Bizview: Today's top business news

Singapore market up as China takes a break, regional markets show mixed sentiment

With Wall Street having rebounded overnight and Shanghai markets shut for a holiday, Singapore stocks enjoyed a respite from recent sell-offs to end almost 1 per cent higher on Thursday. Shares in New York rose almost 2 per cent on Wednesday on bargain-hunting, despite persistent concerns about slowing global growth.

"Most affordable EC in 2015" opens for e-applications on polling day

Signature at Yishun, whose developers are touting as "the most affordable executive condominium (EC) in 2015", will start accepting online applications on Sept 11, the same day that Singapore goes to the polls for the General Election.

Noble Group hires senior traders to expand Singapore oil team

Embattled commodity merchant Noble Group is expanding its Singapore oil team to focus on growing regional demand despite a price rout that has hurt some companies trading crude oil and refined products. Noble, one of Asia's biggest commodity traders, is expanding its oil desk even as it remains under pressure from a dispute that started when little-known Iceberg Research accused it of inflating its asset values.

Slight improvement in Singapore business conditions but outlook remains cloudy

Companies experienced a marginal improvement in operating conditions in August, according to the Nikkei Singapore purchasing managers' index (PMI) released on Thursday (Sept 3). The headline PMI was at 50.8 in August, below July's 51.3 reading. A reading above 50 implies expansion.

Citibank names new head of retail banking for Singapore

Citibank Singapore has named Charles Wong its new retail banking head for the Republic, effective immediately. Mr Wong, who was previously the regional head of Citibanking, Citi@ Work and global banking, will now be responsible for Citibank's retail banking business in Singapore and will have oversight of wealth management, bancassurance, sales and network distribution.

Del Monte Pacific pares Q1 loss, enjoys significant Ebitda growth

Mainboard-listed Del Monte Pacific pared its net loss to US$12 million (S$17 million) from US$21.9 million in the first quarter. The Philippines-based company achieved a 6 per cent rise in sales to US$472.8 million for the three months to July 31.

Ringgit falls on concern data on Friday to show further reserve depletion

The ringgit extended the week's losses on concern the erosion of Malaysia's foreign-exchange reserves will further hurt investor sentiment in an economy reeling from falling oil prices and a political scandal.

Indonesia plans almost S$1.37b in Islamic bonds for infrastructure projects to kickstart economy

Indonesia will double sales of project Islamic bonds next year as it seeks to kickstart a slowing economy with spending on roads, ports and power plants. Some 13.7 trillion rupiah (S$1.37 billion) of Shariah- compliant sovereign debt tied to particular ventures will be offered, up from 7.14 trillion in 2015, Finance Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro said Aug 25.

Toshiba to post annual net loss of about 10b yen: Report

Japan's Toshiba Corp is likely to post a net loss of about 10 billion yen (S$120 million) when it reports its financial 2014/15 earnings as early as this week, the Yomiuri daily reported on Thursday (Sept 3), amid a probe into improper accounting at the company.

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