GYC Insights
An extensive library of financial articles rooted in research and data-science, written with the experience of decades in the industry.
Year-End Thoughts About The Market
It can be a bit overwhelming how much can happen in such a short span of time. Regardless, our philosophy — built on evidence and research — remains the same.
The Spirit of Giving Back
40% of the world have less than $10k in total assets, with a quarter of these people living in poverty. Whilst there is no official poverty line in Singapore, we are not spared from this statistic either.
A Windfall
By incorporating an income generation asset allocation, inheritance can potentially provide a monthly income (e.g. $4k/month) for decades with the ending capital remaining almost the same as the start, despite enjoying $48,000 per year in payouts.
Income in a Bear Market
Assets that promise high-yields but fail to deliver, dividends that can be paused at any time, and a fear that they have started all too late. These can contribute to sub-optimal retirement outcomes.
Trump’s Bull Market
Surveys show that simple, consumer, and investor sentiment are all down. There seems to be pessimistic reports all around, from Yahoo finance to Reuters. The data begs to differ.
Highest Stock Market Concentration on Record
The top 10 biggest stocks currently account for a record 41% of the S&P 500’s market cap. Does this mean that markets are riskier than it has ever been?
The Distance
Studies show that every single year, there will be a point in time where stock returns are negative, even that year ends up positive — which happens 76% of the time
Diversification is For the Ignorant
All else equal, a diversified portfolio is likely to lead to good outcomes for investors and lower the risk of ruin in aggregate.
What to Do if We Are in a Bubble
Every era had its bubble — AI & Tech might be today’s version. But we will never know for sure until it bursts. The important question to ask yourself is this: Which regret is worse — missing out on gains or suffering big losses?
Markets Are Up, but Most Stocks Down
World stocks outside of the U.S. are up +26.98% this year. The S&P 500 Index, +18.36%. But far more stocks declined in value than increased, 398 vs. 103 respectively. What does this mean moving forward?
Slow and Steady Beats Fast and Failing
Ironically, in F1, sometimes you don’t have to be the fastest to win. In the 2011 Canadian Grand Prix, often hailed as one of the most chaotic and dramatic races in F1 history. Jenson Button and his team showed that by playing the long game well you can secure victory — and that’s how it is in investing as well.
Year-End To Do’s
Is everything in order for 2025? Here’s a quick guide of things to look out for before the year end.
What You Do After You Win Matters
Here’s the truth we’ve learned: getting rich can be due to luck; staying rich is discipline. The real proof of wealth isn’t the photos you post on social media — it’s what you don’t do after you win.
Great for Humanity, Grim for Shareholders
World‑changing does not equate wealth‑creating for equity holders. The excitement around AI is undeniable but valuation metrics show that the Tech sector has a risk of being over-valued due to high expectations.
Blockbuster Today, Disappointment Tomorrow
A -75% peak to trough, or 0% return over 5 years may sound horrible, but many SG investors have flocked to put money into these vehicles. Why?
Is AI Coming For Your Job, Or Making it Easier
AI investing is actually not new and has historically underperformed. Research shows that AI models tend to amplify human biases, these include confirmation, anchoring, and recency biases — all well researched behavioural finance issues that negatively impact an investor’s decision-making clarity.
There is no ‘I’ in ‘Meme’, but there may be ‘AI’
Meme trading is back, but this time, it’s not just from online forum hype. Some data suggests that AI trading models might be partly to blame as they scan the internet and aggregate social media chatter for spikes in specific stock mentions to decide what stocks to punt on.
How Should I Respond to a Market High?
A lot has been said in the financial media after the S&P 500 and Dow made new record highs but stock markets hit all time highs frequently; they’re supposed to.