🎉CBA Trader Interview: From Curiosity to Mastery- James’s 15-Year Journey in Uncovering Singapore

Introduction

In a world dominated by Wall Street hype and fleeting market trends, I carved out a niche by focusing on what others overlook: the hidden potential of small- and mid-cap stocks right here in Singapore. With over 15 years of experience, I have transformed my curiosity into a disciplined, value-driven approach, delivering triple-digit returns on picks like  $Sim Leisure(URR.SI)$ , while helping investors every day through my platform, InvestKaki.com.

In this exclusive interview, I hope to share my journey, winning strategies, and outlook for Singapore’s market in 2025.

The Early Days: From University Curiosity to Market Mastery

Like many investors, my journey began with a simple question: How does money grow?

It all started with zero capital but endless curiosity. I devoured books, learned to read financial statements, and slowly built my system—combining fundamentals, business model analysis, and patience.

Unlike finance professionals, I took a hands-on, self-taught approach. His edge? A willingness to dig deeper into Singapore’s under-researched small-cap stocks, where mispricing and opportunity often go hand in hand.

Investment Philosophy: The Art of Finding Undervalued Gems

My strategy is straightforward:

1. Focus on fundamentals – Look for companies with strong cash flows, low debt, and competent management.

2. Seek mispricing – Target stocks overlooked by analysts but with clear growth catalysts (e.g., Sim Leisure’s acquisition of Kidzania Singapore).

3. Hold for the long term – Let compounding work its magic instead of chasing short-term gains.

"I’m not a trader. I’m an investor. My best returns came from sitting tight on quality businesses until the market recognized their value."

Why I Invested In Sim Leisure- Delivering 100%+ Returns

One of my standout investments was  $Sim Leisure(URR.SI)$ , a small-cap theme park operator.

• Entry Point: S$0.30

• Catalyst: Acquisition of Kidzania Singapore at a discount, signaling growth potential.

• Current: Held as the stock surged to S$1.00 (now ~S$0.62), locking in triple-digit gains.

"The key wasn’t just spotting the stock—it was understanding why the market was wrong about it."

Why Singapore Stocks? The Untapped Advantage

While global investors flock to US tech giants, I believe Singapore’s small- and mid-cap space offers unique opportunities:

• Less coverage → More mispriced stocks.

• Strong governance → Lower risk of fraud.

• Dividend culture → Reliable income from REITs and cash-flow-positive businesses.

My top sectors for beginners:
✅ REITs (stable, income-generating)
✅ Logistics & Infrastructure (resilient to economic cycles)
✅ Essential Consumer Goods (defensive plays)

2025 Outlook: Defensive & Disciplined

With geopolitical tensions and potential market volatility ahead, my strategy for 2025 is to remain cautious:

• Park cash in stable income generators (REITs, dividend stocks).

• Watch interest-rate-sensitive sectors (if rates fall, REITs could rebound).

• Expand financial education through InvestKaki.com to help more Singaporeans invest wisely.

3 Tips for Beginners (Avoid These Mistakes!)

1. Don’t chase high yields blindly – A 10% dividend means nothing if the business is crumbling.

2. Diversify – Spread your bets across sectors and market caps.

3. Use tools like TigerGPT – Speed up research with AI-powered screening.

Investing Is a Marathon, Not a Sprint

I hope my story proves that you don’t need a finance degree or Wall Street connections to succeed—just patience, a solid framework, and the discipline to ignore market noise.

"The biggest edge I have as an individual investor? You can move fast, focus on niches, and wait. Hedge funds can’t do that."