去年多个地区零售租金下跌
多家郊区商场在去年陆续开业，为本地零售商场带来竞争，导致多个地区的零售租金下跌。
房地产咨询公司戴德梁行（DTZ）的数据显示，乌节路／史各士路一带的零售空间租金在去年下跌了0.3％，而其他市区的租金全年下跌多达0.9％。郊区的零售空间租金则下跌0.2％。
分层地契零售单位 去年交易量大减；料获更好支持。完整报道，请翻阅11.01.2014《联合早报》。
- See more at: http://news.omy.sg/News/Finance/Qu-Nian-Duo-Ge-Di-Qu-Ling-Shou-Zu-Jin-Xia-Die-233971#sthash.WYaPlFdR.dpuf
- wong chee tat :)
Showing posts with label competition. Show all posts
Showing posts with label competition. Show all posts
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Saturday, January 11, 2014
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Cybercrime victims in Singapore suffered highest losses per capita in world
Cybercrime victims in Singapore suffered highest losses per capita in world
Published on Oct 08, 2013
10:56 PM
By Hoe Pei Shan
Victims of cybercrime in Singapore suffered the highest losses per capita worldwide in the past 12 months, according to the 2013 Norton Report released Tuesday.
The annual cybercrime report found that the average direct cost per victim here was US$1,158 (S$1,448) - the highest country average of the 24 nations surveyed and four times the global average of US$287. It is also almost double that of last year's average cost per victim in Singapore which stood at US$657.
Another figure that has gone up is the combined direct financial losses in Singapore, which grew from an estimated US $944 million the year before to US$1 billion, on par with the total from the United Kingdom as a whole.
The results, gathered from a survey of more than 13,000 people globally, depict a growing cybercrime problem, with the total global direct cost of cybercrime up from $110 billion in 2012 to US$113 billion this year. Symantec, the American global computer security software corporation which released the report, attributed their findings to poor mobile security - nearly one-in-two don't take basic precautions such as using passwords, having security software or backing up files on their mobile device.
- See more at: http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/cybercrime-victims-singapore-suffered-highest-losses-capita-world-2013#sthash.2RzJn5DD.dpuf
- wong chee tat :)
Published on Oct 08, 2013
10:56 PM
By Hoe Pei Shan
Victims of cybercrime in Singapore suffered the highest losses per capita worldwide in the past 12 months, according to the 2013 Norton Report released Tuesday.
The annual cybercrime report found that the average direct cost per victim here was US$1,158 (S$1,448) - the highest country average of the 24 nations surveyed and four times the global average of US$287. It is also almost double that of last year's average cost per victim in Singapore which stood at US$657.
Another figure that has gone up is the combined direct financial losses in Singapore, which grew from an estimated US $944 million the year before to US$1 billion, on par with the total from the United Kingdom as a whole.
The results, gathered from a survey of more than 13,000 people globally, depict a growing cybercrime problem, with the total global direct cost of cybercrime up from $110 billion in 2012 to US$113 billion this year. Symantec, the American global computer security software corporation which released the report, attributed their findings to poor mobile security - nearly one-in-two don't take basic precautions such as using passwords, having security software or backing up files on their mobile device.
- See more at: http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/cybercrime-victims-singapore-suffered-highest-losses-capita-world-2013#sthash.2RzJn5DD.dpuf
- wong chee tat :)
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Only perfect students need apply for a place in Delhi University
Only perfect students need apply for a place in Delhi University
By Avneet Arora
POSTED: 02 Jul 2013 11:10 AM
Students applying for a place in India's prestigious Delhi University have always known it is difficult to get in, but no one expected that the qualifying grade would have to be an almost perfect score.
NEW DELHI: Gaining admission into India's top ranked Delhi University has never been easy. To even be considered for undergraduate courses, students need to score above 90 per cent for their 12th grade board exams.
This year, it has become even more difficult to get in, as the cut-off grade has reached almost 100 per cent.
It is not only the popular courses that are tough to get in -- even a newly introduced computer science course offered by one of Delhi University's lesser-known colleges has taken the competition to another level.
Rajesh, who is a parent, said: "The competition has become very tough. From the children, the pressure has come onto us also, because we know from the beginning that cut-offs are so high. And our children, even after studying so hard, aren't sure if they will get in."
Economics, commerce, English and journalism are among the most sought after courses -- only half a per cent of applicants, or at best, 10 per cent will be accepted.
However, university administrators said there is still hope for students who did not make the first cut.
Dr Gulshan Sawhney, deputy dean of students welfare at Delhi University, said: "What's happened is that there is an additional eligibility criterion -- if you are a student who did maths with computer science, then there is one cut-off. Whereas if you didn't do those subjects, there is a slightly higher cut-off.
"So there is no need for confusion on this -- if a student has 95 per cent, they are eligible for this. And if you're not on this list, I would recommend you wait till the second list comes out and it is possible you will be on that one."
The university's cut-off grade, which soared past 95 per cent for most courses this year, sparked protests in a few colleges. Student organisations are calling for changes to the admission criteria, which they said favours the rich.
Alok, a research scholar at Delhi University, said: "Most of the students in this country study in government schools. So they cannot compete with those who graduate from private schools. In a way, children of the labourers who toiled to construct this very university building are being denied admission."
With 7,000 students scoring above 95 per cent in 2013, it is hard to hold colleges responsible for the high cut-off grade. But the call to review admission criteria remains a valid one. With a curriculum that promotes rote learning and lax grading standards, it is hard to imagine a bright future for the education system if it doesn't change its approach.
- CNA/ac
- wong chee tat :)
By Avneet Arora
POSTED: 02 Jul 2013 11:10 AM
Students applying for a place in India's prestigious Delhi University have always known it is difficult to get in, but no one expected that the qualifying grade would have to be an almost perfect score.
NEW DELHI: Gaining admission into India's top ranked Delhi University has never been easy. To even be considered for undergraduate courses, students need to score above 90 per cent for their 12th grade board exams.
This year, it has become even more difficult to get in, as the cut-off grade has reached almost 100 per cent.
It is not only the popular courses that are tough to get in -- even a newly introduced computer science course offered by one of Delhi University's lesser-known colleges has taken the competition to another level.
Rajesh, who is a parent, said: "The competition has become very tough. From the children, the pressure has come onto us also, because we know from the beginning that cut-offs are so high. And our children, even after studying so hard, aren't sure if they will get in."
Economics, commerce, English and journalism are among the most sought after courses -- only half a per cent of applicants, or at best, 10 per cent will be accepted.
However, university administrators said there is still hope for students who did not make the first cut.
Dr Gulshan Sawhney, deputy dean of students welfare at Delhi University, said: "What's happened is that there is an additional eligibility criterion -- if you are a student who did maths with computer science, then there is one cut-off. Whereas if you didn't do those subjects, there is a slightly higher cut-off.
"So there is no need for confusion on this -- if a student has 95 per cent, they are eligible for this. And if you're not on this list, I would recommend you wait till the second list comes out and it is possible you will be on that one."
The university's cut-off grade, which soared past 95 per cent for most courses this year, sparked protests in a few colleges. Student organisations are calling for changes to the admission criteria, which they said favours the rich.
Alok, a research scholar at Delhi University, said: "Most of the students in this country study in government schools. So they cannot compete with those who graduate from private schools. In a way, children of the labourers who toiled to construct this very university building are being denied admission."
With 7,000 students scoring above 95 per cent in 2013, it is hard to hold colleges responsible for the high cut-off grade. But the call to review admission criteria remains a valid one. With a curriculum that promotes rote learning and lax grading standards, it is hard to imagine a bright future for the education system if it doesn't change its approach.
- CNA/ac
- wong chee tat :)
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Inflation, global slowdown biggest load on economy in 2013: analysts
Inflation, global slowdown biggest load on economy in 2013: analysts
By Linette Lim | Posted: 17 December 2012 1704 hrs
SINGAPORE: Global slowdown aside, inflation may be the biggest load on the Singapore economy next year.
And some of that pressure is self-made as the economy endures yet another go at restructuring.
Logistics, financial services and high-tech manufacturing are just some of the industries that make up Singapore's competitive external economy, which does most of its business with the rest of the world and pays top dollar for skilled labour.
Contrast that with the less efficient domestic economy, which makes use of low-cost foreign manpower to do jobs in retail, construction and cleaning.
That is Singapore's two-tiered economy, which is currently undergoing a major restructuring.
OCBC Bank's head of treasury research and strategy, Selena Ling, said: "With a very tight labour market and the indications that the foreign manpower constraints are going to remain in order to promote productivity growth, it looks like labour costs and some of the other cost elements, such as rentals, logistics, are going to remain fairly tight.
"I think we may not see as much relief on the inflation front in the near term, so this actually puts the April 2013 monetary policy review very likely to be on an unchanged footing at this juncture."
Policies that curb the use of foreign workers have contributed to higher wages.
At around 4-4.5 percent, headline inflation is more than double the historical average, boosted by other domestic factors like accommodation costs and car prices.
At the same time, turning off the flow of cheap manpower will continue to crimp growth -- something that is of no help to exports which are curtailed by weak global demand.
Nomura Singapore's executive director and Southeast Asia economist, Euben Paracuelles, said: "We have a relatively weak backdrop. In terms of how we see Europe, for example, it will still be a bigger recession in terms of our forecast and therefore, Europe still being a significant trading partner of Singapore, will pose a drag.
"Domestically, I think the government needs to manage this transition relatively well. There will be some tightening in domestic policies; labour policies will also be very tight, and that could lead to some weakness in overall investment spending."
Economists said it is unlikely that the Singapore government's stand on restructuring will change, despite the current macroeconomic headwinds.
This means that people will have to accept a lower level of economic growth now, for more sustainable growth in the future.
Growth is expected to come in at 1.5 percent this year, and between 1 and 3 percent in 2013, according to Singapore's Ministry of Trade and Industry.
RBS' vice president of economics research, Enrico Tanuwidjaja, said: "Singapore should be allowed to ride the volatility of slower growth, because externally, it is weak.
"Of course, we'll be sub-optimal, achieving growth below 3 percent this year and next. But after that, with a more diversified economy, not just from manufacturing but also from services, I'm pretty sure that growth will eventually edge higher."
Edge higher it might, but the restructuring currently underway may mean Singapore will have to adapt to a slower, long-term economic growth path.
- CNA/lp
- wong chee tat :)
By Linette Lim | Posted: 17 December 2012 1704 hrs
SINGAPORE: Global slowdown aside, inflation may be the biggest load on the Singapore economy next year.
And some of that pressure is self-made as the economy endures yet another go at restructuring.
Logistics, financial services and high-tech manufacturing are just some of the industries that make up Singapore's competitive external economy, which does most of its business with the rest of the world and pays top dollar for skilled labour.
Contrast that with the less efficient domestic economy, which makes use of low-cost foreign manpower to do jobs in retail, construction and cleaning.
That is Singapore's two-tiered economy, which is currently undergoing a major restructuring.
OCBC Bank's head of treasury research and strategy, Selena Ling, said: "With a very tight labour market and the indications that the foreign manpower constraints are going to remain in order to promote productivity growth, it looks like labour costs and some of the other cost elements, such as rentals, logistics, are going to remain fairly tight.
"I think we may not see as much relief on the inflation front in the near term, so this actually puts the April 2013 monetary policy review very likely to be on an unchanged footing at this juncture."
Policies that curb the use of foreign workers have contributed to higher wages.
At around 4-4.5 percent, headline inflation is more than double the historical average, boosted by other domestic factors like accommodation costs and car prices.
At the same time, turning off the flow of cheap manpower will continue to crimp growth -- something that is of no help to exports which are curtailed by weak global demand.
Nomura Singapore's executive director and Southeast Asia economist, Euben Paracuelles, said: "We have a relatively weak backdrop. In terms of how we see Europe, for example, it will still be a bigger recession in terms of our forecast and therefore, Europe still being a significant trading partner of Singapore, will pose a drag.
"Domestically, I think the government needs to manage this transition relatively well. There will be some tightening in domestic policies; labour policies will also be very tight, and that could lead to some weakness in overall investment spending."
Economists said it is unlikely that the Singapore government's stand on restructuring will change, despite the current macroeconomic headwinds.
This means that people will have to accept a lower level of economic growth now, for more sustainable growth in the future.
Growth is expected to come in at 1.5 percent this year, and between 1 and 3 percent in 2013, according to Singapore's Ministry of Trade and Industry.
RBS' vice president of economics research, Enrico Tanuwidjaja, said: "Singapore should be allowed to ride the volatility of slower growth, because externally, it is weak.
"Of course, we'll be sub-optimal, achieving growth below 3 percent this year and next. But after that, with a more diversified economy, not just from manufacturing but also from services, I'm pretty sure that growth will eventually edge higher."
Edge higher it might, but the restructuring currently underway may mean Singapore will have to adapt to a slower, long-term economic growth path.
- CNA/lp
- wong chee tat :)
Flat to low-single-digit growth for S'pore telcos in 2013: analysts
Flat to low-single-digit growth for S'pore telcos in 2013: analysts
By Thomas Cho | Posted: 17 December 2012 1831 hrs
SINGAPORE: The three main telco operators in Singapore will have a tough year ahead as analysts expect flat to low-single-digit revenue growth, despite the rollout of the high speed 4G network.
The telcos face slowing industry-wide growth and loss of sales in core voice and data markets as their hip, young, internet-based competitors offering free services are stealing market share.
Yet, digital and mobile is where Singapore's biggest telco is placing its biggest bet on.
SingTel's group CEO, Chua Sock Koong, said: "Growing the top line would involve better monetisation of mobile data, which is a fast growing area, (and) looking at new revenue sources -- that's where our investments in a lot of digital life investments will come true."
According to the International Data Corporation (IDC), vendors will ship more than 1.7 billion mobile phones globally this year.
But the long queues for new releases of smartphones like iPhone 5 and Samsung Galaxy Note 2 do not immediately translate into higher revenue for SingTel, StarHub and M1.
OCBC Research's senior research manager, Carey Wong, said: "Singapore's penetration rate is already close to 150 percent. It is a very mature market. Any raise in ARPU (Average Revenue Per User) would probably take some time to flow through.
"We are also seeing a little bit of subscriber growth since the penetration is so high. We think low single-digit is probably correct for such mature market."
New revenue may come from the telcos moving into content and infrastructure and may also tap upstream customers like government agencies and corporations.
Standard Chartered Bank's director of technology and global equity research, Don See, said: "We need to see telcos demonstrate willingness to be more entrepreneurial -- to try out new things and to actually have a more bigger willingness to step away from their legacy business to capture some of these growth opportunities."
StarHub has been the outperformer in 2012 with its shares up by 33 percent.
SingTel and M1 have both climbed about 10 percent.
- CNA/lp
- wong chee tat :)
By Thomas Cho | Posted: 17 December 2012 1831 hrs
SINGAPORE: The three main telco operators in Singapore will have a tough year ahead as analysts expect flat to low-single-digit revenue growth, despite the rollout of the high speed 4G network.
The telcos face slowing industry-wide growth and loss of sales in core voice and data markets as their hip, young, internet-based competitors offering free services are stealing market share.
Yet, digital and mobile is where Singapore's biggest telco is placing its biggest bet on.
SingTel's group CEO, Chua Sock Koong, said: "Growing the top line would involve better monetisation of mobile data, which is a fast growing area, (and) looking at new revenue sources -- that's where our investments in a lot of digital life investments will come true."
According to the International Data Corporation (IDC), vendors will ship more than 1.7 billion mobile phones globally this year.
But the long queues for new releases of smartphones like iPhone 5 and Samsung Galaxy Note 2 do not immediately translate into higher revenue for SingTel, StarHub and M1.
OCBC Research's senior research manager, Carey Wong, said: "Singapore's penetration rate is already close to 150 percent. It is a very mature market. Any raise in ARPU (Average Revenue Per User) would probably take some time to flow through.
"We are also seeing a little bit of subscriber growth since the penetration is so high. We think low single-digit is probably correct for such mature market."
New revenue may come from the telcos moving into content and infrastructure and may also tap upstream customers like government agencies and corporations.
Standard Chartered Bank's director of technology and global equity research, Don See, said: "We need to see telcos demonstrate willingness to be more entrepreneurial -- to try out new things and to actually have a more bigger willingness to step away from their legacy business to capture some of these growth opportunities."
StarHub has been the outperformer in 2012 with its shares up by 33 percent.
SingTel and M1 have both climbed about 10 percent.
- CNA/lp
- wong chee tat :)
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Philippines is the most emotional society -US poll
Philippines is the most emotional society -US poll
By Camille Diola (philstar.com) | Updated November 21, 2012 - 3:54pm
MANILA, Philippines - Filipinos are the most likely to report emotions including anger, pain, tiredness, laughter, enjoyment and stress, a United States-based polling body reported on Tuesday.
With 60 percent of respondents answering "Yes" to straightforward questions such as "Did you feel well-rested yesterday?" "Did you smile or laugh a lot yesterday?" "Did you experience anger yesterday?", Filpinos have been found to be the "most emotional society" around the globe by research agency Gallup.
The Philippines is also the only Southeast Asian country among the 15 most emotional nations in the world, with South American country El Salvador at a close second with 57 percent positive responses to the survey and Bahrain in the Middle East with 56 percent.
The numbest society, on the other hand, is Singapore with only 36 percent admitting to experiencing the emotions enumerated in the survey.
Gallup partner Jon Clifton said in a statement that Singaporeans, who are among the wealthiest in the world, are not laughing as much as the rest of the world.
"If you measure Singapore by the traditional indicators, they look like one of the best-run countries in the world. But if you look at everything that makes life worth living, they’re not doing so well," Clifton said.
The second most emotionless societies, according to the survey, are a tie between European states Georgia and Lithuania, with 37 percent of respondents admitting to feelings.
- wong chee tat :)
By Camille Diola (philstar.com) | Updated November 21, 2012 - 3:54pm
MANILA, Philippines - Filipinos are the most likely to report emotions including anger, pain, tiredness, laughter, enjoyment and stress, a United States-based polling body reported on Tuesday.
With 60 percent of respondents answering "Yes" to straightforward questions such as "Did you feel well-rested yesterday?" "Did you smile or laugh a lot yesterday?" "Did you experience anger yesterday?", Filpinos have been found to be the "most emotional society" around the globe by research agency Gallup.
The Philippines is also the only Southeast Asian country among the 15 most emotional nations in the world, with South American country El Salvador at a close second with 57 percent positive responses to the survey and Bahrain in the Middle East with 56 percent.
The numbest society, on the other hand, is Singapore with only 36 percent admitting to experiencing the emotions enumerated in the survey.
Gallup partner Jon Clifton said in a statement that Singaporeans, who are among the wealthiest in the world, are not laughing as much as the rest of the world.
"If you measure Singapore by the traditional indicators, they look like one of the best-run countries in the world. But if you look at everything that makes life worth living, they’re not doing so well," Clifton said.
The second most emotionless societies, according to the survey, are a tie between European states Georgia and Lithuania, with 37 percent of respondents admitting to feelings.
- wong chee tat :)
S'pore most emotionless society in world: survey
S'pore most emotionless society in world: survey
Posted: 21 November 2012 1711 hrs
SINGAPORE: Singapore has been ranked as the most emotionless society in the world, according to a Bloomberg News report on a Gallup survey.
The survey polled more than 140 countries to compare how people felt about their lives. Respondents were asked questions such as "Evaluate your life on a scale of zero to 10" and whether their life would be better or worse five years from now.
Singapore came in ahead of countries such as Georgia, Lithuania and Russia, for being the most emotionless society.
"If you measure Singapore by the traditional indicators, they look like one of the best-run countries in the world," Gallup partner Jon Clifton was quoted by Bloomberg as saying. "But if you look at everything that makes life worth living, they're not doing so well."
According to the report, not many Singaporeans answered "yes" to negative questions, and to questions measuring happiness, such as, had they smiled yesterday, had they learnt something interesting or felt respected or well-rested?
Only 36 per cent of Singaporeans responded affirmatively to either the positive or negative questions.
According to Gallup's research, only 2 per cent of the country's workers feel engaged by their jobs. The global average is 11 per cent.
"We are taught to keep going and not make too much of a fuss," research fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies Leong Chan-Hoong told Bloomberg.
Singaporeans still "take ourselves a bit too seriously," said general secretary of the Singapore Kindness Movement William Wan.
Other results from the survey showed that the Danes are the most satisfied, while people from Togo in West Africa are least satisfied, according to the news report. The most pessimistic society is Greece, while people most likely last year to report feelings of stress, anger, sadness, worry or pain were Iraqis.
- TODAY
Why are Singaporeans ranked the most emotionless society? It is because of the environment? kiasu culture?
- wong chee tat :)
Posted: 21 November 2012 1711 hrs
SINGAPORE: Singapore has been ranked as the most emotionless society in the world, according to a Bloomberg News report on a Gallup survey.
The survey polled more than 140 countries to compare how people felt about their lives. Respondents were asked questions such as "Evaluate your life on a scale of zero to 10" and whether their life would be better or worse five years from now.
Singapore came in ahead of countries such as Georgia, Lithuania and Russia, for being the most emotionless society.
"If you measure Singapore by the traditional indicators, they look like one of the best-run countries in the world," Gallup partner Jon Clifton was quoted by Bloomberg as saying. "But if you look at everything that makes life worth living, they're not doing so well."
According to the report, not many Singaporeans answered "yes" to negative questions, and to questions measuring happiness, such as, had they smiled yesterday, had they learnt something interesting or felt respected or well-rested?
Only 36 per cent of Singaporeans responded affirmatively to either the positive or negative questions.
According to Gallup's research, only 2 per cent of the country's workers feel engaged by their jobs. The global average is 11 per cent.
"We are taught to keep going and not make too much of a fuss," research fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies Leong Chan-Hoong told Bloomberg.
Singaporeans still "take ourselves a bit too seriously," said general secretary of the Singapore Kindness Movement William Wan.
Other results from the survey showed that the Danes are the most satisfied, while people from Togo in West Africa are least satisfied, according to the news report. The most pessimistic society is Greece, while people most likely last year to report feelings of stress, anger, sadness, worry or pain were Iraqis.
- TODAY
Why are Singaporeans ranked the most emotionless society? It is because of the environment? kiasu culture?
- wong chee tat :)
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
More Asian companies turning to bond market
More Asian companies turning to bond market
By Thomas Cho | Posted: 20 November 2012 2116 hrs
SINGAPORE: More Asian companies are turning to the bond market for a cheaper source of long-term financing.
This following rising liquidity in the region as major central banks in the United States, Europe and Japan undertake quantitative easing measures.
Bonds issued in Asia, excluding Australia and Japan, have increased some 55 percent from US$461 billion in the first 10 months of 2011 to US$706 billion till end of October this year.
Looking ahead, rising investor demand for safe assets will boost the Asian bond market further.
Debt financing through corporate bonds has been mostly popular among companies in South Korea and Japan.
Analysts said the trend has now caught on with Southeast Asian firms.
Bond issuance in local currency has grown 26 per cent in Indonesia and over 18 percent in the Philippines and Singapore in the second quarter of 2012 year-on-year.
And among the big players are companies in the energy, transportation, and real estate sectors.
Big issues include Genting Singapore's S$1.8 billion perpetual bonds at 5.125 percent, as well as several notes by OCBC and DBS.
Adam McCabe, Senior Portfolio Manager, Asian Fixed Income, Aberdeen Asset Management Asia, said: "From an investor's perspective, Southeast Asia has a very mature market relative to some of the more immature and developing markets. If you look at Singapore particularly, the sovereign rating is triple A. That is one of the very few triple A rated sovereign in the world."
With growing economic uncertainty, analysts said more investors are turning to safe assets like bonds.
Rising inflation is also a concern as investments in risky assets may yield negative real returns after adjusting for inflation.
Lenny Feder, Group Head of Wholesale Banking Management Group at Standard Chartered Bank, said: "People are risk-adversity these days. So, they have a lot of money sitting in cash. Cash in the bank account isn't earning very much at all. So, on a relative basis, a bond may be a more attractive investment. But, in addition, if you are going to invest in bonds globally, then will you rather be investing in Asia where there is a lot of growth potential versus the West, where there is less?"
Islamic bonds are now becoming popular as well in the region.
These bonds that do not pay coupon interest are likely to be in hot demand by cash-rich Middle Eastern investors.
Such bonds issued in Asia, excluding Australia and Japan, jumped 17 percent to US$17 billion in the first 10 months of 2012.
Sean Chang, Head of Asian Debt Investment at Baring Asset Management (Asia), said: "The yield differentiate in this region is still attractive and not mentioning currency wise, the outlook is also very positive. With the much better fundamentals in this part of the region, we saw Indonesia got upgraded earlier this year."
Singapore-listed Golden Agri-Resources has recently raised US$490 million from selling five-year Islamic medium-term notes, called sukuk.
- CNA/de
- wong chee tat :)
By Thomas Cho | Posted: 20 November 2012 2116 hrs
SINGAPORE: More Asian companies are turning to the bond market for a cheaper source of long-term financing.
This following rising liquidity in the region as major central banks in the United States, Europe and Japan undertake quantitative easing measures.
Bonds issued in Asia, excluding Australia and Japan, have increased some 55 percent from US$461 billion in the first 10 months of 2011 to US$706 billion till end of October this year.
Looking ahead, rising investor demand for safe assets will boost the Asian bond market further.
Debt financing through corporate bonds has been mostly popular among companies in South Korea and Japan.
Analysts said the trend has now caught on with Southeast Asian firms.
Bond issuance in local currency has grown 26 per cent in Indonesia and over 18 percent in the Philippines and Singapore in the second quarter of 2012 year-on-year.
And among the big players are companies in the energy, transportation, and real estate sectors.
Big issues include Genting Singapore's S$1.8 billion perpetual bonds at 5.125 percent, as well as several notes by OCBC and DBS.
Adam McCabe, Senior Portfolio Manager, Asian Fixed Income, Aberdeen Asset Management Asia, said: "From an investor's perspective, Southeast Asia has a very mature market relative to some of the more immature and developing markets. If you look at Singapore particularly, the sovereign rating is triple A. That is one of the very few triple A rated sovereign in the world."
With growing economic uncertainty, analysts said more investors are turning to safe assets like bonds.
Rising inflation is also a concern as investments in risky assets may yield negative real returns after adjusting for inflation.
Lenny Feder, Group Head of Wholesale Banking Management Group at Standard Chartered Bank, said: "People are risk-adversity these days. So, they have a lot of money sitting in cash. Cash in the bank account isn't earning very much at all. So, on a relative basis, a bond may be a more attractive investment. But, in addition, if you are going to invest in bonds globally, then will you rather be investing in Asia where there is a lot of growth potential versus the West, where there is less?"
Islamic bonds are now becoming popular as well in the region.
These bonds that do not pay coupon interest are likely to be in hot demand by cash-rich Middle Eastern investors.
Such bonds issued in Asia, excluding Australia and Japan, jumped 17 percent to US$17 billion in the first 10 months of 2012.
Sean Chang, Head of Asian Debt Investment at Baring Asset Management (Asia), said: "The yield differentiate in this region is still attractive and not mentioning currency wise, the outlook is also very positive. With the much better fundamentals in this part of the region, we saw Indonesia got upgraded earlier this year."
Singapore-listed Golden Agri-Resources has recently raised US$490 million from selling five-year Islamic medium-term notes, called sukuk.
- CNA/de
- wong chee tat :)
Friday, November 13, 2009
Record $653,000 for flat
Record $653,000 for flat http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_453576.html
| By Jessica Cheam | ||
 |  | |
Chris Neo (left) and Kelvin Lim (right), seller of the flat Michael Nandakumaran (center), with sold a HDB flat at Blk 48, Strathmore Avenue for a record price of $653k. -- ST PHOTO: DESMOND LIM
A FOUR-ROOM Queenstown HDB flat has sold for $653,000, setting a new record for price per sq ft (psf), amid continuing red-hot demand for resale flats.
The buyers, a male Indonesian permanent resident and a Singaporean woman, could have bought a condominium unit in an outlying area for the price.
But they were won over by the location, just five minutes walk from Queenstown MRT station, and on the top, 40th floor of the block, with unblocked views of greenery from all windows.
The four-year-old 969sqft unit at Forfar Heights, Strathmore Avenue, sold for $68,000 above valuation - a level determined by an independent valuer.
This works out to $674 psf, smashing the previous record of $609 psf, achieved in January last year, by about 10per cent.
This may be an unusually high price but resale prices have been moving up.
- wong chee tat :)
Monday, November 2, 2009
Companies brace themselves for staff attrition as economy improves
Companies brace themselves for staff attrition as economy improves
Channel NewsAsia
SINGAPORE: Companies are bracing themselves for staff attrition as the economy improves. A poll by global management consultancy, Hay Group, said they are doing so by investing to retain high performing employees.
Dr Stephen Choo, regional director of Hay Group Insight, said employees in Singapore feel that they have stretched themselves to the limit to help their companies in the downturn, and a talent exodus might happen if nothing is done to reward and recognize the sacrifices made by employees.
According to Dr Choo, companies need to think of more ways to engage their employees.
"Talent are certainly very motivated to remain with the company if there are lots of development opportunities — that the company could actually work with them in terms of enhancing their skills and talent," said Dr Choo.
"Also, training is very important. Certainly leadership is still very important because lots of talent are motivated to stay with the company if there is a good role model they can look up to," he added.
Other motivating factors include offering employees more resources to work with, creating an environment that promotes greater teamwork, and also giving them more empowerment and authority.
Dr Choo said that companies polled are planning on average to give a salary increase of 3 per cent in 2010, as compared to 2.3 per cent this year.
The sectors doling out the highest salary increases will be the Oil & Gas, Chemicals and Insurance sectors.
The poll also showed that the percentage of companies cutting or freezing pay has dropped from 58 per cent in March to 18 per cent in October.
According to the Hay Group’s survey, variable bonuses for this year will remain modest at 1.8 months, and are forecast to be marginally lower at 1.5 months in 2010. The lower bonus predicted in 2010 is due to the unclear economic outlook for the next three to six months, explained Dr Choo.
He said: "As a whole, most industries are quite conservative about their forecast because there is no clear indication at this point in time that the economy is certainly moving up north.
"What we can see so far is that there are conflicting stories about some industries seeing an upturn, but at the same time there are also companies which are laying off staff as well."
— CNA/sc
- wong chee tat :)
Channel NewsAsia
SINGAPORE: Companies are bracing themselves for staff attrition as the economy improves. A poll by global management consultancy, Hay Group, said they are doing so by investing to retain high performing employees.
Dr Stephen Choo, regional director of Hay Group Insight, said employees in Singapore feel that they have stretched themselves to the limit to help their companies in the downturn, and a talent exodus might happen if nothing is done to reward and recognize the sacrifices made by employees.
According to Dr Choo, companies need to think of more ways to engage their employees.
"Talent are certainly very motivated to remain with the company if there are lots of development opportunities — that the company could actually work with them in terms of enhancing their skills and talent," said Dr Choo.
"Also, training is very important. Certainly leadership is still very important because lots of talent are motivated to stay with the company if there is a good role model they can look up to," he added.
Other motivating factors include offering employees more resources to work with, creating an environment that promotes greater teamwork, and also giving them more empowerment and authority.
Dr Choo said that companies polled are planning on average to give a salary increase of 3 per cent in 2010, as compared to 2.3 per cent this year.
The sectors doling out the highest salary increases will be the Oil & Gas, Chemicals and Insurance sectors.
The poll also showed that the percentage of companies cutting or freezing pay has dropped from 58 per cent in March to 18 per cent in October.
According to the Hay Group’s survey, variable bonuses for this year will remain modest at 1.8 months, and are forecast to be marginally lower at 1.5 months in 2010. The lower bonus predicted in 2010 is due to the unclear economic outlook for the next three to six months, explained Dr Choo.
He said: "As a whole, most industries are quite conservative about their forecast because there is no clear indication at this point in time that the economy is certainly moving up north.
"What we can see so far is that there are conflicting stories about some industries seeing an upturn, but at the same time there are also companies which are laying off staff as well."
— CNA/sc
- wong chee tat :)
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
2008 saw largest number of marriages since 2000
2008 saw largest number of marriages since 2000
By 938LIVE
Posted: 28 September 2009 1839 hrs
SINGAPORE: Last year saw the largest number of marriages since 2000. The Department of Statistics (DOS') latest population trend report said nearly 24,600 marriages were registered last year.
About 75 per cent of these marriages were first marriages compared to 81.5 per cent in 1998.
DOS said this indicated that remarriages were becoming more common, especially among men here.
However, marriage rates fell for both men and women below the age of 30, marking the largest fall since 2000 for men aged 25 to 29 and women aged 20 to 24.
Mirroring the trend of marrying later, the peak age group for marriage among men moved from the 25 to 29 age bracket in 2000 to 30 to 34 in 2008.
However, the peak age group for marriage among women remained the same for the 25 to 29 age group. There was a delay in first marriage across all age groups.
The report also showed that divorce rates were up across all age groups, with the most cases among younger couples in the 20 to 24 age bracket.
More than half of the divorces were of marriages which lasted less than 10 years. A third of divorces occurred within five to nine years of marriage.
- 938LIVE/vm
- wong chee tat :)
By 938LIVE
Posted: 28 September 2009 1839 hrs
SINGAPORE: Last year saw the largest number of marriages since 2000. The Department of Statistics (DOS') latest population trend report said nearly 24,600 marriages were registered last year.
About 75 per cent of these marriages were first marriages compared to 81.5 per cent in 1998.
DOS said this indicated that remarriages were becoming more common, especially among men here.
However, marriage rates fell for both men and women below the age of 30, marking the largest fall since 2000 for men aged 25 to 29 and women aged 20 to 24.
Mirroring the trend of marrying later, the peak age group for marriage among men moved from the 25 to 29 age bracket in 2000 to 30 to 34 in 2008.
However, the peak age group for marriage among women remained the same for the 25 to 29 age group. There was a delay in first marriage across all age groups.
The report also showed that divorce rates were up across all age groups, with the most cases among younger couples in the 20 to 24 age bracket.
More than half of the divorces were of marriages which lasted less than 10 years. A third of divorces occurred within five to nine years of marriage.
- 938LIVE/vm
- wong chee tat :)
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Job seekers in their 30s need reality check
Jos seekers in their 30s need reality check (Sunday Times 27 Sep)
Job seekers in their 30s need reality check
Experts advise lowering pay expectations as jobless rate for those in 30-39 age group goes up
By Shuli Sudderuddin
When Ms Cindy Lim was retrenched from her job in logistics in April, she realised that she had to lower her expectations if she were to get a new job quickly.
Rising unemployment
The labour market report for the second quarter of this year shows that the jobless rate for the 30 to 39 age group rose to 4.7 per cent, from 2.9 per cent last year. About 24,000 people were out of work, compared to 14,600 for the same period last year.
… more
Initially, the 34-year-old, who has a degree in logistics and supply chain management from the University of South Australia, expected to be paid close to what she got in her old job.
But this was a downturn and she did not get many responses despite sending resumes to many would-be employers.
She eventually landed a job in customer service last month. It was recommended by a friend and she took a $1,000 pay cut.
‘We can’t afford to be fussy,’ she said, referring to those in her age group.
Indeed, a readjustment of expectations is in order as statistics from the Ministry of Manpower show that those in the 30 to 39 age group have been hit hard by unemployment.
The labour market report for the second quarter this year shows that the jobless rate for this group rose to 4.7 per cent, from 2.9 per cent last year.
About 24,000 people in that age group were out of work, compared to 14,600 for the same period last year.
This represents an increase of 62.1 per cent, versus 39.4 per cent (for those below 30) and 48.5 per cent (for those aged 40 and over).
The jobless ranks among the 30 to 39 age group were across all educational groups, in particular those with degrees, polytechnic diplomas and below secondary school education.
HR experts said they could be shut out of new jobs because of pay expectations – even as the economy has hit a rough patch.
Mr David Ang, executive director of the Singapore Human Resource Institute, said they ask for higher pay as they are at the stage of their lives when they may need to care for young children and finance a home purchase.
‘They may only accept lower-paying jobs for a period because of this,’ he said.
Professor Richard Arvey, head of the department of management and organisation at NUS Business School, noted that employers are now cost-conscious and there might be a ’sensitivity to hiring older employees as they’re more expensive’.
Some in their 30s may also be reluctant to consider venturing into new careers, observed human resource firms.
But Mr Dhirendra Shantilal, senior vice-president (Asia-Pacific) at Kelly Services, feels that the jobless figures may be rooted in structural unemployment from the loss of jobs in certain sectors, which did not recover quickly enough and bore the brunt of the global crisis.
‘It is not an issue of employer attitude towards a certain age group or demographic segment,’ he said, noting that business clusters like finance, retail and manufacturing have suffered in the economic slowdown.
A spokesman for the Workforce Development Agency said that as of end-August, 19,000 job seekers were registered at the career centres at the community development councils.
About 4,600, or slightly above 20 per cent, were aged between 30 and 40.
The spokesman added that there are problems unique to this age group, such as childcare, which can hinder their ability to go for training, for instance.
‘There can also be mismatches in pay expectations between them and employers,’ she added, noting that some also lack the skills, such as resume writing and interview techniques, to secure a new job.
From December last year to last month, the career centres assisted and placed about 13,000 job seekers, of whom about 20 per cent were in their 30s.
Experts reassure those in this age group that they are a valuable asset to any company.
Said Mr David Wee, managing director of Lee Hecht Harrison, which helps clients recruit staff: ‘Companies know that it is important to retain high performers in their 30s – especially those who may have spent several years within an organisation and have gained considerable experience and expertise.’
He advised 30-somethings to make themselves more marketable by upgrading themselves with new skills and being more open to fresh opportunities.
For those out of work, he said: ‘In these formulative years, working on a contract or temporary basis for a while may also be a way back into the workforce.’
shulis@sph.com.sg
Changing dynamics.
- wong chee tat :)
What should I do to marry a rich guy?
Some one had emailed to me. An intersting perspective:
A young and pretty lady posted this on a forum:
Title: What should I do to marry a rich guy?
I'm going to be honest of what I'm going to say here:
I'm 25 this year.
I'm very pretty, have style and good taste.
I wish to marry a guy with $500k annual salary or above.
You might say that I'm greedy, but an annual salary of $1M is considered only as middle class in New York.
My requirement is not high:
Is there anyone in this forum who has an income of $500k annual salary?
Are you all married?
I wanted to ask: what should I do to marry rich persons like you?
Among those I've dated, the richest is $250k annual income, and it seems that this is my upper limit. If someone is going to move into high cost residential area on the west of New York City Garden, $250k annual income is not enough.
I'm here humbly to ask a few questions:
1) Where do most rich bachelors hang out?
(Please list down the names and addresses of bars, restaurant, gym)
2) Which age group should I target?
3) Why most wives of the riches is only average-looking?
I've met a few girls who doesn't have looks and are not interesting, but they are able to marry rich guys.
4) How do you decide who can be your wife, and who can only be your girlfriend? (my target now is to get married)
Ms. Pretty
The reply:
Dear Ms. Pretty,
I have read your post with great interest.
Guess there are lots of girls out there who have similar questions like yours.
Please allow me to analyse your situation as a professional investor.
My annual income is more than $500k, which meets your requirement, so I hope everyone believes that I'm not wasting time here.
From the standpoint of a business person, it is a bad decision to marry you.
The answer is very simple, so let me explain.
Put the details aside, what you're trying to do is an exchange of "beauty" and "money":
Person A provides beauty, and Person B pays for it, fair and square.
However, there's a deadly problem here, your beauty will fade, but my money will not be gone without any good reason.
The fact is, my income might increase from year to year, but you can't be prettier year after year.
Hence from the viewpoint of economics, I am an appreciation asset, and you are a depreciation asset.
It's not just normal depreciation, but exponential depreciation.
If that is your only asset, your value will be much worried 10 years later.
By the terms we use in Wall Street, every trading has a position, dating with you is also a "trading position".
If the trade value dropped we will sell it and it is not a good idea to keep it for long term - same goes with the marriage that you wanted.
It might be cruel to say this, but in order to make a wiser decision any assets with great depreciation value will be sold or "leased".
Anyone with over $500k annual income is not a fool; we would only date you, but will not marry you.
I would advice that you forget looking for any clues to marry a rich guy.
And by the way, you could make yourself to become a rich person with $500k annual income. This has better chance than finding a rich fool.
Hope this reply helps. If you are interested in "leasing" services, do contact me...
Bank CEO
What are your thoughts after treading this?
- wong chee tat :)
A young and pretty lady posted this on a forum:
Title: What should I do to marry a rich guy?
I'm going to be honest of what I'm going to say here:
I'm 25 this year.
I'm very pretty, have style and good taste.
I wish to marry a guy with $500k annual salary or above.
You might say that I'm greedy, but an annual salary of $1M is considered only as middle class in New York.
My requirement is not high:
Is there anyone in this forum who has an income of $500k annual salary?
Are you all married?
I wanted to ask: what should I do to marry rich persons like you?
Among those I've dated, the richest is $250k annual income, and it seems that this is my upper limit. If someone is going to move into high cost residential area on the west of New York City Garden, $250k annual income is not enough.
I'm here humbly to ask a few questions:
1) Where do most rich bachelors hang out?
(Please list down the names and addresses of bars, restaurant, gym)
2) Which age group should I target?
3) Why most wives of the riches is only average-looking?
I've met a few girls who doesn't have looks and are not interesting, but they are able to marry rich guys.
4) How do you decide who can be your wife, and who can only be your girlfriend? (my target now is to get married)
Ms. Pretty
The reply:
Dear Ms. Pretty,
I have read your post with great interest.
Guess there are lots of girls out there who have similar questions like yours.
Please allow me to analyse your situation as a professional investor.
My annual income is more than $500k, which meets your requirement, so I hope everyone believes that I'm not wasting time here.
From the standpoint of a business person, it is a bad decision to marry you.
The answer is very simple, so let me explain.
Put the details aside, what you're trying to do is an exchange of "beauty" and "money":
Person A provides beauty, and Person B pays for it, fair and square.
However, there's a deadly problem here, your beauty will fade, but my money will not be gone without any good reason.
The fact is, my income might increase from year to year, but you can't be prettier year after year.
Hence from the viewpoint of economics, I am an appreciation asset, and you are a depreciation asset.
It's not just normal depreciation, but exponential depreciation.
If that is your only asset, your value will be much worried 10 years later.
By the terms we use in Wall Street, every trading has a position, dating with you is also a "trading position".
If the trade value dropped we will sell it and it is not a good idea to keep it for long term - same goes with the marriage that you wanted.
It might be cruel to say this, but in order to make a wiser decision any assets with great depreciation value will be sold or "leased".
Anyone with over $500k annual income is not a fool; we would only date you, but will not marry you.
I would advice that you forget looking for any clues to marry a rich guy.
And by the way, you could make yourself to become a rich person with $500k annual income. This has better chance than finding a rich fool.
Hope this reply helps. If you are interested in "leasing" services, do contact me...
Bank CEO
What are your thoughts after treading this?
- wong chee tat :)
Sunday, February 22, 2009
5,000 vie for 1,000 jobs
5,000 vie for 1,000 jobs
Saturday was no rest day for 5,000 people who flocked to Bedok Central to check out the over-1,000 jobs on offer.
Fierce competition
'I applied for a position to sort letters at Singapore Post. There were 20 vacancies but 700 applicants, so every job fair is useful now.'
MR XAVIER CHAN, 55
The job fair yesterday featured openings from 12 employers - from food and beverage companies and the Government to health-care and retail firms.
It was organised by the South East Community Development Council (CDC), in collaboration with the Kampong Chai Chee Citizens Consultative Committee.
Among those who turned up was Mr Xavier Chan, 55, who quit his job as a barista to look for better job prospects about four months ago. He was applying to be a cook at Changi General Hospital.
'It's quite difficult to find a job because the market is so competitive. I applied for a position to sort letters at Singapore Post. There were 20 vacancies but 700 applicants, so every job fair is useful now.'
Over the past couple of months, the South East CDC has seen a surge in the number of residents seeking employment or training assistance.
Between November last year and January this year, 1,148 job seekers were registered - a 40 per cent rise from the August- October period last year.
Mr Vengadesh Naidu, a career centre manager of South East CDC, said the council noted a spike in the number of professionals and managers who lost their jobs.
Job seekers were also out in force at the Manpower Ministry yesterday. About 500 turned up at its Havelock Road premises to apply for 108 vacancies.
This was the first time the ministry was conducting a recruitment exercise in which applicants were interviewed on the spot.
- wong chee tat :)
Saturday was no rest day for 5,000 people who flocked to Bedok Central to check out the over-1,000 jobs on offer.
Fierce competition
'I applied for a position to sort letters at Singapore Post. There were 20 vacancies but 700 applicants, so every job fair is useful now.'
MR XAVIER CHAN, 55
The job fair yesterday featured openings from 12 employers - from food and beverage companies and the Government to health-care and retail firms.
It was organised by the South East Community Development Council (CDC), in collaboration with the Kampong Chai Chee Citizens Consultative Committee.
Among those who turned up was Mr Xavier Chan, 55, who quit his job as a barista to look for better job prospects about four months ago. He was applying to be a cook at Changi General Hospital.
'It's quite difficult to find a job because the market is so competitive. I applied for a position to sort letters at Singapore Post. There were 20 vacancies but 700 applicants, so every job fair is useful now.'
Over the past couple of months, the South East CDC has seen a surge in the number of residents seeking employment or training assistance.
Between November last year and January this year, 1,148 job seekers were registered - a 40 per cent rise from the August- October period last year.
Mr Vengadesh Naidu, a career centre manager of South East CDC, said the council noted a spike in the number of professionals and managers who lost their jobs.
Job seekers were also out in force at the Manpower Ministry yesterday. About 500 turned up at its Havelock Road premises to apply for 108 vacancies.
This was the first time the ministry was conducting a recruitment exercise in which applicants were interviewed on the spot.
- wong chee tat :)
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