Apple Nears the US$3 Trillion Market Cap

Apple, the American tech giant, is inches away from reaching a market capitalization of US$3 trillion dollars just over a year after it surpassed the two-trillion mark. This incredible milestone is as big as the equity markets of the United Kingdom or Germany.

After a decades-long run as one of the world’s best performing stocks, shares of Apple were up at 1.6% at US$174. The company needs to trade at US$182.85 to hit the goal. Nonetheless, the stock risen to about 30% this year on top of an 80% jump in 2020.

Oanda’s Senior Market Analyst Craig Erlam said: “There’s so much still to come from Apple, which makes you wonder what milestone they’ll pass next and how big they can become.”

Back in 2018, Apple reached the US$1 trillion in market capitalization and it took the company two years to double that valuation. Reaching the three-trillion mark will establish a strong rally that has been fueled by investors betting on its brand. Moreover, its peers in the trillion-dollar club include Microsoft, Amazon, and Tesla.

“Apple does seem to be more immune to the ebb and flow of economic forces just because of this really strong brand. Its new product pipeline is pretty strong too,” according to Hargreaves Lansdown’s Senior Investment and Market Analyst Susannah Streeter.

QUICK TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE

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Owing it to the steady stream of products that attracted a loyal following, Apple became the world’s most valuable business. In late 2000, the company had a market value of merely US$4.5 billion and the investors were fleeing the stock. Nowadays, investors cannot get enough of the stock. The stock has breached Wall Street’s median price target by US$4, with most experts and analysts covering the stock rating it buy or higher.

Despite the wobbling status of markets because of higher interest rates and the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, investors view Apple as a relatively safe place to keep their money due to its consistent sales growth.

You see, Apple is “kind of in that sweet spot of not being too expensive, having a nice mix of products and services, and being a great innovator across its entire product line,” said Ingalls & Snyder’s Senior Portfolio Strategist Tim Ghriskey.

Sources: 1 & 2

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How Traders Can Improve Their Investment Returns On The moomoo Platform

Traders are always on the lookout for that little factor that will help improve their competitive edge. That is because they trade in high frequency, and may even take on leverage to help upsize their positions. Full-time traders who trade for a living might want to take note – moomoo trading app is the perfect online platform to take your game to the next level.

moomoo is a one-stop investment platform powered by FUTU. In Singapore, products and services on moomoo are offered by Futu Singapore Pte. Ltd. a brokerage and custodian licensed and regulated by the MAS. Here’s how traders can potentially improve their investment returns on the moomoo platform at every step in their investment journeys.

Step 1: Investment Opportunities

At the beginning of a traders’ typical journey, they could already be overwhelmed by the myriad of investment opportunities in the market. Ignoring the market noise and finding a winning investment is akin to finding a needle in the haystack. Here is how moomoo app can help in several ways:

  • Heat Map

moomoo’s Heat Map directly show the ups and downs of each sector in the market through the block size and colour depth. From one image, it gives a quick overview of the lay of the market for that trading day.

  • Star Institutions

There is a saying that “if you can’t beat them, join them”. With the Star Institutions page on the moomoo app, you will very quickly obtain high-value information such as:

  • List of stocks by star institutions such as Warren Buffet, Soros Holdings, Temasek Holdings etc
  • The historical trend of holdings, and the daily transaction information of individual stocks

With the Star Institutions, you will identify the investment targets of star institutions and be able to ride the trend powerfully.

Step 2: Analysis

A key product feature of moomoo app is the availability of Short-Sell Data. Users can view the daily short selling data and ratio of US and HK stocks, as well as the current open positions. To access Short-Sell Data, simply go to Analysis under the individual stock page.

Short-Sell Data is critical in assisting traders to identify long and short sentiments to form an outlook of a specific stock. This will ensure that traders stay with the trend, or at least understand the size of the opponent if they choose to take a contrarian position.

Step 3: Executing The Trade

The time has finally come for the trader to execute their trades. On the moomoo trading platform, users can be assured of efficient trading execution of their strategies to maximise profits.

Desktop users can fully customise their trading windows for a multi-monitor experience and leverage on more than 89 types of drawing tools and indicators. Furthermore, trades are executed as fast as 0.037 seconds and at very competitive pricing.

In addition, users can leverage on moomoo’s AI Monitor function to automatically monitor changes in each market and all stocks of their choice. This will allow them to stay updated on stock fluctuations, increase in trading volumes and seize fleeting investment opportunities.

Sign Up via moomoo App Now for your FUTU SG securities account!

Finally, who can say NO to Welcome Rewards valued at around S$2,000? Here are the steps (not cumulative) to ensure new users receive the Welcome Rewards from moomoo powered by FUTU:

  1. Register for a moomoo ID
  2. Successfully open a FUTU SG Securities
  3. Make a First Deposit of at least S$2,700 and above & immediately you will receive an Apple (AAPL) share and S$40 stock cash coupon, promotion ending on 30 November 2021, 0959 SGT.
  4. Transfer in some shares into the platform and depending on your shares values, you will be rewarded with more Apple (AAPL) shares or even the latest iPhone 13 (limited redemption)!

More terms and conditions of the Welcome Rewards can be found here. Download and sign up for moomoo app using this link today to give yourself a further cutting edge as a trader.

 

 

 

 

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Follow These Steps To Acquire Stocks In Singapore

With an abundance of low-cost investment brokerages and a wide range of investment products, we believe that anyone can get started on investing. Unless your ambition is to become a day trader, you do not need to master technical analysis or complex charting techniques.

Simply carve out your path by following these steps.

#1: OPEN AN INVESTMENT BROKERAGE ACCOUNT

Unlike your comfort food, stocks cannot be bought at a store and taken home in a paper bag. You need to go through an account with an investment brokerage. A brokerage is a company or firm that acts as the middleman to connect you to the stock exchange.

Brokerage companies usually receive compensation by means of commissions or fees that are charged once the transaction has been completed. Brokerage accounts charge through minimum fees (i.e., to pay on each trade) or trading fees (i.e., percentage of each trade). These fees will affect your profits, so ensure that you do your research.

#2: FUND YOUR ACCOUNT

It is necessary to transfer money to your account to begin trading. Take note of the brokerage company’s requirements such as the minimum fee.

These companies generally accept multiple funding methods such as PayNow transfer, FAST transfer via online banking, or overseas remittance. Use a method that suits you best.

#3: DETERMINE WHICH STOCKS TO INVEST IN

Do your research, ask financial questions, and compare the facts to determine which stocks to invest in. There are different types of investment products such as Blue chip stocks and Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs).

Blue chip stocks are the stocks of well-known, high-quality companies that are leaders in their industries. Investors usually hang on to these stocks for long periods and collect its dividends. Local “blue chips” include Singtel, DBS, and ComfortDelGro. Many Singaporean investors prefer to invest in blue chip stocks because of its perceived certainty and stability. Local blue chips are deemed to be less risky and are often common household names that most Singaporean investors can relate to.

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) allow you to buy shares in a variety of properties. For instance, CapitaLand and Ascendas gives you access to purchase shares in commercial properties such as shopping malls and office buildings. It is one of the most popular options for investors seeking regular income.

#4: ACQUIRE YOUR FIRST SHARES/STOCKS

Once your funds have been sorted out, you can buy your first shares/stocks using your brokerage’s online platform. As a beginner, you may make investing a regular habit by spending a fixed amount every month on generic Exchange Trade Fund. The Exchange Trade Funds (ETFs) are similar to mutual funds in many ways. Although, ETFs are bought and sold throughout the day on stock exchanges.

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The idea is that over the long term, the ETFs will rise. By buying a fixed sum every month, you will be able to spread out your risk through ups and downs. Consistently funding your account is key.

Sources: 1 & 2

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Fundamental Differences Between Stocks And Bonds

As a novice in the world of investments, it is important to know the basic differences between stocks and bonds. Stocks provide partial ownership in a corporation, while bonds are loans from an individual to a company or government.

One of the biggest differences between these two is how they generate profit. Stocks must appreciate in value and be sold later on. On the other hand, bonds pay fixed interest over time. Continue reading this article to know other notable differences between stocks and bonds.

STOCK MARKET VERSUS BOND MARKET

A place where investors can trade equity securities such as common stocks is called the stock market. Buying stocks (i.e., equity securities) entails that you are buying a very small ownership stake in a company. Equity holders purchase stocks in a company on a belief that it will perform well and that the value of the shares they purchased will increase. These stocks are traded on stock exchanges.

The key function of the stock market is to bring sellers and buyers together into a regulated, fair, and controlled environment where they can execute their trades. This regulated environment not only helps the investors, but also the corporations whose equity securities are being traded. The economy thrives when the stock market remains its robustness.

Let us move on to the bond market. The bond market is where investors go to trade debt securities (e.g., bonds), which may be issued by the governments or the corporations. The bond market is also known as the credit or debt market. Buying a bond or a debt security entails that you are lending money for a period of time and charging interest. You can compare the process to how banks charge interests to its debtors.

The key function of the bond market is to provide its investors with a steady, albeit nominal, source of regular income. In some cases, investors receive bi-annual interest payments. Many investors choose to hold bonds in their portfolios to save money for long-term needs such as retirement and their child’s education.

WHERE STOCKS AND BONDS ARE TRADED

Stocks are traded on exchanges, which are places where buyers and sellers decide on a price. Some exchanges are carried out on a trading floor or other physical locations. While, other exchanges are carried out virtually and are composed of a network of computers.

In contrast, the bond market does not have a centralized location to trade. Bonds mainly sell over the counter. As such, individual investors do not usually participate in the bond market. Those who participate include large institutional investors like pension funds foundations, asset management firms, and investment banks. Individual investors who wish to invest in bonds do so through a bond fund managed by the asset manager.

RISKS OF STOCKS VERSUS RISKS OF BONDS

Investors of stocks may be exposed to risks such as currency risk, liquidity risk, interest rate risk, and geopolitical risk. Moreover, stocks run the risk that the company could perform poorly or fall into bankruptcy and disappear altogether.

When it comes to bonds, investors are more susceptible to risks such as interest rates and inflation. When the interest rates are high and you need to sell the bond before it matures, you may end up getting less than what you paid for. If you are purchasing a bond from a company that is not financially sound, you are embracing the risks of credit. The bond issuer may not be able to make the interest payments, leaving itself open to default.

BOTTOMLINE

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Many people opt to invest in both stocks and bonds to diversify. The appropriate mixture of stocks and bonds in your portfolio must consider your tolerance for risks, personal timeline, and investment objectives. Typically, stocks and bonds do not fluctuate at the same time. Think about that.

Sources: 1 & 2

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Stocks Are Plummeting Due To The Global COVID-19 Scare

There is a scarcity of resources wherever you look. Toilet papers are flying off the shelves like the migratory Great snipe. People are typically seen hoarding cleaning supplies such as disinfectant sprays, antibacterial wipes, hand sanitizers, and so on. It is difficult to source out masks too!

With the scarcity of supplies, travel restrictions, and the limited capacity to work, the global COVID-19 pandemic has affected the economy in more ways than one. Last week, Wall Street plunged with Dow Jones confirming a bear market for the first time since the 2008 financial crisis. The escalating health fears sent the stock market into a nosedive, which is its worst state since the 1987 market crash.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1,464.63 points, bringing it 20% below its record set last month. This is what Wall Street calls a “bear market”. A bear market is a condition in which securities’ prices go 20% down or more from its recent highs. It is usually due to the widespread pessimism and negative investor sentiment. S&P 500 lost 140.84 points, which is just 1% point away from falling into the bear territory. While, Nasdaq Composite dropped 392.20 points.

Stocks dove even lower after the World Health Organization declared the virus outbreak as a pandemic. Stock prices reflect expectations of future profits and investors heavily perceive that the virus can reduce profits. Thus, a huge number of investors sought for the coordination of governments and central banks around the world to help control the economical threat of this virus. Until the extent of the decline is clearer, the natural reaction of many is to sell stocks.

The economic trajectory that seemed reasonable a few months a go is not going to be the same for a few months or a year. The wave of corporate conference cancellations, music festival cancellations, directives to work from home, and travel bans will exact a cost on businesses. Airlines, industrial companies, small businesses, educational establishments, service industries, and tech companies are all affected. We are all affected because the spending habits of consumers drive much of our economic activity.

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How long will this economic disruptions last and how deep will the economic market go?

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

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