REITs – Pros and Cons of “Virtual Property” investment?
So, what is a REIT? A "REIT" (Real Estate Investment Trust) is, quite simply, an investment asset type in the same way that a "Bond" or an "Equity" is an investment asset type. Just as an "Equity" (e.g. as identified by the ticker "MSFT") generally relates to a legal...
Portfolio Analysis Basics #4 – Focus on “Asset Type Diversification”
Diversification can be neatly summed up by the well-known phrase "not putting your eggs in one basket". In the context of investing, the "eggs" can be thought of as the funds or other assets held within the "basket" of a portfolio. There are various different types of...
UK Residential Buy-To-Let – A “safe as houses” investment strategy for expats?
For many UK nationals, expats included, residential buy-to-let has been a default investment strategy for many years. The prospect of capital gains and a steady stream of income from a reassuringly "bricks and mortar" asset have compelled many to enter the market as...
Portfolio Analysis Basics #3 – Focus on “Volatility”
The word "volatility" has inherently negative connotations for most people, maybe with the exception of the adrenaline-seeking few who enjoy the thrill of the rollercoaster ride. However, there is absolutely an upside to be considered with volatility; the emotional...
Portfolio Analysis Basics #2 – Focus on “Yield”
There are classically two differing objectives when constructing a portfolio: to achieve "growth" or to achieve "income" (which is simply another word for "Yield"). These objectives do not have to be mutually exclusive; a financial adviser can (and, in my opinion,...
Portfolio Analysis Basics #1 – Focus on “TER” (Total Expense Ratio)
A favourite saying of mine (among many!) is that you can "always guarantee charges, but never guarantee returns", so it clearly makes sense to minimise those charges. Not doing so represents a lost opportunity to avoid paddling upstream in an unnecessarily leaky boat....
What is this site for, exactly?
I’ve created the site for three purposes:
• “Advice”: to share tips, tricks and general pointers on a number of topics that I often find myself answering questions on, such as “why are you…”, “how do you…” and “what do you think of…”.
• “Music”: to share the music I’ve composed, played and produced (with some potentially music-techie commentary on the process and tools involved).
• “Personal Finance”: to share general thoughts on investing and to highlight problem scenarios for which I can offer solutions in my role as a certified Financial Adviser in Singapore.