Investment Strategies 05 (Nov 23 - Dec 26)

[winston]

My 5 Big Stock Predictions for 2026

How to stay bullish in the most volatile year of the AI boom

By Luke Lango

Prediction #1: The S&P 500 rises 20%+, because earnings grind higher, multiples stay elevated, and Washington discovers stimulus again

Prediction #2: The ride is not smooth: 2026 delivers multiple 10%+ corrections, and you’ll hate it while it’s happening

Prediction #3: AI stocks stay the hottest stocks on Wall Street but the boom becomes brutally selective

Prediction #4: Space stocks are among the best performers, powered by a SpaceX IPO vortex and “orbital compute” as the next sci-fi-to-capex bridge

Prediction #5: Housing stocks break out because Washington decides the housing market can’t stay dead heading into midterms

Source: Investor Place

https://investorplace.com/hypergrowthin ... -for-2026/

[winston]

5 Major Economic Predictions for 2026

By Luke Lango

1. AI and Unemployment in 2026: Why Joblessness Hits 6% Despite Strong Growth

2. The Two-Speed Economy: How AI Drives GDP Growth While Eliminating Jobs

3. Why Inflation Falls in 2026: The AI Productivity Paradox

4. Multiple Rate Cuts Despite Strong GDP

5. The Bond Market Twist: Long-Term Rates Stay High Despite Fed Cuts

Source: Investor Place

https://investorplace.com/hypergrowthin ... -for-2026/

[winston]

Global outlook for 2026 – Defying gravity?

By LEE HENG GUIE

The global economy’s resilience was supported by strong labour markets, export front-loading ahead of tariffs, less restrictive monetary policy, better financial conditions, fiscal expansion and strong performance in the United States as well as some emerging markets.

Although China remained on track to achieve 5% growth in 2025 (5% in 2024), there remain lingering concerns about structural hinderance to growth, soft consumer demand and a deepening property downturn.

The US private credit and related structures, which have grown rapidly in size from a US$40bil market in 2000 to nearly US$2 trillion has raised questions about the health of credit markets given a succession of high-profile defaults connected to bankruptcies and fraud allegations.

Source: The Star

https://www.thestar.com.my/business/ins ... ng-gravity

[winston]

S$100,000 in 2026, according to wealth experts

While the environment remains supportive of equities and bonds, the era of ‘easy’, risk-free returns of the past two years is largely behind us

by Deon Loke

1. Low risk appetite: the conservative investor

Allocating a modest portion (around 20 per cent) of the S$100,000 portfolio to blue-chip or defensive equities yielding close to 3 per cent. Consider US dollar-denominated corporate bonds, which can offer yields of 4.5 per cent or higher.


2. Bond-heavy conservative portfolio

56 per cent allocated to high-quality fixed-income exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to provide predictable income. This allocation can be spread over US Treasuries, international bonds, inflation-linked bonds and investment-grade corporates to help diversify interest rate and credit risk. 25 per cent allocation to diversified hedge funds. 14 per cent in global equities for measured growth, and 5 per cent in gold


3. Classic 60-40 strategy with modifications

Among equity markets, OCBC is overweight on Asia ex-Japan (China, Hong Kong, Singapore), citing superior growth potential and attractive valuations compared to the US. The bank remains neutral on US, Japanese and European equities,
As for fixed income, he cited a preference for investment-grade bonds and selected high-quality, high-yield bonds.


4. Short-term volatility, long term growth

Public equities across US (15 per cent), developed markets outside the US (40 per cent) and emerging markets (8 per cent). This ensures broad participation in themes like technology and the energy transition.

A 25 per cent allocation to private equity can capture the “illiquidity premium” by accessing companies early in their growth cycle, though it requires a 10 to 12 year commitment.

Source: Business Times

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/wealth ... th-experts

[winston]

Challenges to handle, opportunities to pursue in 2026

Key drivers include navigating tricky US rate-cut decisions

While US inflation should stabilise in 2026, the path to the Federal Reserve’s 2% target will be longer than expected.

by Matthias Scheiber

1. Look for gradual growth globally
2. Expect inflation to be “sticky” in the US but low elsewhere
3. Navigate tricky US rate-cut decisions
4. Keep investors on their toes with geopolitics
5. Anticipate consequences from US fiscal policy dominance

Source: Business Times

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/wealth ... ursue-2026

[winston]

DBS Stock Pulse: Global Stocks - Potential beneficiaries and casualties of Venezuela crisis

Potential beneficiaries and casualties of geopolitical risk Venezuela crisis

What happened? The US seized control of Venezuela’s oil sector following a military intervention over the weekend

- Immediate reaction to oil market was muted, with Brent crude holding at USD60/bbl

- While Venezuela has vast oil reserves, it is a small global oil producer (outside the top 20), with current production of less than 1mn barrels of oil a day

US is looking to push multi-billion investments by US oil giants to revitalize Venezuela’s oil production but don’t expect production to ramp up anytime soon

Venezuela’s oil is dominated by extra-heavy crude and without political stability, large-scale foreign investment, technical rebuilding and access to global markets, these reserves remain largely stranded assets, supporting our analyst’s unchanged near-term Brent range of USD60–65/bbl.

We identify 3 categories of potential beneficiaries/casualties from this development

- #1 Defense stocks (+): Attention should return to global defense stocks (e.g., RTX in the US, ST Eng in Singapore) alongside heightened geopolitical tensions with military/armed conflict

- #2 Oil majors (+/-): Chevron stands to benefit the most as it continues supplying 20% of Venezuelan oil under a US sanctions waiver; limited immediate impact on US majors (e.g., ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips) given substantial investment/time required to ramp production in Venezuela

- #3 China refiners (-): As China is the key importer of Venezuela’s crude, the US-led transition could disrupt and/or displace Chinese supply chain/operations (e.g., Sinopec)

Source: DBS

[winston]

Tong's Portfolio - The year in review and what lies ahead

By Tong Kooi Ong + Asia Analytica

Despite lofty valuations, the US stock market continues to be fuelled by AI, hopes of easing trade tensions, upbeat earnings and expectations of further interest rate cuts.

Profit margins are expected to grow for most sectors, as companies adjust their cost structures through investment in AI and strategic layoffs.

The plantation sector should continue to see high palm oil prices amid tight supply and land seizures in Indonesia.

Banking stock should continue to provide stable earnings and yield.

Source: The Edge

https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/788007

[winston]

2026 outlook: Blowing bubbles

The equity market rally likely still has legs but diversification strategies have become even more essential.

by Steve Brice

We believe this equity market rally is backed by strong earnings growth and cash flows – and therefore, it still has legs.

The optimists argue we remain in a bull market supported by strong earnings growth, easing financial conditions and growth-supportive policies.

Pessimists argue that valuations are stretched; inflation is stubbornly high, especially in the US; and it is only a matter of time before fiscal challenges result in higher bond yields, undermining support for equity markets.

Managing risk by diversification strategies
Embracing alternatives

Source: Business Times

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/wealth ... ng-bubbles

[winston]

My Five Predictions for 2026

by Louis Navellier

Prediction #1: Kevin Hassett Should Be Named the Next Federal Reserve Chair
Prediction #2: At least Two More Key Interest Rate Cuts in 2026
Prediction #3: AI Revolution & Data Center Boom Accelerates
Prediction #4: U.S. Economy on Track to Achieve 5% GDP Growth
Prediction #5: Earnings Momentum Set to Hit the Gas in 2026

Source: Market 360

https://investorplace.com/market360/202 ... -for-2026/