This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on February 2, 2016.

Monkey
Overall
It’s your year, so time to don your red socks and smalls. But you’ve got the Tai Sui and some other nasties crowding in. You’ll want to watch out for squabbles in the branches about you at work and the patterns on the ground — if the contract says five bananas for free, check the fine print. At some point, you’ll be back brooding in a cave, but a weekly audit of your candles and rations will see you through.

Health
February and August will be a good time not to monkey around with your cell phone while driving. Lots of liquid will keep the gremlins and Tai Sui at bay: Brush your teeth, shower once a month and juice those bananas. The Jianfeng star is also threatening, so those who work in timber mills may want to avoid the bandsaw.

Wealth
You know those nuts you put away for a rainy day? Don’t make any big jungle calls or you might find yourself huddled in a cave nibbling your final stash — “peanuts in, peanuts out” is your motto for the year. If you’re the chimp running the tuck shop at the zoo, make sure the sharks pay, otherwise that’ll be your pocket.

Love
Last year, the auspicious red phoenix came a calling and if something began then, it’s time to put it on a more solid footing, marriage by any other name — and remember that one happiness can keep three miseries at bay. Monkeys are at risk of preening a little too much in the mirror this year; don’t fall for yourself, fall for another — they are out there.

Career
You have enough wicked stars in your stars, so make sure you have a strategy in place before you go ape. The beginning and end of the year are full of obstacles, so summon your magic monkey cloud and make the most of the opportunities that do present. Making your own luck brings rewards.

Famous Fire Monkeys
Hong Kong actor and singer Nicholas Tse, businesswoman Wendi Deng Murdoch, the late actor and singer Leslie Cheung, Civic Exchange chief executive officer Christine Loh, martial artist and actor Lo Mang, politician Leung Kwok-hung (also known as Longhair), film-maker Wong Ka-wai, actor Tom Hanks and former model Jerry Hall.

Rooster
Overall
Put on knee pads for those funny little legs of yours since you’ll be at the back of the coop on your knees lighting joss and praying a lot to the patron saint of roosting. You’ll find challenges flocking in; best not to grouse about them. Beaks to the ground and feathers crossed, and you’ll make it through. The high point of the year will be not falling off the perch.

Health
You have an evil star lurking in your hutch. The chicken catchers have their eyes on your liver and kidneys, and if they invite you for a swim in August then proffer your best poultry excuse to avoid their fowl plans. Traffic accidents are indicated, so perhaps this is not the year to take up crossing the road.

Wealth
Looks like a pheasant year ahead for you. What price a reputation? The money you’ll make may be chicken feed to others, but this is the time for rising up the pecking order in your line of work. Your bank account is not going to take wing, but if you don’t go off half-cocked, we’re sure you can pullet off.

Love
A Rooster’s heart is small but mighty, and this year new coops may be on the menu. Year end might get a little messy as all those chicks get put together, but before that happens, you’ve a chance to be cock-a-hoop: South-east is the direction those steroids they’re feeding you will have you look.

Career
A higher perch is calling, but Roosters note that the straight road leads only to the abattoir. Expect obstacles and fowl play. May might be a good time for spring chickens to fly out of the hutch and grab pole position before the others come home to roost.

Famous Roosters
Actress and singer Fan Bingbing, artist and activist Ai Weiwei, and Hong Kong politician Carrie Lam.

Dog
Overall
Nose up: The fox is in the henhouse and the game’s afoot; no need to be hounded by those above you. Nose down: it could be a mongrel of a year, but don’t cur(se) about it or let it dog you. You might spend a lot of time chasing hubcaps, but remember, someone is always going to see a man about a dog — you’ve not been forgotten! There’s not a lucky star in sight, but the wicked ones are no more ferocious than a poodle getting its nails done.

Health
You’ll want to corral whatever was going on last year — don’t let those intestinal worries worm their way through to this one. You have the tablets, take them, failing that the hair of the dog might be what you’re after. No need to mutter anything.

Wealth
You’ll want to dachshund into the bank, pointer at the counter, and retriever the money. Make sure to hang around lamp posts and mark your territory. Perhaps even put up the sign “cave canem”; if the volcano can’t dog your days, who else will try? No need to be as mean as a junkyard dog, but be aware that every dog has his day and this is possibly not yours.

Love
Is this the year for the shaggy dog story? Those with puppy eyes take heart: The lost dogs’ home is open for business and it’s, well, raining cats and dogs (the former for those keen on miscegenation). You don’t have to spend the year alone in the doghouse; March, May and November are looking good for getting up with fleas.

Career
This year, the bark is worse than the bite: Not a year for climbing up that slippery pole, but a year to take paws, and turn several circles and mark that territory. Not a good year to keep nipping at the heels of the top dogs, unless you’re particularly interested in having a dog’s life. Let sleeping dogs lie, they say, for you that means lie in wait — that chance will come.

Famous Dogs
Madonna, the late David Bowie (Vale the Diamond Dog!), Chinese tennis player Li Na and former US president George W Bush.

Pig
Overall
Pigsy is the helper of the Monkey. Though you may be assailed by swine at every turn, remember that the monkey has not forgotten you and that you still have something in the piggy bank — no one else needs to be bringing home your bacon. The spring and autumn forecasts are for rain: Do you want to be a pig in mud? Summon your inner razorback. You’ll not be hogging the limelight, but you’re no ruminant.

Health
Piglet, while the Flying Stars this year see the No 2 Illness Star at centre stage, which threatens an outbreak of communicable disease, we’re confident it isn’t a new strain of swine flu. Your health is looking good, although rest is encouraged from September. Best not bore everyone with details of your rashers. They’re minor and will clear up.

Wealth
For those warthogs roaming the savannah of self-employment and consultancy, this year is a good one to survey the clover laid out before you. For those whose coin comes in regularly, you’ll need to shout that you’ve got the right stuff if you want more of it.

Love
Swine, women and song. You were made for love, oink oink! The Tai Sui will try to send you to the piggery. But remember, the more you’re rejected, the closer you get to the piggyback that will lift your piggy spirits and the one that will allow you to make a pig of yourself. Pearls before swine are just what you want!

Career
Well, once upon a time, there was an animal farm, and the pigs did rather well. Wonder where that farm may be today? Patience and perseverance, and it’s the early pig who gets the promotion — just make sure that’s not a sale of fresh pork at the supermarket.

Famous Pigs
US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, Taiwanese director Hou Hsiao-Hsien and singer Sa Dingding.

Rat
Overall
As far as you’re concerned, it’s not so much what’s in the stars as whether the moon is really made of cheese and how much of it you can get. Still, the stars say that your career goes up even if health might be a worry. On neither account should you consider bending over: Remember when asked why only rats abandon a sinking ship that it’s because a better one is rising.

Health
Hygiene is humbly suggested as a lifestyle choice. Amusingly enough, the prognostications say that oral health is also good for you — not that we think you have an oral fixation, but those teeth make you look like you’re auditioning for the politburo. In the second half, remember — no gnawing and nibbling — bite off as much as you can chew.

Wealth
Don’t bother taking the ferry to Macau — you’ve been banned for the year. But what about that Mahjong game in the rathole around the corner? We doubt there is anyone as cunning as you. Still, you’re advised to look out for scams — one of your brothers in the rodent-hood has turned and is attacking his own.

Love
Good news Ratty, as the world population heads north of seven billion, you’re going to have the opportunity to play cat and mouse with someone this year ... who would’ve thought? The stars say stay in your hole for the first half of the year; let them come to you. For those keen on rug rats, note that love is not the column you want here.

Career
Perhaps there is a reason they named the rat race after you. You’re up for a podium finish this year if you don’t spend too much time ratting around. The number of good stars in your chart here is embarrassing. Quiet as a church mouse and they’ll still find a way to lift you up. No harm in trying out your boss’ chair when it’s empty.

Famous Rats
TV celebrity Jeremy Clarkson, Taiwan singer A-Mei, People’s Bank of China governor Zhou Xiaochuan and celebrity cook Nigella Lawson.

Ox
Overall
Your outside might be mostly hide, but this year the fates decree that you are sacred. Your ascent up the cow path, strewn with the pats and dung that your enemies are now covered in, will have you lowing in pleasure. You get to take yourself by the horns, and it’s cream and banana pie for you. Milk it for all it is worth.

Health
In the first half, some of your plumbing might still be plumbing the depths that the Goat reduced you to last year. Once the summer passes, you’ll be like a bull at a gate. You will be the “livestock”, and your calves will be muscling out. Cattle raiding is off the menu — you have the constitution of an Ox.

Wealth
Your investments may need some gestation time, but they’re udder certainties. No gambling over the summer as you won’t hit the bullseye, and come October you’ll want to steer clear of risks in case you get polled; what you’re seeing then may not be the veal thing.

Love
Moon river ... you can make eyes this year. Your investments in this area should last at least a Minotaur two longer than others. Establish the taurophilic temple and watch them leather themselves up: You are the tempting bovine, graze where you may.

Career
Bull in a China shop? Bull in any shop! The Tai Sui has gone, the land is yours until the cows come home, and you shan’t be cowed this year. No need for rumination; you can hoof it as soon as you’re ready. No need to beef up that resume; no need to blow on the longhorn: They’ve herd you this year and it’s a bull market.

Famous Ox
US President Barack Obama and Caitlyn Jenner.

Tiger
Overall
The Tai Sui and Monkey are not your friends. You can eat the latter, but then there’s indigestion to deal with. It’s not a fair world and you’ll not be able to cheetah your way out. Health is the one to watch, so you’ll need the lion’s share of goodness. This year may not be so much the leopard changing his spots as you’re changing everything else. Winter tigers may follow prey they spotted last year; do not grab a Tiger by the tail even if it is your own.

Health
Accidents with vehicles loom on that road ahead: Perhaps let in another driver once or twice; they’re only paper tigers and you’ve nothing to lionise them for. Alternatively, get yourself a chauffeur and head for the tiger reserve — a spa and a river swim will have you singing like a jaguar. If in doubt, get some tiger-bone plaster and ...

Wealth
So, they come to you with the deal of a lifetime — they’ve got to be kitten if they think you’ll fall for that. Besides, you’ll be wanting the lion’s share. Some caution is called for — stalking your intended may not be acceptable, but stalking a little more dollar is entirely reasonable. Follow the lynx in the chain and that pot of gold could be yours.

Love
Hmm, who doesn’t love a cougar? Or riding a tiger? All that is certain is that this year brings change and emotions fickle and obscure; it is difficult to say what is for the better. Tomcat or tabby, whichever you’re seeking, just make sure it’s snow leopard, and those spots aren’t changing. A little considered digestion and correct hunting habits (nocturnal) will have you purring.

Career
The knives might be out for you, but if there’s one sign that can walk the precipice without fear, that’s you. It’s also a good year to learn from other people’s mistakes — there are already more than enough copies in the world.

Famous Tigers
Actor Leonardo Di Caprio and businesswoman Pansy Ho.

Rabbit
Overall
Love and work are both well-aspected this year. That doesn’t mean you need to do them together, or that if you do, the sum will even be the sum of its parts, let alone greater. The trickster in you needs to modulate those outbreaks, and if you are going to be pulled out of someone’s hat, you’ll need all your manners to get in there first.

Health
Early to bed, early to rise makes a rabbit ... well it certainly will stop you going mad as a hatter this year. Communicable diseases and alcohol seem to be colliding in your health chart; it might be a good idea to keep them apart, as no one will think the less of you for not being the bunny in the headlights. A little precaution and the lettuce patch is yours.

Wealth
You can set up as many “dai pai dongs” (hawker stalls) as you think the grasslands can absorb. You can’t make money on all of them, but you won’t need to disappear down any creditor-dug rabbit hole either. Study also seems to lead to wealth this year, but that does not mean studying the habits of bank guards.

Love
Cottontails up! You little ball of furry love is no longer a case of hare today, gone tomorrow. The apricot flower star is hanging around your hutch dropping carrots and telling you it’s time to make mochi. Forget those hounding you; it’s time to go running with the hares, so buck the trend and bring that rabbit’s foot into play.

Career
Your chart has many good stars — if you’re a model, make the most of this and try to eat lettuce twice a day. The Tai Sui is heading your way next year, so best to get settled into your warren, and remember The Year of the Angry Rabbit was only ever a joke: Everyone else has known this for some time, so it might be timely to put any other hare-brained schemes behind you.

Famous Rabbits
Chinese actor Jet Li, and Hong Kong actress and singer Charmaine Sheh.

Dragon
Overall
Any year that you’re not having a better time than everyone else seems like a bad one. This might not be the best year to get caught up in your own mythology. Your finances are looking decent, but you can normally smelt metal just by breathing. Oh, and a quick word to your parents — more people are born in dragon years than any other, which makes competition for limited opportunities all the more fun, right?

Health
Scaly, scabrous you might want to take a little more care this year. Mental health over physical is suggested. Tough as you lot are, on the inside, you’re just cute little hurtin’ serpents with fragile egos. If someone says something nasty about your tail, don’t waste all that energy incinerating them — help them get a new set of glasses.

Wealth
Your sources of stable income are stable at best. This is not a year when you’ll be tipping the scales with your dripping jewels. Winter dragons do better earlier in the year; the others later. Whatever the case, don’t be draggin’ your feet or your hoard will start to melt away.

Love
Dragon Lady? Is that you or who you’re looking for? Might be time to reappraise this term. However, you don’t want the scales to fall from your intended’s eyes — he or she might end up thinking you’re a mere wyvern. You only have three months to make your advances, but that should be plenty for you to claw your way into anyone’s heart.

Career
With water and fire changing over this year, you’ll want to make sure the various dragon kings keep an eye out for you. Yellow dragons are good at listening to libationers — this might be a good time to breathe deeply into their ears.

Famous Dragons
Martial artist Bruce Lee and Hong Kong politician Regina Ip.

Snake
Overall
While the Tai Sui will try to harass you, the stars are otherwise good and congregating in your back garden. Petty people — those snakes in the grass — will be backstabbing, so you’ll need to be the empty boat that steers around them. You’ll find those who delight in you being ever the more so, make the most of it, intertwine and twist the good things together. A little good work will see you gliding smoothly across most obstacles.

Health
To make sure you stay in rude health this year, you’re advised to remain at arm’s length from alcohol. If not, you’ll end up on some old-time pharmacy benches as a curio. Your lungs and windpipe may be delicate, so when swallowing prey, we suggest a touch of snake oil to help get them down.

Wealth
Winding your way to the upper echelons should be the goal in the months ahead. Both orthodox and oblique income streams are due to flow smoothly. You were once a burrowing lizard — time to reprise that role because the work you put in this year will come looping back to you.

Love
Moulting or not, you’ve the chance to bring the affairs of your sneaky little heart to a fine resting place. Cast out your former incarnation as the viper in the bosom and realise the cute little Squamata within. If you make those snake eyes at someone, how are they going to resist? Remember, you’ve no diaphragm, so your heart can move to where it wants to be.

Career
Civil serpents can kick back and relax; the Jade-hall star is appearing overhead. This is a good study year for snakes who can avoid falling off the chair and spending class time winding themselves around other people’s legs. Concentrate on uncoiling your own issues and no venom will come your way.

Famous Snakes
Chinese president Xi Jinping, author JK Rowling and actor Ben Stiller.

Horse
Overall
There are a few folks conspiring to get you off the racetrack, but no need for the long face on that account. If you stay on the track, you’ll need to avoid holes those moles will be digging for you. It’s not a bad year, but you’d better simultaneously hold your reins, while making sure that you’re not on your high horse. Confusion mounting while you get that nagging feeling?

Health
Horses sleep standing up. It’s shaping up to be a tiring time, so you’ll want to get good at doing this at work — it’ll keep you balanced. This is not the year of the packhorse, so don’t be carrying others, and put the heels into hock. Eat well and take care not to catch colts running around.

Wealth
All horses should have a good return this year, enough for you to pony up for anything unexpected. One exception is gambling: if you put hard-earned money down on the horses, you’ll be shutting that barn door for some time. You shouldn’t bridle at the thought of kneeling before the Tai Sui, and doing your dog and pony show.

Love
A good year to be the cold-blooded horse in the land of emotions, for there’ll be more than enough misunderstandings and not enough horse sense to go around. It is, however, a good year to be cantering around the place meeting dark horses — something may come of that, perhaps a desire for a better light switch?

Career
You may need to do a little circling of the wagons this year, and it may feel like you’re in a one-horse town. Careful handling of issues will prevent the knackers from hobbling you. No need to be barn sour, but the hay isn’t free and someone needs to keep an eye on all that tack.

Famous Horses
Footballer David Beckham, actress Angelina Jolie, Hong Kong chief executive CY Leung and actress Karena Lam.

Goat
Overall
You got out from under last year by the scruff of your goatee. But unfortunately, dearest rack of lamb, it’s out of the fireplace and into the fire. Some things are on the up: You’ll find more people with feelings for you, though it’ll be up to you to work out whether schadenfreude is what you want to inspire in people. Keep chewing on the cud, Goat — better years await.

Health
You’ll be thrilled to discover that the “sick amulet” star is taking up residence with you, we kid you not. This chap casts a pall over your comings and goings — it might be a good time to spend in the feedlot. But if you pay strict attention to safety, there’ll be mutton to worry about. The first half will carry over from last.

Wealth
A year with few expectations means one with few let downs. We’re just airing a principle here — you can happily count sheep for all the good it’ll do. Your regular income should continue as it is, but if the repo men come for you, they’ll ask you to pay with cash, mere cash, so it needn’t get your goat, or leave you raddled, thistle blow over in no time.

Love
Funnily enough, here you do have a beneficent star wandering into your paddock. You know what to do, oh hairy-thighed one: Curl back your top lip and expose the teeth ... well, nice try. Happily, that star is going to stay for a while and you shouldn’t crimp your own style. Buck up, old boy.

Career
Water comes to replace fire, but that doesn’t mean that setting your boss’ desk alight will get you a promotion. That said, getting off your own butt will bring its own rewards, so no need to stand sheepishly in the corner or you’ll end up with the possibility of getting culled.

Famous Goats
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, US business magnate Bill Gates and fashion model Iman Abdulmajid. — CLSA

The article above is extracted from a research report by CLSA.