Philip Chua Business Blog

Posts Tagged ‘cent’

THE population of Singapore crossed 5 million in June, even as the increase in the number of permanent residents (PRs) slowed to a trickle over the past year. Key findings from the latest 2010 census show the number of PRs grew just 1.5 per cent this year - down sharply from 11.5 per cent in 2009. Between 2005 and 2009, annual growth in PRs averaged 8.4 per cent. Growth in the number of 'non-resid... more

(SINGAPORE) The global airline industry enjoyed a strong rebound in travel demand during the first half of this year, with premium travel rising 11.9 per cent, while economy travel was up 6.3 per cent. The latest data released by the International Air Transport Association show, however, that travel demand growth has softened sequentially from quarter-to-quarter. In June, premium seat demand was 1... more

CASH registers rang loud and clear during this year's Great Singapore Sale (GSS), according to MasterCard. Total spending by local and tourist MasterCard holders jumped 28 per cent year- on-year to $1.21 billion. Total transactions by MasterCard holders were also higher during the two- month GSS from May 28 to July 25. They rose 18 per cent year-on-year to 7.2 million. 'This year's GSS shows rebou... more

(SINGAPORE) After a sluggish start, listed companies in Singapore made up for lost time in the second quarter, with their bottom lines jumpstarted by the recovering economy. As of last Friday, the 105 companies that had released their financial results for Q2 ended June reported a 47.1 per cent year-on-year increase in combined net profit to $3.676 billion. And of the 105, an overwhelming majority... more

OCBC Bank's net profit rose 8 per cent to $503 million in the second quarter compared to a year ago, missing analysts' estimates, as the group struggled to boost its lending income amid low interest rates, while investment income halved due to turbulent financial markets. But OCBC raised its dividend for the first six months of the year to 15 cents per share, from 14 cents previously - the first t... more

THE financial crisis put the squeeze on executive pay last year, with almost half of the top brass at Singapore's leading firms having their salaries frozen or even cut. A survey has found that 44 per cent of chief executives, chief financial officers and business unit heads saw their salaries staying flat or falling last year, compared with 23 per cent of executives in the 2008 financial year. ... more