The Business Times

Start your day with BT ☕️: Stocks to watch: UOB, StarHub, Sats, AA Reit, Coliwoo, Vin’s Holdings Top stories: 1. International: Dim sum chain Tim Ho Wan ramps up North America, Hong Kong expansion after Jollibee acquisit…

UOB Q1 net profit falls 4% to S$1.44 billion; beats expectations Net interest income fell 4% to S$2.32 billion on lower benchmark rates.

South-east Asia risks missing out on global semiconductor boom as billions of dollars in investments go elsewhere Only a handful of new plants planned as region races to move beyond back-end manufacturing.

Singapore’s AI transition need not pit workers against businesses, says Tan See Leng “In many countries, AI becomes a tug of war – workers on one end, businesses on the other. Progress contested, trust strained... Singap…

Singapore banks getting better at spotting dirty money, but penalties still lack bite, says global watchdog Banks were found to have a strong understanding of financial crime risks, supported by robust internal controls…

COEs for large cars up 4.3% at S$126,236, mainstream cars near S$125,000 Category A COE is edging closer to its all-time high of S$128,105.

Singapore earns top rating in fight against financial crime despite shadow of S$3 billion money laundering scandal Despite the high marks, a global watchdog has flagged gaps in sanctions and oversight of certain sectors.

Thai stocks are beating peers amid volatility, as analysts warn passive Asean investing is ‘punishing’ While Indonesia’s IDX Composite has been hit hard by fiscal fears driven by the Iran conflict, Thailand has outperfor…

Paragon deal: Why investors should get ready for more Reit mergers and take-private offers In a less-conducive operating backdrop, smaller Reits may be weeded out, as larger ones play the role of consolidators, says BT's…

Samsung hits US$1 trillion valuation, joining TSMC in elite club The milestone came as Samsung's shares rallied 11% early on Wednesday (May 6), making it only the second Asian firm after Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturin…

Global bond markets offer attractive income – but quality and selectivity are crucial Income today is less about yield – and more about where value is still overlooked. Brought to you by Robeco bt.sg/qJaA

AI transition must safeguard and empower workers, support firms: Ng Chee Meng Ng noted that AI is no longer just a tool - rather, it is now “reshaping how work is done, how we serve customers and how value is created”.

Start your day with BT ☕️: Stocks to watch: Great Eastern, Venture Corp, Centurion Accommodation Reit Top stories: 1. Singapore: AI transition must safeguard and empower workers, support firms: Ng Chee Meng 2. Asean: Tha…

From Cambodia scam empire scoop to CDL ‘family tree’: BT journalists, artists win SPH Media awards BT Journalist Goh Ruoxue was awarded Story of the Year for her scoop uncovering Singapore’s links to a scam empire in Cam…

OCBC’s Indonesia deal boosts wealth push, may herald more M&A under new CEO Tan Teck Long: analysts Analysts said the “bolt-on” deal could also signal more acquisitions to come, particularly in high-growth Asean markets…

With compliance rates high, there is no need to raise penalties for late retrenchment notifications: Tan See Leng He notes that most late submissions were due to administrative oversights.

MAS convenes bank CEOs over AI cyber threats; boards told to own risks, not leave to IT teams The Cyber Security Agency of Singapore also issued a letter to the boards and senior leadership of all critical information in…

Singapore, Indonesia courts forge cross-border insolvency agreement to streamline debt restructurings Cases such as FTX’s collapse and Garuda’s restructuring highlight the need for judicial coordination across jurisdicti…

Asean’s biodiesel push fuels palm oil rally, but will SGX-listed players gain? Higher crude palm oil prices support upstream plantation earnings, but could be a double-edged sword for integrated operators, say analysts.

LTA circular to potential EV charger owners revealed hundreds of e-mail addresses in carbon copy A follow-up e-mail has been sent to apologise to users.

#BTOpinion: Is it time to scrap COE categories for cars? Let the COE system control population and rely on other, better instruments to manage access to mass market vehicles, suggests transport correspondent Derryn Wong.

The Singapore equities market is buzzing. Market players are hoping it can last “We reached full capacity, and had to pull up extra chairs for the event, and even reject people,” said a research manager at Lim & Tan Secu…

Balestier Regency up for fourth en bloc sale bid at S$255 million The price tag is about 17% higher than the second attempt in 2018 when it was launched for sale at S$218 million.

Start your day with BT ☕️: Stocks to watch: OCBC, FLCT, Keppel Infrastructure Trust Top stories: 1. International: Oil jumps 6% as Iran hits UAE, Gulf vessels; US sinks Iran boats in worst escalation since ceasefire 2. M…

Grab’s Q1 2026 earnings surges 466.7% to US$136 million This was driven by higher revenue and a change in fair value of financial assets and liabilities.

OCBC to acquire HSBC Indonesia’s wealth, retail business, adding S$6.6 billion in AUM This move follows OCBC’s 2024 purchase of Bank Commonwealth Indonesia and deepens its push into the country’s wealth segment.

Oracle anchors Apac AI growth through Singapore but layoff concerns loom Despite Oracle's aggressive pivot for more AI, Oracle finds itself caught up in a wave of industry-wide job cuts.

Cross-border taxi bookings start on Grab app; fares vary based on time of day, distance Through a Grab app feature, travellers can book cross-border rides to any destination in Johor Bahru, Iskandar Puteri, Forest City,…

Indonesia’s EV dream hits a bump as government claws back tax perks The move marks a reversal of Indonesia’s earlier policy stance, which had sought to accelerate EV adoption through fiscal incentives.

Don’t panic: Why condo buyers shouldn’t be alarmed by the Q1 drop in HDB resale flat prices Ultimately, if HDB resale home prices correct substantially over a prolonged period, private home prices will likely decline too…