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Monday, 20 April 2026

LifeStyle Updates: Dragon Ball Super Reveals New Anime Releasing Later This Year


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The future of the Dragon Ball Super franchise has been officially unveiled during Dragon Ball Games Battle Hour 2026, marking its 40th anniversary with major announcements.

The highlight is Dragon Ball Super: Beerus, a remake of the original “Battle of Gods” arc, set to air in Fall 2026 on Fuji TV. This new version will feature upgraded animation, improved art direction, and additional scenes, aiming to more faithfully adapt the manga by Akira Toriyama and Toyotarou. It is expected to address criticisms of the original anime’s early episodes, which were known for weaker animation quality, while reducing filler content for a tighter narrative.

At the end of the newly released trailer, a second anime titled Dragon Ball Super: Frieza was teased. Confirmed by Goku’s voice actress Masako Nozawa, this installment will be an enhanced retelling of the Resurrection F arc, focusing on Goku and Frieza’s battle.

Importantly, these releases are just the beginning of a much larger remake project. Future arcs are expected to follow in sequence, including Universe 6, Goku Black, and Jiren sagas, before adapting the Dragon Ball Super: Broly storyline into episodic format. The series will then progress into newer manga arcs like the Galactic Patrol (Moro Saga), Granolah the Survivor, and eventually a remake of Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero.

This long-term roadmap suggests a comprehensive effort by Toei Animation to modernize and align the anime closely with the manga, ultimately leading toward adapting the anticipated Black Frieza saga.

Investing Updates: CapitaLand Ascendas REIT preferential offering oversubscribed with strong excess demand


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The preferential offering by CapitaLand Ascendas REIT was strongly oversubscribed, signalling robust investor demand despite mixed participation from existing unitholders.

Launched at S$2.35 per unit on the basis of 28 new units per 1,000 held, the offering aimed to fund part of a S$1.4 billion acquisition in Singapore and Japan. Total applications reached 315.4 million units—about 244% of the 129.1 million units available—driven largely by excess applications rather than initial entitlements.

Valid acceptances from entitled unitholders amounted to 96.1 million units, or 74.45% of the total offering, indicating that not all investors took up their allocated shares. This left around 33 million units available for excess allocation. However, demand for excess units surged to 219.3 million units—about 6.6 times the available balance—meaning applicants are unlikely to receive their full requested amounts.

Importantly, the REIT’s sponsor, CLI RE Fund Investments, fully subscribed to its entitlement, reinforcing confidence in the exercise. Post-offering, it will hold about 16.07% of total units.

From a fundamentals perspective, the acquisitions funded by this exercise are expected to be accretive. Pro forma figures suggest a 2.1% increase in FY2025 distribution per unit (DPU), rising further to around 4.1% when including additional acquisitions. Financial metrics remain stable, with only a slight increase in leverage and an improvement in net asset value.

Overall, the strong excess demand helps absorb unsubscribed units and reduces overhang concerns. Combined with attractive valuation metrics—such as a dividend yield of 5.9% above historical averages—the REIT remains appealing for income-focused investors.

Investing Updates: Why I Think It Make Sense To Invest Your CPF OA Savings In A Global Portfolio Through Endowus


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The author argues that investing excess CPF Ordinary Account (OA) savings through Endowus can be a sensible way to achieve higher long-term growth—provided certain conditions are met.

First, “excess” OA funds refer to amounts beyond what is needed to cover mortgage payments for a few years as a safety buffer. Once this buffer is secured, leaving all funds in the OA earning a risk-free 2.5% may not be the most efficient strategy for long-term retirement growth. Investing offers the potential for higher returns, though not without trade-offs.

A key consideration is cost. OA interest is both risk-free and fee-free, whereas investing through Endowus involves a 0.40% annual management fee plus underlying fund fees. Therefore, returns must exceed these costs to justify investing.

Risk is another major factor. Unlike guaranteed OA interest, investment returns fluctuate and may result in losses. This risk can be managed by choosing conservative portfolios, maintaining a long investment horizon (ideally 10+ years), and diversifying globally to reduce concentration in any single market.

The author prefers Endowus’ advised portfolios rather than building a DIY portfolio, citing convenience and lack of time. These portfolios also provide global exposure, which helps overcome Singapore’s small and concentrated market, allowing access to major international companies and sectors.

Ultimately, investing CPF OA savings is not for everyone. It only makes sense if one has sufficient housing reserves, accepts market risk, and has decades before retirement. While transferring OA funds to the Special Account is a safer alternative, investing part of excess OA savings in a globally diversified portfolio may offer better long-term growth for those with the right profile.

Sunday, 19 April 2026

Investing Updates: What to Expect in the Week Ahead (Retail Sales, Flash PMIs & Earnings from TSLA, INTC, BA)


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The week ahead is packed with major earnings, key economic data, and ongoing geopolitical concerns, all of which could shape market direction after equities recently hit record highs.

Earnings focus:
Heavyweights across sectors are reporting. Healthcare giant UnitedHealth kicks off Monday under pressure from margin concerns, while GE Aerospace and RTX are expected to benefit from strong aerospace and defense demand. On Tuesday, Boeing remains in turnaround mode with expected losses, making production progress and cash burn critical. Tesla headlines the week, with investors watching vehicle deliveries, AI developments, robotaxi timelines, and energy storage growth after a weak revenue backdrop. IBM and Lam Research will provide insight into AI software and semiconductor demand.

Midweek, attention shifts to American Express and Intel. AmEx faces slowing consumer spending trends, while Intel’s strong stock rally contrasts with near-zero earnings expectations, setting up potential volatility. Newmont may benefit from surging gold prices. By Thursday, Procter & Gamble will highlight consumer resilience amid tariffs, currency headwinds, and weak sentiment.

Economic data:
Retail sales (Monday) will gauge consumer strength, while Wednesday’s Flash PMIs are the most important macro release, offering an early look at April business activity and the impact of tariffs and energy costs. Jobless claims will also be monitored for labor market signals.

Market backdrop:
Markets enter the week with strong momentum. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq recently hit record highs, driven by AI optimism, easing geopolitical tensions, and strong earnings. Tech and AI-linked stocks led gains, with sharp rebounds in companies like Oracle, Tesla, and Microsoft.

Overall, this week combines high-stakes earnings with crucial economic indicators, making it a key test of whether the current market rally can sustain its momentum.

Friday, 17 April 2026

Sports Updates: The Singaporean Guide To The Cost Of Watching The FIFA World Cup 2026


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The guide outlines how much Singaporeans will need to pay to watch the FIFA World Cup 2026, highlighting that costs can range from zero to under $100 depending on viewing preferences.

The 2026 tournament is the largest ever, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches across North America. For Singapore viewers, match timings are relatively convenient, with most games airing in the morning or early evening. A major improvement is the increase in free-to-air coverage. A total of 28 matches—including the opening game, selected group matches, both semi-finals, the third-place playoff, and the final—will be broadcast on Mediacorp’s Channel 5 and streamed on meWATCH. Casual fans can therefore follow key moments at no cost.

For full access, viewers can purchase the official Season Pass, available via meWATCH as well as Singtel and StarHub platforms. The early-bird price is S$98 (until 30 April 2026), rising to S$118 thereafter. This includes all 104 matches in HD, along with on-demand replays.

Compared with previous tournaments, pricing has remained unchanged from 2022 despite a significant increase in matches. This makes 2026 the best-value edition on a per-match basis, dropping from about $1.53 per match in 2022 to roughly $0.94 in 2026.

Ultimately, the actual cost depends on viewing habits. Casual viewers can rely entirely on free coverage, while dedicated fans can secure comprehensive access at a relatively attractive price if they subscribe early.

Technology Updates: Could This AI-Simulated Brain Lead to Human Mind-Uploading?


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The article examines whether recent advances in AI brain simulation could eventually enable human mind-uploading, but concludes that such a prospect remains highly uncertain.

Inspired by Richard Feynman’s idea that true understanding requires creation, AI researchers have long attempted to replicate the brain’s processes. San Francisco startup Eon Systems claims a breakthrough with a “virtual fly” powered by a full digital replica of a fruit fly’s brain, or connectome. This model includes about 125,000 neurons and 50 million synaptic connections, and reportedly mimics real neural activity with 95% accuracy. Unlike typical AI models, the system is presented as a true digital twin of a biological brain rather than a behavioural imitation.

Eon views this as an early step toward mind-uploading—the idea that a perfectly simulated brain would reproduce consciousness, memories, and subjective experience. This aligns with transhumanist beliefs that humans could transcend biological limits through technology.

However, many experts strongly disagree. Neuroscientists like Karl Friston argue that simulating brain processes does not necessarily produce consciousness, calling it a “category error.” Similarly, Anil Seth compares the claim to assuming a simulated rainstorm makes a computer wet—highlighting the gap between simulation and subjective experience.

Technical challenges also remain immense. Eon aims to simulate a mouse brain next, but even that is far more complex, and mapping a human brain—estimated at up to 99 billion neurons—appears vastly more difficult. Additionally, the brain’s constantly changing synaptic connections may make perfect replication impossible.

While full mind-uploading is likely far off, the technology could still deliver practical benefits, such as accelerating neuroscience and medical research.

Investing Updates: More older millennials and Gen X in Singapore investing in cryptocurrency: report


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A 2026 report by Independent Reserve shows that cryptocurrency adoption in Singapore is rising, particularly among older millennials and Gen X in the “sandwich class” (aged 35–54). About one-third of Singaporeans now own or have owned crypto, up from 29% in 2025, with participation especially high among middle-income individuals supporting both children and ageing parents.

For this group, crypto investing is driven more by financial necessity than novelty. Around 77% see it as important for long-term wealth building, significantly higher than the broader population. They are also more active traders, with 65% having sold crypto in the past year versus 44% overall.

Despite growing interest, most investors remain cautious. About 76% allocate 10% or less of their portfolio to crypto, consistent with a typical 70/20/10 asset allocation approach where crypto falls into higher-risk investments. Key motivations include portfolio diversification (38%), access to growth opportunities beyond traditional finance (33%), wealth accumulation (41%), and legacy planning (55%). Only a small minority (11%) invest for ideological reasons.

Investment behaviour also matters. Those using dollar-cost averaging (DCA) report better outcomes, with 55% seeing gains and only 15% reporting losses, compared with weaker results among irregular investors. Long-term holding further improves performance, with 87% reporting profits over a 10-year horizon.

However, barriers remain. Nearly half of non-investors cite price volatility as the main deterrent. Both investors and non-investors emphasise the importance of clear regulation, responsible industry practices, and stronger consumer protection to build trust. The findings suggest that while crypto is increasingly viewed as a legitimate part of diversified portfolios, greater education and understanding are still needed.

Investing Updates: Let’s combine the benefits of the broker custody model and the seamless experience of the CDP


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The article argues that Singapore’s stock market could be strengthened by combining the advantages of the broker custody model with the Central Depository (CDP) system, rather than favouring one over the other.

The CDP model remains popular among local retail investors because it is simple, cost-free, and gives shareholders direct ownership of their securities. This direct ownership makes corporate participation seamless—investors receive communications directly and can easily attend annual general meetings (AGMs) without intermediaries. Such ease of exercising shareholder rights is a key strength that should not be lost.

However, the broker custody model is increasingly used, especially by investors who trade overseas markets. It is also the dominant system globally. One major benefit is consolidation: investors can hold both local and foreign securities in a single account, making portfolio management more convenient. Brokers can also offer value-added services such as investment advice, fractional trading, and portfolio management. Because brokers have visibility over clients’ holdings, they can provide more tailored guidance—for example, advising on whether to participate in a REIT rights issue.

Despite these advantages, broker custody has drawbacks. Shareholders do not hold securities in their own name, which complicates participation in AGMs. Investors must arrange proxies through brokers, often with significant lead time, making the process less convenient and potentially discouraging engagement.

The article concludes that while both models have merit, the future lies in integrating their strengths. As regulators explore expanding broker custody usage, they should also incorporate the seamless shareholder experience offered by the CDP. A hybrid approach could enhance investor convenience, improve access to services, and ultimately help revitalise Singapore’s equity market.

Investing Updates: iEdge Next 50 Liquidity Weighted Index outperforms STI on tech strength


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The iEdge Singapore Next 50 Liquidity Weighted Index has outperformed the Straits Times Index (STI) in 2026, delivering a 9.7% year-to-date return versus the STI’s 8.9%. This index tracks the 50 largest Singapore-listed companies just below the STI but differs by weighting stocks based on trading liquidity rather than market capitalisation, reflecting where investor activity is most concentrated.

Liquidity has risen significantly, with average daily turnover reaching S$275 million through mid-April, up 43% from 2025. Valuations have also improved, as seen in the increase in median price-to-book ratios from 1.05 to 1.23. This suggests stronger investor demand and engagement with mid-cap stocks.

Technology has emerged as the key driver of performance. Four major tech-related constituents—Frencken, UMS, CSE Global, and iFast—make up nearly 20% of the index and have collectively delivered strong gains, averaging 43% returns since 2025. Their trading activity has also surged, with turnover increasing 2.5 times. Growth in these firms is linked to the global artificial intelligence-driven semiconductor cycle and rising demand for digital infrastructure.

While real estate investment trusts (REITs) remain the largest sector and provide stability through steady cash flows, the momentum has shifted toward technology and digital infrastructure. This reflects a broader trend where capital is flowing into sectors tied to data centres, automation, AI-enabled manufacturing, and digital services.

The index’s liquidity-weighted approach highlights stocks attracting sustained investor participation rather than simply large firms. Looking ahead, Singapore’s tech ecosystem is expected to remain supported, though growth will be more execution-driven and capital-intensive, favouring companies with scale, reliability, and strong cross-border capabilities.

Monday, 13 April 2026

Investing Updates: Is the 1-year T-bill better than the 6-month T-bill and fixed deposits?


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The article examines whether the 1-year Singapore T-bill offers better value than the 6-month T-bill and fixed deposits amid fluctuating interest rates.

T-bill yields have recently rebounded, with the 6-month yield rising to about 1.47% and the 1-year T-bill closing yield at around 1.46% as of April 2026. While yields are similar, demand for T-bills has remained strong, which may keep yields competitive but also uncertain at auction.

A key consideration is reinvestment risk. Investors choosing two consecutive 6-month T-bills may achieve similar or better returns if rates rise, but face uncertainty if rates fall. In contrast, the 1-year T-bill allows investors to lock in current rates for a longer period, offering more certainty. This may be appealing given expectations that US interest rates could remain largely stable in 2026, with only modest cuts projected later.

Compared to fixed deposits, the 1-year T-bill currently offers a slightly higher yield (1.46% vs about 1.40% for best 1-year fixed deposits). However, shorter-term fixed deposits can offer higher rates (around 1.50% for 6 months), though they often require minimum deposits (e.g. S$10,000).

Singapore Savings Bonds (SSBs) provide similar 1-year returns (around 1.40%) but offer greater flexibility, including the option to redeem early and higher long-term returns if held for up to 10 years.

Ultimately, the choice depends on priorities. The 1-year T-bill is suitable for investors seeking to lock in a stable return and reduce reinvestment risk, while the 6-month T-bill or fixed deposits may suit those ΥΈΥΎ value flexibility or wish to take advantage of potential rate increases.