Cory Diary : XIRR Performance - 2017 Final

With the last trading day over for the year, is time to publish 2017 annual return.

Here's the Logic of the measure to produce the performance table

- Final book value between the last trading day close of the years
- Excel XIRR Dollar weighted is more rational as Time is Money and reflect portfolio growth rate of an investor better

As above, Equity return for year 2017 is 13.5%. This is quite a good year but still fall short of this year STI Index hitting 18.25% excluding dividends. The main reasons are due to lack of significant bank exposure and mute Telco returns. Despite so, able to achieve double digit returns should be satisfied.

For reference, annualized returns since 2007 (below chart) , is still ahead of STI Index. Do note STI index 0.8% excludes dividends. I am truly humbled through simulation that is not easy to move an 11th year old XIRR figure of 7% to just 1 % more. This is because of expanding portfolio and time value. So for Warren Buffet to achieve more than 20% over 50 year is incredible.

Current Bond/PS exposure constitutes 22%. Lower Reits figure of 33% due to late buying of Singtel, HrNet and ST Engineering. And re-balancing of CMT. I am glad to be back into LMIR when the stock corrected more than 10%.


Cory
20171229

Cory Diary : Ones Passive Income

So why another article on this ? Just watched a Ted by a young chap on Passive Income and it hits many notes that I have been trying to formulate in my mind. There are many out there by bloggers. Last I can remember I do not have one. At least I couldn't remember. So I should. :)

I REALLY should because I feel is very important and it can help lifes. So if I can help one, just one to think about their future, is enough for my time.

What is Passive Income ?

Income that requires only some work upfront to setup, and spend little of your time in exchange for it thereafter.

What is Financial Freedom ?

When my Passive Income surpass my living expenses.

Why Passive Income ?

There are many reasons

- Out of regular income

- Better lifestyle

- Do not exchange significant time for it

- Alternative streams of income

- Do other things that I like

- Build up your confidence by being financially sound

- Peace of mind

Passive Income is Not

- Instant Returns. It takes time to learn and build it up.

- I view Stock investment returns as passive but not trading.

- Exchange time for money

- Certainly not walk in the park. You need to be smart about doing it.

Don't get me wrong. I love my job. But I am also realist that I could be out of job that is beyond my control. Over this past week I met up with four friends on different occasions. They have one thing in common. They are unemployed. For commoners, once they are out of job, there aren't much alternative to go back to market. One has a studio but do not have enough rental to cover his loan, One downgraded to HDB, One starts doing Index trading and the last One stays at home. There are two more unemployed friends that I did not get to meet. One just got a contract job for a year while the other still looking for something to do.

So the earlier we can start the better. What will be your Passive Income ?

Merry Christmas

Cory

20171223

Cory Diary : Portfolio Updates 20171214

I was wondering should i do any portfolio post this month considering we are about 2 weeks away from year end evaluation post. I guess no harm to do a quick update for people who has been tracking.

CMT - I did some re-balance today as my exposure is a little high after recent run-up. Is still one of my key large position. XIRR just on CMT hits 20% this year.

AGT - I am no longer vested in AGT as I find this counter harder to understand than expected.

ST Engg - Initiate a small position.

HRnetGroup - initiate a small position.


Cory
20171214

Cory Diary : Portfolio Updates 20171121

With all of my counters result out, is time to do a quick peek of my Portfolio.

For the start, STI index went up crazy today and for the matter this year. If we include dividends, that 20% up at least ytd whereas Singtel lingers on despite higher dividend due to 3 cents special. A reason of my widening gap with STI Index. Having say that I still feel this Telco is undervalued. Hopefully the market will price it right soon.

Another disappointment I have is AGT. I always been wondering why there was a large unknown figure flickering in the quarterly report. Is probably the deposits redemption at play now. This is the unpredictable nature of equity investment even when we have confidence, to maintain diversification strategy. Prior to the result, I reduced my holding by 60% just to mitigate my risk or you can say "Take Profit" as it was additional purchase due to Jul/Aug lower level. Nevertheless 40% leftover do cause a drag in my portfolio.

Finally, my last pain is QAF. I did not reduce my exposure when it rebounded before the IPO cancellation. Need to remind myself again that Market do not care about what price I buy. It fluctuates to market sentiment and fundamental. Just not me.

Despite all this negativity, XIRR = 13.5% ytd ( excl. fixed investment ). (updated for privacy)

I have initiated small positions in SPH Reit and Singapore O&G.


Cory
20171121

Cory Diary : Is my Portfolio ready for the next leap ?

Read today headline ...

"Ex-HDB chief: Singapore must still aim for population of 10 million"

"He said planning without calculating the land resources available to support population growth could put us at risk of running out of land.

Dr Liu, who is also founding chairman of the Centre for Liveable Cities, added: "Before Singaporeans complain, they have to ask themselves: How long do you want Singapore to stay as a sovereign country?"

He is talking at Year 2100 but this bring back our whitepaper on the next leap in population. Yes, many people in different camps when we talk about population growth. We think of Singapore MRT .... haiz. I know Taipei for a long time and never once i encounter MRT breakdown. To be fair their line is younger by a decade and they did got hit by a major flood. Typhoon Nari flooded all underground tracks as well as 16 stations.

To me investing in Singapore equity means I see future in Singapore growth else I should go somewhere else. And planning must come in to support it. Is my Portfolio ready to ride with the population increase ? Don't miss the boat again ?



Cory
20171108