In Focus

SATS’ Coolport@Changi may play a critical role in vaccines' mass distribution across APAC. The aviation sector is not expected to make any improvement by end-2020 as borders remained close in Q4, reports UOB Kay Hian. But one saving grace remains: the development of a vaccine by Q1 2021, which will benefit the sector even before air traffic begins to recover. Right now orders are expected to remain closed, possibly even until Q1 2021, which will weigh on the sector. Even if they open up, majority of Asian countries continues to impose 14-day quarantine on all arrivals, and the prospects of a cumulative 28-day quarantine will likely discourage travel, noted UOB Kay Hian analyst K Ajith. The development of a vaccine is then critical for companies within the sector, as they are expected to be the direct beneficiary of its mass distribution. News on vaccine development is notedly positive, with the general expectation being that a working vaccine would be available by early-2021. Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation (WHO) expects mass vaccination to commence only by mid-2021. Amongst companies, SATS is expected to directly benefit thanks to Coolport@Changi, which is ISO certified and is the world’s first centre of excellence for pharmaceutical handling. This is likely to be used for critical pharmaceutical logistics and the handling of vaccines for the APAC region, according to Ajith.

More than 50% said that their stress management activities were disrupted.

86% still believe in older rules-based technology for AML compliance.

Just over 19.9% of investments in H1 came in deals over $50m.

This may indicate that foreigners are exiting prime locations for more affordable housing.

Numbers are still down from a year earlier, but at a slower pace than in June.

It reflects improvements in the manufacturing and electronics sectors.

Live concerts, cinemas and the print industry are the hardest hit by the pandemic.

Sabana REIT saw the sector’s highest proportional net institutional inflows.

Amongst the units purchased by non-Singaporean buyers so far, half were completed units and half were uncompleted.

They are expecting job creation to be slower in H2.

Demand for pharmaceutical stocks is expected to remain strong throughout 2020.

External pricing and imported food prices will be pressured by global factors.

Likewise, foreign wholesale sales dropped 30.4% over the same period.

Salaries are also assured to be in line with the industry norm.

Analysts believe that it would not be enough to boost the labour market and tourism scene.