Regional News

The Skechers Friendship Walk 2025 made a vibrant debut at Marina Barrage, drawing 5,000 participants to raise $10,000 for APSN, a social service agency supporting individuals with mild intellectual disabilities. Organised by Skechers, the event featured a 10KM Competitive Run and a 5KM Leisure Walk, promoting active lifestyles and community bonding.

The day began with the 10KM run at 7:00 AM, flagged off by Skechers’ management team, including Zann Lee, Irene Lee, and Eileen Tan. Following this, the 5KM walk offered participants lighthearted activities such as a Mini Photo Challenge and Walk the Plank mission. Mediacorp personality Hazelle Teo hosted the event, maintaining high spirits throughout.

Celebrity guests, including Aileen Tan and Eric Teo, joined the walk, showcasing Skechers’ Hands Free Slip-Ins GOwalk 8 shoes. The event also featured a giant Skechers logo photo wall, symbolising the collective effort of participants.

Skechers’ partnership with APSN continues to provide employment opportunities for individuals with mild intellectual disabilities. This year’s donation was celebrated with a performance by APSN beneficiary Samuel Lee En Ci, adding to the day’s festivities.

Post-walk activities at the Skechers Race Village included interactive games and a stage game, Guess the Price. The event concluded with the announcement of the 10KM run winners and a lucky draw, where Zi Qin Saw won a year’s supply of Skechers footwear, marking a memorable end to the day.
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BDO Business Services & Outsourcing and the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to advance accounting and business services training for students. Over the next three years, this collaboration will benefit approximately 1,000 Higher Nitec in Accounting students across all ITE Colleges in Singapore, providing them with essential skills and exposure to meet the evolving demands of the business services sector.

The MOU establishes a framework for cooperation that includes training in industry-standard software such as Xero and Prosoft Unit4, as well as internship and employment opportunities for ITE students and graduates. Additionally, BDO professionals will host guest lectures, career talks, and industry visits, alongside training workshops on current industry practices.

Low Khah Gek, CEO of ITE, emphasised the partnership’s role in preparing students for the workforce: “This partnership goes beyond equipping students with technical know-how. By exposing them to real-world industry practices and workplace learning experience, we are preparing work-ready graduates who can step confidently into Singapore’s dynamic business environment and make meaningful contributions from day one.”

Frankie Chia, Managing Director of BDO, highlighted the collaboration’s significance in shaping future talent: “Through this collaboration with ITE, we are proud to play a pivotal role in developing talent, strengthening organisational resilience, and shaping the future of business services in Singapore.”

The initiatives will be branded under the “BDO–ITE” banner, aiming to enhance the visibility and impact of the collaboration. This partnership marks a significant step in bridging the gap between academia and industry, ensuring students are well-prepared for their future careers.
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Moomoo Singapore has been honoured with the WealthTech of the Year and Personal Finance Tech of the Year awards at the 2025 Asia FinTech Awards. These accolades recognise Moomoo’s commitment to enhancing the investment experience for both retail and high-net-worth investors through cutting-edge technology and client-focused solutions.

The WealthTech of the Year award acknowledges Moomoo’s success in integrating advanced technology with financial expertise to elevate the private wealth experience. The company’s Moomoo Private Wealth service, designed for individuals with at least $1m in investable assets, offers institutional-grade capabilities such as comprehensive stock screeners, advanced charting tools, and real-time market data. Strategic partnerships with leading asset managers further enrich the platform, providing clients with diversified and trusted investment options.

Meanwhile, the Personal Finance Tech of the Year award highlights Moomoo’s impact on democratising investing for retail users. With over 15 million local users, Moomoo Singapore has achieved a 50% growth in just 15 months. The platform offers access to global markets through a user-friendly interface and supports educational initiatives like MooLearn, which provides over 2,000 investment courses.

Echo Zhao, Country Head of Moomoo Singapore, expressed that these awards are a testament to the company’s mission and progress. “Winning both WealthTech of the Year and Personal Finance Tech of the Year reflects our dual focus on building a robust platform for wealth creation and ensuring individual investors have the tools, knowledge, and confidence to invest wisely,” Zhao said.

Looking ahead, Moomoo Singapore aims to continue elevating financial literacy and enhancing the investment journeys of its users by exploring AI-powered tools and strengthening partnerships with asset managers.
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UOB Asset Management (UOBAM) has launched UOBAM Gold+, a new managed portfolio solution designed for Singapore investors seeking to diversify their portfolios with gold. The strategy combines an equal allocation of SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust ETF and United Gold & General Fund, along with a 2% cash buffer, to provide a balanced and cost-efficient exposure to both physical gold and diversified mining equities.

The UOBAM Gold+ portfolio is structured to offer stability through physical gold and growth potential via top-tier mining companies. Rachel Ong, Chief Marketing Officer of UOBAM, highlighted the portfolio’s dual benefits, stating, “The UOBAM Gold+ is designed to offer the best of both worlds for investors who are looking for portfolio diversification.” This strategy comes at a time when gold prices are reaching all-time highs, driven by inflation risks, shifting interest rates, and geopolitical uncertainties.

Available exclusively on the UOBAM Invest app, the portfolio requires a low minimum investment of just $1, making it accessible to a wide range of investors. Additionally, there are no advisory or platform charges, enhancing its appeal. The SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust ETF is noted for its competitive expense ratio, whilst the United Gold & General Fund boasts over 30 years of performance in investing in global mining companies. This launch underscores gold’s role as a liquid safe-haven asset and a strategic diversifier in long-term investment portfolios.
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Food Empire Holdings Limited, a multinational food and beverage group based in Singapore, has achieved its most successful year at the 2025 Annual International ARC Awards, securing six awards. The company received four Golds in categories such as Traditional Annual Report, Cover Photo/Design, Illustrations, and Design/Graphics, all within the Beverage & Food Manufacturer group. Additionally, Food Empire earned a Silver for the PDF Version of its Annual Report and an Honours distinction for Interior Design.

The ARC Awards, established in 1987, are renowned as the world’s largest competition for excellence in annual reporting, often dubbed the “Academy Awards of Annual Reports.” They celebrate creativity, clarity, and effectiveness in reporting, setting a global benchmark for best-in-class design and presentation.

Wang Cheow Tan, Executive Chairman of Food Empire, expressed pride in the recognition, stating, “Our windfall at the 2025 Annual International ARC Awards is a strong testament to the standards of excellence we uphold in our reporting and communications. Annual reports are not only a statutory obligation, but also a powerful medium to share our journey, strategy, and values with stakeholders.”

Food Empire, listed on the SGX Mainboard, operates in over 60 countries and is known for its diverse portfolio, including instant beverages and snack foods. The company continues to expand its presence globally, supported by nine manufacturing facilities and 23 offices worldwide. With a commitment to sustainability and business excellence, Food Empire remains a significant player in the food and beverage industry.
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DBS Group Research has released a report indicating that Singapore’s stock market is set to benefit from diversified fund inflows, maintaining a year-end target for the Straits Times Index (STI) at 4,430. The report highlights Singapore’s appeal as a safe haven due to its low US reciprocal tariff rate, skilled workforce, supportive policies, and political stability. These factors, alongside a 3.27% yield spread between the STI and the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s 10-year yield, are expected to support equities despite a forecasted earnings dip.

The report notes that small to mid-cap stocks are likely to outperform the STI, driven by the Equity Market Development Programme (EQDP) and enhancements to the GEMS scheme. “Yangzijiang and UMS Integration are stocks that should buck the trend of negative headline EPS decline within the industrials and info tech sectors,” the report states.

DBS suggests positioning for external fund inflows, EQDP, and REITs, with large-cap stocks such as Singtel and Yangzijiang being key beneficiaries. The report also identifies potential beneficiaries among small-mid caps, including UMS Integration and ComfortDelGro.

The report underscores the importance of Singapore’s market amidst macro uncertainties, with September traditionally being a weak month for the US stock market. It also anticipates developments in the EQDP, with Fullerton Fund Management set to launch its Singapore Value-Up fund in Q4 2025, focusing on local small-mid caps.
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Franklin Templeton, one of the world’s largest asset managers, is celebrating its 35th anniversary in Singapore, underscoring its enduring dedication to providing world-class investment solutions in the region. Since establishing its presence in 1990 with an emerging markets research office, the firm has become a trusted partner for both retail and institutional investors in Singapore.

The company was among the first foreign fund managers to introduce overseas funds to Singapore’s investing public in 1996, launching the country’s first umbrella and feeder fund into the Franklin Templeton Luxembourg funds, as well as Singapore’s first emerging markets fund. The following year, it introduced Singapore’s first global equity fund. Franklin Templeton has also contributed significantly to financial literacy and investor education through its Franklin Templeton Academy.

Singapore now serves as a key regional office for Franklin Templeton in Asia Pacific, anchoring investment leadership across public and private markets. Manraj Sekhon, Chief Investment Officer of Templeton Global Investments, stated, “Franklin Templeton is proud to celebrate 35 years in Singapore, a journey that has mirrored the remarkable evolution of the nation’s financial landscape.”

Tariq Ahmad, Head of APAC at Franklin Templeton, reflected on the shared journey of growth and transformation alongside Singapore’s 60th year of independence. He highlighted the firm’s pioneering initiatives, such as launching the country’s first retail tokenised fund and expanding access to high-quality secondary private equity for investors.

Looking ahead, Franklin Templeton remains committed to innovation and delivering future-ready investment solutions to meet the evolving needs of clients in Asia Pacific. The firm continues to deepen its presence in the region, focusing on customised investment solutions for a broad spectrum of investor segments.
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Tiong Woon Corporation Holding has announced a 6% year-on-year increase in its profit after tax and minority interests (PATMI) for the financial year 2025, reaching S$19m. This growth aligns with expectations, driven by a 14% rise in revenue to S$164m, attributed to robust heavy lift and installation activities across regions including Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Middle East. Despite this, the company has downgraded its stock to a “hold” rating, citing the impact of a high capital expenditure cycle on near-term cash flow and gearing.

The company’s gross profit increased by 4% to S$61m, although gross margins narrowed by 3.6 percentage points to 37.6%, primarily due to cross-hiring and a less favourable project mix. Tiong Woon declared a higher final dividend of 1.75 Singapore cents per share, raising the payout ratio to 21%, reflecting management’s confidence in sustainable earnings.

Tiong Woon’s heavy lift and haulage segment saw a 15% rise in revenue to S$160m, with marine transportation also rebounding significantly. However, the trading segment recorded a small loss. The company’s position was reinforced by retaining its 15th spot on the IC100 Cranes 2025 Index, marking it as the highest-ranked Singapore-based crane-owning company.

Looking ahead, Tiong Woon anticipates resilient demand in its core markets, supported by activities in petrochemical, semiconductor, infrastructure, and construction sectors. The company aims to leverage its position as a one-stop heavy lift specialist to capture opportunities whilst managing costs and cash flow. Potential catalysts for future growth include successful deployment of new cranes and margin recovery as cross-hiring eases.
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KFC Singapore has unveiled its largest local brand campaign, ‘How Do You KFC?’, which celebrates the unique ways Singaporeans enjoy their fried chicken. The campaign invites fans to share their personal eating rituals on social media, with the opportunity for five standout entries to be transformed into limited-time menu items named after the winners. This initiative aims to highlight the individuality of KFC’s customers whilst showcasing the brand’s dedication to its Original Recipe chicken.

The campaign introduces two new menu items: the Original Recipe Tenders and the Original Recipe Burger. Both are crafted using 100% real chicken, hand-breaded with KFC’s signature 11 herbs and spices, and pressure-fried to perfection. Additionally, the beloved KFC Bucket makes a return, allowing customers to indulge in freshly fried chicken as it was originally intended.

The campaign is being rolled out across multiple platforms, including TV, YouTube, radio, and social media. A one-minute brand film, described as a sensory experience and ASMR chicken symphony, accompanies the launch. Fans are encouraged to participate by sharing their rituals under the hashtag #YouCanBeYou, with influencers joining in to showcase their quirks and challenge others.

Jaslyn Lam, Director of Marketing and Food Innovation at KFC Singapore, stated, “Everyone enjoys KFC their own way. This campaign is about celebrating that individuality, because when we let chicken be chicken, you can be you.” Creative Director Reagan Raj of R/GA added, “This campaign brings that truth to life, and lets customers see themselves in it.”

With this campaign, KFC Singapore not only celebrates its customers’ diverse eating habits but also strengthens its connection with the local community.
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Jumio’s latest 2025 Online Identity Study highlights a significant shift in digital identity protection expectations among students worldwide. As digital platforms become more integral to education, students are increasingly aware of the risks posed by AI-generated scams. The study found that 70% of students globally, and 56% in Singapore, use AI to create or modify images, making them particularly vulnerable to fraud.

In Singapore, 66% of students are confident in identifying deepfakes, with 56% having encountered one in the past six months. This heightened awareness has led to a demand for stronger identity verification measures. Notably, 44% of Singaporean students feel safer using biometric verification over traditional passwords, surpassing other occupational groups.

The study suggests that educational institutions have a unique opportunity to lead in implementing privacy-first identity intelligence. Bala Kumar, Jumio’s chief product and technology officer, stated, “Students understand both the power and the risks of AI, which makes them far more open to new safeguards like biometric verification.”

Globally, students are setting new standards for digital trust, with 42% expressing greater trust in banks that use biometric verification. Additionally, 40% believe government agencies should be responsible for preventing AI-powered fraud, whilst 24% are concerned about organisations misusing identity data.

Joe Kaufmann, Jumio’s global head of privacy, emphasised the importance of adopting technologies that prioritise data protection, stating, “Enterprises that want to earn and keep the trust of students must adopt technologies that prioritise data protection by design.”

The study surveyed 8,001 adults across the US, UK, Singapore, and Mexico, providing valuable insights into the evolving landscape of digital identity protection.
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