In Focus

Singapore economy surged 14.5% in 2010

Singapore economy surged 14.5% in 2010

The expansion was driven by the manufacturing sector which rebounded by 29.7 per cent in 2010.

Private home sales fell 11% in January 2011

New projects that were launched in January saw weaker take-up of less than 50 percent.

Property measures not meant to kill the market

It is unnatural to expect property prices to remain strong, said MND Minister Mah.

53% of employers plan to hire more employees in 1Q 2011

According to a Michael Page survey cited in the BT, this is up from 23% in 4Q 2010.

Tourists splurged $18.8bln on shopping in Singapore

Tourism receipts exceeded the $17.5-18.5 billion forecast, according to OCBC.

Government gears up for war against inflation

MAS will allow SGD to strengthen further to combat inflationary pressures.

Fraser and Neaves bailed out by Kirin's 15% stake

Kirin's increased stake in Fraser and Neaves provides support to the share price, and possible provide catalyst for restructuring over the medium to long term.

From being a white elephant, Bharti is SingTel's new cash cow

The Indian telecommunications company is expected to contribute about 15-19% of SingTel’s earnings in FY11F/12F.

Office prices to grow 25% in 2011

The improvement of rental performance and investor confidence is seen to boost the office prices.

Unemployment rate rose to 2.2% in December 2010

An estimated 57,500 residents were unemployed in December 2010, according to the Department of Statistics Singapore.

Industrial space prices jumped 23.7% in 2010

Prices of multiple-user factory space increased by 6.3% in 4th Quarter of 2010, URA said.

2-year Singapore Government Securities bond fetched 0.48% yield

The $2.7 billion 2-year bond re-opening is the largest 2-year SGS bond offering since February 2004.

Manufacturing output slid 11.8% in December 2010

Biomedical manufacturing dragged down the manufacturing output in December 2010 and for the whole of 2010.

Singapore ranked first in Asia's best real estate investment destinations

The country's strong economic growth and brisk activity in the financial and high-technology industries pushed Singapore to top the rankings.

Singapore inflation up 2.8% in 2010

Transport, housing and food were the main drivers to the high CPI inflation.

Moody's on cooling measures: Developers' loss are the local banks' gain

The ratings agency said Singaporean banks will benefit from a more stable property market as their exposures to property speculators, price shocks, and loan losses will decline.

You're hired : employers planning to add staff

Improved market conditions will trigger a more active recruitment for the first quarter of 2011.