🌐 "Protecting Your Wealth in the Age of Scams: My Chat with MONEY FM 89.3"

 

I’m deeply honoured to have been invited by Nadiah Koh and MONEY FM 89.3 as a spokesperson for PhillipCapital to discuss one of today’s most pressing issues: the rise of investment scams.

⚠️ The Alarming Reality
Scam losses in Singapore surged to over S$1.1 billion in 2024—a staggering 70.6% increase from the previous year. At the forefront? Cryptocurrency-linked investment scams, where fraudsters impersonate trusted institutions on platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram to peddle "too-good-to-be-true" opportunities.
🔍 Key Questions We Tackled on "The Big Story":
1️⃣ What makes crypto scams so dangerous today?
2️⃣ Red flags every investor should watch for (hint: urgency + secrecy = 🚩).
3️⃣ How to verify opportunities without falling prey to slick marketing.

💡 Why This Matters
As a Financial Services Manager at PhillipCapital, I’ve seen firsthand how scammers exploit trust and FOMO. My mission? To equip you with actionable tools to safeguard your hard-earned money.

🙏 Thank You
To Nadiah Koh and the MONEY FM 89.3 team for amplifying this critical conversation—and to PhillipCapital for championing investor education.

👉 Let’s Discuss: Have you or someone you know encountered a suspicious "investment offer"? Share your thoughts below—awareness is our first line of defense.
Contact me @ ohlh@phillip.com.sg

 Click here to listen. 

🚀 From Chongqing’s Karst Peaks, Furong Cave to Retail Realities: Why "Walking the Ground" Beats Wall Street Noise 🏙️I not only walk but hike the high-altitude “Skywalk” @ Raffles City Chongqing.

 As a veteran with 20+ years in markets, I’ve always believed in Peter Lynch’s golden rule: “Know what you own.” Last week, I swapped my Bloomberg terminal for a pair of hiking boots and flew to Chongqing—China’s “Mountain City”—to do just that and discover the 8D Magic city.

🌄 Why Chongqing?
This isn’t just about hotpot and misty river views. It’s a microcosm of China’s consumer economy—a battleground for retail, REITs, and property giants. Here’s what I saw (and why it matters for investors):

📸 On-the-Ground Insights
1️⃣ Capitaland’s Raffles City Chongqing
Beast of Jiefangbei: With a total investment of RMB24 billion and a total construction floor area of 1.12 million sq m, Raffles City Chongqing brings together a 235,000-sq m shopping mall, 150,000 sq m of Grade A office space, 1,400 residential apartments, Ascott Raffles City Chongqing serviced residence and InterContinental Chongqing Raffles City hotel- a masterclass in mixed-use dominance.
What I observed: Packed F&B outlets, luxury brands (Louis Vuitton), and seamless metro integration.
Why it matters: Capitaland’s "live-work-play" model is thriving here.
2️⃣ Sasseur REIT’s Liangjie Outlet
Outlet Resilience: While luxury slows post-COVID, Sasseur’s EMA model (fixed + variable rents) keeps cash flows stable.
What I observed: Mid-tier brands (Nike, New Balance, POLO SPORT) continues to attract shoppers. A hidden yield gem ?💎.
3️⃣ Wulong Karst UNESCO Site
Tourism = Economic Pulse: Crowds at Hongyadong, Three Natural Bridges/Longshuixia Gap signal revenge travel is alive.
Sector link: China Tourism Group Duty Free (CTG) and domestic-focused consumer stocks.
🧠 Investor Takeaways
- REITs with Skin in the Game: Sasseur’s sponsor (57% ownership) aligns with unitholders
- Retail Darwinism: Malls like Raffles City thrive by curating experiences (not just square footage).
- Macro Meets Micro: According to statistics bureaus of Shanghai and Chongqing, Chongqing recorded a total retail sales of consumer goods of 283 billion RMB ($39.6 billion) in January and February of this year, surpassing Shanghai's 277.740 billion RMB ($38.8 billion) for the first time and becoming the top Chinese city in terms of total consumption during the first two month—it’s domestic consumption in overdrive.

🤝 Why Follow My Journey?
I don’t just analyze spreadsheets—I walk factories, malls, and mountain trails to connect dots others miss.
🔔 Tap into:
- Weekly market snapshots
- CEO interviews (like my chat with Sasseur’s leadership).
👉 Follow me here
💬 Let’s Discuss!
- Tired of managing your own investment and need help?
Swipe 👉 for my “proof of life” at Longshuixia Gap—no green screens here!

Contact me @ ohlh@phillip.com.sg

Why Sasseur REIT Could Be Your Next Smart Investment Move: Key Insights from CEO Cecilia HL Tan🏢 and Helen Qiu from Sasseur investment relations.

 🚀 Why Sasseur REIT Could Be Your Next Smart Investment Move: Key Insights from CEO Cecilia HL Tan🏢 and Helen Qiu from Sasseur investment relations.

I had the privilege of sitting down with CEO of Sasseur REIT,Cecilia Tan for an exclusive interview. As a veteran in the stock market, I’ve met many leaders—but Cecilia’s clarity on Sasseur’s vision and execution left a lasting impression. 

While market volatility has spiked and many stock prices have hit below their 52 weeks low, opportunities await those who are prepared and can stomach the risk. 

 📸 Snapshot of interview

Cecilia and I discussed Sasseur’s growth roadmap, risk management, and the untapped potential of China’s domestic retail market. 

💡 3 Reasons to Consider Sasseur REIT

1. Sustainable DPU: Backed by a resilient business model (EMA structure) that’s weathered storms like COVID-19.

2. Enduring Growth: China’s booming domestic consumption—think rising middle class and "revenge spending."

3. Sponsor Strength: A private listed sponsor with 18 outlets nationally, offering Sasseur a Right of First Refusal (ROFR) on acquisitions

🎯 Key Strategies Driving Value

1. Portfolio Expansion: Asset-Light & Scalable

Sasseur’s four outlets in China are just the start. Their asset-light model—15 year master leases with minimal capital injection—allows rapid scaling. 

2. Lease Structure Built for Resilience

- 70% Fixed Rent: 3% annual escalation (in place since 2018), renewed every 10 years.

- 30% Variable Rent: Tied to tenant sales, processed centrally for transparency.

3. Conservative Balance Sheet

With gearing at 24.8% (well below the 50% regulatory cap) and interest coverage of 4.6x.

⚖️ Risks vs. Rewards: A Balanced View

Growth Drivers:

1. Boosting occupancy rates through proactive asset management.

2. Cutting debt costs via diversified funding (e.g., RMB loans to hedge FX risk).

3. Accretive acquisitions using ROFR (Right of First Refusal).

Risks to Watch:

1. FX Volatility: RMB vs. SGD swings.

2. Interest Rate Sensitivity: Mitigated by fixed-rate debt.

3. Macro Shocks: Tariffs, Regulatory shifts, climate change (new A/C systems deployed!), or another pandemic.

 

🧠 Leadership Lessons from Cecilia

1. Sustainability Over Hype: Grow DPU in both up and down cycles.

2. Risk Management is King: Monitor interest rates, FX, and tenant health.

3. Transparency Builds Trust: Communicate openly.

 

🤝 Why This Matters for Investors

Sasseur is a disciplined operator in the world’s second-largest economy, with a sponsor that’s all-in on alignment. 

This post reflects my personal views, not financial advice. 

Disclaimer: https://lnkd.in/grKNS4wB