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Shifting economic thinking and geopolitical tensions is making the world more dangerous for big companies and investors. But Fed rate cuts, reverse globalisation and value-unlocking restructurings could spur relatively undervalued stocks in Singapore. Ben Paul explains why. Synopsis: Listen to senior correspondent Ben Paul's analysis and insight on market trends and corporate issues in Singapore i...

Control of ARA H-Trust and Cromwell E-Reit has passed to new sponsor groups. What drove the transactions? Will the deals boost the depressed market value of the two property trusts? Senior correspondent Ben Paul delves into the story. Synopsis: Listen to senior correspondent Ben Paul's analysis and insight on market trends and corporate issues in Singapore in this podcast series based on his weekl...

SGX RegCo is trying to remove impediments to shareholder-requisitioned EGMs, to subject companies to greater market discipline. Its CEO Tan Boon Gin talks to BT’s Ben Paul about how this aligns with the larger goal of boosting shareholder value and creating a more vibrant market. Synopsis: Listen to senior correspondent Ben Paul's analysis and insight on market trends and corporate issues in Singa...

Higher interest rates and the reduced availability of debt is weighing on the whole Reit sector. Should investors look for winners among the biggest losers in the sector? Or, among the ones that have sustained their performance? BT’s Ben Paul and Raphael Lim offer some answers. Synopsis: Listen to senior correspondent Ben Paul's analysis and insight on market trends and corporate issues in Singapo...

A group of minority shareholders at Great Eastern have put through three resolutions to address their assessment of Great Eastern's shares. Their attempt to table these resolutions at the upcoming AGM has been rejected. What is next? BT's Ben Paul sits down with independent investor Ong Chin Woo to discuss his concerns and breakdown the resolutions proposed. Synopsis: Listen to senior corresponden...

Cordlife Group is in big trouble. Last November, the Ministry of Health suspended the company’s operations after it found significant issues with its cord blood storage system. How did things get so bad? Can the company really come back from this crisis? Ben Paul sits down with reporter Megan Cheah to break it all down.   Synopsis: Listen to senior correspondent Ben Paul's analysis and insight on...

How can Singapore’s Reits and property trusts adjust to the “new normal” of higher interest rates and slower growth? Especially since the outlook for economic growth - after all the monetary policy tightening that took place over the last two years - is rather uncertain. Ben Paul has some suggestions.   Synopsis: Listen to senior correspondent Ben Paul's analysis and insight on market trends and c...

Minority investor fury at Manulife US Reit, Sabana Reit and Dasin Retail Trust has turned the spotlight on the effectiveness of the statutory protections under the external-manager model adopted by most Singapore Reits and business trusts. But switching to an internal-manager model is not a simple matter.  Synopsis: Listen to senior correspondent Ben Paul's analysis and insight on market trends an...

The Singapore market’s poor performance and lack of exciting new listings are multifaceted problems that require simultaneous action on different fronts. Senior correspondent Ben Paul gets to grips with issues, and offers some possible solutions.  Synopsis: Listen to senior correspondent Ben Paul's analysis and insight on market trends and corporate issues in Singapore in this podcast series based...

Rising oil prices and stubbornly resilient economic activity may prompt the Fed and other central banks to keep monetary policy tighter for longer than expected. This could be bad news for US tech stocks, Singapore real estate investment trusts and regional economies with weak current accounts.  Synopsis: Listen to senior correspondent Ben Paul's analysis and insight on market trends and corporate...

Hotel Properties Limited has been buffeted recently by news of the redevelopment of its Orchard Road assets, and a corruption investigation involving its major shareholder and managing director Ong Beng Seng. What does it all mean for its shares? Senior correspondent Ben Paul explores. Synopsis: Listen to senior correspondent Ben Paul's analysis and insight on market trends and corporate issues in...

Disgruntled minority unitholders have voted for Sabana Reit to embark on an unprecedented internalisation of its management function. Should investors jump in, or run for cover? What does it mean for other Singapore-listed Reits? Senior correspondent Ben Paul explains. Synopsis: Listen to senior correspondent Ben Paul's analysis and insight on market trends and corporate issues in Singapore in thi...

OCBC’s recent purchase of more Great Eastern shares has further narrowed the insurer’s public spread and increased the risk of it eventually being suspended from trading. But Great Eastern undervalued shares still hold great potential. Senior correspondent Ben Paul explains. Synopsis: Listen to senior correspondent Ben Paul's analysis and insight on market trends and corporate issues in Singapore...

Manulife US Reit is trading at a historical yield of 28 per cent and an appalling 70 per cent discount to its book value. Is it a bargain for investors? Or, is it a value trap? What will it take to resurrect this owner of US office properties? Senior correspondent Ben Paul explains. Synopsis: Listen to senior correspondent Ben Paul's analysis and insight on market trends and corporate issues in Si...

The next few months could be a risky time. Investors should tread very carefully, and be prepared to take advantage of a big sell-off. The Fed is pausing its rate hiking cycle even though inflation is still elevated. Meanwhile, Singapore is battling to keep a lid on runaway residential property prices. Synopsis: Listen to senior correspondent Ben Paul's analysis and insight on market trends and co...

Synopsis: Listen to senior correspondent Ben Paul's analysis and insight on market trends and corporate issues in Singapore in this podcast series based on his weekly column in The Business Times . Keep your FOMO in check! The recent bank failures in the West were not just about poor management but also a manifestation of tighter monetary policy working its way through the financial system. Yet, t...

Synopsis: Listen to Senior Correspondent Ben Paul's analysis and insight on market trends and corporate issues in Singapore in this podcast series based on his weekly column in The Business Times . The proposed break-up and delisting of Golden Energy and Resources and the general offer for Boustead Projects do not adequately compensate minority investors. These deals are also testing the rules and...

Synopsis: Listen to Senior Correspondent Ben Paul's analysis and insight on market trends and corporate issues in Singapore in this podcast series based on his weekly column in The Business Times . Share buybacks are a means of returning cash to investors. But they discriminate between existing shareholders and continuing shareholders. Ben Paul explains why investors should carefully consider if t...

Synopsis: Listen to Senior Correspondent Ben Paul's analysis and insight on market trends and corporate issues in Singapore in this podcast series based on his weekly column in The Business Times . 2022 was marked by the relentless tightening of monetary policy by major central banks to address the surge in inflation around the world. What about 2023? Ben Paul finds out.  Highlights:  03:00 Cumula...

Synopsis: Listen to Senior Correspondent Ben Paul's analysis and insight on market trends and corporate issues in Singapore in this podcast series based on his weekly column in The Business Times . Singapore Airlines is enjoying a banner FY2023 as international borders reopen and travellers pay up for flights. But losses in India, competition and the need to eventually redeem the rest of its MCBs...

Synopsis: Listen to Senior Correspondent Ben Paul's analysis and insight on market trends and corporate issues in Singapore in this podcast series based on his weekly column in The Business Times . Are there stock bargains and returns to be found in the dating scene? Can Match Group and its broad portfolio of dating app brands make a comeback? Senior correspondent Ben Paul finds out. Highlights: (...

Synopsis: Listen to Senior Correspondent Ben Paul's analysis and insight on market trends and corporate issues in Singapore in this podcast series based on his weekly column in The Business Times . Why has the market reacted so negatively to SATS’s proposed acquisition of Worldwide Flight Services and what could the company have done differently? Ben Paul finds out. Highlights: (click/tap above) 0...

Synopsis: Listen to Senior Correspondent Ben Paul's analysis and insight on market trends and corporate issues in Singapore in this podcast series based on his weekly column in The Business Times . What might have motivated minority holders of FHT’s stapled securities to vote against the proposed privatisation of Frasers Hospitality Trust and now what? Ben Paul finds out. Highlights: (click/tap ab...

Synopsis: Listen to Senior Correspondent Ben Paul's analysis and insight on market trends and corporate issues in Singapore in this podcast series based on his weekly column in The Business Times . With the growing threat of phishing scams and recent incidents involving high-profile banks, who should bear the most responsibility? And how can consumers better safeguard themselves?  Ben Paul explain...

Synopsis: Listen to Senior Correspondent Ben Paul's analysis and insight on market trends and corporate issues in Singapore in this podcast series based on his weekly column in The Business Times . How have the recent Fed rate hikes impacted the markets and why should investors not hope for a V-shaped recovery any time soon? What about the resurgence of inflation, and what it could mean for invest...