The Edge Singapore
SON OF THE SOIL
Soilbuild Construction Group is not your regular bricks-and-mortar construction business. CEO Lim Han Ren has introduced AI and new technologies and processes. He is also considering a spin-off of its precast and prefab business to capitalise on...
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MAPLETREE’S SILVER JUBILEE
Mapletree Investments, established in December 2000 to hold the non-port properties transferred from PSA Corp to Temasek, celebrated its 25th anniversary last month. Group CEO Hiew Yoon Khong discusses the real estate giant’s four focus sectors today...
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• Is delisting wave at peak following market review moves?
Up till early this year, Singapore’s equity market went through a stark shrinkage. There was a clear trend of delistings outpacing new listings on the Singapore Exchange (SGX), as controlling shareholders of companies lost patience with the valuations...
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COAL COMFORT
Old King Coal may have fallen out of favour in the energy playbook but its demand continues to hit new highs as costlier renewable substitutes take more time to replace the fossil fuel. Find out how this revival has attracted Indonesia-based coal miner...
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NEXT GIANT LEAP
The space economy is expected to hit US$1.8 trillion by 2035, powered by greater connectivity via satellites and rising demand for positioning and navigation services on mobile phones. Besides SpaceX and Blue Origin, which Singapore companies are...
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DIGITALISATION DRIVE IN CLARITY
CapitaLand Ascendas REIT (CLAR) owns 231 properties valued at $17.7 bil, spanning sectors from life sciences and logistics to industrial and data centres. William Tay, CEO of CLAR’s manager, says the portfolio is geared towards assets driving the...
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Crossing the trillion-dollar mark
Some thought UBS’s wealth management business would shrink following the headline-grabbing integration with former rival Credit Suisse last year. Instead, the pool of wealth entrusted to the bank in Asia Pacific surged to more than US$1 trillion...
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• Retail shop at Golden Mile Tower up for auction at $8 mil
Aretail shop at Golden Mile Tower is up on the auction block at ETC’s upcoming property auction on Nov 26. The property, comprising two strata retail units, has a guide price of $8 million. This works out to around $2,142 psf on its combined strata...
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LHN: From master leases to market listing
LHN’s co-living division Coliwoo has raised $101 million from a Mainboard listing. Most of the proceeds will be set aside for expansion and asset enhancement of its co-living properties at locations such as the historic Bukit Timah Fire Station. What...
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• Trendlines eyes exits to bridge valuation gap after fundraise
For many shareholder-pleasing companies listed here, their priority is on recurring income and dividends. Trendlines Group sticks out in more ways than one. The Israel-based investment firm in agrifood and medical technologies was listed here around a...
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Resource for recourse
The Monetary Authority of Singapore announced in July that it will consult on proposals to strengthen investor protection, even suggesting a grant to fund lawsuits over market misconduct. Local lawyers say investors are likely to benefit but urge...
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Frencken gears up for the next wave
President and executive director Dennis Au shares how the manufacturer is banking on its decades-long relationship with global customers to mitigate the effects of the trade war, while building a $63 mil Kaki Bukit facility to consolidate its...
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Fourth quarter of high expectations
As the Singapore market enters the last quarter of the year, the level of bullishness is hitting new highs, thanks to market revival measures and the city-state’s emerging status as a safe and liquid haven. Analysts give their take on which stocks are...
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• Local author Jemimah Wei on characters in her debut novel
The Asian education system, as most will agree, is full of highs and lows. Students stumble as they balance academic excellence, extracurricular activities and a social life, all the while trying to figure out who they are. The delicate teenage years...
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Currency woes: Loss in Translation
On Sept 17, the US Federal Reserve announced a 25 basis point (bp) cut in the Federal Funds Rate (FFR) for the first time this year. The Fed statement noted: “Recent indicators suggest that growth of economic activity moderated in the first half of the...
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JEWELS OF THAKRAL’S CROWN
Thakral’s recent IPO spin-off of retirement resort operator GemLife unlocked shareholder value and freed up balance-sheet headroom even as it builds up its other businesses involving drones, beauty products and property investment across multiple...
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A winning portfolio, home and away
Investors consider Singapore a safe haven and many property funds are looking for opportunities here. CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust is likely one of the best proxies for those seeking exposure to the city-state’s retail and office markets,...
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Yangzijiang’s new float
Yangzijiang Financial is spinning off its maritime investment business to elevate its potential and unlock shareholder value. The new entity, Yangzijiang Maritime Development, will be headed by Ren Yuanlin (left), with Liu Hua succeeding him as...
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Prescription for growth
Dr Prem Kumar Nair, as a young doctor, was running a clinic inside Times House, the former newsroom for several key newspaper titles. In between doling out prescriptions and signing off on MCs, he would catch up with some of his patients on the news of...
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ASEAN PROMISE
The strength and resilience of intra-Asean trade and the US$225 bil in foreign direct investments last year that fuelled its growing affluence are reasons for Maybank’s President and Group CEO Khairussaleh Ramli to grow its business in the...
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SG60: SHINE LIKE A DIAMOND
Thanks to the complementary efforts of both government-linked and private companies not afraid to transform and adapt, Singapore is celebrating its 60th year of independence in style. However, the world is becoming a more dangerous place. While stars...
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Avanda to focus on value champs, turnaround gems
Avanda Investment Management is one of three asset managers chosen to launch fund strategies under the $5 bil Equity Market Development Programme. Co-founder Ng Kok Song says his team of managers will seek to discover local stocks in the small- and...
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• Upper Cross Street shophouses The Platinum for $55 mil
Homegrown turn-key operator Cover Projects has unveiled its largest service apartment project to date, The Initial Sama, at 26 Evans Road. With its name derived from the Sanskrit word sama, meaning “balanced” or “well-maintained”, the 92-unit serviced...
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• Singapore’s luxe watch retail scene ticks on despite volatility
Singapore has long been seen as Asia’s horological hub, a status grounded in history and upheld by a discerning market of collectors, retailers and enthusiasts. From its early days supplying Swiss timepieces to colonial administrators and affluent...
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Detached house at 3 Merino Crescent for sale at $16.888 mil
From the exterior, the detached house at 3 Merino Crescent in Shepherd’s Hill Estate resembles a modernist boutique apartment building. Developed by FRX Capital, the freehold property sits on a 5,155 sq ft site and spans five storeys, with a total...
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• Plaza Premium Lounge lands in Senai International Airport
Travellers flying in and out of Johor Bahru now have a new reason to arrive early at the airport. Plaza Premium Group (PPG) has opened the Plaza Premium Lounge at Senai International Airport (JHB), setting a new standard for comfort, convenience and...
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Defensive hedge
In a volatile world economy buffeted by a tariff war, stocks in the healthcare sector are favoured among investors for their defensive nature. One of them is homegrown Raffles Medical Group, which offers consistent financial performance and a long-term...
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• Tech alone won’t save you — it takes vision and execution
With recent breakthroughs in artificial intelligence (AI) pushing the technology into mainstream awareness — everywhere, all at once — one question looms large: What defines a true digital or AI success story? The importance of this question is...
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Growing beyond Phillip Street
In its 50th year, Phillip Capital is a full-fledged global integrated financial services provider, offering everything from investment advisory services to corporate fundraising from the US to Cambodia. Founder and executive chairman Lim Hua Min...
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TESTING TIMES
In a world where the semiconductor stage has come to boast rockstar Asian-American CEOs like Jensen Huang of Nvidia Corp and Lisa Su of AMD, Amy Leong of AEM Holdings exudes a more reserved image despite being cut from a similar cloth. Leong, who...
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RELIGHT MY FIRE
From humble hawker stalls and kopitiams to Michelin-star restaurants, F&B operators are struggling to stay afloat, burdened by rising rents, staff shortages and intensifying competition. Last year, 3,047 F&B businesses closed — the highest number since...
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RETHINKING GROWTH AND VALUE
Real asset manager CapitaLand Investment measures growth based on its funds and assets under management. It acquired a stake in the manager of a Japanese REIT and started its first onshore acquisition fund in China. Now, it is eyeing the potential...
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An ally in adversity
Now in its 70th year, YCH Group, Singapore’s largest privately held logistics and supply chain company, sees the US’s tariffs as an opportunity to support its clients as they pivot their supply chains across Asia. Executive chairman Robert Yap says...
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Hi-P plots an IPO comeback
When the universal tariffs were announced by US President Donald Trump, manufacturers across Asia watched with consternation as the trade war that was primarily aimed at China widened. By slapping significant tariffs on other economies such as Vietnam...
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PRIMED FOR RETAIL
Interest from retail investors in tapping private markets has been growing and experienced industry players are offering private market funds for investment. Soon, more money may pour into such funds under a new framework that the Monetary Authority of...
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HOME TEAM ADVANTAGE
Family businesses form the backbone of Asia’s economies, yet their future beyond the next generation is not always certain. According to KPMG’s 2023 report The future of family businesses in Asia-Pacific”, family businesses account for 60% of listed...
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LIQUIDITY PREFERENCE
If James Leong had his way, buying and selling shares in Singapore would be much cheaper than what it is now, more companies listed here would have larger free floats, and legitimate market making would be customary across the bourse. If these were all...
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TRADING PUNCHES
US President Donald Trump fired off the first shot of the global trade war by slapping tariffs on allies and foes alike before making a dramatic U-turn the day they came into effect. However, the damage has been done and there was no reprieve for China...
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• Deep Space 9: Hyundai Ioniq 9 shows off its space and pace
Uber luxe, uber-sized, and uberspec MPVs are all the rage now, but they are a little too Uber Black to us, especially with airport transfer fleets using identical vehicles. So, if it is intended for personal use, some might prefer something less...
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INVESTING IN WAR
In this new world order, countries are compelled to beef up their arsenals with not just hightech weaponry such as 4G fighters and stealth combat ships, but also missiles and shells of various kinds. As a result, defence stocks around the world have...
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• What you need to level up your cocktail game at home
Entertaining at home is a devastatingly multilayered affair. From making sure the food is tweaked to suit all preferences and restrictions, to ensuring everyone is kept engaged, the host is typically left drained by the end of the night. One aspect...
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China’s game plan for economic revival
Amid a property market slump, slowing economic growth and a trade war with the US, China has pledged to boost spending to spur consumption, entrepreneurship and the adoption of AI and tech. How can investors seek exposure to Chinese stocks that stand...
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PILLAR OF STRENGTH AND SUPPORT
Singapore's construction sector is poised for significant growth in the medium term, with projections ranging from $39 billion to $46 billion annually from 2026 to 2029. With this coming at a time when the overall economy is slowing, investors are...
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City Developments at a crossroads
An ‘attempted coup’ at City Developments seemed to have paused for now. What might have driven this public spat between executive chairman Kwek Leng Beng and his son and group CEO Sherman Kwek? How should investors view the way property firms are...
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• Strong start to 2025 with 1,083 new homes sold in January
Developers sold a total of 1,083 new private homes, excluding executive condos (ECs), in January, according to URA data published on Feb 17. This represents a 433.5% rebound from the 203 units sold in December 2024. Including ECs, new home sales surged...
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Democratising private equity, the Azalea way
Private equity or PE funds are a growing asset class. Retail investors can gain indirect exposure to PE funds through SGX-listed Astrea PE bonds by Azalea Asset Management. Chue En Yaw, CIO and incoming CEO of Azalea, explains the firm’s investment...
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ParkTown Residence sets tone as first mega-development of 2025
Featuring 1,193 apartments across 12 blocks, units at ParkTown Residence will be priced from $2,135 psf. The first integrated development with a transport hub in Tampines includes a retail mall with up to 120 stores, a hawker centre, community club and...
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GLOBAL HOT SHOTS
There is an investing saying that goes: “Time in the market beats timing the market.” This saying implies that passive investing is likely to be superior to active investing over the longer future. A good example would be how benchmark indices such as...
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• Arnold Palmer’s Coachella Valley golf resort home for US$5 mil
Afew years after golf legend Arnold Palmer died in 2016, Louise Bellisimo was chatting with her friend Kit, Palmer’s second wife. Bellisimo lives in Newport Beach, California, and remembered that Kit had a house at the famed Tradition Golf Club in La...
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Better market clarity later this year, says OCBC’s Menon
With Donald Trump swearing in for his second time as the President of the United States of America, markets ought to brace for a “tricky” first half of the year as investors go through a “period of discovery” while coming to terms with what Trump and...
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• Quest for culinary sanctuary leads to book on famous kitchens
Ilove books, but few things captivate me more than literature on food and cooking, no matter the country, culture, or historical context. A few sleepless nights earlier this year, spent seeking inspiration for my home renovations — starting with the...
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HOW TO HOLD FAST IN THE TURBULENCE
Singapore is set to face enormous challenges in the coming years. Some of the prerequisites for its well-being — a peaceful world, free trade and continued globalisation — will be at risk. Can the city-state navigate these treacherous waters and...
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• OSIM’s Lynn Tan shares how to use tech for home wellness
Self-care has certainly undergone a major revolution in recent years. The hybrid-work era, in particular, has changed how we approach relaxation; rather than scheduling one big trip to the spa, we’re now looking at “micro-acts” of self-care that take...
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Reallocating to Asia: A smart move for real estate investors?
Global real estate returns turned positive in 2Q2024 after two years of cumulative losses, hinting at a budding recovery. During the era of low interest rates, real estate values soared, with global total returns reaching 5.0% q-o-q in 4Q2021 and 17.8%...
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• Four-bedder at freehold Gallop Gables reaches $2,299 psf
Freehold condo Gallop Gables topped the list of condos that saw new psf-price highs between Nov 19 and Nov 22. The latest high of $2,299 psf came from a 2,669 sq ft four-bedroom on the second floor that changed hands for $6.14 million on Nov 20. The...
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BANGKOK BOUNTY
One Bangkok, a decade in the making, the largest development in the city and possibly all of Southeast Asia, opened on Oct 25. Two out of five office towers are operational. Committed occupancies for operational spaces are 55% for both office towers...
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Will growing friendliness between crypto and regulators push Bitcoin to US$100,000 by yearend?
Bitcoin, which has rallied over 115% year-to-date, is enjoying a triumphant year — following the approval of the Spot Bitcoin ETF in January, which saw prices breach US$60,000 ($80,324) in early March, and crossing US$70,000 on March 8. Speculations...
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RIDING THE TRUMP BULL
Trump’s presidency is seen to keep interest rates high as fighting inflation is no longer the top priority. The share prices of Singapore’s three banks have surged to record levels accordingly. Is there more upside? Which other asset classes or markets...
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Meyer Mansion redefines coastal luxury with winning design
Luxury freehold Meyer Mansion seamlessly blends the elegance of seafront mansions in the past with modern luxury living, setting it apart as a high-end residential project in the Meyer Road enclave. The development’s excellent design has earned four...
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ENERGY ENIGMA
Energy demand is surging in the US as users pick up new artificial intelligence tools. Tech giants are signing deals to buy energy from nuclear energy players — even from projects that have yet to be built. As the world jostles for power, will...
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TOO LUXE TO FAIL?
Sales of luxury watches, bags and haute couture are reeling from rising interest rates, geopolitical tensions and weak conspicuous consumption. Is there value to be found in the stocks of luxury brands? Which leading brands can survive the doldrums and...
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• A fly-cruise Mediterranean holiday with Oasis of the Seas
With a whopping length of 1,187ft and a capacity of over 5,000 passengers, Oasis of the Seas is one of the largest cruise ships in the world. This behemoth ship has redefined the cruise industry with its sheer scale and innovation, along with an...
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BANYAN BOUNCES BACK
Laguna Phuket, with its six hospitality properties, was once a barren, polluted tin mine but has been transformed into a luxurious integrated resort on Thailand’s largest island, Phuket. Located on land previously devastated by decades of mining, the...
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FOREST CITY LOST & FOUND?
Malaysia is eager to revive the US$100 bil Forest City by making it a Special Financial Zone and offering incentives to attract global capital and businesses. So far, the plan seems to have gained the interest of crypto bros. Can the mega township...
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CAUSE AND EFFECT
Like most Singaporean couples who had just registered their marriage, John and his wife were looking to purchase their first home in mid-2023 when interest rates in the US were at a sky-high 5%. The Singapore Overnight Rate Average (Sora), the new...
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