â ïž The
Alarming Reality
Scam losses in Singapore surged to over S$1.1 billion in 2024âa
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.
đ Key
Questions We Tackled on "The Big Story":
1ïžâŁ What makes crypto
scams so dangerous today?
2ïžâŁ Red flags every
investor should watch for (hint: urgency + secrecy = đ©).
3ïžâŁ How to verify
opportunities without falling prey to slick marketing.
đĄ Why
This Matters
As a Financial Services Manager at PhillipCapital, Iâve seen firsthand how
scammers exploit trust and FOMO. My mission? To equip you with actionable tools
to safeguard your hard-earned money.
đ Thank
You
To Nadiah Koh and the MONEY FM 89.3 team for amplifying
this critical conversationâand to PhillipCapital for championing
investor education.
đ Letâs
Discuss: Have you or someone you know encountered a suspicious "investment
offer"? Share your thoughts belowâawareness is our first line of defense.
Contact me @ ohlh@phillip.com.sg
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Friday, April 25, 2025
đ "Protecting Your Wealth in the Age of Scams: My Chat with MONEY FM 89.3"
Thursday, April 24, 2025
đ From Chongqingâs Karst Peaks, Furong Cave to Retail Realities: Why "Walking the Ground" Beats Wall Street Noise đïžI not only walk but hike the high-altitude âSkywalkâ @ Raffles City Chongqing.
As a veteran with 20+ years in markets, Iâve always believed in Peter Lynchâs golden rule: âKnow what you own.â Last week, I swapped my Bloomberg terminal for a pair of hiking boots and flew to ChongqingâChinaâs âMountain Cityââto do just that and discover the 8D Magic city.
đ Why Chongqing?
This isnât just about hotpot and misty river views. Itâs a microcosm of Chinaâs consumer economyâa battleground for retail, REITs, and property giants. Hereâs what I saw (and why it matters for investors):
đž On-the-Ground Insights
1ïžâŁ Capitalandâs 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: Capitalandâs "live-work-play" model is thriving here.
2ïžâŁ Sasseur REITâs Liangjie Outlet
Outlet Resilience: While luxury slows post-COVID, Sasseurâs 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 ?đ.
3ïžâŁ 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.
đ§ Investor Takeaways
- REITs with Skin in the Game: Sasseurâs 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 monthâitâs domestic consumption in overdrive.
đ€ Why Follow My Journey?
I donât just analyze spreadsheetsâI walk factories, malls, and mountain trails to connect dots others miss.
đ Tap into:
- Weekly market snapshots
- CEO interviews (like my chat with Sasseurâs leadership).
đ Follow me here
đŹ Letâs Discuss!
- Tired of managing your own investment and need help?
Swipe đ for my âproof of lifeâ at Longshuixia Gapâno green screens here!
Contact me @ ohlh@phillip.com.sg
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
Why Sasseur REIT Could Be Your Next Smart Investment Move: Key Insights from CEO Cecilia HL Tanđą and Helen Qiu from Sasseur investment relations.
đ Why Sasseur REIT Could Be Your Next Smart Investment Move: Key Insights from CEO Cecilia HL Tanđą 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, Iâve met many leadersâbut Ceciliaâs clarity on Sasseurâs 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.
đž Snapshot of interview
Cecilia and I discussed Sasseurâs growth roadmap, risk management, and the untapped potential of Chinaâs domestic retail market.
đĄ 3 Reasons to Consider Sasseur REIT
1. Sustainable DPU: Backed by a resilient business model (EMA structure) thatâs weathered storms like COVID-19.
2. Enduring Growth: Chinaâs booming domestic consumptionâthink 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
đŻ Key Strategies Driving Value
1. Portfolio Expansion: Asset-Light & Scalable
Sasseurâs four outlets in China are just the start. Their asset-light modelâ15 year master leases with minimal capital injectionâallows 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.
âïž 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.
đ§ 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.
đ€ Why This Matters for Investors
Sasseur is a disciplined operator in the worldâs second-largest economy, with a sponsor thatâs all-in on alignment.
This post reflects my personal views, not financial advice.
Disclaimer: https://lnkd.in/grKNS4wB
Monday, April 7, 2025
CICT Follow up-Value in current volatile Market
While STI broke the 4000-mark on 28 Mar2025, powered by the banks upward price movement and after Trump tariffs, I see value in the Singapore reits.
In this post, I will follow up on CapitaLand CICT why it matters to you as an investor.
đïž *Behind the Scenes at CICT:
How Transparency & Innovation Power Singaporeâs Premier Commercial REIT* đ
As an SGX REIT Ambassador, Iâm privileged to collaborate with forward-thinking firms like CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust (CICT).
Recently, CICT shared exclusive insights (and stunning visuals! đž) into their operationsâhereâs why their approach sets the benchmark for institutional excellence:
(PS: I asked several questions and was pleased the IR team Mei Peng get back to me. This small detail speaks volume about the attention to details and help build confidence that they care)
**Inside CICTâs Operations** CapitaSpring where the City rises
1ïžâŁ **âA REITâs success starts with its people.â*
CICTâs commitment to transparency isnât just rhetoricâitâs embedded in their culture. During my recent dialogue with their Investor Relations team, we discussed:
- **Sustainability Initiatives**: Energy-efficient retrofits across their SGD 24B portfolio.
- **Tech-Driven Asset Management**: AI tools such as IOT sensors for predictive maintenance, Facial recognition gantry, Destination-controlled lifts, Plug-and-work anywhere, Smart cleaning robot, Smart parking management system
- **Resilient Occupancy Rates**: despite macroeconomic headwinds.
2ïžâŁ **Why This Matters to Investors**
*âQuality assets + disciplined management = long-term value.â*
My earlier post raised questions about CICTâs post-pandemic recovery strategy. Their response? A **proactive pivot** to mixed-use hubs and premium ESG-certified spaces. These photos reflect their operational rigorâa key reason theyâre a core holding in investorsâ portfolios. đŒ
3ïžâŁ **Your Takeaway**
*âTrust is built brick by brick.â*
For investors, CICTâs transparency and execution offer **predictable dividends** (5% yield) and downside resilience. For me, partnerships like this reinforce why due diligence matters. đ