The 90-day tariff pause between the U.S. and China, announced on May 12, 2025, significantly reduced tariffs—U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports dropped from 145% to 30%, and Chinese tariffs on U.S. goods fell from 125% to 10%. This temporary truce has notable effects on China’s economy and the global economy, though uncertainty persists. Effects on China’s Economy Relief for Export-Oriented Industries: The tariff reduction to 30% eases pressure on Chinese exporters, particularly in manufacturing, electronics, and textiles, previously facing near-embargo-level duties. Factories can resume shipments, with businesses frontloading orders to leverage lower tariffs. However, the 30% tariff, plus existing duties (e.g., 97.5% on some footwear), remains costly, forcing companies to raise prices or abs

With $10 million SGD in your pocket, here’s a light-hearted take on how you’d navigate life as a newly minted multi-millionaire in the Little Red Dot. Step 1: The Sensible Singaporean Move You’re a pragmatic Singaporean at heart, so you’d start by securing the bag. First, you’d brace for taxes—good news, Singapore doesn’t tax lottery winnings, so that $10 million is all yours! You’d probably park $3 million in safe investments: some fixed deposits for that sweet interest, a few blue-chip stocks on the SGX, and maybe a bit in a REIT for passive income (HDB shophouses, anyone?). You’d clear any debts—say goodbye to that car loan or credit card bill. Maybe $1 million goes into a CPF top-up for you and your parents, because that retirement game is strong here. After all this, you’re left with

Warren Buffett’s announcement to step down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway at the end of 2025, with Greg Abel as his successor, has sparked a sharp market reaction, with Berkshire’s stock dropping as much as 7% on Monday, May 5, 2025. This dip, coupled with Buffett’s legendary status, raises the question of whether it’s time to buy or sell Berkshire Hathaway shares Reasons to Buy the Dip Buffett’s Continued Involvement: Buffett will remain Chairman of the Board, suggesting he’ll still influence major capital allocation decisions. His pledge to retain all his shares—“I have no intention – zero – of selling one share of Berkshire Hathaway”—signals confidence in the company’s future under Abel’s leadership. Strong Fundamentals: Berkshire Hathaway is a diversified conglomerate with over 60 busine

MicroStrategy’s strategy of increasing its Bitcoin holdings, now at 553,555 BTC as of April 28, 2025, valued at approximately $33.14 billion, has been both polarizing and transformative. Under Michael Saylor’s leadership, the company has pivoted from a traditional business intelligence firm to a Bitcoin-centric treasury operation, leveraging debt and equity to amass over 2.5% of Bitcoin’s total supply. This move has propelled its stock price, with a 500% surge in 2024 and a 92% increase over the past year, outperforming even Bitcoin itself. But is this strategy a masterstroke or a high-stakes gamble? And should MicroStrategy diversify into other cryptocurrencies like Ether? Let’s break it down. Is MicroStrategy’s Bitcoin Strategy Risky or Brilliant? The Case for Brilliance Capitalizing on

Deciding whether to enter the stock market now or wait for more clarity on economic data and tariff talks involves weighing current market conditions, economic indicators, and the risks tied to ongoing uncertainties. Here’s a breakdown to help you make an informed decision: Current Market Context Volatility from Tariff Talks: Recent reports highlight significant market swings driven by U.S. tariff policies, particularly under the Trump administration. For instance, the S&P 500 experienced a 9.5% single-day gain after a 90-day tariff pause was announced on April 9, 2025, but subsequent sell-offs erased some gains, with the S&P 500 dropping 3.46% the next day. Tariffs on China, now at 145%, and retaliatory measures (China’s tariffs at 125%) continue to fuel uncertainty, impacting glo

Value investing isn't a "golden rule" for investing, but it's a time-tested strategy that prioritizes buying undervalued assets with strong fundamentals, expecting their market price to eventually reflect their intrinsic value. It contrasts with growth investing, which focuses on companies with high potential for future earnings growth, often at premium valuations. Neither is inherently superior; their effectiveness depends on market conditions, investor goals, and time horizons. Historical Context and Performance Value Investing (pioneered by Benjamin Graham and popularized by Warren Buffett): Emphasizes buying stocks trading below their intrinsic value, often measured by metrics like low price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-book (P/B), or high dividend yields. Thrives in periods of market i

The recent tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, particularly on Chinese imports (145% cumulative tariff, including a 20% base and additional levies), pose a significant challenge to Apple’s earnings due to its heavy reliance on China for manufacturing (85-90% of iPhone assembly). Other countries like India (26% tariff), Vietnam (46%), and Taiwan (32%)—where Apple has diversified its supply chain—are also affected, complicating cost mitigation efforts. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how these tariffs could impact Apple’s earnings: Increased Production Costs: Tariffs significantly raise the cost of goods imported from China. For example, the iPhone 16 Pro, with an estimated production cost of $568, could see its landed cost rise by over $300 under a 54% tariff (a lower estimate befor

For the S&P 500, determining whether a double bottom is forming or if the market has already hit a genuine bottom requires analyzing recent price action, market context, and technical indicators. Below, I’ll assess the likelihood based on available data, sentiment, and technical analysis, while addressing whether now is a good time to enter the market. Double Bottom Likelihood: A double bottom may have started around 5,850 in March 2025, but it lacks confirmation (no second low or neckline breakout). The current price (5,396.63) suggests the market is still seeking a bottom, with risks of further declines if support fails. Genuine Bottom: Not yet confirmed. Macro risks and weak technical signals outweigh bullish indicators, though historical resilience suggests a bottom may be near. Ti

Effects on the U.S. Economy Boosts Exports: A weaker USD makes U.S. goods and services cheaper for foreign buyers, increasing demand for U.S. exports. This can stimulate growth in export-driven industries like manufacturing, agriculture, and technology. Increases Import Costs: Imports become more expensive, raising the cost of foreign goods and services. This can contribute to inflation, particularly for consumer goods, energy, and raw materials. Inflation Pressure: Higher import prices and increased domestic demand (from export growth) can drive inflation, prompting the Federal Reserve to consider tightening monetary policy (e.g., raising interest rates). Currency Translation Gains: For U.S. multinationals (e.g., Apple, Microsoft, Coca-Cola) with significant revenue from overseas markets,

Here are some impacts of a strong SGD on locals and businesses. Impact on Locals Increased Purchasing Power for Imports and Travel: A stronger SGD makes imported goods and services cheaper in SGD terms. This benefits locals by reducing the cost of foreign products, such as electronics, food, and luxury items, which are significant in Singapore’s import-heavy economy (imports and exports combined were 311% of GDP in 2023). For Singaporeans traveling abroad, a high SGD means better exchange rates, allowing them to spend more in countries like Japan, South Korea, or Malaysia. For example, in 2022, S$1 was exchangeable for 945 KRW or 96 JPY, making travel more affordable. Example: Luxury travel agents reported increased bookings as Singaporeans took advantage of favorable exchange rates. Stabl

Regarding the question about the stock market, it’s not a clear-cut “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity, nor is it a time for reckless moves. The market in April 2025 is volatile—down significantly due to trade war fears, tariffs, and economic uncertainty. The S&P 500 has dropped about 4.8% year-to-date, and the Nasdaq’s taken a bigger hit, down over 10%. This kind of pullback can create opportunities, but it’s not a screaming buy signal without careful thought. Markets could dip further if tariffs escalate or sentiment worsens, so caution is wise. That said, downturns often expose undervalued gems for long-term investors. If you’re looking to invest, focus on fundamentally strong companies that can weather economic storms and benefit from big trends like AI or stable sectors like utiliti

The tariff exemptions for smartphones, computers, and chips, announced on April 12, 2025, are a significant relief for Apple and Nvidia, as they avoid the 125% China tariff and 10% global baseline tariff on key products. This covers roughly $390 billion in U.S. imports, including $101 billion from China, based on 2024 trade data. For Apple, which relies heavily on Chinese manufacturing, the exemption prevents potential price hikes (e.g., iPhones projected at $2,300) that could have hurt sales and margins. Nvidia benefits as its AI chips and related components, mostly made in Taiwan , dodge costly levies, supporting its data center and AI infrastructure growth. 2030 with stable tariffs and diversification, implying 10% annualized returns. Nvidia’s growth, tied to AI dominance, could push sh

Big US banks’ earnings can provide some insight into the likelihood of a recession, as they reflect broader economic trends. Banks are sensitive to changes in consumer spending, loan demand, and credit quality, which often signal economic health. For instance, increases in loan loss provisions, declining loan growth, or weaker consumer confidence reflected in earnings reports could suggest banks are bracing for tougher times. Commentary from bank executives during earnings calls might also highlight concerns about tariffs, inflation, or slowing growth, offering a window into their expectations for the economy. That said, bank earnings aren’t a crystal ball. They’re a lagging indicator, meaning they reflect what’s already happened rather than predict the future with certainty. Economic unce

How Long Could It Last? Short-Term Escalation (Months): Right now, both sides are digging in. The U.S., under President Trump, has framed these tariffs as "reciprocal" to address trade imbalances, while China has vowed to "fight to the end" and won’t "sit idly by." This tit-for-tat pattern suggests the trade war could intensify for at least a few months unless one side blinks. Historically, Trump’s first trade war with China in 2018-2019 took about two years to reach a partial deal (Phase One in January 2020), but this round seems more aggressive with higher stakes. Mid-Term Stalemate (1-2 Years): If neither the U.S. nor China backs down, we might see a prolonged standoff. China’s economy is better prepared than in 2018, having diversified trade with other countries, and the U.S. is pushin

The optimal allocation to gold in an investment portfolio depends on an investor’s goals, risk tolerance, and market outlook. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but here are some general guidelines based on common investment strategies: Diversification and Risk Management: Many financial advisors suggest allocating 5-10% of a portfolio to gold as a hedge against inflation, currency depreciation, and geopolitical uncertainty. This range is often cited because it provides exposure to gold’s benefits without over-concentrating assets in a non-yielding investment. Conservative Investors: Those with a lower risk tolerance might lean toward the higher end (around 10%) to protect against economic downturns or market volatility, as gold tends to perform well when stocks falter. Aggressive Invest

Whether this is a "good time to bottom fish"—that is, to buy these stocks at their perceived lows with the expectation of a rebound—depends on several factors, and there’s no definitive answer without considering your investment goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon. Here’s a breakdown to help you think it through: Reasons It Might Be a Good Time: Valuations Are More Attractive: The sell-off has compressed price-to-earnings (P/E) ratios across the group. For example, Alphabet is trading at a P/E of around 20.5, the lowest among the seven, while others like Meta and Microsoft are also below their historical highs. This could signal a discount compared to their peak valuations earlier in 2025. Historical Resilience: These companies have strong fundamentals—robust cash flows, dominant marke

U.S. Stock Market Current State: U.S. stocks are under significant pressure as of April 7, 2025. The backdrop is a global market rout triggered by escalating trade tensions, particularly following the Trump administration’s imposition of a 25% tariff on imported vehicles (effective April 3) and a broader 10% baseline tariff on all imports starting April 5. China’s retaliatory 34% tariff on U.S. goods, set to begin April 10, has further fueled the fire. Key Indices: Dow Jones Industrial Average: Reports indicate a massive sell-off, with the Dow dropping over 2,200 points on April 4 alone—its third-largest single-day point decline ever. Futures suggest another rough day on April 7, with Dow futures down 1,250 points (3.3%) pre-market, signaling continued declines. S&P 500: The index clos

How Companies Can Adapt to Ongoing Trade Tariffs Shift Supply Chains Domestically or to Non-Tariffed Regions Companies heavily reliant on imports subject to tariffs (e.g., from China, Canada, or Mexico) can reduce costs by sourcing materials or manufacturing domestically This requires upfront investment but can enhance long-term resilience. Pass Costs to Consumers or Absorb Margins Firms may raise prices to offset tariff costs, though this depends on pricing power and consumer demand elasticity. Companies with strong brands or essential goods (e.g., consumer staples) are better positioned to pass costs along. Alternatively, those with robust margins might absorb costs temporarily to maintain market share, especially in competitive sectors like retail or tech. Diversify Revenue Streams Comp

Gold: Trend Analysis Gold’s price is currently at $3,103.37 per troy ounce, with a recent peak of $3,167.62 just yesterday. This climb reflects its classic role as a safe-haven asset amid uncertainty. Looking back, gold’s long-term trend shows steady growth with periodic spikes during crises—think 2008’s financial meltdown or 2020’s pandemic chaos. Since 2015, it’s up about 84%, a slow but persistent grind higher, driven by inflation fears, a weakening U.S. dollar, and central bank buying. Right now, gold’s strength ties to a few key drivers: Inflation and Currency Weakness: With money supply creeping up and the dollar under pressure, gold’s appeal as a store of value is solid. Geopolitical Tensions: Ongoing global uncertainties—like tariffs or regional conflicts—keep investors hedging wit

As of today, April 3, 2025, stock markets have taken a hit—reports indicate the S&P 500 dropped 3.3%, the Dow fell over 1,200 points, and the Nasdaq slid 4.3% in early trading following Trump’s announcement of sweeping tariffs, including a 10% baseline on all imports and higher rates on countries like China (54%), the EU (20%), and others. Retaliatory moves from Canada, Mexico, and China have only fueled the volatility. Deciding whether to "buy the dip" or wait depends on your risk tolerance and time horizon. Here’s the breakdown: Buy the Dip Rationale: Historically, sharp single-day declines—like the S&P 500’s 2.7% drop on March 10 or the broader sell-off now—have often been buying opportunities for long-term investors. Markets tend to overreact to policy shocks like tariffs, and