News

SGX securities trading jumps 47% to $1b in January

SGX starts the year on a good note, with growth in its commodities, clearing and fixed income activities last month. Read ››

Real estate lending to pose threats to 2012 transactional volumes

But despite ‘debt threats,’ Jones Lang LaSalle still estimates volumes to be stable at around $400b. Read ››

Singapore ranked fifth active city in real estate activity

Total direct real estate activity may have slacked off with a 4% rise in 4Q11, but there are still some sweet spots for investors. Read ››

What bonus? 20% of finance pros don’t expect any

While a majority of finance professionals in Singapore expect to receive a bonus this year, a third believes their bonus will be less. Read ››

DBS is analyst’s top pick over OCBC and UOB

Well it’s not surprising as DBS’s ROEs leapfrogged its peers in 3Q in a climate of poor capital markets and low interest rates. Read ››

UOB's profit seen to have increased 10% in 4Q11

An analyst expects the bank to post a S$574m net profit when it announces its 4Q11 results on 24 February. Read ››

Which real estate sectors are hot for investors?

Retail is continuing the inroads it has made in recent years, reaching almost 30% of total transactions in 2011. Read ››

Singapore Markets Morning Briefing - what you need to know for Fri Feb 3, 2012

Expect neutral opening today following mixed results on Wall Street and a not-so-good Nikkei start. Read ››

After the flood, a mass tech take-off?

Battered tech companies mired in Thai flood problems will play catch-up in 2012, says DBS. Read ››

SIA’s net profit crashes 53% to $135m in 3Q11

Rising jet fuel prices had adversely affected the group’s performance for the quarter. Read ››

StarHub’s revenue jumps 10% to S$613m in 4Q11

Nearly half a million Singapore households were taking up two or more StarHub services last year. Read ››

Will OCBC’s increased US$ trade finance loans continue?

CIMB expects a loan growth of 6% qoq despite high US$ LDR and a general scarcity of dollar deposits in the system. Read ››

Marina Bay Sands suffers same constraints of Resorts World Sentosa

Yes they are competitors, but could it be that Marina Bay Sands is also sharing Resorts World Sentosa’s woes on accommodation constraints and higher credit provisioning? Read ››

DBS seen to post S$700m net profit

But loan growth is expected to slow to 4% qoq. Read ››

Commercial insurance rates seen to surge

Rate increases of over 30% are being experienced in disaster-hit regions across Asia. Read ››

Asia Pacific airlines reported sharpest fall in airfreight in 2011

But don’t worry as this should only be temporary - find out why. Read ››

Dear SMRT, it’s not time to rejoice yet

Efforts to replace signaling system and government’s move to increase rail capacity of the CCL have no immediate financial impact. Read ››

Luxury residential prices seen to decline over the year

But average prices in Singapore remained stable for the sixth consecutive quarter despite slight rental correction. Read ››

Singapore Markets Morning Briefing - what you need to know for Thurs Feb 2, 2012

Good news is that fairly strong opening is expected today. Read ››

Worst is not over for SMRT: DBS

Government regulation may add substantial burdens on operating its transport systems. Read ››

SIA Engineering to scrape 5-6% growth in next two years

Why is a crash and burn not yet in the cards for this aircraft services company? Read ››

Will Singapore’s worrying inflation remain high in 2012?

UBS gives us a breath of relief as it thinks inflation is likely to fall sharply in 2012 - but on what grounds? Read ››

Tender alert: Residential site Crystal Tower up for collective sale

The tender will close on February 27, 2012 at 12pm, so be quick. Read ››

You're fired!: Layoffs up in 2011

If you still have your job, then you’re not among the more than 3,500 workers made redundant in the fourth quarter alone. Read ››

Bumpy ride ahead for SMRT

Falling net profits, persistent cost pressure and declining weekly ridership for CCL – what else to expect? Read ››

35% of firms foresees business conditions to deteriorate

Survey shows only 10% of firms expects business to improve in the first half of 2012. Read ››

Singapore Markets Morning Briefing - what you need to know for Wed Feb 1, 2012

Double trouble on Wall Street and with the Nikkei could send ripples into the bourse today. Read ››

Turbulent years ahead for Tiger Airways

PhillipCapital predicts even bigger losses in 2012 and a slower rebound in 2013. Read ››

Should Olam just stick to Russian dairy?

Its plans to invest heavily in grain cultivation comes with risks and no major advantages, warns Daiwa. Read ››

SMRT’s revenue surges 10% to $268m in 3Q12

The group stays strong despite the MRT disruption that caused a stir last year. Read ››

SIA Engineering’s revenue soars 13% to $303m in 3Q11

Things are looking good for the group as revenue from its fleet management programme surged in 2011. Read ››

Loan growth to slow significantly to a mere 8% in 2012

This is a depressing figure compared to 2011’s 30.3% growth. Read ››

Unemployment rate of 2% the lowest in 14 years

But there is still a shortage of talent across the board as companies look to hire experienced and skilled staff, according to Randstad. Read ››

Property investment company Hong Fok Corp responds to SGX queries

The company denies knowledge of any information regarding a substantial increase in the price and volume of its shares, but discloses a potential property redevelopment along Orchard Road. Read ››

Tender alert: Balestier redevelopment sites up for collective sale

The indicative price is in the region of $68m for Parcel A and $81m for Parcel B, subject to the tender process. Read ››

The worst may be over for Tiger Airways

Tiger's profit slips again in Q3 with both cubs in Singapore and Australia in the red but analysts see silver lining. Read ››

CapitaMalls subsidiary issues clarification re growth rate

The clarification involves a Business Times article published on 28 January 2012. Read ››

Singapore Markets Morning Briefing - what you need to know for Tues Jan 31, 2012

The bourse is not likely to get much boost from Wall Street and the Nikkei. Read ››

Singapore throws $750 million at flood and drainage problem

It will be spent in the next five years on canal capacity expansions and better flash flood safeguards. Read ››

SingPost’s net profit drops 5% to S$42m in 3Q11

The country’s postal industry struggles for survival despite dipping mail volumes. Read ››