Hong Kong – Monday, 5 February 2018 – CLSA Limited (CLSA), Asia’s leading capital markets and investment group, today launches its 24th CLSA Feng Shui Index (FSI), a tongue-in-cheek alternative look at what’s in store for you and the Hang Seng Index (HSI) in the upcoming Chinese New Year. The guide also includes top sector picks, Hong Kong property tips and zodiac predictions for health, wealth, love and careers in the Year of the Earth Dog.
The Dog represents duty and loyalty and is a sign of defence and protection. It’s a good time to be level headed and to err on the side of caution. Entrepreneurs should stick with their most loyal clients, and investors are advised not to bite off more than they can chew. As always, check with CLSA analysts for the latest sector and market updates throughout the year.
The enthusiastic Earth Dog jumps out of the kennel, tossing the Fire Rooster back to the barn and sending the HSI skyward. After a great start, the hound takes a tumble in March which sees the Index head south. Through to summer the market chases its tail and drops, before the Dog and our favourite Earth Rooster, the HSI, extend a little more consideration towards each other and get back on track. September is a great time to sniff out some smart investment opportunities at the CLSA Investors’ Forum! Steady gains over the second half promise meaty returns as the Hang Seng closes on a high at year-end.
In terms of sectors, stick with pharma and consumer as the Earth Dog sees strong gains in wood-related industries overall. Telcos/internet, technology and utilities perform well but casinos and transport won’t get a leg up until October. Investors who expect decent returns from banking and financials are definitely barking up the wrong tree this year.
Property investors would do well to consult the charts before making any decisions to buy – the flying stars bring their attributes to bear on the nine areas of HK they inhabit. Copper and gold can counter disruption caused by the Five Yellow and Three Killings influencing those residing in the north. If your kennel is in the west, you’ll need sharp crystals to ward off negative forces. The Centre is the best place to buy this year, but to fully reap all the positive power, you’ll need airflow. The love star inhabits the northwest – this is where you’ll want to pop the question!
As far as the zodiacs go, it will be a great year overall for Dogs, Rabbits and Monkeys. Romance is in the air for Rats, Pigs and Snakes, while travel is indicated for Monkeys and Goats. Not the best, but certainly not the worst year ahead for Horses and Tigers. Roosters, Ox and Dragons are advised to take care and guard against negative energy.
As is tradition, the CLSA Feng Shui guide also includes zodiac predictions for some famous faces. With the Dog year representing faithfulness and devotion, UK’s Royal Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have selected an ideal time to tie the knot, while Charlie Brown’s pet pooch Snoopy can also expect a little more love at home. Good health is in store for undefeated world boxing star Rex Tso Sing-yu while Asia snooker champ Ng On Yee can expect to finish the year with full pockets.
The bones of the CLSA FSI are formed by first evaluating the Bazi, (eight character fortune) against the birth sign of the Hang Seng, which is the Earth Rooster launched in 1969. Then the mysterious influences of the wu xing (five energies) and xuan hong (flying stars) are incorporated into the mix. In assessing the sectors, we concentrate on the relative strength of each of the elements – Earth, Water, Metal, Wood and Fire – as they cycle through the five phases in the respective monthly charts.
Visit clsa.com for more doggy treats on the 24th CLSA Feng Shui Index – Year of the Earth Dog.
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About the CLSA Feng Shui Index
The CLSA Feng Shui Index began life in The Monkey year of 1992, as a Chinese New Year card for our clients, with a simple summary of forecasts by a group of Feng Shui masters and a few views of our own. To flesh it out, CLSA also predicted the performance of the Hang Seng Index based on the omens. No one paid much attention to the contrarian chart, but by year’s end it had correctly called all seven of the Hang Seng’s major turns. Renowned by investors globally, the CLSA Feng Shui Index took a break during the bull run from 2006 to 2008. Much missed, it was revived in 2009. 2018 marks the 24th edition.