Finances:
The local Hong Kong stock market is currently offering reasonably good value based on trailing numbers but faces headwinds in the form of (i) expectations of further interest rate increases (ii) very expensive property prices (iii) stagnating rental levels (iv) a high currency and (v) the prospect of a US incited trade war once Trump takes office. Given that there are a number of large, well managed companies offering trailing dividend yields of 4-5% which I believe are likely to be sustainable, I am tempted to add to the portfolio. However, European and US markets are currently at very high levels and face all or some of the same headwinds as Hong Kong. If/when they correct (or enter a bear market), history would suggest that the Hong Kong (and other countries') market will move down.
It is also highly relevant that (i) I no longer have any employment related income, meaning that I need a certain amount of income from my investments to meet expenses and (ii) our savings need to last us for 40+ years which means that, over the longer term, I have to generate real returns at least equal to our annual cost of living.
Short term: I have no plans to make any major changes to the portfolio, instead looking to make ongoing incremental changes/investments:
1. USD income will be applied at reducing the balance of my USD margin facility;
2. RMB income and bond maturities will be reinvested in RMB denominated bonds/equities. This is a very very small part of the portfolio and I have no plans to buy more RMB;
3. I will be investing/reinvesting my existing AUD/NZD cash balances in more ASX/NZX listed equities;
4. I am tempted to increase my exposure to the AUD/NZD but am unsure of the timing. Given that I want to increase AUD/NZD asset allocation over the longer term, it probably makes sense to make regular transfers;
5. I will add to my HK equity portfolio as and when value is identified. I have no wish to let cash levels build too high.
Long term: I wish to add to the property portfolio in both Hong Kong and New Zealand:
6. for New Zealand, I have a very specific target and will have to wait for a property in that area to come onto the market and then I will have to pay through the nose for it. This particular purchase is more about having a place to live in should we decide to spend more time there than it is about being a good investment;
7. for Hong Kong, the double stamp duty is a major disincentive to buying another property. I am hoping that when the time comes, prices will be lower and at least some of the punitive taxation measures will have been removed. Optimal timing is in early/mid-2021 when two mortgages will be paid off. If valuations, interest rates, stamps duty etc are aligned, then I will look to buy. If not, I'll invest elsewhere.
Non-Financial: just more of the same for 2017 – continue my studies, keep writing the next novel, work on my fitness (not good at the moment) and possibly clean up several years worth of unfixed photos.
Tuesday, January 03, 2017
Annual Review 2016
2016 was an interesting year. From a financial perspective it was neutral. We ended the year with the household net worth up 3.7%(1). Net decreases in emerging market equities and declines in the AUD/NZD v USD/HKD were more than offset by net cash flows from properties, equities, bonds and two part time incomes and a small increase in the values of our Hong Kong properties (2). We are 14.0% higher than on my retirement at the end of September, 2013.
Cash flow from investments was close to record highs in spite of having to do at least one renovation.
Liquidity is currently high and gearing has fallen to 7.8% of total assets (from 11.4%). Unless we take out new loans, it will continue to decline as mortgages are repaid.
Of the non-financial matters, 2016 saw me complete a very slow marathon, start another degree, finish and self-publish my first novel, start a second novel and get laid off. We did more travelling than usual and, finally, Mrs Traineeinvestor started a new full-time job late in the year.
On the whole, it was a very good year for our household.
NOTES:
(1) this differs from the 2.3% increase reported in the December, 2016 Financial Review because of (i) inclusion of Mrs Traineeinvestor's assets and (ii) inclusion of increases and decreases in the mortgagee values of Hong Kong real estate.
(2) only properties which have an HSBC online mortgagee valuation are included. Two Hong Kong properties are not listed in the on-line service and are valued at unsolicited offer prices made several years ago and which are now much less than current market values.
Cash flow from investments was close to record highs in spite of having to do at least one renovation.
Liquidity is currently high and gearing has fallen to 7.8% of total assets (from 11.4%). Unless we take out new loans, it will continue to decline as mortgages are repaid.
Of the non-financial matters, 2016 saw me complete a very slow marathon, start another degree, finish and self-publish my first novel, start a second novel and get laid off. We did more travelling than usual and, finally, Mrs Traineeinvestor started a new full-time job late in the year.
On the whole, it was a very good year for our household.
NOTES:
(1) this differs from the 2.3% increase reported in the December, 2016 Financial Review because of (i) inclusion of Mrs Traineeinvestor's assets and (ii) inclusion of increases and decreases in the mortgagee values of Hong Kong real estate.
(2) only properties which have an HSBC online mortgagee valuation are included. Two Hong Kong properties are not listed in the on-line service and are valued at unsolicited offer prices made several years ago and which are now much less than current market values.
Financial Review - December, 2016
November saw a 2.03% dip in net assets. Almost all the decrease was attributable to the fall in emerging market stocks and the fall in the AUD/NZD against the USD/HKD.
For the year, the portfolio is up 2.43%. The adjusted change from when I retired in September 2013 is an 6.03% increase. Liquidity stands at 39.9 months of estimated outgoings.
Here are the details:
1. my Hong Kong equities feel. I added some additional shares Hua Xian REIT (HK:87001) and in NWS (HK:659) through the dividend reinvestment plan;
2. my AU/NZ equities appreciated slightly. I added some shares in National Australia Bank through the dividend reinvestment plan;
3.my equity ETFs were down (India, Hong Kong and China) in line with the local markets;
4. my position in silver fell;
5. all tenants are paying on time. We are at full occupancy. One building is currently subject to a lengthy renovation exercise. My tenant had agreed to tough it out in exchange for a significant discount on the rent (which is better than a lengthy vacancy) but has now given notice expiring at the end of January. The property will need redecorating before being put back on the market. A second property will become vacant at the end of February;
6. both the NZD and thee AUD fell sharply against the HKD/USD;
7. my position in bonds remains small. I purchased as small amount of RMB two year PRC sovereign bonds yielding 3.5%;
8. expenses were high (Australia is expensive) but had been fully accrued;
9.there were no transfers to Mrs Traineeinvestor;
10. there were no derivative transactions this month.
My cash position rose during the month due to the influx of year end dividends. I currently hold 39.9 months of expenses in HKD cash or equivalents.
In other news, my part time job came to an end on 31 December and interest rates on our mortgages have gone up following the US interest rate increase. I will comment more on these when I do the 2016 year end wrap up and the 2017 preview.
For the year, the portfolio is up 2.43%. The adjusted change from when I retired in September 2013 is an 6.03% increase. Liquidity stands at 39.9 months of estimated outgoings.
Here are the details:
1. my Hong Kong equities feel. I added some additional shares Hua Xian REIT (HK:87001) and in NWS (HK:659) through the dividend reinvestment plan;
2. my AU/NZ equities appreciated slightly. I added some shares in National Australia Bank through the dividend reinvestment plan;
3.my equity ETFs were down (India, Hong Kong and China) in line with the local markets;
4. my position in silver fell;
5. all tenants are paying on time. We are at full occupancy. One building is currently subject to a lengthy renovation exercise. My tenant had agreed to tough it out in exchange for a significant discount on the rent (which is better than a lengthy vacancy) but has now given notice expiring at the end of January. The property will need redecorating before being put back on the market. A second property will become vacant at the end of February;
6. both the NZD and thee AUD fell sharply against the HKD/USD;
7. my position in bonds remains small. I purchased as small amount of RMB two year PRC sovereign bonds yielding 3.5%;
8. expenses were high (Australia is expensive) but had been fully accrued;
9.there were no transfers to Mrs Traineeinvestor;
10. there were no derivative transactions this month.
My cash position rose during the month due to the influx of year end dividends. I currently hold 39.9 months of expenses in HKD cash or equivalents.
In other news, my part time job came to an end on 31 December and interest rates on our mortgages have gone up following the US interest rate increase. I will comment more on these when I do the 2016 year end wrap up and the 2017 preview.
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