Posts by Stephanie Irvin
ECB to start rate cuts but sticky inflation clouds path ahead
THE European Central Bank (ECB) is expected to begin cutting eurozone interest rates from historic highs this week, but sticky inflation means the move is unlikely to kickstart a rapid easing cycle. Policymakers are poised to reduce eurozone borrowing costs by a quarter percentage point on Thursday (Jun 6), taking the key deposit rate to…
Read MoreSeatrium inks MOU with M1 to explore 5G connectivity in yards
Seatrium has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with M1 to enhance yard operations with 5G network. This is part of Seatrium’s digital strategy, which aims to establish a smart yard equipped with “future-proof ultra-high-speed connectivity”, said the offshore and marine group on Monday (Jun 3). The partnership aims to explore 5G connectivity within Seatrium’s…
Read MoreWomen directorships highest on record across three sectors in 2023
THE proportion of women appointed to board leadership roles across Singapore Exchange (SGX) -listed companies, statutory boards and institutions of public character (IPCs) in 2023 is the highest it has ever been, the Council for Board Diversity announced in an annual study published on Monday (Jun 3). Women directors took up 17 per cent of…
Read MoreNew sponsors of Ara H-Trust, Cromwell E-Reit unlikely to quickly lift their depressed valuations
INVESTORS may have mixed feelings about the recently announced sale of ARA US Hospitality Trust (ARA H-Trust) and Cromwell European Real Estate Investment Trust (Cromwell E-Reit) by their respective sponsor groups. On the one hand, the change in control of these property trusts could mark the beginning of a new phase of their growth and…
Read MoreNvidia touts new products aimed at expanding its AI dominance
Nvidia chief executive officer Jensen Huang unveiled new software and services aimed at spreading artificial intelligence (AI) computing throughout the economy, a movement that he describes as a new industrial revolution. The company – now best known for its AI accelerator chips in data centres – introduced new tools and software models on the eve…
Read MoreNvidia announces next-generation Rubin AI platform for 2026
Nvidia chief executive officer Jensen Huang said the company plans to upgrade its artificial intelligence (AI) accelerators every year, announcing a Blackwell Ultra chip for 2025 and a next-generation platform in development called Rubin for 2026. The company – now best known for its artificial intelligence data centre systems – also introduced new tools and…
Read MoreUntested ETFs pitched to investors as hedge against global chaos
WAR in the Middle East and Europe, US-China tensions, climate change, threats from new technologies – geopolitical risk is everywhere. A coterie of fund managers are pitching a class of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that claim to offer a hedge for all that uncertainty. These funds, ranging in size from US$8 million to US$800 million in…
Read MoreMedical inflation rising, but prudent consumption, fee benchmarks can help check healthcare costs
MEDICAL costs in Singapore have been rising each year, and consumers are likely to feel the pinch as healthcare players and insurers deal with an increasing need for care and higher volumes of medical claims. However, observers say that there are several ways to fight the rise in healthcare costs, which could help keep consumers’…
Read MoreTether acquires US$100 million stake in US-listed Bitcoin miner Bitdeer
STABLECOIN issuer Tether Holdings has acquired a US$100 million stake in Bitdeer Technologies Group, the US-listed Bitcoin miner owned by Chinese billionaire Jihan Wu, with an option to purchase an additional US$50 million in shares within a year. The two firms entered into a subscription agreement for a private placement of 18.6 million Class…
Read MoreMove to faster settlements for US securities has gone smoothly: SEC chair
THE overhaul of the settlement cycle for US securities has gone smoothly this week, with all trades having settled, US Securities and Exchange Commission chair Gary Gensler said on Friday (May 31). US trading of equities, corporate and municipal bonds and other securities moved on Tuesday to a one-day settlement cycle (T+1) from two days…
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