Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Fund of Funds - The more fund managers there are, the more people are managing my money, therefore i feel safer.
With the recent scandal of Madoff, it signals that the more people there are managing one's money, the higher the risk there is. Remember the lawyer who ran away with the clients money? So, in conclusion, the above shows when one uses fund managers, they decrease their returns and increase their risk.
But if one is really clueless about investing, then just go for exchange traded funds, like for example STI ETF or Lyxor where your investment just tracks the index but fees are way less. Yeah it kinda sucks that fees still have to be paid for someone just to copy and track the index, but its the lesser of 2 evils.
Read what the Old Fogey Warren Buffet has to say about fund managers in general.
Important: The objective of the articles in this blog is to set you thinking about the company before you invest your hard-earned money. Do not invest solely based on this article. Unlike House or Instituitional Analysts who have to maintain relations with corporations due to investment banking relations, generating commissions,e.t.c, SGDividends say things as it is, factually. Unlike Analyst who have to be "uptight" and "cheem", we make it simplified and cheapskate. -The Vigilante Investor, SGDividends Team
Friday, December 26, 2008
A Peek Into the Fund Managers Holdings
Bukit Sembawang Estates Limited
Capitaland Limited
City Developments Limited
ComfortDelGro Corporation Limited
Eu Yan Sang International Limited
FJ Benjamin Holdings Limited
Fraser & Neave Ltd
Hong Leong Finance Limited
Keppel Corporation Limited
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Limited
SBS Transit Limited
SembCorp Marine Limited
Singapore Airlines Limited
Singapore Airport Terminal Services Limited
Singapore Exchange Limited
Singapore Food Industries Limited
Singapore Petroleum Co Limited
Singapore Post Limited
Singapore Press Holdings Limited
Singapore Technologies Engineering Limited
Singapore Telecommunications Limited
United Overseas Bank Limited
Venture Corporation Limited
WBL Corporation Limited
Wheelock Properties (S) Limited
ALLGREEN PROPERTIES LTD
BANYAN TREE HOLDINGS
CITY DEVELOPMENTS LTD
DBS GROUP HOLDINGS LTD
HO BEE INVESTMENT LTD
JAYA HOLDINGS LTD
KEPPEL CORP LTD
MOBILEONE LTD
SC GLOBAL DEVELOPMENTS
SEMBCORP MARINE LTD
SINGAPORE AIRLINES LTD
SINGAPORE EXCHANGE LTD
SINGAPORE PRESS HOLDINGS LTD
SINGAPORE TELECOMMUNICATIONS
STRAITS ASIA RESOURCES
UTD OVERSEAS BK
VENTURE CORPORATION
WHEELOCKPROPERT(SINGAPORE)LTD
WING TAI HLDS
SARIN TECHNOLOGIES LTD
BEAUTY CHINA HOLDINGS
ARA ASSET MANAGEMENT
MERMAID MARITIME PCL
DBS Group Holdings Limited
United Overseas Bank Limited
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation
MacarthurCook Industrial Real Estate Investment Trust
CapitaMall Trust
Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited
CapitaLand Limited
Hongkong Land Holdings Limited
Frasers Centrepoint Trust
CDL Hospitality Trusts
Suntec Real Estate Investment Trust
Ascendas India Trust
Ascendas Real Estate InvestmentTrust
Singapore Post Limited
Cosco Corporation (Singapore)Limited
Hyflux Limited
Unisteel Technology Limited
Singapore Technologies Engineering
AusGroup Limited
SBS Transit Limited
Peace Mark
Raffles Medical Group Limited
Wilmar International Limited
Ezion Holdings Limited
China Fishery Group Limited
Thomson Medical Centre Limited
Singapore Telecommunications
StarHub Limited
Keppel Corporation Limited
Tat Hong Holdings Limited
CitySpring Infrastructure Trust
Ferrochina Limited
SCHRODER SINGAPORE TRUST CL A(3o June 2008)
Asia Dekor Hldg Lt
Fraser and Neave Ltd
Golden Agri-Resources Ltd
Jardine Cycle &Carriage Ltd
Parkway Hldg Ltd
Singapore Airlines Ltd
Singapore Post Ltd
Singapore Press Hldg Ltd
Wilmar Intl Ltd
Jardine Strategic Hldg Ltd
Noble Group Ltd
ARA Asset Management Ltd
DBS Group Hldg Ltd
Keppel Corp Ltd
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp Ltd
Singapore Exchange Ltd
United Overseas Bank Ltd
ASL Marine Hldg Ltd
ComfortDelGro Corp Ltd
Cosco Corp (Singapore) Ltd
Hiap Seng Engineering Ltd
Pan-United Corp Ltd
Rotary Engineering Ltd
SembCorp Ind Ltd
Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd
Allgreen Properties Ltd
Ascendas Real Estate Investment Trust
Ascott Residence Trust
Bukit Sembawang Estates Ltd
Capitaland Ltd
CapitaMall Trust
City Developments Ltd
Guocoland Ltd
Keppel Land Ltd
Suntec Real Estate Investment Trust
UOL Group Ltd
Wing Tai Hldg Ltd
Datacraft Asia Ltd
Singapore Telecommunications
Total Access Communication PCL
DBS Group Holdings Limited
United Overseas Bank Limited
Keppel Corporation Limited
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation
Singapore Press Holdings Limited
SembCorp Industries
Capitaland Limited
Cosco Corporation (Singapore) Limited
StarHub Limited
Fraser & Neave Limited
SMRT Corporation Limited
Capitamall Trust Real Estate Investment Trust
City Developments Limited
Singapore Exchange Limited
Wilmar International Limited
CDL Hospitality Trusts
Hotel Properties Limited
UOL Group Limited
Raffles Medical Group Limited
Jaya Holdings Limited
Unisteel Technology Limited
Ascott Residence Trust Real Estate Investment Trust
FJ Benjamin Holdings Limited
Singapore Airlines Limited
Wheelock Properties (S) Limited
Allgreen Properties Limited
Ausgroup Limited
Yanlord Land Group Limited
China Eratat Sports Fashion Limited
First Resources
Synear Food Holdings Limited
Monday, December 22, 2008
Recession, zero growth next year
The Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), the country's number one bank, said the US downturn and credit squeeze have led Canada's economy into recession.
The economy will grow by 0.6 percent in 2008 and post no growth in 2009, the report released Friday said.
Craig Wright, senior vice-president and chief economist at the RBC, said the US economy has fallen into a deep recession, dragging the Canadian economy along.
"However, we expect the slowdown in Canada not to be as severe as in other countries since the imbalances plaguing other countries are more pronounced. We expect to see a moderate, though sustained, recovery in the second half of 2009," he said.
After six years of solid gain, the report said, falling commodity prices will cut domestic income that has supported consumer, business and government spending for the past several years.
The outlook for 2009 is very bleak as the combination of falling domestic income, credit squeeze, and a rising debt-to-asset ratio will curb consumer spending, it said.
The bank said though negative growth is only expected to last the next two quarters, its impact will be far reaching, with the unemployment rate climbing to 7.4 percent in 2009.
On the economic deterioration in the US which accounts for more than 85 percent of Canada's global trade, the report said the real GDP in America will decline by 1.5 percent in 2009 because of slower export growth and weakening in global economic activity.
Though the Bank of Canada has reduced the overnight rate to 1.5 percent to stimulate the economy, the report expects the rate to be further reduced to one percent as the economy enters the weakest period for growth.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Free Float - A Necessary Consideration for SGDividends
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Something that puzzles SGDividends Maybe Due to their Inexperiences
Beefy Barber wants to unlock some cash value from his scissors and shavers lying in his run-down barber shop. He thought of a smart idea, why not package these scissors and shavers into a erm.."Package". Securitise it with say 100 shares. He keeps 40 shares and sell the remaining 60 shares equally to the Sexy VJC Girl and the Scheming SGDividends Team. The maintenance and usage of the scissors and shavers will be managed by Beefy Barber's employee. The revenue from the scissors and shavers will be (after deducting the management fees for Beefy Barber's employee) distributed to Beefy Barber ( 40%), Sexy VJC Girl ( 30%) and SGDividends Team ( 30%) according to their percentage of shares.
So in summary:
Beefy Barber gets 40% of net revenue + management fees ( through the employee)
Sexy VJC girl gets 30% of net revenue
SGDividends gets 30% of net revenue
Should we invest in it?Since Barber is a majority shareholder of the "Package" and also the 100%manager of the "Package", could Barber increase his management fees so as to leave little for the owners of the Trust? Hmm...So our Sexy VJC Girl thought of a smart idea. Lets create a trust deed so we can bind the amount of management fees to be received by Beefy Barber. (little kids these days..) Ok, hmm since the trust deed requires the majority shareholders to vote for it to have binding powers so we should be safe since Sexy and SGDividends hold 60%. So we decided on an appropriate management fee....say 4.5% of the revenue derived from the "Package" . Beefy Barber however wants 10% but since we (SGDividend and VJC Girl) own 60%, we win. We can only hope that Beefy Barber don't get pissed with us and still put in the effort to manage his scissors and shavers well.
So how about in the real market? Generally, a trust ( or REIT) is made up of many many investors who come and go and may not be united. Will they be able to muster up collective action even if collectively they hold the majority shares?
The point is, is there a conflict of interest between Barber and the rest of the other shareholders like Sexy VJC Girl and SGDividends?Who is to check the Beefy Barber who has the "most" say in the Trust and who is also the manager of the trust?
In a company structure, the board of directors checks the management to ensure shareholders rights are protected. In the trust structure, it seems there is no such structure in place. This is how we feel about Trusts.
We hope our worries are unfounded.
Let us meditate on the island of Sakhalin to find the answer.
Important: The objective of the articles in this blog is to set you thinking about the company before you invest your hard-earned money. Do not invest solely based on this article. Unlike House or Instituitional Analysts who have to maintain relations with corporations due to investment banking relations, generating commissions,e.t.c, SGDividends say things as it is, factually. Unlike Analyst who have to be "uptight" and "cheem", we make it simplified and cheapskate. -The Vigilante Investor, SGDividends Team
Friday, December 12, 2008
Scheming SGDividends Just Playing Around
Ok so we used 6% ( preferential DBS share) as the discount factor(k) used previously to find the $1 value(Max) and it has drawn some different reasonable opinions and they got a point since DBS is less risky than Cambridge REIT. But SGDividends just don't know how to use Probabilities, CAPM, calculate the WACC ( especially the Cost of Equity) e.t.c to find the discount (K) appropraite to discount back to find the value of Cambridge. So can we be more simple?Can we use some scenarios based on comparing with industrial reits in Singapore by using their dividends yield? Is it logical? Hmm, if dividend yield is one of the factors which investors look at when deciding which Industrial reit to invest in , can we consider the dividend yield as an opportunity cost? For example, if we were to invest in Cambridge, we would be forgoing the dividend yield in MapleTree and vice versa. ( OK this is not from CFA textbook, we just play play test test only lah...give chance) We all know that dividends yield is constantly fluctuating too but anyhow lets take it with a pinch of salt and just try using it as the discount rate.
Let's experiment and try it out, shall we? Let's use the values from this fantastic blog .
MI-REIT 40.870%
A-REIT 13.367%
( Let's assume their data is correct! Should be lah...randomly tested.)
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Research Analysts Never Fails to Bizarre SGDividends - Are they making sense?
Apologies for the harsh remarks but Beefy Barber is our friend even though he bullies us at times.
Important: The objective of the articles in this blog is to set you thinking about the company before you invest your hard-earned money. Do not invest solely based on this article. Unlike House or Instituitional Analysts who have to maintain relations with corporations due to investment banking relations, generating commissions,e.t.c, SGDividends say things as it is, factually. Unlike Analyst who have to be "uptight" and "cheem", we make it simplified and cheapskate. -The Vigilante Investor, SGDividends Team
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Cambridge REIT- Take Care Cos i Care
It states that they still have S$336,843,000 dollars they have to pay within a year. Wow. So, we, being extremely nosey and kaypoh like what a hot auntie would naturally be, decided to look at the footnotes to gain some perspective on this "wow" figure, and here it is:
So, really, dear investors who invested in this counter, keep your eyes peeled on any news on this. BUT, we being extremely irritating, persistent, bo liao and totally curious decided that it shan't end like that. We decided to take a look at Maple Tree Logistics which is another sort of industrial Reit. And..TAaaa DAaaaa.... No mentioning of any debt to be repaid within one year! S$113,701,000 to be repaid winthin 1 year. Compare this with Cambridge.
So can islamic financing save the day for Cambridge? ( Hmm we seem to remember some article back that Islamic financing may not be immune to the credit crisis too?........Just can't find it..)
About half and hour after we posted, Anonymous cleared some air on the financing issue. Great, thanks Anonymous. This is taken from financeasia.com. Have they signed it yet, cos its 16 days to Christmas...ho..ho..ho!See below for a post by a nick "Banker" at a forum.
Quote:
Cambridge Trust (CIT) has an option to extend the S$330+ mil facility. ABN Amro the trustee of CIT is the arranger for this facility. Moreover, this loan already has been securitized in the ABS market. In addition to the ABN Amro's backup, CIT has Australian National Bank as the major investor at the trust manager. I don't think refinancing is a problem. However, if CIT has to pay higher interest it will affect the DPU.UnquoteUpdated 11 Dec 2008: From a forummer nick "caseyc" regarding the Islamic Financing
Quote:According to the following source, it seems like Shariah-compliant loan is dead:http://www.sharesinvestment.co.../35054/en/"Refinancing will stem from conventional financing arrangements (as opposed to Shariah-compliant loan arrangements which CIT has been vying for) in the form of syndicated loan."I can't find any other references that mention this though, so take it with some salt.I've been waiting for the refinancing announcement, but decided to exit after I no longer felt comfortable with the lateness. Let's hope that they can pull through this. UnQuote
Important: The objective of the articles in this blog is to set you thinking about the company before you invest your hard-earned money. Do not invest solely based on this article. Unlike House or Instituitional Analysts who have to maintain relations with corporations due to investment banking relations, generating commissions,e.t.c, SGDividends say things as it is, factually. Unlike Analyst who have to be "uptight" and "cheem", we make it simplified and cheapskate. -The Vigilante Investor, SGDividends Team
Monday, December 8, 2008
New Housing Construction
Despite the big decline, housing starts are still running 7.7 per cent ahead of last year as builders put shovels in the ground for developments that were sold earlier in the year before sales of new units plunged this fall..
CMHC said that construction started on 492 units during the month, down from 769 units a year earlier. The big decline followed an unusually strong October in which Ottawa bucked a national decline in starts triggered by economic problems.
The number of new row housing units fell 61 per cent 108 units and single-family starts declined 31 per cent 266 units.
The declines were partly offset by increased construction of semi-detached and apartment units.
Despite a significandt decline in single-family housing starts to 266 units from 386 units a year earlier, it was still the single biggest generator of housing construction during November — a testamant to the fact that despite rising prices, buying a single-family unit is still more affordable here than in most big Canadian cities.
Sandra Perez Torres, senior Market Analyst at CMHC, said in a statement: “Single-detached construction is a better barometer of the health of the new construction market. After exceptional new construction activity in October, single detached construction still represented over half of total construction in November.
"Total housing foundations for this type of dwelling remained at a very high level, just marginally lower than last year’s numbers”, she said.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Singapore Press Holdings - A recession proof play but is my money better utilised elsewhere?
Wondering why their revenue have been increasing so remarkably but their net income seem to be going no-where, and their Cash from Operations is bobbing up and down the water. Their FCF seem to have the longest breath, staying submerged, only coming up for some fresh air in year 2004. Come to think of it. Does SPH really have an investment moat? It's great they came up with STOMP , Digital Newspaper ...but...is that enough?
Friday, December 5, 2008
Is Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund a good buy for the Beefy Barber?
Please note that the distributions used above in the chart is based on operational dividends, excluding special, one -off ones. As can be seen from the diagram above, if Miao Li or Hua Nan were to collaspe, since their distribution contribution is so minute there should not be a material impact to the dividends received. (assuming fees and charges remain the same),especially Miao Li with the highest gearing.CAC and MEIF is quite risky and their distributions to MIIF is quite substantial.
Since MIIF underlying businesses are unlisted and the consolidated average gearing is roughly 60% and its within the gearing range of unlisted infrastructure as stated in the article above ( 50% - 90%), no glaring problem seen.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
The return of the Home Ownership Accelerator
These are not risky loans. In fact, when paired with Responsible Homeowners with financial discipline, these are a fantastic wealth builder. Unfortunately, the emotions of Wall Street froze the product for most of 2008.
Well, we are proud to announce that the Home Ownership Accelerator coming back soon, and VanDyk Mortgage has been chosen to be an exclusive Lender Partner for the re-introduction of the Home Ownership Accelerator program. This product won't be available to all Lenders and Brokerages this time around. VanDyk Mortgage was selected as an exclusing partner for the HOA due to our strong track record in origination of quality loans properly matched to clients for the best fit, affordability, and sustainability.
If you would like to be notified when the HOA or Home Ownership Accelerator is available again, send an email to us at HOA@vandykfunding.com or call Brian Skaar at 760-752-4480.
No declining market restrictions - 100% cash out - VA Loans
I forgot to mention this in the last blog post; blog post on 100% cash out VA refinances.
There is no limitation on which states qualify for the 100% cash out refi option on these loans, there is no additional declining market cap on LTV like Fannie, Freddie, & private loans. All "declining" markets are fully eligible for these loans, including California, Arizona, Nevada, Florida, Georgia, etc.
100% Cash out Refinance - VA Enhancements
Even better news: The previous limit of $144,000 on VA refinances has been lifted, and the limit is now the VA Loan limit for your county. Click here to see your limit: New VA loan limits for 2009 Blog Post .
The Entitlement and Guarantee equations have been adjusted slightly as well to facilitate Refinances over $144K as well. I will post some scenarios in a future blog to illustrate this.
We are very excited about the enhanced possibilities for our Veterans.
Please call Brian Skaar at 760-752-4480 or visit us online at www.vandykfunding.com to find out more.
VanDyk Mortgage is a VA Direct Lender (since 1987). We are the VA Experts. We offer VA loans accross America including: California, Washington, Arizona, Texas, Florida, Georgia, & more.
Did Singapore Airport Services Really Pay A High Price for Singapore Food? Don't be fooled!
Let's give an example, if 2 slaves each cost $4. ( just for simplicity sake lah...we hate slavery...don't be soooo uptight!). If one slave has a debt of $1 but another has a debt of $3. If a master was to buy a slave and he has to pay back the debt owed by the slave, which is actually a more expensive buy? Of cos the slave who has a debt of $3 is the more expensive buy. On the same token, if one slave has $1 dollar in his pocket and the other has $2 in the pocket. When you buy a slave, you get his dollar in the pocket. So in this instance, the slave who has $2 in the pocket is a cheaper buy as you get to pocket the $2. So let's use this concept to measure whether the buy price of Singapore Food is cheap or not, shall we?It is actually a well used concept with a jargonic name called Enterprice Value.
Enterprise Value ( EV) = Market Cap + Debt - Cash
Debt = $74,968,000 (ABOVE)
Calculating...........
Enterprise value = 516,261,702 X 0.89( Using the price given in the above TODAY article) + 74,968,000 - 17,428,000 = 517,012,915
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
100% financing in California
Fannie, Freddie, & the Private Mortgage Insurance companies have limited California purchases to a minimum of 10% down payment, or a maximum of 90%.
For Veterans & Active Duty Service members the VA loan still offers 100%, no money down financing in California. Recent enhancements for 2009 loans have increased the loan limits, and your entitlement might be higher that you thought. For example, San Diego VA loans are available up to $593,750, Los Angeles up to $737,500, Orange County up to $737,500, and San Bernardino / Riverside up to $417,000.
For non-Military, FHA is an incredible option for Home ownership at just 3.5% downpayment required.
VanDyk Mortgage is a Direct VA Lender and Direct FHA Lender. www.VanDykFunding.com
Canada Mortgage loan- tax deductable?
Canadian homeowners are green with envy over the fact our neighbours to the south are allowed to deduct the interest paid on their mortgages from their taxes. Is it possible to do the same thing here?
I received an elegant little flyer in my mailbox the other day. It was a small glossy fold-over, and it had a quality look and feel to it. The only text on the front flap of the flyer asked me a provocative question: "Is your mortgage tax deductible?" The inside of the flyer told me that I could learn how to collect tax refunds from my mortgage loan. "Canadian homeowners are entitled to collect Tax Refunds from their mortgage payments under Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) guidelines for 'Cash Damming'.
By following CRA's specific guidelines for borrowing and investing, you will claim thousands of dollars in Tax Refunds every year from your mortgage." The small flyer mentioned "Tax Refund" five more times, and twice pointed out that I could use my Tax Refund to pay off my mortgage faster. That's pretty exciting,
The biggest single expense of many Canadian families is their mortgage payment, and we've all been making those mortgage payments with after-tax dollars. Many a Canadian has looked across the border in envy at the tax deductibility that Americans enjoy on their home mortgage interest. If it turns out that we can be getting Tax Refunds from our mortgage payments too, well, that's just a no-brainer.
As it happens, I am quite familiar with this topic and strategy, so I can spare you the inconvenience of having to leave the comfort of your home to discover how this works. In fact, I'm going to provide you with all the essential information that you really must know about Canadian mortgage deductibility and Tax Refunds, all in the very next paragraph! How can I possibly do that? By using an enhanced information conveyance technology I like to call No Baloney™.
Ready? Here's what you really need to know about Canadian mortgage deductibility and Tax Refunds: In Canada, when you borrow money to buy your home, you can't deduct the interest. When you borrow money to make certain investments, you may be able to deduct the interest. There. Now that we've covered all the really important stuff, let's review some of the details. First of all, nothing about buying your personal residence is tax-deductible. You don't get to deduct your mortgage interest, there are no special tricks that have escaped your notice, and you will not be getting "Tax Refunds" from your mortgage payments. Period.
That being said, when you borrow money to make investments which have a reasonable expectation of income, you may be able to deduct the interest on the debt. So if you use your home as collateral when you borrow money to invest, you may be able to deduct that interest expense from your income taxes. You could, therefore, have a mortgage with interest that is partially or entirely tax deductible.
However, it's very important to remember two things: (1) No matter how you twist it, turn it, or wordsmith-manoeuvre-it, the money you borrow to buy your principal residence is not tax-deductible; (2) The only way the interest on your home mortgage can be tax-deductible is if you borrow against the equity you already own in your home, and use that money to investment.
The reason it's so very important to be clear about this issue is that borrowing to buy a home is something that most people must do in order to buy a home, and as long as they can afford their mortgage payment, they're psychologically comfortable doing so. They generally don't worry that their money is at risk. In fact, they feel a sense of security about the equity they are building as they pay the mortgage down. Borrowing to invest, on the other hand, is not something that anyone needs to do, and most people are not psychologically comfortable with it. In order for borrowing to invest to make sense, the average long-term, after-tax return on the underlying investment has to be higher than the after-tax interest rate on the loan.
That invariably means taking on investment risk. And for most people, tolerating investment risk is already sufficiently challenging without the added stress of knowing that those investments were made with borrowed money. Think about the recent gyrations in the stock markets, and consider how using leverage might change your emotional response to the hysteria. Don't get me wrong - I'm not picking on leverage as a concept. Using "other people's money" is an age-old investment strategy, it absolutely has its place as a financial planning strategy, and I've used it myself.
What I am picking on is the packaging of leverage - a strategy that inherently adds risk to investing - as a clever and heretofore overlooked way to get tax benefits on your home mortgage. Let's be No Baloney™ clear: For some people, borrowing money to invest may be an appropriate investment strategy. But borrowing money and investing it because you can get a tax deduction on the interest expense is a ridiculous tax strategy.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
New 2009 VA Loan Limits - a snapshot
The new limits range from the base limit of $417,000 up to $1,094,625 in the highest cost areas.
All VA loans require ZERO Mortgage Insurance, and as little as ZERO down payment.
Here are some of the new county limits:
CA
ALAMEDA
$1,094,625.00
CA
ALPINE
$503,750.00
CA
CONTRA COSTA
$1,094,625.00
CA
EL DORADO
$516,250.00
CA
LOS ANGELES
$737,500.00
CA
MARIN
$1,094,625.00
CA
MONO
$575,000.00
CA
MONTEREY
$525,000.00
CA
NAPA
$643,750.00
CA
NEVADA
$518,750.00
CA
ORANGE
$737,500.00
CA
PLACER
$516,250.00
CA
SACRAMENTO
$516,250.00
CA
SAN BENITO
$937,500.00
CA
SAN DIEGO
$593,750.00
CA
SAN FRANCISCO
$1,094,625.00
CA
SAN LUIS OBISPO
$610,000.00
CA
SAN MATEO
$1,094,625.00
CA
SANTA BARBARA
$656,250.00
CA
SANTA CLARA
$937,500.00
CA
SANTA CRUZ
$805,000.00
CA
SOLANO
$435,000.00
CA
SONOMA
$566,250.00
CA
VENTURA
$650,000.00
CA
YOLO
$516,250.00
FL
COLLIER
$487,500.00
FL
MONROE
$575,000.00
GA
GREENE
$560,000.00
WA
KING
$550,000.00
WA
PIERCE
$550,000.00
WA
SAN JUAN
$525,000.00
WA
SNOHOMISH
$550,000.00
The maximum guaranty amount (available for loans over $144,000) is 25 percent of the 2009 VA Limit shown below. Therefore, a veteran with full entitlement available may borrow up to the 2009 VA Limit shown below and VA will guarantee 25 percent of the loan amount. If a veteran has previously used entitlement that has not been restored, the maximum guaranty amount available to that veteran must be reduced accordingly.
VanDyk Mortgage is a Direct VA lender, and has been making VA Loans since 1987. Visit us on the web for more info or to apply for your VA Loan at http://www.vandykfunding.com/
VA loan enhancements for 2009
VA Loans can now help Veterans and active service members refinance their non-VA loans into safe, secure, & fixed rate VA Loans. Previously, this type of refinance was only available up to $144,000. Now you can refinance into VA Loans up to $729,750 (depending on your county limit). Another huge change is that Veterans & active service members can refinance up to 100 percent of the property value (this was capped at 90% before).
For questions regarding calculation of your Entitlement under the VA Loan program call Brian Skaar at 866-900-2342 toll free direct. Your entitlement is now increased and we can help you figure out your eligibility based on the newest figures. It is likely more than you thought.
VanDyk Mortgage is a VA Direct Lender, and has been since 1987. We also offer FHA Loans, Fannie & Freddie Conventional loans, Jumbo Loans, and construction loans. Visit us on the web at www.vandykfunding.com.
Improper Disclosure for Minibonds? How about Fund Managers?
Anyway, could the rally in the Month of March this year 2008 be due to "Window Dressing"?
Important: The objective of the articles in this blog is to set you thinking about the company before you invest your hard-earned money. Do not invest solely based on this article. Unlike House or Instituitional Analysts who have to maintain relations with corporations due to investment banking relations, generating commissions,e.t.c, SGDividends say things as it is, factually. Unlike Analyst who have to be "uptight" and "cheem", we make it simplified and cheapskate. -The Vigilante Investor, SGDividends TeamMonday, December 1, 2008
People Quarrel Over Coffee...Don't drink Coffee with Friends or Loved Ones
So just what is so special about coffee that can cause couples to quarrel? Our curiosity was aroused and we decided to buy both and give it a try. ( Barber, you still owe us 20 cents, dont forget to return...this is not OCBC smartchange ok..)
We tasted both and Barber liked the Super but we liked the Gold Roast. And then it happened again, another quarrel. But since Barber was a beefy person, we decided not to make him too angry by arguing too much. We decided on a fair way of winning this argument, to look at the financial statements of the companies of these 2 brands Viz Branz ( Gold Roast) and Super Coffeemix( Super).
We reasoned with Barber that the Inventory Turnover ( COGS/Average Inventory) of Viz Branz was consistently higher and getting higher, than Super Coffeemix. (See below first chart, purple for Viz, blue of Super)This implied that Viz Branz's products were flying faster off the shelf than Super, which meant it is most likely more well-liked. Barber could not reply, but only mumbled something under his bad breath. And that's how we ended the quarrel with Barber. [ It could mean that Viz Branz is managing its inventory better too by using a Just-in-time policy but this the barber don't know...hehe. Anyway, its a metric that signifies good management.]
Since we were looking at these 2 companies, we decided to look at some other ratios just out of curiosity again ( since it is so simple to do, so why not?), and it had nothing to do with which coffee tasted better.
We decided to look at how strong the company is, in relation to its customers. We looked at the Accounts Receivable Turnover Ratio(Revenue/Average Accounts Receivable) to see which company was taking a longer time to collect their money from customers. A higher ratio implies its collecting money faster which is good. (See above second chart) Viz Branz started out pretty worse off than Super Coffeemix but is catching up and is nearly as good as Super in 2007...a good sign of improving management ability.
Next, we decided to look at how strong the company is, in relation to its suppliers. We looked at Accounts Payable Turnover Ratio ( COGS/Average Accounts Payable) to see which company had better purchasing terms from its suppliers. A lower ratio means a company can take a longer time to pay off its bills to the suppliers.( See above third chart) Super Coffeemix seems better in this metric and seem to be in a stronger buying power or having better supplier relations compared with Viz Branz.
So who is better? Super Coffee Mix or Gold Roast. You decide!
Important: The objective of the articles in this blog is to set you thinking about the company before you invest your hard-earned money. Do not invest solely based on this article. Unlike House or Instituitional Analysts who have to maintain relations with corporations due to investment banking relations, generating commissions,e.t.c, SGDividends say things as it is, factually. Unlike Analyst who have to be "uptight" and "cheem", we make it simplified and cheapskate. -The Vigilante Investor, SGDividends TeamFriday, November 28, 2008
The Sexy VJC Girl Analyses Cambridge Industrial Trust
Ok let's understand how our SEXY VJC student determined the maximum value of Cambridge. Any amount paid more for Cambrige, you are likely to lose money. ( based on Discounted Cash Flow analysis, excludes Market Irrationality).
Based on Colliers International data above, it is logical to assume that the rental income growth rate g of industrial properties is 0%, by looking from 2001 to 2006F. ( just a cursory glance, she did not do a regression line. Keep it simple. It looks negative actually but let's be nice.).
Based on the above from SGX, the average dividends, D, of Cambridge Industrial Trust for 2007 and 2008 is $0.0616.
Let's use DBS preferential shares of 6% as our required rate of return, K.Now, let's look at the average number of years that the assets of Cambridge Industrial Trust have to their expiry as all of them are leasehold except for Lam Soon Industrial which is Freehold. (We will assign 999 years to this freehold property. This is just a judgement call.)
From above, the average number of years left to expiry is 65 years. Therefore, the formula we will use is :
Using Excel spreadsheet and plugging in the values, the Fair Value (V) for a Cambridge Industrial Trust share is $ 1.00341. Thats the maximum amount one should pay and it assumes that Cambridge is able to sustain the average occupancy of its premises currently. It also assumes that the rentals do not drop and stays constant. It also assumes no exceptional things like volcanic eruptions or earthquake or fire or Tsunami or Terrorist attack happens on any of its site. So the market price currently as of close 28 Nov 2008 is $0.205. Is it enough for you?
Analysis done by The SEXY VJC GIRL (Aspiring Future Venture Capitalist- who wants to hire her as an intern?)
Important: The objective of the articles in this blog is to set you thinking about the company before you invest your hard-earned money. Do not invest solely based on this article. Unlike House or Instituitional Analysts who have to maintain relations with corporations due to investment banking relations, generating commissions,e.t.c, SGDividends say things as it is, factually. Unlike Analyst who have to be "uptight" and "cheem", we make it simplified and cheapskate. -The Vigilante Investor, SGDividends Team