The most multi-bagging moment in 2024 started by catching the falling knives since 2021

In addition, several other falling knives stocks that were down by as much as 54.56% saw a remarkable turnaround, improving from losses to a gain of 39.46% this year, thanks to China's first round of stimulus measures. These recoveries helped me finish 2024 with a solid portfolio performance, outperforming the broader market, achieve a solid return of $104,254.69 . With China's real recovery still on the horizon, I am optimistic about more multi-baggers in the coming years .

As shown in the transactions below, I purchased 300 shares of SE at $35.95 each. Had I not sold the covered call and simply rode the wave, I would have made a profit of $74.69 per share, totaling a whopping SGD30,249.45 (USD22,407) . However, because I sold the covered call, despite attempting to roll it off, my shares were eventually called away at $50. After accounting for the premium received from the covered call, I ended up with a profit of just SGD6,338.25 (USD4,695) . This resulted in a difference of SGD23,911.20 less than what I could have earned . While I still walked away with a 42.53% gain, the experience taught me to be cautious about selling covered calls on stocks with explosive upside potential .

I experienced this firsthand when I was "catching the falling knife" with Palantir. In the early days, when Palantir's stock price was climbing, the comment section was flooded with exuberant predictions, with many claiming that Palantir was on its way to a $1 trillion market cap. However, as the downturn hit and the stock price continued to fall, the tone shifted dramatically. Pessimism took over, and many voices chimed in with "I told you so", "Palantir is going to be bankrupt", "Short Palantir" comments. These noises can shake investor confidence .

However, having seen Palantir Foundry in action at my workplace, I ignored this negativity, focused on my thesis, and remained steadfast in my belief in Palantir's potential. Even as the stock price continued to fall, I continued to buy, and Palantir eventually became my biggest win of 2024, delivering a remarkable 533.55% return . The lesson here is clear: in the age of social media, where opinions can be loud and divisive, it's crucial to tune out the noise and trust in your research and thesis .

In today's investing world, many retail investors are lured by the dream of getting rich overnight. With social media flooded with posts showcasing sky-high gains, it's easy to believe that quick riches are just a trade away . However, what's often left unsaid are the countless individuals who followed the same strategies, lost big, and chose to remain silent. For every success story, there are far more untold stories of failure .

The rise of fake gurus, capitalizing on this hype, further exacerbates the situation. Through paid ads, they promote get-rich-quick schemes and overpriced courses that rarely deliver real value. They sell a dream but leave buyers with empty pockets. The truth is, investing is not about shortcuts or instant success. It requires patience, discipline, and making well-informed decisions.

As long-term investors building our portfolios through careful research and strategic selection, it's easy to question our approach when market conditions turn against us. Negative thoughts creep in. Is value investing really working ? Why is my portfolio down by 50% ? That guy who made 4000% with a YOLO 0DTE trade, maybe I should have done that too ?

At the darkest point, GRAB had reached a loss of 46.22% . What kept me sane during that time was knowing that Temasek had bought millions of their shares at $10. With my cost basis being so much lower, I felt smarter than them, knowing I was in a better position to profit when the stock eventually recovered. My patience paid off, as GRAB eventually turned into a 20.33% gain in 2024, and I'm optimistic that it will continue to climb in the future .

With this experience in mind, I pivoted my strategy in 2024, moving from buying shares outright or selling PUT options to purchasing LEAPS CALL options. This approach greatly reduced my risk while allowing me to participate in the potential upside.

Managing a portfolio of 24 stocks in my MooMoo account and 25 more in my CDP account (full list below), I've built my own version of a diversified ETF . It's easier to achieve large percentage gains with a smaller portfolio or by focusing on a single stock. With less capital, you can take more aggressive positions, and sometimes, one stock can deliver impressive returns. However, managing a larger portfolio comes with its own set of challenges. Diversifying across multiple stocks or asset classes to reduce risk inevitably dilutes the potential for outsized gains. You have to balance risk and returns, and while a few positions might provide multi-bagger returns, others might underperform.

By collecting an additional $2,625.26 in premium, I've reduced my Nio loss to 36.42% .

With the Fed signaling a slowdown in rate cuts, I see this as an opportunity to continue buying the dip in REITs and dividend stocks. This strategy allows me to lock in higher yields and collect dividends while waiting for interest rates to fall . Once rates begin to decline, I anticipate capital appreciation, providing further upside potential. At the same time, this approach is part of my broader strategy to prepare my portfolio for my personal goal of achieving Financial Independence and Retiring Early (FIRE) by the age of 40 .

The 2024 journey has been one of recovery, resilience, and reflection. From multi-baggers to valuable lessons, this year has reinforced the importance of patience, research, and disciplined investing. While I celebrate the wins, I remain focused on building a sustainable portfolio that will continue to grow over time. Here's to an even better 2025