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

1. Singapore seen sticking with tight monetary policy

Singapore's central bank is expected to stick with a tight monetary policy stance to guard against inflationary pressures, while the economy probably maintained a solid pace of year-on-year growth in the first quarter.

Forecasts from 12 analysts showed that they all expect the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to keep unchanged its stance of allowing a "modest and gradual" appreciation of the Singapore dollar.

2. Emerging markets growth falls for 4th straight month

Business activity across emerging markets fell for the fourth straight month in March, with output contracting in three of the four biggest economies, a survey showed on Friday.

HSBC's composite emerging markets index of manufacturing and services purchasing managers' surveys slipped to 50.3 from 51.1 in February, teetering on the 50 threshold that marks the difference between expansion and contraction.

The index is under the 2013 average of 51.7 and the long-run level of 54.0, as output contracted in three of the four biggest emerging economies, China, India and Russia.

3. Blumont given more time to find replacement director

Singapore-listed mining firm Blumont Group has been given more time by the Singapore Exchange to appoint a replacement director and audit committee member, said the firm on Friday. It now has up to April 17 to do so.

Blumont has to replace Ms Ng Su Ling, who resigned as an independent director and audit committee member on Nov 18 last year.

Money Matters is The Straits Times Money Desk's new series of online business news exclusives.