Singapore private home prices are Asia's second-worst performers

Singapore posted the second-highest drop in private home prices among Asian countries in the last quarter, coming behind only China, according to Knight Frank's Global House Price Index. Released on Friday (Sept 4), the report shows that private home prices in Singapore fell by 3.2 per cent in the April-June quarter from the same period a year ago. Prices in China fell by 6 per cent.

Shares of new STI component stocks UOL, Yangzijiang Shipbuilding and Sats surge

Shares of property giant UOL Group, shipbuilder Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Holdings and engineering firm Sats surged on Friday (Sept 4) on news that they will replace two Jardine companies and Olam International as constituents of the Straits Times Index (STI). The change, which comes after an semi-annual review, will take effect from Sept 21.

Genting HK gets nod from regulator to raise stake in Aussie casino group

Mainboard-listed Genting Hong Kong (HK) said on Friday (Sept 4) that it has received approval from one of two Australian regulatory authorities to raise its stake in Echo Entertainment Group above 10 per cent. The New South Wales Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority gave its consent on Sept 3 for Genting HK to increase its shareholding in Brisbane-based Echo above 10 per cent, but not more than 23 per cent without further approval.

Malaysia's July exports rise 3.5% on year, better than forecast

Malaysia saw exports in July increase 3.5 per cent from a year earlier as demand for electrical and electronic goods surged, government data showed on Friday (Sept 4). According to the median forecast from a Reuters poll, economists had forecast exports would rise 3.2 per cent on the back of a weakening ringgit currency, although individual estimates varied.

Aussie dollar falls to fresh 6-1/2-yr low, set for another sorry week

The Australian dollar plumbed a fresh 6-1/2-year low on Friday (Sept 4) as renewed worries about global growth encouraged more selling by investors who were already deeply bearish, in turn dragging the New Zealand dollar lower.

Forget selfies: Sony sees next big hit at 1,000 photos a second

Sony built a dominant position in image sensors by helping people take high-quality photos with smartphones. Now, the company is focusing on sensors that take photos at least 10 times faster than the human eye can see.