Show your mettle with investments
Employees who have received a bonus, or are expecting one, may want to invest it in a buoyant business sector to maximise its earnings potential. But which sectors?
In the year of the Metal Rabbit, which starts next month, we will be governed by the metal element until the end of July, and by the wood element from August until the end of next January. The Chinese year is different from the Western calendar and starts usually on February 4 - the first day of the solar year - and ends in February next year.
With the metal element dominating the first half of the year, there will be continued growth in metal-related industries, such as jewellery and finance (think of metallic coins). Based on fung shui principles, investing wisely in companies in these sectors that have demonstrated a good track record could prove beneficial.
Industries that make metallic products, such as cars and household appliances, are also expected to perform well.
The second half of the year will be dominated by the wood element, as the rabbit represents the peak of spring, a season characterised by wood. According to fung shui principles, related industries include those that directly involve wood products such as horticulture, agriculture, botany, vegetables and produce.
Paper products also represent the wood industry, so there should be a renewed interest in books and publishing.
The medicine and health care industries are expected to expand, since pharmaceuticals are derived from herbs, a wood-related item. Education is also another wood-related field, so school debentures may also see significant growth.
Property is traditionally associated with the earth element, which is strengthened by the fire element that produces it. Neither element will become prominent this year, so don't expect to see major growth.
