COE Premiums Rise in All Categories

COE Premiums Rise in All Categories

by Donavan Lim, Ernie B. Calucag Premiums for Certificate of Entitlement (COE) edged higher for all categories in latest bidding exercise Wednesday.     The COE price for the open category vehicles, which can be used for any type of vehicle but ends up mainly for big cars, surged S$7,001...
SPH Shareholders Approve REIT Listing

SPH Shareholders Approve REIT Listing

by Ernie B. Calucag Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) shareholders overwhelmingly approved the media group’s proposed initial public offering (IPO) of a real estate investment trust (REIT). Around 99.79 per cent of shareholders, present and voting, voted in favour of the proposal.     The media group plans to inject Paragon...
Singapore’s Exports Worse Than Expected in May

Singapore’s Exports Worse Than Expected in May

by Ernie B. Calucag Singapore’s non-oil domestic exports (NODX) declined more than expected in May as shipments of electronic products continued its downward trend. NODX contracted by 4.6 per cent last month, following the 1.0 per cent decrease in April, IE Singapore reported Monday. It was also worse than the...
Singapore’s Central Bank Censures 20 Banks, 133 Traders for Attempting to Rig Interest Rates

Singapore’s Central Bank Censures 20 Banks, 133 Traders for Attempting to Rig Interest Rates

by Ernie B. Calucag The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) censured a total of 20 banks operating in the citystate for attempting to rig interest rates at which 133 traders were found to have engaged in several attempts to “inappropriately influence the benchmarks.” In a statement late Friday, MAS said...
Unemployment Remains Low, More Jobs Available in 1Q2013

Unemployment Remains Low, More Jobs Available in 1Q2013

by Donavan Lim Singapore’s unemployment rate remained low in the first quarter, while job vacancies rose, resulting in more jobs in the citystate. The seasonally adjusted overall unemployment rate stayed low at 1.9 per cent in March 2013, compared with 1.8 per cent in December 2012, according to a report...
MAS Plans to Reprimand Banks on Interest Rate Rigging: Report

MAS Plans to Reprimand Banks on Interest Rate Rigging: Report

by Ernie B. Calucag Singapore’s central bank will release the results of its 11-month review into interest rate rigging on Friday, with plans to reprimand banks operating in the citystate, Bloomberg reported Thursday citing five people with knowledge of the matter. The Bloomberg report added that a separate announcement may...
Economists Trim Forecast for Singapore GDP Growth

Economists Trim Forecast for Singapore GDP Growth

by Donavan Lim Professional forecasters are less optimistic about the Singapore economy than they were three months ago, according to the latest quarterly survey conducted by the central bank. Singapore’s gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to grow 2.3 per cent in 2013, according to a group of 22 private-sector...
Aussino Asks for More Time to Exit SGX Watchlist

Aussino Asks for More Time to Exit SGX Watchlist

by Ernie B. Calucag Aussino Group said Tuesday it will ask Singapore Exchange (SGX) for more time to meet the requirements to exit the watchlist, few weeks after SGX rejected its deal with a Myanmar-linked firm. The bed linen retailer, which has pinned its hopes on the reverse takeover (RTO)...
Deutsche Bank Opens Gold Storage Facility in Singapore

Deutsche Bank Opens Gold Storage Facility in Singapore

by Ernie B. Calucag Deutsche Bank is opening a gold storage vault in Singapore that can hold US$9.0 billion of gold, as it hopes to capture a rising demand for the precious metal in Asia.     The bank said it will open the storage facility at the Singapore Freeport....
Singapore Seeks More Equitable COE, Car Ownership Framework

Singapore Seeks More Equitable COE, Car Ownership Framework

by Donavan Lim, Ernie B. Calucag The Singapore government said it will gather views from the public as part of efforts to come up with a more equitable car ownership framework in the tiny citystate.     Ownership of cars in Singapore is being controlled by the government by selling...
Singapore's Aaa Rating Reflects Very Sound Fundamentals: Moody’s

Singapore’s Aaa Rating Reflects Very Sound Fundamentals: Moody’s

by Donavan Lim Moody’s Investors Service said that Singapore’s Aaa sovereign rating and stable outlook reflect the country’s very high economic, institutional, and government financial strengths, and its low susceptibility to risks from financial, economic, and political events. In its latest annual report on the sovereign, titled “Credit Analysis: Singapore”...
Singapore to Boost Cross-border Islamic Finance

Singapore to Boost Cross-border Islamic Finance

by Donavan Lim, Ernie B. Calucag Singapore is eyeing to play a bigger role in the rising Islamic finance industry, with its central bank looking into tax and other regulatory policies to expedite the issuance of sukuk and other Islamic market instruments in the citystate. “The growth potential for Islamic...
DBS, Temasek Agree to Extend Deadline for Danamon Deal

DBS, Temasek Agree to Extend Deadline for Danamon Deal

by Ernie B. Calucag DBS Group Holdings has agreed to extend a deadline for its agreement with Temasek Holdings to buy the Singapore state investor’s 67.4 per cent in Indonesia’s PT Bank Danamon. The agreement with Temasek’s Fullerton Financial Holdings, which expired May 31, will be prolonged to August 1,...
S$60 Wage Increase for Low Income Workers

S$60 Wage Increase for Low Income Workers

by Donavan Lim, Ernie B. Calucag The Singapore government has accepted the recommendation of a built-in wage increase of at least S$60 to its thousands of low-wage workers earning up to S$1,000 a month to help them cope with the rising cost of living in the citystate. The recommendation was...
Singapore Launches 8,000 New Public Housing Flats

Singapore Launches 8,000 New Public Housing Flats

by Donavan Lim In a step to ramp up supply of new flats, Singapore’s Housing and Development Board (HDB) has launched 8,000 new units for sale under the joint Build-To-Order (BTO) and Sale of Balance Flats (SBF) exercise Thursday. A total of 4,900 BTO flats over eight projects in five...
Singapore to Grow by 2.8 Per cent in 2013: ICAEW

Singapore to Grow by 2.8 Per cent in 2013: ICAEW

by Donavan Lim Singapore should see productivity levels as a symptom of current economic growth, not its cause, according to a new ICAEW report. Following a 3.5 per cent decline in labour productivity, growth is sluggish but is expected to accelerate next year. The citystate is expected to grow by...
Singapore Limits Casino Visit of “Financially Vulnerable” Singaporeans and Residents

Singapore Limits Casino Visit of “Financially Vulnerable” Singaporeans and Residents

by Ernie B. Calucag The Singapore government will limit casino visit of its citizens and permanent residents starting June 1 as part of a new set of social safeguards under the citystate’s Casino Control Act amended in November last year. The visit limit will set a cap on the number...
UK Banks Start Sales of Dim Sum Bonds in Singapore

UK Banks Start Sales of Dim Sum Bonds in Singapore

by Ernie B. Calucag HSBC Holdings and Standard Chartered sold the first dim sum bonds in Singapore as the citystate officially became the third destination after Taiwan and Hong Kong to allow the settlement of payments and transactions in yuan or renminbi (RMB). The UK banks sold a total of...
Singapore 1Q2013 GDP Revised Up on Stronger Financial Sector

Singapore 1Q2013 GDP Revised Up on Stronger Financial Sector

by Ernie B. Calucag The Singapore government said it expects the economy to improve gradually going forward as final estimates showed the gross domestic product (GDP) expanded in the first quarter due to stronger domestic sectors, such as finance and insurance. The citystate’s 1Q2013 GDP grew 1.8 per cent quarter-on-quarter,...
Temasek Raises Stake in China’s ICBC as Goldman Sachs Divests Investment

Temasek Raises Stake in China’s ICBC as Goldman Sachs Divests Investment

by Ernie B. Calucag Singapore’s state-owned investment company, Temasek Holdings, increased its stake in Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) from 6.71 to 7.04 per cent on the same day Goldman Sachs exited its seven-year old investment in the world’s largest bank by market value. According to a regulatory...
Goldman Sachs Acquires 6.7 Per cent Stake in Keppel REIT for S$279.9 million

Goldman Sachs Acquires 6.7 Per cent Stake in Keppel REIT for S$279.9 million

by Ernie B. Calucag Goldman Sachs (Singapore) agreed on Tuesday to buy 180 million units of Keppel REIT from a subsidiary of Keppel Corp Limited for S$279.9 million. The units, representing 6.7 per cent of the total issued units in Keppel REIT, were acquired at S$1.555 each. The price is...
Singapore Companies Urged to Embrace Flexible Work Arrangement to Ease Labour Shortage

Singapore Companies Urged to Embrace Flexible Work Arrangement to Ease Labour Shortage

by Donavan Lim Hundreds of thousands of Singaporeans could re-enter the workforce and ease the nation’s manpower shortage if more companies adopted flexible work arrangements, the Employer Alliance (EA) said Monday. There are more than 418,000 economically inactive residents aged 25 to 64, of which 336,000 are women. Of these,...
Singapore’s April Exports Show Improvement, but Still Down 1 Per cent

Singapore’s April Exports Show Improvement, but Still Down 1 Per cent

by Ernie B. Calucag Singapore’s non-oil domestic exports (NODX) declined in April, as electronics sector continue to drag the overall exports. NODX slipped 1.0 per cent year-on-year last month, but April’s performance was an improvement compared to the 4.8 per cent contraction seen in March. Last month’s exports were also...
STI Closes Above 3,450

STI Closes Above 3,450

by Donavan Lim Singapore shares closed higher on Thursday. Strong finishing at Wall Street helped local equities hit fresh highs. The 30-shares Straits Times Index (STI) gained 10.75 points, closing at 3,452.28. Singapore Airlines shares rose to S$11.45 ahead of the release of its full-year results as investors are confident...
Three in Four Singapore Employers Doubtful of Info from Social Networking Websites

Three in Four Singapore Employers Doubtful of Info from Social Networking Websites

by Donavan Lim With the rise in the number of professionals using social networking sites in Singapore, many companies are also turning to social media for help in recruiting job candidates. However, many employers in Singapore still have doubts on the reliability of a potential job candidate’s profile on social...
Asian Pay Television Trust Prices Singapore IPO at S$0.97 per Unit

Asian Pay Television Trust Prices Singapore IPO at S$0.97 per Unit

by Ernie B. Calucag Macquarie Group backed Asian Pay Television Trust (APTT), owner of Taiwan’s third-largest cable television operator, has priced its Singapore initial public offering (IPO) at S$0.97 per unit, sources said Thursday. APTT, which used the business trust structure for the deal, sold 1.44 billion shares, raising a...
SingTel to Spend S$2 billion in Digital Space Acquisitions

SingTel to Spend S$2 billion in Digital Space Acquisitions

by Ernie B. Calucag Singapore Telecommunications Limited (SingTel) said Wednesday it will allocate up to S$2.0 billion over the next three years to pursue strategic acquisitions in the digital space to boost growth after latest quarterly profit fell 33 per cent. The telco group also said the investment plans include...
Singapore Private Homes Sales Halve in April as Developers Launched Fewer Projects

Singapore Private Homes Sales Halve in April as Developers Launched Fewer Projects

by Ernie B. Calucag Singapore’s private homes sales declined 51 per cent in April from a record sales figure in March due to the lack of major launches during the month as developers were waiting for necessary permits and relevant authority clearance prior to the launches. New private home sales...
Singapore Takes Significant Steps to Combat Cross-border Tax Evasion

Singapore Takes Significant Steps to Combat Cross-border Tax Evasion

by Ernie B. Calucag Singapore said Tuesday it will implement major steps to combat cross-border tax offences and enhance its image as an international financial centre. A joint statement from the Ministry of Finance (MOF), Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) said that one...
Straits Trading Accepts UE’s Takeover Offer for WBL

Straits Trading Accepts UE’s Takeover Offer for WBL

The Straits Trading Company Limited (STC) and its concert parties announced Monday that it has accepted United Engineers (UE)’s takeover offer for WBL Corporation Limited, in which STC is the biggest stakeholder with 40.55 per cent stake. STC had earlier made a competing takeover offer for WBL of S$3.36 a...
SMEs Should Tap Government Assistance and Engage in Collaboration with Larger Enterprises

SMEs Should Tap Government Assistance and Engage in Collaboration with Larger Enterprises

by Donavan Collaboration between large enterprises and SMEs is one way for SMEs to upgrade and enhance their capabilities. One such company which had benefitted from collaboration with a large company as well as Government’s assistance is CEI Contract Manufacturing Limited (CEI). In a visit to CEI, a Singapore –based...
Improvement in Payroll Practices Sought

Improvement in Payroll Practices Sought

by Donavan Lim A significant majority of multinationals (85 per cent) wants improvement in their current payroll practices, yet they are sceptical about whether payroll providers can deliver a comprehensive global solution, according to a new Ernst & Young survey, Global Payroll: Myth or Reality, of 161 global senior payroll...
DBS Booked Record Profit

DBS Booked Record Profit

DBS Group Holdings, Southeast Asia’s largest bank, posted a record increase in quarterly profit as fees, commissions and trading income rose, helping offset narrower net interest margins. Net profit rose 2 per cent to S$950 million in the three months ended 31 March from S$933 million a year earlier. Net...
Singapore is Expected to Grow 1-3 Per cent in 2013

Singapore is Expected to Grow 1-3 Per cent in 2013

by Donavan Lim Singapore’s economic growth is likely to be more broad-based in 2013, led by a turnaround in external demand and resilient domestic demand according to the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) half-yearly macroeconomic review released today. At the same time, MAS is maintaining its forecast for Singapore’s GDP...
Better Jobs for All

Better Jobs for All

by Donavan Lim The priority for tripartite partners is to create better jobs for all, said Acting Manpower Minister (MOM) Tan Chuan-Jin in his May Day Message. “To do this better, workplaces must be built and workers at all levels must be helped to upgrade their skills,” Mr Tan added....
Singapore’s Factory Output Shrinks in March, Recovery Not So Soon

Singapore’s Factory Output Shrinks in March, Recovery Not So Soon

by Donavan Lim Singapore’s factory output fell a larger than expected 4.1 per cent in March from a year ago, with economists predicting the lacklustre performance to linger for some time. Excluding the 16.2 per cent year-on-year growth in biomedical output, industrial production would have contracted a sharper 8.6 per...
Olam Shifts Focus to Generating Cash Flow, Lower Gearing

Olam Shifts Focus to Generating Cash Flow, Lower Gearing

by Ernie B. Calucag Commodity group Olam International Limited will now employ a different strategy going forward as it shifts focus on accelerating cash flow generation and reducing net gearing through a slower pace of investments. The Singapore-based group announced Thursday the outcome of its annual strategy review and strategic...
Virtual Technologies Chase Unbanked Population

Virtual Technologies Chase Unbanked Population

by Ernie B. Calucag The unbanked represent a largely untapped market of consumers looking for safe ways to obtain access to services they may be cut off from otherwise. Without debit cards for example, the unbanked are limited in the ways they can transact services or obtain goods. According to...
Singapore Inflation Eases in March

Singapore Inflation Eases in March

by Donavan Lim Singapore’s inflation rose at a slower-than-expected pace in March, mainly due to smaller price increments across all categories in the consumer price index (CPI). Last month’s CPI eased to 3.5 per cent, after rising 4.9 per cent in February, the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) and...
Singapore Urges Industrial Energy Users to Go Green

Singapore Urges Industrial Energy Users to Go Green

by Donavan Lim In an effort to improve Singapore’s energy efficiency and competitiveness, large energy users in the industry now face mandatory energy management requirements, the government announced Monday. The National Environment Agency (NEA) has introduced the requirements under the Energy Conservation Act (ECA). Under the ECA, companies are required...
Singaporeans Could Free Up Assets for Income Generation, Says Study

Singaporeans Could Free Up Assets for Income Generation, Says Study

by Donavan Lim Singapore has immense potential to enhance its income security, according to a report by Manulife Asset Management released Friday. This can be done by adjusting the deployment of existing resources such as its well established national pension scheme and relatively high level of household wealth, Manulife said....
Gen Y Employees Now More in Demand: Survey

Gen Y Employees Now More in Demand: Survey

by Donavan Lim As the first wave of baby boomers leave the workforce, organisations are going to have to rely more heavily on their Generation Y employees, according to a survey by specialist finance and accounting recruitment firm Robert Half. In order to hire and retain the best, the recruitment...
Singapore’s March Exports Beat Estimates, Electronics Still Disappoint

Singapore’s March Exports Beat Estimates, Electronics Still Disappoint

by Ernie B. Calucag Singapore’s non-oil domestic exports (NODX) contracted 4.8 per year-on-year in March, beating expectations of a steeper 5.3 per cent decline, said Trade agency IE Singapore Wednesday. Hot Deals It was also an improvement from February’s plunge of 30.6 per cent that was due to the Chinese...
SGX Records Highest Quarterly Profit Since 2008

SGX Records Highest Quarterly Profit Since 2008

by Ernie B. Calucag The Singapore Exchange (SGX) reported its biggest quarterly profit since 2008 Tuesday as higher trading volumes in securities and derivatives push net profit to rise 26 per cent. Hot Deals Bottomline for the third quarter of fiscal year 2013 (January to March) totalled S$98.0 million from...
Singapore’s Private Homes Market Rebounds Strongly as Developers Launch New Projects

Singapore’s Private Homes Market Rebounds Strongly as Developers Launch New Projects

by Ernie B. Calucag Singapore’s private residential market rebounded sharply in March as developers returned to the market with a plethora of new launches to entice homebuyers. Hot Deals Despite the onset of January’s cooling measures, developers sold 2,793 private homes (excluding executive condominiums) in March, reversing the 65 per...
Singapore’s GDP Shrinks in 1Q2013 as Manufacturing Takes a Hit

Singapore’s GDP Shrinks in 1Q2013 as Manufacturing Takes a Hit

by Ernie B. Calucag, Donavan Lim Singapore’s economy stalled unexpectedly in the first three months of the year as exports and manufacturing slid the most in the last three years. Hot Deals The citystate’s gross domestic product (GDP) contracted by 0.6 per cent year-on-year, based on advance estimates from the...
Maybank Kim Eng Bets on Singapore Privatisation Plays

Maybank Kim Eng Bets on Singapore Privatisation Plays

by Ernie B. Calucag Privatisation deals could be on the rise again as investors, such as private equity firms, take advantage of cheap financing and beaten-down prices, Maybank Kim Eng said Thursday. Hot Deals “In a world of record low interest rates against a backdrop of macro uncertainties, acquirers are...
Asia Pacific REIT Markets Reach New High in March, Driven by Japan and Recent IPOs

Asia Pacific REIT Markets Reach New High in March, Driven by Japan and Recent IPOs

by Ernie B. Calucag The Asia Pacific and Asian REIT markets leapfrogged the US$250.0 billion and US$150.0 billion thresholds during March to scale new highs of US$265.0 billion and US$162.0 billion respectively, according to the Asia Pacific Real Estate Association (APREA). Hot Deals In its latest Asia Pacific REITs monthly...
Singapore to Further Strengthen Maritime Sector

Singapore to Further Strengthen Maritime Sector

by Donavan Lim The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) will be rolling out new initiatives to drive maritime research and development (R&D), productivity improvements, and manpower development to further strengthen Singapore’s maritime sector. Hot Deals The new initiatives were announced Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister...
DBS, Temasek Extend Deadline for Danamon Agreement: Report

DBS, Temasek Extend Deadline for Danamon Agreement: Report

by Ernie B. Calucag DBS Group Holdings has extended a deadline to buy 67.4 per cent of Indonesia’s PT Bank Danamon from Singapore state investor Temasek Holdings, media reports said Monday. Hot Deals The deal has been extended by another two months as the sale awaits approval from Indonesian regulators....
Singapore Lifts Current Restrictions on Used Car Loans

Singapore Lifts Current Restrictions on Used Car Loans

by Ernie B. Calucag Singapore’s central bank on Friday said it will lift the current restrictions on car loans for buyers of used cars to help dealers stuck with inventory bought at relatively high prices. Hot Deals The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) announced that the current restrictions will be...
Singapore Sets Sights on Myanmar, Launches IE Singapore Office

Singapore Sets Sights on Myanmar, Launches IE Singapore Office

by Ernie B. Calucag, Donavan Lim Singapore Inc aims to make it bigger in Myanmar, where the recent reform drive hopes to lure more foreign investment in the emerging Southeast Asian economy. On Thursday, the Singapore government has made it easier for Singaporean companies to explore opportunities in Myanmar with...
Singapore More Likely to Maintain Current Policy Stance

Singapore More Likely to Maintain Current Policy Stance

Singapore’s central bank is likely to hold policy steady when it releases its half-yearly monetary policy statement next week, the Reuters poll indicated, as the bank prioritises containing the citystate’s inflation. Hot Deals The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) is expected to maintain the current “modest and gradual” appreciation path...
Singapore Hopes to Become Major RMB Trading Centre as MAS Inks MOU with PBC

Singapore Hopes to Become Major RMB Trading Centre as MAS Inks MOU with PBC

by Ernie B. Calucag Singapore has taken another step towards becoming a major renminbi (RMB) offshore trading centre in Asia as China seeks to take its currency global. On Tuesday, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the People’s Bank of China (PBC) have signed a memorandum of understanding to...
Singapore Home Price Gains Ease in 1Q2013 on  January Property Curbs

Singapore Home Price Gains Ease in 1Q2013 on January Property Curbs

by Donavan Lim, Ernie B. Calucag Price growth of private homes in Singapore moderated in the first quarter of 2013 as the latest property curbs introduced in January start to kick in. Hot Deals Private home prices rose 0.5 per cent in the first quarter of this year, following a...
Singapore Releases Three Residential Sites to Yield 845 Private Homes

Singapore Releases Three Residential Sites to Yield 845 Private Homes

by Donavan Lim, Ernie B. Calucag The Singapore government Thursday put up for sale three private residential sites that can yield around 845 homes, providing developers and home-buyers with more choices for private housing. The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and Housing & Development Board (HDB) will be releasing these sites...
BlackRock Bullish on Asian Equities

BlackRock Bullish on Asian Equities

by Donavan Lim Now is an opportune time for investors to take advantage of Asian stocks, where earnings expectations are improving, according to BlackRock’s Andrew Swan. Speaking via a video link-up from Hong Kong Wednesday, the head of Asian fundamental equities said he anticipates a strong year for Asian equities...
Singapore Industrial Production Plunges for Second Month in February

Singapore Industrial Production Plunges for Second Month in February

by Donavan Lim Singapore’s industrial production fell almost twice as large as expected in February, mainly attributed to lower activities over the Lunar New Year period. Manufacturing output contracted 16.6 per cent in February from a year ago, more than the forecasted 8.6 per cent drop, said the Economic Development...
Singapore Prices Rise Faster in February on Higher Food, COE Costs

Singapore Prices Rise Faster in February on Higher Food, COE Costs

by Donavan Lim Further increases in the cost of car ownership coupled with higher food prices during the Lunar New Year holidays caused Singapore inflation to came in higher than expected in February. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) in February rose by 4.9 per cent from a year earlier, after...
Stronger Global Markets, Macroeconomic Conditions to Drive IPO Deals in 2013

Stronger Global Markets, Macroeconomic Conditions to Drive IPO Deals in 2013

by Ernie B. Calucag Stronger global markets and more stable economies will drive a more robust initial public offering (IPO) deals in 2013, with global capital raised through IPO activity already up by 1 per cent in the first quarter, according to Ernst & Young’s Global IPO update. Hot Deals...
OUE Confirms Talks with Banks for Hospitality REIT IPO

OUE Confirms Talks with Banks for Hospitality REIT IPO

by Ernie B. Calucag Singapore property firm Overseas Union Enterprise (OUE) has confirmed reports that it is in talks with banks to set up its planned listing of a hospitality real estate investment trust (REIT) in Singapore. “The company is always examining opportunities to improve shareholder value,” OUE said in...
Economists Slightly More Optimistic on Singapore GDP

Economists Slightly More Optimistic on Singapore GDP

by Donavan Lim, Ernie B. Calucag Singapore’s economy is expected grow at a slightly faster pace this year, helped by a recovery in manufacturing and financial services, according to the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) survey released Wednesday. Private economists polled by MAS now expect Singapore gross domestic product (GDP)...
Moody's Takes Multiple Rating Actions on Singapore REITs

Moody’s Takes Multiple Rating Actions on Singapore REITs

by Ernie B. Calucag Moody’s Investors Service has taken multiple rating actions on some of its rated Singapore Real Estate Investment Trusts (S-REITs) following reductions in secured debt levels over recent years, thus mitigating the need for notching of several S-REITs’ issuer ratings from their corporate family ratings. Hot Deals...
Singapore’s February Exports Decline Sharply on Pharma, Oil Rigs

Singapore’s February Exports Decline Sharply on Pharma, Oil Rigs

by Donavan Lim, Ernie B. Calucag Singapore’s exports fell more than expected in February as Chinese New Year holiday affected shipments of pharmaceuticals and oil rigs. Non-oil domestic exports (NODX) declined by 30.6 per cent year-on-year in February, compared to the 0.4 per cent increase in the previous month, said...
Local Employment Rise Faster as Jobs Growth in Foreigners Slows in 2012

Local Employment Rise Faster as Jobs Growth in Foreigners Slows in 2012

by Donavan Lim, Ernie B. Calucag Singapore local employment rose faster in 2012 as foreign employment growth slowed amid tighter foreign manpower controls, said the Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) labour market report released Friday. With high employment creation, unemployment remained low, despite a rise in layoffs. Vacancies eased in December...
MOM Unveils Changes to Employment Act, Allows More Flexibility in Hiring Foreign Talents

MOM Unveils Changes to Employment Act, Allows More Flexibility in Hiring Foreign Talents

by Donavan Lim, Ernie B. Calucag The Singapore government has announced some changes to the Employment Act which will give better protection to workers. Companies in the citystate, at least those in the services sector, are also given more flexible schemes in hiring foreign workers. As part of the ongoing...
GIC Reports Nominal Returns in US Currency to Match Global Benchmarks: Minister

GIC Reports Nominal Returns in US Currency to Match Global Benchmarks: Minister

by Ernie B. Calucag The Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC) has been publishing its nominal returns in US dollars for the past three years for comparison purposes with global benchmarks. Hot Deals Replying to a question in Parliament on Wednesday, Minister of State for Finance Josephine Teo said GIC...
Contract Work Becomes More Attractive for Most Singaporeans

Contract Work Becomes More Attractive for Most Singaporeans

by Donavan Lim Given the current global economic environment, eight out of 10 workers in Singapore find contract assignments an attractive option, according to a new survey by recruiting firm Hays. “Contract work is not limited to entry-level office support roles, professionals at all levels and various sectors are working...
Singapore Pledges Support for SMEs, Targets GDP Growth of 3-4 Per cent Beyond 2013

Singapore Pledges Support for SMEs, Targets GDP Growth of 3-4 Per cent Beyond 2013

by Ernie B. Calucag The Singapore government announced a series of support measures to help its 145,000 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to restructure and design better jobs as the citystate transition into a higher productivity economy. Hot Deals The additional support arises from a review of strategies for the...
Mapletree Greater China REIT Shines on Debut

Mapletree Greater China REIT Shines on Debut

by Donavan Lim, Ernie B. Calucag Mapletree Greater China Commercial Trust (MGCCT) debuted on the Singapore Exchange Thursday at S$1.02 apiece, nearly 10 per cent over its initial public offering (IPO) price of 93 S-cents per unit. More than 36 million units changed hands when it started trading at 2...
Singapore REITs Chalk up Region’s Highest Yield; Mapletree Greater China Commercial Trust to List

Singapore REITs Chalk up Region’s Highest Yield; Mapletree Greater China Commercial Trust to List

Donavan Lim Over the past year, the FTSE ST REITs Index generated a total return of +40.5 per cent. The FTSE ST REIT Index maintained a dividend yield of 5.32 per cent and twelve-month historical volatility level of 8.41 per cent as at 28 February. Hot Deals This dividend yield...
Tiger Airways to Raise S$297 million in Rights Issue to Fund Expansion, Repay Debts

Tiger Airways to Raise S$297 million in Rights Issue to Fund Expansion, Repay Debts

by Ernie B. Calucag Budget carrier Tiger Airways has announced plans to raise S$297.0 million through rights issue to fund its future expansion in Asia and repay its debt. Tiger Airways said it will issue 164.3 million new ordinary shares at S$0.47 for each rights share, representing a discount of...
SGX Goes Transparent on Short Selling

SGX Goes Transparent on Short Selling

by Ernie B. Calucag To enhance the transparency of market activities, Singapore Exchange (SGX) will now require investors to mark or indicate whether the order placed on the securities market is a short sell order or a normal sell order. The new initiative, which commences on March 11, is in...
Singapore Beats Shanghai as Asia’s Future LNG Hub

Singapore Beats Shanghai as Asia’s Future LNG Hub

by Ernie B. Calucag Singapore has what it takes to be Asia’s regional liquefied natural gas (LNG) hub, beating other potential cities such as Shanghai despite the Chinese city’s more extensive pipeline network and bigger domestic demand, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said Friday. Hot Deals “Singapore is best-suited for...
Singapore Launches New Residential Sites after Cooling Measures

Singapore Launches New Residential Sites after Cooling Measures

by Donavan Lim, Ernie B. Calucag Singapore launched its first set of land sale tenders after surprising the market with cooling measures early January. Two residential sites which are expected to yield 1,055 units were launched Thursday. The new sites are under the under the Confirmed List of the 1st...
Mapletree's Greater China REIT Prices Singapore IPO at S$0.93

Mapletree’s Greater China REIT Prices Singapore IPO at S$0.93

by Ernie B. Calucag Mapletree Greater China Commercial Trust (MGCCT), the real estate investment trust (REIT) by Mapletree Investments backed by assets in Hong Kong and China, has been priced at S$0.93 per share, at the top end of the offering price range. Hot Deals This was a result of...
Budget 2013: The Road to Higher Productivity Could be Difficult, Economists Warn

Budget 2013: The Road to Higher Productivity Could be Difficult, Economists Warn

by Ernie B. Calucag Singapore unveiled Monday its Budget 2013 in which half of the announced incentives were designed to help businesses increase productivity and create better jobs. The road to higher productivity, however, would be difficult, warned economists Tuesday. As part of its plan to restructure the economy, the...
Budget 2013: Singapore Announces S$5.35-billion Productivity, Wage and Tax Incentives for Businesses

Budget 2013: Singapore Announces S$5.35-billion Productivity, Wage and Tax Incentives for Businesses

by Ernie B. Calucag As part of its plan to restructure the economy, the government announced a bumper S$5.35-billion transition package to spur productivity and encourage companies to upgrade and design better jobs. In his budget speech Monday, Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam said the package will aid companies in Singapore’s...
Singapore Economy Slows in 2012 on Weaker External-oriented Sectors

Singapore Economy Slows in 2012 on Weaker External-oriented Sectors

by Ernie B. Calucag Singapore’s economy grew more than expected in the fourth quarter last year after a smaller contraction in manufacturing, but overall growth in 2012 was significantly slower as externally-oriented sectors suffered from subdued demand abroad. The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) Friday said Singapore GDP grew...
MIIF Revises Management Fee Structure in Order to Divest Assets

MIIF Revises Management Fee Structure in Order to Divest Assets

by Ernie B. Calucag Macquarie International Infrastructure Fund Limited (MIIF) said it has finalised a revised management fee structure, in line with the group’s new strategy of divesting its assets and generate value for its shareholders. The group announced this initiative during a meeting with Securities Investors Association Singapore (SIAS)...
Temasek Seeks Investments in LNG Sector

Temasek Seeks Investments in LNG Sector

by Ernie B. Calucag Singapore state investor Temasek Holdings is set to explore investment opportunities in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector as it confirmed Wednesday the appointment of a deputy chief executive of Singapore Technologies Engineering to lead a new department for LNG investments. Hot Deals Temasek said it...
Charoen Secures Over 90 Per cent of F&N at the Close of Mandatory Offer

Charoen Secures Over 90 Per cent of F&N at the Close of Mandatory Offer

Thai billionaire Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi now owns over 90 per cent of Singapore conglomerate Fraser & Neave (F&N) as its takeover offer closed Monday, February 18. Thai Beverage Co and TCC Assets, controlled by Charoen, announced the mandatory cash offer closure for F&N with the Thais owning 90.32 per cent of...
Singapore’s Export Growth Misses Target on Weaker  Electronics, Pharma

Singapore’s Export Growth Misses Target on Weaker Electronics, Pharma

by Ernie B. Calucag Singapore’s exports rose less than expected in January as manufactures shipped fewer electronics and pharmaceuticals during the month. Non-oil domestic exports (NODX) rose by 0.5 per cent year-on-year last month, reversing the 16.3 per cent decline recorded in December 2012, International Enterprise Singapore reported Monday. Hot...
Mapletree Investments to Raise Up to S$1.6 billion in China-backed REIT IPO

Mapletree Investments to Raise Up to S$1.6 billion in China-backed REIT IPO

Temasek-owned Mapletree Investments is seeking to raise as much as S$1.6 billion from a planned initial public offering of a real estate investment trust (REIT) backed by assets in Hong Kong and China. In a preliminary prospectus filed with the Monetary Authority of Singapore, Mapletree Greater China Commercial Trust said...
IFA Rejects Straits Trading's Takeover Offer for WBL

IFA Rejects Straits Trading’s Takeover Offer for WBL

by Ernie B. Calucag The bidding war for WBL Corp has taken a new development as KPMG Corporate Finance, the independent financial adviser to the takeover of WBL, has rejected Straits Trading Company’s offer for the technology, motor and property group. Hot Deals In a February 13 letter to WBL...
STI Ends at Five-year High Amid Catch-up Trade

STI Ends at Five-year High Amid Catch-up Trade

Singapore equities started the Year of the Snake on a positive note, finishing at its five-year high on Wednesday. Buoyed by strong overnight Wall Street’s finish and investors playing catch-up trade, the 30-shares Straits Times Index (STI) gained 30.74 points, closing at 3,301.04, its highest close since 10 January 2008....
Muddy Waters Maintains Strong Sell on Olam Despite Good Earnings

Muddy Waters Maintains Strong Sell on Olam Despite Good Earnings

by Ernie B. Calucag, Donavan Lim Commodities trader Olam International reported the highest quarterly profit since 2010 but US-based short-seller Muddy Waters on Friday maintained its “strong sell” rating on the Singapore company. Hot Deals The commodity trading group reported a 20 per cent rise in net profit to S$154.1...
Olam CEO Says Group Now More Stable as Earnings Rise in 2QFY2013

Olam CEO Says Group Now More Stable as Earnings Rise in 2QFY2013

by Ernie B. Calucag Sunny Verghese, chief executive officer of Olam International Ltd, which came under attack last November by short-seller research firm Muddy Waters, said the group is now in a more stable condition after reporting higher earnings in the last quarter and a successful completion of its rights...
DBS Misses Profit Estimates as Net Interest Income Remains Flat

DBS Misses Profit Estimates as Net Interest Income Remains Flat

by Ernie B. Calucag DBS Group Holdings reported a 4 per cent rise in net profit for the fourth quarter of 2012, but the bank missed profit estimates as interest margins narrowed and net interest income was flat. The bank, Southeast Asia’s biggest by assets, booked a net profit of...
SGX Says Open to Deals After Report It May Bid for Europe’s Biggest Clearinghouse

SGX Says Open to Deals After Report It May Bid for Europe’s Biggest Clearinghouse

By Ernie B. Calucag, Donavan Lim The Singapore Exchange (SGX) said it is open to any partnerships after media reports quoting sources said the bourse operator is in talks to buy a stake in Europe’s biggest clearinghouse. The Financial Times reported Monday that SGX, Asia’s second-largest bourse operator by market...
Concerns Over Affordability of Public Housing Lingers

Concerns Over Affordability of Public Housing Lingers

by Donavan Lim There is a continuing clamour for Singapore government to heighten the affordability of public housing, according to the iProperty.com Asia Property Market Sentiment Report (APMSR) 1H2013. Hot Deals Carried out in four markets – Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Hong Kong with a total of 17,303 respondents, including...
Kirin Sells F&N Stake to Charoen for S$2.03 billion

Kirin Sells F&N Stake to Charoen for S$2.03 billion

by Ernie Calucag, Donavan Lim The curtains look set to close on the long running Fraser and Neave Ltd (F&N) saga. Hot Deals Japan’s Kirin Holdings Co on Friday said that it has agreed to sell its entire holdings in F&N to Thai billionaire Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi’s TCC Assets as part...
Singapore Unemployment Falls to Five-year Low Amid Foreign Worker Curbs

Singapore Unemployment Falls to Five-year Low Amid Foreign Worker Curbs

by Ernie Calucag, Donavan Lim   Singapore’s unemployment rate fell to a five-year low as more locals are gaining employment amid a tightening of foreign workers’ entry. The seasonally adjusted overall unemployment rate dipped to 1.8 per cent in December from 1.9 per cent in September 2012, according to preliminary...
Singapore Airlines Cuts 76 Pilots from Payroll Amid Business Slowdown

Singapore Airlines Cuts 76 Pilots from Payroll Amid Business Slowdown

by Ernie B. Calucag Singapore Airlines (SIA) is cutting 76 pilots from its payroll to reduce manpower excesses amid business slowdown, the airline said in a statement Wednesday. The pilots, who make up 4 per cent of its 2,300 pilots workforce, are employed on fixed-term contracts. They are expected to...
Singapore’s Population Could Reach 6.9 million by 2030

Singapore’s Population Could Reach 6.9 million by 2030

by Ernie B. Calucag Singapore in two decades from now wants to raise its population by as much as 30 per cent to support a dynamic economy, the government said in a white paper released Tuesday. Hot Deals The growth in the population to between 6.5 and 6.9 million by...
Singapore Targets Up to S$13 billion in New Investments in 2013, Lower than 2012

Singapore Targets Up to S$13 billion in New Investments in 2013, Lower than 2012

by Ernie B. Calucag Singapore is targeting up to S$13.0 billion in new investments this year, lower than the actual figure in 2012 as the city state adopts a cautious outlook amid the sluggish global economy and tight domestic labour market. Last year, the country attracted S$16.0 billion in fixed...
Singapore December Industrial Output Down As Electronics Continue to Drag

Singapore December Industrial Output Down As Electronics Continue to Drag

by Donavan Lim Singapore’s industrial output fell for the fourth time in five months in December as electronics sector continue to suffer from weak demand abroad. December industrial output declined 0.6 per cent on-year after a revised 2.9 per cent gain in November, according to data released by the Economic...
Asia is Still Top Investment Destination for Singapore Firms

Asia is Still Top Investment Destination for Singapore Firms

by Donavan Lim Emerging markets, especially Asia, remains the top investment destination for Singapore firms, and this trend is expected to continue going forward, said International Enterprise (IE) Singapore Thursday. Singapore’s direct investments abroad (DIA) rose by 1.7 per cent to S$416.4 billion as of end-2011, from S$409.5 billion in...
December Inflation Climbs to 4.3 Per cent, Highest in Three Months

December Inflation Climbs to 4.3 Per cent, Highest in Three Months

by Donavan Lim Singapore’s inflation rate climbed to its highest in three months in December, as property and COE prices continue to surge. December inflation rose 4.3 per cent year-on-year, surpassing the previous month’s 3.6 per cent, according to data released by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and Ministry...
Thai Billionaire Charoen Completing Takeover of F&N

Thai Billionaire Charoen Completing Takeover of F&N

by Donavan Lim, Ernie B. Calucag Thai billionaire Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi is set to take control of Fraser and Neave Ltd (F&N) after group led by an Indonesian tycoon dropped out of a two-month bidding war for the Singapore drinks and property conglomerate. The Indonesian group led by Stephen Riady’s Overseas...
Charoen Moves Closer to Winning F&N Tussle as OUE Pulls Out

Charoen Moves Closer to Winning F&N Tussle as OUE Pulls Out

by Ernie B. Calucag Thai tycoon Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi moved closer to taking over Fraser and Neave (F&N) as rival bidder Overseas Union Enterprise (OUE) pulled out at market’s close on Monday. “The board together with the offeror is of the view that in order to secure the more than 50...
F&N Takeover Battle Could be Decided Via Auction as Deadline Nears

F&N Takeover Battle Could be Decided Via Auction as Deadline Nears

by Donavan Lim The four-month tussle for Fraser & Neave (F&N) may be nearing a close as Singapore regulators consider forcing rival bidders to compete for the assets at an auction. Both the bidders, TCC Assets – led by Thai billionaire Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi – and Overseas Union Enterprise (OUE) have...
Singapore December Exports Down 16.3 Per cent, Lowest in 14 Months

Singapore December Exports Down 16.3 Per cent, Lowest in 14 Months

by Ernie B. Calucag Singapore’s non-oil domestic exports (NODX) declined more than expected in December as manufacturing remained in the doldrums, risking the possibility of a downward revision in GDP for the fourth quarter of last year and a technical recession. Non-oil domestic exports (NODX) for last month contracted sharply...
Public Sector Works to Boost Singapore’s Construction Industry in 2013

Public Sector Works to Boost Singapore’s Construction Industry in 2013

by Donavan Lim Construction demand in Singapore is expected to remain strong this year boosted by public sector projects, said the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) Wednesday. Demand is expected to be between S$26 billion and S$32 billion for 2013, anchored by public sector projects. Public sector demand is expected...
Record Private Homes Sales in 2012 Drive New Cooling Measures

Record Private Homes Sales in 2012 Drive New Cooling Measures

by Donavan Lim Latest figures from Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) has confirmed earlier predictions of a historical record take-up of new homes in 2012, fuelling home prices and prompting Singapore government to introduce cooling measures last week. URA on Tuesday revealed that a total of 1,410 private homes excluding executive...
Singapore Home Prices to Fall as Market Digests Latest Cooling Measures

Singapore Home Prices to Fall as Market Digests Latest Cooling Measures

by Ernie B. Calucag Singapore has implemented its most comprehensive set of property cooling measures since September 2009 and would likely crimp buyers’ demand and drive prices lower for the first time in five years, analysts said Monday. In its attempt to cool the property market, the government on Friday...
Singapore Implements Additional Measures to Cool Residential, Industrial Properties

Singapore Implements Additional Measures to Cool Residential, Industrial Properties

by Ernie B. Calucag The Singapore government announced Friday a comprehensive package of measures to cool down its residential property market. And for the first time, the citystate will impose a seller’s stamp duty on industrial properties to discourage speculative activity in the industrial market. The government said that the...
Charoen Extends F&N Offer to January 15, Bid Stays at S$8.88 per Share

Charoen Extends F&N Offer to January 15, Bid Stays at S$8.88 per Share

by Ernie B. Calucag Thai tycoon Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi has again extended his general offer for Singapore conglomerate Fraser & Neave Limited (F&N) to January 15, leaving his offer price of S$8.88 per F&N share unchanged for another five days. His bid price remains inferior to an existing offer of S$9.08...
Business Community Wishes More Grants in Budget 2013 to Cope with Rising Business Costs

Business Community Wishes More Grants in Budget 2013 to Cope with Rising Business Costs

by Ernie B. Calucag Rising business costs has emerged as the top key concern for businesses, according to a survey conducted by the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Singapore (ICPAS). Based on its pre-budget survey, which polled 575 respondents from the accounting and business community, ICPAS found that 60...
Lucky Singaporean Babies

Lucky Singaporean Babies

by Donavan Lim Babies born in Singapore in 2013 will be the luckiest in Asia, according to a survey from the Economist Intelligence Unit. The survey, which measures a country according to the opportunities it will provide residents for a healthy and prosperous life in decades to come, ranked the...
STI Outperforms Local Property Index

STI Outperforms Local Property Index

by Donavan Lim The Straits Times Index (STI) ended 4Q2012 at 3,167.08, a staggering rise from 1,302.85 at the end of 4Q2002. Just yesterday, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) released the preliminary estimate for the Property Price Index (PPI) by Residential Type. From 115.1 in 4Q2002 , the PPI has...
Singapore Changi Airport Saw Over 50 Million Passengers

Singapore Changi Airport Saw Over 50 Million Passengers

Donavan Lim Singapore Changi Airport (CAG) announced that it will end the year handling more than 50 million passenger movements – a new milestone in its history. The record is reached in 2 years after the airport crossed the 40 million milestone in 2010. The number of passenger movement through...
Q&M Launches Takeover of SMG

Q&M Launches Takeover of SMG

By Donavan Lim If anything, 2012 will be remembered as the year of takeovers for local equities. With only 5 days left to the start of 2013, investors were gifted with another takeover deal. Home-grown Q& M Dental Group (Singapore) (Q&M) announced a S$22.65 million takeover bid for Catalist-listed Singapore...
Singapore’s Manufacturing Output Grew 3.1 Per cent; Electronics Drag

Singapore’s Manufacturing Output Grew 3.1 Per cent; Electronics Drag

Donavan Lim Singapore’s manufacturing output grew 3.1 per cent year-on-year in November according to data released by the Economic Development Board (EDB). The growth rate was lower than the average 5 per cent that economists expected. Expansion was led by the biomedical cluster which chalked up a 12.9 per cent...
SGX Proposes Rules to Improve Clearing House Transparency

SGX Proposes Rules to Improve Clearing House Transparency

by Ernie B. Calucag Singapore Exchange (SGX) on Thursday came up with additional rules that seek to bring further transparency among its clearing members. The exchange has released a consultation paper that sets out the proposed rule amendments and one of the key changes to its clearing rules includes clarifying...
F&N Advisers Say OUE’s Offer ‘Not Compelling But Fair’

F&N Advisers Say OUE’s Offer ‘Not Compelling But Fair’

by Ernie B. Calucag The independent financial advisers for Fraser & Neave (F&N) said that the S$13.1 billion takeover offer by Overseas Union Enterprise Ltd (OUE) is “not compelling but fair” as the company may be worth more, according to a circular despatched to investors Wednesday. JP Morgan, the conglomerate’s...
Charoen Expected to Raise Bid Next Month: Sources

Charoen Expected to Raise Bid Next Month: Sources

by Ernie B. Calucag Thai beer baron Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi’s current takeover offer for Singapore conglomerate Fraser & Neave Limited (F&N), which expires on January 2, is likely to be extended to the fourth week of January when it will have to revise its current offer, Reuters quoting some sources said...
Singapore’s November Exports Disappoint; Electronics Continue to Drag

Singapore’s November Exports Disappoint; Electronics Continue to Drag

by Donavan Lim Singapore’s exports unexpectedly fell for the fourth time in November as demand for electronics shipments continued to decline. Non-oil domestic exports (NODX) declined by 2.5 per cent last month compared to the 7.9 per cent increase in October, according to data released by International Enterprise (IE) Singapore....
More Jobs Despite Higher Layoffs in 3Q2012, Says MOM

More Jobs Despite Higher Layoffs in 3Q2012, Says MOM

by Donavan Lim Singapore labour market remained tight in the third quarter, despite a rise in layoffs during the period, said the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) Friday. Total employment in the city state grew by 26,200 in the third quarter, slowing from the growth of 31,900 in the same period...
Singapore Financial Sector Struggles with New Regulations: Survey

Singapore Financial Sector Struggles with New Regulations: Survey

by Donavan Lim A slew of newly-imposed financial regulations such as the anti-money laundering (AML) requirements, International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and anti-corruption requirements are making their impact felt across the local financial sector, with players struggling to cope with the rapid changes, revealed the new research from finance and...
Economists Slash GDP Growth for 2012 and 2013: MAS Survey

Economists Slash GDP Growth for 2012 and 2013: MAS Survey

by Donavan Lim Private economists have slashed in half their target growth rate for Singapore GDP this year, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) survey showed, as they noted that the city state’s economy has been hurt by the downturn in Western economies and China. Economists now expect Singapore to...
Thai Billionaire Extends F&N Offer to January 2

Thai Billionaire Extends F&N Offer to January 2

by Ernie B. Calucag Thai billionaire Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi has extended the deadline for his S$8.9 billion offer for Fraser & Neave to January 2, just 24 hours before a higher bid from a group led by Overseas Union Enterprise (OUE) is due to close. In a media statement Tuesday, Charoen’s...
Singapore Business Confidence Falls as Economy Takes a Hit

Singapore Business Confidence Falls as Economy Takes a Hit

by Donavan Lim  Business confidence in the local economy fell, according to a survey of finance professionals, underscoring expectations that Singapore’s open economy might contract going forward due to slowdown in China’s economy and continued uncertainty in US and Europe. The 15th edition of the quarterly Global Economic Conditions Survey...
Ex-Temasek Director Says Olam’s Rights Issue ‘Hastily’ Planned

Ex-Temasek Director Says Olam’s Rights Issue ‘Hastily’ Planned

by Ernie B. Calucag A former director of Olam’s second biggest shareholder said the embattled commodity trader’s rights issue is not only expensive, but “hastily” planned. In an interview with research firm IG Markets, Michael Dee, a former senior managing director at Temasek, reinforced his earlier comments that Olam should...
Olam Extends Sharp Losses as Analysts Find Rights Issue ‘Expensive’

Olam Extends Sharp Losses as Analysts Find Rights Issue ‘Expensive’

by Ernie B. Calucag Shares of embattled Olam International extended its losses for the second straight day Thursday as doubts linger about the group’s financial health despite a S$1.53 billion rights issue. Olam stocks closed 4.3 per cent lower at S$1.45 after falling as much as 5.9 per cent intraday...
Simon Cheong Tables S$745-million Buyout Offer for SC Global; Management Buyouts on the Rise

Simon Cheong Tables S$745-million Buyout Offer for SC Global; Management Buyouts on the Rise

by Ernie B. Calucag SC Global’s Chairman and CEO Simon Cheong joins the list of CEOs taking their firms private as he announced Wednesday a voluntary unconditional cash offer for all the issued ordinary share capital of Mainboard-listed SC Global Developments Ltd at S$1.80 per share. The buyout offer is...
Olam Surges after Rights Issue

Olam Surges after Rights Issue

by Donavan Lim Shares of commodities supplier Olam International surged today following a rights issue the company announced yesterday. Olam soared as high as S$1.71 in the morning session at the Singapore Exchange. The group had proposed an underwritten rights issue comprising US$750 million of 6.75 per cent bonds due...
Muddy Waters Threatens to Countersue, Offers to Pay for Rating of Olam’s Debt

Muddy Waters Threatens to Countersue, Offers to Pay for Rating of Olam’s Debt

by Ernie B. Calucag The war of words continues between Olam International and US-based short-seller Muddy Waters as the latter threatened to countersue Olam and its chief executive for defamation. Muddy Waters on Friday said Olam chief executive Sunny Verghese crossed the line during a conference call this week when...
Olam Regains Ground as Temasek Keeps Stake

Olam Regains Ground as Temasek Keeps Stake

by Ernie B. Calucag Embattled Olam International Limited regained some lost ground Thursday as its second-largest shareholder said it will keep by Olam side despite attacks from short seller firm Muddy Waters. The commodity trader also found allies in analysts, saying the group’s detailed defence against allegations from Muddy Waters...
Olam Refutes Muddy Waters Report, Says No Insolvency Issues

Olam Refutes Muddy Waters Report, Says No Insolvency Issues

by Ernie B. Calucag Olam International Limited reiterated it faces no risk of insolvency as it came up with its own report defending itself against a variety of claims over debt levels and exaggerating profits from Muddy Waters. The research firm published its controversial 133-page report on Olam Tuesday afternoon,...
Straits Trading Acquires Additional 23.6 Per cent of WBL

Straits Trading Acquires Additional 23.6 Per cent of WBL

By Donavan Lim With Christmas just around the corner, shareholders of WBL Corp may have something to cheer about. Mining and real estate company Straits Trading Company announced that it planned to purchase just over 64 million shares or 23.6 per cent of the electronics, automotive and property conglomerate in...
Singapore’s Output Fell; Downside Risk to 2012 GDP

Singapore’s Output Fell; Downside Risk to 2012 GDP

Donavan Lim Led by a double digit decline in biomedical output, Singapore’s manufacturing output declined 2.1 per cent on-year in October. Excluding biomedical manufacturing, output grew a modest 0.6 per cent on-year last month. On a seasonal adjustment month-on-month basis, factory output rose 3.3 per cent in October. Excluding biomedical...
Singapore Inflation Slower Than Expected in October

Singapore Inflation Slower Than Expected in October

by Donavan Lim Singapore’s headline inflation rose slower than expected in October as transportation and housing costs made moderate gains during the month. Consumer price index rose 4.0 per cent last month from 4.7 per cent in September, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) said Friday. The October inflation is...
Charoen Extends F&N Offer to December 11, Bid Stays at S$8.88 per Share

Charoen Extends F&N Offer to December 11, Bid Stays at S$8.88 per Share

by Ernie B. Calucag Thai tycoon Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi has again extended his general offer for Singapore conglomerate Fraser & Neave Limited (F&N) to December 11. The offer price remains at S$8.88 per F&N share as the market awaits formal documents from a rival’s S$9.08 per share tender. Charoen, who is...
Muddy Waters Says Olam Bound to Collapse; Olam Takes Legal Action

Muddy Waters Says Olam Bound to Collapse; Olam Takes Legal Action

by Ernie B. Calucag The word war between Olam International and research firm Muddy Waters goes on, with the short-seller saying the clock is ticking for the commodities trader. But Olam took it a bit further, as it decided to take legal action against Muddy Waters. A day after Olam...
Olam Dismisses Muddy Waters Accounting Claims, Ponders Legal Actions

Olam Dismisses Muddy Waters Accounting Claims, Ponders Legal Actions

by Ernie B. Calucag Olam International Limited strongly defended its accounting procedures after media reports quoted short-seller Muddy Waters’ Carson Block as saying he was betting against the company after questioning its accounting practices. The “negative statements” sent Olam shares tumbling as much as 11 per cent in heavy volume...
Singapore Inflation Likely Eased in October but Rising Prices Remain the Biggest Challenge

Singapore Inflation Likely Eased in October but Rising Prices Remain the Biggest Challenge

by Donavan Lim Singapore’s inflation probably eased slightly in October, a Reuters poll indicated, as the cost of housing rose at a slower pace. According to the median forecast of 12 economists, Singapore’s consumer price index (CPI) likely rose by 4.6 per cent in October from a year ago, slightly...
Singapore Cuts Growth Forecast in 2012 as Third Quarter GDP Disappoints

Singapore Cuts Growth Forecast in 2012 as Third Quarter GDP Disappoints

by Donavan Lim The Singapore government lowered its economic growth forecast for 2012 as GDP for the third quarter shrank more than expected and exports for October declined. The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) said it expects the economy to grow by around 1.5 per cent in 2012, at...
Private Homes Sales Dip in October as Cooling Measures Crimp Demand

Private Homes Sales Dip in October as Cooling Measures Crimp Demand

by Donavan Lim, Ernie B. Calucag Sales of new private homes in Singapore in October dropped 26 per cent from the previous month as buyers stayed on the sidelines in the wake of new property cooling measures, official data showed Thursday. Private home units sold dropped to 1,948 residential units last...
CPF Members Entering Workforce Today Will Have Adequate Savings in Retirement: Survey

CPF Members Entering Workforce Today Will Have Adequate Savings in Retirement: Survey

by Ernie B. Calucag Young Singaporeans joining the workforce today will accumulate savings through the CPF system that will provide adequately for their retirement, according to the Occasional Paper on “Adequacy of Singapore’s CPF Payouts: Income Replacement Rates of Entrant Workers” released Wednesday. Amongst new workforce entrants, the study found...
Swiss-based Metalor to Build Gold Refinery in Singapore

Swiss-based Metalor to Build Gold Refinery in Singapore

by Ernie B. Calucag Swiss-based precious metals refiner Metalor Technologies will build a gold refinery and bullion product manufacturing plant in Singapore, following the city state’s decision to scrap goods-and-services tax on bullion, the company said in a statement Monday. The refinery in Singapore, which will be completed by the...
NTUC Proposes Changes to Employment Act

NTUC Proposes Changes to Employment Act

by Donavan Lim The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) on Friday is proposing changes to certain areas of the Employment Act (EA). Under the proposals, the scope of coverage for Professionals, Managers and Executives (PMEs), as well as vulnerable groups of workers will be expanded. NTUC said more than 300,000...
MOM Revamps Foreign Manpower Act, Adds Tougher Penalties for Errant Employers

MOM Revamps Foreign Manpower Act, Adds Tougher Penalties for Errant Employers

by Donavan Lim Errant employers beware, warned the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) Thursday, as tougher penalties for those who break the law in hiring foreign workers will take effect on Friday, November 9. The penalties are part of the amendments to the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA). The latest...
OUE to Clarify Plans for F&N by November 15

OUE to Clarify Plans for F&N by November 15

by Ernie B. Calucag Overseas Union Enterprise (OUE) announced Wednesday that it continues to consider all options related to a possible offer for Singapore conglomerate Fraser and Neave Limited (F&N), and will clarify its intentions no later than November 15. OUE, the integrated property firm controlled by Indonesia’s Lippo Group,...
Competition Commission of Singapore Approves Heineken’s Acquisition of APB

Competition Commission of Singapore Approves Heineken’s Acquisition of APB

by Ernie B. Calucag   Heineken NV said Tuesday that the Competition Commission of Singapore (CCS) has granted clearance for its acquisition of Fraser and Neave, Limited’s direct and indirect interests in Asia Pacific Breweries Limited (APB). The CCS has found that the transaction, if carried into effect, will not...
Singapore Companies Payment Performance Rebounds in 3Q2012

Singapore Companies Payment Performance Rebounds in 3Q2012

by Donavan Lim   More Singapore companies are making prompt payments despite slower growth and economic uncertainty. Payment analysis released Monday by the Singapore Commercial Credit Bureau (SCCB) showed that payment performance rebounded in the third quarter. Prompt payments improved 49.3 per cent, an increase of 12 percentage points from...
Singapore Airlines’ Quarterly Earnings Drop 54 Per cent; Outlook Remains Challenging

Singapore Airlines’ Quarterly Earnings Drop 54 Per cent; Outlook Remains Challenging

by Ernie B. Calucag Singapore Airlines (SIA) reported a 54 per cent drop in quarterly net profit for the July-September period as the airline continued to suffer from challenging market conditions exacerbated by high and volatile jet fuel prices. SIA earned a net profit of S$90.1 million in the three...
DBS Surprises with a 12 Per cent Rise in 3Q2012 Net Profit

DBS Surprises with a 12 Per cent Rise in 3Q2012 Net Profit

by Ernie B. Calucag, Donavan Lim DBS Group Holdings, Southeast Asia’s biggest lender, reported a 12 per cent rise in third-quarter net profit Thursday, beating market estimates, helped by a sharp drop in bad debt provision and double-digit income growth from its core lending business. The bank’s 3Q2012 bottomline amounted...
Singapore Unemployment Remains Low but Job Creations Slowed

Singapore Unemployment Remains Low but Job Creations Slowed

by Donavan Lim, Ernie Calucag Job creation in Singapore grew at slower pace in the third quarter while layoffs rose after two consecutive quarters of decline. Nonetheless, unemployment rates remained low as a result of robust manpower demand amid tightened foreign manpower controls. The seasonally adjusted overall unemployment rate dipped...
MAS Forecasts 1.5% to 2.5% Growth in 2012; Lacklustre Growth in 2013

MAS Forecasts 1.5% to 2.5% Growth in 2012; Lacklustre Growth in 2013

By Donavan Lim The global economy is likely to experience an extended period of slow growth. Against this backdrop, Singapore is likely to see lacklustre economic growth and elevated inflation for the second consecutive year in 2013, said the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) in its Macroeconomic Review October 2012....
Private Housing, HDB Resale Prices Continue to Rise in 3Q2012

Private Housing, HDB Resale Prices Continue to Rise in 3Q2012

by Donavan Lim Despite recent government measures to curb property speculations and a lacklustre global economy, Singapore property buyers have remained undeterred as prices of both private houses and HDB resale units both went up in third quarter. Prices of private residential properties increased by 0.6 per cent in third...
Singapore’s Industrial Production Down for the Second Straight Month as Electronics Decline

Singapore’s Industrial Production Down for the Second Straight Month as Electronics Decline

by Donavan Lim, Ernie Calucag Singapore’s industrial output unexpectedly fell for the second straight month in September as the city state’s electronics and pharmaceutical sectors continue to suffer from weakening global demand. Manufacturing output declined 2.5 per cent year-on-year in September, following a 2.3 per cent dip in August, the...
Dynasty REIT Suspends Dual-Currency IPO due to Weak Demand; Croesus Retail Trust Plans S$800 million IPO

Dynasty REIT Suspends Dual-Currency IPO due to Weak Demand; Croesus Retail Trust Plans S$800 million IPO

by Ernie B. Calucag   Dynasty Real Estate Investment Trust, which had aimed to become the first dual-currency IPO in Singapore, suddenly suspended its initial public offering Wednesday, citing weak market conditions. The REIT, sponsored by real estate fund manager ARA Asset Management Limited and backed by Hong Kong billionaire...
Singapore Inflation Rises More Than Expected in September

Singapore Inflation Rises More Than Expected in September

by Ernie B. Calucag Singapore’s September headline inflation came in higher than expected due to a surge in COE premiums, supporting central bank’s decision to refrain from easing monetary policy this month. CPI-All Items inflation rose to 4.7 per cent in September from 3.9 per cent in August, the Department...
Thais Can Counter Offer OUE Bid for F&N: Analysts

Thais Can Counter Offer OUE Bid for F&N: Analysts

by Ernie B. Calucag The surprise announcement last Friday from hotel and property group Overseas Union Enterprise (OUE) that it was in talks with some parties to put together a rival bid for Fraser & Neave Limited (F&N) may spark a bidding war as analysts expect Thai billionaire Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi’s...
OUE Emerges as New Challenger for F&N Takeover

OUE Emerges as New Challenger for F&N Takeover

by Donavan Lim The takeover saga for Fraser & Neave Limited (F&N) looks set to continue with a new party expressing interest to buyout the drinks and property conglomerate. Singapore-listed hotel and property group Overseas Union Enterprise, backed by Indonesia’s Lippo Group, announced on Friday it could make a takeover...
Dynasty REIT, Gaylin Launch Singapore IPOs; Religare, Geo Energy to Debut Friday

Dynasty REIT, Gaylin Launch Singapore IPOs; Religare, Geo Energy to Debut Friday

by Ernie B. Calucag   The initial public offering (IPO) market in Singapore seems to be heating up, with more companies formally launching their market debut. Dynasty Real Estate Investment Trust, an investor in Chinese real estate backed by ARA Asset Management, on Thursday registered its final prospectus with the...
Singapore’s Exports Fall for the Second Month as Electronics Continue Decline

Singapore’s Exports Fall for the Second Month as Electronics Continue Decline

by Donavan Lim, Ernie Calucag   Singapore’s non-oil domestic exports (NODX) declined for the second straight month in September as manufacturers sold fewer electronics abroad, trade agency International Enterprise Singapore said Wednesday. NODX fell 3.4 per cent year-on-year in September, continuing the decline of 10.7 per cent in August, and...
Religare Health Trust Launches IPO, DeClout Plans to List in Catalist

Religare Health Trust Launches IPO, DeClout Plans to List in Catalist

by Ernie Calucag, Donavan Lim The initial public offering (IPO) market in Singapore is seeing a revival with more companies announcing plans to go public in the citystate. On late Monday, Religare Health Trust launched its IPO in Singapore, making it the first India-based healthcare business trust listed in Singapore...
Singapore’s Private Homes Sales Climb to Highest in Three Years

Singapore’s Private Homes Sales Climb to Highest in Three Years

by Ernie Calucag, Donavan Lim   Singapore’s private property transaction rebounded in September with monthly sales recording its highest in three years, reversing the effects of lull month in August. Home sales in September climbed 84 per cent to 2,621 units from 1,427 units in the previous month, according to...
Singapore Maintains Tight Monetary Policy as Economy Narrowly Escapes Recession

Singapore Maintains Tight Monetary Policy as Economy Narrowly Escapes Recession

by Ernie B. Calucag Singapore unexpectedly maintained its tight monetary policy Friday and allowing the local currency to appreciate at its current pace as worries over persistent inflationary pressures trumped the weakening economy. The Singapore economy contracted by 1.5 per cent in the third quarter compared to the previous quarter,...
Tiger Airways Beefs Up Senior Management with ex-Jetstar Executives

Tiger Airways Beefs Up Senior Management with ex-Jetstar Executives

by Ernie B. Calucag Tiger Airways Holdings Limited announced Thursday two new additions to its senior management team with hopes of steering the airline amid the highly competitive budget carrier industry. The airline has appointed Ho Yuen Sang, former Chief Operating Officer of Jetstar Asia, as the new Managing Director...
F&N Rejects S$1.4 billion Bid for Hospitality, Residence Unit

F&N Rejects S$1.4 billion Bid for Hospitality, Residence Unit

by Ernie B. Calucag   Singapore conglomerate Fraser and Neave Ltd (F&N) said Wednesday it has rejected a S$1.4 billion bid for its hospitality and serviced residence business. The unsolicited offer, which sources said came from Overseas Union Enterprise Ltd, backed by Indonesia’s Lippo Group, is on a cash free,...
MAS to Designate Tax Crimes as Money Laundering Predicate Offences

MAS to Designate Tax Crimes as Money Laundering Predicate Offences

by Ernie B. Calucag   As part of its ongoing efforts to protect the integrity and reputation of Singapore as a trusted international financial centre, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) announced Tuesday that it will designate a broad range of serious tax crimes as money laundering (ML) predicate offences...
Singapore’s New Property Cooling Measures to Have Muted Impact on Demand: Analysts

Singapore’s New Property Cooling Measures to Have Muted Impact on Demand: Analysts

by Ernie B. Calucag Singapore’s latest measures to cool its red hot property market may result to lower transactions in the near term, but will have muted impact on “genuine demand” for housing, analysts said. As part of government’s aim to avoid a price bubble and foster long term stability...
MAS to Restrict Loan Tenure for Residential Properties to Curb Housing Bubble

MAS to Restrict Loan Tenure for Residential Properties to Curb Housing Bubble

by Ernie B. Calucag As part of Singapore government’s aim to avoid a price bubble and foster long term stability in the property market, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) said Friday it will restrict the tenure of loans granted by financial institutions for the purchase of residential properties. Starting...
SGX’s MSCI Indonesia Futures Contracts Now Tradable in US

SGX’s MSCI Indonesia Futures Contracts Now Tradable in US

by Ernie B. Calucag Investors from the US can now directly trade Singapore Exchange (SGX)’s MSCI Indonesia Index futures contracts within the US with ease, the local bourse operator said Thursday. SGX said that the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has certified that the contracts, which are based on...
Brendan Wood Brings TopGun CEO Award to Singapore

Brendan Wood Brings TopGun CEO Award to Singapore

by Donavan Lim Brendan Wood International (BWI), a leading capital markets intelligence agency, has, in conjunction with the Securities Investors Association (Singapore) (SIAS), brought its TopGun CEO Designation Award to Singapore. The Brendan Wood International-SIAS TopGun CEO Designation 2012 Award for Singapore CEOs applies to CEOs who are best in...
Singapore Employers Look to Hire in 4Q2012

Singapore Employers Look to Hire in 4Q2012

by Donavan Lim Against a backdrop of a 2 per cent unemployment rate in Singapore, the job market looks set to remain robust in the final quarter of 2012, according to a survey conducted by JobsCentral. Some 67.2 per cent of the respondents – HR professionals and hiring managers from...
Singapore Private Property, HDB Prices Climb to Record High in 3Q2012

Singapore Private Property, HDB Prices Climb to Record High in 3Q2012

by Ernie B. Calucag, Donavan Lim   Singapore private home prices jumped to its record high in the third quarter after developers recorded robust sales during the period, a government report showed Monday. The private residential property price index rose 0.5 per cent to a record high of 208.0 points...
Heineken Gets Vote for Tiger Beer Sale, Thais Reject Dividend Payout

Heineken Gets Vote for Tiger Beer Sale, Thais Reject Dividend Payout

by Ernie B. Calucag, Donavan Lim Shareholders of Fraser and Neave Ltd (F&N) convened in an extraordinary general meeting Friday voted in favour of selling the conglomerate’s brewery business, Asia Pacific Breweries Ltd (APB), to Heineken NV, ending the two-month tussle for control of Tiger beer maker. Around 98.7 per...
Charoen’s Plan to Vote Against F&N’s Capital Reduction a Strategy to Push Takeover Deal: Analysts

Charoen’s Plan to Vote Against F&N’s Capital Reduction a Strategy to Push Takeover Deal: Analysts

by Ernie B. Calucag Thai billionaire Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi’s plan to vote against Fraser & Neave (F&N)’s dividend proposal may be a strategy to push the conglomerate’s shareholders into accepting his S$9.0 billion acquisition offer, analysts said. Charoen’s Thai Beverage Pcl and TCC Assets announced late Wednesday that they will vote...
Singapore’s Manufacturing Output Weakens in August, Raises Recession Fears

Singapore’s Manufacturing Output Weakens in August, Raises Recession Fears

by Donavan Lim, Ernie B. Calucag Singapore’s manufacturing output unexpectedly declined in August from a year ago, raising fears the city state’s economy will slip into a technical recession this quarter. Industrial production in August weakened by 2.2 per cent year-on-year, attributed to a fall in electronics due to weak...
Company Directors to ‘Go Back to School’ for Lessons on Statutory Duties and Responsibilities

Company Directors to ‘Go Back to School’ for Lessons on Statutory Duties and Responsibilities

by Ernie B. Calucag Around 50 company directors in Singapore are going back to ‘school’ to brush up on their knowledge of the statutory duties and responsibilities, said the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) Tuesday. ACRA said the new initiative aims to raise the competency of directors in complying...
Singapore’s Inflation Eases in August

Singapore’s Inflation Eases in August

by Ernie B. Calucag Singapore’s headline inflation rate slowed for the second straight month in August, reflecting more moderate increases in accommodation and service costs. The consumer price index eased to 3.9 per cent year-on-year in August, from a 4.0 per cent yearly increase in July, the Department of Statistics...
SGX Signs MOU to Lure Tianjin Listings

SGX Signs MOU to Lure Tianjin Listings

by Donavan Lim In a move to attract more Chinese companies to list in Singapore, Singapore Exchange inked a Listing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Tianjin People’s Government State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (Tianjin SASAC). Under the MOU, SGX and Tianjin SASAC will cooperate on the exchange of information...
Another Bidder for F&N?

Another Bidder for F&N?

by Ernie B. Calucag While the long-running battle for Asia Pacific Breweries (APB) may have seen a conclusion with Thai Bev- Heineken agreement Wednesday, analysts say Thai billionaire Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi still has some potentially sleepless nights ahead of the September 28 extraordinary general meeting. In a joint filing to the...
Heineken Gains ThaiBev’s Support to Buy F&N’s Brewery

Heineken Gains ThaiBev’s Support to Buy F&N’s Brewery

by Donavan Lim, Ernie Calucag The long-running battle for Asia Pacific Breweries (APB) may see a happy conclusion after all as companies linked to Thai billionaire Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi expressed their support for Heineken NV’s offer to acquire Fraser and Neave’s (F&N) beer business. In a joint filing to the Singapore...
Prudential Unit Sells Stake in F&N Ahead of APB Vote

Prudential Unit Sells Stake in F&N Ahead of APB Vote

by Ernie B. Calucag Eastspring Investments Ltd, a unit of British insurer Prudential PLC, has sold a total of 2.65 million shares in Fraser and Neave (F&N) after the conglomerate’s shares soared last week following a US$7.2-billion takeover bid by Thai billionaire Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi. In a filing to the Singapore...
Singapore Exports Drop More than Expected in August

Singapore Exports Drop More than Expected in August

by Donavan Lim, Ernie Calucag Singapore’s exports declined more than expected in August as electronics shipments remain weak and companies sold fewer goods to Asia and Europe. Non-oil domestic exports (NODX) fell by 10.6 per cent year-on-year last month, from a revised 5.7 per cent gain in July, said the...
Singapore Creates More Jobs in 2Q2012, Unemployment Declines

Singapore Creates More Jobs in 2Q2012, Unemployment Declines

by Donavan Lim Unemployment in Singapore declined in the second quarter of 2012, reversing the slight increase a quarter ago, according to the “Labour Market Second Quarter 2012″ report released by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM)’s Research and Statistics Department on Friday. The dip in unemployment numbers was attributed to...
Economists Cut Singapore GDP Growth Target to 2.4 Per cent: MAS Survey

Economists Cut Singapore GDP Growth Target to 2.4 Per cent: MAS Survey

by Donavan Lim Singapore’s export-oriented economy is likely to grow at a slower pace this year with inflation edging up, according to a Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) survey released Wednesday. Economists now expect the citystate’s gross domestic product (GDP) to grow 2.4 per cent in 2012, down from a...
ThaiBev May Work with Partner to Make Offer for F&N

ThaiBev May Work with Partner to Make Offer for F&N

by Ernie B. Calucag   Thai Beverage PCL said Tuesday it may work with a partner to make an offer for Fraser & Neave (F&N), which has agreed to sell its stake in Asia Pacific Breweries (APB) to Heineken NV. “The board understands that a party acting in concert with...
IPO Market in Singapore Sees a Revival with More Companies Planning To List

IPO Market in Singapore Sees a Revival with More Companies Planning To List

by Ernie B. Calucag The initial public offering (IPO) market in Singapore may see a revival going forward as more companies expressed plans to go public in the citystate. First in the list is KNM Group, a Malaysian oil and gas services provider, announcing late Thursday that it will launch...
F&N Shareholders to Vote on APB Sale on September 28

F&N Shareholders to Vote on APB Sale on September 28

by Ernie B. Calucag   Singapore conglomerate Fraser and Neave, Limited (F&N) Thursday scheduled an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) on September 28 for its shareholders to vote on Dutch brewer Heineken’s bid to take over the group’s brewery business. On August 18, the Board of F&N had accepted an improved...
F&N to Issue Shareholder Circular Thursday on APB Sale

F&N to Issue Shareholder Circular Thursday on APB Sale

by Ernie B. Calucag Singapore conglomerate Fraser and Neave Limited (F&N) announced it will issue a shareholder circular on Thursday, September 6, to lay out details of the proposed sale of its entire stake in Asia Pacific Breweries Ltd (APB) to Dutch brewer Heineken. In a statement to the Singapore...
Midas Secures  New Contract Wins

Midas Secures New Contract Wins

Donavan Lim Midas Holdings’ joint venture company, Nanjing SR Puzhen Rail Transport Company (NPRT) together with consortium partner Shanghai ALSTOM Transport Electrical Equipment Company has secured an intercity rail project worth approximately RMB588 million (US$92.71 million) from Nanjing Metro Company. The contract is for the supply of 15 train sets...
Singapore’s Lemon Law Takes Effect September 1

Singapore’s Lemon Law Takes Effect September 1

by Donavan Lim, Ernie Calucag Six months after its passage in Parliament, Singapore’s Lemon Law, designed to create a more harmonious relationship between consumers and retailers, will finally take effect September 1, bringing with it more options of recourse for both consumers and retailers. Lemon laws refer to laws protecting...
Finance Roles in Singapore ‘Not Very Productive’, Says ACCA Survey

Finance Roles in Singapore ‘Not Very Productive’, Says ACCA Survey

by Donavan Lim   Close to six of out 10 individuals in finance roles in Singapore only spend 20 per cent or less of their time on value-added analysis and planning work, which tends to be “not very productive,” according to the Finance Effectiveness Survey 2012. The survey, conducted by...
ThaiBev Hikes F&N Stake to 29 Per cent, Nears Takeover Threshold

ThaiBev Hikes F&N Stake to 29 Per cent, Nears Takeover Threshold

by Ernie B. Calucag The takeover saga for Asia Pacific Breweries (APB) took another twist as Thai Beverage has again raised its stake in Fraser and Neave (F&N) to just below the level that would trigger a mandatory offer for the whole conglomerate, further challenging Heineken’s bid for APB. ThaiBev,...
IMF Says Weak Global Demand to Slow Singapore Economic Growth

IMF Says Weak Global Demand to Slow Singapore Economic Growth

by Ernie B. Calucag Singapore’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth is set to weaken in 2012 as the country reels from weaker global demand and problems stemming from the eurozone debt crisis, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said. The Washington-based lender said Singapore’s economy will moderate to 2.9 per cent...
Thailand’s PTT Bids S$1.2 Billion to Buy Out Sakari Resources

Thailand’s PTT Bids S$1.2 Billion to Buy Out Sakari Resources

by Donavan Lim While the Singapore stock market has seen a lacklustre string of Initial Public Offerings, takeovers are in vogue. Hot on the heels of the Fraser & Neave (F&N) saga, PTT, Thailand’s top energy company, offered S$1.2 billion for the rest of Sakari Resources. State-controlled PTT is offering...
Singapore’s July Manufacturing Output Slowest in Three Months

Singapore’s July Manufacturing Output Slowest in Three Months

by Donavan Lim, Ernie Calucag Singapore’s manufacturing output slowed more than expected in July, hitting its lowest in three months as electronics manufacturing and chemicals posted lower output. Industrial production rose 1.9 per cent year-on-year last month, from a revised 8.0-per cent jump in June, the Economic Development Board (EDB)...
Singapore Inflation Slows Sharply in July

Singapore Inflation Slows Sharply in July

by Donavan Lim Inflation in Singapore slowed more than expected in July, the lowest since November 2010, as accommodation and private road transport costs moderated last month. The headline inflation rate dipped to 4.0 per cent year-on-year in July, from 5.3 per cent in June, according to data released by...
Singapore Still Among the Least Corrupt Countries: CPIB

Singapore Still Among the Least Corrupt Countries: CPIB

by Ernie B. Calucag Singapore remains one of the least corrupt countries in the world, amidst recent graft allegations involving high ranking government officials and a slip in ranking on a corruption index, said the Corruption Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) Wednesday. In its annual report, CPIB said Singapore’s score of...
APB Climbs on Heineken Deal

APB Climbs on Heineken Deal

by Ernie B. Calucag Asia Pacific Breweries (APB) was among the top traded stocks Tuesday as it gained the most in almost two weeks after Heineken NV raised its bid to S$5.6 billion for Fraser & Neave (F&N)’s stake in the Tiger Beer maker. APB shares jumped 4.8 per cent...
Heineken Mulls APB Bid Hike to About S$53 a Share: Sources

Heineken Mulls APB Bid Hike to About S$53 a Share: Sources

by Ernie B. Calucag Heineken NV is reportedly in talks with Singapore conglomerate Fraser & Neave (F&N) about raising its offer for the rest of Asia Pacific Breweries Ltd (APB). Sources said the Dutch brewer is considering raising its offer to about S$53 a share from its earlier offer of...
Far East Hospitality Trust Launches IPO at S$0.93 per Share

Far East Hospitality Trust Launches IPO at S$0.93 per Share

by Ernie B. Calucag   Far East Hospitality Trust officially launched its initial public offering (IPO) Thursday, consisting of 329,366,000 stapled securities priced at S$0.93 each. The offering of stapled securities (a combination of a REIT unit and a business trust unit) consists of a placement tranche of 267,566,000 stapled...
Far East Hospitality Prices IPO at Top of Range

Far East Hospitality Prices IPO at Top of Range

by Donavan Lim Singapore’s Far East Hospitality Trust, which owns hotels and serviced residences, had reportedly priced its initial public offering at the top end of an indicative range, which could raise S$717.6 million, according to sources. Far East Hospitality intends to sell stapled securities (a combination of a REIT...
Thai Bev Inches Closer to Takeover Threshold on F&N Share Purchases

Thai Bev Inches Closer to Takeover Threshold on F&N Share Purchases

by Ernie B. Calucag Thai Beverage’s holdings in Fraser & Neave (F&N) are inching closer to a level at which acquirers of company stakes are expected to begin takeover offers. The group, controlled by Thai billionaire Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi, completed its acquisition of a 22 per cent stake in F&N Monday....
Singapore Tightens Rules on Government Tender Processes

Singapore Tightens Rules on Government Tender Processes

By Donavan Lim The Singapore government announced Monday some changes in the public sector’s procurement system in the wake of procurement lapses involving several ministries. Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam during Monday’s parliament sitting said that the Ministry of Finance (MOF) will tighten rules on tender processes, beginning with the...
Singapore Economy Shrinks 0.7 Per cent in 2Q2012, Lowers Full-year Target Growth

Singapore Economy Shrinks 0.7 Per cent in 2Q2012, Lowers Full-year Target Growth

by Donavan Lim The Singapore economy contracted less than initially estimated in the second quarter this year, with pharmaceutical sector offsetting the continued decline in electronics manufacturing. The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) said the gross domestic product (GDP) fell an annualised 0.7 per cent in the second quarter...
Heineken Faces Tough Fight for Asia Pacific Breweries

Heineken Faces Tough Fight for Asia Pacific Breweries

by Donavan Lim, Ernie B. Calucag Just days after Fraser & Neave (F&N) board had recommended to shareholders to accept Heineken’s S$50 apiece offer for Asia Pacific Breweries (APB), a better offer had emerged. F&N in a late Tuesday filing to Singapore Exchange said that it has received an unsolicited...
Singapore Outbound FDI to Reach US$38.6 billion by 2020: Ernst & Young

Singapore Outbound FDI to Reach US$38.6 billion by 2020: Ernst & Young

by Ernie B. Calucag   Foreign direct investment (FDI) outflow from Singapore is expected to reach US$38.6 billion by 2020, as Singapore companies focus on the rest of Asia for expansion, according to Ernst & Young’s Beyond Asia: Strategies to support the quest for growth report released Tuesday. The report,...
Analysts See F&N Break Up After Deal with Heineken

Analysts See F&N Break Up After Deal with Heineken

by Donavan Lim, Ernie B. Calucag Singapore conglomerate Fraser & Neave (F&N) is seen to break up as it opens the door wide open for bidders of its property and soft drinks divisions once the deal with Heineken pushes through, analysts commented Monday. F&N’s board announced late Friday that it...
Singapore Exchange Makes Stride in Derivatives and Commodities Business

Singapore Exchange Makes Stride in Derivatives and Commodities Business

By Donavan Lim Derivatives and commodities trading grew year-on-year for the month of July reported the Singapore Exchange (SGX) on Friday. Volume of derivatives contracts was up 12 per cent year-on-year at 5.8 million contracts while daily average volume grew 7 per cent to 270,798 contracts. Notably, the number of...
Singapore Exchange and SIAS Bring Investing Knowledge to the Heartlands

Singapore Exchange and SIAS Bring Investing Knowledge to the Heartlands

by Donavan Lim Faced with rising inflation and increasing life expectancy, obtaining a proper financial education to secure a decent retirement life is becoming ever more important for Singaporeans. Recognising this, Securities Investors Association (Singapore) (SIAS) and Singapore Exchange had inked an Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to formalise their commitment...
Sysma Sings an Upbeat Tune

Sysma Sings an Upbeat Tune

Mr Sin Soon Teng, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sysma Holdings With the world economy on shaky ground, Singapore’s expansion has been hard–hit. Growth in the April to June period declined 1.1 per cent quarter-on-quarter according to the advance estimate released by the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Nonetheless,...
Private Housing Prices Edge Up in 2Q

Private Housing Prices Edge Up in 2Q

By Donavan Lim Prices of private residential properties in Singapore edged up by 0.4% in the second quarter of the year, compared to the 0.1% decline in the previous quarter, reported Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA). The increase in prices took place in all areas. Non-landed properties in Core Central Region...
Singapore’s Manufacturing Beats Forecast

Singapore’s Manufacturing Beats Forecast

By Donavan Lim Singapore’s biomedical sector gave manufacturing a much-needed lift last month. Manufacturing output in the city-state grew 7.6 per cent in June 2012 year-on-year. Excluding biomedical manufacturing, output fell 1.5 per cent, reported Economic Development Board (EDB). Economists had expected industrial production to rise 3.2 per cent year-on-year...
Slower Growth Ahead Said MAS

Slower Growth Ahead Said MAS

By Donavan Lim Singapore Central Bank is predicting slower growth in the second half of the year. Mr Ravi Menon, Managing Director, Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), stated at the MAS Annual Report 2011/12 Press Conference, that “The average growth in the second half of the year is likely to...
Battle for Asia Pacific Breweries (APB) Brewing

Battle for Asia Pacific Breweries (APB) Brewing

by Donavan Lim Japan’s Kirin Holdings has reportedly tapped Deutsche Bank to help it in its fight to defend its stake in Asia Pacific Breweries (APB), sources said Tuesday. Earlier, companies linked to a Thai billionaire launched a S$3.8 billion offer to acquire stakes in Fraser & Neave (F&N) and...
Singapore’s Inflation Climbs in June

Singapore’s Inflation Climbs in June

By Donavan Lim Inflation in Singapore continued to rise in June, with housing and transport costs driving the prices last month. The consumer price index climbed to 5.3 per cent year-on-year in June, from 5.0 per cent year-on-year in May, according to a press release from the Department of Statistics...
Heineken Joins Tussle for APB, Kirin May Join the Bidding War

Heineken Joins Tussle for APB, Kirin May Join the Bidding War

by Donavan Lim, Ernie Calucag In response to Thai Beverage’s surprise bid for Asia-Pacific Breweries (APB), one of the biggest Asia-Pacific breweries, Heineken N. V. has thrown its hat into the arena with a counter offer. The Dutch brewer is seeking to acquire all Fraser & Neave (F&N)’s direct and...
SGX Tightens Admission Standards to Lure Big IPOs

SGX Tightens Admission Standards to Lure Big IPOs

by Donavan Lim As part of its plan of transforming the Singapore stock market and grabbing a larger share of initial public offerings (IPOs), the Singapore Exchange (SGX) announced Thursday it is raising the admission standards for initial listings on its mainboard. Highlighting the various challenges that SGX faces, Magnus...
Ascendas Hospitality Trust Cuts IPO Size, Drops Korea Hotel

Ascendas Hospitality Trust Cuts IPO Size, Drops Korea Hotel

by Ernie B. Calucag Ascendas Hospitality Trust on Wednesday has reduced the size of its planned initial public offering and dropped a Korean hotel from its initial portfolio. Ascendas said it is now offering 437.325 million stapled securities, a downward revision from initial plans to sell between 506.075 million and...
Singapore June Exports Grow Faster than Expected but Outlook Still ‘Worrisome’

Singapore June Exports Grow Faster than Expected but Outlook Still ‘Worrisome’

by Ernie B. Calucag Singapore’s key exports expanded better-than-expected in June on the back of growth in both electronic and non-electronic exports, International Enterprise (IE) Singapore announced Tuesday. Non-oil domestic exports (NODX) rose 6.8 per cent year-on-year in June, following the 3.2 per cent increase in the previous month. The...
New Private Home Sales in Singapore Decline in June from May

New Private Home Sales in Singapore Decline in June from May

by Ernie B. Calucag Private home sales in Singapore fell for the second consecutive month in June, as developers launched fewer projects during the month, according to the latest data released by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA). Developers sold 1,371 private homes (excluding executive condominiums) in June, down 19 per...
Singapore GDP Falls 1.1 Per cent in 2Q2012, Recession Likely in 3Q2012

Singapore GDP Falls 1.1 Per cent in 2Q2012, Recession Likely in 3Q2012

by Donavan Lim, Ernie Calucag Singapore’s economy contracted in the second quarter this year as Europe’s debt crisis took its toll on the country’s economy. Gross domestic product fell an annualised 1.1 per cent in the three months through June from the preceding quarter, when it surged a revised 9.4...
Malaysia’s IHH Prices IPO Near Top of Range at S$1.113 per Share

Malaysia’s IHH Prices IPO Near Top of Range at S$1.113 per Share

by Ernie B. Calucag Malaysia’s SINGAPORE/KUALA LUMPUR, Jul IHH Healthcare Bhd, Asia’s largest hospital operator, priced its US$2.1-billion initial public offering (IPO) near the top of an indicative range. In an announcement on Singapore Exchange (SGX), IHH said it had fixed the cornerstone, institutional and final retail price for its...
Hope For China Sky Shareholders

Hope For China Sky Shareholders

by Donavan Lim  Solution in The Making For China Sky Impasse Radiating with optimism, Mr David Gerald, President and CEO of SIAS (Securities Investors Association Singapore) is hopeful that the China Sky Chemical Fibre saga could be resolved. “I see the light at the end of the tunnel even though...
Ascendas Prices S$578-million IPO in Singapore: IFR

Ascendas Prices S$578-million IPO in Singapore: IFR

by Ernie B. Calucag Ascendas Hospitality Trust has launched an initial public offering in Singapore of up to S$578.0 million, including cornerstone commitments, having first pre-marketed the deal in May, Reuters’ IFR Asia reported Tuesday. The group is offering between 506 million and 529.6 million stapled securities at an indicative...
Singapore Banks and Insurers’ Financial Advisory Needs Improvement: MAS

Singapore Banks and Insurers’ Financial Advisory Needs Improvement: MAS

by Ernie B. Calucag The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) said Friday that the financial advisory process of banks and insurers in Singapore needs ‘significant improvement’ as it released the findings of its mystery shopping survey on local institutions’ financial advisory dealings. The survey was conducted from October 2011 to...
Temasek Portfolio Increases but Profit Declines in FY2012

Temasek Portfolio Increases but Profit Declines in FY2012

by Ernie B. Calucag   Singapore state investor Temasek Holdings reported Thursday a slightly bigger portfolio size in FY2012 but net profit declined in the last financial year due to a more challenging business environment. Temasek’s portfolio as at end-March 2012 stood at S$198.0, up from S$193.0 billion a year...
Croesus Retail Trust Plans S$800-million Singapore IPO: IFR

Croesus Retail Trust Plans S$800-million Singapore IPO: IFR

by Ernie B. Calucag   Croesus Retail Trust is planning an initial public offering (IPO) in Singapore that could be about S$800 million in size, Reuters’ IFR said in a report Wednesday. The business trust is backed by mainly Japanese assets. Croesus is reportedly looking to develop a pan-Asian portfolio,...
Singapore’ PMI at 50.4 in June, Bucks Trend in Asia

Singapore’ PMI at 50.4 in June, Bucks Trend in Asia

by Ernie B. Calucag Singapore bucked the trend of factory slump in Asia as it reported a mild expansion in factory output in June. Data from the Singapore Institute of Purchasing and Materials Management (SIPMM) showed that the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) stood at 50.4 points in June, the same...
Singapore Private and Public Housing Prices Slightly Up in 2Q2012

Singapore Private and Public Housing Prices Slightly Up in 2Q2012

by Ernie B. Calucag Private home prices and resale prices of public flats both went up slightly in the second quarter this year, reversing the declining trend seen in the previous periods. Preliminary data released by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) Monday showed private-residential prices rising 0.4 per cent in...
Bank Lending in Singapore Rises 22.5 Per cent in May

Bank Lending in Singapore Rises 22.5 Per cent in May

by Ernie B. Calucag Total bank lending in Singapore went up 22.5 per cent year-on-year in May, according to figures from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). Bank lending totalled about S$445.0 billion last month. On a month-on-month basis, bank lending rose 2.3 per cent from S$435.3 billion in April....
Singapore Opens New Hub to Boost Surface Engineering Industry

Singapore Opens New Hub to Boost Surface Engineering Industry

by Donavan Lim   Singapore’s surface engineering industry receives a boost with the launch Thursday of the Surface Engineering Hub by JTC (Jurong Town Corporation). Slated to be completed in the second half of 2013, the hub will host an integrated ecosystem of surface engineering companies, equipment suppliers, chemical solution...
Global IPO Down in 2Q2012 Amid Volatile Markets

Global IPO Down in 2Q2012 Amid Volatile Markets

by Donavan Lim Global initial public offering (IPO) activity in 2Q2012 remained lacklustre as ongoing concerns on eurozone crisis and economic uncertainty in some parts of the world make equity markets still volatile, according to Ernst & Young ‘s Global IPO update released Wednesday. A total of 206 deals worth...
Singapore’s Manufacturing Rebounds in May, but Electronics Still Weak

Singapore’s Manufacturing Rebounds in May, but Electronics Still Weak

By Donavan Lim Singapore’s manufacturing sector rebounded in May, driven by rising output from pharmaceuticals and marine and offshore engineering segments which offset the continued decline in electronics. Last month’s manufacturing output rose 6.6 per cent from a year earlier, rebounding from a contraction of 0.2 per cent in April,...
Singapore Inflation Eases in May on Lower Oil Prices

Singapore Inflation Eases in May on Lower Oil Prices

by Donavan Lim Singapore inflation rose slower than expected in May, mainly driven by lower oil prices and softer growth in accommodation cost. CPI-All items index eased to 5.0 per cent year-on-year in May, down from 5.4 per cent in April, The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) reported Monday....
STI Extends Loss

STI Extends Loss

by Donavan Lim Tracking regional indices, the benchmark STI continued to extend loss, closing at 2828.09, slipping 2.06 points. During the day, the index sank to a low of 2798.84 before recouping on stronger US futures. Trading sentiments were by and large negative as overnight US economic data confirmed fears...
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STI Falls; FOMC Meeting Eyed

STI Falls; FOMC Meeting Eyed

by Donavan Lim Singapore shares closed lower on Wednesday as investors stayed on the sidelines ahead of the important Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting. The 30-shares Straits Times Index (STI) lost 15.76 points, closing at 3,213.79.     Risk assets fell. Olam International was off 1.7 per cent to close at S$1.71, while Golden...
ListCos

ListCos

Mun Siong Clinches Maintenance Contract Mun Siong Engineering Limited Wednesday announced that it has secured an additional maintenance contract for a period of one year with a new client on Jurong Island. At the same time, the group has also entered into a three years maintenance contract with an existing long term customer, under a...
Khaw Says Government Has Taken Steps to Help Rental Tenants Affected by ‘Cliff Effect’

Khaw Says Government Has Taken Steps to Help Rental Tenants Affected by ‘Cliff Effect’

by Ernie B. Calucag The Singapore government has already taken steps to help low-income rental tenants who see their pay rises eaten up by a rental increase or the so-called “cliff effect,” National Development Minister Mr Khaw Boon Wan said in his blog Wednesday.     Rentals are based on household income. Those who earn...
Global Headlines

Global Headlines

Huawei Denies Plans to Acquire Nokia Huawei Technologies Co has denied reports that indicated the company was interested in acquiring ailing Finnish smartphone company Nokia Oyj. The reports resulted in a 12 per cent surge in US trading recently. One of the first smartphone makers, Espoo, Finland-based Nokia has lost market share as customer preferences...
Singapore Launches Industrial Sites for Sale

Singapore Launches Industrial Sites for Sale

by Donavan Lim To continue to meet potential demand for industrial land, Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) launched Wednesday its Industrial Government Land Sales (IGLS) programme for the second half of 2013.     The proposed land quantum for the second half of 2013 represents a continuation of the government’s efforts to release...
Interview: Simon Siew, Managing Director, HID Global

Interview: Simon Siew, Managing Director, HID Global

HID Global, a major player in secure identity solutions, has outlined top secure identity trends in 2013 that will influence how organisations will create, use and manage secure identities. The trends span diverse secure identity applications, from opening doors and accessing data to managing visitors and tracking items.     These and other applications will...
Travel: 48 Hours in New York City for Nature Lovers

Travel: 48 Hours in New York City for Nature Lovers

New York City has a wild side and it has nothing to do with its honking yellow taxis, towering skyscrapers and celebrity-studded nightclub crowds. It’s about soaring bald eagles, quiet tidal salt marshes and sweet berry brambles thriving along Jamaica Bay, the only wildlife refuge in the US National Park System, to Manhattan, where Central...
Stock Picks

Stock Picks

Ezion Holdings (BUY; Target Price: S$2.62) The recent market sell-down has highlighted the resilience of the stock of Ezion Holdings– the STI has lost about 6.8 per cent from its 52-week high of 3,464.79 on 22 May 2013, while the FTSE Oil and Gas Index has slipped about 3.5 per cent. In contrast, Ezion’s share...
Advertorial: From Busted to Brilliant: Five Simple Ways to Supercharge Your Business Website

Advertorial: From Busted to Brilliant: Five Simple Ways to Supercharge Your Business Website

by Pam Siow, Founder, Internet Biz Owners Club Everyone makes mistake, right? Well, whoever came up with that phrase forgot to mention that some mistakes cost far more than others, especially when it comes to business. The thing here is that over the course of helping business owners overcome their obstacles, I realise that most...
ListCos

ListCos

Intraco Extends Offer for Dynamic Colours INTRACO Limited Tuesday announced that it is extending its mandatory conditional cash offer for its listed associated company Dynamic Colours Limited (DCL), by another 14 days to close at 5.30 pm on 2 July 2013. The group said there will be no further extensions or any revisions to the...
Stock Picks

Stock Picks

IHH Healthcare (OUTPERFORM; Target Price: S$1.81) Our conversation with IHH’s management and channel checks revealed no immediate cause for concern yet. Its share price pullback since late-May was driven by market fears, rather than a reaction to the Istanbul civil unrest. While we have received sporadic reports on protestors being dispersed in Istanbul’s central Taksim...
ListCos

ListCos

Mencast Secures Contract from Keppel FELS Mencast Holdings Limited Monday announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Mencast Subsea Pte Ltd, was awarded a three year contract by Keppel FELS Limited for the provision of general underwater services. The contract will run from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2015. It carries a one year option to...
Stock Picks

Stock Picks

Cache Logistics Trust (BUY; Target Price: S$1.40) We are reiterating our prognosis that Cache Logistics Trust is likely to continue to deliver sustainable growth for FY13. CACHE has a portfolio of quality assets which has a 100 per cent occupancy rate and strong weighted average lease to expiry of 3.7 years. In 1Q13, CACHE has...
ListCos

ListCos

First Ship Demands Redelivery of Vessels First Ship Lease Trust Limited Friday announced that the lessees of its two crude oil tankers, namely, Aqua and Action, have defaulted on their lease payments and FSLTM has today demanded the redelivery of these vessels. The Lessees are wholly –owned subsidiaries of Geden Holdings Ltd. First Ship Lease...

Sygic Is Celebrating 30 Million Downloads With Special Summer Offer

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia, June 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ – After achieving 30 million unique users with its Sygic GPS Navigation app for Android and iPhone, Sygic, the company behind the app, is getting ready for the season with a massive summer sale, cutting the prices down by 30%.  Sygic GPS Navigation is an offline application based on...

China Automotive Systems Wins Chrysler’s "2013 Supplier of the Year" Award

WUHAN, China, June 19, 2013 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — China Automotive Systems, Inc. (“CAAS” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: CAAS), a leading power steering components and systems supplier in China, today announced that it won the Chrysler 2013 Supplier of the Year Metallic award at the 2013 Annual Strategy Meeting and Supplier Awards Ceremony on June 5, 2013...

The Jury of MIPIM Asia Awards 2013 Is Revealed

5-6 November 2013 — Grand Hyatt Hotel, Hong Kong PARIS, June 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — MIPIM Asia, the property leaders’ summit in Asia Pacific, reveals the composition of the jury for the 7th edition of the established MIPIM Asia Awards competition, which has honoured excellence and innovation in Asian real estate development in the Asia...

Consumers in Turkey Turn to Fleet Leasing Services as Awareness on Benefits Increases, Finds Frost & Sullivan

Turkish market likely to witness highest growth rate among European countries LONDON, June 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Growing awareness on the advantages of operational leasing is attracting new customers and sustaining the Turkish fleet leasing market. With only 22 per cent of the fleet market currently addressed, the untapped potential for operational leasing companies is...

Wondershare(TM) Announces Winners for the Scholarship Program Aiding College-bound High School Graduates

SACRAMENTO, Calif., June 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ – Wondershare, a world-class developer of Windows® and Mac® utility applications and mobile apps announced today the winners for its scholarship program which aims to aid college-bound high school seniors and further inspire their interests in technology. Stefani Pyorre from Antelope High School in Antelope, CA and Faith Lemire-Baeten...

Rio de Janeiro Launches Public-private Partnership for Zero-emission Transportation

RIO DE JANEIRO, June 20, 2013/PRNewswire/ — Rio de Janeiro State Government signs multilateral memorandum of understanding with Renault-Nissan Alliance, Petrobras Distribuidora, Light, Ampla and Rio Negocios to pave the way for electric vehicles A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed today among Rio de Janeiro State Government and leaders from Brazil’s public-private sectors to...

China Hydroelectric Corporation Announces Results for the First Quarter 2013

BEIJING, June 20, 2013 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — China Hydroelectric Corporation (NYSE: CHC, CHCWS) (“China Hydroelectric” or “the Company”), an owner, developer and operator of small hydroelectric power projects in the People’s Republic of China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2013. “Our results for the first quarter were satisfactory...

AAM recognized by Beijing Benz Automotive Company as Outstanding Supplier

DETROIT, June 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — A commitment to managing quality and cost through operational excellence has earned AAM a 2012 Supplier Award for Best Powertrain by Beijing Benz Automotive Company (BBAC), a joint venture between Beijing Automotive Group and Daimler AG. “We are honored to be recognized by BBAC for AAM’s performance during 2012,”...

ChinaEdu Reports First Quarter 2013 Results

BEIJING, June 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — ChinaEdu Corporation (NASDAQ: CEDU) (“ChinaEdu” or the “Company”), a leading online educational services provider in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2013.[1] First Quarter 2013 Highlights Total net revenue for the first quarter of 2013 was $19.2 million, a 4.9 percent...

Zhone Technologies Receives NASDAQ Notification Related to Minimum Bid Price; Will Request Hearing

Zhone Technologies Receives NASDAQ Notification Related to Minimum Bid Price; Will Request Hearing Oakland, CA – June 19, 2013 – Zhone Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZHNE), a global leader in FTTx network access solutions, today announced that on June 18, 2013, Zhone received a Staff Delisting Determination letter from the Listing Qualifications Staff of The NASDAQ...

INC Research Leads Conversation on Clinical Innovation at DIA 2013 Annual Meeting

INC Research Leads Conversation on Clinical Innovation at DIA 2013 Annual Meeting Global CRO Explores Role of Innovation in Clinical Research, Offers Strategies to Reduce Costs and Development Time   Raleigh, N.C., June 19, 2013 - INC Research, LLC, a therapeutically focused clinical research organization (CRO) with a Trusted Process® for delivering reliable results, will...

Quam Announces 201213 Annual Results

Hong Kong, June 19, 2013 – (ACN Newswire) – Quam Limited (“Quam” or the “Group”, Stock Code: 00952.hk), a Hong Kong-based financial services group, announces its audited annual results for the year ended 31 March 2013 (the “Year”). During the Year, revenue of Quam amounted to HK$330.4 million (2012: HK$358.3 million), representing a decrease of...




             
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