I doubled my STI portfolio!

Today, as the Straits Times Index reached another all-time high of 5,433.49, my CPFIS portfolio also doubled. 

I used the CPFIS to invest in the STI ETF during COVID.

By the rule of 72, since I took around 6 years to double my investment, then 72/6 = 12% average annual returns.

I think this is pretty decent, STI = Super Terrific Index!

This is a nice milestone in my investment journey, hence this blog post.

Screenshots to commemorate this occasion are below:

Here are the transactions invested during Covid times - around 2020/2021.

Here are the dividends, collected along the way. 

Here are more details of the transactions:

Onwards!

Planning for Retirement

I saw an interesting headline in my feeds but it was blocked by the paywall.

Fortunately, the National Library app allows one to access news articles for free.  

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/opinion-features/how-i-knew-i-was-ready-retire-50

Here's an infographic of the article:

I thought the item about 'intentionally fill the calendar' is useful. It is best to have some routine to stick to, be it exercise or work. 

However, the author is an EY Partner, considered to be a very successful person. He was able to retire at 50. I wonder how many will be able to retire at 50 like him.

Portfolio Returns for June 2026

I felt it would be good to track the returns of my portfolios regularly since they fluctuate frequently depending on the stock market.

Here are the movements for this month. This is the first time I noticed that in terms of simple returns, my BCIP(STI ETF) portfolio gives better returns than the SPY/VUSD portfolio. This is because I have held the BCIP(STI ETF) portfolio for a longer time. 

Movement for the Robo-Advisors:

                                            

Below are the time-weighted returns of the Income Funds. 

Additionally, I think it will be interesting to see the breakdown of my portfolios in percentages (below). 

Market trends from the last 30 days: 

• The main event is the signing of the US-Iran war peace deal

- MOU signed June 19 in Geneva, but it's a framework, not the final deal

- 60 days to negotiate the permanent settlement (nuclear program, sanctions, IAEA/UNSC resolutions)

- Hormuz reopens immediately (pending mine clearance)

- Iran reaffirms no nuclear weapons under NPT; broader nuclear program still unresolved

- ~$24B in frozen Iranian funds unfrozen, half upfront

- Lebanon ceasefire included, but Israel isn't withdrawing from southern Lebanon

- Already a dispute brewing over whether US must release funds before next talks begin

- Already there are talks of US hardliners and Israel's dissatisfaction to the deal

 

Dividends for May 2026 - Towards 5k a month

Here are my dividends for May 2026:

                                    

So I collected $3,422 in dividends for this month.  

In case you are wondering, some stocks are repeated because I have 2 brokerage accounts.

Here are my monthly dividends over the last 8 years:

Here are the dividends I collected every year until the current day:

My total dividends collected from 2019 till now: $138,102

Here is the progress of my average monthly dividends over the years:

There are only 5 data points for 2026 so far, and the average dividend for 2026 will likely change as the year progresses. 

I plan to first receive $2500 (achieved), then finally $5000 in dividends every month on average.

By simple projection of the above chart, I will only hit my target of 5k a month in dividends after 2027.

Additionally, I share the interest I received from the various banks for the deposits this month:

Also, in this month, I made $9.50 from my side hustle - GrabFood delivery. 

All in, I made $3,726 this month from dividends, interest, and food delivery.

Onwards!    

    

 

Portfolio Returns for May 2026

I felt it would be good to track the returns of my portfolios regularly since they fluctuate frequently depending on the stock market.

Here are the movements for this month. USA portfolio went up sharply, because I took advantage of the SP500 all-time highs to sell off some of my bad-performing stocks. So as to do rebalancing. 

Movement for the Robo-Advisors:

                                            

Below are the time-weighted returns of the Income Funds. 

Additionally, I think it will be interesting to see the breakdown of my portfolios in percentages (below). 

Market trends from the last 30 days: 

• Equities rallied strongly, led by AI and tech

• U.S. indices like the S&P 500 and Nasdaq climbed sharply, powered by enthusiasm around AI infrastructure and semiconductor demand.
• Mega-cap tech companies such as NVIDIA, AMD, and Microsoft were key drivers.
• However, gains became increasingly concentrated in a small group of stocks, which can make markets more fragile.
• SP500 reached all-time highs

• Inflation fears returned

• Stronger-than-expected inflation data caused markets to worry that central banks may delay interest-rate cuts.
• Investors began repricing the “higher for longer” interest-rate scenario.

• Oil prices surged due to geopolitical tensions

  • Crude oil prices jumped above $100/barrel amid Middle East supply concerns.
  • Rising oil prices increase inflation pressure and can slow consumer spending.
  • Energy stocks outperformed while broader markets weakened late in the month.

 

 

Dividends for Apr 2026 - Towards 5k a month

Here are my dividends for Apr 2026:

                                    

So I collected $870.78 in dividends for this month.  

In case you are wondering, some stocks are repeated because I have 2 brokerage accounts.

Here are my monthly dividends over the last 6 years:

Here are the dividends I collected every year until the current day:

My total dividends collected from 2019 till now: $134,680

Here is the progress of my average monthly dividends over the years:

There are only 4 data points for 2026 so far, and the avg dividend for 2026 will likely change as the year progresses. 

I plan to first receive $2500 (achieved), then finally $5000 in dividends every month on average.

By simple projection of the above chart, I will only hit my target of 5k a month in dividends after 2027.

Additionally, I share the interest I received from the various banks for the deposits this month:

Also, in this month, I made $37.9 from my side hustle - GrabFood delivery. 

All in, I made $1,186 this month from dividends, interest, and food delivery.

Onwards!    

    

Portfolio Returns for Apr 2026

I felt it would be good to track the returns of my portfolios regularly since they fluctuate frequently depending on the stock market.

Here are the movements for this month. 

For the Robo-Advisors, all recovered from last month.

                                            

Below are the time-weighted returns of the Income Funds. 

Additionally, I think it will be interesting to see the breakdown of my portfolios in percentages (below). 

Market trends from the last 30 days: 

• US and Iran are in ceasefire and in talks to end the war
• Iran declared the Straits of Hormuz open, but the US blockade is still in effect
• Ships started passing through the Straits of Hormuz