Straits Times Interactive - INVEST

Early bird profits from industrial properties

Sat, 26 May 2012 22:00:00 GMT

Industrial property was hardly on the radar for retail investors in 2004 but businessman Joe Fam saw an opportunity beckoning and he went for it, snapping up some promising sites.

What goes up, must come down

Sat, 26 May 2012 22:00:00 GMT

Recently, a young friend asked me for advice on buying a new Housing Board flat.

Greek tragedy: Don't cry, time to buy

Sat, 26 May 2012 22:00:00 GMT

If there has been one constant worry on the minds of most investors over the past two years, it is the ongoing euro zone crisis.

It all started with Greece asking for a bailout in the middle of 2010 to pay its mountain of public debt, and has lurched from one crisis to another, keeping markets volatile in the process.

Bear market looms for bonds

Sat, 19 May 2012 22:00:00 GMT

Watch out, bond holders. Fixed-income experts warn that a long bear market lies ahead. Long-term bond returns will be modest at best, and negative at worst.

Er, what is proprietary trading?

Sat, 19 May 2012 22:00:00 GMT

In news articles about financial institutions or in the earnings reports of banks.

Adventure firm owner keeps his money safe

Sat, 19 May 2012 22:00:00 GMT

For Mr Andrew Chua, 46, owner of Focus Adventures, Camp Challenge and Outdoor Adventures, enjoying life is part of work.

World of the values investor

Sat, 19 May 2012 22:00:00 GMT

Ethical investing is on the rise worldwide with investors increasingly concerned about making a positive impact on society while generating decent returns.

Getting to know perpetual securities

Sat, 19 May 2012 22:00:00 GMT

They might sound a bit complicated but perpetual securities have been selling like hot cakes over the past few months as retail investors queue up to get a slice.

And who can blame them? In an economy where interest rates are near zero and stocks are becoming more volatile, we are all thirsting for simple financial products that can bring us steady returns.

A little bit of risk may help your nest egg grow

Sat, 12 May 2012 22:00:00 GMT

Investment-linked insurance products (ILPs) were in the news some years ago, but mostly for the wrong reasons.

All perked up to forge ahead

Sat, 12 May 2012 22:00:00 GMT

Eight years ago, at an age when their peers were out partying hard, Ms Jessie Tan, 31, and her then-boyfriend Erick Yap had already sat down to plan their future. They decided to cut down on clubbing as it was a waste of money.

Ditch the penny party for dividend stocks

Sat, 12 May 2012 22:00:00 GMT

Hopes that the euro zone debt crisis has calmed down have worn thin in the past week as Asian markets again took fright at Europe's woes.

4 asset classes to hedge against inflation

Sat, 12 May 2012 22:00:00 GMT

As consumers across Singapore are feeling all too keenly, prices these days seem to be headed stubbornly in one direction: up.

The latest inflation figures show that prices of consumer goods surged by an unexpected 5.2 per cent in March, mainly from escalating housing rentals and vehicle prices.

Save for the future, but enjoy life along the way

Sat, 05 May 2012 22:00:00 GMT

Saving for retirement is all very well but senior executive Kowshik Sriman prefers a balanced approach, one that provides for some fun along the way.

Picking the right cover for rainy day

Sat, 05 May 2012 22:00:00 GMT

The importance of insurance against critical illnesses cannot be over-emphasised, as it provides the insured with a lump-sum payment upon the diagnosis of medical conditions covered by the policy.

Hmm, what is gearing?

Sat, 05 May 2012 22:00:00 GMT

In analyst reports and company financial statements.

Think equities, not cash, says Dr Doom

Sat, 05 May 2012 22:00:00 GMT

When legendary investor Marc Faber talks, you'd better hold your horses and pay him the beady-eyed student-to-lecturer attention he so demands.

Time to view your job as an asset

Sat, 05 May 2012 22:00:00 GMT

There is endless debate about whether stocks, bonds or gold is the best investment but the answer may be staring you in the face - it is your job.

Simply put, a steady job and a good career will bring a lifetime of income.

Not only that, the job's value will also rise, in the form of increments and bonuses, making employment one of the best asset classes to hold.

Er, what is contra trading?

Sat, 28 Apr 2012 22:00:00 GMT

In discussions about the local stock market.

Money just a tool to help people

Sat, 28 Apr 2012 22:00:00 GMT

As a leading medical practitioner, Dr Tan Chi Chiu knows what it is to be a high-income earner, but as a long-time community volunteer, he also knows better than most how money can be used to benefit society.

Keep faith in gold but...

Sat, 28 Apr 2012 22:00:00 GMT

Many investors have been blinded by the glitter of gold, and some are now wondering if they made a mistake by falling prey to the lure of the yellow metal.

Make money in a bearish market

Sat, 28 Apr 2012 22:00:00 GMT

Tired of sitting through the current market volatility and watching the wild swings of your investment value, not knowing what to do next?

Livestock

Sat, 28 Apr 2012 22:00:00 GMT

Who: Salisbury InvestmentsMinimum investment: US$2,500 (S$3,100) for six heads of cattle that are reared in Colombia's San Pedro milk region, inclusive of full insurance premium.

Seaweed farming

Sat, 28 Apr 2012 22:00:00 GMT

Who: Dynasty Marine FarmMinimum investment: US$3,600 (S$4,460) for one unit in the company's latest plot of 'sea-land' in Sabah, East Malaysia.

Unusual cash cows

Sat, 28 Apr 2012 22:00:00 GMT

You know it's getting hard to make a dollar when investors start sinking their cash into exotic investments like wine and art. But are things so grim that money is going into seaweed farms?

Rock-bottom interest rates and volatile share markets are forcing some investors to consider ever more unusual alternatives to beat the stickily high inflation rate here.

London homes draw overseas investors

Sat, 21 Apr 2012 22:00:00 GMT

London is becoming increasingly popular with property investors in Singapore and around the region.