Opening a stock broking account in Australian market is much easier than Singapore market.
This is because in Singapore market yhrough your broker you must first open a cdp account and if it is refused your stockbroking acccount cannot be opened.
In Australia the final decision of opening a broking account rest solely with your broker.

In singapore market, you cannot buy any quantity of your preferred share it depends on the lot size, that is the specified multiples of the share you can buy.

Australian market is more flexible you can buy any quantity.

The strength of Sgx market is in logistics and financial sector. In addition one has exposure to Chinese technology companies.

African Alliance Uganda Discontinues High Yield Equity Fund.

A savings gap has been left in Uganda's capital markets following the closure of the High Yield Fund, a moderate risk collective investment scheme, by African Alliance Uganda. The Fund was used by the company to manage cash saved and invested by about 500 individuals and institutions in government and company bonds in the country.

According to Ms Mona Muguma, an Investments Manager at African Alliance, the High Yield Fund (HYF) has been temporarily "closed" because of the limited interest in the fund by investors. "It has nothing to do with fund performance but everything to do with client uptake and none feasibility," Ms Muguma told Daily Monitor in an interview yesterday.

Not making sense

From a feasibility point of view, she said, the uptake of the Fund was not making sense to the company. "We would rather focus on what the market has shown that they prefer," She said. Investors who have been affected by the closure of the HYF have been advised to either switch to other funds or wait until March 2011, to redeem their money from the fund. Investors cannot withdraw their money from the fund now because it is under audit.

Single licenced firm

African Alliance, which is the only firm licensed to operate collective savings schemes (Unit Trusts ) in Uganda also operates the Uganda Money Fund and Balanced Investments Fund, which are low and high risk funds, respectively.

Based on annual comparisons and trends since 2004, African Alliance has found out that most investors in the company's profile are either low or high risk. "You find that the middle ground is not really a favoured point. So in terms of numbers, a critical mass was not being generated on the middle ground so we didn't see any reason to keep it," she said.

I wonder which box people keep referring to. What does it actually mean? What is the philosophy behind it?

Popular Singapore stocks research sites includes :-
www.sgx-online.com


www.tradingadviser.com

www.stockmarketsreview.com

The Australian share market is trading stronger at midday with all the major banks and miners in the black. Stocks opened higher this morning after receiving positive leads from Wall Street overnight, which was boosted by a stronger-than-expected third quarter GDP data. The S&P 500 has risen to its highest level today since the collapse of Lehman Brothers as investors continue to remain optimistic over global economic growth.

The S&P/ASX200 index has lifted 14 points and is 4,792 at noon. On the futures market the SPI is 25 points higher.

Company news: Telstra Ltd (ASX:TLS) says it will write down $138 million in the first half ended December 2010 after a review of its China-based mobile content and services business, Octave. Telstra bought a 67 per cent stake in Octave early last year for $259 million. The telco giant says it first highlighted a potential impact on the Octave business in August this year after regulatory rulings constrained the Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) market in China. Telstra says the write-down will not affect its earning guidance. Previously, the company stated it expects first half result to show a low double digit decline in earnings before interest, tax and depreciation. Shares in Telstra are up 0.36 per cent at $2.78.

White Energy Corporation Ltd (ASX:WEC) is set to go ahead with a $500 million acquisition of Cascade Coal Pty Ltd. White Energy says the acquisition of Cascade will enable the firm to own high quality thermal coal assets, as well as significant reserves and good accessibility to transport infrastructure located in the coal fields of New South Wales. The deal remains subject to shareholder and regulatory approval. The proposed acquisition is expected to be finalised by January 31, a little before before White Energy shareholders vote on the transaction, which is likely to be in March. Shares in White Energy are 1.47 per cent lower at $3.35.

Turning to market indices, and most are in positive territory. The best performing sector is Consumer Staples with the index advancing 52 points to 7,765. Shares in Metcash Ltd have risen 1.35 per cent to $0.375. Shares in Goodman Group and Woolworths and have also gained at noon. The worst performing sector at midday is Real Estate Investment Trust, dropping 9 points to 842. Shares in Ardent Leisure Group have fallen 6.07 per cent and are just over $1. Shares in CFS Retail Property Trust and ING Industrial Fund have also dropped at midday.

New Zealand: The NZSX50 is down 3 points. Taking a look at the top 4 stocks by turnover, Telecom Corporation of New Zealand is at the top of the list with stock steady $2.24; followed Fletcher Building, Westpac and ANZ.

Gold and the dollar: Gold is trading at $US1,387 US an ounce and the Aussie dollar is buying 99.92 US cents; slightly lower after it jumped through parity against the Greenback this morning for the fourth time this year.

The Australian share market closed higher today, up almost 1%, on the back of positive comments from the RBA contained in its August minutes which suggest that rates will remain on hold.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index is up 39 points to finish at 4,477. And on the futures market, the SPI200 is up 33 points.

To company news around this afternoon: Stockland (ASX:SGP) has announced that it has acquired two residential land parcels in south-east Queensland for $48.7 million from a private operator. CEO of the residential business Mark Hunter says the acquisition will give Stockland further exposure to the state’s western corridor, substantially boosting its market share in the area. Mr Hunter advises Stockland is expecting this most recent acquisition to deliver a profit in early fiscal 2012, adding that it is the eighth residential land acquisition Stockland has made in the current financial year at a total cost of $429 million for the period. Shares in Stockland closed 0.26% higher at $3.88.

As a result of an improved economic outlook, Oz Minerals Ltd (ASX:OZL) says it will reverse a $201 million impairment, resulting in an increase of $141.1 million to the reported net profit after tax for half year accounts due on 25 August. The impairment was recognised in relation to property, plant and equipment at the Prominent Hill operation for the year ended 31 December 2008, during the GFC and the early stages of commissioning the Prominent Hill project. Oz Minerals says that improvement in the global economy and copper market in particular, as well as proven production at Prominent Hill have contributed to the increased market valuation of the property, as reflected in Oz Minerals share price and its strong financial position. Shares in Oz Minerals closed 3.32% higher at $1.245.

Also making news: In property news both Commonwealth Property Office Fund (ASX:CPA) and CFS Retail Property (ASX:CFS) trusts have returned to profit in the year to 30 June, recording profits of $114 million and $315 million respectively.

The MAC Services Group Ltd (ASX:MSL) has posted a 16% increase in net profit after tax to $27.5 million for the 12 months to 30 June, and also declared a fully franked final dividend of 4.75 cents a share, taking the full year payout to 9.25 cents.

OneSteel Ltd (ASX:OST) has posted 12% growth in annual net profit to $258 million for the 2010 financial year and says underlying net profit after tax was in line with market guidance at $241 million.

UGL Ltd (ASX:UGL) has achieved its ninth consecutive increase in full year net profit after tax, up 1% to $144.5 million for the year to 30 June, following record contributions from three of UGL’s four business units including infrastructure, resources and services.

In the best and worst performers: The best performing sector at close was the Industrials with the index up 75 points at 3,466. The sector with the smallest gain was the Energy sector with the index up 9 points at 14,932. The best performing stock in the S&P/ ASX200 was iSoft shares rose 18.18% to $0.195. Shares in Gunns and Energy World Corporation also closed higher. The worst performing stock was Sigma Pharmaceuticals, shares fell 7.69% to close at $0.48. Shares in Roc Oil Company and Sundance Resources also closed weaker today.

Churchill Corp. posted net earning for the Fourth Quarter
Churchill Corp. released its financial results for the fourth quarter and the net income rose to C$14.6 million as compared to C$7.7 million last year from the last year. And as per the basic diluted shares, the net earning was $ 0.58 compared to C $ 0.42 per share a year ago. Had forecast, an average of eight analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters expected the company to post earnings of $ 0.40 per share. Analyst estimates typically exclude special items.

Net income from continuing operations was C $ 13.7 million from C$8.1 million last year. The Corporation reported total contract revenue of C$389.7 from C$173.9 million last year. The market expectation was for earnings of $ 366.53 million for the period. Income was above the C$51.2 million as compared with C$24.7 million last year.

Hi Young,

I know you have a global macro eye for investments. Have you looked at the Dubai property market and any insights you may have?

The property prices (and rents) have crashed more than 50% from the 2008 peak due to the crisis, and as more supply comes through the year in Dubai and neighbouring emirates, the prices are expected to come off abit. However I feel its almost hitting rock bottom (or will soon). Also the yield in investments is higher at aroung 9-10%, as compared to say Nairobi where its 4% where the properties are almost peaking. Rents are paid between 1-4 instalments. Finishings are great, and facilities like gym, swimming, are more standard.

One may also purchase with friends and use as a holiday home, and rent out as furnished apartment the rest of the year. I'm giving it a serious thought, though I'm also doing some more homework.

Some websites that may be of use.

http://dubai.dubizzle.com/property-for-sale/

http://dubai.dubizzle.com/property-for-rent/

On a personal experience: One should not consider off-plan property in this market, as they are bound to get delays, not to mention chances of a developer taking off. I personally lost close to 1M in an off plan, so its better to buy a complete house.

What's your take?