Industry News

EtonHouse International Education Group has partnered with OpenAI to launch ChatGPT Edu, a secure enterprise-grade AI workspace across its global education network. This initiative aligns with Singapore’s national AI strategy, announced in Budget 2026, which aims to accelerate AI deployment across various sectors. The rollout extends AI integration beyond classrooms into operations, marketing, and administration, enhancing institutional capability and governance.

The AI workspace, implemented across EtonHouse’s schools and brands, including E-Bridge Pre-School, is designed to support various enterprise functions. It employs role-based access controls and single sign-on authentication to ensure secure and compliant AI usage. This governance-first approach marks a shift from isolated AI experimentation to structured, scalable adoption.

EtonHouse’s previous development of Lumina, an AI-powered lesson planning platform, laid the groundwork for this new phase of AI integration. The deployment of ChatGPT Edu allows teams to conduct structured analysis, generate reports, and enhance development workflows using OpenAI’s Codex tool. The initiative aims to augment, not replace, professional judgement, as emphasised by EtonHouse’s Group CEO, Ng Yi Xian: “AI should amplify good practice, not replace it.”

The rollout includes staff training with OpenAI experts and clear usage guidelines to ensure responsible AI deployment. As Singapore advances its AI ambitions, EtonHouse’s initiative demonstrates how educational institutions can contribute to national AI capability building. This move signals a transition to secure, scalable AI integration, reinforcing EtonHouse’s commitment to innovation and responsible deployment.

Genting Singapore Limited has announced its financial results for the fiscal year ending 31 December 2025, reporting a revenue of $2,452.1m. The company’s adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) stood at $815.8m, marking a 15% decline from the previous year. This decrease is attributed to the costs associated with new launches and ongoing infrastructure upgrades at Resorts World Sentosa (RWS).

The company’s revenue experienced a slight 3% year-on-year decline, primarily due to a lower win rate in gaming revenue. However, non-gaming revenue saw an upswing in the latter half of the year, bolstered by refreshed attractions and hospitality offerings that enhanced guest engagement. Despite these challenges, Genting Singapore maintained a strong balance sheet with total equity of $8.2b and cash reserves exceeding $3.2b.

Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, Chairman and Acting CEO, described 2025 as a “defining transition year” for the company, highlighting the significant phase of asset refresh at RWS. He expressed confidence in the newly reinforced management team’s ability to execute the RWS 2.0 vision effectively.

In terms of shareholder returns, the Board has proposed a final dividend of 2.0 cents per share, bringing the total dividend for FY2025 to 4.0 cents per share, consistent with the previous year. This decision underscores the company’s commitment to sustainable shareholder returns whilst supporting ongoing operations and strategic investments.

A recent study by The Investors Centre has identified the United States, United Kingdom, and Singapore as the most cost-effective countries for retail investment platforms. The research, which examined platform-driven trading costs across 50 countries, highlights that whilst zero-commission trading is now standard, other fees such as spread markups, FX conversion fees, and overnight financing charges significantly impact net returns.

The study analysed fees from major platforms like Capital.com, Trading 212, and Interactive Brokers, excluding government taxes and statutory levies. It found that in the US, deep liquidity and intense broker competition minimise FX drag, whilst the UK’s high fintech density and transparent pricing compress spreads. Singapore benefits from efficient FX markets and competitive funding rates.

Conversely, Nigeria, India, and Brazil rank as the highest-cost environments due to wider FX conversion spreads and higher financing charges. The findings underscore that commission-free trading does not equate to cost-free investing, with the gap between advertised and actual trading costs in the US exceeding 60%.

Thomas Drury, Co-Founder and Senior Trading Analyst at The Investors Centre, noted, “In mature financial hubs, competition has largely eliminated visible commissions. What differentiates markets today is execution quality, FX efficiency, and financing competitiveness.”

The report suggests that retail investors can benefit from lower-cost markets by minimising FX drag, understanding spread and funding mechanics, and focusing on execution efficiency. The analysis was conducted using a standardised transaction basket across six global regions, ensuring accuracy and comparability.

Singapore Airlines (SIA) Group has reported a significant 25.9% increase in operating profit for the third quarter of FY2025/26, driven by record revenue of S$5,506m. This growth was attributed to robust passenger demand and stronger yields, despite a decline in net profit due to the absence of a one-off accounting gain from the previous year.

The Group’s financial results revealed that passenger numbers rose by 6.3% year-on-year, with SIA and its low-cost subsidiary, Scoot, carrying 10.9 million passengers. The passenger load factor improved to 87.5%, supported by a 2.8% capacity expansion. However, cargo revenue decreased by 5.4% to S$581m, as yields fell by 6.2%.

Total expenditure increased by 2.7% to S$4,714m, primarily due to higher non-fuel and net fuel costs. The operating profit reached S$792m, marking a S$163m increase from the previous year. However, net profit dropped by 68.9% to S$505m, impacted by the absence of a S$1,098m gain from the disposal of Vistara following its merger with Air India in 2024.

SIA’s fleet and network developments included the addition of new aeroplanes to Scoot’s fleet and the expansion of routes to destinations such as Sapporo, Danang, and Kota Bharu. The Group’s passenger network now spans 134 destinations across 37 countries and territories.

Looking ahead, SIA plans to enhance its premium travel offerings, with ongoing upgrades to its lounges and in-flight services. These initiatives aim to reinforce SIA’s industry leadership and improve the overall customer experience.

Great Eastern Holdings Limited has announced a record profit attributable to shareholders of S$1,207.1m for the financial year ending 31 December 2025. This represents a 21% increase from the previous year, driven by favourable investment performance and earnings from its existing in-force portfolio. Despite a 15% decline in Total Weighted New Sales, the Group’s strategic shift towards a diversified range of longer-term products has been a key factor in its financial success.

The New Business Embedded Value (NBEV) saw a significant increase of 19% to S$739.7m, reflecting improved channel productivity and strong growth in Singapore’s bancassurance sector. Group CEO Greg Hingston attributed the robust results to disciplined capital management and operational efficiency, stating, “Our performance reflects both favourable investment returns and the strength of our underlying business fundamentals.”

The Board of Directors has proposed a final one-tier tax exempt dividend of 30 cents per share, pending approval at the Annual General Meeting. This, combined with an interim dividend of 25 cents per share paid in September 2025, brings the total dividend for FY2025 to 55 cents per share—a 22% increase from the previous year.

In Singapore, Great Eastern has expanded its product offerings and customer engagement, launching 18 new products and enhancing its Great Medical Care Concierge service. In Malaysia, the Group introduced “The Great Journey,” an initiative connecting hospitals and clinics to provide coordinated healthcare. Additionally, the Group has advanced its digital and AI capabilities, improving advisory and claims processes.

The company’s strong performance and strategic initiatives position it well for sustainable growth in the coming years.

TADA, Singapore’s pioneering zero-commission ride-hailing platform, has announced its commitment to maintain its current fee structure throughout 2026. This decision supports the Singapore Budget 2026, which aims to alleviate cost-of-living pressures for households. TADA’s move comes as other platforms increase fees to cover new operational costs, such as those from the Platform Workers Act.

TADA’s strategic roadmap is underpinned by three consecutive years of operational profitability, supported by a lean operational model and positive cash flow. With 40,000 drivers in Singapore and 300,000 globally, TADA covers nearly half of Singapore’s private-hire fleet. The company is also preparing for global expansion, with plans to introduce its zero-commission model in New York by June 2026 and in Africa by the fourth quarter of 2026.

Founder Kay Woo highlighted the risk of “enshittification,” where platforms prioritise shareholder profit over user experience and driver benefits. “It’s a vicious cycle if platforms continue to squeeze every dollar of profit out of the driver and the rider,” Woo stated. TADA’s commitment to maintaining its fee structure is seen as a vital extension of the Singapore Budget 2026 relief measures.

TADA’s pilot programme in December 2025 demonstrated significant income gains for drivers, with some earning up to 75% more on peak days. The company’s initiatives aim to address driver shortages and improve service reliability, aligning with national goals to strengthen the social compact.

UOB Group has announced an operating profit of S$7.7b for the financial year ending 31 December 2025, driven by robust fee momentum in its wholesale and retail banking sectors. However, net profit decreased by 23% to S$4.7b, primarily due to pre-emptive general allowances set aside in the third quarter to bolster provision coverage against macroeconomic uncertainties.

The bank’s Board has proposed a final dividend of 71 cents per ordinary share, culminating in a total dividend of S$1.56 per share for FY25, excluding the pre-emptive provision from the final dividend calculation. Additionally, a special dividend of 50 pence per share was distributed in two tranches during the year.

Despite a 3% decline in net interest income, UOB saw a 7% increase in net fee income, reaching a record S$2.6b, thanks to significant growth in wealth management and loan-related fees. Asset quality remained stable with a non-performing loan ratio of 1.5%, and credit costs improved to 19 basis points in the fourth quarter.

Group Wholesale Banking’s operating profit fell 8% due to lower interest rates, but investment banking and customer-related treasury income achieved record highs. Retail Banking reported a 9% decline in operating profit to S$2.3b, with growth in wealth management and card billings offsetting income pressures.

UOB will also provide a one-off supplementary payout to junior employees, recognising their contributions in challenging times. Deputy Chairman and CEO Wee Ee Cheong highlighted the bank’s strong balance sheet and commitment to enhancing regional connectivity and digital capabilities to support customers and seize new opportunities.

CBRE has announced the sale of a rare 184-room freehold hotel located at 12 Lorong 12 Geylang, Singapore, at a revised price of S$110m. The property, previously listed at S$120m in 2024, is being offered through an Expression of Interest (EOI) exercise, closing on 26 March 2026 at 12pm.

The eight-storey hotel, occupying a 15,731 sq ft site, features a gross floor area of approximately 43,500 sq ft. It includes a spacious lobby, private parking, and rooms averaging 175 sq ft, each with ensuite bathrooms and large windows. The property is strategically located in the Geylang area, which has seen rapid gentrification and a rise in co-living operators, making it an attractive investment for both investors and owner-occupiers.

Michael Tay, Deputy Managing Director and Head of Capital Markets at CBRE, highlighted the scarcity of such assets in the Geylang area, noting, “There are fewer than five hotels with more than 150 rooms in the area, and such freehold assets are tightly held and rarely made available.” He expects interest from family offices, high-net-worth individuals, and real estate funds.

The hotel offers multiple value-creation opportunities, including potential conversion of the back alley into outdoor amenities and refurbishment to enhance room rates. Its proximity to the Singapore Indoor Stadium and major transport links further boosts its appeal, positioning it well for alternative accommodation models like co-living and long-stay concepts.

Singapore’s National Quantum Federated Foundry (NQFF) has teamed up with Qolab, a quantum computing company co-founded by 2025 Physics Nobel Laureate John Martinis, to develop components crucial for scaling quantum computers. The partnership focuses on creating cryogenic low-pass filters, which are essential for building larger and more powerful quantum systems.

The collaboration leverages Singapore’s robust semiconductor and deep tech ecosystem to address a significant bottleneck in quantum computing. “Building useful quantum computers requires scaling from dozens to millions of qubits, and that means we need not just more qubits but also reliable, manufacturable supporting hardware,” said Martinis, who is also Qolab’s Chief Technology Officer.

Cryogenic filters play a vital role in quantum computing by shielding superconducting qubits from unwanted high-frequency signals. These filters are currently large and difficult to manufacture at scale. The partnership aims to develop filters that can be integrated directly with qubit circuits, allowing for more compact and reliable quantum systems

The filters are expected to be deployed at the University of California, Los Angeles, signalling confidence in Singapore’s capabilities. Ling Keok Tong, Executive Director of the National Quantum Office, noted that the collaboration “demonstrates how Singapore can contribute critical quantum hardware components to the global ecosystem.”

The agreement was signed in the presence of Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo, highlighting Singapore’s commitment to advancing its role in the global quantum supply chain.

Singapore’s core Consumer Price Index (CPI) unexpectedly declined in January, driven by lower education and holiday prices, according to UOB Global Economics and Markets Research. The core CPI fell by 0.3% month-on-month, contrasting with a 0.4% rise in December, and registered a 1.0% year-on-year increase, falling short of Bloomberg’s 1.5% estimate and UOB’s 1.6% prediction.

The decline in core inflation was primarily attributed to a significant drop in education costs, which fell by 2.28% in January. This decrease was partly due to the reduction in childcare fee caps for Anchor Operator and Partner Operator schools, effective from 1 January 2026. Additionally, recreation, sport, and culture expenses saw a third consecutive monthly decline, influenced by reduced hotel, chalet, and package holiday costs. Airfares also experienced a notable pullback, decreasing by 4.2% month-on-month.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) anticipates further normalisation in core inflation, with an updated projection range of 1.0–2.0% for 2026. MAS remains confident that imported costs will remain contained, and subdued producer prices in Asia will limit inflationary pressures. The statement also highlighted the potential for sustained productivity growth, which could offset wage pressures and maintain measured services and goods inflation.

UOB maintains its 2026 core and headline inflation forecasts at 1.5% and expects MAS to adjust the Singapore Dollar Nominal Effective Exchange Rate (S$NEER) policy band in April 2026. This adjustment aims to align the S$REER more closely with equilibrium levels, rather than initiating a series of tightening measures.