Higher interest rates and the reduced availability of debt is weighing on the whole Reit sector. Should investors look for winners among the biggest losers in the sector? Or, among the ones that have sustained their performance? BT’s Ben Paul and Raphael Lim offer some answers. Synopsis: Listen to senior correspondent Ben Paul's analysis and insight on market trends and corporate issues in Singapore in this podcast series based on his weekly column in The Business Times. Highlights of the podcast: 01:45 Higher debt costs driving the whole sector 04:46 Should Kore have halted its distributions ..read more

A group of minority shareholders at Great Eastern have put through three resolutions to address their assessment of Great Eastern's shares. Their attempt to table these resolutions at the upcoming AGM has been rejected. What is next? BT's Ben Paul sits down with independent investor Ong Chin Woo to discuss his concerns and breakdown the resolutions proposed. Synopsis: Listen to senior correspondent Ben Paul's analysis and insight on market trends and corporate issues in Singapore in this podcast series based on his weekly column in The Business Times. Highlights of the podcast: 01:21 Great Eas ..read more

Cordlife Group is in big trouble. Last November, the Ministry of Health suspended the company’s operations after it found significant issues with its cord blood storage system. How did things get so bad? Can the company really come back from this crisis? Ben Paul sits down with reporter Megan Cheah to break it all down.   Synopsis: Listen to senior correspondent Ben Paul's analysis and insight on market trends and corporate issues in Singapore in this podcast series based on his weekly column in The Business Times. Highlights of the podcast: 01:55 Board failed investors and customers ..read more

Minority investor fury at Manulife US Reit, Sabana Reit and Dasin Retail Trust has turned the spotlight on the effectiveness of the statutory protections under the external-manager model adopted by most Singapore Reits and business trusts. But switching to an internal-manager model is not a simple matter.  Synopsis: Listen to senior correspondent Ben Paul's analysis and insight on market trends and corporate issues in Singapore in this podcast series based on his weekly column in The Business Times. Highlights of the podcast: 02:06 Perilous outlook for Reits, property trusts in 2024 04:32 ..read more

The Singapore market’s poor performance and lack of exciting new listings are multifaceted problems that require simultaneous action on different fronts. Senior correspondent Ben Paul gets to grips with issues, and offers some possible solutions.  Synopsis: Listen to senior correspondent Ben Paul's analysis and insight on market trends and corporate issues in Singapore in this podcast series based on his weekly column in The Business Times. Highlights of the podcast: 03:50 Private capital and the Magnificent Seven 08:19 Diverse views on what’s dogging the market  12:26 Governance, pe ..read more

Rising oil prices and stubbornly resilient economic activity may prompt the Fed and other central banks to keep monetary policy tighter for longer than expected. This could be bad news for US tech stocks, Singapore real estate investment trusts and regional economies with weak current accounts.  Synopsis: Listen to senior correspondent Ben Paul's analysis and insight on market trends and corporate issues in Singapore in this podcast series based on his weekly column in The Business Times. Highlights of the podcast: 02:03 Waning inflation sparked big rally last year 04:25 Oil prices, resil ..read more

Hotel Properties Limited has been buffeted recently by news of the redevelopment of its Orchard Road assets, and a corruption investigation involving its major shareholder and managing director Ong Beng Seng. What does it all mean for its languishing shares? Senior correspondent Ben Paul explores. Synopsis: Listen to senior correspondent Ben Paul's analysis and insight on market trends and corporate issues in Singapore in this podcast series based on his weekly column in The Business Times. Highlights of the podcast: 01:31 Hit by corruption probe, redevelopment news 05:10 Hotels, resorts ridin ..read more

Disgruntled minority unitholders have voted for Sabana Reit to embark on an unprecedented internalisation of its management function. Should investors jump in, or run for cover? What does it mean for other Singapore-listed Reits? Senior correspondent Ben Paul explains. Synopsis: Listen to senior correspondent Ben Paul's analysis and insight on market trends and corporate issues in Singapore in this podcast series based on his weekly column in The Business Times. Highlights of the podcast: 01:24 Seizing power from Sabana Reit’s sponsor 03:07 Internalisation debate fierce and partisan 08:42 Wani ..read more

OCBC’s recent purchase of more Great Eastern shares has further narrowed the insurer’s public spread and increased the risk of it eventually being suspended from trading. But Great Eastern undervalued shares still hold great potential. Senior correspondent Ben Paul explains. Synopsis: Listen to senior correspondent Ben Paul's analysis and insight on market trends and corporate issues in Singapore in this podcast series based on his weekly column in The Business Times. Highlights of the podcast:  05:28 Embedded value soars but shares languish 08:38 Little protection for minority shareholde ..read more

Manulife US Reit is trading at a historical yield of 28 per cent and an appalling 70 per cent discount to its book value. Is it a bargain for investors? Or, is it a value trap? What will it take to resurrect this owner of US office properties? Senior correspondent Ben Paul explains. Synopsis: Listen to senior correspondent Ben Paul's analysis and insight on market trends and corporate issues in Singapore in this podcast series based on his weekly column in The Business Times. Highlights:  02:31 Recent developments at the Reit could be positive for investors 07:40 Manulife should emulate e ..read more