Posts by Stephanie Irvin
Eating out loses its bite; some listed F&B players are in the red on wilting demand, high costs
[SINGAPORE] As listed food and beverage (F&B) operators cite a drop in demand for eating out amid high rental rates and operating costs, analysts say this is pointing to a worrying trend of mid-market operators struggling to find their niche. Operators such as Tung Lok Restaurants and Japan Foods Holding (JFH) sank into the red…
Read MoreAI bets that fuelled Big Tech’s surge now threaten rich profits
[NEW YORK] Some investors are questioning the amount of cash Big Tech is throwing at artificial intelligence, fuelling concerns for profit margins and the risk that depreciation expenses will drag stocks down before companies can see investments pay off. “On a cash flow basis they’ve all stagnated because they’re all collectively making massive bets on…
Read MoreSingapore shares buck regional trend to close lower; STI falls 0.4%
[SINGAPORE] Local stocks fell for the second straight day on Wednesday (Jun 11), bucking the gains in most Asian markets as investors are concerned about the lack of details in the recently concluded US-China trade talks. While the world’s two largest economies agreed to a preliminary deal on how to implement the consensus reached in…
Read MoreSouth-east Asia’s polymer production crisis worsens as US-China trade shift looms
[SINGAPORE] South-east Asia’s petrochemical industry is facing a double whammy of weakening export demands and potential import surges, as trade tensions could redirect US polymer to the region’s already-saturated market, sustaining pressure on production. Polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), as crucial downstream segments, are encountering “considerable challenges” in the region, noted commodity markets intelligence firm…
Read MoreCenturion shares hit all-time high on submission to list Reit on SGX
This is the highest price its shares have risen to since they started trading in 1995 [SINGAPORE] Shares of Centurion rose on Wednesday (Jun 11) afternoon after the company announced its listing application of a real estate investment trust (Reit) to the Singapore Exchange (SGX) and Monetary Authority of Singapore. As at 1 pm, the…
Read MoreChinese automakers pledge to make payments to suppliers within 60 days
Published Wed, Jun 11, 2025 · 12:45 PM [SHANGHAI] Most Chinese automakers have pledged to make payments to suppliers within 60 days, responding to regulatory pressure that followed a recent outcry from suppliers over long payment times and other practices they call unfair. Chinese authorities issued new rules in March that require big companies to…
Read MoreGold rises as US-China trade uncertainty persists, investors eye inflation data
GOLD prices edged higher on Wednesday as uncertainty surrounding the finalisation of a US-China trade agreement weighed on sentiment and fuelled some safe-haven buying, with investors awaiting key US inflation data for further market direction. Spot gold rose 0.2 per cent to US$3,328.89 an ounce, as of 0153 GMT. US gold futures were up 0.2…
Read MoreNintendo says sold record 3.5 million Switch 2 consoles in first four days
[TOKYO] Nintendo said on Wednesday it had sold a record 3.5 million Switch 2 units worldwide in the first four days after the console was launched. “This is the highest global sales level for any Nintendo hardware within the first four days,” the Japanese video game giant said in a statement. Featuring a bigger screen…
Read MoreNew Zealand central bank says former head quit over funding dispute
Published Wed, Jun 11, 2025 · 08:41 AM [SYDNEY] Former New Zealand central bank governor Adrian Orr’s surprise resignation in March was due to his disagreements with the treasury over proposed cuts to the bank’s operating budget, official documents showed on Wednesday. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ), in an official response to requests…
Read MoreAustralia’s Qantas to close low-cost arm Jetstar Asia
Published Wed, Jun 11, 2025 · 08:02 AM AUSTRALIAN flag carrier Qantas said on Wednesday it will close Jetstar Asia, the group’s Singapore-based low-cost unit, in a bid to recycle up to A$500 million (S$420 million) as part of its fleet renewal plans. Qantas said that 13 Jetstar Asia Airbus A320 aircraft will be progressively…
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