Market Outlook from the Eagle Vantage Point

As we march towards mid of April, I am keenly reminded of last year's onslaught during the May 06 corrections, which led many of my investors bleeding for quite a while. Hence I will be putting up my viewing post high up in the financial alps, and set up my eagle-dar to feel the market pulse. Starting with this week ending 13 April 07.

This week ended with economic news in the spotlight. A positive read on inflation came with the producer price index (PPI) coming in flat for March, easing some fears of higher interest rates. More good news came with report of an improved trade deficit. However, the news was lightened with the preliminary reading for the consumer sentiment index falling more than expected in April.

Major indexes ended the week with slight gains. The Dow Jones was up 0.4%, while the S&P 500 rose 0.6% and the Nasdaq 0.8%. Foreign markets were up a bit more than domestic markets, with Europe up almost 2%, Asia, with the exception of Japan, was up around 1.5% and Latin America over 2%. The healthcare sector was a big winner, with gains of 2-4%.

Refinery glitches and a dwindling gasoline inventory pushed oil prices up, ending the week at $63.63/barrel. Gold set at around US$677 and still trending up. See here

Next week will be a big week as companies roll out first quarter earnings. Earnings will most likely beat estimates, but this could be the first time in 14 quarters they grow less than 5%.

Have a great weekend!

Enthusiasm

Act as if you were already happy and that will tend to make you happy.

Flaming enthusiasm, backed up by horse sense and persistence,
is the quality that most frequently makes for success.

Act enthusiastic and you will be enthusiastic.
- Dale Carnegie

Politics is ...

Politics is war without bloodshed, while war is politics with bloodshed.
- Mao Tse-Tung








I just recieved a letter stating that I am officially assigned out of my Division under the Guards Formation.
Which means I am now under the "MR", shortform for "Mindef Reserve".
Hor ehh...!
No more in camps!
No more recalls!!
No more IPPTs!!! No more, no more, no more... :)
Probably also no more NSmen tax relief next year ... :(

No more disturbances, nor overseas assignment (like the photos attached).
Btw, that was taken in Australia, in their botanical garden, size about 3 times Singapore. (And they call it a garden!!!)

How Champions Are Made (Not Born)

Champions aren't made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them - a desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have last-minute stamina, they have to be a little faster, they have to have the skill and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill.
- Muhammad Ali

Filling Up Forms

Ah Beng is filling up an application form for a job. He supplied the information for the columns on Name, Age, Address etc. Then he comes to column on "Salary Expected", but he is not sure of the question.
After much thought, he writes " Yes "

Learn the 5 Language of Apology Part I

Blogger's Note: the following is a report on the practical applications of Gary Chapman and Jennifer M. Thomas’s book, The Five Languages of Apology, (Moody Publishers, 2006).

Have you ever apologized to someone, but found that person still upset with you? In your frustration, you may have thought there’s nothing more you could have done. But since people have different ways of apologizing, the way you expressed your apology may just not have gotten through to the person you offended.

If you speak a different apology language than the person you’re trying to reach, he or she will likely view your apology as insincere. But if you translate your apology into that person’s language, you can pave the way for forgiveness and reconciliation in that relationship.
Here’s how you can become fluent in the languages of apology and experience healed relationships:

Learn the first language: Expressing regret.
This says, “I am sorry.” When you speak this language, you let the person you’ve offended know of your own guilt, shame, and pain over the fact that your behavior has hurt him or her. You don’t simply correct problems without acknowledging your remorse; instead, you verbalize your regret in specific ways. In your apology, give as many details as possible to show you understand how your wrong behavior affected the offended person. Don’t tack on a “but …” to your apology, either blaming your actions on something the person did to provoke you or making excuses for what you did. Make sure you don’t try to use an apology to manipulate the offended person into reciprocating. To give your apology more emotional weight, consider writing it in a letter that the offended person can read again and again. Make it clear to the offended person that you feel hurt because your actions have hurt him or her, so you can identify with the pain he or she is experiencing.

We'll explore the second language tomorrow. Stay tuned.