Philip Chua Business Blog

Posts Tagged ‘Singapore’

(SINGAPORE) After a slow start to the year, the market for initial public offerings (IPOs) may still end 2010 with a bang if some highly anticipated mega IPOs make their way here. Industry players are expecting at least three blockbuster listings by the end of the year, of which two are linked to the Singapore government. If that materialises, 2010 will shape up to be a stronger year than 200... more

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

THERE should be no retirement age for workers, Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew said at a dialogue session yesterday. Singapore's ageing population means its employers have to help old workers stay productive and workers have to be willing to keep working, Mr Lee said. 'I don't think there should be a retirement age,' said Mr Lee, who is 86, drawing laughs from the more than 900 managers, government... more