Aspial Corporation vs. Aspial Lifestyle: A Value Investment Analysis
Aspial Lifestyle has been ranked as a top small-cap jewel in Singapore for 2025 by various sources. However, a closer look at its parent company, Aspial Corporation, reveals a potentially more attractive investment opportunity. Aspial Lifestyle's Business Model: Aspial Lifestyle's core business comprises Maxi-Cash pawnshops and jewelry retailers Lee Hwa and GoldHeart. Maxi-Cash benefits from high-interest margins and rising gold prices. Its strategy of acquiring discounted gold from borrowers unable to repay loans, then redesigning it into fashionable jewelry, is particularly shrewd in a rising gold market. Geopolitical uncertainty further strengthens gold's position as a safe haven asset. Valuation Comparison: - Aspial Lifestyle: Market capitalization of $220.9 million. - Aspial Corporat
Moody's Weighs In: Will the Downgrade Halt the Rally?
Top credit rating agency $Moody's(MCO)$ has lowered its assessment of the United States' ability to repay its debts from the highest level (AAA) down one step to AA1. This puts Moody's in line with other major agencies. They cited concerns about the increasing amount of government debt and the growing cost of managing that debt due to high interest rates and large budget deficits. Moody's analysts also noted that if tax cuts from 2017 are extended as expected, it would significantly add to the national debt over the next decade, projecting the deficit and debt-to-GDP ratio to rise considerably by 2035.As you know, I focus more on price action than on news. News often acts as the catalyst for market reversals based on price conditions, as we saw whe
Daily Charts - uropean equities used to be good — more or less as good as US stocks
1.Something Happened in 2009 European equities used to be good — more or less as good as US stocks. But something(s) changed in 2009. One issue was that Europe had to deal with the hangover from the credit boom, with rolling sovereign debt crises and structurally lower growth as it digested malinvestment and deleveraging. The USA on the other hand saw years of easy policy + struck "tech stock oil"Image2.It's the season for bonds...(but do you believe it?)Image3.Bonus Chart: China Basing…The above talks about EM ex-China ---but what about China?I would say do not count them out either. The MSCI China Index is undergoing its own basing and breakout process (looks to be either/both a double bottom or rounding bottom pattern in progress here).And as for the setup in Chinese stocks, there’s imp
Daily Charts - TSLA remember they said competition is coming
1. $Tesla Motors(TSLA)$ remember they said competition is comingImage2.Broadcom $Broadcom(AVGO)$ forms a Golden Cross for the first time since January 2023 🚨 Shares went on to gain 338% over the next 22 months 📈📈Image3.Almost 78% of S&P 500 $S&P 500(.SPX)$ stocks are now trading above their 50-day moving average, the most since October 📈Image4.United Kingdom has passed China as the 2nd largest holder of U.S. Treasuries for the first time in 25 yearsImage5.U.S. spent $997 Billion on defense last year, more than China, Russia, Germany, Ukraine, South Korea, France, Israel, United Kingdom, and India combined!ImageFor whom haven't open CBA can know more from
$NVIDIA(NVDA)$ is showing exhausted price action in the daily chart considering the indecisive candles, and the overbought RSI agrees with the exhaustion thesis. The gap at $123 may act at a magnet.For whom haven't open CBA can know more from below:🏦 Open a CBA today and enjoy privileges of up to SGD 20,000 in trading limit with 0 commission. Trade SG, HK, US stocks as well as ETFs unlimitedly!Find out more here:Trade on a Cash Boost Account and enjoy up to 6 months of Commission-Free trading.💰Join the TB Contra Telegram Group to Get $10 Trading Vouchers Now🎉💰CBA Mini Course 1: What is Cash Boost Account(CBA)?
Moody’s just downgraded the U.S. credit rating for the first time ever. $SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust(SPY)$ That means all 3 major agencies (Moody’s, S&P, Fitch) now agree:The U.S. is no longer AAA❌Why?-Exploding debt-Soaring interest costs-No plan to fix itWhy it matters:-Higher borrowing costs-Lower investor confidence- Volatility ahead- Could scare off foreign investors None of the agencies have ever reversed their downgrade.Watch yields next week and we could now see SPY reject at our smart money zone.Note: I don’t personally care about any of these agencies, but it doesn’t mean it can’t effect the market short term 💯Drawdowns suck—especially when it feels like a trap. But they’re part of the game.If you’re in this for the long haul, they’re
I grew a small account to almost $80,000+ by swing trading in 2025 when everyone was panicking.This is the BEST cheatsheet for SWING TRADING (bookmark it and print it off)Here's 3 rules for you to master swing trading in 3 minsImage1. Always buy at support or key levels where buyers are stepping into the market. Look at these charts and look for DEMAND zones or buyers.Image2. Look for volume to confirm the buyers are in the market and sellers are gone. You can study the DAILY chart and 5min chart for entry to confirm.Image3. Choose strong companies or a stock with a STRONG reason why buyer would step into the market. For example, $UnitedHealth(UNH)$ take a look at the buyers coming in the last few days after BEARS attacked it.ImageFor whom haven't
Fundsmith ran a large/short fund from 2020-2021 that was closed to external investment. Here were the holdings before the portfolio was liquidated. $Microsoft(MSFT)$$S&P Global(SPGI)$$Synopsys(SNPS)$$Intuit(INTU)$$MasterCard(MA)$$Visa(V)$ I’ve highlighted my favourites. Which do you like?ImageHere's a mental model for thinking about a company's growth:• Is the growth rate high?• Is the growth predictable?High + Predictable = InvestableAnything else = Perhaps best to avoidWhere do you invest?ImageFor whom haven't open CBA can know mo
The jump in equity positioning this week was among the largest ever recorded.The chase is on. $SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust(SPY)$$Invesco QQQ(QQQ)$$iShares Russell 2000 ETF(IWM)$$Tesla Motors(TSLA)$$NVIDIA(NVDA)$ ImageFor whom haven't open CBA can know more from below:🏦 Open a CBA today and enjoy privileges of up to SGD 20,000 in trading limit with 0 commission. Trade SG, HK, US stocks as well as ETFs unlimitedly!Find out more here:Trade on a Cash Boost Account and enjoy up to 6 months of Commission-Free trading.💰Join the TB Con
Ever since my DBS Vickers Cash upfront account was approved, I just go stocks buying as their brokerage fees is very low. Moreover, the stocks purchased will go to CDP. That's what I always wanted. Being a long term and dividends driven investor, I just DCA and compound for the long run. This morning I was looking at my UT portfolio, I was shocked that I m extremely high risk investor. [Happy] [LOL] [Smile] [Chuckle] . only 1 out of 6 high risk UT not doing good. The other 5 are flying colours. 1 low to medium UT & 1 medium to high UT are doing so so. Looks like I have better luck with high risk UT rather than low to medium or medium to high risk UT. I love a particular sector UT but their annual management fee, annual trustee fee & expense
$Apple(AAPL)$'s $4.5 billion bond issuance arrives amid complex macroeconomic crosscurrents, creating both opportunities & risks for investors. Here's a structured analysis: Bond Safety in Turbulent Markets (1) Elevated Treasury Yields The 10-year Treasury yield stands at 4.44% (as of 16 May 2025), creating a high benchmark for corporate borrowing. Apple's bonds-with maturities ranging from 3 to 10 years-likely offer a premium over these rates, though exact pricing details aren't disclosed yet. Strong demand (orders exceeding $10 billion vs $4.5 billion issued) suggests investor confidence in Apple's creditworthiness despite market volatility. *Note: AAPL bond's 10-year tranche (priced at Treasury +70bps) particularly appeals to investors seek
Layoffs, USA downgrade - my investing muse (19May2025)
My Investing Muse (19May25) Layoffs & Closure news HSBC targets 10% workforce cut in global restructuring strategy - People Matters Luxury is on life support. Burberry is cutting 1,700 jobs. They showed Akeroyd the door last summer, and begged Schulman to hawk trench coats & scarves again, But who’s really splurging on scarves? Affirm wants to know - X user Amanda Goodall MICROSOFT TO LAYOFF ~7,000 EMPLOYEES. Microsoft is cutting 3% of its workforce. - X user Gurgavin Japanese carmaker Nissan has said it will cut another 11,000 jobs globally and shut seven factories as it shakes up the business in the face of weak sales. Falling sales in China and heavy discounting in the US have taken a heavy toll on earnings, while a proposed merger with Honda and Mitsubishi collapsed in February
Can Snowflake last in this business climate? Preview of the week starting 19May25
Public Holidays There are no public holidays in America, China, Singapore, and Hong Kong. Economic Calendar (19May25) Notable Highlights (some are taken from Grok) S&P Global Manufacturing PMI (May): Previous at 50.2, slightly above the neutral 50 level, indicating potential stabilisation in manufacturing activity. S&P Global Services PMI (May): Previous at 50.8, also above 50, pointing to modest growth in the services sector. Existing Home Sales (Apr): Forecasted at 4.10M, up from the previous 4.02M, indicating a potential slowdown in the housing market. New Home Sales (Apr): Forecasted at 700K, down from the previous 724K, suggesting a potential drop in new home purchases. Initial jobless claims will be announced. Initial Jobless Claims is forecasted at 232K, slightly above the p
1. $S&P 500(.SPX)$ Is the bottom in for the US dollar? With the S&P 500 and US bond market back near January levels, why is the US dollar so far behind? USD/JPY is the pair to watch as fear subsides in US markets.Image2.$1.2 Trillion of S&P 500 notional options exposure is set to expire on Friday with a max pain price currently sitting at 5,840Image3. $UnitedHealth(UNH)$ UnitedHealth has fallen more than 27% this week, on track for its worst week since August 1998 ImageFor whom haven't open CBA can know more from below:🏦 Open a CBA today and enjoy privileges of up to SGD 20,000 in trading limit with 0 commission. Trade SG, HK, US stocks as well as ETFs unlimitedly!Find out more here:Trade on a
Daily Charts - California has overtaken Japan to become the World's 4th-largest economy
1.California has overtaken Japan to become the World's 4th-largest economyImage2.The Global Population will begin declining by 2085Image3.Global 30-Year Bond Yields from Europe to North America to Asia are screaming "EMERGENCY"Image4.The price of credit default swaps on U.S. Government Debt is rising to its highest level since 2023 and one of the highest levels since 2008Image5.U.S. Housing Market has reached its most unaffordable level in historyImageFor whom haven't open CBA can know more from below:🏦 Open a CBA today and enjoy privileges of up to SGD 20,000 in trading limit with 0 commission. Trade SG, HK, US stocks as well as ETFs unlimitedly!Find out more here:Trade on a Cash Boost Account and enjoy up to 6 months of Commission-Free trading.
Gaga in the Lion City: Will it Lift SG Hospitality and Airline Stocks?
Lady Gaga is performing at the Singapore National Stadium this week with a total of four shows on May 18, 19, 21, and 24, 2025.Singapore is in a "Gaga moment": a win-win for the government and the artist?From May 15 to 24, coinciding with Gaga’s concert dates, Marina Bay Sands is hosting special Lady Gaga-themed Light & Water Shows at 8:30pm and 9:30pm every night, giving Little Monsters a chance to get into the mood. The whole city has entered "Gaga time."Earlier this year, Lady Gaga’s free concert in Rio attracted 2.1 million attendees, setting a new record for the largest single-event audience for a female artist. Although it was free to attend, it was reported that the Brazilian government spent $17 million to invite Gaga and her team—clearly a policy move to boost tourism and glob
Sentiment Slumps, Markets Surge: A Disconnect Worth Watching
Consumer Confidence Sinks to Near-Record Low U.S. consumer sentiment plunged to 50.8 in early May, according to the University of Michigan, marking the second-lowest reading since 1978. The only lower point came in June 2022, when inflation hit a 9.1% annual pace. Consumer Tariff anxiety is the primary driver: nearly 75% of survey respondents cited tariffs unprompted. Rising concern about future earnings, inflation resurgence, and job market softness added to the gloom. Inflation expectations also edged higher, a sign that consumers fear price pressures could persist. “If taken at face value, Americans would be crashing the economy by spending next to nothing,” said Robert Frick, economist at Navy Federal. “But that’s not what’s happening.” Consumer Behavior Tells a Different Story Despite
Options Market Statistics: Tesla Stock Soars with Musk Pay Package $NVIDIA Corp(NVDA)$ 's shares are set to be scrutinized when the company releases its first-quarter results on May 28. The company has forecasted gross margins of 71% for the current quarter, which is down from the previous quarter's 73.5%. Analysts surveyed by FactSet are expecting earnings per share of 88 cents on sales of $43.1 billion. In the meantime, Scion Asset Management, led by "Big Short" Michael Burry, has purchased put options on Nvidia stock, as disclosed in the firm's 13-F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which was released on Thursday evening. A put option grants the holder the right to sell a stock at a s