SINGAPORE: Singapore stocks declined on Thursday morning, mirroring the lacklustre performance seen in global markets. The Business Times reported that the Straits Times Index (STI) dipped by 1.1%, down 37.1 points to 3,256.03. The market saw more losers than gainers, with 84 stocks on the decline compared to 30 on the rise, as 63.1 million securities valued at S$86 million changed hands. Genting Singapore hogged the spotlight as the most actively traded counter by volume. It slipped by 2.7%, or S$0.025, reaching S$0.915, with 16.8 million securities traded. Other counters that saw brisk trad ..read more

SINGAPORE: Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Singapore are exhibiting a troubling decline in cybersecurity awareness, with a growing number operating without any protection against cyber threats, according to the latest QBE SME Survey for Singapore. The survey revealed that only 47% of SMEs in Singapore were fully informed about potential cybersecurity risks this year, a significant drop from the 57% recorded in the previous year. Alarmingly, 19% of SMEs indicated they had no protection against cybersecurity risks, more than double the 9% from last year. The report also outlined th ..read more

SINGAPORE: Nearly half of Singaporean youths take their first self-funded trip before the age of 18 without parental supervision, according to the latest “First Trip with Skyscanner” report. This survey involved 1,000 individuals aged 18 to 25 and reveals a growing trend among Singapore’s young population to travel independently at a young age. The report highlights that 44% of Singaporean youths embark on their first self-funded trip before reaching adulthood, with 94% having either travelled independently or planning to do so. This suggests a strong desire for autonomy and adventure among t ..read more

SINGAPORE: The Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) has clarified its stance on the new tripartite guidelines for flexible work arrangements (FWA), emphasizing that they are designed to help employers consider formal requests for such arrangements without mandating specific outcomes. In a recent statement, SNEF underlined that the guidelines do not prescribe the types of FWAs that employers must implement. Instead, the aim is to encourage employers to explore various forms of flexibility that can work for both them and their employees. The new guidelines come as authorities require ..read more

SINGAPORE: Real estate experts are forecasting a decline in the number of private home resale transactions in 2024 due to the effects of ongoing “cooling measures” and a persistently tight lending environment. Recent estimates from OrangeTee indicate that resale volumes could drop from 11,329 units in 2023 to somewhere between 9,000 and 11,000 units in 2024, signaling a potential slowdown in the real estate market. In the first quarter of 2024, a total of 2,603 homes were resold, excluding executive condominiums. Out of these, 2,276 were non-landed properties, while 327 were landed. This ..read more

SINGAPORE: A recent survey by Randstad has revealed that offering hybrid work arrangements is crucial for companies aiming to attract Gen Z employees. The data suggests that two out of three Gen Z workers consider the ability to work from home non-negotiable. This preference for remote work is not limited to the youngest generation but extends across all age groups, indicating a broader shift in workplace expectations. According to Randstad, the sentiment for flexible work arrangements is shared by 48% of Baby Boomers, 44% of Millennials, and 40% of Generation X. This indicates that a signifi ..read more

SINGAPORE: Singapore has clinched the top spot in the Elite Quality Index (EQx2024), a comprehensive analysis of 151 countries utilizing 146 indicators to evaluate the quality of a nation’s elite and its impact on societal value creation. The report, developed by the University of St.Gallen (HSG) in collaboration with global academic partners such as Singapore Management University and the St.Gallen-based Foundation for Value Creation, offers a thorough examination of elite influence in driving or extracting national value. The EQx2024 examines conceptual elements such as Power, Creative Dest ..read more

SINGAPORE: A recent transaction in the Bedok HDB market has set a new record, with a four-room HDB flat changing hands for an unprecedented $888,888. This marks the highest resale price ever recorded for a four-room HDB flat in the Bedok area. The sale took place in Block 188C, Greenville, Fengshan, with the property situated between the 16th and 18th floors. According to real estate platform 99.co, the flat has a remaining leasehold of 94 years and 10 months, offering future residents a long-term investment in one of Singapore’s established HDB towns. The 1,001-square-foot unit carries a pri ..read more

SINGAPORE: A new survey conducted by vaccine manufacturer Moderna and survey company YouGov has uncovered a significant decline in the willingness of Singaporeans, particularly those in the older age group, to receive booster doses of the coronavirus vaccine. The survey, which included 1,300 Singaporeans, was conducted between March 28 and April 5, 2024, and sheds light on changing attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination in the city-state. According to the survey findings, over 40% of Singaporeans aged 55 and above do not plan to receive a booster dose, reflecting a growing reluctance to contin ..read more

SINGAPORE: Singapore experienced a lower-than-expected inflation rate in March, providing a brief respite for consumers. However, economists caution that the trend may not persist into the second quarter due to rising global commodity prices. In a recent report, RHB Bank highlighted concerns about “higher food, energy, and metal prices this quarter,” suggesting that these factors could lead to increased imported inflation in Singapore. This observation aligns with the upward trend in commodity prices seen across international markets, which might soon impact domestic prices. RHB was quick to ..read more