PPB-A 15-Day Investment Outing

Good Entry When It Dipped

I took a loan and while it was not used, it was attracting interest payment.

So, I bought a small investment into PPB on 18 December 2012 when I saw EPF selling it down the river.

I have been on the board selling tough but nobody wanted my stock.

Today, they took it off me. Made RM 99.26.

By the grace of God, this works out to a  return  of almost two months interest on the loan.

So, it looks like I may have to do some more risk taking to collect interest repayment for the following months.

An interesting counter to watch and buy on the slide would be our friendly Pos Malaysia since foreign interests are collecting it.

So, like a hawk I will be watching it. It is now standing at RM 3.52.

Ex- Ministry of Housing Colleagues-We Meet Again

Our lunch venue

24th January is one auspicious day on the calendars of our coterie of ex-Ministry of Housing colleagues. Besides it being a public holiday,we will have a get-together luncheon to touch base and to renew our friendship and bond.

Honey-fried sotong

Though the numbers that have replied are few, I think response would be good.

I am trying to get some long lost friends to join in as well.

We will have the makan at Bibi Chik's Nyonya Restaurant in SS2, PJ.

The Best Dish Ever

For me, the challenge is to have Chew to come along though he is challenged health-wise.

Except for the late Chai Kim Soon who passed on 7 months back, only Chew is stricken and I pray he will get well.

So until that day of our luncheon, I wish everyone well and in God's protection.

PPB-Has It Returned?

Rising with Wilmar

In December  2012 it sunk to RM 11.18 from RM 17.00 which was its January 2012 price.

Imagine the fortunes of Wilmar has impacted negatively on PPB causing a fall of almost RM6.00.

My observations was that it was mostly sold by pension funds such as the EPF.

Fortunately, selling was thin and mostly trade offs among EPF appointed traders.

Today and yesterday, PPB Group shares rebounded.

It rose 2.5 per cent, or 30 sen, to RM12.30 as at 12.01 pm today, boosted by expectations of better current financial year results by research houses. About 439,400 shares changed hands.

PPB's recent earnings, which had been dragged down by its associate Wilmar, were expected to improve for the financial year 2013 (FY13), said Kenanga Research in its research note here.

"The estimated earnings growth for FY13 will be supported by an expected return to profitability at Wilmar's Oilseeds and Grains division and a better prospect at Wilmar's palm oil downstream business due to its 50 per cent capacity expansion in Indonesia in the second half of 2012," it said.

The research house said that in the near term, the share prices' downside should be supported by its book value of RM11.75 as at third quarter 2012. Kenanga Research has set a target price of RM14.38.

PPB closed up 48 sen to RM12.48

Sad News,Bad News

A Time for Reckoning

Had lunch with David Victor, an old friend whom I have not seen for such a long while;exactly 26 years.

As we exchange stories, I had to hear the bad news that Chai Kim Soon, a mutual friend, passed on 7 months ago.

Life sure is short.

Then I received a phone call from a lawyer friend about the troubles he had with his wife and son who had been getting epileptic fits. The son could not  do his exams because of a dislocated shoulder and now  a question mark is looming in front of  him on what to do next. Then his mother-in-law passed on. So another spate of bad news.

In the evening, I spoke to another friend only to discover that he has colon cancer and has undergone an operation. He is still undergoing treatment. The doctor gave him 2 to 5 years max.

Even yesterday, while at my friend's home, I was told about Monica, a mutual acquaintance who had breast cancer and cervical cancer as well; and Jane, a beautician in Bangsar another acquaintance who had to do a mastectomy lately.

I have heard nothing but Big C for the last month or so.

My fervent wish these days is to see my friends year after year and all as fit as ever.

That is why we must meet as often to touch base for we never know when the grace of God actually ends..........

Downton Abbey-Crawley Family Heads for the Highlands

Great Dialogue and Pacing

The Christmas Special 2012 of Downton Abbey is a prelude to the new season that starts in January 2013.

As the heir to the Crawleys is born, Matthew met with an untimely death so it seems.

With the action takes place both in Downton Abbey and in the Highlands of Scotland, the dialogue and goings-on still appear crispy and engaging.

Let us see what twists and turns they will lay on us poor mortals that follow the series into its fourth season.

Almost A Moment of Truth

Almost.........

Praise the Lord!

Lost my wallet while walking to have breakfast in SS2.

Doubled back to the car but could not find it on the driver's seat.

Cold sweat,cold feet.

Rushed back to the petrol station to enquire whether the Pak Chik there found it  on the floor of the filling station or perhaps I had left it on the payment counter.

Gave them my mobile-phone number in case someone returns it.

Rushed back to the place where I parked the car. Walked out towards the place we were embarking for breakfast.

Thank god it was below a parked car snug away from main view.

Was not worried about the money if I should lose it but the documents lost will surely be one hassle.

Almost a moment of truth.

I am no longer putting my wallet in shallow pockets from now on!

Praise the Lord again.

Amen.

How Did You Spend the First Day of New Year?

A New Beginning 2013

Judging by the slow thin traffic, it could possibly be a couple of things.

The holiday crowd may just come back in the late afternoon from outstation.

Closer to home, I guess the revelry of welcoming the New Year in the wee hours of the budding year has many in bed and so may account for fewer drivers on the road.

For me and family, after spending the early part of the morning doing household chores, we went out for a good lunch at the Pizza Hut Restaurant at Kelana Mall and subsequently shopped at Giant Supermarket to take advantage of the special offers particularly Milo and rice.

Afternoon saw me and the missus visiting a friend in Damansara Perdana who just had an operation for fibroids.

After having dinner on curry chicken and nan roti, we headed back for home.

Fair way-I suppose to spend the beginning of the year this way.