Unlike previous years, I have chosen today [with 365 days ahead] to share my thoughts.
2008 was a trying year; a year filled with surprises, both positives and negatives! But, like all things, there is day and night, trials and tribulations and bad times shall pass. It is darkest just before dawn breaks!
It is imperative to keep the spirits high and be in good health in trying moments. A healthy, positive mind can move mountain; nothing is impossible - just do it. Don't let yesterday's drag be tomorrow's fruits. Live well and live healthily today & anyday for tomorrow's victory is there for your taking. Follow your heart!
Whether you are happy or sad, well-fed or hungry, lame or a 'fighting fit' machine, planning your work or wallowing in self-pity, you will only win and be better if you are ever-ready to receive and take the challenges when the new dawn arrives; dead man tells no tales. Luck is where preparation meets opportunity.
So, just live happily, healthily and adapt well. Whether you like it or not, the environment will change, things will change; just be there when the good times are back.
Well, Man find solutions to problems but GOD eliminates problems. In GOD we Trust; do your best and leave the rest!
Be Happy Today, Tomorrow & Anyday; Today is a HappyDay with 365 happier days to come...
You have a choice. It is our fortune to be able to help. Be genuine, kind and nice & make the world alittle nicer and pleasant for all to live
I may not be materially well off but I am contented & happy; I have enough to eat, not excessively. I have enough to go round but not luxurious though! I sleep well and soundly and bathe in the abundance of blessings - YOU can too.
You have a choice.
GOD bless; Happy NY09
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Be Guarded - a little warning - 01012009
History repeats itself! Will the world ever learn? Probably not.
When one is dine and wine by the "richest, smartest, classiest ..." more often than not they forgot that the world's a stage. They live to tell the tale that Mr/Mdm "who's who" had invited them to share their dreams and fruits of labour.
And the truth is we live among the Good, the Bad & the Ugly.
It is unkind to call Madoff's victims and Lehman Brothers investors Oxymoron - Oxymorons are a proper subset of the expressions called contradictions in terms. They were lead by their nose by established institutions and famous characters. They 'bought' themselves into the 'rich & famous' circles; only to realize that names alone do not guarantee good, reliable characters. A little due diligence and a void of greed would have saved the day.
Or was it Narcissism - The term narcissism means love of oneself, and refers to the set of character traits concerned with self-admiration, self-centeredness and self-regard - that make victims easy preys? You can win sometimes, most times but NOT all the times. When winnings come easy, complacency sets in and one becomes 'invincible'. "I" becomes an overpowering pronoun and little heed is paid to red flags as "I" know what "I" am doing!
(Narcissism - The name was chosen by Sigmund Freud, from the Greek mythof Narcissus, who was doomed to fall in love with his own reflection in a pool of water).
Lets not cry over spilled milk; pick up, review, resolve and without regret, move ahead. The next time, when things are too good to be true, it probably is!
Be guarded and smarter the next time round.
Good luck 01012009
When one is dine and wine by the "richest, smartest, classiest ..." more often than not they forgot that the world's a stage. They live to tell the tale that Mr/Mdm "who's who" had invited them to share their dreams and fruits of labour.
And the truth is we live among the Good, the Bad & the Ugly.
It is unkind to call Madoff's victims and Lehman Brothers investors Oxymoron - Oxymorons are a proper subset of the expressions called contradictions in terms. They were lead by their nose by established institutions and famous characters. They 'bought' themselves into the 'rich & famous' circles; only to realize that names alone do not guarantee good, reliable characters. A little due diligence and a void of greed would have saved the day.
(Narcissism - The name was chosen by Sigmund Freud, from the Greek mythof Narcissus, who was doomed to fall in love with his own reflection in a pool of water).
Lets not cry over spilled milk; pick up, review, resolve and without regret, move ahead. The next time, when things are too good to be true, it probably is!
Be guarded and smarter the next time round.
Good luck 01012009
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Recovery In Sight II - 2009 - The EAST shall rise and shine
Introduction
Is the worst behind us and is recovery in sight? Probably yes. Recovery is in sight but freak weather conditions, health scares and diseases, social unrest and lack of political will may scuttle hopes of finding universally acceptable solutions to one and all. The road is long and the slopes steep!
All Sovereign chiefs at the G20 meeting make it abandonly clear that any extension of help will be within their country first then outside; this is not a case of selfishness but survival.
When Iceland approached USA and EU for help, she was given a cold shoulder. In desperation, she approached Russia, an unlikely 'ally', and found aid.
China commits to spend S$800bil, with S$25bil to be spent this quarter and to use up the rest by 2010. China has to create jobs and spin the multiplier within to offset job losses and create demand, hopefully neutralizing social disequilibrium and disquietness, from her export-oriented economy.
Guardians or Ali Baba
The West, as leaders in finance, must learn that there is zero tolerance for gamesmanship and that the financial system must be jealously guarded against greed, hollow ideas, senseless securitisation and derivatives. Financial system cannot be completely deregulated as it is easy and never painful to toy with 'other people's money'.
The recent rebound in Wall Street is base on hope, not confidence. It is hope that President-elect Obama will listen and attend to one, and all industries, and to dish out aids and grants to stall those that are 'too big to be allowed to collapse'. Omigosh! this simply goes against the Law of Comparative/Competitive Advantage. If Mr Obama does go ahead to give handouts to all, he is sparing the rod and spoil the child.
As the Bible tells us: "He who spareth the rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him correcteth him betimes" (Proverbs 13:24)
I read somewhere that said "in dense jungles, when old, hugh trees die and fall, they allow sunlight to shine through thereby allowing new plants and saplings to grow thereby replacing deadwood."
It is not failures that make us a fool, it is when we don't learn the lessons and repeat the same (at a larger degree) that will decimate us...just to name a few - the US Savings & Loans, LTCM, Parmalat, Enron, US housing bubble ...
The World
The limping West is seeking help from richer countries and the better off but they have yet to organise their thoughts and offer constructive solutions except to ask for contributions.
The affected East is adamant of turning inwards, to fill the stomachs so as to relieve tensions - a hungry man is an angry man. Spendings on infrastructures, roads, ports, schools, hospitals, power plants ... to spin the multiplier/accelerator in order to create self-sustaining demand to replace what was once an export dependent economy. Smaller economies and nations will have to reposition and realign themselves to the new economic power/engine/region to ride the recovery. If successful, the East shall shine!
The Oil rich nations and Russia will have a whirl of a time to engage and influence geopolitical and ideological imbalances.
The world is not going to get any better until the underlying sickness [of companies, funds, countries, political gamesmanship] is treated or ringfenced. At best, there may be some semblance of stability and plateauing in 3rd Quarter 2009.
Man In The Street
Cash is King!
Not that you are not encourage to spend but spending is a flow; you spend if you know that income and earnings are forthcoming. With a dramatic economic contraction, the next meal may be uncertain let alone income and earnings.
With the arrival of New Year 2009 and after the installation of President-elect Obama and Chinese New Year, reality replaces hope. The recession had been here long before being recognised. Slowdown, layoffs, unemployment, underemployment and debts will be a norm. Soup lines may surface if the recession deepens or, worse still, depression kicks in.
Of course its not all doom and gloom. But being prepared, like being forewarned, is forearmed.
The Stockmarket
Recent Indicative High/Low (1/12/08)
Indices LOW HIGH CURRENT
HSI 10,676 32,000 14,108
Nikkei 225 7,000 18,300 8,397
JKT CI 1,100 2,800 1,223
KLCI 800 1,500 848
Shanghai A 1,700 6,400 1,894
SET 400 900 390
STI 1,500 3,900 1,690
Dow 30 7,552 14,164 8,829
S&P 500 840 1,540 893
The real economy has to lead the recovery. Besides, the redemption from the Hedge funds and the realisation into cash of portfolios held in institutions that collapsed, or near collapse, are far from over.
Recovery takes time but the lower costs of factors of production has made the road to recovery less onerous.
For the moment, this is a page to skip. For the brave, its still a trade in the bear. For those who have cash, it is also time to bargain hunt - put some into companies whose price are 'bombed-out' and is a fraction from their peak. Unfortunately, like all investment, the risks are real; just pray hard that your chosen one is not bankrupted before you cash out. If you are prepared to get into the market, be prepared to ride long haul or at worst case, your money bites the dusts!
Eclipses
Solar Eclipses
2009 will have a wider mix of risks and opportunities.
May I wish everyone a Happy, Healthy New Year 2009 ... Health is Wealth
God bless
Is the worst behind us and is recovery in sight? Probably yes. Recovery is in sight but freak weather conditions, health scares and diseases, social unrest and lack of political will may scuttle hopes of finding universally acceptable solutions to one and all. The road is long and the slopes steep!
All Sovereign chiefs at the G20 meeting make it abandonly clear that any extension of help will be within their country first then outside; this is not a case of selfishness but survival.
When Iceland approached USA and EU for help, she was given a cold shoulder. In desperation, she approached Russia, an unlikely 'ally', and found aid.
China commits to spend S$800bil, with S$25bil to be spent this quarter and to use up the rest by 2010. China has to create jobs and spin the multiplier within to offset job losses and create demand, hopefully neutralizing social disequilibrium and disquietness, from her export-oriented economy.
Guardians or Ali Baba
The West, as leaders in finance, must learn that there is zero tolerance for gamesmanship and that the financial system must be jealously guarded against greed, hollow ideas, senseless securitisation and derivatives. Financial system cannot be completely deregulated as it is easy and never painful to toy with 'other people's money'.
The recent rebound in Wall Street is base on hope, not confidence. It is hope that President-elect Obama will listen and attend to one, and all industries, and to dish out aids and grants to stall those that are 'too big to be allowed to collapse'. Omigosh! this simply goes against the Law of Comparative/Competitive Advantage. If Mr Obama does go ahead to give handouts to all, he is sparing the rod and spoil the child.
As the Bible tells us: "He who spareth the rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him correcteth him betimes" (Proverbs 13:24)
I read somewhere that said "in dense jungles, when old, hugh trees die and fall, they allow sunlight to shine through thereby allowing new plants and saplings to grow thereby replacing deadwood."
It is not failures that make us a fool, it is when we don't learn the lessons and repeat the same (at a larger degree) that will decimate us...just to name a few - the US Savings & Loans, LTCM, Parmalat, Enron, US housing bubble ...
The World
The limping West is seeking help from richer countries and the better off but they have yet to organise their thoughts and offer constructive solutions except to ask for contributions.
The affected East is adamant of turning inwards, to fill the stomachs so as to relieve tensions - a hungry man is an angry man. Spendings on infrastructures, roads, ports, schools, hospitals, power plants ... to spin the multiplier/accelerator in order to create self-sustaining demand to replace what was once an export dependent economy. Smaller economies and nations will have to reposition and realign themselves to the new economic power/engine/region to ride the recovery. If successful, the East shall shine!
The Oil rich nations and Russia will have a whirl of a time to engage and influence geopolitical and ideological imbalances.
The world is not going to get any better until the underlying sickness [of companies, funds, countries, political gamesmanship] is treated or ringfenced. At best, there may be some semblance of stability and plateauing in 3rd Quarter 2009.
Man In The Street
Cash is King!
Not that you are not encourage to spend but spending is a flow; you spend if you know that income and earnings are forthcoming. With a dramatic economic contraction, the next meal may be uncertain let alone income and earnings.
With the arrival of New Year 2009 and after the installation of President-elect Obama and Chinese New Year, reality replaces hope. The recession had been here long before being recognised. Slowdown, layoffs, unemployment, underemployment and debts will be a norm. Soup lines may surface if the recession deepens or, worse still, depression kicks in.
Of course its not all doom and gloom. But being prepared, like being forewarned, is forearmed.
The Stockmarket
Recent Indicative High/Low (1/12/08)
Indices LOW HIGH CURRENT
HSI 10,676 32,000 14,108
Nikkei 225 7,000 18,300 8,397
JKT CI 1,100 2,800 1,223
KLCI 800 1,500 848
Shanghai A 1,700 6,400 1,894
SET 400 900 390
STI 1,500 3,900 1,690
Dow 30 7,552 14,164 8,829
S&P 500 840 1,540 893
The real economy has to lead the recovery. Besides, the redemption from the Hedge funds and the realisation into cash of portfolios held in institutions that collapsed, or near collapse, are far from over.
Recovery takes time but the lower costs of factors of production has made the road to recovery less onerous.
For the moment, this is a page to skip. For the brave, its still a trade in the bear. For those who have cash, it is also time to bargain hunt - put some into companies whose price are 'bombed-out' and is a fraction from their peak. Unfortunately, like all investment, the risks are real; just pray hard that your chosen one is not bankrupted before you cash out. If you are prepared to get into the market, be prepared to ride long haul or at worst case, your money bites the dusts!
Eclipses
Solar Eclipses
- 2009 January 26 - annular solar eclipse
- 2009 July 21-22 - total solar eclipse
- 2009 February 9 - penumbral lunar eclipse
- 2009 July 7 - penumbral lunar eclipse
- 2009 August 5-6 - penumbral lunar eclipse
- 2009 December 31 - partial lunar eclipse
2009 will have a wider mix of risks and opportunities.
May I wish everyone a Happy, Healthy New Year 2009 ... Health is Wealth
God bless
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Costs Cutting Morale Boosting
In this trying times, there are things we can do to make life alittle easier yet productive. Employers need not fret and axe staffs but may find less painful solutions;
How to cut costs, not morales.
Allow Unpaid timeoff - it pleases your staff and they perform equally well (motion expand to fill time given) without hurting your pocket
Allow Work from home tied to results (KPI) - this is freedom with responsibility
Voluntary 'layoffs' (if excess staffs) - why keep so many staffs when they cannot work productively but instead spent time speculating on 'Who' & 'When' will layoffs hit
Sell off or give away non-performing units - knowing your terrain and running it well is better than clinging on to hope that things will change for the better (a Dollar saved is a dollar gained)
Reorganise backroom, supporting functions to locations with lower rentals/costs - a nicely fit 'factory outlet' is equally functional and efficient
Redesign the work place - not everyone needs a room or a cubicle
Allow Management Buy-Outs of 'stand alone, less efficient units' - re-employ them as part of your supplychain
Re-time and use more efficient Advertising & Promotions with longer shelflife - A&P captures consumers interests and participation in their leisure hours
Insists on least cost suppliers - least cost does not mean less efficient nor lower quality (ask for references)
Be prepared to lower pay of free loaders, non-thinking (not contributing but just being present) staffs - 'Yes man' are best partners for parties not work
Nobody is indispensable yet everybody must be a working piece of the locomotion
You Can't Fly Like An Eagle If You Are Working With Turkeys
How to cut costs, not morales.
Allow Unpaid timeoff - it pleases your staff and they perform equally well (motion expand to fill time given) without hurting your pocket
Allow Work from home tied to results (KPI) - this is freedom with responsibility
Voluntary 'layoffs' (if excess staffs) - why keep so many staffs when they cannot work productively but instead spent time speculating on 'Who' & 'When' will layoffs hit
Sell off or give away non-performing units - knowing your terrain and running it well is better than clinging on to hope that things will change for the better (a Dollar saved is a dollar gained)
Reorganise backroom, supporting functions to locations with lower rentals/costs - a nicely fit 'factory outlet' is equally functional and efficient
Redesign the work place - not everyone needs a room or a cubicle
Allow Management Buy-Outs of 'stand alone, less efficient units' - re-employ them as part of your supplychain
Re-time and use more efficient Advertising & Promotions with longer shelflife - A&P captures consumers interests and participation in their leisure hours
Insists on least cost suppliers - least cost does not mean less efficient nor lower quality (ask for references)
Be prepared to lower pay of free loaders, non-thinking (not contributing but just being present) staffs - 'Yes man' are best partners for parties not work
Nobody is indispensable yet everybody must be a working piece of the locomotion
You Can't Fly Like An Eagle If You Are Working With Turkeys
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Tao - 道
Breath well and be at Peace
When in turbulence, Relax
Smile in the face of the Unruly
When confuse, walk away to allow Diffusion
Don't set high expectations as Disappointments will be equally high
When in Doubts, Pray - GOD is all around us
Give yourself a chance as No one will
When there is day, there is night. There are Winners, there are Losers
Yin and Yang are unique and yet in unison
Go with the Flow
Nothing is beyond us, as Nothing will be too Insurmountable
It is not Failures that break a person, it is his refusal and inability to Overcome defeat
I am Who I am, I come and I go, I am only Passing
Keep thing Simple, Keep life Simple
Tomorrow will always come, but Today is the best
Seeing is believing as the Eyes see, believing is Seeing as the Soul feels
I live today & now; I live happily
My Soul is at ease and my Feeling is empty - void of distractions and negatives
In GOD I Trust
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Stockmarket - Recovery In Sight
Whats in store for the stockmarket and will Main Street be forgiven for the excesses of Wall Street?
Like most things, once you recognised, or is willing to recognise, the problems, solutions abound. But, turning around a huge vessel takes time. Afterall, the excesses of the market was seeded long ago and its implosion left few unscathe.
Its a global problem aka globalisation!
It takes political will and the willingness to allow adoption of comprehensive, albeit invasive, solutions to repair the damage on Wall Street and thereby lessen the impact, and suffering, on Main Street. There are no painless measures - some doses of communistic measures are needed to reclaim and rehabilitate the irresponsible laissez-faire practices.
a) If Central Banks can't be a Lender of last resort, nationalizing financial institutions that failed is, at best, necessary to restore confidence. It is imperative that the Western nations allow Soverign Funds or Global non-resident investors to, not only increase their stakes in financial institutions but, also welcome Board representations and ideas.
During the 97/98 Asian financial crisis, Western powerhouses and investors bought and controlled many Asian companies, why not the reverse be allowed? You can't have the cake and eat it all; "leave your money and leave my room" is a bad start.
b) In my last article, I mentioned that if one equation in the vicious cycle of cost push and demand pull inflation evaporates, commodities prices will fall due to declining demand. This has materialize and factors of production are/is less dear. Hopefully, with a slowing economy, the cost of living also falls with lower costs of production.
c) When the demand for funds eases, so will interest rates. With renewed and restored confidence, businesses will borrow for expansion to keep up with demand and banks will resume lending as some level of credit creation is needed to grease growth.
d) The catch is if Government simply prints money to satisfy liquidity demand, inflation will rears its ugly head. The world will be a worse place if runaway inflation is twinned with declining or negative growth. If confidence in money as a means of exchange dissipates, all bets are off; recovery becomes more remote.
e) With less rosy attraction in the big, costlier cities, more will return to their rural homeland and 'plough the field'. A change in trend will increase primary production, in particular cereals, rice and other consumables and ease the pressure on prices.
China is leading the way in allowing farmers to own land for up to 30 years for arable purposes. The farmers are allow to buy, sell or merge their land; with better technology, higher yielding grains and machineries, farmers can enjoy economies of scales. With this, Thomas Malthus can rest better.
f) The madness of deleveraging US$ loans and decoupling of Yen-carry trades is being unwind and straightening up fast in this uncertain times as fewer are 'trigger-happy' and reality sets in with many riding on this opportunity to rid their books of overdue positions. When the dusts settle, a more robust regime will surface to rein in on reckless practices.
g) The toxic loans and inflated values of assets will be trimmed and canned and should reflect current values which is affordable albeit minimal and acceptable gearing. The days of living on 'tomorrow's income' today will be a thing of the past.
h) USA and Europe taught Asia some lessons in 1997/98 but imploded under fairly similar but exponential factors. At its peak, Japan was mortgaging their Third Generation's forward earnings to buy properties; Japan is still licking her wound long after the bubble bust in 1990,
If there is no political will to allow foreigners and foreign funds to have a stake and participation in management, the recovery route will be even less certain.
The collapse of stockmarkets worldwide is a reflection of lost confidence in the global financial system. To make matter worse, the fall was sharp and fast and until the stockmarkets stabilize, there is little that can be done to save Main Street from tomorrow's trauma. Failures and closures of financial institutions and businesses, credit contraction and lost confidence translate into lost jobs, depressive moods and declining demand. While policymakers explore, adopt and invent new ways to tackle the crisis, the worst is yet to be.
The 1st - 3rd Qtr 2009 will see mainstream man-in-the-street coming to reckoning and sufferring from this financial fallout. Prices of goods and services will be more earthly bound. Borrowed time and resources will be reduced. Resources will have to be redeployed.
Recovery In Sight & Opportunities Abound
It is not all doom and gloom. There are still opportunities for level headed investments with higher returns as prices ease.
Capitalism is here to stay and the next millionaires or successful tycoon might be you!
Lookout for sectors that are 'bombed out' (banks, financial institutions, manufacturing) and those that cater to necessities (hospitals, drugs, food, commodities) and consumables. Care to tell me more?
Companies NEVER fail; its the management. Be thrifty, turbulence ahead.
Political will to rid overindulgence and excessive, negative, selfish behavior will help turn the vessel around! Hope to see you there when the LUCKY vessel turn around. Now that the causes are identified and recognised, the treatment begins.
Good luck & God bless
THIS IS NOT AN INVESTMENT ADVISE NOR ANY ATTEMPTS TO SWAY DECISIONS. IT SHOULD NOT, AND CANNOT, BE RELIED ON FOR MAKING ANY INVESTMENT DECISIONS. IF IN DOUBT, CONSULT YOUR OWN PROFESSIONALS FOR ADVICES; ITS FOR READING PLEASURE ONLY
pkweksh.blogspot.com
Like most things, once you recognised, or is willing to recognise, the problems, solutions abound. But, turning around a huge vessel takes time. Afterall, the excesses of the market was seeded long ago and its implosion left few unscathe.
Its a global problem aka globalisation!
It takes political will and the willingness to allow adoption of comprehensive, albeit invasive, solutions to repair the damage on Wall Street and thereby lessen the impact, and suffering, on Main Street. There are no painless measures - some doses of communistic measures are needed to reclaim and rehabilitate the irresponsible laissez-faire practices.
a) If Central Banks can't be a Lender of last resort, nationalizing financial institutions that failed is, at best, necessary to restore confidence. It is imperative that the Western nations allow Soverign Funds or Global non-resident investors to, not only increase their stakes in financial institutions but, also welcome Board representations and ideas.
During the 97/98 Asian financial crisis, Western powerhouses and investors bought and controlled many Asian companies, why not the reverse be allowed? You can't have the cake and eat it all; "leave your money and leave my room" is a bad start.
b) In my last article, I mentioned that if one equation in the vicious cycle of cost push and demand pull inflation evaporates, commodities prices will fall due to declining demand. This has materialize and factors of production are/is less dear. Hopefully, with a slowing economy, the cost of living also falls with lower costs of production.
c) When the demand for funds eases, so will interest rates. With renewed and restored confidence, businesses will borrow for expansion to keep up with demand and banks will resume lending as some level of credit creation is needed to grease growth.
d) The catch is if Government simply prints money to satisfy liquidity demand, inflation will rears its ugly head. The world will be a worse place if runaway inflation is twinned with declining or negative growth. If confidence in money as a means of exchange dissipates, all bets are off; recovery becomes more remote.
e) With less rosy attraction in the big, costlier cities, more will return to their rural homeland and 'plough the field'. A change in trend will increase primary production, in particular cereals, rice and other consumables and ease the pressure on prices.
China is leading the way in allowing farmers to own land for up to 30 years for arable purposes. The farmers are allow to buy, sell or merge their land; with better technology, higher yielding grains and machineries, farmers can enjoy economies of scales. With this, Thomas Malthus can rest better.
f) The madness of deleveraging US$ loans and decoupling of Yen-carry trades is being unwind and straightening up fast in this uncertain times as fewer are 'trigger-happy' and reality sets in with many riding on this opportunity to rid their books of overdue positions. When the dusts settle, a more robust regime will surface to rein in on reckless practices.
g) The toxic loans and inflated values of assets will be trimmed and canned and should reflect current values which is affordable albeit minimal and acceptable gearing. The days of living on 'tomorrow's income' today will be a thing of the past.
h) USA and Europe taught Asia some lessons in 1997/98 but imploded under fairly similar but exponential factors. At its peak, Japan was mortgaging their Third Generation's forward earnings to buy properties; Japan is still licking her wound long after the bubble bust in 1990,
If there is no political will to allow foreigners and foreign funds to have a stake and participation in management, the recovery route will be even less certain.
The collapse of stockmarkets worldwide is a reflection of lost confidence in the global financial system. To make matter worse, the fall was sharp and fast and until the stockmarkets stabilize, there is little that can be done to save Main Street from tomorrow's trauma. Failures and closures of financial institutions and businesses, credit contraction and lost confidence translate into lost jobs, depressive moods and declining demand. While policymakers explore, adopt and invent new ways to tackle the crisis, the worst is yet to be.
The 1st - 3rd Qtr 2009 will see mainstream man-in-the-street coming to reckoning and sufferring from this financial fallout. Prices of goods and services will be more earthly bound. Borrowed time and resources will be reduced. Resources will have to be redeployed.
Recovery In Sight & Opportunities Abound
It is not all doom and gloom. There are still opportunities for level headed investments with higher returns as prices ease.
Capitalism is here to stay and the next millionaires or successful tycoon might be you!
Lookout for sectors that are 'bombed out' (banks, financial institutions, manufacturing) and those that cater to necessities (hospitals, drugs, food, commodities) and consumables. Care to tell me more?
Companies NEVER fail; its the management. Be thrifty, turbulence ahead.
Political will to rid overindulgence and excessive, negative, selfish behavior will help turn the vessel around! Hope to see you there when the LUCKY vessel turn around. Now that the causes are identified and recognised, the treatment begins.
Good luck & God bless
THIS IS NOT AN INVESTMENT ADVISE NOR ANY ATTEMPTS TO SWAY DECISIONS. IT SHOULD NOT, AND CANNOT, BE RELIED ON FOR MAKING ANY INVESTMENT DECISIONS. IF IN DOUBT, CONSULT YOUR OWN PROFESSIONALS FOR ADVICES; ITS FOR READING PLEASURE ONLY
pkweksh.blogspot.com
Friday, October 3, 2008
Crisis Management - Positive Thinking
Have the financial armaggedon make life more equal or happier? It depends!
If you are poor, more will be joining you; rejoice, soon you will have more friends who loss their jobs and homes and some will be worse than you - you found friends
If you find climbing up the social ladder tiring because of too many steps; rejoice, alot have fallen from the top and the top tier had been reduced - less steps to climb
If you are living from hand to mouth; rejoice, there are many who will be your equals, if not worse off - why compare?
If you have no credit cards or creditlines; rejoice, many had outspent themselves and is now worse than you - they may have to look up to you
If you have no money, then why worry? You have been able to live ably and happily for so many years without a fuss; many will have to learn something from you - teach them something and earn your keeps
If you have been receiving empty promises from your boss, do not despair; it was never meant to be delivered. Like you, he was also living in a dream
If you are living in the dumps for years, now is the time to rent your squatters to those whose equities and monies were kept in the likes of Lehmans, WaMu, NorthernRock evaporate - you are a newborn landlord
If you have just lost your girl/boy friend, count yourself lucky; it is going to be cheaper when you next set up your home/family
For years you have lived your life in current stature. Soon, many will have to learn how to live their lives in the more earthly manner like you
For many years you wonder how the CEOs make their millions and living luxuriously, soon the unscrupulous will live in cells and anonymity
In a crisis, there are opportunities. That the obstacles had been brought lower in a downturn, grab your chance - no one owes you a living
The earlier that you accept that the world is unequal, the happier you will be and accept challenges like sunrise and sunset - if you win, you get to keep the fortune, if you loss you gain experiences
Happiness is when you are contented. Happiness is when you are able to share - its all in your hands
Be contented, be happy; you are blessed - Count Your Blessings
If you are poor, more will be joining you; rejoice, soon you will have more friends who loss their jobs and homes and some will be worse than you - you found friends
If you find climbing up the social ladder tiring because of too many steps; rejoice, alot have fallen from the top and the top tier had been reduced - less steps to climb
If you are living from hand to mouth; rejoice, there are many who will be your equals, if not worse off - why compare?
If you have no credit cards or creditlines; rejoice, many had outspent themselves and is now worse than you - they may have to look up to you
If you have no money, then why worry? You have been able to live ably and happily for so many years without a fuss; many will have to learn something from you - teach them something and earn your keeps
If you have been receiving empty promises from your boss, do not despair; it was never meant to be delivered. Like you, he was also living in a dream
If you are living in the dumps for years, now is the time to rent your squatters to those whose equities and monies were kept in the likes of Lehmans, WaMu, NorthernRock evaporate - you are a newborn landlord
If you have just lost your girl/boy friend, count yourself lucky; it is going to be cheaper when you next set up your home/family
For years you have lived your life in current stature. Soon, many will have to learn how to live their lives in the more earthly manner like you
For many years you wonder how the CEOs make their millions and living luxuriously, soon the unscrupulous will live in cells and anonymity
In a crisis, there are opportunities. That the obstacles had been brought lower in a downturn, grab your chance - no one owes you a living
The earlier that you accept that the world is unequal, the happier you will be and accept challenges like sunrise and sunset - if you win, you get to keep the fortune, if you loss you gain experiences
Happiness is when you are contented. Happiness is when you are able to share - its all in your hands
Be contented, be happy; you are blessed - Count Your Blessings
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Crisis & Opportunities
The demise of Bear Sterns, Lehman Brothers, Northern Rock, Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae and a string of others are the results of excesses of Capitalism.
There is no one best system; be it capitalist or communist. In every society, there is a need for checks and balances. What happens now is a result of lack of political will to rein in excessive economic expansion; besides institutions like AIG lives her life beyond that of an insurer and provided services not unlike a bank!
The other problem is with the grader. S&P grades the issuers of bonds and institutions; who police S&P to ensure that impartial, true and fair views are expressed consistently. Or that the grading is made on sound postulations.
Also, writers and originators of CDOs, derivatives and secondary issues have moved beyond the reaches of the arms of Laws. Laws and Regulations are often by-products of actions. Many instruments were packaged together and traded, first between institutions, then marketed to unwary players without an iota of wisdom or consideration of consequential failures.
In simple term, growth was powered by borrowings and greased by imaginative instruments; caution was thrown to the wind and profit was the primary motivator.
The need to perform, the accolades given to successes and the rewards were simply too good to factor in the fallouts of consequential failures. Most, if not all, decisions were commercially driven.
Afterall, most corporate honchos and CEOs are professional managers and their term of office has a limited shelf-life.
Was this current financial armaggedon preventable? The answer is yes.
Will it be repeated? Unfortunately, the answer is yes too and in greater intensity. History repeats itself because few will learn.
In the meanwhile, be patient and live honestly and humbly. Like the Law of nature, growth and declines are part of a natural force.
In a crisis, there are also opportunities; Be prepared and be there when opportunities surface.
Good luck
There is no one best system; be it capitalist or communist. In every society, there is a need for checks and balances. What happens now is a result of lack of political will to rein in excessive economic expansion; besides institutions like AIG lives her life beyond that of an insurer and provided services not unlike a bank!
The other problem is with the grader. S&P grades the issuers of bonds and institutions; who police S&P to ensure that impartial, true and fair views are expressed consistently. Or that the grading is made on sound postulations.
Also, writers and originators of CDOs, derivatives and secondary issues have moved beyond the reaches of the arms of Laws. Laws and Regulations are often by-products of actions. Many instruments were packaged together and traded, first between institutions, then marketed to unwary players without an iota of wisdom or consideration of consequential failures.
In simple term, growth was powered by borrowings and greased by imaginative instruments; caution was thrown to the wind and profit was the primary motivator.
The need to perform, the accolades given to successes and the rewards were simply too good to factor in the fallouts of consequential failures. Most, if not all, decisions were commercially driven.
Afterall, most corporate honchos and CEOs are professional managers and their term of office has a limited shelf-life.
Was this current financial armaggedon preventable? The answer is yes.
Will it be repeated? Unfortunately, the answer is yes too and in greater intensity. History repeats itself because few will learn.
In the meanwhile, be patient and live honestly and humbly. Like the Law of nature, growth and declines are part of a natural force.
In a crisis, there are also opportunities; Be prepared and be there when opportunities surface.
Good luck
Friday, August 22, 2008
Brutal Truth
Winners get all the attention and losers bite the dusts
When luck is with you, anything and everything you do is a breeze and success begets successes
When you tell the truth and the truth hurts, you becomes the 'courier of bad news' and is deemed a spoiltsport; and will be cast away like a dodo
Many people like to hear 'sweet nothings' and live the life of 'emperor without clothes'
Unless you are seen as useful or can be make used of, society generally keeps away from you
When you are winning and riding high, cruise the course
When you lose, stay low, manage your expectation and bite your time; don't expect pity.
It takes alot of courage to fight or flee; live to fight another day
Suicides end all but being alive means you have another chance, albeit temporary misery
Every man has a weakness and every woman - madness
When you are down, need not ask the 'Whys' and 'How unfair'; the earlier that you know and accept that life will never be fair, the happier you will be
Living in misery is a choice as living happily is another choice; why live in misery when you can just ignore the pains, the hurt and the setbacks; the truth is always brutal
Tomorrow will come but make the best use of TODAY
When luck is with you, anything and everything you do is a breeze and success begets successes
When you tell the truth and the truth hurts, you becomes the 'courier of bad news' and is deemed a spoiltsport; and will be cast away like a dodo
Many people like to hear 'sweet nothings' and live the life of 'emperor without clothes'
Unless you are seen as useful or can be make used of, society generally keeps away from you
When you are winning and riding high, cruise the course
When you lose, stay low, manage your expectation and bite your time; don't expect pity.
It takes alot of courage to fight or flee; live to fight another day
Suicides end all but being alive means you have another chance, albeit temporary misery
Every man has a weakness and every woman - madness
When you are down, need not ask the 'Whys' and 'How unfair'; the earlier that you know and accept that life will never be fair, the happier you will be
Living in misery is a choice as living happily is another choice; why live in misery when you can just ignore the pains, the hurt and the setbacks; the truth is always brutal
Tomorrow will come but make the best use of TODAY
Friday, August 8, 2008
I have a dream
I have a dream
But I want to live reality to the fullest
I want to be happy; today and anyday
To inspire one and all to live life to the fullest - with hope and inspirations
Complaints, disagreements, discords, being bullied and belittled ... so?
Be real! From dust to dust; we came naked and will return 'naked' ... the only wisdom is to be the best, live the best [within our means] and give a helping to all to our fellowmen
Today is ... my dream come true.
Tomorrow is ... never promised.
I live my dream
But I want to live reality to the fullest
I want to be happy; today and anyday
To inspire one and all to live life to the fullest - with hope and inspirations
Complaints, disagreements, discords, being bullied and belittled ... so?
Be real! From dust to dust; we came naked and will return 'naked' ... the only wisdom is to be the best, live the best [within our means] and give a helping to all to our fellowmen
Today is ... my dream come true.
Tomorrow is ... never promised.
I live my dream
Choices - More often than not it is NO choice
We all have a choice; to live happily or to live a life of misery
But, it takes more than guts to brave the betrayals, setbacks, obstacles ... life challenges
More often than not, to flow with life's demand is itself a great challenge but, alas, let us not despair... the journey is forever fraught with unknown and uncertainties.
Whether you live happily or miserably, you need to pass today to reach tomorrow... only to realize that tomorrow never comes!
Why be miserable now? Why not live the best and bask in the glory of today... the choice is obvious but few really have a choice.
The challenges are tough and rough, never insurmountable; GOD, give me strength, show me the way as I live now and tomorrow will arrive soon...........
I want to live the best today; and EVERYDAY - knowing very well that I have a choice.
But, it takes more than guts to brave the betrayals, setbacks, obstacles ... life challenges
More often than not, to flow with life's demand is itself a great challenge but, alas, let us not despair... the journey is forever fraught with unknown and uncertainties.
Whether you live happily or miserably, you need to pass today to reach tomorrow... only to realize that tomorrow never comes!
Why be miserable now? Why not live the best and bask in the glory of today... the choice is obvious but few really have a choice.
The challenges are tough and rough, never insurmountable; GOD, give me strength, show me the way as I live now and tomorrow will arrive soon...........
I want to live the best today; and EVERYDAY - knowing very well that I have a choice.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
This Time It's Different - Wealth Preservation
strip off emotions & everything is the same... This time it's different. Sure, every time "it is different", not just this...
