Bizview: Today's top business news

A file photo of people shopping at a supermarket in Singapore. PHOTO: SPH

Singapore consumer prices fall for 14th straight month and 0.5% for 2015

Singapore's all-items consumer price index fell as expected for the 14th straight month in December, but the pace of decline eased slightly mainly due to a stronger pickup in the cost of petrol and overall price of services. The 0.6 per cent year-on-year dip in CPI was less than the 0.8 per cent decline seen in November and the 0.7 per cent fall forecast by economists in a Reuters poll.

MTI's Lee Ark Boon appointed IE Singapore CEO

Mr Lee Ark Boon, currently the deputy secretary (Trade) of the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), will be International Enterprise (IE) Singapore's new chief executive officer (CEO). Mr Lee's appointment as trade agency chief takes effect from Feb 1, MTI announced on Monday (Jan 25).

Foreign worker levy to stay, Government to continue building Singaporean core: Teo Ser Luck

This year will be one of low growth - as economic forecasts have indicated - and some sectors will be affected more than others, said Mr Teo Ser Luck, Minister of State for Manpower on Monday (Jan 25).

SGX seeking to break LNG's reliance on oil as pricing peg with the Singapore SLInG

Singapore Exchange wants to break the liquefied natural gas market's reliance on oil as a pricing peg as the city-state seeks to solidify its role as Asia's energy trading hub. SGX plans to launch on Monday (Jan 25) futures and swaps linked to its index of spot prices for LNG traded in Asia.

Brokers' Call: Keppel consolidates asset management businesses

Keppel Corporation announced on Monday morning (Jan 25) that it plans to consolidate its interests in four asset management businesses under a wholly-owned subsidiary, Keppel Capital Holdings.

China business confidence, recruitment hit record lows in January: Survey

China's business confidence and recruitment activity slipped to record lows in January, a survey showed, adding to signs of weakness in the world's second-largest economy that could prod policymakers to roll out more support measures.

Crude extends gains after surge on short-covering, freezing weather on US east coast

Crude oil futures extended gains on Monday (Jan 25) following a surge at the end of last week on short-covering and fuel demand triggered by freezing weather in parts of the northern hemisphere. Oil prices soared 10 per cent on Friday, one of the biggest daily rallies ever, as bearish traders who had taken out record short positions scrambled to close them, betting the market's long rout may finally be over.

Japan exports tumble most in 3 years as China downturn bites

Japan's exports fell the most in more than three years in December from a year earlier, stoking fears of economic contraction in the final quarter of 2015 as a slowdown in China and emerging markets takes its toll on the export-reliant economy.

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