Top Reads of The Week 7/4/2024

Invest overseas?

Author

Richard @ The Asia Report
April 07, 2024

Thoughts on Investing Overseas

Investing overseas can offer opportunities, but it also carries significant risks.

This is especially so for those unfamiliar with the local business landscape, regulatory frameworks, and “bad actors”.

Recent events, such as the suspension of dividends by several Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) with overseas assets, serve as stark reminders of these risks.

Notably, half of these affected REITs have assets in the US, a well-regulated market.

The reasons are a sharp downturn in the local commercial real estate.

For those lacking in-depth knowledge of foreign markets, a more prudent approach involves utilising low-cost diversified Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) to gain exposure to overseas assets.

ETFs offer a way to spread risk across various regions and industries, mitigating the impact of adverse events in any single stock.

These 6 REITs Withheld Dividends: What Went Wrong?

Six Singapore-listed REITs have withheld their dividends, raising concerns among investors.

The article delves into the reasons behind each REIT's decision to withhold dividends and investors can draw useful lessons from them.

Hong Kongers' Record Trips to China Leave City Empty Over Easter

Hong Kong experienced an unusually quiet Easter weekend as a record number of residents traveled to mainland China, taking advantage of the recently reopened border.

Businesses, particularly those in the retail and hospitality sectors, are feeling the impact, with some reporting a significant drop in sales compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Sole low bids for large plots at River Valley, Thomson show developers turning frosty and defensive

Two large land parcels in Singapore's prime districts of River Valley and Thomson have received sole low bids from developers, indicating a cautious and defensive approach in the current market.

The bids, which were significantly lower than expected, suggest that developers are becoming increasingly selective and risk-averse when it comes to land acquisitions.

OCBC, UOB should privatise listed insurance arms Great Eastern and United Overseas Insurance

The article argues that Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC) and United Overseas Bank (UOB) should consider privatizing their listed insurance subsidiaries, Great Eastern Holdings and United Overseas Insurance, respectively.

.

Join the conversation

or to participate.