Industry News

Landmark REIT has announced a 2.8% increase in gross revenue, reaching S$103m for the first half of 2026. This growth is attributed to positive rental reversions and improved leasing across its portfolio, according to the manager, Landmark REIT Management Ltd. Rental revenue also saw a 3.5% rise to S$56.5m, whilst net property income climbed 4.9% to S$61.1m.

The Trust’s portfolio maintained a healthy occupancy rate of 86.5%, supported by ongoing asset enhancement activities and tenant optimisation efforts. Chief Executive Officer James Liew highlighted the strategic focus on enhancing the quality and resilience of the portfolio, stating, “Through a series of major refurbishments and targeted asset enhancement initiatives, we have enhanced the competitiveness of our malls.”

Significant refurbishments are underway at key locations such as Lippo Icon Cibubur and Lippo Mall Nusantara, aimed at elevating the shopper experience. The Trust also reported a positive rental reversion of 2.4% and successfully renewed 79.3% of expiring leases.

Financially, Landmark REIT improved its capital structure, reducing total debt by 11.5% to S$574.6m and lowering its gearing ratio to 39.63%. The Trust plans to resume distributions to unitholders in FY2027, contingent upon continued financial improvements.

Looking ahead, the Trust remains focused on disciplined execution amidst global market volatility and geopolitical uncertainties, prioritising asset enhancement and prudent capital management.

Quantcast, an AI-driven advertising platform, has appointed Tom Weaving as its new Managing Director for Southeast Asia. Weaving will focus on driving revenue growth in key markets such as Singapore and Hong Kong, alongside other emerging regions. A significant part of his role involves the rollout of Quantcast’s Q+ product, an innovative advertising solution that enables advertisers to reach audiences across the open internet through a unified ad set.

Weaving, who will be based in Singapore, brings over a decade of experience in programmatic advertising and sales leadership across Southeast Asia and the broader Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. He previously worked at The Trade Desk, where he was instrumental in expanding its Southeast Asian business.

Paul Sigaloff, Vice President for APAC at Quantcast, expressed confidence in Weaving’s capabilities, stating, “Tom has a proven track record of building and leading high-performing commercial teams and driving commercial growth. This is an exciting appointment for Quantcast as we continue to build our presence across the region.”

Weaving commented on his new role, highlighting the region’s digital maturity and the need for performance-driven solutions. “Southeast Asia is at a pivotal inflection point in its digital maturity and brands need performance more than ever. I’m energised to lead our team in unlocking new levels of performance for our clients,” he said.

Weaving’s appointment is effective immediately, following the recent announcement of Paul Sigaloff as Quantcast’s Vice President for APAC. Quantcast continues to expand its influence in the digital advertising landscape, leveraging its AI-powered platform to enhance client performance.

OrangeTee and Knight Frank have announced a strategic partnership allowing eligible salespersons from KF Property Network (KFPN) to transition to OrangeTee & Tie. This move aims to ensure continuity for clients and support the long-term growth of the salespersons’ businesses. The agreement follows strategic discussions that began in late 2025, highlighting a shared commitment to professional standards and client-first values.

The partnership aligns with Knight Frank’s focus on its core business priorities and regional integration. OrangeTee was chosen for its scale, technology, and governance, which are expected to support the salespersons over the long term. Justin Quek, CEO of OrangeTee, expressed confidence in the partnership, stating, “This reflects the confidence Knight Frank has placed in our governance standards, professional platform and ability to support real estate professionals over the long term.”

Dr Tan Tee Khoon, Head of KF Property Network, emphasised the importance of providing the right platform for their salespersons to grow and serve clients confidently. “OrangeTee stood out because of its professionalism, client-first culture and strong support for long-term success,” he noted.

Salespersons transitioning to OrangeTee will benefit from expanded training, technology, and business development resources. Both organisations are committed to ensuring a seamless onboarding process with minimal disruption to clients. This collaboration positions OrangeTee as Singapore’s fourth-largest property agency by registered salespersons, with approximately 2,567 registered agents.

Ever Glory United has announced the acquisition of more than S$168m in new contracts, pushing its total order book beyond S$1b. This significant milestone provides the company with earnings visibility through 2028 and highlights its continued growth momentum. Since the beginning of 2026, the company has secured nearly S$400m in new contracts.

The CEO and Executive Director of Ever Glory United, Xu Ruibing, expressed the importance of this achievement, stating, “Crossing the S$1b order book mark is a defining milestone for the Group. Our order book has grown from S$732.8m at the start of this year to beyond S$1b in just seven months, a powerful endorsement of our integrated platform and the trust our clients place in us.”

The new contracts include mechanical and electrical works on military infrastructure projects and commercial mixed development projects, showcasing the company’s ability to compete for and win diverse contracts. With Singapore’s construction sector expected to remain robust, Ever Glory United anticipates a healthy pipeline of opportunities.

Xu Ruibing emphasised the company’s focus on disciplined execution, aiming to convert the record order book into quality earnings and sustained value for stakeholders. This strategic approach positions Ever Glory United to capitalise on future opportunities and maintain its growth trajectory.

The latest report from PropNex Research reveals that Singapore’s shophouse market experienced a significant increase in sales value during the second quarter of 2026, despite a subdued transaction volume. The total sales value reached approximately $193.7m, marking a 115.2% quarter-on-quarter increase from nearly $90m in the previous quarter. This surge was attributed to several high-value transactions, including a notable $70m deal for a row of freehold shophouses at Lorong Liput.

Transaction volume, however, remained muted with only 16 deals recorded, a 14.3% increase from Q1 2026 but an 11.1% decrease year-on-year. The market faced challenges due to persistent economic uncertainties and a pricing mismatch between buyers and sellers, leading many investors to adopt a cautious approach.

Leasing activity also saw a decline, with 745 rental contracts signed in Q2 2026, a 7% drop from the previous quarter. The total value of these contracts fell to $7.7m, the lowest since Q1 2021. Despite these challenges, the ongoing recovery in Singapore’s tourism sector is expected to support future leasing demand.

Wong Siew Ying, Head of Research and Content at PropNex, noted that whilst the market remains cautious, the high-value transactions indicate potential for value recovery. Looking ahead, the market may see more competitive rental terms as landlords seek to attract tenants amidst an uncertain economic environment.

CapitaLand Ascott Trust (CLAS) has announced a stable Distribution per Stapled Security (DPS) of 2.53 Singapore cents for the first half of 2026, maintaining its year-on-year performance. The trust reported an 11% increase in income available for distribution, reaching S$107.1m, attributed to higher non-periodic items. Total distribution was S$97.5m after retaining S$9.6m in non-periodic items.

The trust’s core distribution income faced challenges from transitional factors such as timing differences in acquisitions and divestments, asset enhancement initiatives (AEIs), foreign exchange impacts, and one-off tax adjustments. Despite these, revenue per available unit (REVPAU) increased by 1% year-on-year, showcasing resilience amidst macroeconomic uncertainties.

Serena Teo, CEO of CapitaLand Ascott Trust Management Limited, highlighted the trust’s strategic moves, including acquiring three rental housing properties in Japan and divesting The Robertson House in Singapore. These actions aim to enhance portfolio quality and income resilience. “We remain focused on recycling capital into higher-quality assets and value-enhancing AEIs to strengthen CLAS’ income profile,” Teo stated.

Looking ahead, the trust plans to open Somerset Clarke Quay Singapore in early 2027, which, along with contributions from renovated properties, is expected to bolster future income growth. The record date for the 1H 2026 DPS is 5 August, with distributions to be paid on 28 August.

Private residential sales in Singapore surged by 13.6% quarter-on-quarter in Q2 2026, according to Cushman & Wakefield’s analysis of the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s statistics. This increase, reversing a 19.2% decline in Q1 2026, was largely fuelled by the resale market, which accounted for 62% of the total sales volume.

Despite a continued rise in private residential prices, which have now increased for seven consecutive quarters, buying momentum has shown signs of moderation. The overall sales volume for the first half of 2026 reached 11,561 units, marking a 6.7% year-on-year decline. The limited pipeline of new launches has prompted some buyers to explore the resale market, whilst developers remain keen on land acquisition, as evidenced by several large-scale site sales.

Private residential prices rose by 0.5% quarter-on-quarter in Q2 2026, with landed residential prices increasing by 2.5%. Non-landed residential prices, however, saw a slight decline of 0.1%, driven by a 1.8% increase in the Core Central Region, contrasting with declines in the Rest of Central Region and Outside Central Region.

Looking ahead, private residential prices are expected to rise by 2.0–4.0% year-on-year in 2026, supported by demand from new launches and HDB upgraders. The market’s resilience is further bolstered by rising replacement costs due to higher land and construction prices.

Sanli Environmental Limited, a Singapore-based environmental engineering group, has announced securing new contracts worth approximately S$60.1m. The contracts, spanning both public and private sectors, include engineering works, system upgrades, and maintenance services in the water and environmental infrastructure sector within Singapore and Malaysia.

The majority of these contracts, valued at around S$57.7m, were awarded by Sanli’s major public sector customer, highlighting the company’s robust and long-standing relationships. The contracts feature varying service tenures, reflecting Sanli’s commitment to consistent project delivery and operational excellence over the past 20 years.

Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of Sanli, Sim Hock Heng, stated, “Whilst these contracts may be individually smaller in value, collectively they represent a resilient stream of business that reflects the strength of our long-standing customer relationships.” He added that as Singapore continues to invest in water infrastructure to support urban development and the growing demand from sectors such as data centres, Sanli is well-positioned to seize further opportunities in this essential sector.

Following a successful year of engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) project wins in 2025, which boosted its order book to record levels, Sanli remains focused on the timely execution and delivery of these projects for both private clients and public sector customers, including the Public Utilities Board (PUB) and Land Transport Authority (LTA).

Tesla has set a new record for vehicle deliveries in Singapore, with the Model Y emerging as the best-selling SUV in June 2026. This milestone highlights Tesla’s growing influence in the Singaporean automotive market, driven by increased production and strategic expansion.

The Model Y’s success in Singapore is part of a broader trend, with Tesla achieving record deliveries in several countries, including South Korea, Australia, and Japan. The company is ramping up production of its 4680 battery cells to meet the rising demand, ensuring a steady supply of the Model Y, which is currently the world’s best-selling vehicle.

In Singapore, Tesla offers the Model 3 and Model Y, with prices starting at S$187,999 and S$217,999, respectively. Financing options are available, with interest rates as low as 1.47% per annum. As of June 2026, over 11,000 Tesla vehicles are on Singapore’s roads, reflecting the brand’s growing popularity.

Tesla’s commitment to innovation is evident in its recent software updates. The Summer 2026 release enhances the Grok AI Assistant, allowing users to make phone calls, play music, and adjust climate control. Additionally, automatic navigation now supports any destination based on personal habits, further enhancing the user experience.

The expansion of Tesla’s Supercharger network is also noteworthy. In Singapore, there are currently 53 stalls across 15 locations, with plans for further expansion. This network facilitates cross-country travel from Singapore to Thailand, supported by cross-border warranty coverage and service access.

Looking forward, Tesla aims to continue its growth by integrating vehicle expansion, charging infrastructure, and AI advancements, ensuring long-term value for its customers and communities worldwide.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has announced a modest increase in the rate of appreciation of the Singapore dollar nominal effective exchange rate (S$NEER) policy band, as detailed in the July 2026 Monetary Policy Statement (MPS). This decision reflects a 25 basis points (bps) slope steepening to 1.25% per annum, marking a more measured approach compared to the previous tightening in April 2026.

The move comes amidst heightened macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainties, with MAS opting for gradual policy adjustments to avoid an excessively strong S$NEER. The central bank’s decision to maintain the width and centre of the policy band unchanged signals a cautious stance, as markets had anticipated a potential 50bps increase.

MAS’s decision is influenced by global economic resilience, particularly in IT-related goods and services, bolstered by robust AI-related investments. Domestically, Singapore’s economy outperformed expectations in the second quarter of 2026, with a 5.7% year-on-year growth, driven by tech-related sectors despite challenges in oil-related industries.

Inflation forecasts remain stable, with core and headline inflation expected to rise in the short term due to higher energy prices and imported costs. However, MAS anticipates inflation easing in the latter half of 2027.

Looking ahead, MAS is expected to keep the current S$NEER slope settings unchanged through 2027, although further adjustments may occur if energy prices continue to impact the broader consumer price index. The central bank remains vigilant, monitoring potential demand-pull pressures and global economic developments.