@Icon8888 Thanks for this very useful and informative post. Plus your analysis. This is something which requires a lot of time and energy, not to mention a lot of brain power. Whether an individual agrees or not, and to what extent, is secondary. But I must say that this kind of post adds value to i3investor. Makes it worth the time to come here. You get an "A+" for your efforts. Very much appreciated.

LOL! You're funny. And I mean it in a good way.
Coming up with a headline like this, and honestly admitting you're trying to create hype... Haha!

Quite a good selection here. I'm going to jot these down and wait for the opportunity to buy a few. Gadang - one of my regrets. Got paralysed by the "It has gone up too much already" thinking, and thereby failed to capitalise on the gains that came.

Maybank's system is decent enough. But you MUST use Internet Explorer. The Android app is adequate for buying, selling and checking your account. But it doesn't list the counters - most active, biggest winners etc. That's a big shortcoming. I'm surprised that Affin's app is better. But then Affin's minimum commission is higher - twice Maybank's.

Maybe I should add this: before buying, always consider the downside risk. First and foremost. While we can't see the future, we can visualise the possibilities. In this case, a counter's support line could be of great help. Calculate how much we'd lose should it go below that point...and ask whether we can take the loss.

With trading, the key is in keeping the losses small. Even if 4 out of five trades result in a small loss, one winner which is allowed to run to its near maximum is often enough to cover the losses AND provide us with an overall profit.

@Jester, I don't dare to participate in this kind of thing. For one thing, my analysis doesn't have much sophistication. And this isn't fake humility. I'm still learning on the financial metrics beyond the bare basics like PE, DY free cash flow and such.

Right now, I'm basing my trades on these key words: "Buy Strength". Whether I like the company or not shouldn't matter. If the indications are right, then I'll buy. But with a "get out" point specified. This is especially so when a counter fools us with a false breakout (quite often). If it gets below the short-term support, I'll take the loss there and then instead of comforting myself "It will perform next week..." No more of this.

That's the main aspect of my TRADING. But I also have some capital allocated to INVESTING. This will be the counters that have some quality. Which means they MUST pay out dividends. Like Media Prima. However, they have to be at a good price first before I buy.

One more portfolio are the speculative shares I mentioned in the earlier post. These may be dumbass counters (like HB Global) and the dozens others that we see. I have no illusions about their business potential. And that includes Parkson and many of the oil n gas counters. But must acknowledge that they do have their moments, and coming in and going out at the right time will bring satisfying results.

For good measure and as insurance, I buy some put warrants too. Specifically FBMKLCI-H37 (for now). Must always remember the market fools us a lot of the time. There could also be sudden shocks, like what we saw in August last year. Having put warrants make me less tense and I sleep better at night. Should the market suddenly crash, at least I would have some protection to mitigate against the possible losses.

Sorry to hear that. -WA didn't look like a bad speculation during better times. Have to review and learn lessons from our buys that didn't work out. There are surely things that we could and should have done differently. Like cutting loss early when a counter falls through a supposed strong support. Easy to say in retrospect, of course. But this is a system and discipline we have to impose on ourselves to get better results in our future trades.

Slow, long slide by MBMR. Nothing sudden, no shock but it just goes down quietly. I had thought 2.58 was already low. But it still went down. Fortunately I stuck with the general rule of only buying when something is on an uptrend. But it's tempting, especially with the previous dividends.

One day it will find the bottom. And then move in the other direction. I'm waiting for that day.

Eagle eyes in @hng33. I wasn't even aware this counter had woken up.

Crony, politically-connected or whatever, must always remember our main goal: to try make money from the market. Don't know how low Media Prima might go but the dividends have been okay enough. In depressed market conditions, getting dividends is something comforting.

Firstly, A Happy New Year to @KC Chong and everyone who often follows the posts here, and may 2016 bring food fortune to us all.

This is another post, the content and essence of which are worth serious consideration by everyone trying to make money in the stock market. Or to avoid losing a huge chunk of his capital when the main goal doesn't materialise. It doesn't matter too much even if some of the points are `repetitive' - often, some critical and fundamental aspect needs to be drummed in again and again before we "get it".

Have to admit here that I do have two of the lemons mentioned here. Plus one or two others. Hibiscus and Amedia. There is always this "hope", of course. But with these two, and others I have in my "Speculative" portfolio, there's a strategy. Whether it works out or not, only time will tell, of course.

I do look at the downside risk first before buying these. Plus having a "Get Out" plan either way (including should they go down below a certain level). Hibiscus was bought at 0.245 while Amedia at 0.025 (before the most recent exercise. I didn't subscribe to the rights). The strategy is like what the portfolio's name suggest - wait for the time when it gains favour with speculators again. That might be in weeks or months. Possibly more than a year. But I'm prepared to wait.

I also have one counter which most everyone wouldn't even think of buying - HB Global (0.065). "Are you out of your mind?! It's a PN17 counter!" Well, can't claim to be too sane but... :-) This one is "calculated risk". Nothing too hot about the company but I noticed its NTA is 80-plus sen. And the shareholders include Datuk Shahidan Kassim and a unit of PNB. The company had made losses the last few quarters but these aren't too severe. Anyway, the PN17 status is more of technicality rather than an "ICU-type" of balance sheet.

My speculation is premised on these: (1) When the PN17 gets lifted, it will be seen in an entirely new light. (2) Should the majority shareholder get fed-up with the various technical requirements of being a public listed company, he can make a general offer to buy back the outstanding shares and take it private again. And the offer certainly can't be 0.10, 0.20 due to the NTA.

With these counters, I'm not under any illusions. No hope of "growth", "dividend" etc. These are all speculative. I should also add that the speculative portfolio forms only a smaller part of the capital. Should things not pan out as I am expecting, and even if the share prices go down to half of what they are now, my capital won't suffer too much. Sure, I will be exasperated. But not crippled.

The quarter results etc. look fine enough. But for some reason this counter isn't moving. Is it a general trend where investors are avoiding financial counters? Going to keep OSK in mind. The downside risk appears minimal, unless if some shocker is announced. When sentiments change, a 30-40 sen capital appreciation should materialise.

"rubbish" for those who fail to make any money when the opportunities appear. Both FGV and UEM, especially their call warrants, had given satisfying profits for those who had followed the trend. UEM-C20 especially, and FGV-C6. Even the safer mother have brought in reasonable gains from their low of this month.

Quite a good list. Thanks for sharing. This kind of thing helps with my decisions of "speculating". With the various counters, I hope to make capital gains within one year. This isn't a long timespan, especially with the old school "Buy and Hold" kind of investors. But 12 months is already a long time with many. To me, it's reasonable.

If one wants to make money from the market, it will do well not to let political beliefs obstruct his chances. Including with FGV. Personally I'm not impressed with the Chairman, Managing Director etc. Their decisions, especially with buying Eagle High, are suspicious. It's smells of "ada benda"; of vested interests not beneficial to shareholders. BUT if it's on an uptrend, and you want to try make some money, it's better to set aside our sentiments. "Making money" should be our only priority in the stock market.

Those guys with a longer-term holding plan, and had bought when it had rebounded off the low point...they will likely end with satisfying capital gain. Doesn't have to be 100%-plus like with some penny counters. But any kind of profit is welcomed. If one is doing better than what the mutual funds dish out, then he's doing fine with the stock market. This counter may be slow to go up. But the more important thing is, it isn't going down.

Looks "sort of" stabilised. But the technical indicators including RSI don't look attractive at all. It all depends on the big sellers - are they done yet, or is this just a lull before they resume?

This counter is something like that "Boy who Cried Wolf" story. It suddenly shoots up a bit, and contra players pile in (while those who had bought earlier sold off at a 1-pip profit). Then, it immediately petered out, and contra players get trapped. Happens again and again.

With contra players often getting stung, they will be wary about jumping in the next time. And that "next time" will be when this darn counter finally goes into a real, sustained uptrend. The question is "When" will this be.

As long as it doesn't slip below support, then it's okay. Should not because there aren't jittery contra players going to depress the price in the near term. Just wait for interest to pick up again.

This isn't a bad company. But it's on an obvious downtrend where the bottom is unknown. It may be 0.95, but this is just guessing. If the punter is lucky and it is the bottom, he will feel like a genius. Of Warren Buffet's class. But more often than not, trying to guess the bottom ends up in one becoming a forced investor. There's no fun in seeing our capital 'sangkut' in counters that are in a slow slide. Better wait for the indicators to perk up a bit.

@Annetan Thank you for sharing your experience with a lot of honesty in the feedback. It's posts like this at i3investor that I appreciate the most due to the very valuable lessons. One conclusion: to try make a profit, we MUST take a position. While staying at the sidelines and just observing is safe, doing so won't bring in anything either.

It's always easy to say we should have done this or that (or not do) in retrospect. I've been following UEMS and the warrants over the past several weeks. Those weren't really 'bad' buys for the technical indicators had looked promising. Unfortunately, the rebound was shortlived. Not only that, UEMS continued to slide. With the charts turning negative, it only panicked traders into selling and further depressing the price.

With warrants, especially a counter like this, we often have to jump the gun. That is, buying when things are depressed and everyone pessimistic. And waiting for a sudden spike in interest. Often, a minimum 30% profit or more is possible when the crowd jumps in. This is a calculated play whereby it's critical for the warrant to have reasonable life remaining (at least 5 months), and above the ex. price or very close to.

But must have an exit strategy - if it goes below a certain level, with the indicators showing more pain ahead, MUST sell and cut loss there and then. No "Wait a bit...might go up next week". Most of my losses with warrants were due to this procrastinating, which resulted in much bigger losses. It's easy to talk here about "discipline" - implementing when the time comes is often a different story.

@bleuerouge You are right. But the main question is "When". If one has the stamina to weather the storm and hang on, he will be rewarded. However, not many can do that.

If one is basing his buys on Technical Analysis, all the indicators say "Stay away". If you really, really can't stand it any longer and simply must buy despite the clear downtrend, it may be prudent to use just part of the intended capital. Maybe half and not all. If Astro continues to slide, at least you still have the other half. Can use this to average UP (not down) when you're reasonably confident the bottom has been found, and it's on the way up again.

Should keep watching this counter because sooner rather than later, fund managers are going to feel it's "cheap enough" and start buying. There are limited counters which they are permitted to buy, and they'd also want to have Astro due to the regular dividends.

Talking of itchy hand - this is why I check prices at i3investor instead of launching the investment bank's trading platform. Prevents impulsive buying - something which we'd often regret although there might be a few exciting successes in between. It's so easy and tempting. Requires just a few clicks, and suddenly we're exposed.

I wouldn't dare to say that. For one thing, don't know whether the seller is done yet, or waiting to continue next week. Looks to have stabilised but maybe it's because they don't want to panic other investors into selling too(?)

It's not at the lowest point yet (from early 2013) which should be very strong support. If the selling is done, might not go that low. Anyway, there's also the possibility of local fund managers buying and adding to their portfolio. They would want to average down the portfolio. At least that's my thinking (which may not be the case in reality). This current price - no guarantees, if course. But I'd think it's fair and reasonable, all things considered (but I'm not buying yet - I try not to buy on Fridays since something might happen overseas during their trading hours and weekend).

@pohwantam @hanxian I wouldn't know which one is "the best", because I've only had experience with Affin-Hwang (The Curve) and Maybank (Sunway Giza). Affin - not recommended because of the minimum charge of RM28, among other things. Not an issue if you are buying/selling RM8k worth in one transaction. However, not viable if your transactions are small. Especially with structured warrants and penny counters where you might not want to risk too much money. Would need at least a one-sen gain before you make a small profit.

I'm now with Maybank. It's much better than Affin based on my own experience and needs. Besides the RM12 minimum, the Maybank account is more flexible. Especially when you connect your savings account to the current (trading) account which will be opened. Can easily transfer from both accounts according to the need. The online trading platform is also more versatile than Affin's. But you MUST use Internet Explorer, else the trading interface won't appear. I'd prefer Firefox or Chrome. Have to get used to IE, unfortunately.

I had also considered Hong Leong and Malacca Securities. From my research, both are also very good. Plus CIMB too. But the nearest Malacca branch is at SS2, and I was reluctant to go there from Kota Damansara. Actually the physical location of where you open the account isn't really too important...because 99% of things could be done online. My choosing Maybank is mostly because I already have a savings account with this bank, and Sunway Giza is the nearest IB for me to register.

Bro, I'm no sifu. Had taken some losses too over the years. Plus failed to maximise profits in several big winners when I went out way too early (Ifca was the biggest fish that I had released too soon). But I *try* to learn from these, and to share the experiences here so that we could do better.

One of the lessons - trying to catch the bottom is often a risky game. The "cheap becomes cheaper" situation. It's not a bad idea to buy at a support level. However, we must have a plan, and especially the discipline. If the support doesn't hold, must cut loss at the stated level and thereby freeing our capital. And possibly not suffer bigger losses, "paper" as they may be. It's not as easy as it sounds...because we tend to procrastinate, comforting ourselves that "It will rebound next week..." Sometimes it does happen like that, and we pat ourselves on the back "for staying and not cutting loss". But more often, it slides further.

Anyway, another key thing I've learned: always protect our own interests, first and foremost. This is the aspect we must always ask when we want to buy or sell - Is this to MY interest?

It's now not too far from the lowest point since the re-listing at the end of 2012. What was it - 2.5-something was the lowest point. Remember the sentiment at that time? Investors were so disappointed, including Astro's staff who had taken loans to buy at 3.00. The CEO, Rohana had added to her holdings at 2.70 or so...a few million units. Bold of her in showing confidence. And it worked well for her when Astro went back to 3.00 and then above that.

Now, Dec. 2015 we are facing a rather similar situation. Is this an opportunity or a trap? We will have to make the decision.

After slipping under the 2.73 support, 2.67 is barely holding. The volume isn't heavy at all. But some entity looks to be doing controlled selling. Giving away at Buyer's prices, although not hurriedly. Astro is now at a rather attractive price. Very tempting. But must be reasonably sure the seller has gone away first. Or for indication there is solid support at this level. "Wait and see" looks prudent.

With this kind of counter, it may be better to stick to this prudent tip which I had often come across: "Buy on Strength". Right now it definitely isn't showing strength but the opposite. Whether this company is "good" or "bad" is secondary when it comes to protecting our capital, and hopefully make a profit. Would not be wise to go against the trend and momentum. It's better to wait a bit for the counter to find a new support level first.

For a genuine investor who can hold (as compared to "trader" and "semi-investor" whose horizon is less than one year), Astro isn't a bad buy at this price. Don't know how the share price will perform in the coming days, but one thing is for sure - the new buyer is getting it cheaper than those who had bought at the IPO.

Its regular dividends are an attraction, especially to fund managers. When they come in again - especially the foreign funds, this will be one of the counters they tend to buy.

The issue: Who is doing the selling over the week, and are they done yet? If not, we should hold on for a bit longer...if you can.

Maybe it's better to wait for signs that it had found a strong support first instead of trying to catch it at "the lowest price" (?) The potential profit will be less than "lowest price", but I feel this is the safer strategy.

Anyway, have to also take into account that "somebody" (not limited to one entity, of course) has been selling over the past week. Not just Pos but also several other counters that fund managers tend to have in their portfolios. Like Gamuda, TNB, Astro etc. If big boys are liquidating, it's better to wait until they are done first.

@waseong ---> "if this share suddenly up, pls dun go to chase high 追高 lo."

Actually that's what I'm planning to do. And I think quite a number of people too. If it goes up, with good volume and looks sustained, that's a strong BUY!! signal... because it indicates the bottom has been found, and it looks to be retracing its long slide.

Yes, 2.73 looks to be a critical support line. Might be considered as a calculated move if one buys at this price. However, if it slips below that, will have to decide fast - cut loss immediately OR to hang on (and thereby having the capital `sangkut')

Rather puzzling as to why it should be at this level on listing. Goes to show the presence of so many jittery people who had obtained its shares. Why would anyone apply for these shares, and then to immediately sell at the first sign of trouble? Based on what @sosfinance says on its NTA, this might be an opportunity.

Officially a penny counter with today's close. Interesting to see how it goes tomorrow - of whether there will be the effort to push it back up, or whether sub-1.00 will be the new normal. I don't have any Parkson shares. But if there is the opportunity to trade for some quick pocket money, I'll be coming in. Since there doesn't appear to be the possibility of dividends in the foreseeable future, capital gain is the only game. However, must be reasonably confident of a strong support line first.

Dividend 2.5 sen, come down 6 sen.
Have to check its support line. See whether it has been breached. If it's not, then can speculate on a possible 20-sen capital gain when it returns to its 'normal' level of 3.00 or so. This is one of the counters which fund managers would buy.

But the bigger concern is Astro's lack of growth potential. In fact, more subscribers are cancelling due to internet-based content being cheaper and more convenient. I'm one of those who have cancelled. This is the trend in other countries too, brought about by access to fast-enough and fixed-cost broadband. When Unifi and other fibre optic expand to other areas, you'll see many Astro subscribers terminating too. How to replace them? And how to deal with the increasing cost of buying content from overseas?

The round numbers are critical and are always strong resistance and support. But 1.00 is especially critical because it also carries this "penny stock" stigma. This is okay with ACE counters or those that have just been listed. But not for counters that were once coveted by investors.

I've also observed counters that sink below this level tend to stay there for years, if they don't get lifted back up within several weeks. AirAsia, UEMS, UMWOG, Armada etc. are recent `success' cases where they had gone down but managed to recover. It's something like the English Premier League - the clubs that get relegated tend to stay in the lower division/s if they don't gain promotion within the next couple of seasons. In a way, can't blame WC and PHB - 1.00 is a "defend at all cost" line.

2/12 RHB-OSK insists this is a "Trading Buy" with a TP of 0.56. Alam was at 0.475 then. Now, in less than a week, punters who had placed faith in RHB's call would have lost 9.5% of their capital. Goes to show these analysts don't know much better than us here. In fact, I'd much sooner listen to the opinions of a few people here than to buy something based on these analysts' TP.

@AdCool Thanks for the feedback on the share buyback. Should have done this basic check myself. Previously I had thought it was "market support" whenever it went close to 1.00. Turned out it was by PHB. Cheh!

I agree with @ks55's take - just let it slip past 1.00 and thereby find its real support, wherever that might be. Could be 0.95, or 0.85. Or 0.70...? Who knows. But I think WC and family could never see it as "penny stock", and thereby being peers with 'disreputable characters'. That would be like moving from the nice cafes and restaurants at Oasis Ara Damansara and The Curve to patronising ordinary, no-frills eateries. Would be a crushing blow to the image - once coveted shares, now ignored even by traders.

I'm still watching it for signs of bottoming out. But with this share buyback, the purported support line becomes questionable.

Waiting, waiting... Waiting for the worms to come for me. (Pink Floyd)
Hallo, Mister Chairman, CEO...Anyone -- So what's the latest development on the PN17 regularisation? Specifically, what's the status in getting out of PN17?

This counter's NTA is high as compared to the present share price. But the PN17 status is a huge drag. Especially when minority investors aren't being kept informed of developments and plans.

I had read that item earlier. This drop today most likely is due to that warning by the CEO, and especially the last quarter's results. But I believe the market has now priced those in. More important is the support - if it holds, then this counter will build a new base at around this level.

The fact that it's a dividend-paying counter is an attraction. Especially if the price doesn't go south, and thereby discouraging the genuine investors (as opposed to "traders"). And the selling volume isn't too heavy today. But let's see how it goes tomorrow. There's still time to observe and make sure of the support level. Don't want to get a 6-sen dividend but with the counter dropping 0.15.

I'm going to take a calculated risk with Signature. It's now near a major support, which should hold (if it doesn't, I'm cutting loss). There's a 6 sen dividend on 16 Dec.

The main problems with SILK is loan-servicing. For instance, the vessels it had bought for the oil & gas division. Capital outlay is heavy. The highway concession brings in much-needed revenue, but a big part of that goes to loan servicing. But it *is* a good asset. One possibility for SILK - some cash-rich entity like EPF etc. makes an offer for the expressway. We can only hope for capital appreciation. No chance of a dividend ever being announced.

Thanks @hng33. Appreciate the analysis and assessment. Things like this helps with making an informed decision. May or may not work out. But at least we do a bit of homework first rather than simply jumping in.

It does look interesting to hold as an investment. Even though sales of new cars are not as good right now, the ones already on the road do need replacement parts now and then. But just watch out for the support level. If it slips, then cutting loss here and now is called for.

I don't know. Am driving a European car. Older model...16 years old Heheh! One more about MBMR - quite regular dividends. If this support is strong, then it may be worth taking the risk. There's potential for a 15-sen profit until it meets the very strong resistance. But this is assuming the support holds.

MBMR - only one 'attraction', if one wants to call it that...it's now at a critical support level. That could possibly be the bottom, which means one is getting at the ground floor. But if it slips below this level, better have the discipline to make a cut loss instead of waiting and hoping.

@Ring Might lead to something if you do write to him. But this is a GLC - people are too comfortable to do anything. And what do they care? It's not their money on the line here.

A couple of days ago, UK-based investment company, Polo had taken up a stake. Did they know about this latest deal via Lime? Most likely they did. The fund manager surely had done some research, and contacted the right people before he plonked down the investment. He must have seen future potential in Hibiscus. Anyway, the share price has gotten so beaten down.