Look to China and USA For Better Investments

Over the span of a few months, there are 2 interesting observations.

Better Yields Found in China and USA

If one follows FSM latest offering, FSM is offering 4.5% interest on USD cash for Singapore accounts. This shows how much interest can be earned on USD dollars. Similarly, among SGX-listed US REITs, it is noticed even the presumably safer US REIT such as United Hampshire is offering a 4% yield higher than S-REITs.

In China, the state own entreprises which extends beyond the large China state banks (such as China Construction) are offering 7-8% dividend yield. Ping An, the largest China private insurer is offering 5.5% dividends; compare this to Singapore's Great Eastern which is offering a paltry 3.5% dividend yield. Do note most China State own enterprises and Ping An are trading in Hong Kong Dollars.

This shows how good yields are in these countries as compared to Singapore.

Sing Dollar (SGD) is near all time highs against USD and HKD

The second thing that helps us local investors is that our SGD has been unusually strong against USD and HKD. This offers Singaporeans a chance to buy these stocks cheaply.

With such an opportunity based on these 2 observations, it makes sense to change some SGD into foreign currencies to snap up the higher dividend yielding comparables. I would be capitalising on these 2 observations to purchase more foreign assets.

I do not forsee SGD to be continuously strengthening and going to the 1.25 range against the USD/SGD. This is because a too drastic appreciation will affect Singapore's economic competitiveness. So it is unlikely for SGD to appreciate much more than what it has done.