They say "investor sentiments" are still bullish in Singapore, and that the bulls still rule the stock and property markets which remain "hot", although the latter is seeing policy actions to cool things down.
The bears are hibernating. Hence, these two symbolic animals of the economy and finance represent market trends, bullish when it is trending up; bearish when it is trending down. Wikipedia has an interesting account of how these two terms came about.
I am sure most people reading the newspapers cannot fail to see the rash of advertisements that promise them... well, I'll recite them by and by below -- after I recount my favourite bull anecdote.
I've been dying to blog about the said anecdote, and today's "all that bull" theme is my excuse. Here it is:
Two Singaporean tourists visited Madrid, Spain, during the bull-fighting season. They checked into a hotel which had in its restaurant a "seasonal special" dish, available only when there were bull-fights.
Not ones to be culinarily challenged, the adventurous duo tried out the dish at dinner time, and found it so satisfying they ordered it every night.
On the last night of their stay, when the waiter opened the dish cover for them, what they saw was a shrivelled looking object. It did look like the item they had been having, but was much, much smaller.
Seeing their puzzlement, the waiter explained straight-faced: "Sometimes, the matador loses".
Okay, what about the ads I mentioned? All the examples came from today's newspapers (ST and Today).
"How you can win in the stock market using Warren Buffett's strategies! No daily monitoring, No chart, No software, Stress-free, New passive income!"
It goes on: "How to make your FIRST MILLION by investing just $10 every day."
What must you do? Register, of course (a "free seminar" is thrown in).
Let's see what another ad promises. This one has a poser: "Is it still a great time to be in the stock market?" Its answer: "Come and learn why it is still a great time to be in the stock market and why there are huge profits yet to be made in the coming year! [huh? not this year but 2012??]
And of course, "Register now". First 30 folks get a free CD.
Okay, we've warmed up and talking $$$$$. This ad shouts out: "Unbeatable forex strategies! Forex secrets exposed... Create 'Massive Wealth' in the shortest time possible." A testimonial follows. "I turned $1,000 into $78,000 in 2 months," said Mona Mhd, mother of 8 kids.
Yes, "Register now". Free forex seminar.
This next one knows you are very busy. "Uncover the millionaire trader's secret to extract money consistently and safely from the stock market... 30 mins a day."
Oh it adds, "No need to analyse news and reports". Register online, call, SMS...
This next one helps you calibrate your profit down to the dimes. "Discover the easiest way to make $611.20 per day from the Internet... IT skills NOT needed... Works even if you're a complete beginner!"
Register NOW!
Finally, the best of all: "How to be a millionaire, the S'pore Way... Learn how to earn $10,000 MONTHLY with a very low investment; No experience needed; You can earn a high income even if you have ZERO knowledge [wow! it did not say zero knowledge of the market, but zero knowledge. Period.].
So, there folks, what are you waiting for? There's all that bull run out there!
Me? I'm just gonna relax and listen to my Beatles soundtrack "Fool on the Hill" and while humming it, substitute "Fool" with "Bull".
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