Performance Indicators / Dividends
- YTD Time weighted return: 19.49%
- XIRR since portfolio inception in 2013: 15.53%
- Dividends collected: SGD 5,110.92
- Cum-Dividend:
- Hang Lung Properties: HKD 340
- Yuexiu Transportation Infrastructure: HKD 1,080
Currency Cushion
August was a bloody month as Trump manipulation trade war escalation reared its ugly head again. Combine that with the HK Protests and other geopoilitical / economic uncertainties, you get a decent correction. That said, markets had decent recoveries towards the end of the month.
We live in economically uncertain times and increasingly, I see business sentiment globally sour. People and companies are increasingly mentally prepared for an economic downturn. Whether we will hit a recession and a stock market crash remains to be seen, but I do believe that if enough people believe so, it will become a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy eventually.
Surprisingly, my personal portfolio was only down about $1.3k in spite of all the volatility this month. I recall that at one point during the month, I was in fact down almost $5k. These losses were broadly cushioned by the strengthening of the USD (and by extension, HKD) against SGD. On a constant currency basis, my portfolio would have declined a further $1.2k m-o-m.
As a result, my portfolio declined 0.89% to settle at $159,127.
Significant Transactions
As mentioned in my previous post, I initiated a position in Eagle Hospitality Trust. It has since declined further. I’m comfortable adding further if it ever reaches below 65c.
I also participated in the Capitaland Retail China Trust Preferential Offering using some of my cash. I’ve not included these transactions within the portfolio as I don’t know the results of my applications yet. I will only know tomorrow.
Given that the preferential offering was only 1.4 times subscribed, I’m hopeful of a decent excess units allocation.
As a side brag, the funding mix I predicted in my earlier article covering the CRCT Harbin mall acquisitions was spot on 😛
Life / Health updates
This month under coercion from a colleague, I tried out spin class for the first time, just to see what the hype was about. To the uninitiated, spin is basically rhythmic cycling, kinda like the aerobics classes where you exercise to the music, except you do it on a bike instead (pictured above). Some instructors even call it a “dance class” but on bikes. Naturally, the target audience is largely female, which would have been kind of awkward, if I went alone.
Don’t let looks fool you, it is a ridiculously strenuous exercise. Imagine having to stand on your bike, pedal and perform crunches/push ups to the beat, while retaining the mental capacity to know where to place your hands / when to seat down / adjust the resistance on the bike. I burned at least 800 calories each 45 min session I attended, all the while feeling lost / being unable to keep up. I left class dripping in sweat while looking like this:
It’s ridiculously hard guys, respect to the people who have been doing this for ages. I’m still contemplating whether I should continue after completing my 4 class trial pack.
Blog updates
Article highlights
Here are some useful articles I’ve written this month:
- RnR Weekly 250819 – I think about the long term future of HK and go over some US S-REIT results
- My views on REITs – I made a guest appearance on the Kevin Shee Show to discuss some REIT topics
- My Favourite finance shows – Some of my favourite finance shows to introduce your friends to the world of investing
- Types of AGM Attendees – My light hearted take on some of the characters you find at AGMs
- How not to control your expenses – My personal account of a relative who does not do any expense control
2 year anniversary of Risk N Returns
Tomorrow marks the 2 year anniversary of Risk N Returns. That’s right, 2 years ago, I started with my first blog post about my current portfolio value back then. As such, it seems appropriate that my 2 year anniversary post would be a portfolio update. Looking back, it is good to see that my portfolio has grown and performed well since then.
I’m always thankful when people see value in what I write and subscribe to my blog or like my Facebook page. To the 5 and 12 people who subscribed to my blog and liked my Facebook page respectively since my last update, welcome. Special shout out to readers who have followed me on my 2 year journey on this blog. Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. Here’s to many more years of Risk N Returns! 😀
Past updates:
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
2018 Performance Scorecard
2017 Performance Scorecard
Happy Hunting,
KK
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