What is Warrants?

Warrant is an investment tool that enables the holder to gain exposure to a security at a fraction of the stock price. It is tied to the exercise price, a price at which you can have the right to either buy or sell the underlying stocks at, before the pre-determined date tied to the warrant, depending on the type of warrant. Hence, it can be used to profit from both a rise and fall in the stock price itself. It has this leverage feature. However, as we all know, leverage cuts both ways, when it goes in your favour, you may earn twice, when it goes against you, you may also lose twice.

The main downside of warrant is that its holders are not entitled to share dividends and they have an expiry date so they can't be hold over long term period. The good thing is that warrants can be bought or sold in a similar way as compared to shares.

Although the underlying issuer is different, it functions in a similar way as compared to options.
Read more about options.

Continue to Hold Gold?

Reference: Marc Faber, Jim Rogers Continue to Hold Gold

Here's my summary of that article:-

The market currently is unstable and fluctuates so much hence affecting gold prices as well. In fact, it has begin to dip a little. But investors and pundits like Marc Faber and Jim Rogers both have no intention of selling and are looking at acquiring more. The main reasons why these guys continue to do this is there overall understanding of the macro-economic circumstances.

In general, macro-economics as it relates to gold, will deal with issues like national debt, inflation, paper currency and the practices of central banks; all of which the above are highly affected by. In fact, the more money countries print and the more hyper inflation caused, the better it is to hold gold. This is why Faber and Jim Rogers continue to hold gold. The central banks and governments have become addicted to these practices even more than in the past, and it's not sustainable by any stretch of the imagination. As trust in paper currencies erodes around the world, the price of gold should continue to move in a upward direction no matter how much the temporary correction is.

This is why Marc Faber and Jim Rogers, among others, continue to hold and invest in gold, and will continue to do so for many years to come.

Income Tax - Course Fee Relief

What can be claimed:
And I've came to realised that actually almost all course, which includes private courses, seminars and even conferences can be used to claim tax relief up to $3,500. So do remember to keep all your courses receipts and claim them for income tax rebates. But it has to be related to your current trade, business, profession, vocation or employment.

What can't be claimed?
For courses, seminars and conference that's meant for leisure or hobby (e.g. art & craft, photography, learn Japanese etc that's non work related), or of general skills (e.g. How to use computer or even how to surf the net etc.)

When can you claim?
In the event that it doesn't fit the criteria, don't worry as you will have up to 2 years to claim for your course fees. e.g. For a course that you've attended in 2007, you can claim it when filing for income tax of assessment year 2009, (which is around apr - may 2010), provided that you fit the criteria of the course being related to your new trade, business, profession, vocation or employment then. This 2 year period also apply in the case of that your assessable income is  <$22,000.

For more info, see http://www.iras.gov.sg/irasHome/page04.aspx?id=194.