Chinese astrologer Tony Tan, a former broker at DBS Securities, made money for his clients in 2007 by telling them Asian equity markets would turn in "peak performances" in the year of the pig. He's predicting losses in the year of the rat, which begins today. "Just like a rat, investors will have to be nimble," said Singapore-based Tan, an astrologer since 1995 and founder of the Harmony Academy of Chinese Metaphysics. "It's going to be a highly competitive year." Chinese astrology, based on a mix of philosophy and astronomy dating back more than 3000 years, has 12 animals that combine with five elements to define each year, making up a 60-year cycle. This year the rat, a "water" creature, combines with the "earth" cycle, another unstable combination according to Tan. Stock markets are already falling. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index dropped 9 percent in January, its worst monthly performance since 2001, after a 12 percent gain last year. Benchmarks in 11 of the region's 14 largest markets including China, Hong Kong and Singapore reached all-time highs in the year of the pig. MSCI's Asian index reached a record on Nov. 1. Tan expects markets to bottom out in April, a "dangerous" month for stocks because of clashing elements. Prices may rebound as the year of the rat continues, without setting new highs, he said. "The year of the pig was one of optimal strength," Tan said. "We're not going to see a repeat of those gains." More than 60 percent of 1572 South Koreans surveyed <b>...</b>
Malaysia
sungai
Wang
Lunar
New
Year
2008
