1. The British building industry shrank more than estimated in the fourth quarter. Construction output fell 0.4 per cent instead of the estimated 0.1 per cent.

2. The South African government is considering imposing a ban on foreign nationals owning land, President Jacob Zuma said yesterday. But they could be allowed to enter into long leases instead.

3. Cordlife posted a $9.5 million profit in the three months to Dec 31, a turnaround from a $3.3 million loss a year ago. Revenue was also up 2 per cent to $14.5 million, while net asset value stood at 49.06 cents as at Dec 31.

4. Crane rental firm Tat Hong Holdings posted a loss of $6.7 million for the three months to Dec 31. Revenue fell 19 per cent to $124.8 million compared with the same quarter a year ago.

5. GlaxoSmithKline was fined £37.6 million (S$76 million) by Britain's antitrust watchdog over deals that delayed sales of cheaper generic versions of the anti-depressant drug paroxetine.