Singapore Real Estate / Built Environment
S-Reits fall despite Fed’s 25-basis-point rate cut
Singapore-listed real estate investment trusts (S-Reits) were a sea of red on Thursday (Dec 19) afternoon, even after the US Federal Reserve lowered interest rates by 25 basis points (bps).
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/s-reits-fall-despite-feds-25-basis-point-rate-cut
Singapore’s residential rents climb in November against seasonal volume decline
Rental prices for both Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats and condominiums ticked up in November, even as volumes fell amid the year-end festive season.
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/property/singapores-residential-rents-climb-november-against-seasonal-volume-decline-srx-99-co
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/housing/singapores-residential-rents-climb-in-november-against-seasonal-volume-decline-srx-99-co
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/realtime/singapore/story20241219-5618454
Singapore News
Govt apologises for Acra lapse, will accelerate efforts to educate public on proper NRIC use
Efforts to educate the public on the proper use of NRIC numbers will be accelerated, amid uncertainty and anxiety after the disclosure of the identification numbers on the business portal of the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (Acra) last week.
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/govt-apologises-for-acra-lapse-will-accelerate-efforts-to-educate-public-on-proper-nric-use
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/nric-unmasking-acra-josephine-teo-apologises-confusion-anxiety-4816066
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/singapore/story20241219-5622183
https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3291588/we-are-very-sorry-singapore-minister-apologises-confusion-anxiety-over-nric-saga
Phishing attacks come up with new tactics; police urge public to be vigilant
Phishing has come up with a new trick. Recently, there has been a surge in phishing scams using online text messages impersonating OneMotoring or the Land Transport Authority.
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/realtime/singapore/story20241219-5622860
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/bona-fide-text-message-or-one-from-scammers-heres-how-you-can-tell
South Korea exempts Singaporean travellers from ETA requirement until end-2025
Singapore – South Korea has extended the exemption from having to apply for electronic travel authorisation (ETA) for nationals of 22 countries and regions, including Singapore, for one year until Dec 31, 2025.
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/south-korea-exempts-singaporean-travellers-from-eta-requirement-until-end-2025
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/realtime/singapore/story20241219-5623004
Business News
CapitaLand Investment sells 4.9% stake in CapitaLand Ascott Trust for S$162 million
Property investment manager CapitaLand Investment, through its subsidiary The Ascott Ltd, has sold its stapled securities in CapitaLand Ascott Trust for S$162 million, said the company in a bourse filing on Thursday (Dec 19).
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/capitaland-investment-sells-4-9-stake-capitaland-ascott-trust-s162-million
CDL Hospitality Trusts ventures into student accommodation with £37.3 million UK deal
CDL Hospitality Trusts is venturing into the student accommodation business for the first time, with the purchase of a purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) in Liverpool, United Kingdom.
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/cdl-hospitality-trusts-ventures-student-accommodation-ps37-3-million-uk-deal
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/realtime/singapore/story20241219-5623334
Global Economy & Real Estate
US economy eyes strong finish ahead of heightened policy uncertainty in 2025
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/us-economy-eyes-strong-finish-ahead-heightened-policy-uncertainty-2025
https://www.straitstimes.com/business/economy/us-economy-eyes-strong-finish-ahead-of-heightened-policy-uncertainty-in-2025
Big year of central bank easing wraps up with dovish BoE, Fed caution
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/business/big-year-central-bank-easing-wraps-up-dovish-boe-fed-caution-4816741
US existing-home sales rise as buyers accept high mortgage rates
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/property/us-existing-home-sales-rise-buyers-accept-high-mortgage-rates
Late US star Paul Newman’s penthouse is selling at over $13m
https://www.straitstimes.com/business/invest/late-us-star-paul-newmans-penthouse-is-selling-at-over-13m
Analysts optimistic on Asian equities, bonds even as Fed signals fewer rate cuts
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/analysts-optimistic-asian-equities-bonds-even-fed-signals-fewer-rate-cuts
China’s economic rebound hangs on the fate of its richest cities
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/global/chinas-economic-rebound-hangs-fate-its-richest-cities
China banks raise mortgage rates for the first time since 2021
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/banking-finance/china-banks-raise-mortgage-rates-first-time-2021
https://www.straitstimes.com/business/property/china-banks-raise-mortgage-rates-for-first-time-since-2021
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/business/some-chinese-banks-raise-mortgage-rates-profits-shrink-reports-say-4816156
Foreign tourist arrivals to China suddenly surge as visa relaxations fuel travel searches
https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3291582/foreign-tourist-arrivals-china-suddenly-surge-visa-relaxations-fuel-travel-searches
Thailand’s property boom attracts Chinese investors, but fraud risks loom
https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3291334/thailands-property-boom-attracts-chinese-investors-fraud-risks-loom
Hong Kong Housing Society reclaims 30 rental flats from well-off tenants
https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3291531/hong-kong-housing-society-reclaims-30-rental-flats-well-tenants
Japan economy in ‘delicate state’, says banking lobby head
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/business/japan-economy-delicate-state-says-banking-lobby-head-4816181
Japan’s core inflation accelerates, keeps BOJ rate-hike chance alive
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/business/japans-core-inflation-accelerates-keeps-boj-rate-hike-chance-alive-4817881
New Zealand’s declining imports help narrow annual trade deficit
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/new-zealands-declining-imports-help-narrow-annual-trade-deficit
Taiwan central bank flags risks to growth from Trump administration policies
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/business/taiwan-central-bank-flags-risks-growth-trump-administration-policies-4816131
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