As the Year of the Wood Goat draws to a close, more than 2,000 people turned up at Marina Bay Sands on Jan 16 for a Feng Shui & Astrology Seminar with Joey Yap to gather insights on the upcoming Year of the Fire Monkey.

Despite the raft of negative economic headlines, Yap is somewhat positive on the property, insurance and construction sectors. “These industries are represented by the earth elements and are expected to have robust earnings,” he explains.

Owing to a weaker earth element, however, they might not be able to tap its financial prospects fully of a lack of right products and opportunities. Yap indicates that there will be financial opportunities through real estate and property investments, encouraging the crowd to invest in property companies with a strong brand and reputation and opt for longer-term investments for better returns.

Yap based his analysis on BaZi, feng shui and Qi Men Dun Jia — an ancient form of divination from China, which is believed to have been used at the Battle of Red Cliffs in the defeat of Cao Cao’s ship-borne army.

Opportunities amid challenges

Firms in the metal industries, such as banking and finance, automobiles and manufacturing, are expected to see more competition and conflict, although there will be collaborations and positive financial outcomes.

Competition will also heat up among firms in the water industries, driven by financial opportunities, says Yap. Such industries include logistics and transportation, beverages, aquatics, as well as service-based and tourism businesses. The challenge for businesses is to come up with a good business model.

Separately, the fire industries, which include aviation, food, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals and telecommunications, could face difficulties in raising funds, resulting in cash-flow problems. On the other hand, the Bing Chen Day Pillar will present new business opportunities.

Besides these sectors, Yap predicts a growth in IT and start-up firms, fostered by entrepreneurship. On a micro level, 2016 will be a better year for those born in the Years of the Ox, Rat and Snake.

The grim news

Yap is bearish on the wood industries, which include agriculture, commodities, timber and education, as they potentially face lawsuits and excessive rainfalls.

He also expects more political conflicts in2016. “As metal meets fire, war-related conflicts will ensue. We might see more terrorism-related news in 2016,” he explains. In addition, global warming will lead to floods and there will be volcanic eruptions around the world this year.

Meanwhile, the clash of the Yin (Tiger) and Shen (Monkey), known in Metaphysics as the “Horse-Carriage Disaster”, will result in more travel-related mishaps or land-based accidents, in particular. Besides individuals, Yap advised the logistics and transportation companies to take extra precaution.

The Feng Shui & Astrology 2016 seminar was sponsored by UEM Sunrise Bhd and Eco World International, with The Edge Property as the media partner of the event.