The USA is likely to get the Aramco IPO.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5058061/Saudi-prince-killed-firefight-resisting-arrest.html

This is not an anti-corruption campaign but a power grabbing fight by the crown prince.  He wants to make sure he can stay in power and have absolute power.

I believe the USA will get the Aramco IPO in exchange for Trump's support for the new crown prince.

The real contenders for the Aramco IPO are the USA & HK.  However, the USA will have a higher chance because of political reason.

Singapore stock calls for 7 November 2017

Japan is forced to buy more military weapons from the USA.

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/latest-abe-says-trump-had-good-talk-during-091936213.html

After forcing SG to buy Boeing planes, the USA is forcing Japan to buy more military weapons.

This president is truly a businessman. Hahaha!

Latest developments in Saudi Arab.

http://edition.cnn.com/2017/11/05/middleeast/saudi-arabia-anti-corruption-list/index.html

The crown prince had embarked on a new anti-corruption campaign that led to the arrests of 17 princes and ministers.  This is for power consolidation purpose rather than for the proclaimed intention.

Coincidentally, a Saudi prince was killed after the anti-corruption campaign started.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-41881058

President Trump humiliated PM Abe in Japan.

https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/trump-says-japan-apos-economy-063900916.html

President Trump humiliated PM Abe in Japan and showed that Japan was just a USA's lackey.  Japan will always play second fiddle to the USA.

Do not use Apple's face ID. It is not safe!

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/man-unlocks-brother-apos-iphone-093814206.html

If a younger sibling can unlock the face ID of his older sibling's Iphone X, it shows that the face ID is not safe as proclaimed by Apple.

It's still safer to use fingerprint scan.  Therefore, there is no point to buy Iphone X.

Singapore stock calls for 6 November 2017

DBS has a 23% profit slide!

https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/dbs-q3-profit-surprise-slide-five-low-oil-034836345--finance.html

We did warn about DBS's 2nd half earnings because DBS had been very secretive about its loan exposure to the oil & gas industry.

http://sg-stock.blogspot.sg/2017/08/watch-out-for-dbss-2nd-half-earnings.html

Travel alert to Paris!

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/tourists-attacked-chinese-embassy-warns-security-risks-002203871.html

Asians who look like Chinese should be wary about visiting Paris because Paris robbers are targeting Chinese tourists.  The Paris robbers cannot differentiate between Chinese nationals and Singaporeans.

The Paris robbers are syndicate members who are well-equipped with weapons and are professionals.  How many robbers will use tear gas in their robberies?

President Trump wants Aramco IPO and SGX will stand no chance.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-trump-asia-aramco-ipo/trump-says-he-spoke-to-saudi-king-about-aramco-they-will-consider-using-u-s-exchanges-idUSKBN1D501X?il=0

SGX will stand no chance for Aramco IPO after Trump spoke to Saudi King.

Indian man raped 18-month toddler! Indian men are beasts!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5046405/Indian-man-arrested-raping-18-month-old-girl.html

Indian men are beasts! As long as they see a hole, they will rape!


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

Baltic dry index - 1476

Today, Friday, November 3 2017, the Baltic Dry Index decreased by 6 points, reaching 1476 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 - 898

HOUSTON (AP) — The number of rigs exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. declined by 11 this week to 898.

That's up from the 569 rigs that were active a year ago.

Houston oilfield services company Baker Hughes said Friday that 729 rigs sought oil and 169 explored for natural gas this week.

Among major oil- and gas-producing states, Colorado added four rigs, Texas gained three, while Alaska tacked on two.

Oklahoma lost eight rigs and Louisiana shed four. New Mexico and North Dakota both lost a pair, while Utah dropped one.

Arkansas, California, Ohio, Pennsylvania, 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.

Singapore stock calls for 3 November 2017

This is what happens to Singapore for supporting the "America First" policy.

https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/02/broadcom-moving-headquarters-to-us-from-singapore-says-trump.html

Broadcom will move its HQ from SG to USA and Singaporeans will be retrenched.  The USA is stealing our jobs now!

Kudos to our government for supporting the "America First" policy.

Vietnam and China have resolved the South China Sea dispute.

https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/beijing-says-peacefully-resolved-south-054300594.html

This is definitely a great news for Asia because this settlement will leave little room for the USA to exploit and rally against the China.

Vietnam and Philippines have smart leaders to choose their economic developments over the USA's political interest.

SMRT asks its staff to own up for own lapses.

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/smrt-wide-scale-audit-asks-rail-staff-lapses-report-012258295.html

This is really ridiculous!  Will the top management own up their lapses too?

When the top management couldn't do it, they expected the ordinary employees to do it.

Lesson learnt: Never get a military man to run the MRT.

BOE has hiked the interest rate.

https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/02/bank-of-england-hikes-rates-for-the-first-time-in-a-decade.html?__source=yahoo%7Cfinance%7Cheadline%7Cheadline%7Cstory&par=yahoo&doc=104814315&yptr=yahoo

Bank of English will continue its rate hiking policy to prevent an overheating economy.  This means LIBOR will continue to rise in the future.  As London is a major financial hub, its interest rates will also affect other financial products and derivatives internationally.  The USA will take consideration of this in view of its own economic conditions and hike its interest rate in December.

Powell is picked as the next Fed Chair.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/trump-announces-jerome-powell-next-fed-chair-replacing-janet-yellen-190916792.html

Powell is trained as a lawyer with no economic background.  This means that he will not deviate from Yellen's policies because he cannot spreadhead any major economic changes due to lack of economic knowledge.  There's a high chance that he will set economic policies that will make the FED too tardy in responding to economic challenges.  He may be the man who makes the FED to be behind the curve of inflation.  Let's see.

2 F-18s were sent out from an US aircraft carrier to tackle the UFO.

The F-18s couldn't lock onto the UFO in this air fight.  This showed the high technology possessed by the UFO.

Singapore stock calls for 2 November 2017

The hypocritical western countries!

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/ousted-catalan-leader-unlikely-return-spain-testify-lawyer-101157875--business.html

When any Asian state wants to gain independence, the western countries will support in the name of democracy.  However, when any western state wants to gain independence, the western countries will denounce and condemn.

This is how hypocritical they are!

They want to support Taiwan, Tibet and HK independence but not Catalan or Scotland independence.

South Korea to mend relationship with China by making some promises.

http://thechronicleherald.ca/world/1515934-skorea-china-move-to-resolve-disputes-and-hold-summit-talks

South Korea has made some promises to mend the relationship with China.

Promise 1: SK will not install additional THAAD.  SK has 6 THAAD systems currently.

Promise 2: SKwill not allow THAAD radar to extend into China's territory to address China security concern.

Promise 3: SKwill not be part of the USA military alliance and will only conduct joint military exercises with the USA.  The original USA's intention was to form a military alliance with Japan and SK to contain China.

SK and China will meet to discuss the promises further during the APEC meeting in Vietnam and officiate them in their bilateral communique.

Singapore stock calls for 1 November 2017

Singapore condemns New York Terror attack for 8 deaths.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/singapore-strongly-condemns-new-york-terror-attack-mfa-9365098

Singapore is quick to condemn New York Terror attack for 8 deaths but not for Somalia terror attack with more than 358 deaths.  The Somalia terror attack is more severe than NY attack.

A life is a life be it black or white.  We must be fair and impartial to all races.

http://sg-stock.blogspot.sg/2017/10/somalia-worst-terrorist-attack-in.html

Strange light ball appeared in Russian Sky after Putin tested Satan 2.

http://siberiantimes.com/other/others/news/reports-of-spectacular-ufo-signaled-by-a-giant-glowing-ball-lighting-the-sky-in-northern-siberia/

The Russian government tried to brush it off as the trail of the Satan 2 launch but missiles experts claimed that they had not seen such missile trail before.  Therefore, this is definitely an abnormal light ball which cannot be explained.

UFO hit an airliner full of NBA players recently.

Let's face it. No bird would fly at 30,000 feet and there was no blood or feather on the plane after the collision which was abnormal.  The dent looked weird and the pilots also didn't realize or notice any collision in the air which was weird.

Therefore, what could have hit the airliner at 30,000 feet without leaving any traces behind?

Real footage of bird collision with plane below but at lower altitude:

There's some blood stain on the plane after collision unlike the footage above without blood stain.

What a joke! Catalonian leaders are on the run after gaining independence.

https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/catalan-separatists-seeking-refuge-belgium-090000868.html

The Catalonian leaders shouldn't have pushed for independence since they knew the consequence of the outcome.  These leaders left Catalan in the lurch after gaining independence and ran away for their own personal safety.  The independence has created ramifications for the society and strained relationships in many families because of different political views.

Calatan is a divisive state now because of irresponsible and irrational leaders.

Singapore stock calls for 31 October 2017

Doggy robot will be on sale in China soon!

It's cool to have a robotic helper to help you to carry things when you do your groceries.

Russia test fired SATAN 2 nuclear warheads missile recently.

Satan 2 nuclear warheads missile can wipe out Texas or UK.

USA has forsaken the Kurds!

https://www.clevelandjewishnews.com/jns/iraqi-kurds-feel-abandoned-by-the-us-as-israel-offers/article_1d433c52-5303-5215-812c-35d2e1290426.html

The Kurds had been staunch supporters of USA actions in the Middle East for over a decade and always responded to the USA's calls for any battles in the Middle East.

However, the USA abandoned the Kurds for its own political interest after using them. The Kurds thought that the USA would support and protect them after the independence referendum because the Kurds fought with their lives in the Middle East alongside the USA.

The USA has been known to be an untrustworthy and unreliable ally but the Kurds take a big leap of faith in the USA and they're suffering the repercussion of this belief.  The USA only cares for its own interests and does not care about others.  The Kurds have learnt this the hard way with the losses of their lives.

Singapore stock calls for 30 October 2017

China can produce flexible display screens now. Samsung is in trouble!

http://en.people.cn/n3/2017/1030/c90000-9286440.html

China has acquired the technology to mass produce flexible display screens which will give Samsung a run for its money.  The prices of AMOLE display will decrease which will benefit consumers but Samsung will take a hit for its AMOLE revenues.

China will definitely ramp up its AMOLE display production to crush Samsung's monopoly.

Is SGX being too optimistic or naive in wanting the world's largest IPO?

https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/sgx-chief-keeps-eyes-winning-223900206.html

I doubt we can get this Aramco IPO and the CEO is showing his naivety because SGX doesn't have the size and liquidity of other big stock exchanges like NYSE, HKEX and LSE.  Low liquidity is often associated with a low valuation.

When Alibaba didn't even want to list on SGX, the world's largest IPO won't come to SGX too.  Furthermore, SGX has been losing some big market capitalization companies.

When the top management doesn't know the capital markets well enough, SGX won't be able to go too far in this industry.

Hot news! Catalonia has declared independence!

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/gold-steady-dollar-gains-versus-012826415.html

Catalonia has declared independence and is officially separated from Spain now.  Spain's economy will drop by 20% immediately after the separation.  Spain is definitely weaker now than before and this phenomenon may spread to other European countries by encouraging other states to obtain autonomy or independence.

Europe may get ramified and become weaker.

Baltic dry index - 1546

Today, Friday, October 27 2017, the Baltic Dry Index decreased by 9 points, reaching 1546 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 - 909

HOUSTON (AP) - The number of rigs exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. declined by four this week to 909.

That's up from the 557 rigs that were active a year ago.

Houston oilfield services company Baker Hughes said Friday that 737 rigs sought oil and 172 explored for natural gas this week.

Among major oil- and gas-producing states, Texas gained five rigs and Oklahoma and Wyoming each increased by one.

Louisiana lost three rigs, North Dakota and West Virginia each declined by two and Alaska, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico and Pennsylvania each lost one.

Arkansas, California, Ohio and Utah 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 27 October 2017

ECB will cut bond purchases to $30B in Jan 2018.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ecb-curb-bond-buying-first-091109975.html

The ECB will purchase fewer bonds than previously stated.  The ECB will only purchase 30B bonds instead of 40B bonds in Jan 2018.

Interest rates are definitely rising fast in EU and the USA in 2018.

https://sg-stock.blogspot.sg/2017/10/ecb-will-start-qe-tapering-in-jan-2018.html

Please read our previous posting on interest-rate rising environment.

http://sg-stock.blogspot.sg/2017/03/what-stocks-to-buy-in-interest-rate.html

Singapore will be issuing its own cryptocurrency after Russia.

https://www.cnbc.com/2017/10/26/singapore-cryptocurrency-blockchain-trial.html?__source=yahoo%7Cfinance%7Cheadline%7Cheadline%7Cstory&par=yahoo&doc=104798494&yptr=yahoo

Just like Russia, Singapore will be issuing its own cryptocurrency which cannot be mined by others.

The demise of bitcoin is coming sooner than thought as ordinary people will move over to the official cryptocurrency, leaving the criminals to use bitcoins.

The USA is doomed to fail in its Asia pivot or rebalancing strategy.

It’s getting harder for the USA to implement the Asia pivot or rebalance strategy now compared to a decade ago.

Why?

This is because China has helped Asian countries to boost their economies and made them prosper with better economic integrations with China.  Consequently, China has become the top trading partner of many Asian countries and China is importing a lot of Asian goods.  This is something the USA cannot do because the USA wants to export goods and services to Asia.

It will be difficult for the USA to grow its influences in Asia nowadays because the USA cannot replace China’s importance in Asia now.  Furthermore, China is building many infrastructures under the BRI in Asia whereas the USA cannot afford to build anything for Asia.  Although the USA has been embarking on smearing and fear-mongering campaigns against China, it has been unsuccessful to persuade Asian countries to contain China’s influences.

Asians are mostly peace-loving people except for North Korea, Japan and Vietnam.  Therefore, most Asians just want to lead a peaceful and prosperous life which China is promoting.

The USA had been proclaiming the excessive China's claims in South China Sea but it was the USA navy that accompanied China to reclaim those islands in South China Sea after WW2.

http://sg-stock.blogspot.sg/2017/02/china-has-proof-that-its-proclamation.html

China's 9 dashes for South China Sea had been around since 1947.  Up till now, about 70 years later, the USA or its supporters cannot cite any incident of China navy or coast guard stopping any commercial vessel from sailing in South China Sea.  Therefore, there is no basis for freedom of navigation because there is already freedom of navigation in South China Sea.  The evidence is definitely in China's favour.  If we just look at the evidence, we know who the troublemaker (USA) is in Asia.

We strive to be objective but we just cannot find a shred of evidence to support the USA's allegation and claim.  As we conduct more researches, we find the USA more despicable.

Singapore stock calls for 26 October 2017

US Treasury yields had been rising for the past 2 weeks.

Watch out for the 10-year yield since this is the risk-free rate.

Dangers will be lurking when the 10-year yield reaches 3% and the stock markets will react very negatively.

Singapore stock calls for 25 October 2017

Apple has chosen TSMC as its sole manufacturer for the A12 chips.

http://www.idownloadblog.com/2017/09/29/tsmc-starts-development-apple-a12-chips-iphone-2018/

Apple has chosen TSMC as its sole manufacturer for the A12 chips leaving Samsung out of the game.

However, Samsung will compete with TSMC for the A13 chips.

https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/10/24/apple-could-split-a13-chip-orders-between-2-chip-g.aspx

Great news! Singapore passport is the most powerful in the world now.

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/singapore-now-powerful-passport-world-index-013119189.html

What does this mean?

Basically, it just means that we can go to many countries without applying for VISAs.

That's about it.  Don't expect other fringe benefits to be attached to SG passport.  We still need to go through the same custom checks like other passports unless you are holding a diplomatic passport.

China newest politburo standing committee names!

https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/meet-men-charge-china-apos-035300501.html

The 7 most powerful men in China are announced after the closure of the 19th party congress.

Saudi Arabia doesn't believe in bitcoin too.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/bitcoin-is-enron-in-the-making-saudi-prince-alwaleed-2017-10-23?siteid=yhoof2&yptr=yahoo

Saudi Arabia prince also believes that bitcoin will implode one day.  This means that Saudi Arabia won't adopt and legalize bitcoin trading because it doesn't want its citizens to be affected by bitcoin implosion.  We can also infer that the Middle East won't legalize bitcoin too.

Apple Iphone X shipments are only half as forecasted.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/apple-iphone-x-shipments-half-111609139.html

Apple does have a problem selling its flagship Iphone X as it is beset with some technical problems and the high price.

Let's see how this will pan out later.

The 8 immortals that control China, not the 8 deities in the folklore.

No, we are not talking about the famous folklore, "The 8 deities who crossed the sea".  We are talking about the 8 powerful families that control China.  They control and command all the resources in China such as finance and banking, public utility and transportation, military, etc.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/9767514/Heirs-of-Communist-Chinas-Eight-Immortals-have-amassed-huge-wealth.html

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2012-12-26/octagon-oligarchy-meet-chinas-eight-immortals-infographic

Xi Jinping managed to wrestle and gain control from the 8 powerful families with some going downhills while others pledging loyalties to him.

For example, Li Peng's daughter was booted out of the public utility industry in China.

Xi Jinping's leadership looks set to continue after the 19th Party Congress.

Xi Jinping didn't name his successor at the closure of the 19th Party Congress.  This means that he will continue to be the leader for the next decade.

Look like the rumour was true after all about Jiang's support for Xi's leadership continuation.  Please read our previous post below.

http://sg-stock.blogspot.sg/2017/10/jiang-zemin-lost-political-battle-to-xi.html

Russia to issue its own cryptocurrency and this may destroy bitcoins in the future.

https://techcrunch.com/2017/10/15/russia-may-soon-issue-its-own-official-blockchain-based-currency-the-cryptoruble/

Russia will issue its own cryptocurrency which cannot be mined by others and can only be issued by the Russian government.

We did say before in our previous posting that blockchain technology was more useful than the cryptocurrency per se because cryptocurrency was a derivative of blockchain technology.

If more and more countries start to issue their own cryptocurrencies that cannot be mined, bitcoin's value will crash as ordinary people can use the official cryptocurrencies to transfer money.  In the end, only criminals will use bitcoins to stay anonymous.

http://sg-stock.blogspot.sg/2017/10/bitcoin-fanatics-dumbest-thing-on-wall.html

Singapore stock calls for 24 October 2017

Here we go again! Indian man raped woman in broad daylight with onlookers.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/4748399/woman-is-raped-in-broad-daylight-on-pavement-as-onlookers-do-nothing-to-stop-sex-beast/

India is a country that doesn't respect women.  Any woman in India is just a whore to any Indian man.

Be very careful if you want to visit India or in India!

http://sg-stock.blogspot.sg/2017/10/indian-women-was-gang-raped-at-gun.html

China has started its autonomous electric bus road test recently.

China is changing its infrastructures at breakneck speed.

Sigh! What is SG doing? Our government is focusing on diabetics, preschooling and technology embracement.

No wonder our MRT is breaking down so frequently and we've "ponding" at Bishan MRT.

China is really a high technology country.

Just take a look at how the traffic police do its work compared to SG.

No wonder the China people are laughing at SG for being so outdated and low-tech.

Italy is on the verge of breaking up after Spain.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-politics-referendum/italian-regions-vote-in-favor-of-autonomy-in-shadow-of-catalonia-crisis-idUSKBN1CR0EY

The domino effect is happening.  Some parts of Italy also want to gain independence after Catalan's independence vote.

If Europe allows Catalan's independence, there won't be any reason to stop others from following suit.  Catalan will be kicked out of Europe after independence and has to pay high taxes for its goods and services.  No FTA for Catalan!

Singapore stock calls for 23 October 2017

Abe won the Japan election on Sunday.

https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/japan-apos-leader-just-won-042200543.html

He won because his opposition was too weak but Abe's support was just as weak as before.  Nothing much changes because abenomics policies don't work anymore.  Abe prefers to focus on the pacifist constitution reforms instead of the economic reforms.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-japan-election/japans-abe-to-push-pacifist-constitution-reform-after-strong-election-win-idUSKBN1CS0C3

Abe wants to have the prerogative to start a war!

Noble will report a loss of $1.2B in Q3.

https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/noble-group-sell-oil-liquids-business-vitol-580-001536214--finance.html

Q2 2017 = $1.75B loss
Q3 2017 = $1.2B loss

How long do you think Noble can last after losing close to $3B in just 2 quarters?

The cash proceeds from this sale will be $580M which are still much lesser than its debt of more than $3B.

Noble is burning cash pretty fast!

The truth behind Li Ka Shing's divestment in China.

Why did Li Ka Shing cash out of China?

Li Ka Shing was trying to avoid being persecuted by Xi Jinping for bribery in China and had no choice but to cash out of China.  Li Ka Shing's divestment was not due to any loss of confidence in China economic growth as China was still growing pretty well and the property market was still on an upward trend after his divestment.

Li Ka Shing started to do very well in the property developments in China after getting to know Jiang Zemin whilst Jiang was still in power.  Li Ka Shing transferred one of his subsidiaries' shares to Jiang's son in exchange for a property development in China and that exchange was the first major pot of gold for Jiang.  Thereafter, there were many exchanges of favours and monetary rewards between them including the expeditious capture of the Li son's kidnapper in China.

However, things began to change after Xi's ascension to power.  Xi embarked on his corruption-fighting campaign after becoming the leader and also wrestled with Jiang because Xi discovered Jiang's intention to get rid of Xi.  Jiang regretted his decision to support Xi because Xi was more upright than he thought.

Therefore, Li Ka Shing quickly cashed out of China and moved his HQ to London from HK.  As we all know, HK is part of China and Li Ka Shing doesn't want to take the risk.

Jiang Zemin lost the political battle to Xi Jinping.

A picture really tells a thousand words.

Despite Jiang's flailing condition, he had to attend Xi's presentation in the 19th Communist Party Congress to give the face to Xi.  In fact, Jiang could have excused himself from the Party Congress based on his poor health.

We still could tell that Jiang and Xi had an acrimonious relationship because Xi didn't bother to help Jiang to be seated.  Xi just stood there like a statue without displaying any kind gesture.

It's pretty obvious who won the political battle in China.

There is a rumour circulating that Jiang and Xi have reached a settlement in secrecy.  Xi will not persecute Jiang for corruption and also spare his 2 sons in exchange for the support in Xi's leadership continuation.

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

US fiscal deficit in 2017 - USD$666B

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/us-ends-fiscal-2017-with-666-billion-budget-deficit-2017-10-20

The US fiscal deficit in 2017 is already USD$666b.  Trump tax plan will add more to its current deficit.  However, the Senate only managed to pass the deficit of USD$1.5T in the next decade.  Therefore, Trump couldn't get his $5T tax plan fully implemented.

https://sg-stock.blogspot.sg/2017/09/trump-us5t-tax-plan-wont-get-passed.html

Baltic dry index - 1578

Today, Friday, October 20 2017, the Baltic Dry Index decreased by 4 points, reaching 1578 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 - 913

HOUSTON (AP) - The number of rigs exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. declined by 15 this week to 913.

That's up from the 553 rigs that were active a year ago.

Houston oilfield services company Baker Hughes said Friday that 736 rigs sought oil and 177 explored for natural gas this week.

Among major oil- and gas-producing states, Texas lost eight rigs, Alaska and Wyoming each declined by two and New Mexico and Utah each lost one.

Arkansas, California, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania 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

UK has no prerogative to meddle in HK's affairs.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/oct/18/uk-summons-chinese-ambassador-after-british-activist-barred-benedict-rogers-barred-hong-kong#img-1

HK is part of China and UK has no prerogative to meddle in HK's affairs.  HK's autonomy is not defined by the UK.

How would UK feel if China demands the UK to give Scotland independence?

China GDP grew at 6.8% in Q3.

http://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2017/10/19/china-q3-gdp-grows-6pt8pct-on-year-in-line-with-forecasts/

This was quite close to what was estimated at 7%.

Let's hope that China can continue the momentum till the end of the year.

http://sg-stock.blogspot.sg/2017/10/chinas-economy-is-powering-ahead-with.html

Singapore stock calls for 20 October 2017

UOB has just marked down its O&G loans by 70-80%.

https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/uob-burdened-toxic-loans-o-044300079.html

This showed that our banks had been too optimistic about the recovery in the O&G industry in the past.

Let's see what DBS & OCBC will do.

We did warn about such optimism and the banks were not forthcoming with O&G loan exposures.

http://sg-stock.blogspot.sg/2017/08/singapore-banks-are-facing-strong.html

ECB will start QE tapering in Jan 2018.

https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/ecb-gently-trim-asset-buys-delicate-messaging-act-063209193--business.html

ECB will start reducing bond purchases by $20B euros in Jan 2018.  The bond purchases will reduce from $60b to $40b in Jan 2018 and will continue to reduce gradually over time.

Spain to suspend Catalan autonomy.

https://in.news.yahoo.com/spain-moves-suspend-catalan-autonomy-094803353.html

https://qz.com/1106478/catalonia-independence-crisis-spain-plans-to-invoke-article-155-and-impose-direct-rule/?utm_source=YPL&yptr=yahoo

The Spanish move will definitely spark more instabilities in Catalan and the Spain stock market.

Singapore stock calls for 19 October 2017

HNA to delist CWT from SGX after Nov 2.

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/cwt-to-be-delisted-after-nov-2-as-hnas-control-crosses-90

Goodbye CWT!

Another client has left SGX. Sigh!

SGX doesn't understand the capital market!

Why do I say that?

Just look at the flopped collaborative agreements in the past.

SGX-CLOB failed!
SGX-ASX failed!
SGX-TWSE failed!
SGX-ASEAN failed!

https://www.theedgesingapore.com/asean-trading-linkage-quietly-shuts-down

The SGX has just signed another collaborative agreement with Nasdaq.  Needless to say, it will flop too because no company will want to list on SGX when it can list on Nasdaq.  This win-lose collaboration will benefit Nasdaq more than SGX.

https://www.thestreet.com/story/14347895/1/nasdaq-singapore-s-sgx-announce-agreement.html?puc=yahoo&cm_ven=YAHOO&yptr=yahoo

SGX just doesn't understand the capital market and stock trading exchange well enough.  It removed and reinstated the lunch break, kept changing the bid/sell spreads, etc.  No wonder SGX is losing its listed clients more than it is attracting the IPOs.

Singapore stock calls for 17 October 2017

North Korea warns of a nuclear war!

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/nuclear-war-may-break-time-warns-north-korea-042811050.html

I hope there won't be a nuclear war in Asia as this will cause devastations.

The USA softens its stance after NK warning which is a good news for Asia.

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/u-not-ruling-eventual-direct-talks-north-korea-024603566.html

Bitcoin fanatics: Dumbest thing on wall street.

https://www.thestreet.com/story/14340563/1/dumbest-thing-on-wall-street-bitcoin.html

Bitcoin fanatics really don't know what they're saying.

They try to use the Wi-Fi analogy to say that Bitcoin is as useful as Wi-Fi but Bitcoin is not Wi-Fi.  Wi-Fi is a technology but bitcoin is a derivative of a technology.  The technology behind Bitcoin is Blockchain, an open digital ledger.

One of the derivatives of Wi-Fi is wireless files transfer.  Therefore, Bitcoin is just like a wireless files transfer if we want to make a compatible comparison.  We use wifi everyday but not wireless files transfer.  Therefore, bitcoin is not as important and useful as what the fanatics portend it to be.  It is the blockchain technology that we're interested in, not bitcoin.

Anyway, Wi-Fi is already outdated because there is Li-Fi now.

It's time for the fanatics to wake up from their dreams.

China won't be using normal MRTs in the future.

China will be implementing maglev system in China instead of using the normal MRTs track.  Maglev system gives passengers a smooth ride.  Just look at the coin standing on the floor during motion.

Singapore non-oil domestic exports (NODX) - Part 6

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/singapore-nodx-exports-fall-1-1-after-4-months-of-growth-9317146

Singapore NODX decreased 1.1% in September YOY.

Year on year changes:

September 2017: -1.1%

August 2017: 16.7%

July 2017: 8.5%

June 2017: 8.2%
May 2017: -1.2%
Apr 2017: -0.7%
Mar 2017: 16.5%
Feb 2017: 21.1%
Jan 2017: 8.6%
Dec 2016: 9.1%
Nov 2016: 15.6%

http://sg-stock.blogspot.sg/2017/08/singapore-non-oil-domestic-exports-nodx.html

Somalia worst terrorist attack in decades.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/15/truck-bomb-mogadishu-kills-people-somalia

A truck bomb had just killed more than 300 people in Somalia last Saturday but not many news media reported it.

Whether the victims are black, white, yellow or brown, we must express abhorrence towards such terrorism of killing innocent lives.

Fully automatic carpark in China.

Car parking is such a breeze in China now.

Our PM Lee still thinks that the Tuas mega port will boost Singapore as a maritime hub!

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/transport/tuas-mega-port-will-boost-singapore-as-a-maritime-hub-pm-lee

Our PM Lee negates the Melaka Gateway impacts on SG port and also disregards the China port alliance which bypasses SG.

China also took over the Gwadar port in Pakistan from SG and this would definitely impact SG.  We fought so hard to get the Gwadar port under SG control because it was strategically located.

http://sg-stock.blogspot.sg/2016/10/singapore-was-no-match-for-china-in.html

All these are omitted from PM Lee's speech.  Therefore, I would DISAGREE totally with his analysis.

Singapore stock calls for 16 October 2017

New downturn MRT open house encountered service disruptions.

http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/train-delay-blights-downtown-line-open-house

We cannot even make our MRT work properly nowadays!

The top management always blames the lower ranked employees for not doing the job well.

If you've been living in China, you will know that China MRTs carry more people than SG but they won't break down like our MRTs.

How can we expect to have a proper working KL-SG HSR?

North Korea and South Korea won't hold talks in Russia.

https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/north-korea-not-ready-hold-talks-south-korea-092549896.html

It is not surprising that NK is unwilling to talk to SK.  We did state the reason for this impasse in our previous posting below.

https://sg-stock.blogspot.sg/2017/09/south-korea-seeks-russias-help-to.html

Global inflation is coming because China PPI is spiking!

https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/china-september-producer-prices-jump-most-six-months-023245562--finance.html

China PPI rose 6.9% in September year-on-year!  It is only a matter of time that China will export inflation to the world.  Therefore, it is right for FED to raise interest rate in December.

China's economy is powering ahead with an estimate of 7% in H2.

https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/chinas-pboc-chief-sees-7-percent-gdp-growth-034417545--business.html

It's nice to see China powering ahead with good economic growth because China is our largest trading partner.  SG can just ride on China's prosperity and prosper together.

Cheers!

OMG! Apple Iphones may be banned in China!

https://www.theverge.com/2017/10/13/16472908/qualcomm-iphone-sales-ban-lawsuit-china

Qualcomm has applied to a China court to ban Iphones in China.  If this injunction gets passed, Apple stock prices will crash because China is Apple's largest market outside the USA.

Bitcoin trading analysis!

Why was there a rumour that China would resume bitcoin trading soon?

http://sg-stock.blogspot.sg/2017/10/bitcoin-soars-to-all-time-high.html

The reason is simple:  The Japanese investors are trying to cash out by making the bitcoin prices spike higher.

If you look at the historical events in bitcoin trading, you would realize that the USA started trading bitcoins at less than $1000.  Thereafter, the Chinese traded bitcoins at $1000+ and cashed out at $4000+ because of China regulations.  Then, Japan legalized bitcoin trading and the Japanese traded bitcoins at around $4000+.  Therefore, the Japanese investors have to make the bitcoins trade higher so that they can cash out.  This is akin to the passing of the baton game and the last guy who holds the baton will get the penalty.

Baltic dry index - 1485

Today, Friday, October 13 2017, the Baltic Dry Index climbed by 27 points, reaching 1485 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 - 928

HOUSTON (AP) — The number of rigs exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. declined by eight this week to 928.

That's up from the 539 rigs that were active a year ago.

Houston oilfield services company Baker Hughes said Friday that 743 rigs sought oil and 185 explored for natural gas this week.

Among major oil- and gas-producing states, Alaska, Kansas, North Dakota and Pennsylvania each gained one rig.

Texas lost four rigs, Oklahoma declined by three, California lost two and Louisiana and West Virginia each declined by one.

Arkansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Ohio, 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.

The troublemaker, USA, lost the war in Syria to Russia.

http://www.newsweek.com/us-lost-war-syria-iran-russia-winning-final-battle-674833

Who and what started the war in Syria in the first place?

The USA was the one who created the war in Syria by trying to topple the Syrian government.  Then, it roped the UK into the tussle against Syria to gain a stronger foothold.  The USA & UK were trying to control the Middle East by establishing more proxies but the Russian thwarted the plan.  In the end, it was the Russian who managed to gain control of Syria.  The USA and UK can no longer decide on Syria today because of the Russian's intervention.

In a nutshell, the USA, UK and Russia are the countries that created the mess in Syria for their own political interests.

China knew exactly what was going on in Syria and censured the UK in the UN.  The UK couldn't rebut China because it was guilty as charged.

http://www.china-un.org/eng/hyyfy/t1452588.htm

Quote:

"Lastly, I should like to point out once again that it is totally unacceptable for the British representative to publicly distort the solemn position of another country in the Council Chamber. His logic is untenable. We hope that, on the issue of chemical weapons, on which the international community is in consensus, he will stop using the Security Council in an abusive manner for his own political purposes, as that is not in the interest of the Syrian people, and that, in the future, the British representative will refrain from such practices."

End Quote.

ECB is concerned about cryptocurrency and may take action against it.

https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-eu-bitcoin-mersch/ecb-concerned-virtual-currencies-may-not-be-sufficiently-guaranteed-idUKKBN1CI13V

China, South Korea and Russia have taken actions against cryptocurrency.  Europe will be joining the foray against cryptocurrency soon.

SPH is shutting down Asiaone website.

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/sph-news-aggregator-site-asiaone-close-090754309.html

SPH doesn't know how to grow its web media business despite having a complete monopoly in Singapore.  Therefore, it is resorting to cutting manpower, closing down money-losing operation and venturing into the property business.

When SPH is ranked no. 151 out of 180 in the world press freedom ranking in 2017, it is hard to impose a subscription on readers as readers can read better quality news online for free.

https://rsf.org/en/ranking

Singapore stock calls for 13 October 2017

Bitcoin soars to an all time high!

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/bitcoin-soars-to-a-new-all-time-high-above-5100-2017-10-12?siteid=yhoof2&yptr=yahoo

This is obviously the work of someone or a syndicate spreading a rumour that China will allow bitcoin trading to resume soon which sparks the spike in bitcoin price.

China will never do a policy u-turn in such a short time.

Bitcoin is just a manipulated commodity by a small group of people.

Apple is facing significant headwinds for its flagship Iphones!

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/iphone-8-already-sold-discount-china-154113017.html

China has started to offer discounts for Iphone 8 due to the poor sales and people are doubtful about the Iphone X now.

Apple is in troubles now!  It will drag its suppliers down too.

Great news! Singapore is growing exceptionally strong in the 3rd quarter.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/strong-manufacturing-drives-singapore-gdp-growth-to-4-6-in-q3-9304566

SG is growing strongly at 4.6% in Q3 year-on-year compared to 2.4% in Q2.

Hopefully, this year will be a better year than last year.  Cheers!

UK is poignant that China values the USA more.

https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2017-10-06/uk-pm-may-postpones-trip-to-china-to-avoid-timetable-clash-with-trump-sky

The UK has to visit China to get more trade deals because of its own Brexit.  However, it is feeling poignant that China chooses to entertainment the USA instead of the UK in November 2017.

Therefore, the UK is postponing the China trip.  However, it has offered a good faith gesture to China by not conducting freedom of navigation in South China Sea as it badly needs more trade deals.

http://en.people.cn/n3/2017/1012/c90000-9279266.html

We can tell from this that everything in this world is about politics and money.  The UK always encourages independence in other states or countries.  For example, the UK supports Tibet independence, Taiwan independence and HK independence.  However, when it comes to Scotland independence, the UK doesn't allow it.  This just goes to show that the UK is nothing but just a hypocrite.