Portfolio Update March 2025

Selamat Hari Raya Puasa on the last day of Mar 2025. Here is an update of my investment portfolios.

My SGX Income Portfolio value increases to $388k from $372k. S-Reits have rebounded due to institutional inflows in recent weeks as the Federal Reserve maintained interest rates at 4.25 to 4.5 percent, leaving the market sentiments to believe that interest rates have peaked and will be cut at least 2 times in 2025. Trump’s inflationary actions from the impose of tariffs potentially spark off a global trade war and recession, causing the US and Asian stock markets to tank and remain volatile.

My US Growth Portfolio tanks to US$10k from US$14.2k due to my exposure to NVIDIA and GOOGL through selling put options which have also resulted in hefty paper losses despite their recent strong results beating expectations. Nonetheless, I still believe in their long term growth potential and plan to keep rolling over the options to delay the expiry date and take assignment of the NVIDIA and GOOGL shares.

My SRS Ultra Long-Term Portfolio value rises to $212k from $193k mainly due to capital injection from SRS contributions and the strengthening of Keppel DC Reit and OCBC share prices.

Portfolio Actions

1. Bought $1,000 of Amundi Prime USA AS SGD Fund at $193.35 in SRS.

2. Rollover 2 put options of Nvidia with strike prices $120 and $134 with expiry dates 16 May and 20 Jun respectively.

3. Rollover 1 put options of GOOGL with strike price $190 with expiry date 16 May.

Portfolio Dividends

1. Received $299.50 of dividends from SSB on 3 Mar.

2. Received $138.00 of dividends from SSB in SRS on 3 Mar.

3. Received $400.00 of dividends from MPACT on 7 Mar.

4. Received $768.10 of dividends from Ascendas Reit on 11 Mar.

5. Received $438.24 of dividends from Mapletree Log Trust on 13 Mar.

6. Received $527.73 of dividends as 249 shares from Mapletree Ind Trust DRP on 14 Mar.

7. Received $90.09 of dividends from Keppel DC Reit in SRS on 17 Mar.

8. Received $289.83 of dividends from Keppel Reit on 17 Mar.

9. Received $674.65 of dividends from CICT on 21 Mar.

10. Received $840.00 of dividends from Aims Apac Reit on 26 Mar.

11. Received $282.14 of dividends from CapitaLand China Trust on 27 Mar.

12. Received $295.16 of dividends from IREIT Global on 27 Mar.

SGX Income Portfolio

Portfolio Value = $388k

US Growth Portfolio

Moomoo

US$0.6k

Tiger Broker

US$8.3k

Syfe Trade

US$1.1k

Portfolio Value = US$10k

SRS Ultra Long-Term Portfolio

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. It's crucial to conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Thanks for reading.

With love and peace, 

Qiongster

Passive Income in 1Q 2025 Exceeds $6k

   

The first quarter of 2025 is drawing to a close.

While I am grateful to be a wage slave having collected 3 months of salary from work, I am actually not happy because active income is derived from trading time for money, seeing bosses' faces, dealing with crappy work portfolios and worse of all, taking a toil on my mind, soul and body and being taxable.

Real joy emanates from passive income streaming into my bank account automatically from doing nothing, other than owning a tiny piece of income-producing cake such as properties, businesses, REITs or stocks. What’s best? Dividends are tax-free.

For Q1 2025. my passive income from Singapore Savings Bonds, stocks and Reits in my investments are as follows:

$544.50 Savings Bond (2 Jan)

$147.50 Savings Bond SRS (2 Jan)

$377.40 Savings Bond (3 Feb)

$326.64 Keppel DC Reit (10 Feb) SRS

$355.00 Ascott Reit (28 Feb)

$78.50 Suntec Reit (28 Feb)

$299.55 Savings Bond (3 Mar)

$138.00 Savings Bond SRS (3 Mar)

$400.00 MPACT (7 Mar)

$768.10 Ascendas Reit (11 Mar)

$438.24 Mapletree Log Trust (13 Mar)

$527.73 Mapletree Ind Trust (14 Mar) DRP 249 shares

$90.09 Keppel DC Reit (17 Mar) SRS

$289.83 Keppel Reit (17 Mar) SRS

$674.65 CICT (21 Mar)

$840.00 Aims Apac Reit (26 Mar)

$282.14 Capitaland China Trust (27 Mar)

$295.16 IREIT (27 Mar)

Altogether they amount to $6,873.03.

As the dividends payout of most REITs have dropped, there is only a 6% Year-on-Year increase from my passive income in Q1 2024 of $6,471.90 

While the allure of readily available cash is undeniable, my primary focus remains on building sustainable passive income. I highly value this approach, particularly due to the minimal effort required and the tax-free dividends in Singapore.

My strategy is simple: maintain a frugal lifestyle, consistently save, and invest prudently through all market cycles. This disciplined approach is my pathway to financial freedom.

My ultimate goal is a $1 million investment portfolio generating at least $50,000 annually, or $12,500 quarterly, in passive income. Though I'm currently working towards the halfway mark, I'm optimistic about the potential for more passive income throughout the remainder of 2025.

Thanks for reading.

With love & peace,

Qiongster

Net Worth Update Mar 2025

 

My net worth rises to S$1.83 million after CPF contributions, dividends, savings from salary and due to recovery of S-Reits investments.

Net Worth Breakdown:

Safe Heavens (63%)

CPF (36%): CPF is the bedrock of my retirement savings and constitutes the bulk of my wealth. I am comfortable with letting the funds in CPF idle and have no plan to invest them. Earlier, I have shared the 8 key changes to CPF in 2025.

Cash and war chest (17%): Liquid reserves strategically stashed in fixed deposits and Fullerton cash funds, earning around 3% p.a. This financial cushion provides me with a peace of mind and security for unexpected expenses or investment opportunities.

Bonds (10%): A balanced portfolio of low-risk Singapore Savings Bonds and Astrea Bond ensures stability. I have maxed out my SSB individual limit of $200k in Aug 2024, just before the interest rates declined.

Retirement Savings (15%)

SRS (11%): This tax-deferred savings account provides an additional layer of retirement savings. I have started to contribute around $7k to the annual individual limit of $15.3k, leaving $7.9k more to do. My SRS funds are invested in $30k of SSB and 6 local stocks - Comfortdelgro, DBS, OCBC, Keppel DC Reit, Keppel Reit and Wilmar. Recently, I have also use SRS funds to nibble Amundi Prime USA fund to gain exposure to S&P 500 tech growth businesses.

Insurance (4%): A Prudential whole life insurance plan and other savings plans could provide me with 6-digit lump sum payout after my retirement while offering continual protection for peace of mind. I have also upgraded my MediShield life to integrated shield plan for private hospital coverage.

Equities (22%)

Stocks and Reits (22%): A property-oriented portfolio of stocks and Reits, focuses on long-term dividend income and stability. This segment of financial assets is riskier, more volatile and sensitive to interest rates but offers me the opportunity to indirectly own diversified portfolios of industrial, retail and commercial properties locally, and around the world for consistent passive income.

The Pursuit of FIRE

The true value of net worth numbers lies in the peace of mind they provide. The focus on building passive income streams and growing my overall net worth is not solely about retiring early. It is about creating options in life to possibly regain time, location and financial freedom.  It is about having the peace of mind to pursue passions, spend time to enjoy living life, and navigate life's uncertainties without financial stress.  This journey is about building a foundation of security that empowers me to make choices based on what truly matters.

I hope to achieve my next target of SGD 1.85m soon in the coming months and then the next significant milestone of SGD 2m before reaching 40 year old next year.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Investment decisions should be made based on individual circumstances and after careful consideration of risks and potential rewards.

Thanks for reading.

With love and peace, 

Qiongster

Portfolio Update February 2025

Here is an update of my investment portfolios for Feb 2025.

My SGX Income Portfolio value decreases to $372k from $387k. S-Reits and property stocks remain feeble as Donald Trump’s inflationary actions from the impose of tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China goods lead the market to be fearful of prolonged high interest rate environment and diminishing chances of rate cuts this year. This will severely erode the bottom line and distributions of S-Reits. Local banks have announced their awesome results and higher dividends but are expected to experience tapered growth or even declines in profits moving forward due to the potential trade war causing global uncertainty, dampening loan demands and higher non-performing loans.

My US/HK Growth Portfolio drops to US$14.2k from US$14.7k mainly due to my liquidation of HK-listed shares of Alibaba, Tencent and Meituan ending my 4 year experiment with China stocks with a modest gain. I decided to focus on just SGX stocks for income and US stocks for growth even though Chinese and HK stocks may have more leg room to run higher. Previously, I dabble in HK market by leveraging on free stock vouchers given by Tiger Broker.

My exposure to NVIDIA through selling put options have also resulted in losses despite its strong results beating expectations. Nonetheless, I still believe in the long term growth potential of NVIDIA and I am planning to keep rolling over the options to delay the expiry date and take assignment of the NVIDIA shares below $130.

My SRS Ultra Long-Term Portfolio value dips to $193k from $195k mainly due to the weakening of Keppel DC Reit and OCBC share prices.

Portfolio Actions

1. Bought 200 shares of DBS at $45.68 in SRS.

2. Rollover 2 put options of Nvidia with strike prices $120 and $137 with expiry dates 16 May and 21 Mar respectively. A put option of Nvidia with strike price $134 has expired on 14 Feb.

3. Sold 101 shares of Alibaba at HK$121.80, 1 share of Meituan at HK$159.70 and 1 share of Tencent at HK$442.

Portfolio Dividends

1. Received $377.40 of dividends from SSB on 3 Feb.

2. Received $326.64 of dividends from Keppel DC Reit in SRS on 2 Jan.

3. Received $355.00 of dividends from Ascott Reit on 28 Feb.

4. Received $78.50 of dividends from Suntec Reit on 28 Feb.

SGX Income Portfolio

Portfolio Value = $372k

US Growth Portfolio

Moomoo

US$2.3k

Tiger Broker

US$10.5k

Syfe Trade

US$1.4k

Portfolio Value = US$14.2k

SRS Ultra Long-Term Portfolio

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. It's crucial to conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Thanks for reading.

With love and peace, 

Qiongster