News
ESR-REIT JV to buy logistics property for $225m
ESR-REIT JV to buy logistics property for $225m
The site will serve as Poh Tiong Choon Logistics’ corporate headquarters.
MAS slaps three-year prohibition orders against former UBS banker
Paris Michele was discovered to have falsified company emails and forged documents.
Hyflux in talks with another potential white knight from China
The potential investor is said to be a subsidiary of a state-owned enterprise that provides power services.
Banks step up buyback spree to rescue share price
Most of the buybacks by DBS were done in May, when the share price fell 14%. Singapore banks’ share buybacks have picked up steam in 2019. A Maybank Kim Eng report noted that DBS and OCBC have bought back more shares YTD and much earlier than they did last year. Maybank KE analyst Thilan Wickramasinghe expounded that DBS has bought back 25% YTD of the volume it bought in 2018. “Importantly, this was mostly done in May 2019, when its share price fell 14%. Historically, DBS was most active buying back shares in Q3/Q4,” the analyst said. Meanwhile, OCBC has bought back 60% of the volume it bought in 2018 and much earlier, the analyst added, noting that the DBS and OCBC buybacks in Q2 2019 are equivalent to 55% and 53%, respectively, of their treasury shares balances. Also read: Singapore's big banks are on a buying spree as share buybacks hit $116.5m
NODX dropped 15.9% in May
Electronic exports contracted 31.4% YoY.
Daily Briefing: Sentosa Cove property prices fell to record low $1,367 psf; Full floor plate at Springleaf Tower up for sale at $27.2m
And 25-year-old Great Singapore Sale will kick off by 21 June. From Property Guru:
Daily Markets Briefing: STI up 0.06%
UOB led the gains at 0.97%.
Chart of the Day: Employees on short work-week more than doubled to 900 in Q1
Four in five were from the manufacturing sector. This chart from the Ministry of Manpower (MoM) shows that employees on short work-week more than doubled (143%) MoM to 900 in Q1 2019 from 370 in Q4 2018.
Retrenchments grew to 3,230 in Q1 over manufacturing cutbacks
High costs and industry downturn prompted more retrenchments.
Civil servants to receive 0.45 month mid-year bonus in July
Around 1,400 civil servants will also benefit from a higher one-off lump sum payment.
Here's why ThaiBev's turnaround may already be in the works
A rebound in beer consumption and retail sales bodes well for the second largest Thai beer player.
How can CapitaLand Retail China Trust fund its $589.2m mall acquisition?
A private placement paired with preferential offering could boost its DPU, an analyst said.
SATS eyes over $1b in capex and investments from FY20-22
This means that SATS may shell out $333m annually on average during the three-year period.
Faster immigration clearance for British travellers in Singapore launched
Enrolment for the Frequent Traveller Programme is free.
Singtel unit unveils EUR500m fixed rate notes due 2029 at 1%
Singtel Optus will utilise the funds for general corporate purposes. Singtel subsidiary Singtel Optus priced its EUR500m ($770.82m) 10 year fixed-rate notes at 1% per annum and for maturity on 20 June 2029, an announcement revealed. Under the Optus Finance EUR3b ($4.62b), the issued notes are guaranteed by Optus and certain subsidiaries. “This issue is part of Optus’ long-term financing strategy, extends the maturity profile of Optus’ debt as well as adding diversity to its debt structure,” Singtel said in a filing, noting that Optus will utilise the funds for general corporate purposes. Citigroup Global Markets, HSBC Bank and Merrill Lynch International acted as joint lead managers and bookrunners for the notes which will be issued on 20 June.
Singapore's healthcare expenditure to hit US$24.6b by 2020
Private healthcare allowances are tipped to grow at a 8.3% CAGR between 2016-2020.
IPOS rolls out insurance for intellectual property rights holders
It aims to cover legal expenses incurred in IP infringement proceedings worldwide.
Commentary
The agility trap: Why most Singaporean businesses are structured for stability, not speed
Building a Southern Malaysia supply chain ecosystem for Singapore’s advanced manufacturing
Failed talks, rising costs: Why Singapore still feels the shock of Middle East tensions
How Singapore consumer brands can build strong supply chains amidst rising input costs
Singapore’s AI ambitions will rise or fall on infrastructure
Why a clear digital roadmap is essential for business success
Singapore’s port model is under pressure as shipping disruptions reshape trade
The trust tax: Navigating the ‘sophistication shift’ in Singapore’s digital economy
Conflict, costs, and construction: Where can margins still be saved?
Singapore’s SMEs are embracing AI, cybersecurity must keep up.