In my last post, I shared about how the volatility coming out of the Middle East can be a good opportunity. Today, I’m putting my money where my mouth is.
What Is Happening?
The Asian stock markets are currently experiencing significant volatility, largely driven by a sharp escalation in geopolitical tensions. As of March 5, 2026, markets have seen a major sell-off following news of direct conflict involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran.
South Korea’s Kospi and Kosdaq recently suffered their steepest one-day crashes on record (nearly a 20% wipeout). Singapore’s STI and Japan’s Nikkei 225 have also faced heavy selling pressure.
What Is My Plan?
I have initiated a $15,000 redemption of my Singapore Savings Bonds (SSB) held in my SRS account. While SSBs have been a fantastic “safe haven” during the high-interest-rate environment of the last couple of years, the market is currently handing us an opportunity that I believe outweighs the guaranteed 2% yield that SSB can provide.
Why Am I Liquidating My Safe Assets?
It seems ironic that the safe assets like bonds are there to give us the reassurance that we need in market turmoil like now because they protect our capital. So, there should be no reason to sell them other than that I have better use for my capital.
1. Liquidating the “Safety Net” for Alpha
SSBs are the ultimate defensive asset, but they aren’t meant to be held forever if you’re hunting for growth. By redeeming these now, I am preparing a “war chest” in my SRS account.
Because these funds are already tax-advantaged within the SRS framework, any gains I make on the upcoming “dip buy” will continue to grow tax-free until retirement.
2. The Singapore “Blue Chip” Discount
While the “Mag 7” in the US (like Meta and Alphabet) are my primary growth engines, the Singapore market offers something different: Stability and Yield.
When global tensions rise, the Straits Times Index (STI) often gets dragged down by general sentiment, not necessarily by the fundamentals of our local banks or REITs. I am looking at world-class SG assets that are currently being “sold off” unfairly.
3. The Re-Deployment Strategy
I’m not throwing the full $15k into the market the second it hits my account in April. My plan is disciplined:
- Targeting Value: I am looking for SG tickers that have been pushed into “oversold” territory but maintain strong dividend cushions.
- Layering In: Just like my 2028 COIN LEAPS, I am playing the long game. I will be DCA-ing (Dollar Cost Averaging) into these local positions (fundamentally strong companies providing good dividend yields) to capture the bottom of this “war-time” volatility.
- The $15,000 I just moved isn’t “spending”—it’s “planting.” By the time these geopolitical tensions settle, I want to be holding assets bought at a discount, not chasing them at all-time highs.
A Note for My Subscribers:
The funds will hit my SRS account on the second business day of April. I’ll be sharing the stocks that I am buying with my Patreon supporters. You can join my Patreon page (for free!) to get updated on my trades on the same day I made them.
Click here to access my Patreon Page
What I Am Planning To Buy & Why?
Redeeming these bonds isn’t about spending; it’s about re-deployment. By moving these funds back into my SRS cash balance, I am preparing to buy into the Singapore “Big 3” (DBS, OCBC, and UOB).
As of March 2026, the local banks are offering projected dividend yields in the 5.5% to 6.1% range—significantly higher than what most of us are locked into with our older SSB tranches.
Why the “Big 3” Local Banks?
Wall Street might be obsessed with AI, but on our home turf, the banks are the undisputed cash machines.
- DBS (D05): Even with a recent earnings miss, DBS is still the dividend king with a projected FY2026 yield of around 6.1%. Their commitment to capital returns (including that $3B share buyback) makes them a fortress during volatility.
- OCBC (O39): They’ve been the outperformer lately. With a strong 50% payout ratio and a massive capital surplus, they have the “dry powder” to raise dividends even if global growth slows.
- UOB (U11): While they’ve trailed their peers recently, the valuation gap is getting attractive. Analysts are eyeing a recovery in their earnings, which could lead to a massive catch-up play for patient investors.
Concluding Thoughts
I’m mindful of what happened during the Russia-Ukraine conflict. War-driven inflation can be a drag, but Singapore’s “Certainty Premium” is real. While the US markets face high-altitude volatility, the STI is increasingly seen as a safe haven for quality yield.
I’m not “all-in” on day one. I’ll be receiving these funds in early April, and I’ll be layering into these positions slowly. My goal isn’t to catch the bottom, but to lock in these 6% yields for the next 1,000 days.
*** FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA ***
Follow me on Facebook and LinkedIn, to get notified of my latest posts on social media. Or subscribe to my blog (scroll to the bottom of the page) to have my new posts sent directly to your mailbox.
We also have a community passionate about investing, trading, and personal finance over our Telegram or Facebook group. So, join us there for a good discussion, post queries, or simply share your financial knowledge.
*** SEE MY TRADES & PORTFOLIO ON PATREON ***
If you are interested to find out more about my options trades and investment portfolio, I will be updating them on Patreon (on the same day I made the trades), so do follow me there if you need some reference or inspiration.
Click here to access my Patreon page
*** FREE BEGINNER GUIDE TO OPTIONS TRADING ***
Keen to learn about options trading but do not wish to pay for expensive courses, this newbie guide will help gain the knowledge and fundamentals to understand options better. And it’s totally free!
The Newbie’s Guide To Options Trading
*** FREE MOTIVATIONAL BOOK ***
If earning more money from your investment does not excite you anymore, you may be seeking a purpose that brings fulfillment and meaning in life. I have written a motivational book that may be useful to you in some ways.
Click here to download my motivational book
*** BUY ME A CUP OF COFFEE ***
If my blog has benefited you in some ways and you would like to offer a token of appreciation, you may do so via this page. Thank you very much for your support!
Click here to support the site
*** MUST-READ BLOG POSTS ***
The day that I lost everything….
I Was Margin Called, IBKR Liquidated ALL My Positions & Realised S$540k (USD400k) Worth Of Losses
Sharing these 6 fatal mistakes in investing and options trading so you can avoid these pitfalls
The 6 Fatal Investing/ Trading Mistakes That Made Me Lose More Than $1M
After accumulating more than 600k of unrealized losses on my portfolio, I wrote this article to encourage friends and investors who are also losing a lot of money to the market.
If You Are Feeling Depressed From Losing Lots Of Money In The Stock Market, Here’s An Article For You
The precious 6 lessons I learnt after cutting more than half a million of losses in the stock market through bad investments and risky trades.
6 Lessons Learnt After Losing 551k In 10 Years Of Investing & Options Trading | What Newbies Should Know They Start Investing/ Trading
In the 10 years of my investing journey, I have made many mistakes but also learned many lessons from these mistakes. I compiled the 10 most valuable lessons that I have learned and may they help you succeed in your investing journey.
Happy 10 Years Of Investing | 348k (Realised) Profit, 635k (Unrealized) Loss & 10 Lessons Learnt
How I managed to build a 1M investment/ trading portfolio despite coming from humble beginnings.
How A Poor Kid Got To A 1M Investment Portfolio | Tips & Principles Of Building Wealth
I did these 10 side hustles while holding a full-time job, so I share them here so you can be inspired to grow your wealth through a side hustle that you enjoy.
I Did These 10 Side Hustles While Working Full Time | 10 Side Hustle Ideas To Help You Earn An Extra Income
Struggling with inflation and high cost of living? Try these 10 methods to help you save money and accumulate more savings for investments or rainy days.
10 Ways To Save Money To Help You Fight Inflation & Rising Costs Of Living
Why I am building $120,000 of cash reserves in Singapore Savings Bonds (SSB) & 5 reasons why I think SSB is a worthy low or zero-risk investment that you can consider.
Why I Am Building $120,000 Of Cash Reserves In Singapore Savings Bonds (SSB)? | 5 Reasons Why SSB Is A Worthy Low-Risk Investment
Learning Investment With Jason Cai 