Flamengo 5 - Santos 4, What A Match!

Is this a genuine posting or just an excuse to feature Zhou Weitong again? Who cares? The match was brilliant. You can see the new blue yeyed boy of football Neymar doing his stuff scoring two goals for Santos. But you can spot the devious trick by Neymar when he comes in from the flank into the box - he will suddenly jibe into the box to trigger a foul to earn penalties. If you look at the run path of Neymar and the defenders in slow-mo, you can clearly see that its a good trick.



Ronaldhino showed that he is not over the whole hill yet. His free kick which gave Flamego the 4th goal was intelligent and well executed. ... and hey, Zhou Weitong also plays football in the mud!!!

RIO DE JANEIRO, July 28 — Ronaldinho scored a hat-trick as Flamengo overcame a three-goal deficit to beat South American champions Santos 5-4 away in an extraordinary Brazilian championship match.

The former Barcelona and AC Milan forward, leading scorer in the championship with eight goals, netted the equaliser and an 82nd minute winner as Flamengo fought back after Santos had raced to a 3-0 lead in 26 minutes.

Borges scored two goals for the hosts before Brazil’s teenage forward Neymar weaved his way past four markers to add a brilliant third in Wednesday’s match.

Flamengo pulled one back when Ronaldinho opened his account, taking advantage of a slip by Santos goalkeeper Rafael to score from close range, then Thiago Neves notched another for the visitors.

Brazil midfielder Elano missed a penalty for Santos before Deivid headed Flamengo’s equaliser from a corner, all before the end of the first half.

The drama continued after the break as Neymar put Santos back in front, before Ronaldinho took command, equalising with a free kick which went under the wall, then scoring the winner with an angled shot.

Flamengo are third on 24 points from 12 games, four behind leaders Corinthians. — Reuters

Metaphorical Battle At Kruger

I was scrolling my archives and came across this posting. To me, its more than a National Geographic piece. It also has a metaphorical and/or allegorical quality. Somebody could have scripted the wildlife drama loosely based on any Asian country (hint..hint). The pride of lions represent the government. The buffalos represent the people (hint, hint, always being herded but when they come together as one - can even surprise themselves). The crocodiles are just the priviledged few trying to take the 5% or 10%. Enjoy!

Market Shifting Gears Finally

Just when you least expect it to, the market suddenly turned on its head and registered a most vibrant trading day yesterday. Just a one-off? Judging from the trading trend, movements in certain stocks, it looks to have some legs for a run.



Supposedly consolidating stocks such as Mah Sing, RA suddenly sprouted wings. Coincidentally, Hap Seng Consolidated has finally set their warrants price, now that the exercise is over, we may see more activity. Same goes for Coastal Contracts as the contra selling for those buying ex-basis is over and the warrants should start trading over the next couple of days.

There was also sufficient activity in "trading stocks" such as ENG and Dialog. Plus fresh meat in Wijaya and Hiap Teck. Activity also seen in AFG and Affin as the banking M&A theme seems to be simmering as well.

All in, looks good for a couple of weeks.



NOTE: The above opinion is not an invitation to buy or sell. It serves as a blogging activity of my investing thoughts and ideas, this does not represent an investment advisory service as I charge no subscription or management fees (donations are welcomed though). The content on this site is provided as general information only and should not be taken as investment advice. All site content, shall not be construed as a recommendation to buy or sell any security or financial instrument. The ideas expressed are solely the opinions of the author. Any action that you take as a result of information, analysis, or commentary on this site is ultimately your responsibility. Consult your investment adviser before making any investment decisions.

The Jazzy Sounds Of Teresa Teng (ONLY 40 TICKETS LEFT!!!)

SOLD OUT!!!

The organisers had their press conference yesterday and was well attended by all 6 Chinese papers. Wickedly, they have included this video as part of their promo. Its an excerpt from my all time fav Chinese movie Comrades, Almost A Love Story (next to An Autumn's Tale). The movie was brilliantly tied together by Teres's songs. Both Leon Lai and Maggie Cheung had a torrid on-off affair back in HK, growing up as new immigrants from China. After many years of unfortunate events, bigger than themselves, both made their way to New York. They were both saddened to hear of Teresa's passing... and the rest you watch yourself...

I guess what the organiser want to share is that Teresa's songs bind everyone everywhere, wherever there are Chinese people, you will hear Teresa's songs. As much as we may pooh-pooh them when we were younger, somehow we grow to like them as we grow older. Here's to a magical evening of tribute.



Among the highlights....

1) After a classic video footage, Roger Wang will come up on stage to play an acoustic solo of a Teresa Teng classic, with the bay window - full drapes opened - in Bentley Music Auditorium in full view of the audience. How do you like looking at the moon and the stars? it is gonna be quite a sight!

2) Winnie Ho going to play a standard medley of Teresa Teng songs, followed by jazzed up versions of the same songs

3) A special guest, a surprise guest, a Jazz Diva, from Taiwan is gonna be our guest... wow, wow, wow

4) Snippets from a famous movie on Teresa Teng will be shown to coincide with two songs .... classic scenes in the movie which promises to trigger off your memory bank

5) The finale - Winnie Ho will go off stage and interact with the audience for a mass karaoke session!

Led by Pianist and musical director Tay Cher Siang, aided by famed Sabahan guitarist Roger Wang, with vocals from the petite-yet-impressive Winnie Ho from 2V1G and her friends, this musical showcase promises a familiar yet refreshing Teresa Teng, one that you seldom get to hear.

Tickets on sale NOW!

1. 难忘的初恋情人 (nan wang de chu lian qing ren: unforgettable first love)
2. 忘记他 (wang ji ta: forgetting him)
3. 我怎能离开你 (wo zhen neng li kai ni: how can I leave you)
4. 泪的小雨 (lei de xiao yu: raining tears)
5. 月儿像柠檬 （yue er xiang ning meng: the moon shines like lemon）
6. 千言万语 (qian yan wan yu: a thousand words))
7. 月亮代表我的心 （yue liang dai piao wo de xin: the moon represents my heart）
8. 丝丝小雨 (shi shi xiao yu: rain)
9. 奈何 (nai he: ambivalence)
10. Goodbye my love 　
11. 在水一方 (zai sui yi fang)
12. 甜蜜蜜 (tian mi mi: sweet honey)
13. 云河 (yun he: river of clouds)
14. 温情满人间 (wen qing man ren jian: this world is full of love)
15. 风从哪里来 (feng cong nai li lai: where does the wind come from)
16. 但愿人长久 (dan yuan ren chang jiu: let’s pray for eternity)
17. 君心我心 (jun xin wo xin: your heart, my heart)
18. 一个小心愿 (yi ge xiao xin yuan: a little wish)
19. 我只在乎你（wo zhi zai hu ni: I only care for you）
20. 世界多美丽 (shi jie dou mei li: the world is beautiful)

Ticketing Info:

Concert Date: 6th August 2011 (Saturday)

Venue: Bentley Music Auditorium, Mutiara Damansara

Price: RM105 & RM85 (See Seating Plan. Only RM105 (blue colored zone) has seating numbers. Seat allocation for RM85 (yellow colored zone) will be done at auditorium entrance based on arrival. )

Ticketing Outlets:

CDRAMA (Popular Bookstore) Ikano Power Centre

CDRAMA, Sunway Pyramid

CDRAMA, Cheras Leisure Mall

Loud+Clear, Solaris Dutamas

Marketocracy Portfolio As At 20th July 2011

Salvador Mutual Fund (SMF) BLUE LINE

price history
		SMF m100 S&P 500 Nasdaq
		Graph Period: [7 Days] [30 Days] [90 Days] [6 Months] [1 Year] [2 Years] [3 Years] [4 Years] [5 Years] [Since Inception]

recent returns vs. major indexes
		Today MTD QTD YTD SMF 0.59% 0.30% 0.30% -6.90% S&P 500 1.01% -1.08% -1.08% 4.88% Nasdaq 1.58% -0.30% -0.30% 4.23%

recent returns
		RETURNS Last Week 0.37% Last Month 5.37% Last 3 Months -7.91% Last 6 Months -9.19% Last 12 Months 15.31% Last 2 Years 28.63% Last 3 Years N/A Last 5 Years N/A Since Inception 39.56% (Annualized) 11.82% S&P500 RETURNS Last Week -1.05% Last Month 2.80% Last 3 Months -0.06% Last 6 Months 2.81% Last 12 Months 25.04% Last 2 Years 44.49% Last 3 Years N/A Last 5 Years N/A Since Inception 10.97% (Annualized) 3.55% RETURNS VS S&P500 Last Week 1.42% Last Month 2.57% Last 3 Months -7.85% Last 6 Months -12.00% Last 12 Months -9.73% Last 2 Years -15.86% Last 3 Years N/A Last 5 Years N/A Since Inception 28.59% (Annualized) 8.27%

alpha/beta vs. S&P500
		Alpha 8.38% Beta 1.14 R-Squared 0.76

turnover
		Last Month 0.00% Last 3 Months 66.08% Last 6 Months 81.97% Last 12 Months 118.82%

		Symbol Price Shares Value Portion of Fund Gains Inception Return PVSW $7.27 17,219 $125,182.13 8.92% $23,846.47 23.53% AGQ $217.19 430 $93,391.70 6.66% $15,232.18 19.49% Details LNKD $102.40 1,200 $122,878.80 8.76% $18,706.57 17.96% Details POT $60.71 1,500 $91,065.00 6.49% $41,496.18 21.85% Details C $37.67 2,500 $94,174.75 6.71% $70,627.11 20.22% Details F $12.93 8,000 $103,440.00 7.37% $110,405.20 41.02% Details LVS $44.69 1,500 $67,035.00 4.78% $1,920.36 2.95% Details MIDDLE DNDN $38.96 2,500 $97,400.00 6.94% -$2,164.50 -2.17% NSR $25.98 2,500 $64,950.00 4.63% -$2,604.43 -3.86% STZ $20.79 3,500 $72,765.00 5.19% -$5,720.66 -7.29% WU $19.19 3,500 $67,165.00 4.79% -$6,005.21 -8.21% AKAM $29.18 3,500 $102,130.00 7.28% -$17,899.09 -14.91% AFL $44.47 1,500 $66,705.00 4.75% -$15,422.55 -18.48% Details SNBC $3.13 25,000 $78,250.00 5.58% -$21,690.40 -21.70% Details IL $17.31 6,000 $103,860.00 7.40% -$37,597.80 -26.58% Details KBH $9.37 6,000 $56,220.00 4.01% -$9,535.73 -5.34% Details

TRANSACTIONS July 19, 2011

all closed tickets
		Close Date Type Symbol Shares Net Avg. Price Net Jun 3, 2011 Buy AGQ 410 $181.7769 $74,528.52 Details Jun 3, 2011 Buy AGQ 20 $181.55 $3,631.00 Details Jun 3, 2011 Sell ARO 4,000 $17.9445 $71,777.99 Details May 27, 2011 Buy LNKD 1,200 $86.8102 $104,172.23 Details May 27, 2011 Sell SVU 6,000 $10.0883 $60,529.81 Details May 12, 2011 Buy IL 4,000 $20.7228 $82,891.38 Details May 12, 2011 Buy AKAM 3,500 $34.294 $120,029.09 Details May 9, 2011 Sell ATHX 20 $2.7995 $55.99 Details May 9, 2011 Buy IL 2,000 $29.2832 $58,566.42 Details May 9, 2011 Buy DNDN 500 $39.887 $19,943.48 Details May 9, 2011 Buy ATHX 20 $2.9 $58.00 Details May 9, 2011 Buy DNDN 2,000 $39.8105 $79,621.02 Details May 9, 2011 Buy POT 1,500 $54.3301 $81,495.12 Details May 9, 2011 Buy LVS 1,500 $43.4098 $65,114.64 Details May 9, 2011 Buy GR 0 $0 $0.00 Details May 9, 2011 Buy SVU 6,000 $10.6365 $63,818.74 Details May 9, 2011 Buy STZ 3,500 $22.4245 $78,485.66 Details May 9, 2011 Buy ARO 4,000 $20.6374 $82,549.74 Details May 9, 2011 Buy WU 3,500 $20.9058 $73,170.21 Details

Best Fine Dining In KL

Food can come in many presentations. I am ok with hawker food as long as they are good and clean. Sometimes you do patronise fine dining establishments for certain special occassions or for business meetings, or just because its Tuesday night.

kingfish carpaccio

How often do I get to go to these places? About a couple of times a month, sometimes more frequent. So my opinion is based on my dining experience over the past 12 months in KL. Till last night my top 3 list has always been in this order:

1) Cilantro (even though there was a change of chef with the refurbishment)
2) Sage
3) Millesime ( loved the food and service, but the desserts keep holding them back from getting to the top two spots)



My last 2 visits earlier this year was a slight disappointment at Sage, just couldn't pull all the flavours together. The dishes were uneven.

Gave Sage another go last night and it was possibly the best fine dining experience in KL for me. Must get the Tasting Menu cause it has the one special dish, possibly the best single dish I have ever tasted ... ever.

The kingfish was excellent, very fresh with bite and bit of dressing was absolutely divine, some mirin, light vinegar and something else... it would have been sublime with any kind of fresh sashimi. 9/10

The second course was duck foie gras wrapped with anago. I was a bit disappointed that it was duck and not goose liver but again, wow, 9/10 ... and its the wonderful sauce again which brings out the delicate anago and even manages to wove the "not as delectable" duck liver successfuly into a wonderful pairing.

the anago with duck liver

So, what next, I was trying not to raise my expectations any further for fear of disappointment. Aaahhh, a palate cleanser, mojito granitas, its as if the chef knew my favourite liquor (neat) was tequila, and my fav cocktail (mojito), brilliant, fresh and exquisite.

The main was wagyu done 2 ways. I was again guarded as to the many times some chefs have tried to do too much with wagyu. Its usually sexy enough on the grill with some sea salt and pepper. I saw one part was "braised" and I was a bit reluctant already. The braised part was done with the tendon part (ngau gun) - OMG, fall off your chair gob-smacking good. I could have used the blunt part of the knife and still would have went through the meat like hot knife through butter.

The second part was plain grilled wagyu steak, WOW again. Added together, possibly the best single dish I have ever tasted. The sealer was the condiment on the side, the yellowish salt like thingee - its yuzu with some lemon peel and tiny bits of chilli, absolutely goes with the wonderful wagyu. 12/10 Remember to get it MEDIUM RARE, not ever MEDIUM...

the wagyu dish

Usually it will take a really good Western dessert to tempt me to finish the sweet dish. The very thin apple tart was excellent, crispy pastry though the ice cream could have used a tad less cinnamon. You should actually ask for a switch to the Belgian warm choc tart, thats divine, warm choc oozing out complemented very well with the earl grey ice cream. So, after last night, Sage topples Cilantro for me ... till the next time I visit both again.

I would strongly recommend to go and get the Tasting Menu (RM250pp net) before they change it. Look... you would have lost a lot more than that staring at the screen punting stocks for the last 2 months anyway. Live a little, indulge a bit, walk in the rain sometimes ... !!!

How China Conquers The World

Many things have been said about how China is going to dominate the global economy for the next 50 years. This in a nutshell, is how they go about laying the groundwork. China already is a player in the commodities side of things, they are laying the groundwork for the rest of the jigsaw puzzle.

The first question to entertain is why are they keeping the yuan low while they keep registering tons of surpluses. This is key to buying up the world. Some may say that although they have surpluses, a lot of that are in US Treasuries. If USD falls, they stand to lose a lot. That is B.S. ... I think even a second year economics student at Beijing University would be able to see through that.

Although China has a lot of Treasuries, their buying has decelerated substantially. Some think that they cannot ever dump the Treasuries - yes they do not dump, they cannot even afford to dump as the derailment of the global economy can have massive ramifications.

Instead, they basically recycle the surpluses by lending or pumping funds into state-controlled firms, buying up anything and everything related to commodities and even ports related entities to ensure the logistics chain are under their control. That being the case, many have been wondering if the Chinese have been over paying, yes they have been and they know it, but they rather have it than to see their surpluses dwindling 20% every 2 years in value.

Next, is to make their big companies become global players. China Development Bank, which is not really a commercial bank but a sovereign entity, issues bonds and lends aggressively to help China companies to frog leap the rest. The prime example had been the phenomenal growth of ZTE and Huawei, ask any telco vendor person, they were also-rans 5 years ago. Now they are the top few in the world.

Back in 2004, CDB provided a $45 billion line of credit to Huawei and ZTE. Yes, $45 billion of vendor financing. This basically meant that if you were Singtel and Huawei tries to sell you their products, if you were mildly interested but may lack the necessary funding/budget this year ... Huawei will say no problem, 100% financing can be provided at attractive rates. These type of export financing schemes are done all the time by the more enterprising governments, but certainly not in the scale of China. Naturally the other global players are crying that these are unfair advantages.

Next, is cementing the global economic and political ties. You cannot be just owing and running businesses, you need to be needed as a major player all corners of the world. China owns Asia already, but they have gone out of their way to go big into Africa and South America, investing big bucks, cementing political ties, granting loads of loans to various governments. Plus increase trade with them, China needs everything anyways .... What a friend.

Unlike the US or EU, China does not (yet) have a political agenda in doing all these, they are not aiming to protect the sanctity of the democratic world or pushing some political ideaology, which makes them easy to befriend the usual enemies of the Americans. China couldn't care less about the atrocities or dictatorships in other countries - you don't criticise my ways, I don't criticise yours ... (unless they get really really bad ... I guess.

Even now, China is making inroads into the troubled Greece, and possibly soon to Portugal and Spain, buy assuring them that China will buy their bonds.

It does not take a smartass to note that gradually China will own probably the top few players in every significant industry in the world. They tried doing that with banking and failed miserably, the timing was off and they made huge losses, but they can afford to make these kind of losses anyway.

So, you can shake your heads, but we all will have to work with them, one way or another, cause soon we all will be working for them, one way or another