Problem is, I only have cousins staying in SG (work and stay there), and me myself not working or studying there. My internship is over and basically I have to pay for my internship instead of the company paying me.

I am back at Malaysia now, anyway. I do have a HK bank account, since I am studying there. But I invest in HK & SG REITs and shares through unit trusts rather than directly in the exchange as I don't have sufficient cash to open a brokerage account at IBKR's whitelabels. 1000 USD is a lot for me (Tradestation Global). Need to wait till I work. No choice, have to contend with 2-3% off my investment return due to tonnes of charges.

Thanks for introducing this broker. I remain doubtful on the zero-commission business model.

Not sure how true is this: https://apenquotes.wordpress.com/2017/10/10...e-8-securities/

I don't like to trade HK shares as the regulations there are slightly loser compared to Singapore, will prefer US S&P 500 ETF, but then there is 30% WHT. So, have to go for UCITS instead.

I will not work in HK upon graduation as I prefer to stay and work in Singapore after I graduate. So, a HK brokerage account may not be a good option, more so given the bleak future of HK. Tradestation global may be a suitable one for me, I think.

Understood. I will apply to Singapore uni soon as a backup. So, HK bank account may close anytime.

Moreover, even if I have a HK account, I don't have much choice as a single lot for HK shares can be a few thousands HKD. I prefer blue chip dividend stocks and utility stocks, but then 8securities have dividend charges. I agree that H-shares are attractive, especially the HSI constituents. Will have a look at this, anyway. Thanks for the info.

Hi guys,

What's your thought about equity linked investment. I wanted to pull out funds from my equity market into government or corporate bonds, and the broker keep pushing this.

Note: Please analyze objectively and don't say all structured products are bad, though most are. ;-)

Equity Linked tied to both shares below
Tencent 0700.HK
Alibaba 9988.HK

Package
Airbag 80%
Coupon 16%
Early call 10%
Period 3 months

Which means that if I buy with principal 100 HKD of Equity Link Investment above, I get a coupon interest of 16% p.a. paid monthly, but if both Tencent and Alibaba drops below 80% of their shares I will get the share + coupon interest instead. The early call is whereby if the shares both goes up more than 10% the whole product will get exercised ahead in advance, and you get back the principal interest based on how much it has been going.

Scenario
1) Make money. Both shares go up more than 10% and early call is struck after trading, I get back principal (100 HKD) + interest period (16% p.a.)
2) Lost money. Both shares go down more than 20% and airbag is struck after trading, I get back share (now at 80 HKD or worse) + interest period (16% p.a.)
3) Make money. Both share go up less than 10% or down less than 20% the whole investment finished in three months, I get back principal (100 HKD) + interest period (16 p.a.)

Summarizing, I have a 36% range max (16% coupon upside + airbag downside protection which means it may go down to 20%), and unlimited downside but shares has to go down beyond 20% for it to take place.

Am I getting it right?

Looks a like something out of an option strategy, I'm not that familiar with options, but I think it's called a short strangle strategy. Basically, u are betting that the stocks will not move outside that range, meaning it will not be as volatile. So if the stocks move a lot in the upside you lose a lot in the opportunity cost and if it moves a lot in downside, you also can lose.

Coupon rate of 16% pa, with 3 months maturity, means a 4% return.

I have mixed feelings about this product. Yield is quite attractive. But I imagine you are pulling out of equities because you have a bearish outlook. This doesn't protect you in a big bear market. On the other hand, these are also very good stocks.

Btw what sort of bonds are you looking at?

As I said, if US try to unpeg the HKD, it will be the beginning of the end of USD unofficial status as world reserve currency. (but actually this may not be a bad thing to the world in the longer run).