By Melanie Lee
Perhaps not surprisingly for investors already burnt by recent stock market slides, feng shui experts are predicting a gloomy year for shares, not good news for those hoping for a rebound in global markets hit by worries over the U.S. economy.
Feng shui is popular across East Asia, where it is traditionally practiced by ethnic Chinese. It relies on movements of the cosmos as well as placement of furniture and arranging space to generate a "flow of wealth."
In Hong Kong and Singapore, it's taken so seriously that corporations consult feng shui experts about everything from business strategy to interior design. Disneyland changed the angle of the main entrance of its Hong Kong theme park after consulting a feng shui expert.
"Be mindful of your speculations, especially in the third quarter," said the note, which CLSA described as "topical" rather than a formal investment advisory.
"The rat is a symbol of money to the earth industry ... Strong water element in the year indicates productivity and strong activity in the metal industries," said Lo, who suggested investors put their money into property, mining and gold.
"The water element affects the fire of the markets. I can foresee a lot of correction in the stock market," said Koh.
Yet Malaysian feng shui master Yap Boh Chu is optimistic with predictions that Southeast Asian markets will be stable after a tumultuous start.
RITES AND RITUALS
He is a big believer in Ba Zi or "four pillars of destiny," Chinese fortune telling that uses the date and time of birth to determine your life path.
"I can't say that it works or it doesn't work -- when the market is down, there's not much you can do to not lose money," Lim said.
But despite his devotion to the art, he admits that feng shui is not entirely responsible for his wealth and success.
Many may be skeptical that feng shui or other fortune telling can bring in riches. And even the faithful in the financial community realize its limitations.
(Editing by Neil Chatterjee and Megan Goldin)
