PM Lee praised China HSR during his China visit in September 2017.

Just look at the stability of China HSR.

No wonder our PM Lee loves China HSR.

Sino-Singapore relationship is getting cosy!

http://en.people.cn/n3/2017/0924/c90000-9273013.html

Finally! We are getting cosy with China, beginning with the new round of military exercises.

SG has realized the threats from the BRI and decided to get cosy with China.  SG has no choice because TPP is no longer available and our government has to participate in RCEP and BRI.

I hope that China will give the face and political credit to SG by participating in the KL-SG HSR under Singapore invitation.

Baltic dry index - 1502

Today, Friday, September 22 2017, the Baltic Dry Index climbed by 32 points, reaching 1502 points.

Baltic Dry Index is compiled by the London-based Baltic Exchange and covers prices for transported cargo such as coal, grain and iron ore. The index is based on a daily survey of agents all over the world. Baltic Dry hit a temporary peak on May 20, 2008, when the index hit 11,793. The lowest level ever reached was on Wednesday the 10th of February 2016, when the index dropped to 290 points.

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

Related stocks: Sembcorp Marine, Cosco & Pan Ocean.

US rig count - 935

HOUSTON (AP) — The number of rigs exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. fell by one this week to 935.

That's still up from the 511 rigs that were active a year ago.

Houston oilfield services company Baker Hughes said Friday that 744 rigs sought oil and 190 explored for natural gas this week. One was listed as miscellaneous.

Among major oil- and gas-producing states, Louisiana gained three rigs.

Alaska, New Mexico, and Texas each gained one rig. North Dakota and Oklahoma lost three rigs each, and Colorado lost two rigs.

California, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming 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.

How does a China warehouse sort its packages?

What can I say? Simply amazing!

Travel alert to Bali.

http://news.sky.com/story/bali-volcano-alert-sees-thousands-evacuated-from-homes-11047375

Bali volcano has shown signs of erupting soon.  Therefore, it's best to avoid going to Bali now as the volcano is expected to erupt within 10 days.

Singapore stock calls for 22 September 2017

Why is China so blase about Singapore invitation to participate in the KL-SG HSR tender?

Singapore first invited China to participate in our KL-HSR tender in June 2017 by our FM Vivian but China ignored our invitation.

http://sg-stock.blogspot.sg/2017/06/singapore-had-repented-and-invited.html

Then, our PM Lee invited China again in September 2017 during his China visit.  However, China has not responded to our invitation again.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2017-09/20/content_32229112.htm

Why?

Well, China is considering whether to give face or political credit to SG for allowing China to participate in the KL-HSR.  Why am I saying this?  This is because China is a strategic thinker and has a strategic tactic to undertake the KL-SG HSR without going through SG.  Therefore, it will only take part in the project under Singapore invitation out of good faith or when it wants to give political credit to SG.

If you understand the BRI, you will know that China gives preferential treatment to Laos which is an inland country without any port.  China is helping Laos by turning it into a land transhipment hub where goods and people are transported to its neighbouring countries by railways and HSRs.  Therefore, Laos will adopt China HSR system in reciprocation.

http://shanghaiist.com/2017/07/12/thailand-china-railway-approved.php

http://sg-stock.blogspot.sg/2017/09/china-won-hsr-construction-deal-in.html

What about the BKK-KL HSR?

Thailand had given the internal HSR (BKK-Chiang Mai) to Japan because Japan gave a lot of concessions to Thailand.  Meanwhile, the cross-border HSRs from BKK to China and Laos were given to China.  Thailand has to maintain 2 different HSR systems now instead of one.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/rail-diplomacy-puts-grand-plans-for-thailand-s-railway-on-track-8591784

Malaysia had indicated its preference for China HSR system for the cross-border BKK-KL HSR.  Will Thailand adopt a 3rd HSR system for this BKK-KL HSR? I don't think so because it is expensive and difficult to maintain 3 different HSR systems.  Therefore, Thai is likely to adopt the China HSR system as requested by Malaysia.

http://www.todayonline.com/world/asia/thailand-malaysia-begin-talks-hsr-linking-bangkok-and-kuala-lumpur-thai-minister

When the BKK-KL HSR system is adopting the China HSR system, Malaysia will also want to adopt the same system for the KL-SG HSR because it's easier and cheaper to maintain 1 HSR system instead of 2.  Therefore, it is likely that Malaysia will impose the China HSR system on KL-SG HSR unless SG gives a lot of concessions to Malaysia to adopt a different HSR system.  SG is at the losing end because it is at the end of the HSR and is only responsible for the 15km HSR system on its own land.

Malaysia can insist on building the HSR from KL to JB using the China HSR system and leave SG out of it under the worst case scenario because SG cannot have a say on Malaysia land.  Malaysia will just let SG decide on its own HSR because Malaysia also cannot have a say on Singapore land.

This is the reason for China to be blase about our invitation as China has a strategic tactic to undertake the KL-SG project without going through SG.  SG is only responsible for 15km of the HSR on its own land and is making a lot of noise about the HSR but Malaysia is so quiet about the HSR when it is undertaking 335km of the HSR.  Let's see whether China will give face to SG and participate in the HSR project under our invitation out of good faith.

Iphone 8 sales launch is disappointing.

http://www.asiaone.com/digital/apples-iphone-8-sees-muted-launch-asia

This will definitely hit Apple's suppliers and manufacturers.  Watch out the stock performances of those companies involved in the Apple's chain.

OMG! HP is retrenching again.

https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/hewlett-packard-enterprise-reportedly-cutting-234601321.html

Many countries are reporting good economic growth but companies are retrenching......Why? Why? Why?

This shows that we're not having real economic growth at all.

OMG! SPH is trenching!

https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/singapore-press-holdings-said-consider-job-cuts-reorganization-plan-113721110.html

SPH monopolizes the Singapore media industry and cannot even survive because of technological changes.

This is what happens when you rest on your laurels thinking that your monopoly will protect your business.  Alas! Time has changed.

Why did PM Lee go to China in September 2017?

PM Lee had requested for the new sea-rail link developments between China & SG in this Sino-SG meeting.

http://sg-stock.blogspot.sg/2017/05/new-sea-rail-link-between-china-and.html

We reported this new sea-rail link before.

PM Lee had also promised to promote China-ASEAN relationship in 2018 when it's the chairman and invited China to participate in the KL-SG HSR.

Basically, this trip is to appease and pacify China because PM Lee realizes that he cannot rely on Trump as he is unpredictable.

Singapore stock calls for 21 September 2017

Who will win the KL-SG HSR project?

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/transport/lta-forms-new-unit-to-implement-the-kl-singapore-high-speed-rail-project

China? Japan? Korea? or France?

Well, Singapore is responsible for 15km while Malaysia will build 335km of the 350km KL-SG HSR.  Therefore, Malaysia will definitely have a bigger say in this joint-venture.  Furthermore, Malaysia will also have to consider its KL-BKK HSR.  Thus, it is in Malaysia's interest to have the same HSR system as it is easier and cheaper to maintain than to have 2 different HSR systems.

However, in Singapore context, we would like to have an open standard railway system so that we're not at the mercy of a single vendor.  This difference in consideration will not sit well with the Malaysia side as Malaysia has more considerations than SG.

Recently, Thailand had awarded its cross-border Thai-Laos HSR to China.

http://sg-stock.blogspot.sg/2017/09/china-won-hsr-construction-deal-in.html

In view of this, it is likely that China will win the BKK-KL HSR too.  Consequently, Malaysia will want to adopt the same HSR system for its KL-SG HSR.

US Fed maintains interest rate and will begin QE tapering in October 2017.

The US Fed has maintained its interest rate as expected but will begin its QE tapering in October 2017 with an initial US$10b monthly taper.  In a nutshell, this means FED will not reinvest US$10b from its bond proceeds when the bonds mature and this will gradually increase to US$50b per month.

QE tapering will only affect long-term rates because these bonds and MBS maturity periods are long while the FED rate hikes will affect short-term rates like overnight bank rate, loan rate, etc.  The FED is expected to hike rate in December 2017 and 3x in 2018.

All in all, rates are definitely rising in the future.

South Korea and China trade war has intensified.

http://english.etnews.com/20170919200001

South Korea has decided to halt its semiconductor and display manufacturer from setting up factories in China in retaliation.  However, this move will hurt its Korean businesses.

Why?

China has already produced its own Kirin 970 AI chip which will be used on China-made mobile phones and Sharp is going to produce 8K display panels in China Foxconn factory.  Furthermore, TSMC is also producing its A11 chips in China too.  Therefore, I don't see any technology transfer from SK to China.  Instead, SK manufacturers will lose their competitive edges when they don't set up their factories in China because it will take a longer time to deliver their products to China consumers.  The production cost will also be higher when they don't set up factories in China.

Good luck to SK as SK is slowly killing its own businesses.

Russia and China snub Trump's speech on UN reform.

https://www.thenational.ae/world/the-americas/russia-and-china-snub-trump-guterres-meeting-on-un-reform-1.629753

It's difficult to pass any motion without China & Russia approvals as these 2 are permanent members and have veto powers.

The absence of China & Russia showed that the USA would face tremendous difficulties in UN.

How do you know Sino-SG relationship is going well?

Well, when SG allows China naval vessels and subs to berth at our port, it shows that Sino-SG relationship is going well.

Just look at Malaysia.  PM Najib was in USA but China sub was berthing at Malaysia port.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-malaysia-southchinasea/chinese-sub-docks-at-malaysian-port-for-second-time-this-year-idUSKCN1BO17P

Trump's speech at UN received some heavy criticism.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-41327130

Swedish FM remark was a direct slap at Trump - Wrong speech, wrong time & wrong audience!  In other words, Swedish FM was saying Trump was spewing nonsense at the UN summit.

Trump had made a mockery of himself in the world with this speech.  His speech is more likely to create ramification than to garner good unison.

China has also expressed a peaceful resolution on the NK issue which is an exact opposite of what Trump is doing.  Trump is trying to set the motion of war against NK but he is doomed to fail.

http://en.people.cn/n3/2017/0920/c90000-9271375.html

Singapore stock calls for 20 September 2017

Blah Blah Blah! That's what Trump is good at but nothing gets done.

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/donald-trump-expected-rebuke-states-114254280.html

NATO is the essence of Trump's speech.  This NATO is No Action, Talk Only.

There is no way for Trump to destroy NK totally without China & Russia approvals.  This is a fact and China & Russia have veto powers in UN.  NK is not Iraq whereby the USA can attack NK unilaterally.  China & Russia won't allow it.

Hot news! USA and Taiwan are in cahoots to topple the Cambodian government.

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/hun-sen-hits-us-foreign-policy

This is the usual mode of operandi whenever the local government is not the USA ally.  The USA knew that Hun was wary of USA operatives in Cambodia.  Therefore, the USA asked Taiwan to do this on behalf of the USA.  However, the Taiwan businessmen were taken aback by the Cambodian media outburst.

The Taiwan businessmen were so afraid of being implicated in this matter that they published in the mainstream newspaper for 3 days that they were not involved in this "regime change".

In the end, the Taiwan government was forced to come forth to deny any involvement in toppling the Cambodian government.

http://focustaiwan.tw/news/aipl/201709190008.aspx

Cambodian Hun was just issuing a subtle warning to Taiwan through the media not to help the USA to topple the government and nobody was arrested in this episode.  Hun would have arrested those involved in the "regime change" if he didn't want to give Taiwan a chance to back off.  Hun was willing to give Taiwan a chance because he recognised the one-China policy.  Let's not forget Hun was a hard-handed man in the past.

USA embassy in Cuba was under sonic weapon attack recently.

http://www.foxnews.com/science/2017/09/18/scientists-still-baffled-by-mysterious-sonic-weapon-attack-on-us-embassy-in-cuba.html

USA embassy will be closed in Cuba for its personnel health protection.  The USA is certain that its embassy in Cuba is under some kind of sonic weapon attack but it cannot determine the source and frequency.

21 personnel have been confirmed to be injured by this sonic attack.

The real threat to global trade!

http://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/2111759/trumps-trade-chief-says-china-threat-global-trading

The USA is back again with a smearing campaign against China by labelling China as an unprecedented threat.  However, the real threat to the global trade is the USA because of its protectionism and anti-globalization policies.  The USA even tries to supersede WTO rules with its own 301 trade law.

Just look at how Germany & BRICS condemned the USA.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world-0/us-politics/merkel-trump-attack-foreign-policy-winners-losers-a7825161.html

http://thehill.com/policy/international/340646-merkel-hits-us-policy-ahead-of-g20-summit

http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/business/2017-06/20/content_29808940.htm

A research showed that anti-globalization was the no.1 threat facing Asia Pacific but the USA wanted to mislead the world by embarking on a smearing campaign.

http://www.asiaone.com/business/anti-globalisation-no-1-threat-facing-asia-pacific-report

Singapore stock calls for 19 September 2017

China President Xi Jinping will be having a final showdown with Jiang Zemin soon.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-corruption-usa/chinas-most-wanted-overseas-fugitive-confesses-to-corruption-xinhua-idUSKBN1AD1D6

The most corrupted person, Yang XiuZhu, was on a run for 13 years before she requested in the USA to return to China to face trial.  This was something puzzling and uncanny because she would be facing a death sentence in China under the corruption and bribery charges.

She was in custody for a long time before she was given a trial recently.  Why did she request to face trial in China after being on the run for 13 years? We'll come to this in a moment.

Meanwhile, President Xi had just completed his military revamp recently by replacing all the top honchos including the chief of general staff.  President Xi had managed to replace all the Jiang's henchmen in the military.  Therefore, he has total control of the military now and he can have a final showdown with Jiang Zemin.  Jiang is currently under house arrest in China.

The withholdment of Yang's sentence was bewildering because it was a corruption case proven beyond reasonable doubt.  It was speculated that Yang was willing to return to China to face trial because President Xi promised to pardon her death sentence in exchange for her to become a tainted witness to testify against Jiang Zemin.  We also believe this to be true because nobody would be so foolish to return to face a death sentence in China especially when she was no longer in China anymore.

Please read about the China political situation below.

http://sg-stock.blogspot.sg/2017/07/political-battles-are-playing-out-in.html

Singapore NODX jumps significantly in August with 17% year on year growth.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/business/singapore-s-exports-jump-17-in-fourth-straight-month-of-growth-9225588

Singapore is a country which relies heavily on international trading and our economic growth also depends significantly on net exports.

China is our largest export nation now and will impact SG's economic growth since we cannot find another market to replace China.

Does it make sense to offend our largest trading partner for the political interest of another nation (USA)?

Asia will get more and more affected by China, whether we like it or not.  The USA doesn't care about Asia except for its own political interest.  I hope our government will make the right choice.

The USA is just setting the motion for a war against North Korea.

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/north-korea-will-destroyed-reckless-behaviour-continues-us-ambassador-warns-090000879.html

The USA already knew that sanctions won't work on NK but still insisted on sanctions because it would give the USA the excuse to wage a war against NK after all the available avenues had been exhausted.  However, it's a wishful thinking because China & Russia won't allow a war at their doorsteps.  Having a war near China & Russia means that China & Russia will have to deal with millions of refugees and also the USA influences on the Korean peninsula after the war.  This kind of situation is something China & Russia don't want to see and they'll definitely get involved in the war.

Singapore stock calls for 18 September 2017

Will PM Lee flip-flop on Sino-SG relationship when he visits USA after China?

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/government-economy/singapore-china-relations-will-continue-advancing-with-the-times-says-pm-lee

It is gladdening to see that our PM Lee is making pro-China remarks.  However, I hope that he won't make anti-China remarks later when he visits USA.

It is despicable in the eyes of the public to see our leader making flip-flop statements in different countries.  When there is no unison in our political stance, there won't be any credibility and trust in our nation.  This won't bode well for SG in the future as no country will trust SG.

President Halimah is here to divide or unite Singaporeans?

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-singapore-protest/singaporeans-protest-against-uncontested-presidential-election-idUSKCN1BR0I3?il=0

It's sad to see that Singaporeans protest against our Malay reserved President.  This shows that she doesn't have the mandate of the people and has become a controversial president.

However, this was what 70% of Singaporeans wanted in the last GE.  Singaporeans wanted to have a one-party system and this was the repercussion we needed to accept.

We have to repent and accept the inevitable outcome.

http://sg-stock.blogspot.sg/2017/09/halimah-yacob-has-become-most.html

Typhoon Talim has landed in Japan

Baltic dry index - 1385

Today, Friday, September 15 2017, the Baltic Dry Index climbed by 24 points, reaching 1385 points.

Baltic Dry Index is compiled by the London-based Baltic Exchange and covers prices for transported cargo such as coal, grain and iron ore. The index is based on a daily survey of agents all over the world. Baltic Dry hit a temporary peak on May 20, 2008, when the index hit 11,793. The lowest level ever reached was on Wednesday the 10th of February 2016, when the index dropped to 290 points.

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

Related stocks: Sembcorp Marine, Cosco, Pan Ocean

US rig count - 936

HOUSTON (AP) — The number of rigs exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. fell by eight this week to 936.

That's up from the 506 rigs that were active a year ago.

Houston oilfield services company Baker Hughes said Friday that 749 rigs sought oil and 186 explored for natural gas this week. One was listed as miscellaneous.

Among major oil- and gas-producing states, West Virginia added one rig.

Louisiana and Texas each lost three rigs. Colorado, New Mexico and North Dakota each shed one.

Alaska, California, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Utah and Wyoming 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

Singapore stock calls for 15 September 2017

It's official! China has ordered bitcoin exchanges to shut down.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/reports-china-orders-bitcoin-exchanges-103642560.html

One of the biggest bitcoin exchanges BTC will shut on 30 September 2017.

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

https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/14/bitcoin-is-dropping-right-now-after-a-big-chinese-exchange-said-it-is-closing.html

China plans to cut oil demand by 10% in 2020.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-biofuels/china-sets-2020-target-for-nationwide-ethanol-use-to-cut-corn-stocks-idUSKCN1BO03R

China will impose ethanol use to reduce oil demand in 2020.  This will definitely impact the oil and corn prices in the future.  However, this will be a good news for the environment.

North Korea has fired another missile today.

https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/14/asia-markets-focus-on-north-korea-yen-gold-fed-boe.html?__source=yahoo%7Cfinance%7Cheadline%7Cheadline%7Cstory&par=yahoo&doc=104711087&yptr=yahoo

Japan and South Korea do not dare to intercept the NK missile with THAAD and SM-3 missile systems.

Why?

This is because intercepting the NK missile is a lose-lose situation.

If the interception fails, this will bring shame to the USA and nobody will trust the USA defence system anymore.  If it succeeds, the NK will be angry and do more nuclear testing.

Therefore, Japan and SK can only watch the NK missile launch without doing anything.

Singapore stock calls for 14 September 2017

A satire video about our political situation.

Just watch it for fun and have a good laugh at ourselves.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/wenkai31/videos/10214156855826060/

Iphone X, Iphone 8 and Iphone 8 plus have no WOW factor anymore!

Are you disappointed in the latest Iphones?

All the features on the latest Iphones have already been implemented on other brands.  Facial recognition, big screen and wireless charging on Samsung and other China brands.

The only WOW factor is the price.

Please vote on our poll to indicate your interest for the latest Iphones.

South Korea has slapped its own face by admitting that SM-3 is better than THAAD.

http://en.people.cn/n3/2017/0913/c90000-9268579.html

If SK understood that SM-3 had better performance than THAAD, then it shouldn't install THAAD in the first place and irked China & Russia.

Why did SK install SM-3 after THAAD? It's pretty obvious that THAAD was useless against NK because the motive for THAAD was to help the USA to monitor China & Russia using the THAAD radar.

Typhoon Talim will landfall over Japan!

https://watchers.news/2017/09/12/typhoon-talim-forecast-track-landfall-japan/

Typhoon Talim alert for Japan and may hit Tokyo!

Singapore stock calls for 13 September 2017

USA debt has crossed USD$20t!

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/heres-how-the-us-got-to-20-trillion-in-debt-2017-03-30

Fighting wars, big tax cuts and economic stimulus packages have all added to the debt burden

Raising the debt limit is the only way out for the USA in December 2017.  If not, the government has to shut down in December as there's no money to be spent anymore.

How will the government get the money for its spending? Look like printing money is the only way out for Trump as he wants to implement fiscal spending to boost the economy but still want tax cuts simultaneously. Increasing the money supply will definitely devalue the currency.  OK, we have the outcome for the USD in the future now.

Wow! China will be researching on quantum navigation system for its submarines.

http://en.people.cn/n3/2017/0913/c90000-9268415.html

Wow!  China is really developing its quantum understanding in all spectrum of technologies.

Quantum satellite
Quantum radar
Quantum communication network
Quantum computer
Quantum navigation system

This is really amazing!

Turkey has defected from NATO.

https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/turkey-signs-deal-buy-russian-400-missile-systems-081502133.html

Turkey, a NATO member, has defected and purchased Russian S400 missile system.  Turkey is the first NATO member to purchase from Russia as NATO is supposed to contain and ward off Russia.

Singapore stock calls for 12 September 2017

U.N. approves watered-down new sanctions against North Korea.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-north-korea-sanctions-20170911-story.html

The USA had relented. Either the sanctions won't get passed or only the watered-down sanctions would be approved.  The USA couldn't do anything without getting approval from China in the UN.

We're right to say that the USA won't get what it wanted in the UN vote.

http://sg-stock.blogspot.sg/2017/09/us-wont-get-what-it-wants-in-un-vote-on.html

Toys R Us may be bankrupt soon!

https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/06/toys-r-us-weighs-possible-bankruptcy-filing.html

New game cultures have developed with electronics and traditional toys makers have problems adapting to the paradigm shift.

Lego is also having some problems adapting to the new game culture.

https://www.aol.com/article/finance/2017/09/05/lego-to-cut-1400-jobs-as-decade-long-sales-drop/23197473/

Halimah Yacob has become the most controversial president in Singapore.

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/pe-2017-pec-decision-halimah-yacobs-eligibility-sparks-notmypresident-hashtag-143620822.html

This is the first time that Singaporeans took to the media to voice their dissatisfactions about our "elected" president.  She will be the first president that doesn't command the respect of Singaporeans.

China has pledged to ban petrol and diesel cars in the future.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/business/china-studying-when-to-ban-sales-of-traditional-fuel-cars--xinhua-9202160

China is joining Germany and UK to ban petrol & diesel cars in the future.  When more countries embark on this route, there'll be lesser demand for oil.  Therefore, oil prices will crash in the future and those oil producing nations will be in serious troubles because their main incomes will be badly affected.

Great jobs to these countries for saving our planet!

Singapore stock calls for 11 September 2017

No presidential election in Singapore!

We will end our poll as there is no presidential election this year.  It's a walk over as there is only 1 qualified candidate.

The truth is finally out for THAAD system.

https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/america-apos-apos-thaad-apos-052300437.html

THAAD system is useless against the North Korean's missiles but the South Korea installed it due to immense pressure from the USA.  The true intention to have the THAAD system in SK is to use the radar to monitor China & Russia.

We had stated previously that THAAD was useless against NK.

http://sg-stock.blogspot.sg/2016/08/economic-crisis-is-developing-in-south.html

SK will definitely need to pay a heavy price for having THAAD.

The power of hurricane Irma.

You wouldn't believe it.  Hurricane Irma was so powerful that it could suck up ocean leaving behind a dry sea bed.

Where did all the water go to?  There you go!

China had tested its missiles defence system near North Korea border.

http://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2109907/china-shoots-down-incoming-missiles-during-exercise

China missiles defence system shot down incoming missiles during a drill near North Korea border.

This exercise shows that it is combat ready and NK outdated missiles won't be able to pose a threat to China.

ASEAN, HK and China to sign FTAs.

http://en.people.cn/n3/2017/0910/c90000-9266970.html

This is great news for ASEAN, HK & China.  These FTAs are definitely better than TPP.  TPP is an unfair pact because it's designed more for the political motive.

Huawei Kirin 970 chipset is super fast.

Just watch how fast the Kirin 970 chipset processes the 100 photos.  The initial photo processing is slow because of normal chipset but once the German switches to K970, the processing is super fast.

This is how China is progressing.....OMG!

http://sg-stock.blogspot.sg/2017/09/china-has-produced-first-mobile-ai-chip.html

US won't get what it wants in UN vote on monday.

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/us-determined-un-vote-monday-n-korea-sanctions-214836746.html

China & Russia had already stated that more sanctions won't help and these 2 countries have veto powers.

I'm pretty sure Singapore will support the USA.  Singapore didn't dare to vote to ban nuclear weapon in UN.

Car scammer in China!

Car cam is very important in China. You'll be at the losing end without a car cam.  This woman is so desperate and ridiculous.

China has made a decision to shut down bitcoin exchanges.

http://www.caixinglobal.com/2017-09-09/101142821.html

We knew such a thing would happen and we ain't saying this on hindsight.  The qualitative analysis would have revealed that the government won't allow it because allowing it would defy economic sense.

There are basically 3 ways to manage an economy: Monetary policy, Fiscal policy and Structural policy.  Cryptocurrency falls under the monetary policy and the government won't allow another currency in any form to flourish and compete with its own currency.  This will make it very hard for the government to manage its monetary policy, especially during crises.  Furthermore, this type of currency is highly subjected to abuses by private exchanges and criminals.  However, the blockchain technology behind this currency is more valuable than the currency itself and can be put to better use in other ways.

Bitcoin is a manipulated virtual currency that is under the control of a small group of people.  Have you ever wondered why the majority of bitcoin trading is only conducted in 3 countries (China, Japan and South Korea)?

Last but not least, nobody can create money out of thin air.  It's just a wishful thinking!

NASA will be spending USD$3.5b to stop yellow stone from erupting.

http://www.express.co.uk/news/science/844858/yellowstone-volcano-eruption-warning-nasa

Wow! NASA is also an expert in volcanology.  We all know that now!

NASA wants to spend US$3.5b on the yellow stone eruption prevention program.  The prevention theory has yet to be tested and I hope this method won't disrupt or aggravate the yellow stone condition.  There are a lot of things we still don't understand fully about our earth.

Mexico 8.1 earthquake could be caused by solar storm.

2 interesting phenomena happened recently.

http://www.newnationalist.net/2017/09/08/2nd-x-generated-storm-triggers-8-0-mexico-earthquake/

There were 2 solar outbursts and some strange light flashes in the sky prior to the Mexico 8.1 earthquake.

Some scientists are attributing the 8.1 earthquake to the solar storm.

USD has reached new low!

Is the USA deliberately devaluing its currency or people are losing faith in the USD?

The USD has been falling for the past 1 year and is still falling because of the colossal debt problem in the USA. Trump has kicked the can further down the road but still cannot resolve the debt problem except to extend the debt limit again.  There is no doubt that the USA will cross the $20T debt amount with little foreign reserves in its coffer and increased military spendings.

Hurricane Harvey has already done substantial damages to Texas and Hurricane Irma will be worse than Harvey.  Furthermore, meteorologists have detected 2 more hurricanes forming alongside Irma which will also slam into the USA.  The government definitely has to spend billions on the hurricane damages and require more fund raisings in the bond markets.  Insurance companies also will suffer due to substantial payouts and need to raise monies too.

All these don't bode well for the USD because monies are not put to better use other than damage control and repair.  Conversely, if these monies are used for economic developments, the USD will become stronger instead of weaker.

Baltic dry index - 1332

Today, Friday, September 08 2017, the Baltic Dry Index climbed by 36 points, reaching 1332 points.

Baltic Dry Index is compiled by the London-based Baltic Exchange and covers prices for transported cargo such as coal, grain and iron ore. The index is based on a daily survey of agents all over the world. Baltic Dry hit a temporary peak on May 20, 2008, when the index hit 11,793. The lowest level ever reached was on Wednesday the 10th of February 2016, when the index dropped to 290 points.

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

Related stocks: Sembcorp Marine, Cosco & Pan Ocean

US rig count - 944

HOUSTON — The number of rigs exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. increased by one this week to 944.

That's up from the 508 rigs that were active a year ago.

Houston oilfield services company Baker Hughes said Friday that 756 rigs sought oil and 187 explored for natural gas this week. One was listed as miscellaneous.

Among major oil- and gas-producing states, New Mexico added three rigs. North Dakota, Pennsylvania and West Virginia each gained one.

Alaska lost two rigs. Arkansas, Colorado and Louisiana were down one rig each.

California, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah and Wyoming were all 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

Singapore stock calls for 8 September 2017

Shared bikes business model is a flawed business concept - Part 2

http://en.people.cn/n3/2017/0907/c90000-9266039.html

China has banned new shared bikes now because shared bikes concept has created a lot of new social problems like abandonment, parking and obstruction.

https://sg-stock.blogspot.sg/2017/08/shared-bikes-business-model-is-flawed.html

Singapore stock calls for 7 September 2017

The USA is begging for a war with North Korea by imposing an oil embargo.

http://www.asianage.com/world/americas/070917/us-pushes-oil-embargo-on-north-korea-takes-aim-at-kim-jong-un.html

The USA is begging for a war with NK by imposing an oil embargo.  We stated in our previous postings that NK would go to war because of oil as it would become a survival issue.

http://sg-stock.blogspot.sg/2017/09/japan-is-trying-to-start-korean.html

http://sg-stock.blogspot.sg/2017/09/oil-embargo-against-north-korea-will.html

China and Russia have to come to NK's rescue in the name of humanitarian aid because the oil embargo hurts the citizens the most.  If a war breaks out, China and Russia will definitely get involved and Asia will suffer great economic setbacks.

Is this what we want for Asia?

Hurricane Irma is approaching USA! It will be the biggest hurricane to date.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4857842/Hurricane-Irma-slams-Caribbean.html

Hurricane Irma is approaching the speed of 320km/hr and is a category 5 storm.  It will slam into Florida (USA) soon.

China has produced the first mobile AI chip.

http://en.people.cn/n3/2017/0905/c90000-9264860.html

TSMC and Samsung will have lesser chip businesses now as China will be using its own chips.  No more A10 or snapdragon chips in China mobile handsets anymore.

Trump has extended the debt limit to December.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/trump-agrees-to-extending-debt-limit-government-funding-to-december-democrats-say-2017-09-06

Trump has the excuse to extend the debt limit to December because of the hurricane.  Therefore, the government won't shut down for now.

The media likes to talk about other countries' debts but seldom on the USA's debt.  I wonder why!

China won the HSR construction deal in Thailand.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/thailand-signs-deals-with-chinese-state-firms-for-high-speed-railway-9190256

Wow! An invitation of Thailand to the BRICS summit did the trick!

http://sg-stock.blogspot.sg/2017/09/thai-sino-relationship-is-better-than.html

Let's wait for the outcome for the KSL-SG HSR.

Singapore stock calls for 6 September 2017

Triyards may collapse soon!

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/triyards-flags-potential-threat-to-going-concern

The oil and gas industry is still not recovering and there will be more loan defaults soon.  Many analysts are still too optimistic about this industry as none is calling for a SELL on Triyards.

South Korea seeks Russia's help to resolve North Korea issue.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-09-06/moon-seeks-putin-s-help-warns-of-uncontrollable-north-korea

President Moon still doesn't understand the whole situation.  Russia cannot help because SK is no longer a sovereign state and cannot make any decision without involving the USA.  Russia, like China, will demand SK to remove THAAD but SK cannot remove THAAD without the USA's approval.  The real crux of the Korea peninsula problem lies between the USA and NK.  SK and Japan will be the collateral damages when a war breaks out.  As long as SK and Japan don't pressure the USA to remove THAAD from SK, it is difficult to resolve the current impasse.

North Korea H-Nuclear warhead.

This is the H-Nuclear bomb which will be put in a ballistic warhead.  H-Nuclear bomb is the most powerful bomb so far on earth.  The Hydrogen bomb which was recently tested by NK was 10x more powerful than the atomic bomb dropped in Japan.

H-Nuclear bomb is a high technological bomb because it has to go through a fission-fusion-fission process to achieve the maximum explosion.  In a nutshell, a small atomic bomb (fission-split atoms) has to be ignited to achieve a high temperature of a few thousands degree for fusion (merge atoms) to take place before it eventually explodes again(split atoms) for maximum damage.

The diagram on the top left corner of the picture depicts the H-Nuclear bomb warhead.

China quantum communication can span more than 2,000km now.

http://en.people.cn/n3/2017/0905/c90000-9264879.html

After the advent of Quantum satellite, other quantum technologies are evolving as well. The quantum communication can achieve a distance of more than 2,000km now.  This also means the quantum radar range will also be longer than before and stealth fighter will no longer be stealth anymore.  All the billions sunk into the development of F35 would be flushed down the toilet bowl.  What a waste!

Will USA attack North Korea unilaterally?

Well, this is a billion dollar question but we'll try to seek the answer with our best effort.

The USA will only attack North Korea if it is confident that it can destroy NK's nuclear sites and ballistic missiles in the first air strike.  However, we do not foresee such confidence from the USA because the USA can only destroy about 85% of NK's capabilities leaving 15% for retaliation against South Korea and Japan.  Our online research shows that the USA can only gather about 85% of intelligence about NK insofar.  There are many unknown underground tunnels in NK that can accommodate mobile missile launchers.  Therefore, the USA will not act unilaterally because Seoul and Tokyo will be annihilated from NK's retaliations.

The USA has been making public proclamation that it doesn't seek to dethrone Kim but Kim will not trust the USA due to the USA having a bad credibility record.  I would say that the USA and NK are at an impasse now because both countries are suspicious of each other.

Furthermore, China and Russia won't allow a Korean peninsula war right at their doorsteps.

It's official now! Government tax credit is not considered a state subsidy under WTO.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/business/wto-reverses-ruling-against-boeing-777x-tax-credits-9184910

Many countries will use the tax credit to boost its competitiveness now as WTO doesn't consider tax credit as a state subsidy.

WTO has set the precedent for all to follow.  Good job!

Singapore stock calls for 5 September 2017

Our envision for the future is going to be materialized.

https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/fear-robots-taking-jobs-spurs-040550775.html

More countries are considering an universal basic income in their societal structures for the foreseeable future because of displaced workers.

Our Envision:

http://sg-stock.blogspot.sg/2016/12/the-new-economy-and-radical-social.html

We did mention in our article that people would receive state assistance for subsistence in the new world and this universal basic income system is akin to the state assistance for subsistence.

This upcoming industrial revolution will destroy more jobs than it creates.  Therefore, displaced workers will no longer be able to find jobs in this new world.

http://sg-stock.blogspot.sg/2017/05/artificial-intelligence-will-destroy.html

Are we prepared for this new societal development in Singapore?

India economic growth is declining tremendously.

http://www.livemint.com/Industry/yu33hGVkfNYCzfb7ENN3jO/Taking-stock-of-Indian-Economy-Consumption-key-to-GDP-growth.html

India GDP declined from 9% in 2016 to 5.7% in 2nd quarter of 2017.  The fall is too fast and too furious which denotes a burgeoning economic problem in India.  If this economic decline is not addressed, India will face a big social problem because its people will revolt.

Indians are known to protest violently.  Just look at Singapore little India riot which was on a small scale.

No wonder India didn't dare to start a war with China and needed to attend BRICS summit because it needed BRICS badly for its economic growth.

Singapore stock calls for 4 September 2017

USA wants to use FTA to force South Korea to do its bidding.

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/trump-hints-withdrawal-u-south-korea-free-trade-033825279--business.html

The USA wants to use the FTA to force South Korea to install the other 4 sets of THAAD and also continue the military drills with USA against NK.

Sigh! SK is powerless against the USA.

Oil embargo against North Korea will force NK to go to war!

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/chinas-anger-west-overshadow-tougher-action-north-korea-110120616.html

Where is the UN human rights council?

An oil embargo for NK will make north koreans suffer tremendously but the UN human rights council is keeping mum.  More sanctions will only make the north koreans suffer but not the government.

What's your take on this, UN human rights council?

EU and Turkey are falling apart.

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/merkel-wants-end-turkey-eu-membership-talks-194318250.html

If Germany succeeds in kicking out Turkey from EU, then Turkey may get kicked out of NATO too because Turkey will forge closer economic relationships with Russia.  When Turkey has a cozier relationship with Russia, NATO will feel edgy.

Thai-Sino relationship is better than Singapore-Sino's.

http://www.scmp.com/week-asia/geopolitics/article/2109399/why-did-china-invite-thailand-brics-party-clue-its-sleeper-hit

Singapore always wants to extol the strong Singapore-Sino relationship but the real truth is Thailand got invited to the BRICS summit.  Thailand is not part of BRICS but is the only ASEAN country to get invited to attend BRICS.

Being able to attend BRICS means there'll be an abundance of business and trade opportunities to harness with the 2 largest population countries.  Therefore, attending the BRICS summit is better than attending the G20 summit as an observer.

Singapore! Wake up please!

China doing its part for a greener environment.

http://en.people.cn/n3/2017/0902/c90000-9263490.html

Hydrogen fuel cells bus!  Hydrogen is a clean energy source and China is using wind power to produce hydrogen.  This is truly a green eco-system and I hope that this development will be applied to the whole world.

Let's stop using diesel bus!

North Korea has conducted a nuclear test on Sunday!

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/north-korea-explosion-points-nuclear-test-043842707.html?hl=1&noRedirect=1

This nuclear test is a retaliation against the latest USA sanction.  NK had previously stated clearly that it would retaliate and it did with a nuclear test.

A nuclear test is a breach of the red line drafted by the USA especially Trump.  This nuclear test is to challenge Trump on his previous conviction to attack NK if a nuclear test was conducted.

If Trump doesn't keep to his word to attack NK for the nuclear test, then the USA will lose its credibility and it will be difficult to trust the USA on its future endeavours.

China and Russia had stated that the new sanctions would escalate the tension.  Indeed, it really happened with a nuclear test.

http://sg-stock.blogspot.sg/2017/09/china-and-russia-have-stated-that-new.html

North Korea won't give up its nuclear program because it doesn't trust the USA due to USA bad records of reneging on its promises.  NK has learnt a great deal from the historical events in the middle east.  The USA would only attack countries who gave up on nuclear programs or without nuclear weapons.

Let's see how Trump will respond to this latest nuclear test.

Diplomatic fight between Russia & USA.

http://en.people.cn/n3/2017/0901/c90000-9263462.html

Russia will retaliate with its might against the forced closure of its consulate in San Francisco.

The USA is creating troubles everywhere.....Middle East, Russia, Korea, South China Sea, etc.

Baltic dry index - 1183

Today, Friday, September 01 2017, the Baltic Dry Index decreased by 1 point, reaching 1183 points.

Baltic Dry Index is compiled by the London-based Baltic Exchange and covers prices for transported cargo such as coal, grain and iron ore. The index is based on a daily survey of agents all over the world. Baltic Dry hit a temporary peak on May 20, 2008, when the index hit 11,793. The lowest level ever reached was on Wednesday the 10th of February 2016, when the index dropped to 290 points.

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

Related stocks: Sembcorp Marine, Cosco & Pan Ocean

US rig count - 943

HOUSTON — The number of rigs exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. increased by three this week to 943.

A year ago, just 497 rigs were active.

Houston oilfield services company Baker Hughes said Friday that 759 rigs sought oil and 183 explored for natural gas this week. One was listed as miscellaneous.

Among major oil- and gas-producing states, New Mexico added three rigs. Alaska gained two and Pennsylvania one.

Texas and Wyoming each lost a rig.

Arkansas, California, Colorado, Louisiana, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Utah and West Virginia were all 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

China and Russia have stated that new sanctions against North Korea will only escalate the tension.

http://www.cetusnews.com/news/Russia-warns-new-US-sanctions-against-North-Korea-may-prove-DANGEROUS-amid-WW3-fears.Syg1ITI8KZ.html

http://en.people.cn/n3/2017/0831/c90000-9262971.html

A Korean peninsula war will break out if the tension continues to rise and more sanctions will not help to solve the problems.

Asia will suffer tremendously if we allow this war to break out and the USA will suffer the least as it is so far away.  The direct victims will be South Korea and Japan and indirect victims will be China & Russia.

I hope Singapore won't support the USA in this case.

OMG! 1,000km/hr is not fast enough for China. China wants to develop a supersonic transportation.

http://en.people.cn/n3/2017/0831/c90000-9262936.html

What is considered fast enough for China transportation need? 1,000km/hr? Nope, a hyperloop train is not fast enough.  China wants to travel at 4,000km/hr!

I'm really green with envy looking at China's developments.  Singapore will become a low-technology country when compared to China in the future because we only have HSR that is travelling at around 300km/hr.

Europe will start its QE tapering in October and shut down QE by 2018.

https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/reuters-poll-ecb-announce-qe-054929478.html

No more cheap money soon!

Let's see when the USA will start its own QE tapering.

Japan is trying to start the korean peninsula war. Why?

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-missiles-un-japan/japan-pushes-u-s-to-propose-new-u-n-sanctions-on-north-korea-idUSKCN1BA24A

Japan should realize that NK would attack its neighbours for the oil embargo because Japan also attacked other countries during WW2 for oil.  NK will definitely attack SK and Japan for the oil embargo because of survival.  The oil embargo will leave NK with no choice but to start the war first.

UN has to consider this carefully and I hope that Russia and China will veto Japan's proposition for the sake of peace.

Top honchos are leaving Noble Group.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/noble-groups-treasury-head-quits-155409472.html

When top honchos are leaving Noble Group, this kind of departure means that Noble is becoming unsustainable and they don't want to be part of the company's failure in the future.  These top honchos just wanna protect their own reputations.