Ernest Lim's investing blog

Unique insights into SGX small caps

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STI is up 10.1% YTD; may face profit taking in the near-term (16 Feb 2022)

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Dear all STI has been on a tear since the start of the year. With reference to my write-up published on 5 Jan 2022 (click HERE) citing that Asian indices are likely to outperform that of the U.S. market in 2022, STI has indeed notched strong year to date (“YTD”) gains of 10.1% to close 3,439 on 16 Feb 2022. This outperformance is especially stark if we compare it to S&P500’s -6.1% YTD returns. As I have shared with Lianhe Zaobao on 9 Feb 2022, I personally feel that our STI is overbought in the near term with several near-term […]

Will Singapore stocks outperform U.S. stocks in 2022? (5 Jan 2022)

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Dear all With reference to my market outlook published on 7 Nov (see HERE) citing our Singapore market may face near term profit taking, STI dropped 201 points, or 6.6% from 3,242 on 5 Nov to close at 3,041 on 30 Nov. As we start 2022, various investment banks and research houses have put forth their views on how the various markets will perform. In this write-up, I will share how the markets have performed in 2021 and my market outlook in 2022.   How did the markets perform in 2021? Based on Table 1 below, it is evident that […]

S&P500 closed at record high! What should we do? Buy or sell? (9 Aug 2021)

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Dear all S&P500 has clocked its sixth consecutive month of gains in July 2021. This is the longest stretch since 2018. Furthermore, S&P500 has touched a record high to close at 4,437 on 6 Aug 2021. In the next 3 months, are markets poised for higher highs? Or should we be prudent and take some profit off the table first? Let’s take a look.   Ernest’s personal market observations a) Lack of catalysts to push the market higher Since Covid last year, markets, especially U.S. markets, have been able to push higher due partly to the combination of ultra-easy monetary policies; […]

Hi-P – bearish engulfing candle forms after rising for 12 out of 15 days (29 Oct 2019)

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This week, Hi-P has caught my attention with its 33% surge from the intra-day low of $1.13 on 7 Oct 2019 to trade to an intra-day high of $1.50 on 29 Oct 2019. In addition, it has risen 12 out the past 15 trading days with RSI touching a recent high of 81.8 on 25 Oct 2019. Based on Hi-P’s chart, it seems to present a favourable risk to reward short trade. Please see the basis and more importantly, the risks.   Basis a) Hi-P trades above the higher analyst target price $1.32 Average analyst target price for Hi-P is […]

Nasdaq – potential bearish head and shoulders formation in the making? (29 Sep 19)

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With reference to my earlier write-up (click HERE) titled “S&P500 at 2,979 – limited potential upside (8 Sep 19)”, S&P500 touched intraday highs of 3,021 – 3,022 on 12 Sep 2019 and 19 Sep 2019 but it was still lower than the record intraday high of 3,028 on 26 July 2019. S&P500 closed at 2,962 on 27 Sep 2019. Hang Seng and STI touch one-month intraday highs on 13 Sep 2019 before profit taking sets in. October is likely a volatile month ahead given (just to cite a few examples) more news on trade talks (e.g. U.S vs China; U.S. […]

S&P500 at 2,979 – limited potential upside (8 Sep 19)

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With reference to my earlier write-up (click HERE) titled “Why am I cautious going into July…”, July was coincidentally the peak for S&P500. Hang Seng touched an intraday high of 29,008 on 4 Jul 2019 before slumping 4,108 points to an intraday low of 24,900 on 15 Aug 2019 (Hang Seng closed at 26,691 on 6 Sep 2019.) Personally, given the current market levels and information, I am not comfortable to raise my current percentage invested from 53% to significant levels (say >80%). Why am I cautious in the market? Do read on…   Factors supporting my cautious basis Above […]

HRNet – All time oversold levels amid lowest price since IPO! (29 Aug 19)

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Dear all Another exciting week! This week, HRNet caught my attention as it approaches all time oversold RSI level. In addition, it is trading at the lowest price $0.560 since its IPO price at $0.900. Given the basis below, my personal view is that HRNet may be presenting a favourable risk reward setup for a long trade. Do look at the basis and more importantly, the risks inherent in such trades.   My personal basis a) Average target price $0.93! Based on Figure 1 below, average analyst target is around $0.930, representing a potential capital upside 66%. Estimated div yield […]

CKH Holdings at 19-year oversold levels; multi-year low price amid 10-year low valuations (6 Aug 19)

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Dear all What a hectic and exciting week! This week, CKH Holdings (00001.HK) (“CKH”) caught my attention with its 19-year low RSI level since end Dec 2000. At the time of writing this, CKH last trades at HKD67.60, level last seen around 21 Feb 2014. With such a precipitous decline, CKH is trading below its 10-year average valuations. Given the basis below, my personal view is that CKH may be presenting a favourable risk reward setup for a long trade. Do take a look at the basis and more importantly, the risks inherent in such trades.   My personal basis […]

Why am i cautious going into July… (2 Jul 19)

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Dear all, With reference to my market write-up published on 29 May 2019 (click HERE), where I mentioned that the sell-off in the markets revealed interesting trading opportunities, markets coincidentally bottomed on 3 Jun 2019 and staged a strong recovery. I have already sold into strength and reduced my percentage invested in stocks from 150% in early June to 12% now. Personally, I am cautious in the market going into July. Why is this so?   Basis below 1) Markets jumped yesterday following the U.S. / China trade truce announced over the weekend, despite the lack of details on what […]

Sinopec falls 33% since last year; nears 19-year oversold level (14 May 19)

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Dear all This week, Sinopec (00386.HK) caught my attention with its 33% fall since 21 May 2018. With its sharp fall, it has become extremely oversold with RSI at 15.1. Given the basis below, my personal view is that Sinopec may be presenting a favourable risk reward setup for a long trade. Do take a look at the basis and more importantly, the risks inherent in such trades.   My personal basis a) Attractive valuations At HKD5.63, Sinopec is trading at approximately 10.3x current PE and 0.8x P/BV. These valuations are attractive as compared to its 10-year average PE and […]