Industry News

Developers in Singapore experienced a significant rebound in private home sales in July, reaching a five-month high with 940 units sold, excluding executive condominiums. This marks a more than threefold increase from June’s 272 units and a 63% rise compared to July 2024. The surge was largely fuelled by strong demand for new projects in the city and city-fringe areas, according to data released by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA).

Four new projects were launched in July, including LyndenWoods in the Science Park, The Robertson Opus, UpperHouse at Orchard Boulevard, and W Residence Marina View-Singapore. These accounted for approximately 70% of the month’s sales. LyndenWoods led the sales with 331 units sold at a median price of $2,463 per square foot (psf).

The Core Central Region (CCR) saw a remarkable recovery, with sales hitting 357 units, the highest monthly figure in over four years. The Robertson Opus and UpperHouse at Orchard Boulevard were the top performers in this region. UpperHouse sold 178 units at a median price of $3,259 psf, whilst The Robertson Opus moved 149 units at $3,359 psf.

In contrast, the Outside Central Region (OCR) experienced muted sales due to a lack of new launches, with only 70 units sold. However, sales are expected to pick up in August with new projects like Canberra Crescent Residences and Springleaf Residence entering the market.

Wong Siew Ying, Head of Research & Content at PropNex Realty, noted, “July marked a bright start to the second half of 2025 for developers’ sales and may signal a broader recovery in the CCR sub-market.” With more projects slated for launch, developers’ sales for 2025 could reach between 8,000 and 9,000 units, excluding executive condominiums.
“`

New home sales in Singapore experienced a significant rebound in July 2025, breaking a four-month decline, as reported by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA).

The surge was largely attributed to the launch of five new projects, marking the highest number of releases since November 2024, Christine Sun, Chief Researcher and Strategist, Realion Group, the group behind ETC and OrangeTee, said in a note.

Sales of new homes, excluding executive condominiums (ECs), more than tripled to 940 units, a 245.6% increase from June’s 272 units. Including ECs, sales rose by 329.8% to 1,311 units.

Among the new projects, The Robertson Opus, an executive condominium, was a standout, selling 149 of its 348 units. Its 999-year leasehold tenure and prime location near Orchard Road and the Central Business District attracted buyers. Other successful projects included Otto Place, LyndenWoods, and UpperHouse at Orchard Boulevard.

The city fringe or Rest of Central Region (RCR) saw the majority of sales, accounting for 54.6% of transactions, followed by prime areas at 38% and suburban areas at 7.4%. The luxury market also showed signs of recovery, with 29 non-landed homes priced between S$5 million and S$10 million sold, up from 11 in the previous month. However, ultra-luxury condo sales were subdued, with only two transactions exceeding S$10 million.

Looking ahead, the positive sales performance is expected to boost market sentiment, encouraging hesitant buyers to invest. Sun said. With interest rates moderating, making mortgages more affordable, demand is likely to remain resilient. A robust pipeline of new project launches in the third quarter of 2025, including Springleaf Residence and The Sen, will provide more options for investors and local buyers.
“`

Singapore’s property market witnessed a significant uptick in activity in July 2025, with developer sales reaching 940 units, excluding Executive Condominiums. This marks a substantial 245.6% increase from June’s 272 sales and a 63.2% rise compared to July 2024, according to Knight Frank Singapore’s Head of Research, Leonard Tay.

The surge was largely driven by the successful launch of Lyndenwoods, which sold 97% of its 343 units at a median price of S$2,463 per square foot. New launches in the core central region, such as UpperHouse at Orchard Boulevard and The Robertson Opus, also contributed to the heightened activity, with sales of 59% and 43% respectively.

Despite the Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty continuing to deter foreign buyers, local demand remains robust. Tay noted a shift in buyer sentiment, with more locals willing to pay a premium for new properties. “Local homebuyers are expected to support activity in the prime home market segment, largely for their own occupation,” he said.

The first seven months of 2025 have seen an estimated 5,527 primary transactions, aligning with Knight Frank’s forecast of 7,000 to 9,000 transactions for the year. This resurgence comes despite recent increases in Seller’s Stamp Duty rates and an extended holding period.

The influx of new citizens and permanent residents, with 23,472 new citizens and 34,491 new permanent residents in 2023, is expected to further bolster the market. As global instability persists, Singapore’s stable environment continues to attract those seeking high-rise living opportunities.
“`

Singapore’s property market witnessed a significant upswing in July 2025, with developers launching 1,675 units for sale, marking a 16.3-fold increase from June 2025 and a 171.9% rise year-on-year. This surge came despite the introduction of cooling measures on 4 July, which increased the holding period and magnitude of the Seller’s Stamp Duty (SSD). Buyers remained undeterred, viewing property as a mid to long-term investment, Huttons said in a note.

Three major projects—LyndenWoods, The Robertson Opus, and UPPERHOUSE at Orchard Boulevard—were pivotal, contributing 70% of the 940 units sold in July. This figure represents a 245.6% increase from June and a 63.2% rise compared to July 2024. LyndenWoods, the first residential project in Singapore Science Park, sold 331 units, or 96.5% of its offerings, with starting prices comparable to those in the Outside Central Region.

The Core Central Region (CCR) projects, The Robertson Opus and UPPERHOUSE, also performed well, underscoring the strong demand for prime properties. The narrowing price gap between CCR and Rest of Central Region (RCR) homes—from 56.5% in 2018 to 1.9% in the first half of 2025—has made CCR properties more attractive.

Huttons Data Analytics estimates that developers sold 5,527 units in the first seven months of 2025, about 69% of their full-year forecast. Looking ahead, the market anticipates further launches, with five projects expected in August 2025, potentially adding 2,472 units to the market.
“`

Airwallex, headquartered in Singapore, has announced a remarkable achievement as it crosses $200 billion in annualised transaction volume, marking a 92% year-on-year increase. The company’s Annualised Revenue Run Rate (ARR) has also surged past $900 million, up 89% from the previous year, just three months after surpassing the $800 million mark. This growth comes as Airwallex approaches its 10th anniversary.

The fintech firm has seen a substantial rise in its customer base, with 13,372 new transacting clients added in Q2 2025, representing an 84% increase year-on-year. Airwallex’s global presence now spans 26 markets, with new offices established in Paris, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai. The company has also expanded into Brazil and Mexico through the acquisition of CTIN Pay in Vietnam.

Airwallex is set to introduce new products in Japan, Korea, the UAE, and Latin America, whilst accelerating its go-to-market efforts in Europe, North America, and Southeast Asia. Additionally, the company is venturing into the brick-and-mortar sector with the launch of its Point of Sale (POS) terminal, initially piloted in Singapore and Hong Kong.

The company is also embracing artificial intelligence (AI) with a company-wide initiative to explore how AI can transform daily operations. Airwallex is developing an AI-native solution for founders and CFOs, aiming to streamline financial processes from incorporation to IPO.

As Airwallex continues to expand and innovate, its growth trajectory suggests significant future developments in the fintech landscape.
“`

CapBridge, a prominent digital investment solution provider, has announced a strategic partnership with Singlife, a leading financial services company, to introduce insurance distribution to its clients. This collaboration marks CapBridge’s initial venture into the insurance sector, with Singlife as the first insurer to join the platform.

The partnership enables CapBridge’s financial adviser representatives to offer Singlife’s life and health insurance products alongside existing investment options such as money market funds, digital asset funds, and institutional-grade bonds. These insurance solutions will be provided following a comprehensive needs-based assessment, ensuring they align with the financial strategies of CapBridge clients.

Janet Liu, CEO of CapBridge, highlighted the significance of this partnership, stating, “This partnership with Singlife marks a significant milestone in CapBridge’s journey to become a one-stop platform for holistic financial services.” The collaboration aims to meet the growing demand for accessible protection and long-term planning, particularly among SMEs.

Singlife’s Head of Innovation and Ecosystem, Varun Mittal, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, noting, “This partnering with CapBridge marks another exciting step forward for Singlife in incorporating insurance into investors’ broader financial strategies with ease and confidence.”

This alliance is part of Singlife’s broader strategy to integrate insurance into the financial ecosystem, having established eight such partnerships in 2025. It also supports Singlife’s SME Connect initiative, which provides essential protection for small business owners and their employees.

As Singapore continues to develop as a financial hub, the demand for integrated financial solutions is expected to rise, making this partnership a timely and strategic move for both CapBridge and Singlife.
“`

The Brunei Darussalam Central Bank (BDCB) and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) have reaffirmed their bilateral cooperation during the fifth BDCB-MAS Bilateral Roundtable in Brunei Darussalam. The event saw both institutions exchanging views on global and regional economic trends and discussing developments in payments connectivity. A key highlight was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a reciprocal cross-border collateral arrangement (CBCA).

The CBCA will enable both authorities to accept a broader range of collateral in their liquidity provisioning facilities, offering financial institutions in both jurisdictions increased flexibility in liquidity management. This initiative aims to bolster financial stability in Brunei and Singapore. BDCB Managing Director Hajah Rashidah binti Haji Sabtu emphasised the importance of the Roundtable as a platform for enhancing collaboration on mutual interests, stating, “The Bilateral Roundtable stands as a testament to the strong relationship between BDCB and MAS.”

MAS Managing Director Chia Der Jiun expressed appreciation for BDCB’s hosting of the event and highlighted the significance of the CBCA MoU in strengthening bilateral relations. He also noted the upcoming 60th Anniversary of the Currency Interchangeability Agreement (CIA) in 2027 as a milestone for both nations.

The reaffirmation of cooperation between BDCB and MAS underscores the strategic importance of their partnership in navigating the evolving regional economic landscape, ensuring continued financial stability and collaboration.
“`

Singapore-listed Salt Investments Limited has announced a remarkable 361% increase in revenue for the first quarter of FY2026, reaching S$5.3 million. This significant growth is attributed to the strong performance of its newly acquired subsidiaries, Prosper Excel Engineering Pte Ltd. and TT Oil Pte. Ltd., which have bolstered the company’s topline.

The company’s gross profit more than tripled from the previous quarter, rising to S$493,000, although the gross profit margin slightly decreased to 9.4%. Administrative expenses saw a year-on-year increase due to costs associated with the new subsidiaries and higher senior executive expenses, but they decreased by 29.6% compared to the last quarter.

Salt Investments also reported a reduced net loss attributable to equity holders of S$417,000, a 56% improvement from the previous quarter. The acquisition of a 60% shareholding in TT Oil Pte Ltd. in June 2025 has strengthened the company’s vertical integration in the marine ecosystem, particularly in the wholesale supply of marine lubricants.

The Group has secured commitments for an equity fundraise of S$5.75 million to support its operating expenses and working capital as it continues to expand in the maritime industry. Executive Director and CEO Dennis Goh stated, “Our recent performance signals early positive indicators as we reposition Salt Investments for scalable and sustainable growth.”

Salt Investments, listed on the Singapore Exchange, operates in the infrastructure, marine, and offshore sectors, focusing on building an integrated maritime ecosystem across Southeast Asia.
“`

Golden Agri-Resources Ltd (GAR) has announced a record high revenue of $6.2 billion for the first half of 2025, buoyed by a 19% increase in crude palm oil (CPO) market prices. The company’s integrated agribusiness model has enabled it to withstand market fluctuations, capitalising on higher plantation output despite reduced sales volumes.

The first half of 2025 saw GAR’s EBITDA grow by 14% year-on-year to $566 million, with a margin of 9.2%. The company’s underlying profit rose by 23% to $232 million, whilst net profit surged by 56% to $160 million, aided by lower interest expenses and reduced foreign exchange losses. GAR’s financial health is further reflected in its decreased gearing ratio and net debt to EBITDA, now at 0.61 times and 0.22 times, respectively.

GAR Chairman and CEO, Franky O. Widjaja, noted, “Favourable weather conditions have helped Indonesian palm oil to continue its recovery in 2025 in line with global vegetable oil supply trends.” He added that whilst global economic growth is slowing, there is a gradual improvement in palm oil demand, driven by staple food consumption and the implementation of the B40 biodiesel policy.

In the upstream segment, GAR’s yield intensification efforts and favourable weather conditions led to a 9% increase in fresh fruit bunch productivity, reaching 8.8 tonnes per hectare. This resulted in a total of 4.4 million tonnes of fresh fruit bunches. The downstream segment, despite a 2% dip in sales volume, saw a 20% increase in revenue to $6.1 billion, although EBITDA decreased by 13% due to weaker refining margins.

GAR continues to advance its sustainability ambitions through its “Collective for Impact” initiative, embedding environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into its operations. The company has introduced a new Responsible Agri-Commodity Sourcing Policy and expanded community programmes to enhance food security and climate resilience.
“`

Singapore-listed Alpina Holdings Limited has announced a significant financial upturn, reporting a net profit of S$2.7 million for the first half of 2025, marking a 239.6% increase compared to the same period last year. This surge in profitability is attributed to a robust performance in its integrated building services (IBS) segment and increased rental income from investment properties. The company has also proposed an interim dividend of 1.0 Singapore cent per share, representing 69.4% of the net profit attributable to shareholders.

The company’s revenue grew by 8.7% to S$47.9 million, driven by a 29.2% increase in the IBS segment and an 87.8% rise in rental income. Gross profit margins improved by 3.6 percentage points to 13.0%, as contracts secured before the COVID-19 pandemic, which had lower margins, were completed. Consequently, gross profits rose by 50.5% to S$6.2 million.

Alpina’s Executive Chairman and CEO, Low Siong Yong, expressed satisfaction with the results, stating, “Building on the positive momentum from FY2024, we are pleased to start the new financial year on a strong footing, with increased profitability and resilient cash flow generation.”

The company’s balance sheet has strengthened, with total assets and equity rising to S$83.6 million and S$32.3 million, respectively, as of 30 June 2025. The proposed dividend marks Alpina’s largest payout since its listing in 2022, underscoring its commitment to rewarding shareholders.
“`