Saturday February 9, 2013

CLSA: Better year ahead

WHILE the past five snake years have not particularly been great, this year is envisaged to be better, according to one Asian brokerage and investment group.

CLSA Asia-Pacific Markets launched earlier this week its 19th annual CLSA Feng Shui Index a tongue-in-cheek look at what the celestial signs suggest is in store for Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index, key sectors and markets, world leaders and celebrities, and each of the 12 Chinese zodiac signs during this Year of the Black Water Snake.

According to CLSA, the past five Snake years back to the Water Snake of 1953 were not encouraging.

“However, there are signs that this year's beast will be better behaved: All five of the basic elements or energies are present in the fortune charts (including the market-driver Fire!); and the annual Flying Star energies all return to their “home” sectors for the first time in nine years,” it says in a statement.

CLSA points out that in only one year did markets end the year convincingly above their opening and the size of the drops of the most recent three has been growing ever worse.

As befits “skin-shedders”, Snake years are marked by major transformation and change and sometimes great upheaval: Pearl Harbour (1941), Twin Towers (2001), Tiananmen (1989), Fall of the Wall (1989), Great Depression (1929), recessions (1953, 2001), revolutions (1917, 1989), and major conflicts (1941, 1965), it says.

Meanwhile, at a press conference in Hong Kong, Mariana Kou, a CLSA research analyst and self-proclaimed feng shui master, says the Water Snake year will see the Hong Kong's stock market perform better compared to last year.

“We see a resource-led slow burn run-up for the Hang Seng Index from the second quarter. As it builds, risk flicks on', resulting in the second half being more volatile, but there are opportunities,” Kou was quoted as saying in China Daily.

The paper reported her as saying that the first-half rally will come to a sudden end in August, which seems to be “double trouble” because the crucial Fire element dies away in the month, Earth falls, Metal overshoots and Water puts a dampener on prospects.

In terms of sectors, CLSA expects the best performances from those traditionally associated with Metal such as broking and financials and also Water like gaming and logistics.

As for the zodiac signs, Roosters, Cows and Dogs look set to be this year's “grinners”, whereas Pigs, Tigers, Sheep and Snakes may need all the pluck they can muster.

CLSA's prediction for the 12 animal signs

Tiger

It may well feel like a jungle out there this year for you Striped Types, what with all the snipes, gripes and swipes. To get you through, take your cue from the Fab Four over the Stones and Let It Be. (You can always Let It Bleed later). And read the fineprint. As the chef said to the young apprentice with a sniff: This stew's well past.'

Rabbit

Amid machinations infernal, hop springs eternal - and with good cause in your case, Bunnies. The outlook may not be quite 24-carrot just yet, but it's still leaps and bounds ahead of what you've been catching of late. And there'll be high-fiving all round when the hooves of next year's fiery Horse hit the horizon.

Dragon

The good news? Your fortune's far flasher than it was for last year. The bad news? That's probably not saying a lot, eh? We jest. Well, jest a bit. A fascinating thing, relativity - all the more so if you've got the foggiest notion of the theory behind it. Best left to the Einsteins, no doubt. Quark, strangeness and charm indeed.

Snake

It just doesn't seem right, eh? It's your year, but instead of three cheers you're more likely to cop one over the ear. It's just the feng shui of the world. So moan on your own or take it in your slide. Think of it as a great opportunity to test your mettle. And, as the doctor said to the boy who'd swallowed another marble: This too shall pass.'

Horse

Whoa! What's not to like? It's no laydown whinny-winner, but there's neigh point in looking about for trouble. Besides which, a mirror will soon show what's most likely to trip you up this year. Don't be an ass! Reload that ever-reliable Horse sense, get your head in the right place and see how easily “ordinary” becomes “oat-standing”.

Sheep

Jeepers Sheepsters, we feel your pain', as Big Bill was wont to coo in that way that you almost believed him. Being dogged by seven surly stars is no fun. But banish the bleatin' and you'll soon have the fleas beaten. And as the teacher said encouragingly to the boy struggling to unravel an unruly sentence: This too shall parse.'

Monkey

From where we're standing, it doesn't look as if it would take much to nudge that “ssso-so” up into “Sweet Street” territory or even higher up da vine. Sure, you've got seven ssso-and-ssso skunks to keep an eye on, but just look at the names who've got your back! Get your tail into gear, and razzle-dazzle with the old Monkey magic.

Rooster

As Family Guy's Peter Griffin would put it (ad nauseam): Bb- b-bird, bird, bird, b-bird's the word . . . ' You Roosters surely must be getting sick of this chicken run of spanking good luck you've been having? Wouldn't like to toss a few crumbs our way? Oh well, never mind. Now, what is it they make feather-dusters from . . .

Dog

Talk about a turnaround story! If only we could have bought lots of lots of you lot last year, when you were totally out in the dog house and on the cold, wet nose. Now you're baaark! And you're practically leader of the zodiac pack. Howl lovely to see. Suddenly, Iggy Pop almost makes sense: I just wanna be your dawwg . . . ' Woof!

Pig

It's more than a boar knowing some unseen, all-powerful presence is tracking your every move - and that's just Google. You poor Porkers have the Tai Sui on your tails as well. Snout to do but your best: Stuck pigs squeal and quit; stoic pigs deal with it. As the dentist said to the boy with the makings of an abcess. This tooth shall pus.'

Rat

Leaving aside the caveat of the best-laid plans' and all that, your fortune is looking well on the bright side of “average” - indeed within a whisker of “wonderful” for many, especially Water Rats. That said (and twitch his own of course), use the old Mouse nous and go easy on the squeaks and squeals of delight. Gets up a few noses.

Cow

How's “wow” sound, Cows? That's the word for the Herd once the Snake's on the make. Content is king, as a bullish Bill Gates argued, and there should be few more contented than you mob come the close, given the crme de la crme outlook. No call for grabbing bulls by horns - simply take the year by the ears and life as it comes.

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Saturday February 9, 2013

CLSA: Better year ahead

CLSA's prediction for the 12 animal signs