Lone wolf investor

  (Fireworks display at Kallang Basin) Market Summary 3-9 Aug 2026 *USA*  -US labour market lost 23,000 jobs in Jul, vs estimate increase of 80,000, weakest reading since Feb; Jun’s gain cut to 20,000 from 57,000, May’s reading revised to 63,000 from 129,000; unemployment rate lower to 4.1% vs 4.2% in Jun + ISM PMI rose to 55.6 in Jul from 53.3 in Jun, highest since May 2022, factory hiring finally expanded after 33 straight mths  + ISM Services PMI edged down slightly short of estimates at 54.1, new orders improved but hiring shrank again + US Composite PMI Output Index at 54.5 in Jul, vs 51.9 in Jun: S&P Global  ± US wholesale inventories up 0.2% MoM in Jun reaching US$944.7bn  + US job cuts down 27% MoM to 33,429 in Jul, down 46% YoY  ± US initial jobless claims up 1000 to 199,000 + US private payrolls rose 44,000 in Jul: ADP  + US Q1 nonfarm business sector labour productivity rose 1.4% in Q2, labour costs rose 1.3%  -US has refunded about...

(Image credit: The Strais Times; The headline speaks for themselves) (Image credit: National Archives; Old Centrepoint MCDONALD’S) Orchard Wow, Orchard Woes For those born in the 70s and 80s. We remember Orchard as the go-to place for all things cool. Centrepoint McDonald to meet your friends. Plaza Sing for movie, followed by shopping at Takashimaya and FIRE disco to dance the night away. Every weekend, “let’s go Orchard” became second nature to a lot of people after a tough week studying. Orchard was the place with the Wow factor. This was a treasured location for many youth growing up during my era.  Just look at Orchard Now. FIRE disco was long gone, together with the Centrepoint McDonald. Takashimaya downsizing to it smaller footprint. Orchard is now seen as an expensive place to go. In the eyes of many, going to Orchard now confine to the festive season for admiring the beautiful Christmas lighting. Going to Orchard now feels passé. When the clock struck 9pm. There are visibl...

  (Image credit: NDP 2026; Happy National Day 2026) Market Summary 27 Jul - 02 Aug 2026 *USA* ± US GDP grew 1.5% annually in Q2, vs 2.1% in Q1, below expectations  + Fed holds rates unchanged at 3.5% to 3.75% in 9-3 vote  -US 30-year Treasury bond yield surged to >5.2%, highest in 19 years + US core PCE price index rose 0.1% in Jun; headline PCE declined 0.1% for the mth but remained elevated at 3.7% YoY -US Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index fell to 90.8 in Jul, vs 92.2 in Jun, below expectations  + US Consumer Sentiment Index surged 11.5% MoM in Jul to 55.2 in Jul, highest level since Feb  + US inflation-adjusted personal spending rose 0.4% MoM in Jun + US personal spending rose 0.3%, personal income up 0.2%, weaker than expected  -US wholesale inventories rise by 0.3%, narrowly missing forecasts  ± US Treasury intervenes to support yen after Japan steps in: FT + US Treasury removed 84 companies and individuals from its sanction’s lists...

  (Image credit: Universal Pictures; Jaafar Michael in the movie, Michael) Space “ Jam ”(Scam) Scams are everywhere. The legit and the illegal. “ Remember the Time ” when a friend named “ Billie Jean ” sold you an investment that promised high return. Money gone and the friend no where to be found. At least for regulated products, investors still have legal recourse through Fidrec or the court. Some scams are hard to detect. They are sold with no clear definitions in “ Black or White .” Most scams disguise as unregulated investment, operating within the grey zone. All scams should be dealt with extra care. If the amount lost is small, it creates uncertainty over one’s ability to trust. If the amount is big, it creates a financial black hole, causing stress and eventually self-destruction. I was told of a business opportunity by a close friend. He has nothing to do with the scheme. He is a people person who enjoys meeting new people. My friend is in an organisation promoting busines...