DBS vs UOB: Why The Divergence is Widening | Weekly Stock Ups and Downs 21 Dec 2025 🦖 EP1328

*** PERSONAL IGGY'S NOTE: If you look at the raw data models (like the ones I shared), they are currently flashing red on UOB. They flag it as 'overvalued' relative to its history and prefer OCBC for its momentum. If you were trading purely on numbers, you'd swap UOB for OCBC today. But here is the caveat: these algorithms can be blunt instruments. For example, the model flags UOB for 'burning cash'—but banks are supposed to deploy cash (lend it) to make money! It also penalizes UOB for lower margins, failing to account for its specific growth phase. The model sees 'weakness,' but I see a 'cyclical lag' that offers deep value. So, while I am adding OCBC to my portfolio to capture its current strength (respecting the data), I am not rejecting UOB. I am holding it as a value play. The lesson? Use data to find opportunities (like OCBC), but use your brain to avoid mistakes (like selling UOB at the bottom) **

🟩 The Singapore market is hitting record highs, yet many retail portfolios are seeing red. While the Straits Times Index (STI) breaks past 4,600 points and the Fed cuts rates again, a massive divergence has emerged between the winners and the losers. Specifically, if you are holding UOB, you might be wondering why you are losing money while DBS and OCBC hit all-time highs. The old rule that "a rising tide lifts all boats" is officially dead—we are now in a ruthless stock picker's market where asset quality is the only thing that matters.

In this weekly market wrap-up, we dive deep into the math behind this volatility to separate the traps from the treasures. We analyze the "Hawkish Rate Cut" and what a 3.5% interest rate floor means for your CPF and cash portfolio. We also break down the institutional data on UOB's massive $1.36 billion provision anchor, investigate whether the S-REIT renaissance is sustainable, and run the valuation models on Hong Kong Land's aggressive buyback strategy. This isn't just about reading headlines; it's about using institutional-grade math to protect your wealth.

Stop guessing and start measuring. Watch the full analysis to get my specific "Buy/Sell/Hold" verdicts for the banking sector, my actionable strategy for the Keppel REIT rights issue, and my top "Deep Value" pick for 2026. Whether you are a retiree seeking income or a growth investor looking for the next catalyst, this breakdown provides the exact playbook you need to navigate the year-end volatility and position yourself correctly for the year ahead.

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