Regional volatility casts shadow on local stocks, STI down 42 points
Local equities on Monday caved amid continued volatility in the region, following China's surprise move last week to devalue its currency. The benchmark Straits Times Index (STI) fell 41.58 points, or 1.34 per cent, to 3,072.67.
Singapore July non-oil domestic exports dip 0.8% but exceeds forecasts
Singapore's non-oil domestic exports (NODX) in July shrank 0.8 per cent from the same month a year ago, as a drop in non-electronic shipments, particularly of ships and boats, outweighed the rise in electronic exports. But the figure released by International Enterprise (IE) Singapore on Monday (Aug 17) was better than the 2.1 per cent decine in a median forecast of 10 economists in a Reuters poll.
mm2 Asia to acquire two Cathay cineplex businesses in Malaysia
Catalist-listed entertainment group mm2 Asia said on Monday (Aug 17) that it has signed a deal with Cathay Cineplexes Sdn Bhd to acquire its business operations at two locations in Malaysia for RM40 million (S$13.8 million). The two locations are Cathay Cineplex Damansara at e@Curve in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, and Cathay Cineplex City Square at Johor Bahru City Square.
SGX issues trade with caution on Mercator Lines
The Singapore Exchange warned investors on Monday (Aug 17) to exercise caution in the trading of Mercator Lines (Singapore) shares. The exchange had asked the Indian-owned dry bulk shipping company last Friday to explain a "substantial increase" in the traded volume of its shares on August 13 and 14 this year.
Singapore monetary policy caught between rock and hard place, say analysts
Singapore is caught between a rock and a hard place: easing its exchange rate-based monetary policy would strengthen its export competitiveness after China's devaluation of its yuan but may drive out capital and raise borrowing costs in a slow economy. k1 Ventures proposes cash distribution to shareholders to reduce capital
High Park Residences buys lift July new private home sales to highest in two years
The launch of High Park Residences last month sent new private home sales soaring to the highest in over two years. Developers moved 1,594 new private homes last month, over four times the 375 new homes sold in June, according to figures released on Monday (Aug 17) by the Urban Redevelopment Authority.
SIA's Indian carrier resorts to 'buy one, get one free offer' in tough market
Singapore Airlines' premium Indian carrier Vistara has resorted to free tickets as intense competition and low fares add to the task of wooing passengers. Vistara, jointly owned by Singapore Airlines and Tata Sons Ltd., filled about 59 per cent of seats on average in the first half of 2015, government data show.
Thai GDP growth slowed in Q2, with yuan denting outlook
Thailand's economic growth slowed in the second quarter, as improving government spending and tourism failed to counter weak local demand and exports.
Japan's Q2 GDP shrinks 1.6%, first slump since recession in 2014
Japan's economy shrank at an annualised pace of 1.6 per cent in April-June as exports slumped and consumers cut back on spending, a bad omen for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's policy drive to lift the economy out of decades of deflation.
