News

Financial comparison startup GoBear unveils $108.96m in funding

The proceeds will be used to enhance the platform’s search and match functionality and finance hiring.

Singapore's top healthcare firm returns hit 14.7% YTD

The sector’s market cap ballooned thirteen-fold and stands at over $40b.

Funan's office blocks secure 98% pre-leasing commitment

Tenants include the Singapore Department of Statistics, adidas and WeWork.

Chart of the day: Strata-titled retail transaction sales hit $453m in Q1

However, there was a decline in number of sales due to diminishing sales for smaller units.

Perennial Real Estate Holdings hit by $26.93m loss in Q1

The loss came as a result of higher net finance costs and the absence of a one-off gain.

MAS mulls licenses for virtual banks

The DBS CEO earlier echoed a similar stance.

IMDA seeks public feedback on 5G plans before 2020 rollout

Key consultation areas include allocation to mobile network operators and baseline regulatory requirements.

Luxury fashion startup BlinQ banks on AR tech to revolutionise retail

Users can virtually try out clothes on its platform through the use of digital cameras.

Singapore earned $1.3b from casino entrance fees since 2010

The proceeds will be used to fund social and community programmes.

US approval for smokeless cigarette device could boost Venture's earnings: analyst

Venture may manufacture 12 million 1QOS devices for Philip Morris by 2020. Venture Corporation could bank on the US market for growth opportunities after the Food and Drug Authority’s (FDA) approved the sale of I-Quit-Ordinary-Smoking (iQOS) device, which tobacco giant Philip Morris International (PMI) plans to start selling by June. The IQOS smokeless cigarette device that Venture creates for PMI made up about 25% of 2017 revenue and 40% of gross profit. By 2020, a base case scenario assumes that Venture would manufacture 12 million iQOS devices, according to UOB Kay Hian. “Every additional 1 million devices could increase Venture’s 2020F net profit by $7.3m, or 1.8% of 2020F net profit. To recap, we estimate Venture sold around 12m iQOS devices in 2018,” according to UOBKH analysts John Cheong and Joohijit Kaur. PMI commented that the FDA approval is an important step thatoffer a smoke-free alternative for around 40 million American smokers, which makes the US a huge market for the product. However, analysts warned of potential competition from early birds. “Despite the huge addressable market, we note that Juul, a vaporised e-cigarette, has already started selling in the US since 2015 and commanded more than 70% market share as of 2018,” the analysts said in a report. Also read: Venture Corporation profits grew 8.6% to $90.87m in Q1 As one of the iQOS device manufacturers, analysts think that Venture could benefit from more demand for the device. “However, we think the impact on Venture’s 2019 earnings could be muted as iQOS sales could initially be drawn from old inventories and the device could have been built by Venture earlier.” Venture Corporation’s profits jumped 8.6% YoY to $90.87m in Q1 2019 from $83.67m. Its revenue was also up 8.5% YoY from $856.01m to $928.75m.

OCBC develops paper-lite trade finance platform to combat forgers

The move is part of its goal to grow its trade finance business which saw revenue growth of 20%.

Hyflux slapped with $78.68 claim from BNP Paribas

The French bank is claiming the sum over a performance bond issued to Hyflux’s associate firm Tahlyat Myah Magtaa (TMM).

SingPost's profits plunged 86% to $18.96m in FY2018/2019

It blamed the one-off $98.7m impairment charges from its US businesses.