Investing Updates : Time vs. Timing: 60 Years of S&P 500 Bull and Bear Market Insights

Source : 

https://www.moomoo.com/community/feed/time-vs-timing-60-years-of-s-p-500-bull-114302338859013

Apple Intelligence :

• Market Pullback Frequency: The S&P 500 experiences pullbacks of 5% or more about 3.4 times a year, corrections of over 10% about 1.1 times a year, and adjustments of over 15% about 0.5 times a year.

• Market Recovery: The market always recovers from dips, regardless of the cause.

• Importance of Time in the Market: Staying invested for the long term is crucial, as missing just the best 1% of weeks can significantly impact returns.

• Bear Market Definition: A market decline of 20% lasting over two months.

• Market Recovery: Recovery speed varies depending on the economic backdrop, with some markets rebounding quickly after interest rate cuts and others taking years to recover from recessions and crises.

• Market Timing vs. Time in the Market: Staying invested for the long term is generally more beneficial than trying to time the market, as missing the best days can significantly reduce returns.

• Investment Strategy: Shift focus from short-term metrics to long-term growth.

• Market Timing: Emphasize time spent in the market over attempting to time market entry and exit points.

• Market Downturns: Maintain a long-term perspective and avoid panic selling to benefit from market recoveries.

Rewards Updates : HeyMax announces major overhaul of Max Miles redemptions

Source : 

https://milelion.com/2025/04/07/heymax-announces-major-overhaul-of-max-miles-redemptions/

Apple Intelligence : 

• Loyalty Program Update: HeyMax announced major updates to its Max Miles loyalty program, including changes to FlyAnywhere and conversion requirements.

• FlyAnywhere Changes: Effective immediately, Max Miles can be redeemed via FlyAnywhere at a higher value of S$0.02 each, and partial redemptions are now allowed starting from 1,000 Max Miles.

• Conversion Requirements: HeyMax is introducing a temporary minimum conversion requirement of 10,000 Max Miles and suspending instant points transfers.

• Currency Conversion: Tickets in foreign currency are converted to SGD using the current spot rate for Max Miles deduction.

• Non-Cash Payment: Max Miles can only be redeemed for the cash component of a commercial ticket.

• Trial Measures: Boosted value and partial redemptions are trial measures from 7 April to 7 July 2025.

• Conversion Options: HeyMax offers two models: direct points transfers and cash-for-miles.

• Conversion Ratio: Both models have a 1:1 conversion ratio with no conversion fees.

• Conversion Time: Direct points transfers are instant, while cash-for-miles conversions take up to five business days plus processing time.

• Points Transfer Method Change: HeyMax is shifting from direct points transfers to a cash-for-miles model.

• Minimum Conversion Amount Increase: The minimum conversion amount will be increased to 10,000 Max Miles from 21 April 2025.

• Future Plan: HeyMax aims to migrate all partners back to direct transfers within 2-3 months, restoring 1,000 miles minimums and instant redemptions.

• Max Miles Conversion Change: Instant conversions are suspended, requiring a multi-step manual process involving a virtual Visa debit card and purchasing miles/points from the airline/hotel.

• Minimum Conversion Block Increase: The minimum conversion block is increased from 1,000 to 10,000, potentially leading to orphaned points.

• Accor Live Limitless (ALL) Redemption: Instead of direct conversion, users need to complete a stay at an Accor hotel and submit the invoice for reimbursement of room rate, taxes, and incidentals.

• Redemption Rate: 2,000 ALL points = €40, calculated using the day’s spot rate.

• Program Changes: Adding transfers to EVA Air and Garuda, suspending transfers to Air Asia and JAL.

• Devaluation Plan: Aiming to maintain a 1:1 ratio for Max Miles and no plans to devalue.

• Max Miles Value Proposition: The 1:1 transfer ratio to airline and hotel programs is crucial for maintaining the value of Max Miles.

• Program Expansion: HeyMax plans to expand the Max Miles program to 50 airline and hotel partners by 2027.

• Transition Disruptions: Temporary disruptions, including the suspension of instant transfers and a new minimum transfer amount of 10,000 Max Miles, will occur during the transition.

Investing Updates : What to Expect in the Week Ahead (Tariffs Take Effect, Big Bank Earnings, and CPI)

Source : 

https://www.moomoo.com/community/feed/what-to-expect-in-the-week-ahead-tariffs-take-effect-114290073927686

Apple Intelligence : 

• Earnings Focus: Companies like Delta, CarMax, and Constellation Brands will discuss the impact of new U.S. tariffs.

• Financial Sector Earnings: Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan are expected to report a decline in investment banking activity but potentially higher trading revenues.

• Upcoming Economic Events: The U.S. stock market will face challenges including higher tariffs on April 9th, economic data releases, and Fed officials’ speeches.

• Fed’s Inflation Concern: FOMC participants were more concerned about persistent inflation than Fed Chair Jerome Powell.

• Tariff Impact on Inflation: March CPI and PPI data will show the effects of tariffs on Chinese imports, steel, and aluminum.

• PPI Expectation: PPI is expected to reflect a rise, especially in producer prices linked to commodities.

LifeStyle Updates : Nintendo Switch 2 will not change the industry this time?

Opinion : 

The price points for Nintendo Switch 2 and games are disappointing.

It's getting real expensive to be a gamer that supports games.

From a costs point of view, it makes more sense to play free gacha games, mobile-based and retro emulators. They are not console quality for sure but it is wallet friendly 😅

Personally, I'm continuing my Apple Arcade subscription, free gacha games and retro emulators.

If there's a thirst for console gaming, I'm leaning towards Nvidia GeForce Now cloud gaming service. Although that service has challenges on its own as linked here.

Investing Updates : Lots of Fear in the Market, Stay Calm and Stick to your Strategy

Source : 

https://edition.cnn.com/markets/fear-and-greed

Opinion : 

Lots of fear in the world markets right now.

Rightfully so, with the uncertainty caused by tariffs.

Stick to your strategy and start allocating or re-balancing as usual.

For me, I'm topping up VWRA to increase portfolio allocation as planned, link here.

I'm also executing CPF trades on Poems with 80/20 allocations to Amundi Index MSCI World A12S (C) and Amundi Prime USA AS (C).

Stay calm and stick to your strategy of Lump Sum or DCA.

Investing Updates : Surprising Upside in March Nonfarm Payrolls Fails to Halt Pre-Market Decline: Here is the Breakdown in One Chart

Source : 

https://www.moomoo.com/community/feed/114279829143557?global_content=%7B%22promote_content%22%3A%22mm%3Afeed%3A114279829143557%22%2C%22invite%22%3A103096561%7D&is_recommendation=0&is_recommend_pos=0&futusource=news_headline_list

Apple Intelligence :

• Job Growth: The US economy added 228,000 jobs in March 2025, surpassing expectations and marking the highest increase in three months.

• Unemployment Rate: The unemployment rate rose to 4.2% in March 2025, the highest since November 2024.

• Stock Market Performance: Major stock indices fell despite strong job growth due to China’s tariffs on the US.

LifeStyle Updates : Delifrance S’pore Extends 2-for-$14 and 4-for-$24 Sandwiches Promotion Until 30 April 2025

Source : 

https://singpromos.com/dining-restaurants-food/delifrance-spore-extends-2-for-14-and-4-for-24-sandwiches-promotion-until-30-april-2025-288775/

Apple Intelligence :

• Sandwich Promotion Extension: Delifrance Singapore extends its sandwich promotion until 30 April 2025.

• Promotion Details: 2 sandwiches for $14 or 4 sandwiches for $24, available at all Delifrance outlets in Singapore.

• Déli Friends Perks: Complimentary beverage with every order and access to exclusive perks and promotions.

• Sandwich Promotion: Delifrance is offering a promotion on sandwiches.

• Bread Options: Customers can choose from Baguette, Ciabatta, Butter Croissant, or Wholemeal Croissant.

• Promotion Duration: The promotion is valid while stocks last.

LifeStyle Updates : What a New Plants Vs Zombies Game Needs to Learn From PvZ 3

Source : 

https://gamerant.com/plants-vs-zombies-new-game-lessons-pvz-3-improve-how-simple/

Apple Intelligence :

• Franchise Status: Plants vs. Zombies, once a popular casual game, has lost momentum and could benefit from learning from its last installment.

• Game Developer: PopCap, known for arcade games like Peggle and Bejeweled, created Plants vs. Zombies and was later acquired by EA.

• Game Success: Plants vs. Zombies achieved massive popularity due to its charming art style, humor, and strategic gameplay.

• Series Decline: The Plants vs. Zombies series has been declining since 2019, with PvZ: Battle for Neighborville failing to resonate with fans and subsequent games suffering from lack of support and power creep.

• PvZ 3 Failure: The release of Plants vs. Zombies 3, intended to revive the series, has been unsuccessful, with the game being unlisted after soft launches and failing to attract players.

• Back to Basics: The next Plants vs. Zombies game should return to the classic formula of PvZ and PvZ 2, focusing on strategic plant selection and gameplay mechanics that made the series popular, while avoiding excessive monetization and power creep.

• Storytelling Approach: Return to the simplicity of PvZ’s story, relying on level design and minimal dialogue.

• Character and World Building: Avoid complex lore, a vast universe of characters, and world-threatening stakes.

• Gameplay Focus: Prioritize challenging gameplay with evolving zombie attacks and strategic level design.

LifeStyle Updates : He makes a living streaming himself opening packs of Pokemon cards

Source : 

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/he-makes-a-living-streaming-himself-opening-packs-of-pokemon-cards

Apple Intelligence :

• Occupation: Mr. Ang Bin Xiu is a full-time live streamer who opens Pokemon card packs on TikTok.

• Business Model: Mr. Ang operates on a “rip and ship” model, where viewers purchase packs of cards, he opens them on stream, and then ships the cards to buyers.

• Success: Mr. Ang sold $1 million worth of products within the first nine months of live streaming.

• Business Model: Mr. Ang’s business allows customers to buy individual packs of Pokemon cards, making it accessible to those who cannot afford to buy a whole box.

• Live Streaming: Mr. Ang live streams himself opening packs of Pokemon cards, interacting with viewers and fulfilling customer orders.

• Financial Success: Mr. Ang’s live streaming business has been financially successful, selling $1 million worth of products in the first nine months and earning up to $10,000 per month at its peak.

• Business Model: Mr. Ang transitioned from a job at Amazon to full-time live-streaming, selling sports cards and trading cards.

• Market Growth: Social commerce in Singapore is projected to grow significantly, reaching US$8.47 billion by 2029.

• Social Media Advantages: Social media offers targeted advertising, customer interaction, and higher conversion rates compared to traditional digital marketing.

• Career Switch Motivation: Mr. Ang switched careers to live-streaming for the personal connections and shared hobby, not just profit.

• Business Model: Mr. Ang views his live-streaming audience as friends, prioritizing shared passion over profit.

• Financial Challenges: Fluctuating demand for products, with income varying based on new product releases and slow periods.

LifeStyle Updates : Toy prices could jump 50% following Trump’s tariffs on China, Vietnam

Source : 

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/04/toy-prices-trump-tariffs-china-vietnam.html

Apple Intelligence : 

• Tariff Impact on Toy Industry: Trump’s trade war, with tariffs on China and Vietnam, will lead to higher toy prices.

• Manufacturing Relocation: Toy companies are scrambling to find alternative manufacturing locations due to increased tariffs.

• Retaliatory Measures: China plans to impose a 34% tariff on all U.S. products in response to the U.S. tariffs.

• Tariff Impact on Toy Industry: Toy companies like Hasbro and Mattel are facing challenges due to tariffs on imports from China and other countries.

• Production Relocation Challenges: Relocating production to countries like Vietnam, Indonesia, and India may not be financially viable due to tariffs on those countries as well.

• Consumer Price Increases: Consumers can expect price increases on toys to offset the impact of tariffs.

• Stock Market Impact: Toy companies’ stocks plummeted following the tariff announcement.

• Consumer Impact: Consumers are expected to bear the brunt of the tariffs through price increases.

• Price Increase Magnitude: Price hikes are projected to range from 35% to 50%, potentially coinciding with the back-to-school season.