[Post 205] MPs debate affordability of HDB flats | In Parliament

Summary

The home price-to-income ratio (HPI) of BTO flats in non-mature estates was a hot topic on the second day of the debate on public housing affordability. HPI measures the number of years of total household income required to afford a home.

[Post 204] Investment Book Review 2: "The Intelligent Investor" by Benjamin Graham

"The Intelligent Investor" by Benjamin Graham

                  Source

 "The Intelligent Investor" by Benjamin Graham is widely considered to be one of the best investment books of all time. First published in 1949, it has been reprinted numerous times and remains a classic text for investors of all levels of experience. 

In this post, we will provide a summary of the key concepts outlined in the book, analyze the relevance of the book to today's investors and discuss why it is a must-read for anyone serious about investing.

At its core, "The Intelligent Investor" is a guide to the principles of value investing. Graham explains that the goal of the intelligent investor is to purchase securities at a price that is below their intrinsic value. 

He also emphasizes the importance of diversification and risk management, arguing that investors should only invest in what they understand and should avoid speculative investments.

One of the key concepts outlined in the book is the idea of "Mr. Market." Graham uses this concept to illustrate the emotional and irrational behavior of the market, and how it can create opportunities for the intelligent investor. 

He argues that investors should take advantage of Mr. Market's emotional swings by buying when prices are low and selling when they are high.

The book also differentiates between two types of investors: the defensive investor and the enterprising investor. The defensive investor is someone who is content with a low level of return and is focused on preserving capital. 

On the other hand, the enterprising investor is someone who is willing to take on more risk in pursuit of higher returns. Graham provides strategies for both types of investors and explains the strengths and limitations of each approach.

So, how does the book relate to today's investors? The principles of value investing outlined in "The Intelligent Investor" are as relevant today as they were when the book was first published. 

The market may have changed, but the human behavior that drives it has not. Investors can still benefit from reading the book and applying its concepts to today's markets.

In conclusion, "The Intelligent Investor" by Benjamin Graham is a must-read for anyone serious about investing. It provides a comprehensive overview of the principles of value investing, emphasizes the importance of diversification and risk management, and differentiates between the two types of investors. 

The concepts outlined in the book are as relevant today as they were when the book was first published, making it an enduring guide for investors of all levels of experience.Personally, i thought that the book was a little much for a beginner, and that it may be difficult to finish it in one sitting.I do recommend it for everyone to give it a look through at least once though.

[Post 203] Student who turned $100,000 into a $6.7m education business | The Straits Times

Summary

In 2019, Evan Heng plonked his entire savings of $100,000 - earned mostly through giving tuition - and grew it into a $6.7 million education business. 

[Post 202] How the rich get richer – money in the world economy | DW Documentary

Summary

Exploding real estate prices, zero interest rate and a rising stock market – the rich are getting richer. What danger lies in wait for average citizens? 

For years, the world’s central banks have been pursuing a policy of cheap money. The first and foremost is the ECB (European Central Bank), which buys bad stocks and bonds to save banks, tries to fuel economic growth and props up states that are in debt. But what relieves state budgets to the tune of hundreds of billions annoys savers: interest rates are close to zero.

The fiscal policies of the central banks are causing an uncontrolled global deluge of money. Experts are warning of new bubbles. In real estate, for example: it’s not just in German cities that prices are shooting up. In London, a one-bed apartment can easily cost more than a million Euro. More and more money is moving away from the real economy and into the speculative field. Highly complex financial bets are taking place in the global casino - gambling without checks and balances. The winners are set from the start: in Germany and around the world, the rich just get richer. Professor Max Otte says: "This flood of money has caused a dangerous redistribution. Those who have, get more." But with low interest rates, any money in savings accounts just melts away. Those with debts can be happy. But big companies that want to swallow up others are also happy: they can borrow cheap money for their acquisitions. Coupled with the liberalization of the financial markets, money deals have become detached from the real economy. But it’s not just the banks that need a constant source of new, cheap money today. So do states. They need it to keep a grip on their mountains of debt. It’s a kind of snowball system. What happens to our money? Is a new crisis looming? The film 'The Money Deluge' casts a new and surprising light on our money in these times of zero interest rates.

[Post 201] The first modern financial crisis in the globalized world | DW Documentary

Summary

When the Asian financial crisis hit, it was something the world hadn‘t seen since the 1930s. For the first time since World War II, the global economy faced the very real threat of a complete collapse. Disturbingly, the sudden crisis came as a complete surprise.

In the late 1990s, the world economy seemed to be on a steady path of growth. This trajectory was driven primarily by the emerging economies of Southeast Asia, the global region with the strongest economic growth. Then, within a very short time, millions of people suddenly lost their livelihoods. Hunger, mass unemployment and uprisings returned to these previously prosperous countries. What was particularly disturbing to crisis managers at the time was that they had not anticipated the crisis, and were not prepared for it. Their hasty attempts to correct the problem did not bear fruit for a long time - in fact, in the short-term, these measures worsened the situation. How could this happen? 

Ten years later, in 2008 and 2009, the global economy was once again on the brink of a complete collapse. What became known as the Global Financial Crisis demonstrated how much our world depends on the financial market. In this documentary, world-renowned experts question whether the toxic threat of collapse might perhaps be an inherent part of our economic system. To date, there is no satisfactory answer to this question. One conclusion that can be drawn: we are still living on an economic powder keg, today.

[Post 200] What's driving up the prices of HDB resale flats? | Talking Point

Summary

More HDB resale flats are crossing the million-dollar mark. What's driving up prices and are the flats worth the staggering price tag? Talking Point investigates.

[Post 199] Crocs: How the Polarizing Footwear Brand Became a Fashion Statement | The Economics Of | WSJ

Summary

WSJ breaks down Crocs’s business strategy and explains how -- nearly two decades after the colorful clog first became a global fad -- the company found its footing as the world’s most loved and hated shoe. Illustration: Adele Morgan