5 Global Stock Exchanges Stocks (独占鳌头)

Posted on May 22, 2020 Written by
Singapore Exchange Stock HKEx ICE NASDAQ Bursa Malaysia

In this article, you will learn 5 global stock exchanges which are also giant stocks in respective countries with applications of 5 unique stock investing strategies.

1) Singapore Exchange (SGX: S68) – Singapore Stock Exchange Giant Stock

2) Intercontinental Exchange (NYSE: ICE) – US NYSE Stock Exchange Giant Stock

3) Nasdaq Inc (NASDAQ: NDAQ) – US NASDAQ Stock Exchange Giant Stock

4) Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEx: 388) – Hong Kong Stock Exchange Giant Stock

5) Bursa Malaysia (Bursa: 1818) – Malaysia Stock Exchange Giant Stock

All stock trading activities (buy or sell) have to go through stock exchange, sometimes there is only 1 stock exchange, especially for smaller country such as Singapore, therefore having monopoly advantage (独占鳌头) as an economic moat for the stock exchange business. There is also low risk for a stock exchange to go bankrupt as it is too important to fail without support. Therefore, stock of a stock exchange in a country with growing economy may be considered for longer term investing.  However, stock performance of each stock exchange can be different, therefore requiring different strategies, eg. growth, cyclic, dividend, momentum, etc.

Business of stock exchanges are not limited to listing and trading of stocks (equities), may be extended to derivatives (eg. commodities / forex / indices – futures, options, etc), ETFs, bonds (fixed income) and other services.  Even a country (eg. US) may have a few stock exchanges but most global stocks only have 1 primary stock exchange for listing (eg. choosing between NYSE or NASDAQ stock exchanges), therefore it is still monopoly in nature (similar to certain show is only available in certain TV channel, no other choice for consumers).

Here, we will focus on 5 common global and local stock exchanges, ranked by market capitalization: No 1 (NYSE / ICE), No 2 (NASDAQ), No 6 (HKEx), No 21 (SGX) and No 25 (Bursa). US NYSE and NASDAQ alone, have already contributed to about 50% of the world stock value, usually are the first choice for global investors and institution in trading, as well as top 2 choices for potential IPO companies, having easy access to global capital to expand the businesses.

Singapore only contributes to about 1% of world stock value.  Therefore, Singapore stocks could not affect the US, but US stocks could affect Singapore and the whole world. So, even readers may be interested in 100% Singapore stocks, it is important to pay attention to US stocks and also US economy (also contributing to half of world economy).  Hong Kong & China (Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges) contribute to about 10% of world stock value, not comparable with size of China as No 2 world economy.

Stock exchanges when listed as stocks, price movement is aligned with local economy and stock market index performance.  However, stock exchanges could make money in both bullish and bearish stock market as its business in equity is dependent on trading volume, not high or low of stock prices. Therefore, in recent global stock crisis with fear of Covid-19, trading volume surges to a high (initiated by fearful sellers who hope to sell stocks to minimize downside risk), contributing to strong earnings to exchanges stocks, even during pandemic period of Q1 2020.

1) Singapore Exchange (SGX: S68) – Singapore Stock Exchange Giant Stock

Singapore Exchange was formed in Year 1999 with merging of Stock Exchange of Singapore (SES), Singapore International Monetary Exchange (SIMEX) and Securities Clearing and Computer Services Pte Ltd (SCCS). Since listed in Year 2000, Singapore Exchange has initiated a series of expansion with acquisition, including Singapore Commodity Exchange (futures) and Baltic Exchange (freight indices). Temasek is the largest shareholder (23.3%) of Singapore Exchange, providing additional protection as a strong sponsor.  Japan Exchange is the second largest shareholder (3.4%) but investing Singapore Exchange with high share prices in bullish Year 2007.

Singapore Exchange reports improving business results over the past few years (under new CEO, Loh Boon Chye, since Year 2015), supporting its share prices to a new high over the past 10 years. Main earnings contributor is derivatives trading (eg. futures of commodity / forex / indices) which is about half of company net income, following by about 1/3 from equities (stocks), remaining are fixed income (eg. bonds) and other services. In addition, there are increasing customers outside Singapore / Asia, contributing to growing revenue, despite Singapore stock market may not be so active. There are about 800 stocks listed in SGX, an important source of income for Singapore Exchange through stock trading and clearing fees.

Singapore Exchange is the only stock in 30 STI component stocks not affected by recent global stock crisis with Covid-19. In fact, its current share price is even higher than before Covid-19, exceeding $10/share resistance before. Singapore Exchange is a strong fundamental stock with over 30% ROE over the past decade (no debt most of the time), setting a good example to share over 80% net income as dividend with shareholders (average about 3% dividend yield). It can be positioned as a “fixed deposit” stock (with 3% interest) as share prices have been within low optimism of $6-$8/share most of the time in the past decade.

With breakout of $8/share resistance over the past 1 year, Singapore Exchange has become a momentum stock for trading in short term to medium term. Breaking of each resistance (eg. $10/share, $11, etc) would become a signal for short term traders to Buy High Sell Higher (which requires strict S.E.T. trading plan: Stop Loss / Entry / Target Prices). Singapore Exchange stock price is not aligned to STI index, diverging in short term, mainly due to different business performance during pandemic.  Some Singapore investors like to trade “safer” stocks with business supported by Covid-19, including trading business of SGX, some healthcare and supermarket stocks (eg. Sheng Siong, SGX: OV8), etc.

2) Intercontinental Exchange (NYSE: ICE) – US NYSE Stock Exchange Giant Stock

Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) has 12 global exchanges, including New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), the largest stock exchange in the world which has about 2800 stocks listed, many are big companies with global giant stocks could be found. Performance of ICE stock price is much better than US stock market index (eg. S&P 500), mainly contributed by its strong business growth with acquisition of other global and local exchanges.

Dr Tee has been to NYSE (11 Wall Street) stock exchange in New York, twice over the past 3 decades. The famous Charging Bull sculpture is nearby, remembering the 1987 Black Monday stock crisis.  Indeed, human has proven that every global financial crisis could be overcome eventually, including the current Covid-19 crisis. Even the trading floor of NYSE was closed for a period of time during pandemic but modern online trading has overcome this weakness easily.

ICE is strong in earnings and cash flow with consistent growth over the decade, suitable to position for growth investing, leveraging on long term growth of US / world economy.  Covid-19 induced global stock crisis has corrected ICE share price by 1/3 but it has been recovering well, aligning to US stock market. ICE could be an alternative investment to US indices (eg. S&P 500 or NASDAQ) as its performance in shorter term is similar but much better in longer term.

3) Nasdaq Inc (NASDAQ: NDAQ) – US NASDAQ Stock Exchange Giant Stock

Nasdaq stock (NDAQ) has 9 global exchanges, including NASDAQ stock exchange in US and 8 other exchanges in Europe (major shareholder of NASDAQ is Swedish Wallenberg family through Investor AB). NASDAQ is the second largest stock exchange in the world which has about 3300 stocks listed, many are technology companies with global giant stocks could be found. Performance of NASDAQ stock (NDAQ) price is aligned with US stock market index (eg. S&P 500 & NASDAQ), having strong business fundamental but at the prices of relatively higher liability.

NDAQ stock is highly cyclic in prices, aligning with volatile prices of technology sector stocks within NASDAQ stock exchange.  After the burst of technology bubble in Year 2000, NASDAQ stock index dropped to 1/3 of value and NDAQ stock was cut by half in share prices.  Covid-19 induced global stock crisis has corrected NDAQ share price by about 40% but it has been recovering well, aligning to US stock market. NDAQ stock could be an alternative investment to NASDAQ stock index as its long term growth performance is stronger and less volatile than index.

4) Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEx: 388) – Hong Kong Stock Exchange Giant Stock

History of Hong Kong stock market is longer than 100 years. So, Hong Kong stock exchange is more mature and closely regulated than younger stock exchanges of Shanghai and Shenzhen in China.  It has experienced British administration (100 years before Year 1997 when returning to China), therefore there is strong western styles in financial system.  Despite Shanghai has emerged has new financial center for China, Hong Kong is always the main financial gateway to the western world, especially through the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEx) is a strong growth stock, share price over the past 2 decades has surged by 27 times from $10 to $270/share, partly due to historical opportunity of Hong Kong united with growing China after Year 1997, as well as connection of HKEx with Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges, allowing capital to flow between Hong Kong and mainland China.  So, HKEx has become the first choice of stock exchange for IPO for some Asian companies who could easily leverage on capital from China and US investors, if not considering NYSE or NASDAQ stock exchanges.

A few years ago, Dr Tee has visited the building of Hong Kong Stock Exchange at The Exchange Square (building is owned by a property giant stock, Hongkong Land, listed in SGX: H78). However, most of the trading are done online, therefore the physical trading floor is closed permanently since Year 2017, the current Covid-19 crisis does not affect the electronic transaction.  In fact, Singapore and global investors could invest in Hong Kong stocks easily with pressing of a few buttons in online trading.  There is no withholding tax for dividends of Hong Kong stocks (unlike US stocks require 30% withholding tax for dividends to foreign investors). So, HKEx could gain from both global and local stock investors.

HKEx stock is still strong growth in business but the growth in share prices is slower, therefore entering low optimism in long term. Similar to SGX stock in the past decade (ranging between $6-$8/share for cyclic trading), HKEx stock is still suitable for medium term cyclic trading to Buy Low Sell High every few years, following medium term optimism strategy. Performance of HKEx stock is aligned with Hang Seng stock index in short term but performing much better in longer term.

5) Bursa Malaysia (Bursa: 1818) – Malaysia Stock Exchange Giant Stock

Bursa is Malaysia stock exchange has about 800 stocks listed, many are local companies with businesses in Malaysia. Therefore, there are many local stocks in sectors such as agriculture, plantation and manufacturing.  So, a stock with such business may not do well in Singapore (due to higher cost of business operation) but could become a giant stock in Malaysia due to unique local advantage.  So, the choice of giant stocks in each stock exchange is different, promising sectors could be country dependent.

Bursa stock (1818) is more cyclic in nature (suitable with Buy Low Sell High, applying long term optimism strategy), falling by nearly half (relative to peak price) in recent Covid-19 global stock crisis, just recovering from long term low optimism.  Bursa stock performance is much stronger than KLCI stock index, recovering to price before Covid-19. Fundamentally, Bursa stock is stagnant in business growth, therefore may not be suitable for long term investing. However, there are many other giant stocks within Bursa stock exchange worth consideration for long term.

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There are 30 STI index component stocks including Singapore Exchange (investor has to focus only on giant stocks for investing):
DBS Bank (SGX: D05), Singtel (SGX: Z74), OCBC Bank (SGX: O39), UOB Bank (SGX: U11), Wilmar International (SGX: F34), Jardine Matheson Holdings JMH (SGX: J36), Jardine Strategic Holdings JSH (SGX: J37), Thai Beverage (SGX: Y92), CapitaLand (SGX: C31), Ascendas Reit (SGX: A17U), Singapore Airlines (SGX: C6L), ST Engineering (SGX: S63), Keppel Corp (SGX: BN4), Singapore Exchange (SGX: S68), Hongkong Land (SGX: H78), Genting Singapore (SGX: G13), Mapletree Logistics Trust (SGX: M44U), Jardine Cycle & Carriage (SGX: C07), Mapletree Industrial Trust (SGX: ME8U), City Development (SGX: C09), CapitaLand Mall Trust (SGX: C38U), CapitaLand Commercial Trust (SGX: C61U), Mapletree Commercial Trust (SGX: N2IU), Dairy Farm International (SGX: D01), UOL (SGX: U14), Venture Corporation (SGX: V03), YZJ Shipbldg SGD (SGX: BS6), Sembcorp Industries (SGX: U96), SATS (SGX: S58), ComfortDelGro (SGX: C52).

Stock exchange is a gateway for businesses to leverage on enormous capital from local and global investors through stock trading and investing.  Stock performance of a stock exchange is also a reflection of a country stock market strength and economy growth, especially over a longer term. A smart investor may consider to invest in stock exchange stock directly (usually lower risk due to its unique financial role, especially if it is a monopoly stock) or having the choice to invest in individual giant stocks listed under the stock exchange.

Drop by Dr Tee free 4hr investment course to learn how to position in global giant stocks with 10 unique stock investing strategies, knowing What to Buy, When to Buy/Sell.

Learn further from Dr Tee valuable 7hr Online Course, both English (How to Discover Giant Stocks) and Chinese (价值投资法: 探测强巨股) options, specially for learners who prefer to master stock investment strategies of over 100 global giant stocks at the comfort of home.

You are invited to join Dr Tee private investment forum (educational platform, no commercial is allowed) to learn more investment knowledge, interacting with over 9000 members.

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Filed Under: Fundamental Analysis, Market Cycle Investing, Stock Market, Technical Analysis Tagged: , , , , , , , , ,

VICOM Monopoly Cash Cow Stock (车运亨通)

Posted on April 14, 2020 Written by
VICOM Monopoly Stock V01 SGX

Vicom (SGX: V01) is an authorized vehicle inspection company in Singapore. Based on LTA (Land Transport Authority) regulation, all vehicles / cars in Singapore have to go for inspection every 1-2 years. Due to this legal requirement, yearly or even monthly cash flow of Vicom is stable and predictable (车运亨通) as number of cars in Singapore is also regulated.

It is a strong economic moat to own this car inspection license because there are only 2 companies (duopoly) in Singapore: 7 centers operated by Vicom (including 2 by JIC which is also owned by Vicom) and 3 centers owned by STA. So, Vicom has 70% monopoly of vehicle inspection business in Singapore. Inspection fee is regulated by LTA, so no difference which company to go, therefore the company has more locations would have more businesses as most drivers would choose the nearest center from home.

Despite LTA announced 0% car growth rate since Year 2018, due to high level of car COE (Certificate of Entitlement to own a car in Singapore) price, more car owners choose to renew the car COE, therefore more old cars which need annual car inspection, helping to compensate for the difference in 0% car growth.  As a result, Vicom earning and cashflow are growing gradually or stable (flat), aligning to vehicle growth in Singapore.

During the 10 minutes car inspection (very efficient flow, saving time for drivers and also quick cash generator for Vicom), from one end to another end (retest may be required if fail the test), $64.20 would flow from car owner’s pocket to Vicom financial account. When this number is multiplied with 70% of all vehicles in Singapore due for inspection, it is tremendous amount of cash. The Capex (difference of Operating Cashflow and Free Cash flow) is limited, only in Year 2018, due to investment in new Bukit Batok inspection center, there was less free cash flow in that year. Vicom also has non-vehicle testing division (SETSCO) but business is not as predictable as vehicle inspection business.

Vicom has been very generous in dividend payment, even it is not a REIT but having similar policy to pay 90% of profits as dividend back to shareholders (only difference is Vicom has the right to change this policy as dividend amount is not regulated by law as for a REIT). In fact, since Year 2017 to 2019, Vicom has “over” paid 120% of its profits as dividend (possible as having retained earnings from the past few decades of business). Current dividend yield of Vicom is about 5%.

Parent company, Comfortdelgro (SGX: C52), has about 2/3 ownership of Vicom, therefore could enjoy 2/3 of stable cash generated by Vicom through dividend payment. Despite taxi business of Comfortdelgro has been in crisis for several years with new challenger of Grab Taxi (disruptive technology) and also during Coronavirus infection period in year 2020 (less passengers), Vicom has been serving as cash cow for Comfortdelgro, providing stability to its business. 

Due to consistent dividend payment with a very stable business (protected by LTA car inspection requirement), Vicom has been a favourite for some dividend stock investors. Due to more demand than supply (for the cash cow with stable dividend payment), Vicom share price has been growing for decades, after share price adjustment, growing from about $0.40/share to $8/share over the past 20 years, going up by 20 times!  It means if initial investment capital was $1000, it would become $20,000 (excluding 4-6% yearly dividend yield for 20 years).

Vicom Monopoly Stock V01 SGX

However, past success records in both business and share prices do not guarantee future performance as stock market is forward looking. Therefore, even an investor may be interested in Vicom for investing from now, has to learn to “inspect” giant stock, only a giant stock (applying Dr Tee’s giant stock criteria) in certified after yearly review, then an investor could continue to hold, even may not need to sell in future stock crisis. In short, Vicom inspects Singapore cars to make money and investor has to inspect global giant stocks to remain profitable.

So, despite slower growth in business but due to it stability and predictability, Vicom is also a growth stock, suitable for long term investing.  A smart investor would apply Dr Tee’s Optimism Strategies to acquire Vicom at low optimism < 25% (currently is about 15% Optimism), suitable for both dividend investing (moderate 4-6% dividend yield record over the past decade, a strong consideration during crisis time) and growth investing (buy low optimism & hold long term for capital gains).

Assuming the worst case scenario that Coronavirus may affect the world / Singapore for more than 1 year (before a vaccine is developed), with over 50% people lockdown at home for over 1 year, resulting in Great Depression for a few years, number of cars in Singapore are unlikely to drop even by 10% base on natural demand and supply (unless it is required by LTA). However, during global financial crisis, it is possible for Singapore car COE price to drop (historical low was $1, could be as high as nearly $100,000) to support the current number of cars. A smart investor may also apply Optimism Strategies to buy Singapore car with low optimism COE during global financial crisis (current COE price of about S$30,000 is only moderate optimism level, not yet a good time for car shopper but $1 historical low COE price may not happen again due to open bidding system).

So, some readers may be tempted to invest in Vicom right away (sharing in this article is for educational purpose, please make your own analysis, in case anyone may think Vicom could go bankrupt one day if LTA may announce that Singapore vehicles no longer need inspection anymore). During the recent global stock crisis in Mar 2020, Vicom share price fell by about 20% (more defensive compared to 30 STI blue chip stocks fell by about 30%), currently recovering more than half of the correction. An investor has to consider both risks and rewards with strategies aligned to own unique personality, not simply a buy after reading this article.

If a smart investor wants to have a complete 100% monopoly of car inspection business (buy a stock means in partnership with company doing business together), then may also consider STA which controls remaining 30% of car inspection in Singapore.  STA could be invested partially through parent company, ST Engineering (SGX: S63), another dividend giant stock in Singapore. Comparing with Vicom, ST Engineering is equally strong for dividend investing but much slower for growth investing (car inspection is not the only business nor main business for ST Engineering).

Similarly, parent company of Vicom, Comfortdelgro, is also a giant dividend stock (dividend yield is 6.5% but a question mark if this is sustainable this year when fewer people take taxi for 6-12 months) but slower growth than Vicom. Comfortdelgro has another subsidiary, SBS Transit (SGX: S61), which is only a marginal dividend giant stock with bus and MRT businesses, not as strong as Vicom.  Vicom has the characteristic of midfielder with 2 main investing goals of passive incomes (dividend) and capital gains.

Vicom is a small size stock, but it is a giant, much better than most 30 STI index component stocks including Comfortdelgro (investor has to focus only on giant stocks for investing):
DBS Bank (SGX: D05), Singtel (SGX: Z74), OCBC Bank (SGX: O39), UOB Bank (SGX: U11), Wilmar International (SGX: F34), Jardine Matheson Holdings JMH (SGX: J36), Jardine Strategic Holdings JSH (SGX: J37), Thai Beverage (SGX: Y92), CapitaLand (SGX: C31), Ascendas Reit (SGX: A17U), Singapore Airlines (SGX: C6L), ST Engineering (SGX: S63), Keppel Corp (SGX: BN4), Singapore Exchange (SGX: S68), Hongkong Land (SGX: H78), Genting Singapore (SGX: G13), Mapletree Logistics Trust (SGX: M44U), Jardine Cycle & Carriage (SGX: C07), Mapletree Industrial Trust (SGX: ME8U), City Development (SGX: C09), CapitaLand Mall Trust (SGX: C38U), CapitaLand Commercial Trust (SGX: C61U), Mapletree Commercial Trust (SGX: N2IU), Dairy Farm International (SGX: D01), UOL (SGX: U14), Venture Corporation (SGX: V03), YZJ Shipbldg SGD (SGX: BS6), Sembcorp Industries (SGX: U96), SATS (SGX: S58), ComfortDelGro (SGX: C52).

“Crisis is Opportunity” if a company business is stable or growing while the share prices fall significantly due to market fear. Monopoly stock in a stable or growing sector with empowerment by local authority would give unfair advantage to a business. There are over 1500 global giant stocks, some are stronger growth than Vicom and/or better dividend yield than Vicom. “What to Buy” does not mean “Now to Buy”, positioning on a giant stock requires comprehensive LOFTP (Levels 1-4, Optimism 0-100%, Fundamental, Technical and Personal Analysis) strategies.

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Drop by Dr Tee free 4hr investment course to learn how to position in global giant stocks of growing sectors with 3 value investing strategies (undervalue, growth, dividend stocks), knowing What to Buy, When to Buy/Sell.

Learn further from Dr Tee valuable 7hr Online Course, both English (How to Discover Giant Stocks) and Chinese (价值投资法: 探测强巨股) options, specially for learners who prefer to master stock investment strategies of over 100 global giant stocks at the comfort of home.

You are invited to join Dr Tee private investment forum (educational platform, no commercial is allowed) to learn more investment knowledge, interacting with over 9000 members.

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Filed Under: Market Optimism, Stock Market Tagged: , , , , , ,

Grandparents Blue Chip Stock SPH (远虑近忧)

Posted on April 7, 2020 Written by
Blue Chip Stock SPH T39 SGX SPHReit

Singapore Press Holdings (SGX: T39), SPH, is a well-known blue chip stock with 35 years of history of press business. It is popular especially among “grandparents” level of investors as a passive income generator through dividend payment.

In the past (over 20 years ago), there was little competition in this monopoly business, therefore SPH could gain income easily through advertisements with more circulations of hardcopy newspapers. However, in the internet era over the past 10+ years, disruptive technologies have changed the rules of the game, providing more channels of news (mostly free) through webpages, blogs, videos and social media (eg. Facebook).

As a result, number of SPH newspapers readers have been declining over the past decade (while Facebook and other internet users are booming), resulting in gradual falling of business fundamentals (revenue, earning, cashflow, even dividend) during the same period. The share price of SPH has fallen by half from the peak price of $5+/share, supressed further by recent global stock crisis, dropping to only 1/3 of peak price, $1.52/share, the lowest point at least for the past 26 years. Dividend yield is 7.1%, seems impressive (second highest in 30 STI component stocks, just behind Capital Mall Trust) but this could be a value trap.

SPH Historical Stock Prices T39 SGX

A blue chip stock suitable for grandparents time may not be suitable for next generation now. SPH has lost the giant stock title (based on Dr Tee criteria) since 10+ years ago. Long term investing is not simply buy any stock and hold, especially for weaker fundamental stock in a sunset industry (monopoly is not a protection) of press business, buying low in prices would become lower in long term. SPH is a classic example as company never lost money, simply making less profits each year, long term stock investors may suffer huge capital losses if never review the business condition for decade, assuming a stock paying dividend yearly must be worth holding for lifetime.

The high dividend yield (DY = Dividend / Share Price) is mainly generated by share prices falling (1/3) more than falling of dividend payment (1/2) over the past decade. A common mistake of beginner in dividend stock investing is to pursue high dividend yield or simply check company is profitable (SPH has over 5% ROE for the past decade, not a junk stock, despite it is not a giant stock). The understanding of economic moat and business climate is crucial which is disadvantaged to SPH with popularity of internet, full with free news (including when you read this article, no need to pay even 1 cent to SPH).

This negative business cycle would continue, making harder for SPH to improve the financial condition with press business segment, despite promoting digital media over the past few years and reduce the workforce to save cost. 《人无远虑，必有近忧》is a Chinese idiom of wisdom, educating that one needs to have a long term plan, otherwise there might be risks in near future.

SPH new management may know there is a natural limitation in press business (despite considering 101 ways of improvement), therefore a solution way is to diversify into other business. Since SPH with P = Press, therefore it is hard to abandon press business overnight, especially this is an important mission empowered by government to ensure true news are shared with people (instead of internet, sometimes could have fake news).

So, an easy way out is to create second revenue Pillar of SPH with P = Property. Over the past decade, SPH has successfully establish a portfolio of properties (eg. Clementi Mall, Paragon, Seletar Mall, Rail Mall, etc) and even spin off another stock, SPH Reit (SGX: SK6U), to collect rental for some of the properties. SPH Reit is a young REIT with reasonably good business performance but share price is also corrected by 40% over the past 2 months of global stock crisis. In fact, SPH property business contributes to over 50% net profit of company, about 2 times of press business, one day may become Singapore “Property” Holdings.

Besides, SPH also diversifies the businesses to healthcare (eg. Orange Valley Nursing Home), education (eg. Mindchamps) and even Telco (M1 through partnership with Keppel Corp, another blue chip stock which also depends on property business to last through cold winter of oil & gas crisis). However, unlike property business which may be more passive in nature (investment decision), other businesses in different sectors could be out of circle of expertise for SPH, results of diversification have to be proven over time (so far property business is proven to be in right path).

For long term stock investors of SPH who have been making losses (more than 50% capital loss, even if collecting dividend yearly), may be in a dilemma of whether to cut loss (painful) or give SPH a chance to grow in property (proven) and other new businesses (still uncertain) beyond press business. One possible option is to apply “Change Horse” strategy as shared in earlier article, which is to sell a weaker fundamental stock, using the remaining capital to buy another giant stock with strong business fundamental (eg. existing competitors of SPH, internet related giant stocks which have growing businesses with more readers each month) on the same day, as if stock is never sold, just name is changed.

If not, at least SPH stock investor may consider to change P of SPH from Press to Property through SPH Reit (swapping between parent and subsidiary stocks) which focuses on property rental (may not be a giant REIT but performance is better than SPH as a whole). In this way, decade of downtrend in SPH business may be changed to potential decade of uptrend in SPH Reit business (with condition REIT manager is making the right decisions, eg. buying new property at lower price during crisis, etc).

The story of SPH has many hidden learning lessons. Firstly, there are few blue chip stocks which investors could buy and hold for lifetime as disruptive technologies (eg. another grandparents blue chip stock, Comfortdelgro with new challenger in taxi business but condition is more stable than SPH) may change the rule of game or there could be unexpected business crisis at certain point of time (eg. SARS and Coronavirus crisis to airlines sector but this is a short term risk). A smart investor has to regularly monitor the business at least with half-yearly annual reports. Buy a stock means one is in partnership with company doing business together, sharing the pains (if losses or less profits) and fortunes (if more profits which could justify more dividend payment).

Besides, SPH press business is a mirror of some individual who could not control own active job (eg. could be a worker in a declining semiconductor sector or a staff who does not have pay increment for years, etc) as they have been working for decades, not able to change the profession easily. So, if one could learn to convert the active income (salary from a job who may not have a bright future prospect) into 10-20 giant stocks, then literary one has 10-20 “jobs” which could generate money at the same time. The best is these additional incomes don’t need active “work”, therefore it is called passive income with dividend yearly or even quarterly, when holding long enough, potential capital gains due to growing business (with condition focusing in a portfolio of giant stocks, ideally buying low during global stock crisis). If these 10-20 giant stocks could pass the yearly certification process as a giant stock, then an investor may have option to hold for long term or even for lifetime or passing to the next generation as family wealth (this is common for those rich families with investment funds but individual may pass a few giant stocks to the next generation).

Dr Tee is still a long term supporter of SPH newspaper (not stock, but a reader), could not change the habit of reading daily newspaper for several decades. Personally, I hope SPH could continue to be strong in property and new business, so that the press business is sustainable.

So, until SPH becomes a giant stock again (to be proven, see if could pass Dr Tee criteria one day), an investor has the choice to invest in over 1500 global giant stocks, supported by growing business.

In Year 2020, SPH is officially removed from 30 STI index component stocks (investor has to focus only on giant stocks for investing, not just buying grandparents blue chips stocks):
DBS Bank (SGX: D05), Singtel (SGX: Z74), OCBC Bank (SGX: O39), UOB Bank (SGX: U11), Wilmar International (SGX: F34), Jardine Matheson Holdings JMH (SGX: J36), Jardine Strategic Holdings JSH (SGX: J37), Thai Beverage (SGX: Y92), CapitaLand (SGX: C31), Ascendas Reit (SGX: A17U), Singapore Airlines (SGX: C6L), ST Engineering (SGX: S63), Keppel Corp (SGX: BN4), Singapore Exchange (SGX: S68), Hongkong Land (SGX: H78), Genting Singapore (SGX: G13), Mapletree Logistics Trust (SGX: M44U), Jardine Cycle & Carriage (SGX: C07), Mapletree Industrial Trust (SGX: ME8U), City Development (SGX: C09), CapitaLand Mall Trust (SGX: C38U), CapitaLand Commercial Trust (SGX: C61U), Mapletree Commercial Trust (SGX: N2IU), Dairy Farm International (SGX: D01), UOL (SGX: U14), Venture Corporation (SGX: V03), YZJ Shipbldg SGD (SGX: BS6), Sembcorp Industries (SGX: U96), SATS (SGX: S58), ComfortDelGro (SGX: C52).

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Drop by Dr Tee free 4hr investment course to learn how to position in global giant stocks with 10 unique stock investing strategies, knowing What to Buy, When to Buy/Sell.

Learn further from Dr Tee valuable 7hr Online Course, both English (How to Discover Giant Stocks) and Chinese (价值投资法: 探测强巨股) options, specially for learners who prefer to master stock investment strategies of over 100 global giant stocks at the comfort of home.

You are invited to join Dr Tee private investment forum (educational platform, no commercial is allowed) to learn more investment knowledge, interacting with over 9000 member.

Dr Tee Investment Course (Stock, Property, Commodity, Forex, Bond)

Filed Under: Market Outlook, Property Market, Stock Market, Value Investing Tagged: , , , , , , , ,