Lowyat.NET: Latest topics by pinksapphire

Autocallable Equity Linked Structured Investment

pinksapphire — Tue, 21 Jan 2014 16:40:23 +0800

Hello, experienced sifus of bank products

Can I ask for your opinions on this type of investment?
Long story short, it's something like this:
http://www.hsbc.com.my/1/PA_ES_Content_Mgm...s/home/916.html or http://www.hsbc.com.my/1/PA_ES_Content_Mgm.../home/1058.html

Those are just examples found online. I recently came across OCBC's eBay product and wanted to research more on this. So, you need to put in for 1 year. Then if it hits 105% of the price you bought, then it will be auto called at any time earlier than the duration and you will get 8%.
If it hits super low, which is unlikely to go down beyond 20%, you will lose your principal amount to however much it minuses out at the end. Min amount is RM100,000.

So far, the track record with OCBC's is quite good. Those who bought previously had theirs auto called within few months. So that's RM8k in few months. But of course, if it tanks and you're unlucky, you could lose more than that

I'm not expecting many replies from this topic considering it's not a popular topic, but I hope anyone who has tried it or knows the real risk with it, do kindly share a word or two.

Thanks!

Setting up online store/blog

pinksapphire — Thu, 01 Aug 2013 21:49:39 +0800

Hi, guys...I've been thinking about this for some time.
There are some products (for eg. handmade gym gloves from overseas) that I would like to sell/promote online and I'm thinking of registering a domain as a start.
I've been looking around and I see that there are some services provided by companies which handles not only registration of new site, but covers also processing of orders, payment-related process and also designing of the site for us. Pretty much just everything in one. It seems expensive though, and some even charge % of the sale made through them.
I wonder if anyone uses this model for their business and what they think about it? Also, any good recommendations?

Another alternative is to do things a bit more manually - something like a blog. Meaning it's meant for promoting my products and everything else is handled through email enquiries and dealt with more personally. So what I need is probably a decent site builder so I can update posts regarding my products and to redirect them when it comes to sales.

As this is meant as my part-time venture, I want something that doesn't require me to crack my brain over setting it up.

What do you think, o' experienced ones? Thanks

Options trading

pinksapphire — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 23:29:17 +0800

Hi, everyone.

I'm not sure if there's a more proper thread that I should be looking at for this, but I haven't seen one that talks about options trading.
I am interested to know how many people are into options and next, it would be nice to generally discuss about this subject.

Thanks!

Dollar cost averaging investment

pinksapphire — Wed, 15 May 2013 17:45:46 +0800

Hi peeps.

Kindly need your feedbacks in this
OCBC has this dollar cost averaging investment and I would like to know more about this from your experience/knowledge as I don't quite understand how it runs, especially the real catch and disadvantages.
I did some reading up on Google, but it'd still be good to hear it from you guys

Basically, it's a 6-month plan. You put in, for example, RM60k during this period. Investment is RM10k per month.
By putting in this RM60k, you get 4% of interest upfront in the first month - that's RM2,400k. Their service fee is 1% - that's RM600.
They will use your money for investment (in stocks, if I'm not mistaken) each month.
At the end of 6 months, you take back your money, along with any additional returns (depending on performance). If you're lucky, you get, for example, extra 3-4%. Of course, it sounds great. But I know, nothing is so good as it sounds.

I didn't get a straight answer from the relationship manager, but it seems like the RM60k is not guaranteed. So you may potentially lose money, but since it's for 6 months period, it's not very likely for it to perform that badly.
The bright side that I see is, at least you have that 3% interest to help offset any losses (if there is) and if it performs well and you get some % in returns, okay jugak right?

So, I really appreciate if you guys can point me the actual downsides or upsides to this investment, lol Thanks!!

Foreign exchange linked digital return

pinksapphire — Thu, 09 May 2013 02:16:38 +0800

Hi everyone.
I have a recommended investment proposed to me not long ago from OCBC and I'm not too sure about it. I'm not planning to invest although it sounds decent, so my intent is to share this out for discussion purpose. I don't know if this type of investment is similiar to any others that are already asked here or if it falls under other name, so if it does, pardon my ignorance.

Here's what I got from the wealth manager:

Period: 1 year
100% Capital guaranteed if held until maturity. This investment is not insured by PIDM.
Principal amount: Minimum RM70k
Underlying Reference: USD/CNH, expressed as CNH per USD1.00. CNH here is RMB which trades outside of Mainland China.
Strike rate: 99.5% of the Underlying Reference on Initial Valuation Date
Interest Rate: 7.10% p.a
Redemption at Maturity:
i) If USD/CNH on final valuation date is at or below the Strike Rate, Redemption Amount = Principal Amount + (Principal Amount x IR).
ii)If USD/CNH on final valuation date is above the Strike Rate, Redemption Amount = Principal Amount
Premature Withdrawal: May lose part or all of the principal amount invested

Basically, this is to take part in the potential appreciation of China's currency, CNH. If CNH weakens against USD, then there's no profit. So you get back your principal amount as it is after a year. If strengthens, you get profit from your interests (I think the range is about 7-9%). It still sounds confusing to me since I'm totally new to this. I hope someone out there understands what I've written and be able to shed some light for my learning, thanks

Opening and running a bookstore

pinksapphire — Tue, 07 May 2013 08:54:39 +0800

Hi guys

I'm wondering if any of you know or have experience with opening a bookstore?
I'm not referring to those of MPH, Borders, Popular mainstream sorts. I'm looking at those smaller types or more specialized ones.

My impression is, this business will not make money, lol...but it's a dream that I would like to fulfill one day.
So it would be good if I get an idea how is it like to have one.
Things that I would like to know the most is the cost. If you have any examples, that would be great.
Other things such as its operational matters up till the logistics, if you have any feedbacks on anything at all, I'd be really happy to hear from you.

Thanks ahead for your sharing!

How good is the Longchamp brand?

pinksapphire — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 12:15:13 +0800

Hi, girls. I'm not that very in-tune with the fashion world, so I'm not sure exactly how does this brand stand among the other brands? Is it better than Coach, not as good LV, Burberry...or what's the general perception like when it comes to Longchamp?
Worth buying, or I should spend on others at the same price, etc.

Would be good to hear from you ladies, thanks!