Industry News

CIMB has outlined a strategic approach for investors in 2026, emphasising the importance of discipline, diversification, and derisking amidst the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) and Asia’s rising investment appeal. Jason Kuan, Director of Investment Research and Advisory at CIMB Singapore, advises focusing on high-quality stocks, expanding exposure to Asian markets, and incorporating hedging strategies to manage market volatility.

CIMB’s strategy, dubbed the ‘3Ds’, encourages investors to remain disciplined by selecting quality stocks and credit, diversify by investing in stable Asian markets like Singapore and Malaysia, and derisk through gold hedge strategies and private equity. “Investors may want to be more selective than just focusing on the US market,” Kuan stated, noting the high US stock prices and potential volatility from trade policies.

The bank also highlights Asia’s expanding role in the global AI supply chain and ongoing market reforms as key factors positioning the region as a prime investment destination. Countries like Japan, South Korea, and China are enhancing governance and liquidity, creating a supportive environment for earnings and valuations.

CIMB recommends a balanced portfolio approach, including Asian equities and high-quality corporate bonds, to navigate the anticipated volatility in a weakening US dollar environment. The bank suggests focusing on bonds with short-to-mid durations, particularly those denominated in AUD and GBP, to stabilise portfolios.

As global markets evolve, CIMB stresses the importance of maintaining a diversified portfolio to achieve steady, risk-adjusted returns. The bank’s 2026 outlook underscores the need for measured exuberance in investment strategies.

Skylink Holdings Limited has announced a proposed share placement to raise up to S$7.02m, aiming to bolster its financial position and support growth strategies. The placement involves up to 26 million ordinary shares at S$0.27 each, with SAC Capital Private Limited acting as the placement agent.

The proceeds from this initiative will primarily fund the expansion of Skylink’s electric commercial vehicle fleet and related initiatives, as well as enhance its loan book through potential mergers and acquisitions. This move comes as part of Skylink’s broader strategy to strengthen its market presence and financial flexibility.

Since its listing on the Singapore Exchange in September 2025, Skylink has been actively pursuing strategic initiatives. Notably, the company secured engineering service contracts with SBS Transit and F&N Foods in November 2025, and expanded its workshop facilities at Jurong Port Road. Additionally, Skylink acquired 132 commercial vehicles in December 2025, enhancing its revenue streams and optimising vehicle replacement cycles.

Wesley Shen, CEO of Skylink Holdings, emphasised the importance of the proposed placement, stating, “The capital raised will further strengthen our balance sheet, providing us with greater financial flexibility as we implement our growth strategies and pursue new opportunities.”

Non-Executive Chairman Teh Wing Kwan highlighted the potential to attract institutional investors, broadening Skylink’s investor base. The company had previously raised S$9.2m during its listing, reflecting strong investor confidence.

The placement shares will represent approximately 12.9% of Skylink’s enlarged share capital, and the company will seek approval for their listing on the SGX Catalist.

Frasers Property Singapore has launched a new retail brand and service identity aimed at enhancing the customer experience across nine of its 12 managed malls. This initiative introduces Singapore’s first in-store wayfinding and mapping solution, alongside revitalised customer touchpoints. The transformation is guided by the company’s purpose of “Inspiring experiences, creating places for good,” focusing on connectivity, inclusivity, and vibrancy.

The new identity will be progressively rolled out, featuring a refreshed visual system to strengthen brand recognition whilst allowing each mall to retain its unique character. Adrian Tan, Managing Director of Retail at Frasers Property Singapore, stated, “By bringing service, design and innovation under a unified identity, we hope to deliver a more thoughtful experience at every touchpoint.”

Key enhancements include revitalised concierge counters and roving Service Ambassadors, trained in hospitality to provide a welcoming and professional service. The introduction of community motifs co-created with employees and shoppers reflects each mall’s culture and history, reinforcing the company’s vision of transforming everyday spaces into places of connection and pride.

The innovative wayfinding solution, developed with accessibility advocates and indoor mapping leader Mappedin, offers turn-by-turn indoor navigation and barrier-free routes, enhancing accessibility for all visitors. This initiative is part of Frasers Property’s ongoing commitment to creating inclusive and vibrant retail environments.

As Frasers Property continues to evolve its malls into community-centric destinations, these enhancements mark a significant step in redefining the retail experience in Singapore. Future phases will introduce additional features to further improve convenience and accessibility.

The Singapore strata commercial market saw a notable shift in H2 2025, with strata retail outperforming strata office in sales activity, according to Knight Frank Singapore. The strata retail sector recorded 181 transactions, a 58.8% increase from the first half of the year, totalling S$448m in sales. This surge reflects a growing investor interest in retail properties as a hedge against rental cycles amidst broader sector challenges.

The strata office market, however, experienced a slowdown. Despite achieving a record number of 354 transactions in 2025, the total sales value fell 5.2% year-on-year to S$1.1b. The second half of the year saw a significant 51.7% decline in sales value to S$355.8m compared to H1 2025. The average unit price also dropped 20.7% to S$2,224 per square foot.

Mary Sai, Executive Director of Capital Markets at Knight Frank Singapore, noted that demand for strata offices remained concentrated in the Central Business District and city-fringe locations with strong transport connectivity. The Downtown Core Planning Area led with 40 units sold, valued at S$123m.

In the strata retail sector, eight transactions exceeded S$10m, including a notable S$39.2m deal in GB Building. Freehold strata retail transactions reached a high since 2016, with 109 deals amounting to S$285m.

Looking ahead, Knight Frank projects that anticipated interest rate cuts could bolster buying sentiment into 2026, with strata retail transaction values expected to range between S$500m and S$700m.

AXS, a leading payments platform in Singapore, has unveiled AXS Rewards, a new in-app programme designed to reward users for their routine bill payments. This initiative, launched on 28 January 2026, allows customers to earn AXS Coins for every bill paid through the AXS mobile app, which can be redeemed for vouchers to offset future bills.

AXS, which aggregates bills from over 800 billing organisations, aims to enhance customer experience by providing value through rewards. According to a recent survey, 53% of respondents indicated that utilities and telecommunications bills constitute the majority of their regular payments. This underscores the everyday nature of these transactions and the potential impact of the new rewards programme.

The launch includes a promotional Mystery Box, offering prizes worth up to $88 for a limited time. AXS CEO Quah Chun Han stated, “Paying bills is an essential but uncelebrated part of daily life, and there’s always a desire for more value from services our users already rely on.”

The programme is part of AXS’s strategy to consolidate bill payments on a single platform whilst maintaining simplicity and reliability. By Q2 2026, AXS plans to expand its rewards catalogue to include deals on food, beverages, travel, and more.

AXS Rewards is now available on the AXS mobile app, with full eligibility and redemption terms accessible within the app.

Cathay Pacific’s Airbus A350, featuring the iconic ‘lettuce leaf sandwich’ livery, made its debut landing at Singapore’s Changi Airport on 27 January 2026. This event is part of the airline’s “80 Years Together” anniversary celebrations, honouring its legacy and deep ties with Singapore, a key market in Southeast Asia.

The special livery, a nod to Cathay’s early years, symbolises the airline’s storied history and ongoing progress. Frosti Lau, Cathay’s Regional General Manager for Southeast Asia and Oceania, emphasised the significance of Singapore in Cathay’s journey since its first scheduled flight in 1946. “The special livery honours Cathay’s legacy whilst symbolising our continued progress to connecting the world via our Hong Kong hub,” Lau stated.

Cathay’s relationship with Singapore has seen numerous milestones, including being the first commercial airline to depart from Changi International Airport in 1981 and the launch carrier at Terminal 4 in 2017. The aircraft, adorned with the retro livery, will continue to operate on international routes throughout 2026, extending the visibility of Cathay’s anniversary celebrations globally.

As Cathay embarks on its anniversary year, it plans to roll out various celebrations and initiatives, highlighting the people, partnerships, and journeys that have shaped its story. The airline’s commitment to innovation and heritage continues to strengthen its presence in the region.

OCBC Group has introduced a new securities lending programme in collaboration with Citi, utilising the Citi Securities Lending Access (CSLA) platform. This initiative allows OCBC Securities’ retail and corporate customers, along with clients from its private banking arm, Bank of Singapore, to lend their idle securities to institutional borrowers, thereby generating fee income. The programme, which retains flexibility for clients to sell their securities at any time, is set to expand to Bank of Singapore clients.

The CSLA platform simplifies the securities lending process, providing OCBC access to global institutional borrowers such as prime brokers and investment banks. These borrowers utilise the securities for strategies including short selling, arbitraging, and hedging. The global securities lending market is experiencing rapid growth, with revenues reaching US$1.2b in December 2025, marking a 24% year-over-year increase, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence.

Kenneth Lai, Head of Global Markets at OCBC, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “We are delighted to be able to collaborate with Citi, leveraging their best-in-class technology and deep expertise in this field, to offer securities lending services to our clients.” He highlighted the benefits of increased trading volumes and market efficiency, alongside additional returns for clients.

Citi’s Asia South Head of Services, Mridula Iyer, noted the significance of the partnership, saying, “We are proud to work with a leading Singapore institution like OCBC as we deliver innovative digital solutions that address the evolving needs of the Asian market.”

This development marks a significant expansion of CSLA in Asia, bringing its benefits to a diverse investor community and introducing a new pool of securities to the lending market.

The Singapore Airshow 2026, set to take place from 3 to 8 February at the Changi Exhibition Centre, will feature an impressive line-up of eight aerial displays. Aviation enthusiasts can look forward to performances by six air forces and two commercial aircraft manufacturers, showcasing a blend of aerobatics and aerial capabilities.

This year’s event will see the debut of the Royal Australian Air Force’s F-35A Lightning II, a fifth-generation fighter aircraft. Returning favourites include the Indian Air Force’s Sarang helicopter display team, the Indonesian Air Force’s Jupiter aerobatic team, and the People’s Liberation Army Air Force’s Bayi aerobatic team. The Royal Malaysian Air Force’s Sukhoi Su-30MKM fighter jet will also make a comeback, having previously performed in 2016 and 2018. The Republic of Singapore Air Force will present its Integrated Display Team, featuring the F-16C fighter jet and the AH-64D Apache attack helicopter.

Commercial aviation enthusiasts will be treated to displays by the Airbus A350-1000 and COMAC’s C919 narrowbody airliner. Leck Chet Lam, Managing Director of Experia Events, the organiser of the Singapore Airshow, stated, “The flying displays are always among the most anticipated highlights of the Singapore Airshow, and the 2026 line-up reflects the strong international support for the event.”

The aerial displays are scheduled once daily on 3 February at 12:00 pm and on 4 and 5 February at 11:00 am. During the Weekend Airshow on 7 and 8 February, performances will occur twice daily at 11:00 am and 3:30 pm. Attendees are advised to check the Singapore Airshow website for updates.

In addition to the aerial performances, the event will feature a static display of over 35 aircraft, including commercial, business, military, and unmanned platforms. Weekend Airshow tickets are available through SISTIC, priced at S$39 for adults, S$19 for children aged 3 to 12, and S$250 for a group package.

Prysmian, a leading global cable solutions provider, is reinforcing its commitment to Asia Pacific as the region accelerates its energy transition and digital expansion. With a presence in Singapore for five decades, Prysmian is poised to support the region’s infrastructure needs, from power grids to digital networks, with advanced cable solutions.

The rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) data centres is reshaping global infrastructure demand, requiring higher power capacity and advanced digital connectivity. Prysmian is addressing these challenges by introducing a new power cable design in Southeast Asia. This innovation allows the delivery of the same power as conventional cables whilst using less copper and featuring a smaller diameter. The cable can safely operate at temperatures up to 110 degrees Celsius, compared to the industry norm of 90 degrees Celsius.

Key benefits of this new design include reduced copper usage, lower production costs, lighter weight for efficient transportation, and a smaller bending radius for easier installation. These features support sustainable infrastructure development, particularly in data centres and urban environments.

Prysmian’s global scale—107 plants, 27 R&D centres, and over 33,000 employees—enables it to support Asia Pacific’s infrastructure growth. The company aims for 55% of its revenue to come from sustainable products by 2028 and is committed to achieving Net Zero by 2035. Recognised for its sustainability efforts, Prysmian continues to invest in innovation and partnerships to support the region’s energy and digital transformation.

The latest JTC Quarterly Market Report for Q4 2025 reveals a 0.4 percentage point decline in the occupancy rate for all industrial spaces, settling at 88.7%. This decrease is attributed to strong completions, which increased the total industrial stock by 345,000 square metres, reversing the previous quarter’s decline. Over the entire year, the occupancy rate fell by 0.3 percentage points as completions outpaced the increase in occupied stock.

The rental index for industrial spaces showed a moderated growth of 0.5% in Q4 2025, contributing to a 2.4% rise for the year. This marks a slowdown compared to the 3.5% increase in 2024 and is the slowest annual growth since 2021. Meanwhile, the price index rose by 1.4% in the quarter and 5.0% for the year.

To meet industrial demand, the Government has increased land supply through the Industrial Government Land Sales (IGLS) programme. In 2025, 10 IGLS sites totalling 12.8 hectares were awarded, surpassing the five sites totalling 10.5 hectares in 2024.

Looking ahead, approximately 1.0 million square metres of new industrial space is expected to be completed in 2026, with an additional 1.6 million square metres anticipated in 2027. This compares to an average annual supply and demand of 0.8 million and 0.6 million square metres, respectively, over the past three years. JTC anticipates stable occupancy and continued moderation in rental rates, barring a significant economic downturn. The organisation will continue to monitor market conditions and support industrialists’ needs.