1 Caterpillar, a bellwether stock of US economic activity, signalled that the key industries it serves look weak.

The news also comes on the back of Apple's disappointing earnings earlier this week.

2 The Indonesian rupiah and Malaysian ringgit declined yesterday, raising concerns about the health of their economies. The rupiah fell about 0.2 per cent to 13,395 per US dollar, its weakest since August 1998. The ringgit fell to 3.8055 against the greenback.

3 Sheng Siong Group reported a 23.1 per cent year-on-year increase in net profit to S$13.6 million for the quarter ended June 30 as its boss Lim Hock Chee moved higher up the Forbes rich list of Singaporeans.

4 The weakness in oil prices and commodities is putting further pressure on Noble Group, which is already battling criticism over its accounting policies. Noble shares fell to 60.5 cents at one point yesterday, their lowest since 2008.

5 Frasers Commercial Trust is launching a private placement of 84 million units at a price of between $1.46 and $1.48 per unit to fund the acquisition of 357 Collins Street, Melbourne. The placement may be increased by a further 12 million units.