melph

$iShares Semiconductor ETF(SOXX.US)

Context

The iShares Semiconductor ETF holds US listed chip companies. Chip stocks sold off last week after Intel's weak outlook raised doubts about chip demand and the ETF is now well below its recent high.

My trade

I traded small lots in and out, then added another after the pullback.

Takeaway

This is still a trade more than a long term holding since many of its companies look overvalued to me. Small size keeps the drop manageable.

$Amazon(AMZN.US)

Context

Amazon is a mix of online retail, advertising and its cloud business AWS, with AWS and AI spending the main focus for investors. Its latest earnings slightly missed expectations on profit and revenue even though AWS growth was its fastest in nearly five years and profit margins hit a record and the shares fell sharply after hours.

My trade

I bought in a few small lots over about three weeks in mid 2025 while the price was dipping. The position is in the green though well below the high from earlier this year.

Takeaway

Spreading small buys across a dip worked out reasonably and I am holding for the long term while I watch whether AWS growth keeps up with the heavy AI spending.

$Microsoft(MSFT.US)

Context

Microsoft is one of the largest tech companies in the world with its cloud business Azure, business software and a major role in AI. The stock dropped sharply earlier this year on worries about AI spending, then rebounded strongly to new highs. Its latest earnings beat expectations on both profit and revenue, driven by faster Azure growth and the shares rose after hours.

My trade

I bought in two lots, the second after the price had fallen further. Both are in the green now and the second lot has done especially well.

Takeaway

Adding to a quality business when the price is weak paid off here but after such a big rebound I think the easy gains are likely behind it.

$Accenture(ACN.US)

Context

Accenture is a global IT services and consulting company and its shares fell sharply over the past year as investors worried about demand for its services and the threat of AI. It then recovered a large part of that fall.

My trade

I bought a small position in August 2025 and held through the steep drop without adding because I wasn't sure about the AI risk. After the rebound, I sold near my buy price and finished roughly flat, still unsure how much AI could disrupt its business.

Takeaway

Holding through the fall avoided locking in a big loss and not adding while I was unsure kept the risk small. I think it's better to wait for more clarity on AI's impact than to buy or hold on hope.

$iShares Semiconductor ETF(SOXX.US)

Context

The iShares Semiconductor ETF holds a basket of US listed chip companies, including designers and equipment makers, so it gives broad exposure to the semiconductor cycle. The price has swung a lot in recent months, which suits short term trading.

My trade

I bought a small amount, quickly sold it for a gain a couple of days later, and bought again after the price pulled back. This is more of a trade than a long term holding, since many of the companies in the ETF look overvalued to me.

Takeaway

Keeping the size small and taking profits on the swings makes more sense here than holding for the long run, given how stretched valuations look.

$Boustead(F9D.SG)

Context

Boustead Singapore is a Singapore listed company with businesses in energy engineering, real estate solutions, geospatial and healthcare. It has a strong balance sheet with cash well above its debt and pays dividends, though its earnings are lumpy because much of the work is project based. The price dropped sharply recently.

My trade

I started a small position after the drop. I first bought with dividends in mind, but the ordinary dividend turned out to be lower than I wanted. The price has fallen further since, so it's a small paper loss for now.

Takeaway

Starting small leaves room to add a little more if the price keeps falling, and special dividends are a bonus but not something to count on.

$CapitaLandInvest(9CI.SG)

Context

CapitaLand Investment is a Singapore listed real estate investment manager that runs funds and REITs across several countries and pays dividends. It earns recurring fees from managing other people's property assets, which needs less capital than owning everything itself, though its earnings still depend on property markets and fundraising conditions. Its price slid steadily over the past month, which put it on my watchlist.

My trade

I started a small position after the pullback, both for the dividends and because I felt the price had dropped quite far. It's a fresh position so it's too early to say how it will turn out.

Takeaway

Starting with a small amount lets me add more if the price keeps falling and I will watch how the price and dividend develop from here.

$OCBC Bank(O39.SG)

Context

OCBC is another of Singapore's three local banks and a reliable dividend payer. I started building a position in mid 2025 mainly for the dividends before the price climbed to its highs.

My trade

I bought in two lots over about ten days rather than trying to time the perfect entry. The position is still in the green even after the recent pullback from the peak.

Takeaway

I'm happy to keep collecting the dividends, and I may add more if the price continues to fall, though I think OCBC is much more overvalued than UOB even after the pullback, so I'll be more cautious about buying here.