Dear Rafa Benitez,
I know that I am not the best Liverpool fan. But, please believe me that this is the first time that I openly vent my frustrations to my beloved team. I know that you're good at handling fan's criticism, but if you have the time, please read this.
Today, the team was away vs Portsmouth and we lost. I don't understand 2 things that I observed from the game; that
1) The team is playing like a "bunch of lawyers"; always do their best at arguing with the referee. You must have taught them English really well, then.
2) Although I saw the players' effort but I can't feel their determination. What are they really up to?
Frankly, I feel like having a heart attack when seeing the team that I love fail to show the "winning qualities", losing the art of making a comeback, moaning and arguing needlessly (with the referees), excellent individual but inconsistent team players.
Now onwards (until the season ends), I just hope that you will field someone that really wants to play due to their love to the team and their passion on winning. But please adjust your tactics and game approaches based on the competency of the sets of players. It is more enjoying to see the future Liverpudlians (or the "true" Liverpudlians) giving their best to grow and to fight for the team rather than seeing the "First Team" playing like the never meet each other.
Thank you.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Friday, May 8, 2009
What did I do since October 2008?
Salams to All..
It has been almost 6 months since my last post and frankly, I really missed the opportunity to share my ideas (or I love to call it as my honest opinion) with all of you.
The above headline is meant to bring all of us to recapitulate and reflect on what have we spent on during the last 6 months. Please, just ask yourselves and of course there is no right or wrong answer. Being honest to yourself is the utmost important.
Doing the right thing is a must, but it is important to do the right thing at the right time. Thats what the bosses always do...questioning our priorities and our prioritizing skills.
Lots of subjectivity in interpreting what are the right things to do and when was the approppriate time to do that; and that depends on what is your life goals..life priorities, the stage that you're at that moment and also the variety of obstacles that are around everyone.
So, for those who really loves to change and improve their life through investing, I hope that you've spent most of your time doing it during the past 6 months, irregardless of how much return that you made from that investment as of today.
If you don't, you're not wrong too.
If someone seeks to be a value investor, he/she should have tried to devote most of his time searching for the "value" and putting himself in a shoe of a value investor irregardless of whether he/she has the capital or not to execute it.
Just to let you know that since last October, KLCI continues its journey downwards and various KLCI heavyweights changing moments of being at the lowest point. The name like IOI Corporation, IJM Corporation, Maybank, TM, Bursa Malaysia, Sime Darby, MMC Corporation, WCT Engineering, Gamuda, KNM, etc... are all viewed negatively, thanks to all the contributors.
Panic is everywhere, and it is a global phenomenon.
However, in slight sarcasm, no matter how panic those so-called investors are, they should feel lucky because they can still exit the market during that moment as the buyers do exist; otherwise, the prices could have fetch zero.
So, who are the buyers? Never mind the answer.
Now, KLCI stood above 1,000 and it seems like optimism is coming back. I will assess the situation and try to publish my opinion on the current situation and try to suggest on several things to watch in the coming months.
However, the point that never regret if we missed the above-said "opportunity" because the opportunity is everywhere. Just continue to see things positively and keep believing in your own ability.
It has been almost 6 months since my last post and frankly, I really missed the opportunity to share my ideas (or I love to call it as my honest opinion) with all of you.
The above headline is meant to bring all of us to recapitulate and reflect on what have we spent on during the last 6 months. Please, just ask yourselves and of course there is no right or wrong answer. Being honest to yourself is the utmost important.
Doing the right thing is a must, but it is important to do the right thing at the right time. Thats what the bosses always do...questioning our priorities and our prioritizing skills.
Lots of subjectivity in interpreting what are the right things to do and when was the approppriate time to do that; and that depends on what is your life goals..life priorities, the stage that you're at that moment and also the variety of obstacles that are around everyone.
So, for those who really loves to change and improve their life through investing, I hope that you've spent most of your time doing it during the past 6 months, irregardless of how much return that you made from that investment as of today.
If you don't, you're not wrong too.
If someone seeks to be a value investor, he/she should have tried to devote most of his time searching for the "value" and putting himself in a shoe of a value investor irregardless of whether he/she has the capital or not to execute it.
Just to let you know that since last October, KLCI continues its journey downwards and various KLCI heavyweights changing moments of being at the lowest point. The name like IOI Corporation, IJM Corporation, Maybank, TM, Bursa Malaysia, Sime Darby, MMC Corporation, WCT Engineering, Gamuda, KNM, etc... are all viewed negatively, thanks to all the contributors.
Panic is everywhere, and it is a global phenomenon.
However, in slight sarcasm, no matter how panic those so-called investors are, they should feel lucky because they can still exit the market during that moment as the buyers do exist; otherwise, the prices could have fetch zero.
So, who are the buyers? Never mind the answer.
Now, KLCI stood above 1,000 and it seems like optimism is coming back. I will assess the situation and try to publish my opinion on the current situation and try to suggest on several things to watch in the coming months.
However, the point that never regret if we missed the above-said "opportunity" because the opportunity is everywhere. Just continue to see things positively and keep believing in your own ability.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
We Should Give Benefits of the Doubt, Sometimes?
An article published on 6-10-2008 in a local financial newspaper caught my attention.
The writer expressed his dissappointment over the unpredictability of the decisions made by companies listed in Bursa Malaysia and suggesting that the priciples of "Buffettology" is not applicable in Malaysia. Instead, he suggested "buy on rumour and sell on fact", and to be a stock market trader instead as being an investor.
How he present his dissappointment by "writing to Warren Buffet", he gives an example of a Malaysian bank (Bank Harimau) , whom has no toxic debts but suddenly bought a neighbouring country's bank for more than its book value, which is against the principles of "Buffetology".
I think you should read the article first, otherwise, I might be misunderstood in my proceedings.
In my opinion:
1. There is a better way to express dissappointment on this issue, as there are a lot of corporate Malaysians who are reading his ideas; so, respect should be given first.
2. Suggesting that being a trader is a perfect way to participate in Bursa Malaysia is perhaps inaccurate and maybe not a good adivse at all.
Now, lets discuss about it.
Maybank bought BII for 4 to 5 times of BII's book value, which is higher considering the current scenario and the risks associated with the financial services companies. Analyst mostly disagreed with it as it is expensive, the terms are unfavourable, and it may expose Maybank to various repercussions, later.
Understood. But, in my opinion, sometimes, we should give benefit of the doubt on some issues and try to evaluate pros and cons of the business decisions made.
1. The move is consistent with Maybank's vision and mission, and it has been widely anticipated by those analyst at least a year ago. Remember, when all banking stocks rallied but Maybank, those analyst pointed out that it was due to Maybank's lack of drive towards business expansion.
2. Opportunity to grow Islamic Banking product, and Indonesia is the perfect choice, regionally. The current crisis presents opportunity to promote Islamic Banking products, and there is no better time but now. Indonesia has a lot of muslim population and the product caters to non-muslim too. Of course it is not there right now but, is there not a growth potential over there?
3. Seeing the fall of large banks across the Pacific, we are witnessing the struggle of those capitalists to save capitalism; and it ends up this way : "Profits are privatized (by those owners), but losses are socialized (by tax-payers). Is is totally against what they're preaching for not long ago. I am very grateful that Maybank does not venture into US (no matter how low the valuations are right now, as they are very skillful at introducing new products that would later deemed as toxic and it is not Maybank's competency right now).
4. Maybank is not a stock market trader but the acquisition is driven by business justification, which is to promote future and sustainable long-term growth. The issue is only the payback period and how to shorten it. Thats what motivates the price. Can they buy cheaper? Yes but the deal was agreed long before.
I can still go on in this topic. But, still, my opinion is that it is too premature to jump into conclusion at this point. However, the writer's way of putting it is totally emotional, rude and somewhat misleading.
One more thing, to all my friends, please listen carefully.
There are lots of people out there who quotes Warren Buffet or Buffettology, just to make their ideas popular and to sound correct. Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.
The writer expressed his dissappointment over the unpredictability of the decisions made by companies listed in Bursa Malaysia and suggesting that the priciples of "Buffettology" is not applicable in Malaysia. Instead, he suggested "buy on rumour and sell on fact", and to be a stock market trader instead as being an investor.
How he present his dissappointment by "writing to Warren Buffet", he gives an example of a Malaysian bank (Bank Harimau) , whom has no toxic debts but suddenly bought a neighbouring country's bank for more than its book value, which is against the principles of "Buffetology".
I think you should read the article first, otherwise, I might be misunderstood in my proceedings.
In my opinion:
1. There is a better way to express dissappointment on this issue, as there are a lot of corporate Malaysians who are reading his ideas; so, respect should be given first.
2. Suggesting that being a trader is a perfect way to participate in Bursa Malaysia is perhaps inaccurate and maybe not a good adivse at all.
Now, lets discuss about it.
Maybank bought BII for 4 to 5 times of BII's book value, which is higher considering the current scenario and the risks associated with the financial services companies. Analyst mostly disagreed with it as it is expensive, the terms are unfavourable, and it may expose Maybank to various repercussions, later.
Understood. But, in my opinion, sometimes, we should give benefit of the doubt on some issues and try to evaluate pros and cons of the business decisions made.
1. The move is consistent with Maybank's vision and mission, and it has been widely anticipated by those analyst at least a year ago. Remember, when all banking stocks rallied but Maybank, those analyst pointed out that it was due to Maybank's lack of drive towards business expansion.
2. Opportunity to grow Islamic Banking product, and Indonesia is the perfect choice, regionally. The current crisis presents opportunity to promote Islamic Banking products, and there is no better time but now. Indonesia has a lot of muslim population and the product caters to non-muslim too. Of course it is not there right now but, is there not a growth potential over there?
3. Seeing the fall of large banks across the Pacific, we are witnessing the struggle of those capitalists to save capitalism; and it ends up this way : "Profits are privatized (by those owners), but losses are socialized (by tax-payers). Is is totally against what they're preaching for not long ago. I am very grateful that Maybank does not venture into US (no matter how low the valuations are right now, as they are very skillful at introducing new products that would later deemed as toxic and it is not Maybank's competency right now).
4. Maybank is not a stock market trader but the acquisition is driven by business justification, which is to promote future and sustainable long-term growth. The issue is only the payback period and how to shorten it. Thats what motivates the price. Can they buy cheaper? Yes but the deal was agreed long before.
I can still go on in this topic. But, still, my opinion is that it is too premature to jump into conclusion at this point. However, the writer's way of putting it is totally emotional, rude and somewhat misleading.
One more thing, to all my friends, please listen carefully.
There are lots of people out there who quotes Warren Buffet or Buffettology, just to make their ideas popular and to sound correct. Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
KLCI At 27 Months Low Amidst Fear of Recession?!
Please consider this situation:
One day, I wake up from bed and I feel my body temperature is a bit high, my nose fells bit stuck and I don't know whether I am fit to work or not. No urgent assignment in the office today but of course there are deadlines for me to meet.
Then, I managed to get myself ready and get into the car and off to my office. While I'm driving, I have to exercise extra care of myself because my headache is getting worse. Luckily I managed to get to the office.
Still, I feel that I'm not fit to work, so, I have to go to the nearest clinic and see the doctor.
The doctor told me that my temperature is really high and he gave me a day of MC for me to have a good rest.
End of story....but now, lets guess on my next action:
Knowing that I am not healthy and the doctor gave me a day of MC, what will I do?
a. Ask for ambulance to send me home, request a stretcher and act like a truly sick person.
b. Take that MC and rest at home or at the suitable place, so that I can recover faster.
c. Get mad and blame my boss (and maybe resign).
d. Do more stupid things.
e. Be in my office but work with extra caution to avoid my health from deteriorating.
You know the answer.
Now, please help me understand this.
1. When the oil price increased, cost of living is rising, and political instability is higher, KLCI managed to hover around 1,100 to 1,200.
2. When there are problems in the financial market (especially since February or March 2008) after the bailout of Bear Stearns, then followed by the British government's tackling the fear of bank run (Northern Rock depositors withdraw money for fear of bank run), KLCI is still strong.
To relate to the above story, I opine that panic should not be there anymore as the warning has been there long ago. That day (February 2008), it is more sensible for one to decide that it is the time to quit from the stock market if they are afraid of unable to face the downside risk.
So, will you act like a sick person after the doctor verified your unhealthy condition? Or, will you exercise caution when the sign of trouble appears (of course if you missed the first sign, there are a lot more coming after that events)?
One day, I wake up from bed and I feel my body temperature is a bit high, my nose fells bit stuck and I don't know whether I am fit to work or not. No urgent assignment in the office today but of course there are deadlines for me to meet.
Then, I managed to get myself ready and get into the car and off to my office. While I'm driving, I have to exercise extra care of myself because my headache is getting worse. Luckily I managed to get to the office.
Still, I feel that I'm not fit to work, so, I have to go to the nearest clinic and see the doctor.
The doctor told me that my temperature is really high and he gave me a day of MC for me to have a good rest.
End of story....but now, lets guess on my next action:
Knowing that I am not healthy and the doctor gave me a day of MC, what will I do?
a. Ask for ambulance to send me home, request a stretcher and act like a truly sick person.
b. Take that MC and rest at home or at the suitable place, so that I can recover faster.
c. Get mad and blame my boss (and maybe resign).
d. Do more stupid things.
e. Be in my office but work with extra caution to avoid my health from deteriorating.
You know the answer.
Now, please help me understand this.
1. When the oil price increased, cost of living is rising, and political instability is higher, KLCI managed to hover around 1,100 to 1,200.
2. When there are problems in the financial market (especially since February or March 2008) after the bailout of Bear Stearns, then followed by the British government's tackling the fear of bank run (Northern Rock depositors withdraw money for fear of bank run), KLCI is still strong.
To relate to the above story, I opine that panic should not be there anymore as the warning has been there long ago. That day (February 2008), it is more sensible for one to decide that it is the time to quit from the stock market if they are afraid of unable to face the downside risk.
So, will you act like a sick person after the doctor verified your unhealthy condition? Or, will you exercise caution when the sign of trouble appears (of course if you missed the first sign, there are a lot more coming after that events)?
So, why panic?
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Caught by LRT Problem, Again
I don't like to arrive late to the office (Office starts at 8.45 am). Today, LRT delay caused my delay.
I think it is not the first time LRT delay occurs during the busy morning on a working day. At least, once or twice a month.
Boarding from Kelana Jaya to Bangsar daily, I must reach Kelana Jaya by 7.45 am (from my house at Damansara Damai, Sg. Buloh). Usually, I will reach Kelana Jaya at 7.15 am - 7.30 am, so that I can have my breakfast and reading newspaper at Bangsar between 7.45 am or 8.00 am to 8.30 am.
Blaming myself first, of course, I could have go out earlier, or I should have alternatives to face this "rare" occurence.
However, consider this situation:-
1. When LRT delay occurs, the demand for taxi services (at that station) also increases and leads to price increases (unlawfully, of course). Take it or leave it. I only have 1 car to drive. Kelana Jaya to Bangsar for RM20 = an increase of LRT fare by RM0.50 per day (to & from) considering no LRT breakdown guarantee.
2. Coming late to the office will not be good for the employee's record. Of course there are bosses who understand this. But, why should I owe my boss unnecessarily for his understanding in this situation? I really don't have problems with my discipline.
3. I missed my newspaper reading. I just don't know what happens...and too bad because I don't know what happened yesterday.
By the way, I am not in a mood to suggest anything on this matter. I can only hope that situations will get better and no more occurence of LRT delay. No matter how urgent it is, I won't be paying extra fare to someone who will take advantage on my situation.
Global Financial Crisis : It is Real
Yawn....
What a boring topic to begin with. I apologize if it is not approppriate to start discussing on this topic.
However, it is a topic that caught the attention of almost everyone in the globe right now. Take a cab and I'm sure that the driver will not bother to explain to you on what will happen to the world in the future. Strings of job losses, business failures, rising level of crime and maybe suicide rate, rising foreclosures, etc. Those are scary pictures that is easy to be associated with this kind of period.
So, I can't neglect its importance, even though I'm not an economist or someone who is already successful and proven that all of you may have known.
The problems affecting US is already happening and it has begun long time ago. Of course there are various opinions of its real cause and the exact moment it started, but, it already showing its true picture to several organization as big as Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Bear Stearns, Washington Mutual, AIG and Lehman Brothers, etc., in the US, and not to mention several other big names in Europe, Japan, Britain etc, and the tendency for more to come is still exist.
It is trillion US dollar worth of problems acting like cancer.
Beginning with the housing bubble, leading to the creation of complicated financial instruments, and leading to the problems related to subprime mortgage meltdown, and then the exposire on collateralized debt obligations (CDOs) and credit-default swaps (CDS) and no one can surely tell on what more to come.
As the financial institutions are facing increasing write-downs, which erodes their capital and damaging its balance sheet, so as confidence to the systems. Mainly in US, even banks are not willing to lend to each other (even after Central Banks cutting of rates to boost liquidity and consistent cash injections) amidst the fear of counterparty risks. Then, how can they lend money to the public, to the business, and functioning as the engine of growth as it supposed to be.
When US government chosen to let Lehman Brothers (one of the oldest and the largest Investment Bank) to fail (resulting in them filing for Bankruptcy Protection or Chapter 11), the flight for safety and rush for exits was clearly seen around the globe; and that point, the financial world is witnessing the real beginning of a major catastrophe.
Wall Street, led other bourses around the globe such as FTSE, Nikkei, Hang Seng and DAX in showing to the future generations about how the "bear" looks like. Trading halt in several bourses such as Russia, Bovespa (Brazil) and Indonesia are to the extreme level.
Efforts by major government to arrest the decline as the market confidence is nowhere to be seen, and it is not yet clear even after G7 and G20.
Almost everyone in the market is looking at the past crisis for comparison; Black Monday (October 1987 ) up to the Great Depression 1929.
...Its really tiring...I can't continue..
So, the world is in crisis. But....
No one can tell what is going to happen next, how worst it will be and how long it will take.
At this juncture, positive mind is the most valuable assets a human being should have. Negative thoughts will lead to panics. Panics will lead towards doing things that you may regret later on.
And regret will not help anyone.
No matter what the problems are, no matter how severe it will be, the thing that matters most to me is that we need to avoid doing things that will affect ourselves in the long-run; and we need to be looking for opportunities as there are plenty of them during this kind of period.
So, from now onwards, lets think and act on the positive actions that we can take to ensure that we will emerge as winners.
"If it does not kills u, it will make you stronger"
My First Day of Blogging
I was really surprised at how easy it is to create a blog. Frankly, I am not an IT-savvy person; so, blogging is the last thing that I will explore.
At last, I have a place where I can express my ideas, giving honest opinion, commenting on various issues, and most importantly, the opportunity to receive feedback from all of you.
I will try to ensure that "Facets of Thoughts & Rationale" to be an avenue where positive exchanges (of ideas) to be taken place. So, please help me on that, and please correct and guide me if I am overboard.
By the way, for the start, I may not be able to update this blog on a regular basis, and may not be able to offer prompt reply on any comments made. As I am new in this medium, I need time to adjust to this and to be consistent in my post or reply.
However, I hope that I will be welcomed in this field (as a blogger) and I will try make it as a useful avenue for you.
Thank you.
At last, I have a place where I can express my ideas, giving honest opinion, commenting on various issues, and most importantly, the opportunity to receive feedback from all of you.
I will try to ensure that "Facets of Thoughts & Rationale" to be an avenue where positive exchanges (of ideas) to be taken place. So, please help me on that, and please correct and guide me if I am overboard.
By the way, for the start, I may not be able to update this blog on a regular basis, and may not be able to offer prompt reply on any comments made. As I am new in this medium, I need time to adjust to this and to be consistent in my post or reply.
However, I hope that I will be welcomed in this field (as a blogger) and I will try make it as a useful avenue for you.
Thank you.
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