Euromoney (October Issue)
“As investors lament the unsustainable credit boom and reform inertia that has blighted China, India and Indonesia, in particular, in recent years—raising the spectre this summer of a repeat of the 1997 Asia crisis—Singapore has consolidated its status as the region’s competitive dynamo, thanks to a flurry of supply-side reforms, backed by judicious fiscal and monetary policies.” Singapore’s economy is now “the most competitive in the world, according to the World Bank, with the highest income per capita in southeast Asia, outpacing the US in recent years.”“As investors lament the unsustainable credit boom and reform inertia that has blighted China, India and Indonesia, in particular, in recent years—raising the spectre this summer of a repeat of the 1997 Asia crisis—Singapore has consolidated its status as the region’s competitive dynamo, thanks to a flurry of supply-side reforms, backed by judicious fiscal and monetary policies.” Singapore’s economy is now “the most competitive in the world, according to the World Bank, with the highest income per capita in southeast Asia, outpacing the US in recent years.”
Tags: Asia crisis, China, Credit boom, Fiscal policy, India, Indonesia, Investors, Monetary policy, Reform, Singapore, Supply-side reforms
Euromoney (August Issue)
“Singapore’s long drive to become the world’s leading centre for private asset management is gaining momentum as Asia’s wealthy exert greater influence and overseas investors flock to the city state.” Singapore is now a “legitimate rival to Switzerland,” with estimates the island state will overtake the Alpine nation in terms of assets under management by 2015.
Tags: Asia, Asset management, AUM, Influence, Investors, Momentum, Singapore, Switzerland, Wealthy
Financial Times (March 17)
“Net buying of Japanese equities by overseas investors amounted to slightly more than Y1tn in the first week of March – the highest weekly figure in Tokyo Stock Exchange records going back to 1982.” IPOs have also shot to top position in Tokyo and now rank second globally. “As investors have warmed to the pro-growth policies of Shinzo Abe, prime minister, since the beginning of January, newcomers to Japan’s markets have raised Y181bn ($1.9bn) – more than issuers in Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia combined.”
Euromoney (November issue)
“Asia’s young population has long been the envy of the west, but several of Asia’s most developed economies, including Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea, were among the countries with the lowest fertility rates in the world this year as a result of rising education levels, more women working long hours and people getting married later, among other factors…. This presents many threats, but foremost among them are slowing economic growth and the need to provide income support for more elderly populations.”
“Asia’s young population has long been the envy of the west, but several of Asia’s most developed economies, including Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea, were among the countries with the lowest fertility rates in the world this year as a result of rising education levels, more women working long hours and people getting married later, among other factors…. This presents many threats, but foremost among them are slowing economic growth and the need to provide income support for more elderly populations.”
Wall Street Journal (October 11)
“Jordan last month amended its already restrictive press-and-publications law to include Internet firms and organizations. The move risks chilling business development in what had been a promising site of economic progress in a changing region” The new restrictions are bad for Jordan. “Emerging markets have a unique opportunity to embrace the Internet as their central business platform. Singapore, South Korea and Israel did so and became world-class technology players.” By embracing “open, globally competitive access to technology,” these countries could get ahead in ways that Jordan will not be able to under the new restrictions.
Wall Street Journal (August 15)
Singapore is “the world’s richest country.” According to a report from Knight Frank and Citi Private Wealth, Singapore’s per capita GDP (purchasing power parity) of US$56,532 in 2010 “is the highest in the world, topping Norway (US$51, 226), the US (US$45, 511) and Hong Kong (US$45, 301).” According to a report from the Boston Consulting Group, Singapore also “has the highest percentage of millionaire households in the world.”
Singapore is “the world’s richest country.” According to a report from
Knight Frank and Citi Private Wealth, Singapore’s per capita GDP (purchasing power parity) of US$56,532 in 2010 “is the highest in the world, topping Norway (US$51, 226), the US (US$45, 511) and Hong Kong (US$45, 301).” According to a report from the Boston Consulting Group, Singapore also “has the highest percentage of millionaire households in the world.”
Euromoney (April Issue)
“Asian sovereigns are overtaking advanced western economies in their financial and economic stability.” With the input of 400 economists and specialists, Euromoney conducted its latest country risk survey. The results reveal a “profound shift in global perceptions.” Six Asian countries (Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Taiwan and Macau) have advanced more than 10 places in the rankings and Singapore is now considered the world’s second-safest sovereign. In contrast, the highest ranking Eurozone country is Finland in fifth place. Hong Kong was rated the tenth safest, trumping Germany which stands at thirteenth.
Securities Monitor (January 18, 2012)
“Chi-X Japan numbers have shot up significantly since the beginning of the year.” In the fourth quarter, Chi-X Japan increased trades by 50.4%, though it still handles less than 3% of Japan’s trading, most of which remains on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) and the Osaka Securities Exchange (OSE). Chi-X is also gaining traction in Australia and Canada, where it now accounts for roughly 11% of trades. In combination with the Singapore Exchange (SQX), Chi-X also operates a Pan Asian dark pool, Chi-East, which “supports trading of 3,264 securities including all Hong Kong main-board listed shares.”
Wall Street Journal (August 19)
“The financial world’s center of gravity is shifting east.” The latest event to show this shift is the planned listing of Manchester United on the Singapore Exchange. Taken private in 2005, Manchester United had been listed on the LSE for 15 years. The team’s IPO may raise $1 billion. This “major score for Singapore’s exchange” is also a “cold splash of capitalist reality—a reminder that no country or financial system can take its luster for granted.”
Tags: IPO, LSE, Manchester United, SGX, Singapore
