Vickers	Midas	0.25	0.49	Buy
03/02/16	DBS Vickers	Midas	0.265	0.41	Buy	PB0.8x FY16
03/04/16	OCBC	Midas	0.275	0.295	Hold	PB0.55x FY16
05/16/16	OCBC	Midas	0.265	0.295	Hold
08/15/16	OCBC	Midas	0.24	0.25	Hold	PB0.5x FY16
08/16/16	DBS Vickers	Midas	0.24	0.38	Buy	PB0.8x FY16
11/18/16	DBS Vickers	Midas	0.225	0.38	Buy	PB0.8x
11/24/16	OCBC	Midas	0.225	0.245	Hold	PB0.5x FY17
03/01/17	OCBC	Midas	0.26	0.255	Hold	PB0.6x FY17
03/02/17	DBS Vickers	Midas	0.245	0.36	Buy
04/10/17	DBS Vickers	Midas	0.225	0.36	Buy
04/11/17	OCBC	Midas	0.23	0.255	Hold
05/18/17	OCBC	Midas	0.225	0.245	Hold	PB0.6x FY17
05/23/17	DBS Vickers	Midas	0.225	0.36	Buy
08/16/17	OCBC	Midas	0.215	0.225	Hold	PB0.5x FY17
08/16/17	DBS Vickers	Midas	0.215	0.36	Buy	PB0.8x
11/14/17	OCBC	Midas	0.215	0.225	Hold

Micro-Mechanics - Stock calls

Date	Analyst	Company	Last	Target	Call	Percent	Valuation
09/22/17	Phillip	Micro-Mechanics	1.545	2	Buy	29.45	PER15x FY18
10/31/17	Phillip	Micro-Mechanics	2.03	2.5	Buy	23.15	PER16x FY18
01/31/18	Phillip	Micro-Mechanics	2.35	2.5	Accumulate	6.38

Stock calls for 1 February 2018

Date	Analyst	Company	Last	Target	Call	Valuation
02/01/18	Lim & Tan	AIMS AMP Cap Ind Reit	1.37	0	Hold
02/01/18	DBS Vickers	CapitaRetail China	1.69	1.8	Buy	DCF
02/01/18	OCBC	CapitaRetail China	1.69	1.66	Hold
02/01/18	DBS Vickers	Chip Eng Seng	1.01	1.18	Buy
02/01/18	OCBC	DBS	26.4	29.5	Buy	PB1.45x FY18
02/01/18	CIMB	OUE Commercial	0.75	0.75	Hold	DDM
02/01/18	OCBC	OUE Commercial	0.75	0.69	Hold
02/01/18	UOB Kay Hian	Thai Beverage	0.92	1.06	Buy	Sum of parts

Another merchant has dumped bitcoin payment system.

https://www.coindesk.com/stripe-to-end-support-for-bitcoin-transactions/

Stripe will end bitcoin payment system after Steam.

We've stated on numerous occasions that bitcoin is impractical to be used for transactions.

http://sg-stock.blogspot.sg/2017/12/how-practical-and-useful-is-bitcoin.html

When people don't use bitcoin but only speculate in bitcoin, there is no real value in bitcoin.

Metro - Stock calls

Date	Analyst	Company	Last	Target	Call	Valuation
05/26/16	Lim & Tan	Metro	1.09	0	Hold
10/12/16	Lim & Tan	Metro	1.01	0	Hold
05/30/17	Lim & Tan	Metro	1.17	0	Hold

Mermaid Maritime - Stock calls

Date	Analyst	Company	Last	Target	Call	Valuation
02/17/16	DBS Vickers	Mermaid Maritime	0.116	0.09	Fully Valued	PB0.2x FY16
03/01/16	DBS Vickers	Mermaid Maritime	0.104	0.09	Fully Valued
05/25/16	DBS Vickers	Mermaid Maritime	0.102	0.09	Fully Valued
06/10/16	CIMB	Mermaid Maritime	0.122	0.16	Add	PB0.5x FY16
09/30/16	CIMB	Mermaid Maritime	0.102	0.16	Add
10/21/16	CIMB	Mermaid Maritime	0.103	0.16	Add	PB0.5x FY16
11/16/16	CIMB	Mermaid Maritime	0.119	0.17	Add	PB0.5x FY17
11/16/16	DBS Vickers	Mermaid Maritime	0.119	0.12	Hold	PB0.35x FY17
12/05/16	CIMB	Mermaid Maritime	0.145	0.17	Add	PB0.5x FY17
12/05/16	DBS Vickers	Mermaid Maritime	0.145	0.14	Hold
01/03/17	CIMB	Mermaid Maritime	0.15	0.24	Add	PB0.65x CY17
01/09/17	DBS Vickers	Mermaid Maritime	0.195	0.24	Buy	PB0.7x FY17
03/02/17	CIMB	Mermaid Maritime	0.2	0.28	Add	PB0.77x FY17
03/02/17	DBS Vickers	Mermaid Maritime	0.2	0.25	Buy	DCF & PER0.7x
05/17/17	CIMB	Mermaid Maritime	0.18	0.19	Hold	PB0.56x FY17
05/17/17	DBS Vickers	Mermaid Maritime	0.18	0.2	Hold	Sum of parts
08/18/17	CIMB	Mermaid Maritime	0.143	0.14	Reduce	PB0.4x FY17
08/18/17	DBS Vickers	Mermaid Maritime	0.143	0.14	Hold	PB0.6x
09/14/17	CIMB	Mermaid Maritime	0.126	0.14	Reduce
11/16/17	CIMB	Mermaid Maritime	0.138	0.14	Reduce	PB0.4x CY17
11/17/17	DBS Vickers	Mermaid Maritime	0.138	0.14	Hold	PB0.6x
01/12/18	CIMB	Mermaid Maritime	0.139	0.14	Hold	PB0.43x CY18
01/23/18	DBS Vickers	Mermaid Maritime	0.155	0.14	Hold

Stock calls for 31 January 2018

Date	Analyst	Company	Last	Target	Call	Valuation
01/31/18	DBS Vickers	China Aviation Oil	1.65	2.08	Buy	PER13x FY18
01/31/18	Phillip	Micro-Mechanics	2.35	2.5	Accumulate
01/31/18	DBS Vickers	OUE Hospitality	0.885	0.93	Buy	DCF
01/31/18	Lim & Tan	OUE Hospitality	0.885	0	Hold

Taiwanese ex-judge was caught selling coal for North Korea!

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2018/01/31/2003686741

After a Taiwanese businessman was caught selling oil to North Korea in international water, another Taiwanese ex-judge was caught selling coal for North Korea to Vietnam.

We know now that Vietnam has been buying North Korea's coal for a long time.  How will the USA deal with Taiwan & Vietnam?

Let's see.

Indian man raped an 8-month old baby!

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/outcry-india-eight-month-old-baby-girl-raped-cousin-094544449.html

Indian men are just beasts!

They can get sexually excited easily when they see babies and women.

https://sg-stock.blogspot.sg/2017/11/indian-man-raped-18-month-toddler.html

https://sg-stock.blogspot.sg/2017/02/visit-india-at-your-own-risk.html

https://sg-stock.blogspot.sg/2017/10/here-we-go-again-indian-man-raped-woman.html

Bitcoin encourages illegal money transfers.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/south-korea-says-uncovered-600-million-cryptocurrency-crimes-024544384--business.html

This kind of illegal money transfer will prompt the Korean government to do more to ban crypto trading because bitcoin will disrupt monetary policies such as capital control in times of economic downturns.

We've stated this a couple of times.

http://sg-stock.blogspot.sg/2017/09/china-has-made-decision-to-shut-down.html