Regional News

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) is set to launch a S$5b Equity Market Development Programme (EMDP) to bolster liquidity in Singapore’s mid-cap stocks. This initiative, expected to commence in the coming months, targets stocks with a market capitalisation between S$0.5b and S$3b, focusing on those with an average daily trading volume (ADTV) exceeding S$2m.

The EMDP is designed to enhance market liquidity and support Singapore’s fund management ecosystem. The funds will be allocated from MAS’s investment portfolio and the Financial Sector Development Fund, with deployment anticipated as early as the fourth quarter of 2025. The programme prioritises non-index stocks and actively managed strategies, excluding Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs).

UOBKayHian identified 16 stocks meeting the high liquidity threshold, including Centurion Corp, ComfortDelGro, and iFAST. These stocks were selected based on criteria such as past earnings growth, return on equity, and price-to-earnings valuations. Notably, iFAST is highlighted for its record-high assets under administration and projected strong earnings growth.

Lowering the ADTV threshold to S$1m expands the pool of attractive stocks by nine, with Hong Leong Asia and Food Empire standing out for their earnings growth and robust balance sheets.

The initiative is expected to increase trading velocity and turnover, enabling investors to rebalance portfolios, meet redemptions, and manage risks effectively. The Straits Times Index (STI) is forecast to reach 4,054 by the end of 2025, reflecting a 2.2% upside from current levels, supported by a 1.2% earnings growth forecast for index stocks.

In conclusion, MAS’s EMDP is poised to significantly impact Singapore’s mid-cap market, enhancing liquidity and providing new opportunities for investors.

“`

The Singapore Island Country Club (SICC) has launched an innovative sustainability initiative, transforming the limbs and trunks of trees felled by inclement weather into functional golf course markers. This initiative not only reduces waste but also minimises carbon emissions by eliminating the need for off-site disposal and decreasing reliance on synthetic materials.

SICC’s Director of Golf Course Management, Tai Wae Meng, highlighted the programme’s alignment with Singapore’s national efforts to extend the lifespan of Pulau Semakau, the country’s only landfill. “Our approach reduces waste, lowers costs, and supports Singapore’s national effort to extend the lifespan of Pulau Semakau,” he said. The club, which boasts over 6,000 trees across its courses, prioritises the preservation of mature trees with historical and ecological significance.

The initiative, which began during the Bukit Course upgrade for its 100th anniversary, has expanded with the redevelopment of The Island Course, set to reopen in late 2025. Trees with a minimum girth of 30 cm are selected for repurposing, whilst others are preserved with lightning protection systems and bracing.

SICC’s efforts have earned recognition from the Golf Environment Organisation, with the club housing two NParks-endorsed Heritage Trees. General Manager Ian Geoffrey Roberts stated, “Repurposing and replanting trees supports biodiversity, nutrient cycling, and carbon storage, making a meaningful contribution to climate resilience.”

Looking forward, SICC plans to explore further tree reuse initiatives, including crafting furniture and organic mulch, ensuring that sustainability remains at the heart of its operations.
“`

Ping Identity, a leader in digital identity security, has announced the launch of its data centre in Singapore, hosted on Amazon Web Services (AWS). This strategic expansion is set to enhance the company’s ability to deliver localised, high-performance identity and access management (IAM) solutions to businesses throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The new centre will provide faster, simplified access to Ping Identity’s full suite of services, addressing the growing demand for secure and scalable digital identity solutions.

The launch is particularly significant for mid-sized and large enterprises in sectors such as technology, hospitality, retail, healthcare, financial services, and manufacturing. These organisations will benefit from improved performance due to lower latency and faster response times, as well as assurance that identity data is hosted within the region, addressing data residency and compliance concerns. “This signifies Ping Identity’s commitment to supporting the digital transformation of businesses in Asia,” said Jasie Fon, Regional Vice President, Asia at Ping Identity.

The AWS Singapore data centre will also offer increased trust with enterprise-grade security and scalability, and simplified deployment of IAM solutions, enabling quicker time-to-value for businesses. AWS Regions consist of Availability Zones that ensure business continuity whilst providing low latency for high availability applications.

Ping Identity continues to deliver secure and seamless digital experiences, integrating easily with existing ecosystems and offering cutting-edge services like AI-driven fraud prevention. This move reinforces its position as a one-stop shop for digital identity solutions, supporting businesses in their digital transformation journey.
“`

Private home and HDB resale flat prices in Singapore experienced a slower, more sustainable increase in Q2 2025, according to flash estimates from the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and the Housing and Development Board (HDB). The modest rise is attributed to weaker sales and a limited number of new launches, alongside a healthy supply of new flats and cooling measures impacting the HDB resale market.

Private home prices saw a marginal increase of 0.5% quarter-on-quarter (QOQ), a slowdown from the 0.8% growth in Q1 2025. This brings the cumulative rise in private residential property prices to 1.3% for the first half of 2025, compared to a 2.3% increase in the same period last year. The Landed private homes segment led the price increase with a 0.7% QOQ rise, despite a 17.5% drop in transactions.

Non-landed private homes recorded a 0.5% QOQ price increase, with the Rest of Central Region (RCR) experiencing a 1.1% decline, marking its first price drop in six quarters. Meanwhile, the Core Central Region (CCR) and Outside Central Region (OCR) saw price increases of 2.3% and 0.9% QOQ, respectively.

Ismail Gafoor, CEO of PropNex Realty, noted, “The flash estimates showed that private home prices grew at the slowest pace in three quarters in Q2 2025 at 0.5% QOQ. This may be partly due to the limited number of new project launches during the quarter.”

Looking ahead, PropNex anticipates a pick-up in private home sales in Q3 2025, with several new projects expected to launch, potentially supporting price stability. The upcoming projects, including W Residences Singapore and The Robertson Opus, are strategically located near amenities, which may attract buyer interest.
“`

Singapore’s private residential property market has demonstrated resilience in Q2 2025, with prices rising by 0.5% quarter-on-quarter (qoq), according to flash estimates from the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA). This growth, although slower than the 0.8% increase in Q1 2025, comes amidst global economic uncertainties, including potential US trade tariffs and geopolitical tensions.

Landed residential properties saw a 0.7% qoq increase, buoyed by limited supply and strong local demand. Non-landed residential prices also rose by 0.5% qoq, driven by the Core Central Region (CCR) and Outside Central Region (OCR), which experienced increases of 2.3% and 0.9% qoq, respectively. However, the Rest of Central Region (RCR) saw a 1.1% qoq decline, attributed to the specific mix of units sold rather than a drop in demand.

Wong Xian Yang, Head of Research Singapore & SEA at Cushman & Wakefield, noted, “The CCR market is a market to watch, and could see potential growth, after years of lagging price performance.”

Despite a 40.2% qoq decline in overall private residential sales volume to 4,340 units, the resale market accounted for over half of the sales. The forecast for 2025 suggests a 2-3% year-on-year price growth, supported by strong household balance sheets and low unemployment rates.

Looking ahead, sales volumes are expected to range between 19,000 and 23,000 units for 2025, contingent on the absence of new cooling measures or unforeseen economic shocks.
“`

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has taken decisive action against five major payment institutions, imposing composition penalties totalling $960,000 for breaches of anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism requirements. The penalties, announced on 27 June 2025, target Remsea Pte Ltd, Arcade Plaza Traders Pte Ltd, J-Dee Remittance Services Pte Ltd, Mobile Community Tech Pte Ltd, and OxPay SG Pte Ltd.

MAS’s enforcement actions serve as a deterrent against misconduct and aim to maintain the integrity of Singapore as a financial centre. The authority evaluates the type of enforcement action based on the severity of the breach and its potential impact on the financial system.

The penalties highlight MAS’s commitment to stringent regulatory oversight and its zero-tolerance approach towards financial misconduct. By enforcing these measures, MAS seeks to uphold Singapore’s reputation as a secure and reliable financial hub.

For further details on the regulatory and enforcement actions, MAS directs interested parties to its Enforcement Actions page on their website. This move underscores the authority’s transparency and dedication to public accountability in its regulatory processes.
“`

NHG Health has unveiled MedVid, a groundbreaking initiative featuring over 300 AI-generated medication counselling videos, designed to improve medication literacy among patients and caregivers. This pioneering project, the first of its kind in Singapore’s public healthcare sector, provides accessible and engaging video content in English, Mandarin, Malay, and Tamil, supporting the Healthier SG initiative.

MedVid addresses 79 essential topics, covering commonly prescribed medications for both acute and chronic conditions, as well as drug allergies. The videos transform traditional text-heavy medication leaflets into dynamic visual content, making complex medical information more digestible. Available on platforms like YouTube and the HealthHub website, the videos can also be accessed via QR codes on medication labels.

A recent Proof-of-Value study involving 149 patients demonstrated MedVid’s effectiveness, with 95% of users finding it easy to access information and 87% considering video counselling a viable alternative to in-person consultations. This initiative not only benefits patients but also allows pharmacists to focus on individuals with more complex needs.

Lim Hong Yee, Group Chief Pharmacist at NHG Health, noted, “With MedVid, we reimagined how information could be delivered through short and clear videos powered by AI technology.” Dr Ng Kian Bee from NTU’s Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine added, “This collaborative effort is a strong testament to our expertise in employing digital learning technology to advance patient care and education.”

NHG Health plans to integrate these videos into pharmacy operations across its institutions and expand the initiative to a broader patient population in Singapore.
“`

The Digital Disruption Chair at ESSEC Business School has launched its inaugural “Digital Disruption Matrix 2025,” a strategic tool assessing the impact of six transformative technologies across 11 industrial sectors. Generative AI emerges as the most disruptive, scoring 89.45 out of 100, nearly twice that of Descriptive AI, which ranks second.

The Matrix, introduced as Singapore strengthens its position as a global tech hub, offers crucial insights for strategic decision-making. It highlights energy availability as a potential bottleneck for technological advancement, emphasising the need for infrastructure development to support the nation’s digital transformation.

According to Jan Ondrus, Professor of Information Systems at ESSEC, “The objective of this annual barometer is to precisely understand the impact of each technology by sector, whilst ensuring comparability between them and from year to year.”

Key findings include the unprecedented growth of Generative AI, which surpasses Blockchain’s peak during the 2021 crypto boom. Descriptive AI remains integral to business processes despite lower media visibility. The automotive sector shows scepticism towards emerging technologies, with 22.7% negative opinions on blockchain.

The Matrix also reveals that the real estate sector is highly enthusiastic about renewable energy, with 91.1% positive opinions, surpassing the energy sector. Meanwhile, 30 to 43% of professionals express neutrality towards quantum computing, indicating uncertainty about its future impact.

The Digital Disruption Matrix will be updated annually, supported by data from Atelier BNP Paribas and SIA, providing a comprehensive view of technological disruptions across the economy.
“`

Singapore’s private housing market experienced a slowdown in price growth for the second consecutive quarter, with a 0.5% quarter-on-quarter increase in Q2 2025, according to the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s (URA) flash estimate. This follows a 0.8% rise in Q1 2025. The decline in new home sales, attributed to fewer launches and cautious sentiment due to geopolitical tensions, saw a significant drop of 66.5% from the previous quarter.

The landed property segment led the price growth with a 0.7% increase, whilst non-landed properties saw a 0.5% rise, down from 1.0% in Q1 2025. The Outside Central Region (OCR) recorded a 0.9% increase, whilst the Core Central Region (CCR) outperformed with a 2.3% rise. Conversely, the Rest of Central Region (RCR) saw a 1.1% decline, impacted by realistic pricing at new launches such as One Marina Gardens and Bloomsbury Residences.

Tricia Song, CBRE Head of Research, Southeast Asia, noted that the CCR’s performance was bolstered by luxury launches like 21 Anderson, which sold units at a median price of $4,811 per square foot. Despite the slowdown, CBRE maintains its full-year forecast for new home sales at 7,000 to 8,000 units, though risks remain if economic conditions worsen.

Looking ahead, private home prices, which have risen 1.3% in the first half of 2025, are expected to maintain a growth momentum of 3% to 4% for the year. However, the Ministry of Trade and Industry’s revised GDP growth forecast of 0% to 2% for 2025 suggests potential downside risks.
“`

Private home sales in Singapore saw a significant drop in Q2 2025, with transaction volumes reaching only 4,340, down from 7,261 in the previous quarter. This decline is attributed to a slowdown in new project launches and heightened global tensions, according to Knight Frank Singapore’s analysis of the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s (URA) flash estimates.

The cautious market sentiment was influenced by geopolitical events, including the Trump Administration’s tariffs announcement in April and the US bombing of Iran’s nuclear facilities in June. These developments have led to a “watch-and-wait” approach among developers and buyers, as noted by Leonard Tay, Head of Research at Knight Frank Singapore.

Despite the slowdown in transactions, private home prices showed marginal growth. The URA All Residential Price Index rose by 0.5% quarter-on-quarter (q-o-q) and 3.0% year-on-year (y-o-y) in Q2 2025. However, this was a slower increase compared to the 0.8% q-o-q growth in Q1 2025. The Core Central Region (CCR) saw the highest price growth at 2.3% q-o-q, driven by the launch of 21 Anderson.

In contrast, the Rest of Central Region (RCR) experienced a 1.1% q-o-q price decrease, despite active sales from new projects like One Marina Gardens. The Outside Central Region (OCR) had no new launches but saw a 0.9% q-o-q price increase, supported by existing projects and the resale market.

Landed home prices increased by 0.7% q-o-q, with selective activity expected to continue. As global uncertainties persist, Knight Frank anticipates private home price growth in 2025 to remain at the lower end of the projected 3% to 5% range.
“`