SINGAPORE - Catch up on the morning's top business headlines in Singapore with The Straits Times Money Desk's daily update.

1. Ascott Reit buys first property in Kuala Lumpur, expands in China. The Reit will acquire the 207-unit Somerset Ampang Kuala Lumpur for $67.4 million, the 249-unit Citadines Zhuankou Wuhan for $51.4 million and the 251-unit Citadines Gaoxin Xi'an for $55.1 million.

2. Q&M plans to open more branches, make more acquisitions in Asia. The Singapore-listed dental group said it will partner trade promotion agency IE Singapore for its regional expansion plans, which will include both acquisitions and joint ventures.

3. Row of shops next to HDB Hub in Toa Payoh Central up for sale. The properties currently house tenants such as Watsons, Hang Ten, Starhub and Hock Hua and have a total strata area of about 5,780 sq ft, marketing agent Savills said in a press release on Monday.