My Investing Journey

Title  Q2 2025 Dividend Review: How Singapore Bank Stocks and Trump’s Tariffs Are Shaping My Portfolio Description  Q2 2025 saw strong dividend returns from Singapore banks like DBS and UOB. Learn how Trump’s delayed tariffs may impact markets and how I’m adjusting my investment strategy. Q2 2025 Reflections: A Strong Quarter for Dividend Income As the second quarter of 2025 ends, I’m pleased to report that my dividend income has seen a significant boost compared to Q1. The standout contributors? Singapore bank stocks — DBS , OCBC , and UOB —which formed the bulk of my passive income this quarter. Trump’s Tariffs: Delayed, But Still a Threat In April 2025, President Trump announced a new wave of high tariffs on multiple countries, sending shockwaves through global markets. Although these tariffs were later delayed by three months to allow room for negotiation, deals have only been struck with a few nations—most notably the UK and Vietnam . This means there’s still a rea...

  Q1 2025 Reflections and the Impact of Trump Tariffs As Q1 2025 comes to a close, I’d like to take this opportunity to sum up my investment results and share some thoughts on recent market developments. For the first quarter, my total dividends amounted to SGD 12,000. While this figure is somewhat disappointing, I believe it is reasonable considering that most of my portfolio’s dividends are expected in Q2. I remain optimistic that the upcoming quarter, especially with the boost from my bank stocks—particularly DBS—will deliver stronger returns. In April, President Trump implemented new high tariffs on multiple countries, sending ripples across the global stock markets. The Singapore Exchange (SGX) was no exception. My portfolio, being heavily invested in SGX-listed stocks, has been significantly affected, with valuations turning sharply negative. In response, I made the decision to sell several of my REIT holdings, which had already been under pressure due to prolonged hi...

Quick Update on Q4 2024 Results -  Are the Banks Still a Good Investment at All-Time High Prices? Quote: "There is only one thing you should not waste in life, and that's life itself" As 2024 comes to a close, I had a peaceful and enjoyable holiday season. For Q4 2024, my dividend income totalled around SGD 18,000, which was a bit disappointing, as it was significantly lower than the SGD 25,000 I received in Q3. Upon reviewing the figures, this drop is expected, as some of my largest investments are in banks like UOB and OCBC, which only pay dividends semi-annually—in Q2 and Q3. This timing somewhat skews the regularity of my quarterly dividend payments. Ideally, I would prefer a more consistent, quarterly dividend stream to help me manage my funds better when I retire. However, I realize that not all companies offer dividends on a quarterly basis. Major Contributors to My Q4 2024 Dividends: DBS AIMS REIT Mapletree Logistics Frasers Logistics It’s worth...

As we wrap up the third quarter of 2024, I want to share my investment results and outline my strategy for the upcoming fourth quarter. For Q3, I achieved a dividend income of about SGD 25,000. While this is a promising figure, it’s still a work in progress as I strive to meet my evolving goals. These goals shift as I adapt to inflation and aim to maintain a solid safety margin for a comfortable lifestyle. The primary contributors to my dividend income this quarter were stocks like DBS, UOB, OCBC, AIMS, and Mapletree Logistics. Moving forward, I’ve been preparing for my next dividend cycle, which will culminate in December 2024. Notably, UOB and OCBC distribute dividends semi-annually, meaning they won’t contribute to my Q4 income. To counter this, I’m considering investing in stocks that can bolster my Q4 dividends. I’ve also taken steps to prune my portfolio, divesting from underperforming stocks that have lagged over the past three years. The stocks I’ve significantly reduced ...

  What's My Next Move: DBS, AIMS, or Parkway? As we reach the mid-year mark of 2024, I've been steadily investing in stocks while keeping ample cash reserves for potential market downturns—a promising opportunity to expand my portfolio. However, I find myself contemplating the next steps in my journey towards securing a comfortable passive income. Considering Investment Options: Should I increase my holdings in DBS, a stock I've previously endorsed in my articles? Alternatively, perhaps I should explore other potentially advantageous moves. Some Singaporean bloggers advocate placing funds in T-Bills yielding 3.7% to 4%, anticipating market corrections. They opine that it's not a matter of "if" but "when" such corrections will occur.   My Approach: Personally, I favor investing in stocks like Parkway REITs, which offer stable dividends at a 4.2% return. This approach not only provides a steady income akin to T-Bills or fixed deposits but...

May 2024 update on my Investing Journey  It's time for a May 2024 update on my investment journey. In my previous blog post, I talked about my interest in adding DBS stock to my portfolio. However, it seems that finding the right price to enter the market has been a bit of a challenge. With DBS trading around $35.50, which is close to its all-time high, I've been hesitant to make a move. As of May 31st, the stock closed at $35.89.   Despite not adding DBS to my portfolio just yet, I've made some other strategic investments this month. Here's what I've added: AIMS REITS : Purchased at approximately $1.26 - $1.27 per share. Mapletree Logistics REITS : Acquired at around $1.31 – $1.40 per share. While keeping an eye on DBS for a potential entry point, I'm encouraged by its current dividend forecast. Even at its all-time high, DBS is projected to offer an annual dividend yield of approximately 6.1%. This makes it an appealing option for those seeking consist...