Singapore Economy

Market experts expect a volatile 2016

If investors are hoping next year would be a smooth sailing one for the markets, they could be in for an unpleasant surprise. Some of the top minds in investment and finance here are predicting that 2016 could see further volatility, with equities and bonds potentially seeing sluggish returns.

http://www.straitstimes.com/business/economy/market-experts-expect-a-volatile-2016


Singapore Real Estate

Good location, pricing push up sales of new private homes

The rise in new home sales last month shows the market's resilience, but buyers still need to be lured by well-located developments at attractive prices, said analysts. There were 759 private homes sold in November, up 39 per cent from the 546 moved in October, according to the Urban Redevelopment Authority yesterday.

http://www.straitstimes.com/business/property/good-location-pricing-push-up-sales-of-new-private-homes?login=true


November new home sales up 39% from Oct

Developers sold a total of 759 private residential units in November, a 39 per cent uptick from 548 units sold in October and representing a 79 per cent jump from a year ago. This is according to data released by the Urban Redevelopment Authority on Tuesday.

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/november-new-home-sales-up-39-from-oct

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-12-15/singapore-home-sales-climbed-in-november-on-new-projects


Private home sales in Singapore up 79% year-on-year in November

Sales of private homes by developers in Singapore rose 79 per cent in November compared with a year earlier, Government data showed on Tuesday (Dec 15). The Urban Redevelopment Authority said developers sold 759 units last month, up from 423 units in November 2014. Sales rose 38.5 per cent from the 548 units sold in October 2015. The jump comes on the back of 734 units launched in November. Observers have said the majority of sales were from the city fringe, where the top five best-selling projects are located.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/private-home-sales-in/2348274.html


Private home resale prices up 0.6% in Nov: SRX

Resale prices of non-landed private homes rose 0.6 per cent last month from October, the latest flash estimates from SRX Property showed today (Dec 8), but analysts attributed the rise to month-to-month fluctuations and said it was not strong enough to signal a market recovery.

http://www.todayonline.com/business/property/non-landed-private-home-prices-06-nov-srx


CityDev, Keppel Land unit in S$1.1b office venture

City Developments (CDL) has struck a deal with Alpha Investment Partners, Keppel Land's property fund management arm, to create a joint office investment platform through its second Profit Participation Securities (PPS) transaction.

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/citydev-keppel-land-unit-in-s11b-office-venture

http://www.straitstimes.com/business/property/cdl-alpha-investment-in-11b-office-venture

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/citydev-to-inject-3/2349174.html


SLA, STB award Dempsey site to COMO Lifestyle

The Singapore Land Authority (SLA) and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) have awarded a site within the Dempsey cluster of Tanglin Village to COMO Lifestyle, a subsidiary of Club 21, for retail and F&B use. This tender to develop Blocks 17 and 18 Dempsey Road was conducted on Aug 13.

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/sla-stb-award-dempsey-site-to-como-lifestyle-0

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/dempsey-to-get-new-lifestyle-quarter?login=true

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/retail-concept-store/2348152.html


New grant, second HDB loan, 2-room flexi flats possible for Fresh Start Housing Scheme

A new scheme to help public rental households own their own home again could allow these second-timers to receive another Housing Board (HDB) concessionary loan. It could also give them the option of buying two-room flexi flats on shorter leases, which is now possible only for elderly buyers.

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/new-grant-second-hdb-loan-2-room-flexi-flats-possible-for-fresh-start-housing-scheme

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/housing/hdb-may-give-shorter-leases-for-fresh-start?login=true

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/shorter-leases-among/2348216.html


Companies' Brief

What's next for Changi Airport in 2016? 

Looking into 2016, Changi Airport is expected to see a pick-up in activity, on the back of new destinations and low oil prices. This will help further support Singapore's position as a regional aviation hub. Already, works are in progress for Terminal 4, slated for completion in 2017. It will help meet the anticipated increase in demand, boosting Changi’s total passenger capacity by 16 million. The airport handled more than 54 million passengers in 2014. 

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/what-s-next-for-changi/2349998.html


Global Economy & Global Real Estate

Underlying inflation creeps higher in November

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/government-economy/underlying-inflation-creeps-higher-in-november


Move to restart stalled Penn station project

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/move-to-restart-stalled-penn-station-project


Dubai developers strangle supply to stem price drop

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/dubai-developers-strangle-supply-to-stem-price-drop


More tech malls lined up for Malay vendors

http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/more-tech-malls-lined-up-for-malay-vendors?login=true


What Asia's Billionaires Bought in 2015: From Mansions to Monets

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-12-15/what-asia-s-billionaire-s-bought-in-2015-from-mansions-to-monets


This $301 Million Paris Chateau Is the World's Priciest Home

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-12-15/paris-chateau-said-to-be-world-s-priciest-home-at-301-million


Casino to Release Funds From International Real-Estate Assets

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-12-15/casino-to-release-funds-from-international-real-estate-assets


Inland Real Estate to Be Bought for $1.07 Billion in Cash

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-12-15/inland-real-estate-to-be-bought-for-2-3-billion-including-debt


Yahoo Japan Agrees to Buy Travel Site Ikyu for $830 Million

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-12-15/yahoo-japan-plans-to-buy-travel-site-ikyu-for-up-to-830-million


Most Chinese Stocks Rise as Developers Advance; Yuan Weakens

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-12-15/china-s-stocks-fluctuate-after-biggest-gain-in-five-weeks