For years, the investment narrative surrounding Singapore’s banks has largely revolved around interest rates, loan growth and dividend yields. But another structural trend is quietly emerging—one that could reshape how banks such as OCBC generate future earnings. As Chinese technology companies increasingly expand beyond their domestic market, Southeast Asia has become one of their preferred
For years, investors viewed Singtel primarily as a telecommunications company known for steady dividends and mature cash flows. That perception may soon need to change. Singtel is exploring a potential dual listing of its data centre business, Nxera, on both Nasdaq and the Singapore Exchange (SGX), alongside the possibility of launching a dedicated data centre
For years, Singapore’s private residential market appeared almost unstoppable. Prices continued climbing, demand remained resilient and many homeowners enjoyed sizeable capital gains. However, recent data shows an interesting shift. The proportion of private homes being resold at a loss has risen to its highest level in four years. At first glance, that may appear alarming.
A decade ago, few shoppers would have expected a visit to the mall to include a physiotherapy session, a health screening, a fitness class or a consultation at a longevity clinic. Today, these experiences are becoming increasingly common. Across Singapore, shopping centres are evolving beyond their traditional role as places to buy goods. Increasingly, they
South Korea’s latest interest rate hike was widely viewed as a response to stronger economic growth and rising inflation. But another objective received far less attention: defending the Korean won. The won has weakened against the US dollar despite improving economic fundamentals, reflecting the continued strength of the greenback and shifting global capital flows. For
Singapore’s largest retail real estate investment trusts (REITs) are spending hundreds of millions of dollars on shopping mall upgrades at a time when interest rates remain elevated, financing costs are higher than they were just a few years ago and investors continue to scrutinise distribution growth. At first glance, the strategy appears counterintuitive. REITs were
At first glance, Keppel’s latest earnings looked disappointing. The company reported a 59% decline in first-half net profit, sending its shares lower as investors reacted to the headline figure. But seasoned investors know that earnings releases often tell two stories. The first is the number printed in the income statement. The second—and often more important—is
Should Investors Buy Keppel Stock? Why a 59% Profit Drop May Not Tell the Whole Story Read More »
For many Singaporeans, the phrase “million-dollar HDB flat” immediately raises concerns about affordability. How can a public housing flat cost more than S$1 million? Who is buying these homes? Are ordinary Singaporeans being priced out? The answers are more nuanced than the headline price suggests. While a S$1 million resale flat undoubtedly represents the upper
Who Can Really Afford a Million-Dollar HDB Flat? The Numbers Tell a Different Story Read More »
South Korea’s recent interest rate hike tells an important story about inflation and monetary policy. But beneath that decision lies a far bigger economic transformation—one driven by semiconductors. The Bank of Korea cited stronger-than-expected economic growth as one reason for tightening monetary policy. Much of that strength stems from a surge in semiconductor exports, fuelled
The Semiconductor Boom Is Reshaping Asia’s Economy – Can It Last? Read More »
Singapore’s construction sector is enjoying a resurgence that few investors could have predicted just a few years ago. After years of pandemic-related disruptions and supply chain challenges, the industry has re-emerged as one of the country’s fastest-growing economic sectors. The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) expects between S$47 billion and S$53 billion in construction demand