CLSA launches Feng Shui Index to predict major events

CLSA, the Asian brokerage and investment group, has launched its 23rd CLSA Feng Shui Index (FSI), a quirky, tongue-in-cheek financial forecast for Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index (HIS) in the Year of the Rooster.

CLSA is crowing a sigh of relief as it says farewell to the mischievous Fire Monkey and welcome to the year of the Fire Rooster, cousin of the HSI, which is an Earth Rooster. In 2017, it predicts, after scratching aimlessly for the first couple of months, the HSI will claw its way upward to ‒ ahem ‒ rule the roost around July/August. Then after a few ups and downs, by November/December the Earth Rooster will lose his grip, but still manage to end the year on a higher perch overall.

The FSI states that while fire and metal elements guide the yearly chart throughout the rooster year, their influence is not as strong, allowing earth, wood and water to play their roles. The Feng Shui Master warns that it’s not so much a matter of picking your element as picking the right time for the element: wood starts the year in the ascendency, fire influences from May to July, earth from August to September, metal from October to November, and water at year-end.

In terms of sectors, CLSA expects scraps from both gaming and transport from May through July, with the tables turning by November/December. Oil and gas, utilities, tech and telecoms will shine at mid-year, but produce scant pickings by the second-half.

Healthcare and pharmaceuticals are the rooster’s top sector pick in April, while renewables will strut their stuff in August. In general, the Fire Rooster predicts fiery returns for gaming, transport and renewables for the overall year, and cautions against putting all your eggs in one basket, unless you want scrambled results.  

On the Hong Kong Property front, the rooster prefers to nest in the north, while the lower peninsula also looks reasonable to the feathered friend. North east and north west are also good choices, but poultry returns are expected elsewhere, especially directly south and east.

The CLSA Feng Shui guide also makes forecasts for some of the more well-known characters in the coop:

‒ Can Regina Ip wing it to the top of Hong Kong’s Legislative Council?

‒ Will John Tsang run in the upcoming Hong Kong chief executive race?

‒ What will happen when Obama flies the coop, making way for a cocksure new US president?

The Grand Rooster says ‘The Donald’, born in a dog year, is expected to ‘push the bowl even further forward’ in 2017, while Barack Obama (ox) needs to ‘work even harder’ to secure a comfortable retirement.

This year promises to be a healthy, wealthy year for those born under snake and horse signs, while love is in the air for the rat and ox. Dog, monkey and pig zodiacs may enjoy profits but will need to work hard. Rabbit signs should display caution when driving. Of the 12 zodiacs, goats will have the toughest year.

Roosters be warned: just because it’s your year, it doesn’t guarantee you get to strut around carefree. The charts advise all chooks to stop squawking and get down to work this year. Only those who have already feathered their nests may lie back and enjoy the grain.