Industry News

KFin Technologies, in collaboration with Ascent Fund Services and the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) Association, hosted the Tech Transformation and Portfolio Construction in Alternative Investments and Private Wealth summit in May 2025 at M Hotel Singapore. The event gathered over 30 industry stakeholders to discuss the impact of technology on investment strategies.

The summit highlighted how artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, and digital platforms are revolutionising portfolio construction across traditional and alternative asset classes. Sreekanth Nadella, Managing Director and CEO of KFin Technologies, introduced the company’s next-generation integrated platform aimed at modernising fund administration. Nadella stated, “At KFintech, we’re not just looking at fund administration as a back-office task—we see it as a powerful tool that can help investment firms work smarter, manage risk better, and connect more closely with their clients.”

A central panel discussion, “The Contrast of Public and Private Assets in the Portfolio Mix,” was moderated by Senthil Gunasekaran, Chief Business Development Officer at KFin Technologies. Panellists, including Alexandra McGuigan, Head of APAC at Qblue Balanced, and Steve Knabl, Managing Partner at Wealth Management Alliance, explored the influence of trade dynamics, regulatory frameworks, and investor behaviour on capital flow between asset classes.

Key topics addressed included the role of digital infrastructure in fund administration, interactions between public and private markets, and leveraging AI for asset-level analysis. The event concluded with a networking session, fostering partnerships within the regional investment community.
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Arctic Wolf, a leader in security operations, has announced significant enhancements to its Aurora Platform, aiming to alleviate the challenges faced by security teams in Singapore and beyond. The new features, unveiled on 17 June 2025, include self-service tools that eliminate the need for traditional Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tuning, offering improved visibility, flexibility, and detection response.

The enhancements address the operational limitations of legacy SIEMs, which often require specialised staffing and manual tuning. These systems have become cumbersome, particularly in hybrid and cloud-first environments, due to long deployment timelines and high alert volumes. Arctic Wolf’s updated Data Explorer module allows security teams to build custom detection rules, run intuitive queries, and search historical data without the complexity of traditional SIEMs.

Chris Kraft, chief product officer at Arctic Wolf, stated, “Security teams shouldn’t need to fight with their SIEM to get fast answers to important questions. With Data Explorer, we’re enabling fast, intuitive access to critical insights, backed by the scale and intelligence of the Aurora Platform.”

The new capabilities include simplifying custom detections, advancing search capabilities, and enabling advanced queries across historical data. These updates provide a more intuitive way for teams to investigate threats and answer high-priority security questions, empowering them to act quickly and confidently.

Arctic Wolf’s enhancements are designed to offer a scalable alternative to legacy SIEMs, helping organisations operate with the agility needed to stay ahead of evolving threats. As security teams continue to face resource constraints and mounting threats, these tools promise to streamline operations and improve security outcomes.
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StarHub has been recognised in the 2025 Fortune Southeast Asia 500, ranking 187th amongst the region’s largest companies by revenue. This accolade coincides with StarHub’s 25th anniversary in Singapore, underscoring its dedication to innovation, customer satisfaction, and sustainable growth.

For the 2024 financial year, StarHub reported a total revenue of $2.4 billion, reflecting a 1.4% increase from the previous year. The company’s net profit rose by 7.7% to $161.7 million. The Enterprise segment was a significant growth driver, with revenue increasing by 14.1% as StarHub expanded its reach across the region. Meanwhile, the Consumer segment remained robust, with notable growth in Mobile and sustained leadership in Broadband and Entertainment.

Having first appeared on the Fortune Southeast Asia 500 list in 2024 at 184th place, StarHub continues to build momentum and expand its regional influence. Looking forward, the company aims to enhance its offerings in mobile, broadband, and entertainment, whilst also expanding its Enterprise Business and Modern Digital Infrastructure Platform, powered by Cloud Infinity.

As StarHub celebrates its 25th year, it remains committed to fostering trusted relationships and delivering value to customers, communities, and partners. More information on the Fortune Southeast Asia 500 can be found on their website.
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Marina Bay Sands has introduced a fleet of 12 Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) to streamline back-of-house deliveries, marking a first in Singapore’s hospitality industry. These robots, typically used in factories, are now optimising operations at the hotel and Expo & Convention Centre, reducing labour dependency by up to 30%.

Before the AMRs, the integrated resort managed over 200 manual deliveries daily across 80 routes. With delivery volumes increasing by 35% between 2019 and 2023, automation became essential. The AMRs, capable of carrying up to 300kg and navigating 20 pre-programmed routes, have allowed staff to focus on higher-value tasks such as inventory management.

Shijith Prathapan, Vice President of Procurement and Supply Chain at Marina Bay Sands, stated, “Running a large-scale integrated resort like Marina Bay Sands requires effective workforce planning, and since day one, we have fostered a culture of productivity by investing in innovation.”

The resort’s commitment to innovation extends to food waste management. Since 2013, Marina Bay Sands has diverted nearly 10 million kg of food waste from landfills. In 2024, the resort completed a pilot of WasteMaster technology, converting food waste into fish feed, furthering its sustainability goals.

Meridith Beaujean, Executive Director of Sustainability, noted, “Through various technologies and best practices, we diverted 65% of our food waste in 2024, and hope to achieve 100% by end-2025.”

Marina Bay Sands continues to enhance productivity, with over 200 automated processes repurposing 162,000 manhours annually. The resort plans to introduce five more AMRs in the latter half of 2025.
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Singapore’s trade outlook remains uncertain as RHB Bank’s latest Global Economics and Market Strategy Report predicts a flat performance for the country’s non-oil domestic exports (NODX) in 2025. This forecast contrasts with official expectations of a 1% to 3% growth. The report, authored by Barnabas Gan, Group Chief Economist and Head of Market Research at RHB Bank, cites an unexpected 3.5% year-on-year decline in NODX for May 2025, reversing a 12.4% increase in April and falling short of market predictions of a 7.8% rise.

Despite a 90-day pause on tariffs, the report anticipates further slowdowns in the coming months due to easing global demand and weakening consumer spending, particularly as heavier US tariffs are set to take effect in the second half of 2025. Gan emphasises the need for vigilance, noting that the current economic climate presents significant challenges for Singapore’s trade sector.

The unexpected contraction in May’s NODX figures underscores the volatility in global trade dynamics. As Singapore navigates these uncertainties, the report suggests that businesses and policymakers should remain cautious and adaptable to shifting economic conditions. The findings highlight the importance of monitoring global demand trends and preparing for potential impacts on Singapore’s export-driven economy.
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Singapore’s non-oil domestic exports (NODX) experienced a notable decline of 3.5% year-on-year in May, according to a report by UOB Global Economics and Markets Research. This figure fell short of Bloomberg’s consensus estimate of a 7.8% increase and was closer to UOB’s own projection of a 2.3% rise. The data suggests a softening in front-loading momentum, with both overall non-oil re-exports (NORX) and electronics NORX showing a marked slowdown.

The electronics sector, a significant component of Singapore’s exports, saw its NODX growth slow to 1.7% year-on-year in May, down from 23.4% in April. This was largely due to weaker exports of personal computers and integrated circuits. Non-electronics NODX also contracted by 5.3%, with petrochemicals, non-monetary gold, and specialised machinery contributing most to the decline. However, pharmaceutical exports remained positive, possibly due to concerns over potential US tariffs.

The report highlighted that NODX to six out of Singapore’s top ten markets contracted, with exports to the US dropping by 20.6% year-on-year. Electronics exports to South Korea and Taiwan also eased significantly, indicating fatigue from earlier front-loading activities.

In light of these developments, UOB has adjusted its full-year 2025 NODX forecast to a range of 1.0-3.0%, down from the previous 2.0-4.0%. The bank cited concerns over potential new unilateral tariff rates and escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East as factors that could further impact trade activity in the second half of 2025.
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M1 Limited, a leading network operator in Singapore, and Ericsson have announced a strategic partnership to enhance M1’s 5G network through advanced automation and analytics. The collaboration will see the commercial deployment of Ericsson’s Transport Automation Controller, a cloud-native solution that utilises Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) to optimise transport network operations.

The Ericsson Transport Automation Controller, having successfully completed a proof of concept, will initially be integrated into M1’s microwave transport network. This innovative controller has demonstrated its ability to identify interference sources, improve synchronisation monitoring, and enhance service assurance. By providing AI-driven insights, it enables M1 to make proactive, data-driven decisions, streamline operations, and optimise power consumption, aligning with the company’s sustainability goals.

“This marks a significant milestone in our digital transformation journey,” said Denis Seek, Chief Technical Officer at M1. “By adopting intelligent automation, we are not only enhancing our network performance and reliability but also strengthening our commitment to sustainability and excellent customer experience.”

The collaboration is particularly significant for mission-critical sectors, where M1’s resilient connectivity supports essential operations. Daniel Ode, Head of Ericsson in Singapore, Philippines, and Brunei, stated, “This collaboration reflects our shared vision with M1 to lead the future of network automation.”

This initiative represents a major advancement in network automation, supporting digitalisation efforts across key industries in Singapore. M1 plans to extend the transport controller’s capabilities to its IP transport network, further advancing its network excellence.
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Morgan Stanley Research has reported a dramatic 53% month-on-month (MoM) decline in Singapore’s home sales for May 2025, attributed to the absence of new project launches during the country’s General Elections. Despite this, sales were up 41% year-on-year (YoY) due to a low base in the previous year. The total sales volume for the first five months of 2025 reached 4,350 units, marking a 158% increase YoY.

The report highlights that sales momentum has heavily relied on new project launches, explaining the sharp drop in sales volumes. Among existing projects, Kingsford’s One Marina Gardens led with 62 units sold at a median price of S$2,980 per square foot (psf). Other notable sales included Bloomsbury Residences and The Hill @One North, with median prices of S$2,500 psf.

Looking ahead, Morgan Stanley anticipates subdued sales in June due to school holidays, with a potential rebound in July as new projects are expected to launch. Huttons estimates suggest that approximately 16 projects, comprising around 7,800 units, could be introduced in the second half of 2025.

The executive condominium market also saw limited activity, with only 24 units sold in May. As developers typically avoid launching new projects during school holidays, the market is expected to remain quiet until the end of June.
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ST Engineering is poised for growth as it capitalises on increasing global defence spending, according to a recent update from RHB.

The company, which has been expanding its capabilities in both conventional and digital defence, is expected to benefit from a diversified orderbook and international contract wins. Despite these strengths, its year-to-date share price gain has not kept pace with regional peers, presenting a potential opportunity for investors.

The company’s new target price has been set at $6.50 (SGD8.90), up from $6.05 (SGD8.30), reflecting a 12% upside. Analyst Shekhar Jaiswal highlighted that ST Engineering is trading below the regional peer average, excluding India and China, yet offers comparable margins, superior return on equity, and higher yields, estimated at around 2% for the financial year 2025 forecast.

ST Engineering’s international expansion is seen as a key driver for its balanced and resilient growth profile. The company is well-positioned to leverage the global surge in defence spending, which has been on the rise due to geopolitical tensions and increased national security budgets worldwide.

The update underscores the company’s solid fundamentals and its strategic positioning in the defence sector. As ST Engineering continues to secure international contracts, it is expected to enhance its market position and deliver value to shareholders. The company’s focus on both conventional and digital defence capabilities further strengthens its competitive edge in the global market.

Looking ahead, ST Engineering’s ability to capture international defence contracts and maintain a diversified orderbook will be crucial in sustaining its growth trajectory. The company’s performance will be closely watched by investors seeking exposure to the defence sector’s growth potential.
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UltraGreen.ai, a leader in surgical imaging technology based in Singapore, has announced its acquisition of Danish clinical software company Perfusion Tech ApS. This strategic move aims to position UltraGreen at the forefront of fluorescence-guided surgery by integrating Perfusion Tech’s real-time perfusion quantification software with UltraGreen’s global fluorescence platform. The combined technology promises to transform how surgeons assess tissue viability, enhancing decision-making and improving patient outcomes.

The acquisition is set to create a comprehensive surgical intelligence platform that offers objective and standardised perfusion assessments. This innovation is expected to reduce surgical risks and improve clinical outcomes across various procedures, including colorectal, reconstructive, and vascular surgeries. Additionally, the integration opens new commercial opportunities in chronic wound care and diabetic foot ulcer treatment, potentially benefiting over 18 million patients globally.

UltraGreen’s platform, enhanced by AI-powered insights and cloud-based data management, aims to support long-term product development. Co-CEO of UltraGreen.ai, Ravi Sajwan, highlighted the significance of the acquisition, stating, “With Perfusion Tech’s platform, we are unlocking a new layer of insights—bringing scalable, quantitative intelligence to procedures where precision is critical.”

The acquisition also aligns with UltraGreen’s growth strategy, aiming to capture value across multiple touchpoints in the surgical workflow. The enhanced platform is particularly valuable in fields where accurate perfusion assessment is critical, such as colorectal and reconstructive surgery. Furthermore, it paves the way for expansion into vascular medicine and chronic wound care, addressing the growing demand for real-time, non-invasive perfusion measurement.

Perfusion Tech co-founders Mads H A Madsen and Morten A V Lund expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, stating, “We are excited that Perfusion Tech and our quantification software, PerfusionWorks, have found a new home within UltraGreen, and we very much look forward to continuing the journey together.”

This acquisition marks a significant milestone in advancing surgical precision and safety, setting new standards for healthcare delivery worldwide.
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