Thursday, July 31, 2008

Exessive exposure?

In portfolio management, it is important to spread the investments and avoid having large stakes in certain investment. This is called concentration risk.

A stake of more than 5% is considered high. A better level should be not more than 3%.

I am somewhat surprised to read a report in Bloomberg about the following investments:

> GIC invested $18 billion in UBS and Citibank, representing 6% of its portfolio of $300 billion
> Temasek invested $5 billion in Merill Lynch, represented 5% of its portfolio of $100 billion.

Perhaps the total portfolio managed by GIC and Temasek is more than the amounts indicated. If not, the above investments would be considered as excessive.

Joke: Temperamental

Tom: Ther's one word that describes my wife: temperamental.

John: In what way?

Tom: She's fifty percent temper, and fifty percent mental.

Buy ID7 from Business Center

Dear Mr Tan,
I am a recent graduate and have been in the job market for about a year now. I would like to thank you for your advise with regards to insurance and fianncial planning which have been very insightful. I have had many friends over the past year who have tried to sell me ILPs from the various insurance agencies. Your blog has truly been a good guide in making the right decisions.

I am interested in the flexilink plan and ID7 plan from NTUC. Could you please refer me to NTUC Income agents who are still willing to offer these plans? I had written directly to the NTUC business centre with regards to my interest in ID7, but I had not received any reply from them.

Your advise is much appreciated.

REPLY
I suggest that you visit the business center and talk to a salaried consultant. You should insist on ID7. Do not allow them to sell you another product.

Investing in the stock market

Hi Mr. Tan,
I have limited savings every month ($100 to $200) but I want to invest in the stock market. Is it advisable to invest thru poems share builders plan ? Details at http://www.poems.com.sg/FinancialServices/sbpintrod.asp?value=sbp

REPLY
You can invest through POEMS.
It is better to invest in a well diversified fund, i.e. the STI ETF.
Read these FAQs:
http://www.tankinlian.com/faq/savings.html
http://www.tankinlian.com/faq/investown.html