Donald Trump Unhinged Lunatic- The Opening of Straits of Hormuz Deadline Or Destruction of Iran?

What a week it had been! Iran shot down a US F-15 fighter jet and then there was the subseqent dramatic rescue of the downed aircrew by US Commandos deep in Iran's territory. Strangely, Trump and his Secretary of War (formerly Secretary of Defense before the renaming of this post) have terminated a number of US generals in the midst of the war with Iran. Rumour has it that these were the generals that were against the ground offensive initiative by Trump and Pete Hegseth. In the meantime the vital oil channel, the Straits of Hormuz remains shut off with Iran only allowing a few ships to pass through it. 

Deadline up to Tuesday for Straits of Hormuz to Reopen.

Trump's gave new deadlines (yes, keep repeating the same thingy) for the opening of Straits of Hormuz for Monday (6th April) and then now Tuesday (7th April) else the US will unleash hell on Iran. Trump  had told Iran to “open the f***in’ Strait” or face “living in hell” in an extraordinary swear-laden rant on Sunday.

But, I don't think the Iranians will budge. In fact, the Iranians have stated that they will only consider stopping the war if there is a change in regime in US, that is, a government without Donald Trump before they will negotiate.

European Union and Other Allies Cutting Deal With Iran Without US

Macron, the president of France, has made a good speech recently.  He said that countries should avoid dependence on China's “dominance” and exposure to what he called the “unpredictability” of the United States.

In the meantime, many countries have been cutting deals with Iran to allow some of their ships to pass through unharmed in the Straits of Hormuz.

Additionally, UK has convened a meeting of over 40 countries from every continent of the world, as well as key international organisations including the International Maritime Organisation and the European Union regarding the Straits of Hormuz closure by Iran. The key points being discussed:

(a) Increase international diplomatic pressure, including through the UN, to send clear and co-ordinated messages to Iran to permit unimpeded transit passage through the Strait of Hormuz and to comprehensively reject the imposition of tolls on vessels which seek to pass through.

(b) Explore co-ordinated economic and political measures, such as sanctions, to bear down on Iran if the Strait remains closed.

(c) Work together with the International Maritime Organisation to secure the release of thousands of ships and sailors trapped in the Strait and get shipping moving again.

(d) Joint arrangements to support greater market and operational confidence. This includes working with shipping operators and industry bodies to ensure coherent and timely information sharing.

Parting Thoughts- Investing During War Time

I think that there are signs of improvement in the global oil disruption from the closure of the Straits of Hormuz by Iran with many countries starting to kick off solutions discussion. As such I will be making some additional investment into equities this week. Saying that, no one knows exactly what the unhinged Donald Trump will do next and global markets may crash further. Good to keep some dry powder in such an event. Ok, that's all from me today. Have great week ahead!

Donald Trump Going For Ground Invasion Of Iran To Intimidate Submission.

Wow, Donald Trump has done it again with the activation of troops such as the elitie US 82nd Airborne division. I don't think Trump will be silly enough to invade the entire Iran as the soldiers needed to take-over a 90 million population will be too massive. Also, Iran is protected by the Zagros Mountains to the west and Elburz Mountains to the north, with massive central deserts creating a virtually impassable barrier. Instead, Trump maybe tempted to take-over the Kharg Island from Iran whereby 90% of Iran's oil exports pass through it. Kharg island sits offshore with waters deep enough to load product onto tankers known as Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs), which can hold around two million barrels. This will be a strategic move to choke off Iran's oil revenue by cutting off its oil exports in order to pressurise the government of Iran to accede to US demands such as opening the Straits of Hormuz for ships and tankers to pass through.

Anyway, if boots on the ground were indeed deployed by Trump, it heightens the chance of mass casualties and may just sink his remaining presidency term into oblivion. There are already "No Kings" protests & rallies in US. Global stocks also continue their free fall which will certainly worsen once news breakout of the ground invasion.  

In the meantime, oil prices continue to shoot past US$100 per barrel while Donald Trump continues to negotiate "directly and indirectly" (whatever that means) with himself, I mean Iran. 

Capitaland Ascendas REIT Rights Issuance in Midst of US-Iran War-Subscribe Or Wait?

I nearly fainted when I read that there is another upcoming rights issuance exercise from another SREIT that I have held onto for many years, that is, Capitaland Ascendas ("CLAR"). This is coming off from the disastrous rights issuance exercise by Lendlease Global Commercial REIT (LREIT") with only a pathetic 62.2% take up rate. LREIT was thus heavily undersubscribed and the joint underwriters, DBS and friends, were forced to fork out S$74.3mil to take up the excess units that nobody wanted. Now, we have CLAR coming along to join in the fun during the midst of the US-Iran Middle East war. I would say that the timing is awful but then, CLAR is in a better state than LREIT as it is a giant REIT with 222 investment properties as at 31 December 2025 while LREIT on the other hand has only 4 investment properties or 5 if you count in its minor stake in Parkway Parade. To put it simply, CLAR is a very well run government linked blue chip REIT that can weather any storms relative to the smaller REITs. 

1. Should One Subscribe for CLAR?

Personally, I think that the price of CLAR has been quite stable and hovering around the S$2.50 per unit level since its announcement of the rights issuance. This is testament to the strength of CLAR in the eyes of general investors. So, I guess it is a no brainer to subscribe for one's own allotment to prevent dilution. 

The new investment properties to be purchased are also of good quality in particularly, the one at Singapore Loyang. Interestingly, Toll Logistics Group is planning to offload their famous Loyang Off-Shore Supply base to CLAR via a long term 12 years triple net sales-and lease-back agreement. If I recalled correctly, Toll Logistics Group ultimate owner is Japan Post Holding hence the quality of rental income from this distinctive tenant is top-notch.  

Toll Offshore Petroleum Services (TOPS) at Loyang

As for excess subscription, it really boils down to how the Middle East war will turn out over the next one week to judge market sentiment and downside risk. 

2. Key Information Highlights- Retail Investors Rights Issuance Tranche.

In connection with the Preferential Offering, the Manager intends to issue Preferential Offering Units to Eligible Depositors (as defined herein) and Eligible QIBs (as defined herein (collectively, the “Eligible Unitholders”) on a pro rata basis in respect of their existing Units (the “Existing Units”) held as at 5.00 p.m. on 1 April 2026, being the record date in relation to the Advanced Distribution and the Preferential Offering entitlement (the “Record Date”). 

The allotment ratio for the Preferential Offering will be announced by the Manager via SG XNET (pls post the link to this post for those who already saw the announcement released-updated March 31, 2026- 28 Units for every 1,000 units). 

As for the Preferential Offering Issue Price, it has been determined to be at the lower end of S$2.35 per unit.

As at March 30, 2026

As at March 31, 2026

3. Indicative Timeline of Key Events:

Rights application will open on 9am of 7 April 2026 (Tuesday) and end by 5.30 pm of 15 April 2026 (Wednesday). 

Parting Thoughts

I like the new investment properties such as data centre in Japan as well as good quality master tenant from 25 Loyang Crescent that forms the basis of this rights issuance exercise. I will most probably be taking up excess rights on top of my normal allotment.

Donald Trump's Art of the Deal- Using Lies To De-escalate the US-Iran War.

Trump says Iran and US ‘want to make a deal’ but Tehran says claims of talks are ‘fake news’. To be honest, we have to give credit to Donald Trump for making such bold statement of "good talk with Iran" which buys global stock markets and energy prices time from persistent unfavourable pricing movement. Also, by postponing attacks on Iran's energy infrastructure, Trump can then extend another postponement of attacks on Iran which then gradually transit to total freeze of military action. This also saves his face....so I guess this is a smart move. We have seen him using such techniques in his tariff war against many countries previously. 

So guess the essence to the Donald Trump "Art of the Deal" is to make statements that are false in order to serve one's own agenda and self-interest? Not all world leaders have such thick skin to practice the Art of the Deal. 

Asian stock markets should rally today but the volatility is not over. So be careful folks! 

Donald Trump Blackmailing Iran With Opening of the Straits of Hormuz Or A Strike On Its Power Plants.

I am not sure whether Donald Trump is in the right frame of mind over his latest ultimatum to Iran to reopen the Straits of Hormuz within 48 hours or to face direct air strike of its power plants. I guess Iran will just simply fired ballistics missiles in retaliation at the power plant of all neighbouring gulf countries. What ever happened to the potential candidate for Nobel Prize for World Peace? With macho ego at stake, it looks like the Iran-US war is going to drag on for quite some time. 

Keppel Pacific Oak US REIT Market Price Collapse- Retail Investors Beware!

I know that there is the US Iran War which is creating chaos in global stock markets. But the sudden collapse of Keppel Pacific Oak US REIT ("KORE") from US$0.235 per unit a month ago to US$0.182 per unit as of 19 March 2026 is more than the overall correction in REITs market pricing. The sudden huge decline of <-23%> over the past 1 month is appalling. There seems to be a lack of information with regard to the sudden decline and I could not find any useful announcement released by KORE on SGX.

Online search for recent news relating to KORE that may have an adverse impact on its market price.

A quick search online unveiled the following event that may explain the rationale for the substantial decline in market pricing:

(i) Potential sale by a major unitholder. This is the most important factor right now. A substantial unitholder — Pacific Oak Strategic Opportunity REIT (around 6.1% stake) — is planning to liquidate its assets, which includes its KORE units due to excessive high borrowings that need to be repaid to bankers.

(ii) The management of Pacific Oak Strategic Opportunity REIT has explicitly said they expect a “substantial – if not complete – sale” of these units

(iii) Even if the sale hasn’t fully happened yet, market seems to be pricing in the expected surge in supply of units being put up for sales in the open market. This stake is likely to be sold via block trades or market sales, creating an “overhang” on price. In addition, traders seems to be front-run the selling thus creating persistent downward pressure

Parting Thoughts

It has been very painful holding on to KORE especially for many existing retail investors like myself. While the market price is way below the Net Asset Value per unit, the question is how reliable is the valuation of the current fair value by valuers of KORE with regard to its investment properties. Are there any other skeleton in the closet that retail investors are unaware of? 

For folks still holding on to KORE, what are your thoughts? Will you all hold on to your existing units or buy more with units with the dip? Or is KORE dying and time to bite the bullet?

The Donald Trump Madness- Attack Iran And Now Wants Allies and Other Nations To Clean His Backside.

What a mess the US war on Iran has become. Donald Trump attacked Iran without consulting its European and Asia Pacific Allies but now demand its allies to send warships to keep the Straits of Hormuz open to oil tankers and container ships. Trump is now furious with allies who rebuffed his call for help to secure the Straits of Hormuz. Personally, I thought it is strange that the mighty US seems to have miscalculated on Iran's willingness to weaponize the Straits of Hormuz. Perhaps US thought that by destroying the Navy of Iran, it would effectively remove the Iranian hold over the Straits of Hormuz. 

Donald Trump has now pulled in its allies into its never-ending war. The Europeans may have no choice but to help US clean up its backside lest Donald Trump threaten to end the defence pact under NATO. 

Let's hope the middle east conflict de-escalate soon before the whole world sank into global economic recession. It will interesting to see whether Singapore property market crash.