GYC Insights
Articles on real-life financial issues written to educate and enlighten.
Bond Losses: When Pain Leads to Gain
2022 was one of the worst years for bond returns. Conservative investors with larger bond allocations in their portfolio would have suffered large paper losses in the face of the fastest interest rate hiking cycle in history. But these losses could mean additional future returns.
What If You Retire or Need Income During a Bear Market? — Part 1
Most people save and invest for specific life goals like owning a bigger home, sending their children to elite institutions, and preparing for the day that you no longer have to go to work. So what happens if right at the time you needed the money, the market takes a turn for the worse?
Doing This Can Destroy Your Returns
You may have heard advice or read articles about the opportunity cost of missing the best days in the market. But did you know that 39 out of the 50 best days occurred within a relatively short period of time of high market volatility?
5 Things to Kickstart 2023
At our recent client event, we were happy to have an overwhelming response to our 5-question quiz. Within these answers include important tidbits for investors and Singaporeans — How many of these would you have guessed correctly?
History Shows That It Pays to Stay Seated
We shouldn’t automatically assume what has happened before, will happen again; however, what has happened in the past can serve as a guide on what to expect. With 2022 having recorded a double-digit loss for investors, what should we expect for 2023 and beyond?
2022 Was a Test of Nerves; How Did You Fare?
For the the first time in nearly 50 years, both stocks and bonds were down by double digits (2022). Over the past few years, from lockdowns to re-openings and adapting to drastic changes in our lifestyles and behaviour. Now we’re in 2023; how’re you doing?
2022 Falls In The Minority
Losses typically make investors nervous about the future, with many assuming that 2023 will merely be a continuation of the trend markets experienced the previous year; but what does the data say about negative annual returns on equities over the long history of stock markets?
The Sisyphean Road to Recovery
While most would not have experienced losses in 2022 as large as the Russian market, the drawdowns in some other markets have been eyebrow-raising to say the least. Thankfully, there are some actions that will make your portfolio more resilient against such losses.
Tis The Season
As the year comes to end, we will see financial institutions and managers publishing their predictions and outlooks for 2023. How reliable are these forecasts?
The Hidden Tax
One of the key themes that defined 2022 has been high inflation —something foreign to many investors over the past 2 decades. Is your investment portfolio suitably positioned if there’s a prolonged high inflation regime?
Protecting Your Retirement From Inflation
How is your net worth distributed now, and is it inflation-proof? Inflation is dubbed ‘the silent killing of retirement planning’. GYC weighs in on an article that was featured on Channel News Asia (CNA).
Zoom Out Don’t Zone Out
The report card for investing in 2022 is about to be sealed into history. Does your current mix of investments help achieve your financial goals?
Simple Ways to Maximise Your Savings This Year End
There are many ways you can go about it , but here are a few simple ways you can to maximise your savings before 2023 arrives.
A Matter of Perspective
With the vast leaps and improvement in technology, we are now able to receive frequent updates of price movements of the investments we buy. This frequent refresh can be both a blessing and a curse — especially when it triggers our behavioural biases.
Margin of Safety
When it comes to money, many don’t cater enough margin of safety. Just like buying travel insurance before a holiday, or having a wet-weather plan for an outdoor event, your financial plan should have some contingencies and room for unforeseen circumstances.
In The Grand Scheme of Things
$10,000 invested into diversified stocks in 1928 would have grown to more than $118 million today. Market crises and economic fluctuations may appear large and insurmountable as we are going through it but in the grand scheme of things, it is just like a drop of water in the ocean.
Getting Wealthy vs Staying Wealthy — 2 Very Different Strategies
A study found that 70% of families lose all of their wealth by the second generation, with that number increasing to 90% the third generation. There are many books or strategies written teaching you how to get rich, but how do you actually protect your riches when you get to where you want to be?
How to be a Better Investor
Ronald Read died at age 92 with assets over US$8M. Having worked as a gas station attendant for over 20 years and later swept floors at a department store, many were shocked at his accumulated wealth. There is no other industry in the world besides investing where an inexperienced person is able to get a leg up on the best and brightest. Why is this so?