Investing in 2021: 9 Stocks to Consider Buying for the New Year
It has changed our lives in many ways that we would have never thought of.
Due to the pandemic, the stock market this year has been on a rollercoaster ride as well, plunging quickly and recovering just as fast, especially for the US market.
It took just 16 trading days for the S&P 500 index to fall 20% from a then-record high — the quickest descent into a bear market since July 1933.
After that, the index rose around 63% from its March bottom to set a new record, closing at 3,756.07 on 31 December 2020. For the whole year, the S&P 500 index increased by an impressive 16.3%.
Since such ups-and-downs are common in the stock market, we should not be afraid of them but seize the moment by investing regularly into exchange-traded funds (ETFs) or high-quality companies over the long run.
As we welcome 2021, here are nine stocks for investors to consider investing in for the long-term (at least for the next five years).
Take part in the Singapore Insurance Institute 2021 New Year Virtual Run
The run is fun for everyone, whether beginners or experienced runners, and is open to all ages. Choose from either the 5km or 10km challenge to get the new year started.
With an innovative virtual component, you can create your own running route anytime, anywhere, by walking, jogging or running any distance. Teammates will be able to interact virtually to achieve team goals collectively and win exciting prizes. Sign up by 14 January to be allocated a team consisting of SURPRISE teammates.
Choose between a Finisher T-shirt or Singlet when you sign up and stand a chance to win exciting prizes and vouchers.
The SII 2021 New Year Virtual run is organised by Singapore Insurance Institute and managed by 42Race. Asia Advisers Network is official media partner.
Join us in this new year’s event to encourage a healthy and active lifestyle and more importantly, to create opportunities for us to connect with one another to share, support and engage in a new way.
EXCLUSIVE PLANNER 2021
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Best Car Loan in 2021
A no-no for individuals seeking the cheapest car loan
UOB Car Loan / United Overseas Bank
Car loan calculator that allows for the calculation of monthly payments
Standard Chartered Auto Financing / Standard Chartered Bank Singapore
Lowest rates for new and used car loans in Singapore
Islamic auto financing
Maybank Car Loans Singapore / Maybank Singapore
On both occasions the customer service has been phenominal
Asia Carz Credit Car Loan / Asia Carz Credit
This may be the cheapest car loan refinancing option in Singapore
OCBC Car Financing / Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation
Apply for a loan in just 3 minutes
THE 7 BEST CAR LOANS IN SINGAPORE
Have you been dreaming of buying your own car but don’t have enough money for it? If so, then we highly recommend that you get your hands on the best car loans in Singapore that will help you purchase your dream car!
Applying for the best car loans in Singapore isn’t always an easy and smooth process, but we’re here to make it easier for you with our list of the best car loans in Singapore.
None of these options will give you a complicated time applying for a car loan. They should make the process fairly smooth and simple, in fact.
So, without further ado, here are the ones we found to be worth your attention. Try these lenders whenever you want the best car loans in Singapore!
Will 2021 finally be a good time to buy property in Singapore?
Lockdowns, an economic recession, panic buying of toilet paper from NTUC… Amidst all of the uncertainties that Covid-19 has thrown at us this 2020, some of us planning to buy a house might have found it hard to get a foot in the door (Get it?).
Now that things seem to be getting better as we’re inching towards 2021, is it finally a good time to consider buying a house in Singapore, whether it’s a HDB or a private property?
We look at some of the reasons why industry experts think it’s a good time to buy, and pick them apart:
1. “It’s a good time to take advantage of low interest rates.”
If you’ve been listening out for home-buying tips, you’ll probably know that bank interest rates have dipped to an all-time low, even dropping below 1% at some points of time this year. In comparison, it was almost 2% at its peak in 2019.
And if you’re going to take up a loan of hundreds of thousands of dollars to buy a property, even the slightest difference in interest rates makes a huge difference. Huuuge! Here’s some quick maths: If you take a $500,000 loan over a period of 25 years, the difference between a 1% and 2% interest rate is $70,472.83. That’s almost a fifth of your loan amount!
Sounds like an amazing thing to take advantage of, right? Um, yes and no – and here’s the catch. If interest rates are at an all-time low, it also means one thing: The only way it can go is up. Even with fixed rate bank loans, after the fixed rate period of 3-5 years, the interest rate becomes variable and might increase, especially when the economy picks up.
There’s no doubt that it’ll be much easier to pay off your home loan in the short term due to the lower interest rates, but be sure not to over-leverage yourself, and factor in some funds as a buffer when doing your financial planning.
2. “Property prices are falling because of the recession.”
Economic downturns leave few industries unscathed, and the property sector has inevitably been affected too. In theory, this means it’s more possible to become a homeowner in Singapore since it’s easier on your finances.
Why we say “in theory”? Because if you look at property prices in Singapore, whether HDB or private property, you’ll find that prices haven’t actually been that badly affected. Because HDB flats are public housing backed by stringent government policies, prices are bound to remain relatively stable; condo prices are also actually still increasing, albeit at a slower rate than normal.
So, what now?
Let’s think a little more long-term – if it becomes more of a seller’s market in the future (that is, when demand exceeds supply), this puts existing homeowners in an advantageous position as they could potentially sell their homes for a greater profit.
As for whether it’ll become a seller’s market? Quite possibly. On the HDB front, given that it could take a long time to resolve construction delays of BTO flats because of the pandemic, it’s very possible that many potential buyers would turn to resale HDB flats instead in the near future. Similarly, for condo buyers, Singapore is projected to see a smaller supply of new condo projects after 2020, which could lead to a trickle-down effect whereby demand for resale condos increasingly exceeds supply.
3. Property is a stable investment as compared to the likes of stocks and bonds
While it’s mostly true, this doesn’t mean you should rush to invest all of your savings into property all in the name of stability. The reason is that property is an illiquid asset, which means it can’t be easily accessed or spent as compared to, say, cash in your bank account.
Especially in a pandemic-hit time like this, it’s good practice to hold some liquid assets in the form of cash or other assets that can easily be converted into cash. This way, in the case of an emergency or whenever required, you’ve got finances readily available to relieve the pressure.
Best Credit Card Deals in Singapore January 2021
Overview of 8 Best Credit Cards in Singapore
Which credit card is the best in Singapore 2021?
In truth, there is no one-size-fits-all card!
The best credit card for you depends on your personal needs, lifestyle, and preference.
Therefore we have compiled this list of the best credit cards categorized by AirMiles, Cashback, and Dining so that you can easily find the credit cards most suitable for you.
However, nowadays the great credit cards in each category often come with very similar features.
Thus, credit card sign-up promotions also weighed in as one of the most important criteria when picking up the top credit cards.
When you apply for some of our handpicked cards, you can receive awesome exclusive sign-up rewards, Apple Watch SE (worth S$419), AirPods Pro (worth $379) or $300 Cash rewards, on top of existing bank’s welcome bonuses.
THE 5 MOST PRESTIGIOUS CREDIT CARDS IN SINGAPORE
Want to know what it takes to quality for the most prestigious credit cards in Singapore? If so, you’re on the right page.
We’re here to describe the requirements for getting the best credit cards in the country. Aside from that, we’re also here to share our picks for the most prestigious credit cards in Singapore.
Before that though, we’re going to answer some questions you might have about the most prestigious credit cards in Singapore. Let’s start!
Contents hide
Frequently Asked Questions about the Most Prestigious Credit Cards in Singapore
The Most Prestigious Credit Cards in Singapore
2. American Express Centurion Black Card
Citibank Ready Credit
4.55% Interest Rate (EIR 8.50% p.a.), 3 years Loan Tenure, $316 Per Month, MoneySmart Exclusive: S$100 Grab Credits! Exclusive Offer - 4.55% p.a. (EIR 8.5% p.a.) for 36 month loan tenure
HSBC's Personal Loan
4.80% Interest Rate (EIR 9% p.a.), 3 years Loan Tenure, $318 Per Month, As low as 3.7% p.a. interest rate, with $80k min. annual income, 1 min approval in-principle + S$50 Cashback Online Exclusive
POSB Personal Loan
3.88% Interest Rate (EIR 7.90% p.a.), 3 years Loan Tenure, $310 Per Month, Get up to S$1,000 processing fee waiver, Get S$120 NTUC Vouchers
Citi Rewards Card
Earn 10X Rewards, Points redemption, Get S$120 Cash Back, Refer a friend and be rewarded with S$50 Cash Rebate!
HSBC Advance Credit Card
Up to 3.5?sh Back on all purchases, No minimum spend required, 1 year's annual fee waiver (Perpetually waived for HSBC Advance banking customers)
