Hong Kong Phoenix Rising From The Ash- Doubling Down on Link REIT.

I thought that Hong Kong seems to be doing extremely well again despite the slump that persist post COVID and the weakening local retail scene due to the exodus of HongKongers shoppers going to Shenzhen to wine, dine SPA and shopping etc. Good news is that Hong Kong has recorded strong growth in its wealth management business. In 2024, cross-border wealth booked in the city surged by $231 billion to $2.7 trillion, putting Hong Kong is thus on par with Switzerland, the long-time leader in cross-border wealth management, according to Boston Consulting Group Inc.’s latest Global Wealth Report. The surge was the largest in the world that year. From then on, its wealth management continued to flourish and grow from 2025 and even now. Hong Kong also remained a vital gateway to Chinese mainland due to its deep talent pool and long time experience in the wealth management sector. As such, I think that the current slump in its retail and commercial property markets should be bottoming soon with revival in its economy engine. 

1. Portfolio Restructuring and Doubling Down on Link REIT.

It has been scary indeed to see the plunge in rental rates in Hong Kong. My Hong Kong work colleagues were telling me all sort of horror stories over the past 2 years on empty shops and sharp drop in commercial rental. However, with the surge in HKEX IPOs over the past year as well as the news on its rapid growth in Wealth Management sector, I would think that green shoots have appeared and that Hong Kong's commercial property slump will desist and rise again. I have began taking profits from my investment portfolios (sold off all my remaining Ping'An Insurance shares and part of my Keppel Ltd stocks after 78% profits surge) and reallocating the funds into Link REIT as well as Amova STC Asia REIT ETF (this also contains HK Link REIT on top of SG REITs). 

2. Link REIT

Latest full-year financial interim  results showed NAV per unit at around HK$61.19 at 30 Sep 2025. Market price as at 23 January 2026 is HKD35.48 per unit. It is thus trading at a 42% to its NAV.  Interestingly, pre-COVID days, Link REIT was trading at around NAV per unit. As such, I believe that there is potential for another 20%-30% capital appreciation. Current distribution yield hovers around 7.4% (as per StockCafe) which also makes it extremely attractive. I am also looking forward to Link REIT IPO of its Singapore Shopping malls.  

Parting Thoughts

I have built up around S$80K of Link REIT HKEX position as at  23 January 2026 (Friday) in view of a potential 20%-30% capital appreciation within the next 2 years and a potential IPO of its Singapore shopping malls. Its high distribution yield of 7.4% is also very tempting. Anyway, the above are my personal thoughts.  

Investment Portfolios Updates (31 Dec 2025) - Net Investment of S$930K and Projected Annualised Passive Income of S$49K.

Wishing all a Happy New Year and good health always! I guess it is not too bad that my net investment increased slightly to S$930K despite the decline in the Hong Kong Stock Exchange over the last 2 months. I am gearing up to hopefully cross the S$1Mil net investment mark by the end of 2026. This will be my 2026 new year resolution. Gross investments have so far crossed the S$1.2Mil milestone and I will be gradually paying down my margin loan using the passive income generated from the Margin Portfolio. 

1. Portfolio 1- Stocks Held in SGX Central Depository 

Not much changes to update here except that there is an upcoming rights issue for Keppel REIT. I may subscribe to a few units to try to round-up the units on hand to the nearest hundred for ease of future sales. I do not like the current rights issue which is very anti-loyal shareholders/unit-holders. There are enough write-up on this rights exercise by various finance influencers regarding Keppel REIT so I will not dwell on it-personally, I can only say that the management of Keppel REIT ought to be shot.  

2. Portfolio 2- Margin Purchased Securities
(Note: My margin purchased securities has grown to a sufficient scale to sustain itself and can pay off annual financing charges as well as to gradually pay down the margin loan through the dividends generated.) 

I think I need to stop buying HKEX stocks like JD here. The undervaluation in the China/HK market is too tempting and simply too hard to resist. Saying that, as aforesaid mentioned in the beginning highlights, I hope that I will have the discipline to just let the dividends pay down the debt so as to guard against potential spike in financing cost in the event that inflation went out of control again. I have no doubt that mass money printing by the US Fed is on the table again. 

3. Portfolio 3 (with Tiger Brokers and MooMoo) 

(Venture into higher risk as well as capital growth stocks here)

I have sold off my US stock of United Healthcare Group after realising a small profit. I managed to get 300 shares of BYD at around the HK$94 per share price during the recent correction in HKEX. The price of BYD rebounded around 5% after BYD released a major software updates (God's Eye) to its vehicles which boost the appeal of BYD-made EV cars. After Christmas, the price of BYD went up and I thus decided adding on and instead went into accumulation of Link REIT which has dropped from HKD40 per unit to approximately HKD35 per unit. 

4. Portfolio 4 (Endowus Unit Trusts & Other Investments)

I have injected an additional S$10K-split equally among bonds and equities- into unit trusts in late December 2025. The pricing in this portfolio is at cost and does not reflect the upsides of around S$5K capital appreciation of the various funds. 

The surprise here is that the precious metal fund suddenly shot up by 20% within 2 months.

I currently have no time to do any market price true-up adjustment as Stock-Cafe does not have an auto-update feature covering unit-trusts- so it is simply too tedious to do manual update on all the individual funds. Will just leave it given that most of the funds I am holding onto are fixed income nature. 

Parting Thoughts

I will be adding a new portfolio 5 for Crypto investment if the amount starts to become material and go past S$5K. Currently, I am holding on to a tiny stake in Bitcoins when they drop below US$90K. Ok, that's all for today. Bye Folks and have a great weekend ahead! :)

Investment Portfolios Updates (9 May 2025) - Net Investment of S$723K and Projected Annualised Passive Income of S$47K.

Wow, it has been a long 3 weeks since my last post. I had been super busy for the past weeks with entertainment of overseas clients and execution of a major project at workplace. Finally have some moment now to catch my breath and also do a quick post. I don't think things are fine at all albeit Donald Trump claiming that US and China having a "total reset" of their acrimonious relationship during the Geneva negotiation over the weekend. Since the "Liberation Day" trade tariff announcement by Donald Trump on April 2, 2025, stock markets worldwide plummeted. Despite the subsequent pull back of the reciprocal tariff by 90 days (except for China) by Trump a few days later, the damage has been done. My gross portfolios were not spared and fell to below S$1Mil while overall net investment after netting off margin loan hovers around S$723K.

1. Portfolio 1- Stocks Held in SGX Central Depository 

Not much changes here while waiting for the storm to stabilise. May'25 and June'25 have a couple of dividends payment. Haw Par Corp also paying out its usual dividends plus a special dividend totalling S$1 per share on May 21, 2025.

2. Portfolio 2- Margin Purchased Securities

(Note: My margin purchased securities has grown to a sufficient scale to sustain itself and can pay off annual financing charges as well as to gradually pay down the margin loan through dividends generated.) 

I closed off my ICBC China banking stock of 12,000 shares at 13% profit to reduce leverage. Also, sold off all my rights issue (2,000 units) from Frasers Centrepoint Trust to lock in the small profit. Margin loan has been reduced from S$291K to S$273k in view of the gloomy marco-economic outlook.

3. Portfolio 3 (with Tiger Brokers and MooMoo) 

(Venture into higher risk as well as capital growth stocks here)

Interestingly, Link REIT, Alibaba and Bank of China rallied after the recent emergency meeting by the Chinese government. There are plans to include Link REIT to stock-connect-the inclusion of real estate investment trusts (Reits) in the China-Hong Kong Stock Connect mechanism will expand the investor base, increase the trading liquidity and attract more listings of these collective investment schemes to Hong Kong, analysts said.

4. Portfolio 4 (Endowus Unit Trusts & Other Investments)

I have reduced the equties funds (Fidelity Global Dividend Fund & Franklin Templeton) exposure and switched them over to the PIMCO Income bond fund which is offering an attractive annual yield of 6%.

Parting Thoughts

I do not think that Trump is going to drop the China Tariff by a lot. The Chinese government are in a stronger position and it benefits China to drag on the current standoff as it is obvious that Trump has screwed himself and is in hot soup over the lack of goods in retail stores and lack of China containers coming into US ports. 

Updates as at 12 May 2025: Speaking after talks with Chinese officials in Geneva, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told reporters the two sides had reached a deal for a 90 day pause on measures and that reciprocal tariffs would come down by 115 per cent.

My Stock Pick- Should One Still Invest in REITs and Other Dividend Stocks in Current Market Climate?

Hi Folks, it has been a crazy past 2 weeks with the weakening of the US Market and also our local SREITs. Back on 19th September 2024, I have discussed in my previous post that despite the jumbo 0.5% rate cut by Powell, the strong rally in SREITs maybe overdone as the distribution yield of blue chips like Mapletree Industrial Trust ("MIT") dropping to close to only 5% yield at its highest point during the REIT rally. Stronger than expected US payroll statistics also led to various market concern that inflationary pressure will be back and it is still too early to step off the accelerator for rate hikes. Even with the slight correction yesterday, I think that most SREITs are still over-valued as we cannot expect interest rates to be at near zero like the past decade. 

1. SREITs That I Will Still Buy

Seriously, I really cannot find any good buys for the top blue-chip REITs from the trio Mapletree, CapitaLand and Keppel families. Look at MIT or Keppel DC REIT, will you still dare to go in to accumulate additional units at the current pricing?

If I have any additional resources and forced to buy something, I will probably add on to United Hampshire US REIT ("UHREIT") as its price has once again tapered off and giving out a 8.8% distribution yield as at 8th October 2024. However, since this is one of my top holdings, I am already overly-concentrated in UHREIT and will have to give this very attractive SREIT a miss.

2. Overseas REITs That Is Still Worth Buying.

I thought that Link REIT ("LREIT") listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange ("HKEX") is a very undervalued counter.  LREIT used to be linked to the Hong Kong Government and has interesting properties mainly based in Hong Kong and China. My Hong Kong work colleagues have been mentioning this to me. Same for Master Leong YouTube channel which he has also shared as a value for money buy. Its leverage ratio is at an enviable 20% resulting from a rights issue at HKD 44 per unit in March 2023. 

I accumulated around 6,200 units of LREIT from May 2024 to July 2024 at an average price of HKD 32.2 per unit since I am getting these units at a big discount to what those rights issue holder paid in 2023. For me, any purchase that is below HKD 44 per unit is not a bad deal. It is currently giving out a distribution yield of 6.96% along with potential for capital growth.

3. Other Interesting Dividend Counters

I thought that Ping An is an interesting recommendation on various media such as Master Leong as aforesaid mentioned. Ping An price has dropped from HKD70+ to a pathetic HKD30 range due to the belief that the China Communist Party will force Ping An to do national service and recuse one of the Property Development firm. I have been adding Ping An (5,000 shares) from Jan 2024 to Sep 2024 at an average price of HKD 34 per share. Its distribution yield was previously hovering near 8% which was too attractive for me. However, with the current market pricing which lowers the yield to only 5.25%, I maybe selling it off to accumulate other investments if suitable opportunities such as if our local SREITs underwent further price correction.

Parting thoughts

I do hope that the China and HK markets continue with their revival as they have been in a bear territory for many years and hopefully produce outstanding capital growth on top of dividends distribution. Strangely, picking undervalued good dividend paying companies in China/HK has turned up to be a good decision with a stroke of good luck in recent week- I certainly did not expect the sudden capital appreciation in just one week. 

Investment Portfolios Updates (27 September 2024) - Net Investment of S$732K and Projected Annualised Passive Income of S$42K.

A rising tide lifts all boats indeed! Just 2 months back during my last portfolio review, it was still doom and gloom for our SREIT sector spiralling into a bottomless blackhole. Then suddenly, with the much anticipated rate cut by the US Feds finally materialising, all the SREITs counters started soaring. Considering that my REIT heavy overall portfolios makes up 66% of the entire investment, it contributed to a strong recovery. Coupled with the sudden China stimulus measures announced over the past few days, my China centric investments (Alibaba, Ping An, Link REIT and Capitaland China Trust) shot up by close to 25% which help rallied the overall gross investment value and investable cash balances to above the S$1 Million mark. Net investments after netting off margin loan stands at a record high of S$732K.

1. Portfolio 1- Stocks held in SGX Central Depository 
(Note: This portfolio is designed to provide immediate dividends for use as it is under my own CDP account and the dividends credited goes directly to my bank account.)

2. Portfolio 2- Margin purchased securities

(Note: My margin purchased securities has grown to a sufficient scale to sustain itself and can pay off annual financing charges as well as to gradually pay down the margin loan through dividends generated.) 

I think that the financing charges would have dropped to 4.75% or 5%- anyway, have not had the luxury of time to find out from my broker. So will just leave the financing rate at 5.25%. Interestingly, my wife offered to lend me funds at a lower by 1% rate to Maybank Securities but I rejected it as I told her that she can put her liquid funds to better use and a higher return.

For Keppel Pacific Oak REIT, I think that if interest rate continue to trend downwards, there will be a higher probability that the REIT Manager may resume distribution payout as soon as the 2nd half of 2025 instead of 2026. 

3. Portfolio 3 (with Tiger Brokers and MooMoo) 

(Venture into higher risk as well as capital growth stocks here)

I have added on to Ping An Insurance just before the huge rally in HKSE. Keppel Corp as well as a small tiny stake in Oceanus were added since the last update 2 months ago.

4. Portfolio 4 (Endowus Unit Trusts & Other Investments)

The Income Insurance and Allianz takeover deal continued to be in limbo. The Monetary Authority of Singapore has not officially given the deal a go ahead. In addition, new capital were injected into the different Endowus units trusts (picked those that are bonds focused with the exception of Fidelity Global Dividend Fund).

Summary

While the investment value of my underlying portfolios have went up significantly, the sad fact is that my projected annual passive income still remain the same as 2 months back which is a tad disappointment. I do look forward to exiting my stakes in Alibaba once it hits over HKD160 per share and then convert them into higher yielding income producing assets.

Investment Portfolios Updates (26 July 2024) - Net S$620K and Projected Annualised Passive Income of S$42K.

The recent SREIT rally has finally put a brake on the non-stop downward spiralling in market prices. There is a much anticipated worldwide expectation of a US rate cut in September 2024. Based on US inflation reports and moderate job growth data, it seems chances of a rate cut is indeed high. Keeping my fingers crossed that the recent rally in price is permanent with more to come. However, Geopolitics such as the upcoming US Presidential Election (Trump appears to be the favourite to win now after his assassination) and also escalating Middle East conflicts between Israel and Iran back military groups are causing much uncertainty in global economies. There is also the very controversial Allianz offer that affects my current share-holdings in Income Insurance Ltd- please see further remarks under Portfolio 4 section below.

1. Portfolio 1- Stocks held in SGX Central Depository 
(Note: This portfolio is designed to provide immediate dividends for use as it is under my own CDP account and the dividends credited goes directly to my bank account.)

I have given up on Capitaland Investment Limited and sold off all my holdings in it. The proceeds were used to purchase additional units of Keppel Ltd stocks at S$6.62 per unit.

2. Portfolio 2- Margin purchased securities

(Note: My margin purchased securities has grown to a sufficient scale to sustain itself and can pay off annual financing charges as well as to gradually pay down the margin loan through dividends generated.) 

I have took profit and sold off all my Ping An Insurance shares. Have used the proceeds to purchase Link REIT as well as to pare down on expensive margin loan. Margin loan thus went down from S$291K to S$281K. 

Also took a small speculative 5000 units trade in Mapletree Industrial Trust when its price plummeted to S$2.10 per unit and took profit 2 weeks later @S$2.29 per unit after the SREIT rally. 

3. Portfolio 3 (with Tiger Brokers and MooMoo) 

(Venture into higher risk as well as capital growth stocks here)

I have took profit and sold off all my Ping An Insurance shares. The proceeds were used to purchase additional Link REIT units when its price plunged to below HK$30 range (HK$29.80) per unit. Also opened up a small position in a penny stock, Oceanus, which had seen continued strong growth in its food distribution business in China. 

4. Portfolio 4 (Endowus Unit Trusts & Other Investments)

I have continued to build up my bond funds investment via Endowus platform. 

Guess the only news-worthy update here is that my NTUC Income shares market value will go up from S$1,060 to S$4,300 if the controversial Allianz offer gets approved by local regulator and shareholders. The 2 formers CEOs of NTUC Income Co-operative have come out to speak out against the deal as they do not want the insurance group to lose track of its social goal to provide cheap insurance to the lower income of Singapore society.