The Business Times, 17 December 2011

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Total Pages: 51
1 28 The Business Times

  • TOP STORIES
    • 583 2  -  November NODX posts 1.6% growth year on year; shipments to European Union, the Republic’s biggest export market, plunge 20% By Chuang Peck Ming peckming@sph.com.sg Singapore AFTER two straight months of decline, Singapore’s non-oil domestic exports (NODX) perked up in November to post year-on-year growth of
      Source: IE Singapore  -  583 words
    • 127 2  -  By Ven Sreenivasan Singapore PC Air, a privately owned Thai carrier, is planning to take to the skies soon with a crew comprising largely of what the Thais call “lady-boys”. Started by Thai national Peter Chan, the airline plans to initially operate charter flights from
      BOONSONG KOSITCHOTETHANA  -  127 words
    • 140 2 G STI 2,659.22 (+23.97) G STI FUTURES 2,653 (+24) G SIMSCI 303.79 (+3.39) G SIMSCI FUTURES 302.60 (+3.40) STOCKS Friday Change KL COMP 1,466.22 +2.11 NIKKEI 225 8,401.72 +24.35 HANG SENG 18,285.39 +258.55 SET 1,034.06 +9.90 JAKARTA 3,768.35 +66.81 MANILA 4,304.94 +22.27 KOSPI 1,839.96 +20.85 SHENZHEN B 546.32 +13.54
      140 words
    • 527 5  -  Two out of four measures in BIS study warn of region’s vulnerability By Emilyn Yap emilyny@sph.com.sg Singapore THE Bank for International Settlements (BIS) has raised red flags on Asia-Pacific’s vulnerability to sharp capital outflows through the banking system as market volatility spikes. Two out of
      AP  -  527 words
    • 636 6  -  It could take up to 40 years to finish process of scrapping reactors: reports By Anthony Rowley bt wo rl d @s p h .co m .sg Tokyo THE Japanese government formally declared yester- day that a state of stable “cold shutdown” had been
      636 words
    • 421 8  -  Some professionals say that transport woes do not pertain only to trains, but also to buses and taxis as well By Michelle Tan m i c h tyz@s p h .co m .sg Singapore THEY switched to trains after losing their season parking lots
      421 words
    • 526 8  -  By Joyce Hooi joyceh@sph.com.sg Singapore IN the CBD, one marine insurance professional now gets swaggering rights in cubicle land, with the distinction of having smashed an SMRT train’s glass window with a fire extinguisher. The man who broke a window to let air into one
      526 words
    • 565 8  -  By Ng Jie Hui Sherman Tan ngjh@sph.com.sg tsherman@sph.com.sg Singapore THE economy may not be so buoyant, but that hasn’t dampened consumer sentiment for the festive season, going by the sale of Christmas trees at nurseries here. Ji Mei Flower, a major wholesaler of fresh
      PHOTO: YEN MENG JIIN  -  565 words
  • Page 2 Advertisements
    • 57 2 CONTENTS LIVING Christmas L2-5 Watches L6-8 Gadgets L10 Korea MICE L11-18 Health L19 NEWS Top Stories 2-8 Raffles C’versation 10-11 Week in Review 12 Companies 13-15 Singapore 16 From The Desk Of 17 World 18-20 Stocks Stats 21-25 Perspective 26-27 Wealth 28-31 Home Garden L20-21 Shopping L22 Sport, Golf L24-25
      57 words

  • Page 3 Advertisements
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      108 words

  • Page 4 Advertisements
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      40 words


  • Page 6 Advertisements
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  • Page 9 Advertisements
    • 2417 9 thebusinesstimesweekendwww.businesstimes.com.sg SEPTEMBER 24-25, 2011 S$1.00 MICA (P) 121/08/2011 weekend www.businesstimes.com.sg SEPTEMBER 24-25, 2011 S$1.00 MICA (P) 121/08/2011 the raffles conversation CAREER DIPLOMAT BARRYDESKER 12-13 cheap funds Local banks to slash savings ratesDBS Bank, OCBC DBS Bank and UOB will offer amere 0.05 per cent mere come October, even asHSBC and
      2,417 words

  • THE RAFFLES CONVERSATION
    • 825 10/11 Frans van Houten’s career has been a procession of almost uninterrupted, and sometimes spectacular, successes. As the new CEO of Philips, however, he faces his stiffest challenge yet. In July this year, three months into his chief executive role, Philips disclosed an unexpected net loss of 1.3 billion
      825 words
    • 1648 10/11  -  Philips chief Frans van Houten talks about highlights of his personal journey and plans for transforming the Dutch conglomerate. By Kenneth James kenjames@sph.com.sg IN 1992, just six years into a promising career with Dutch giant Royal Philips Electronics, 32-year-old Frans van Houten was handed his first big managerial
      ARTHUR LEE  -  1,648 words

  • WEEK IN REVIEW/WEEK AHEAD
    • THIS WEEK Dec 12-16, 2011
      • 71 12 THE private bank business has always been a gold mine, but never more so than in today’s tight liquidity environment with the US dollar still the lifeblood of global trade despite the hype about the mighty yuan. For the local banks and
        71 words
      • 39 12 CHINESE President Hu Jintao pledged on Sunday to resolve trade imbalances with nations that have huge deficits with the Asian powerhouse, as China marked the 10th anniversary of its accession to the WTO.
        39 words
      • 62 12 MALAYSIA’S national car company has reached a fork in the road that could change its fortunes. Proton Holdings rose 6 per cent to RM4.23 on Monday after its adviser and former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad said that Khazanah Nasional plans to
        62 words
      • 56 12 THE US dollar is turning out to be this year’s comeback kid as investors re-embrace havens, and there may be enough fear left in the markets yet to drive the currency higher next year. But few analysts are counting on its hike to
        56 words
      • 67 12 PILES have already been driven in, but no one knows when the Changi Motorsports Hub will be more than just steel in the ground. The Singapore Sports Council said on Monday that it had ended the project agreement with consortium SG Changi
        67 words
      • 69 12 THE global aviation industry, already heading into a slump in business conditions next year, is now facing a painful credit crunch that is pushing up costs for financing new planes. This is because Europe’s big banks, which have traditionally been among the leaders in aviation
        69 words
      • 52 12 A LEGAL battle involving a group of Singapore investors of Morgan Stanley’s failed Pinnacle Notes reached a fever pitch after the US investment bank resorted to what a federal judge deemed “vexatious” means to block their case from proceeding in
        52 words
      • 89 12 UNCERTAIN global demand and high labour costs are the two biggest worries for businesses here in the next 12 months, according to a new report by KPMG. Many compa- nies are hoping for new measures such as property tax rebates and rental rebates
        BLOOMBERG  -  89 words
      • 43 12 PRIVATE-sector economists expect the economy to expand by just 3 per cent next year, down sharply from an earlier forecast of 4.9 per cent, according to the latest quarterly poll of analysts by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
        43 words
      • 52 12 AGAINST the grim economic outlook elsewhere, China held out a bold guarantee yesterday. It pledged to “guarantee growth” in the coming year, with commitments to stability. A three-day economic meeting chaired by President Hu Jintao also concluded that China’s macroeconomic policy would
        52 words
      • 58 12 EVEN though job growth was still strong in the July-September quarter, signs of softening are unmistakable in the latest employment numbers unveiled by the Ministry of Manpower. While 31,900 jobs were created in the quarter, up from 20,500 in the second quarter,
        58 words
      • 53 12 JUST before the cooling measures on Dec 7 changed the property landscape, private home sales had spiked sharply in November, the latest URA numbers show. But the immediate future looks starkly different, as consultants expect sales to slow by 20 to
        53 words
    • 90 12 US DATA Dec 19 Dec housing market index Dec 20 Nov housing starts Dec 21 Nov existing home sales Dec 22 3rd quarter GDP Dec consumer sentiment Dec 23 Nov durable goods orders Nov personal income and outlays Nov new home sales SINGAPORE DATA Dec
      90 words
  • Page 12 Miscellaneous
    • 311 12 CRYPTIC CROSSWORD Across 1 It swims with the current (8,3) 8 Short of capital (7,4) 11 Lady love is after the money (4) 12 About turn in Old Ireland (4) 13 Favourite finds affection in garden (7) 15 A communication you’ll understand when you get it (7) 16 Colour scheme
      311 words
    • 19 12 SATURDAY with Ludwig ‘I saw light at the end of the tunnel it turned out to be someone’s handphone
      19 words

  • COMPANIES
    • 441 13  -  Bank sets up US$5b facility to diversify its non-Singapore dollar funding sources By Siow Li Sen lisen@sph.com.sg Singapore DBS Bank has set up a US$5 billion US commercial paper programme amid expectations that the retreat of European banks from Asia will drive up borrowing
      441 words
    • 333 13  -  By Mindy Tan tanmindy@sph.com.sg Singapore K-Reit Asia’s 50 per cent-owned 8 Chifley Square a premium office tower that is under construction in Sydney has found its first anchor tenant for 40 per cent of its net lettable area. The office, whose development is due
      333 words
    • 306 13  -  It had told firm to appoint a special auditor immediately By Jamie lee leejamie@sph.com.sg Singapore SINGAPORE Exchange (SGX) yesterday rapped China Sky Fibre Chemical and its directors for ignoring SGX’s directive to appoint a special auditor. SGX also told off China Sky for
      306 words
    • 384 14  -  By Jamie Lee leejamie@sph.com.sg Singapore PACIFIC Shipping Trust (PST) which will be taken private by its holding company after unitholders voted in favour of the proposed delisting yesterday said forecasts on its income distribution could be inaccurate given the current economic uncertainty. PST was responding
      384 words
    • 407 14  -  Vendor Mirvac Group also selling its management company, Mirvac Hotels Resorts, to Accor for 149m euros By Uma Shankari shankari@sph.com.sg Singapore A CONSORTIUM comprising Singapore’s Ascendas and Par-is-based hospitality group Accor has acquired a 49.2 per cent stake in Mirvac Wholesale Hotel
      407 words
    • 394 14  -  Liquidators recover about 83% of segregated assets By Kenneth Lim kenlim@sph.com.sg Singapore MF Global Singapore hopes to start returning customer funds in February next year, liquidators of the futures brokerage said yesterday. The liquidators have taken control of about US$392 million
      394 words
    • 601 15  -  stocks R Sivanithy sivan@sph.com.sg Senior correspondent TO be honest, it’s difficult to find fault with the assertion that dealers and remisiers would have been better-off if they’dgonefortheirholidaysearly this year. This week for instance, saw the Straits Times Index lose 35 points or 1.3
      601 words
    • Briefing
      • 65 15 CENTILLION Environment Recycling has proposed a one-for-one rights cum warrants issue. It will issue up to 8.47 billion shares at 0.1 cent each. Each rights share will come with one warrant that is convertible to one share at 0.2 cent. Assuming full subscription and
        65 words
      • 76 15 HUP Soon Global Corporation said its wholly owned subsidiary, Borneo Technical (Thailand) Limited had resumed full business operations on Nov 22 with minimal damage to its operating premise. In an update of its Thailand operations following the recent floods, Hup Soon Global
        76 words
    • 111 15 VOL CLOSE Goldtron 260,000 0.2 0.0 0.0 PSLHldgs 48,944 39 0.5 1.3 KeongHong 44,006 28.5 0.0 0.0 GoldenAgri 42,158 70.5 0.0 0.0 NobleGrp 25,624 114.5 1.0 0.9 GMGGlobal 25,280 11.6 -0.1 -0.9 SingTel 24,151 318 8.0 2.6 GentingSP 22,632 151.5 2.5 1.7 GLP 16,719 165 3.0 1.9
      111 words
    • 111 15 Stock name Close Change CapMallsAsia 1.185 +0.020 CapitaLand 2.300 +0.020 CapitaMall 1.710 +0.045 CityDev 8.930 -0.030 ComfortDelGro 1.410 +0.005 DBS Grp 11.640 +0.080 F&N 6.140 +0.110 GLP 1.650 +0.030 Genting SP 1.515 +0.025 Golden Agri 0.705 HK Land 4.580 -0.050 JMH 46.090 -0.160 JSH 27.500 +0.180 Jardine C&C
      111 words
    • 429 15  -  By Carine Lee carinel@sph.com.sg Singapore SINGAPORE will have the most vulnerable economy among Asean countries in 2012, due to its high exposure to Europe, according to Bank of America Merrill Lynch global research estimates released yesterday. Exports to Europe in the first
      429 words
    • 62 15 BY CENTS CLOSE UP DBXT Nifty 10US$ 9154 335.2 2.9 Jardine C&C 4792 142.0 3.1 DairyFarm 989 96.5 8.1 DBXT MSEurope 10US$ 3889 95.2 1.9 DBXT MSINDO 10us$ 1449 74.4 4.1 GLD 10US$ ***** 71.7 0.4 DBXT MSKorea 10US$ 5084 61.3 0.9 DBXT FTChina25 10US$ 2563 52.2 1.6
      62 words
    • 66 15 BY CENTS CLOSEDOWN IS LC 1-3Y 10US$ 955 -57.4 -4.4 DBXT S&P Short 10US$ 4281 -43.1 -0.8 Lyxor Nasdaq100 10US 895 -41.7 -3.5 DBXT SPASX200 10US$ 3108 -36.5 -0.9 Daiwa FT Shariah Jap 743 -33.9 -3.4 DBXT MSJAP 10US$ 3396 -27.4 -0.6 JMH 4609 -20.9 -0.3 DBS Bk
      66 words

  • Page 14 Advertisements
    • 178 14 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT, CAP. 50 K S C GRAPHIC PTE LTD (Co. Reg. No. *****9757N) Notice of Final Meeting (In Members’ Voluntary Liquidation) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT pursuant to Section 308 of the Companies Act, Cap. 50 that the final meeting of members of the
      178 words

  • Page 15 Advertisements
    • 39 15 ALLERGIES? SLEEP ON WATER! Waterbeds are made from hygienic vinyl and removable washable covers, preventing the accumulation of harmful dust mites and particles. FANTASY WATERBEDS SLEEP CENTRE #01-15/16 The Furniture Mall (The Plaza) 7500D Beach Road Tel: 6469-1381 www.fantasywaterbeds.com
      39 words

  • SINGAPORE
    • 622 16  -  Disruption, which hit 127,000 commuters, caused by a section of misaligned third rail that supplies power By Samuel Ee samuelee@sph.com.sg THE five-hour disruption on the North-South MRT Line on Thursday started with four trains stopping in the tunnel, leaving 127,000 commuters stranded 4,000 of
      CHEW SENG KIM/THE STRAITS TIMES  -  622 words
    • 217 16 FORMER foreign minister George Yeo will join Malaysian conglomerate Kuok Group as vice-chairman of Kerry Group (HK) Pte Ltd from Jan 1 next year. The appointment follows his announcement in October that he has taken a senior adviser’s role in Kuok Group. Kerry
      217 words
  • Page 16 Advertisements
    • 298 16 SATS NOTICES UBAM CONVERTIBLES Société d'Investissement à Capital Variable (SICAV) Registered office: 7 place Vendôme ***** PARIS RCS Paris No. 424 316 750 SECOND NOTICE TO ATTEND As the quorum was not reached at the first extraordinary general meeting held on 16 December 2011, shareholders are hereby invited to attend
      298 words
    • 132 16 In the Matter of The Companies Act, Cap. 50 And In the Matter of UNICLA TRADING (S) PTE LTD (Co. Reg. No. *****2936N) (IN CREDITORS’ VOLUNTARY LIQUIDATION) NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING (Members Creditors) (Pursuant to S.308of the Companies Act, Cap. 50) Date/Time: 20th January 2012 11.30 a.m. Venue: 18 Jalan
      132 words

  • FROM THE DESK OF
    • 670 17  -  We are seeing an emerging trend in the demand for personalised travel over packaged tours and consumers making travel purchases with shorter lead times from the desk of Roshan Mendis President of ZUJI and regional vice-president of Travelocity Asia Pacific EVEN against the backdrop of
      670 words

  • WORLD
    • 629 18 Central bank also leaves banks’ reserve ratio unchanged at 6% despite speculation it might cut the ratio to bolster liquidity Reuters Mumbai INDIA’s central bank sent a strong signal yesterday that its next move is likely to be an easing of
      Reuters  -  629 words
    • 453 18 Firm aims to build gas pipelines, power plants and toll-roads Reuters AFP Jakarta PT BAKRIE Brothers, an Indonesian holding company controlled by the politically well connected Bakrie Group, is looking for foreign strategic partners to develop its infrastructure projects as it
      Reuters; AFP  -  453 words
    • 443 18 AP New York CHRISTOPHER Hitchens, the author, essayist and polemicist who waged verbal and occasional physical battle on behalf of causes left and right and wrote the provocative best-seller God is Not Great, died on Thursday night after a long battle with cancer.
      AP; REUTERS  -  443 words
    • 533 19 Financial regulator and Tokyo Stock Exchange will both look into the matter Reuters Tokyo JAPAN signalled plans to strengthen disclosure rules on mergers and acquisitions (M&A) after a US$1.7 billion accounting fraud at Olympus Corp, one of thenation’sworstcorporatescandals, which involved a
      Reuters; REUTERS  -  533 words
    • 369 19 It vows to support private investment in railway, utilities and financial projects in 2012 Reuters Beijing CHINA aims to free up its infrastructure and financial businesses to private investment in 2012 to bolster growth in the world’s No 2 economy in the face
      Reuters  -  369 words
    • 325 19 AFP Melbourne AN Australian class action against bank fees grew to include four more institutions yesterday, with lawyers saying that they are now acting for some 150,000 consumers over claims worth close to US$200 million. Proceedings against Commonwealth Bank,
      AFP  -  325 words
    • 626 20 Subsiding inflation may give Fed more room for additional monetary policy accommodation latest us data| Reuters Bloomberg Washington US CONSUMER prices were flat in November as car and petrol prices went down, a further sign of a cooldown in inflation that could give
      Reuters; Bloomberg  -  626 words
    • 473 20 Senate seen to seek stopgap extension of payroll tax holiday NYT AP Washington REPUBLICANS and Democrats in Congress appear to have found a compromise way out of a deeply partisan stand-off that threatened millions of Americans with a big New Year’s tax increase, the
      NYT; AP  -  473 words
    • 438 20 Reuters Hong Kong MERGER and acquisition (M&A) volume in the Asia-Pacific region, excluding Japan, is set to rise by a third next year after dipping in 2011, Thomson Reuters/Freeman Consulting estimates showed, as cashed-up Asian companies step up acquisitions using
      Reuters  -  438 words






  • SGX
    • 9434 24 Transaction date: Dec 16 52-wks Last Vol Day Last Quote Div GrYld Net M Cap High Low Company Sale +/-(‘000) High Low Buyer Seller C’vr P/E $mil 21 11.6 8Telecom 15.5 6 14.5 7.8 3.9 3.2 74.2 9.5 4.1 A-Sonic 4.5 4.4 5 2.9 1.7 32.2 65 50
      9,434 words
    • 186 24 MAIN CATL TOTAL Up Down Unch Up Down Unch Up Down Unch Multi Ind 7 2 4 0 0 0 7 2 4 Manufacturing 36 40 33 2 5 3 38 45 36 Commerce 18 14 11 1 1 4 19 15 15 Tpt/Stor/Comms 19 8 9
      186 words
    • 846 24 SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDER/DIRECTOR TRANSACTIONS For week beginning Dec 12 Substantial Buy No of Price ———SHAREHOLDING Trans Shareholder/ Sell Shares Per Before After Stock Date Director Conv '000 Shr ('000) ('000) China Fashion Hldgs 15-Dec-11 Chng Teng Kok Sell ***** na ***** 5.88 0 0.00 Wanxiang Intl Ltd
      846 words
    • 117 24 TURNOVER (‘000) VALUE (‘000) MAIN CATL TOTAL MAIN CATL TOTAL Multi Ind 10,477 10,477 43,079 43,079 Manufacturing 114,874 263,211 378,085 111,181 577 111,758 Commerce 72,158 3,898 76,056 99,237 278 99,514 Tpt/Stor/Comms 69,938 12,029 81,967 130,987 1,407 132,394 Finance 12,844 12,844 104,943 104,943 Construction 57,755 44,009 101,764 20,847
      117 words
    • 82 25 Dec 15 COCOA (£/tonne) Close Prev High/Low Mar 12 1394 1440 1433/1385 May 12 1412 1458 1451/1403 Jul 12 1437 1474 1469/1423 Sep 12 1452 1474 1484/1437 COFFEE (US$/tonne) Close Prev High/Low Jan 12 1861 1871 1889/1847 Mar 12 1902 1912 1930/1887 May 12 1936 1947 1958/1922 Jul 12
      82 words
    • 135 25 As on 15 December 2011 www.smx.com.sg PRODUCT CONTRACT HIGH LOW CLOSE VOL (in Lots) PRECIOUS METALS GOLD FUT FEB2012 1591.60 1564.40 1577.10 130 CURRENCY AUD-USD FUT DEC2011 .9901 .9880 .9934 203 EUR-USD FUT DEC2011 1.3049 1.2958 1.2999 5683 USD-JPY FUT DEC2011 78.09 77.99 77.89 825 AUD-USD FUT
      135 words
    • 68 25 Dec 16 GOLD (US$/oz) Dec 16 Dec 15 Hong Kong 1599.*****4.00 Dec 15 Dec 14 London 1570.*****1.24 1570.*****2.96 Source: Thomson Reuters SILVER Selling Buying Passbook 1 oz 38.91 38.22 Source: UOB PLATINUM Lon (US$/oz) Dec 15 Close Previous PM Fix 1415.*****4.00 AM Fix 1398.*****6.00 Source: Thomson Reuters PLATINUM /NYMEX
      68 words
    • 57 25 Dec 16 KLCE PALM FUTURES (RM/MT) Delivery Opening Sett Av Vol Open Month Range Price Price High Low Done Position Jan 12 3001.0 2972.0 3009.0 2980.0 208 5446 Feb 12 2990.0 2971.0 3016.0 2978.0 4276 ***** Mar 12 2991.0 2971.0 3015.0 2977.0 ***** ***** Apr 12 2999.0 2970.0
      57 words
    • 79 25 Dec 16 TREASURY BILLS Period Issue Maturity Yesterday's Day's code Bid High Low 3-Month BQ*****E 15.03.2012 0.35 1-Year BY*****W 01.11.2012 0.34 GOVERNMENT BONDS Period Issue Coupon Maturity Close Day's code rate Bid High Low 2-Year NX*****Z 2.250 01.07.2013 102.95 102.99 102.98 5-Year N*****0W 1.125 01.04.2016 102.15 10-Year NX*****X
      79 words
    • 154 25 Dec 16 Against S$ Against US$ Currencies Bid Offer Bid Offer S$/US$ to one unit of foreign currency: Australian dollar 1.3015 1.3027 0.9978 0.9983 Canadian dollar 1.2632 1.2643 0.9684 0.9689 Euro 1.6973 1.6981 1.3012 1.3013 NZ dollar 0.9908 0.9917 0.7596 0.7600 Sterling pound 2.0227 2.0236 1.5507 1.5508
      154 words
    • 93 25 Dec 15 SOYBEANS (5,000 bu min; USc/60 lb bushels) Close Previous High/Low Jan 12 1111.*****0.*****4.*****0.25 Mar 12 1121.*****0.*****3.*****0.00 May 12 1131.*****0.*****4.*****1.00 Jul 12 1142.*****1.*****4.*****1.50 SOYBEAN/OIL (60,000 lbs; USc/lb) Close Previous High/Low Jan 12 48.98 48.40 49.05 48.37 Mar 12 49.36 48.80 49.43 48.76 May 12 49.75 49.18 49.82
      93 words
    • 75 25 Dec 15 CRUDE US$/barrel (FOB origin) Close Change Brent blend (1-Mth F) 104.37 -1.13 WTI (Near Mth) 93.60 -1.37 Dubai (1-Mth F) 102.26 -2.79 Tapis blend 112.71 -2.69 Minas 110.61 -2.69 PRODUCT US$/barrel (FOB S'pore) Close Change Naphtha 97.00 -2.17 Jet Kerosene 120.49 -3.29 US$/barrel Opec Oil Basket Price
      75 words
    • 373 25 In local curr In S$ In US$ dy yr dy yr dy yr Dec 15 Index Change Change Change Change Change Change World Preliminary 806.4 0.3 -10.2 0.4 -8.7 0.5 -10.6 ‡EAFE Preliminary 666.1 0.0 -16.8 0.3 -15.7 0.4 -17.5 Europe Preliminary 989.7 0.9 -15.3
      373 words
    • 118 25 Dec 16 Singapore dollars to one unit of foreign currency: Currencies Sell Buy Aust dollar 1.328 1.265 Can dollar 1.287 1.238 Euro 1.732 1.666 Sterling pound 2.064 1.985 NZ dollar 1.016 0.968 US dollar 1.326 1.275 Local dollars to 100 units of foreign currency: Currencies Sell
      118 words
    • 69 25 Dec 15 Aluminium, 99.7% purity (US$/tonne) Close Previous Cash 1972.50 1956.75 3 months 1975.00 1962.00 Copper, Grade A (US$/tonne) Cash 7192.00 7186.50 3 months 7211.00 7210.00 Lead (US$/tonne) Cash 1961.00 1982.50 3 months 1975.00 1998.00 Nickel (US$/tonne) Cash *****.00 *****.00 3 months *****.00 *****.00 Tin (US$/tonne) Cash *****.00
      69 words
    • Article, Illustration
      90 25 YTD change:-16.64% 52-week high: 3,280.77 on Jan 7,2011 52-week low: 2,521.95 on Oct 5,2011 Source: Bloomberg YTD change: -20.62% 52-week high: 24,468.60 on Apr 8,2011 52-week low: 16,170.30 on Oct 4,2011 Source: Bloomberg YTD change: -20.77% 52-week high: 3,067.46 on Apr 18,2011 52-week low: 2,170.75 on Dec 16,2011
      Source: Bloomberg  -  90 words


  • PERSPECTIVE
    • 1217 26 / 27  - Smartphone changing the rules of engagement Mobile technology will allow you to do more and more banking on the go using features such as speech recognition. By Steve Bertamini ~The writer is CEO of consumer banking at Standard Chartered IMAGINE having instant and total control of your money. To spend,
      REUTERS  -  1,217 words
    • 796 26 / 27  -  By BALA SHANKAR ~The writer is adjunct professor at SMU and NTU and founder director of NPS International School THIS is one statistic nobody follows and yet it is mind-boggling. In some ways, it reminds you of the rotting apples of a bumper crop. Management literature
      AFP  -  796 words

  • Wealth
    • WEALTH INVESTING
      • 1256 28 / 29  -  Here’re some tips on how to do that, and an outline of tax advantages of planning and reviewing your financial situation as 2011 draws to a close wealth insights BJOoi KPMG Deborah Sng KPMG ~B J Ooi is partner and head of
        LUDWIG ILIO  -  1,256 words
      • BROKERS’ TAKE
        • 441 28 / 29 OCBC Investment Research Dec 16 WITH continued tensions in the eurozone, any developments from Europe will continue to dominate market attention in 2012. As most of these issues are unlikely to be resolved soon, we expect these problems to roll over into 2012, implying that share prices
          441 words
        • 335 28 / 29  -  DBS Group Research Dec 16 Compiled by Conrad Tan PRIMARY home sales in November came in at 1,854 units. Excluding executive condominiums, sales rose 22 per cent month-on-month (m-o-m) to 1,701 units. This takes total primary sales for January-November 2011 to 15,393 units, a tick higher than the
          335 words
    • WEALTH REAL ESTATE
      • 1168 30 PROJECT NAME/ STREET NAME PROP TYPE CONTRACT DATE TENURE BUILT-IN/LAND AREA*(SQ FT) PRICE (S$'000) PSF (S$) District 16 LANDED East View Gdn 1-Sd 16/11/2011 FH 3903 4050 1038 Siew Lim Park 2-Sd 21/11/2011 FH
        1,168 words
      • 810 31  -  Three-year low figure of $95.6m blamed on decline in secondary-market sales of residential properties By Kalpana Rashiwala kalpana@sph.com.sg Singapore THE value of properties sold at auction this year has plunged to a three-year low of $95.62 million. This is due mainly to a
        Source: Colliers International Singapore Research  -  810 words
      • 224 31 The loan is priced at a margin of 123 bps over sterling Libor Reu ters Kuala Lumpur MALAYSIA’S Employees Provident Fund (EPF) closed a fiveyear £300 million (S$607 million) loan, its first offshore loan, to fund the acquisition of three London-based properties, Thomson Reuters
        Reuters  -  224 words




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    • 50 1 CHRISTMAS Sweet tidings L4-5 LivingTHEBUSINESSTIMESWEEKEND|DECEMBER17-*****1BTTHE BUSINESS TIMES WEEKEND DECEMBER 17-18 2011 GIFTS WITH A HEART Cause-conscious Christmas gifts HOME GARDEN Yuletide trimmings L20-21 GOLF Christmas gift guide L25 SHOPPING Fit and festive L22-23 PHOTO: ELEPHANT PARADE GADGETS Buy in to boy toys L10 MOTORING Audi at the 4 front L28
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  • BT Living
    • CHRISTMAS
      • 1464 2 / 3  -  Eco-friendly, cause-conscious and recycled Christmas gifts (and we’re not just talking about passing off last year’s grandma sweater!) are all the rage this year. We round up a bundle of ethical products you can give with a conscience.By conscience.By Debbie Yong debyong@sph.com.sg IF you are sick
        1,464 words
      • Article, Illustration
        1200 4 / 5  -  If the sight of yet another fruitcake or stollen makes you cringe, fear not. There are other Christmas dessert options to explore. If your tastebuds swing from old-fashioned to the avant garde, look no further.By further.By Jaime Ee jaime@sph.com.sg Home-style Chalk Farm www.thechalkfarm.com Bryan Koh Z 982 8857
        CHRISTMAS TRIFLE PHOTO: YEN MENG JIIN  -  1,200 words
    • WATCHES
      • Article, Illustration
        849 6 / 7  -  Dylan Tan highlights a few items that any watch lover would be sure to appreciate this festive season Dylan Tan dylantan@sph.com.sg Reuge NOT just for watches, Reuge’s musical boxes are multi-functional and an art piece on its own. The Dawn Chorus is made of black carbalho in gloss
        849 words
      • 479 8 What better way could there be to mark the festive occasion than to buy a pair of watches one for him and one for her special feature AS TIME edges closer toward Christmas, the shopping gets more frenzied but what better way could there be
        479 words
    • GADGETS
      • 660 10  -  From the geek and connoisseur to the home chef and health buff, men will be boys and especially so at Christmas. Christopher Lim has all the bases covered Christopher Lim limchris@sph.com.sg For connoisseurs: Vertu Constellation $7,900 for brown calf leather; $19,500 for red gold, mixed
        660 words
    • KOREA: MICE DESTINATION
      • 1321 11  -  Korea has put together a compelling package to develop its MICE industry. Here’s a look at what the country has to offer as a top convention destination By Vincent Wee btnews@sph.com.sg KOREAhasbigplansfordevel-opingitsMICE(meetings,in-centives, conventions and exhibitions) industry and central to that is the declaration of
        1,321 words
      • 2131 12  -  Korea’s top three MICE destinations capitalise on their individual strengths to build up a solid framework for hosting events By Vincent Wee btnews@sph.com.sg THE cities of Seoul, Busan and Jeju are popular MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) destinations in Korea due to their
        2,131 words
      • 580 14  -  Korea’s appeal as an attractive MICE destination is enhanced by the many activities its major cities offer By Vincent Wee btnews@sph.com.sg KOREA’S offerings as an attractive MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) destination are enhanced by the variety and number of activities it can provide. The
        580 words
    • HEALTH
      • Article, Illustration
        1219 19  -  Rest does not come easy to everyone, especially the obese who may be prone to sleep apnea.By apnea.By Lim Ing Ruen ~Dr Lim is a consultant ear, nose throat surgeon at Singapore Medical Specialists Centre. She has post-graduate qualifications in Otolaryngology from the Royal College of Physicians
        STOCK.XCHNG  -  1,219 words
    • HOME & GARDEN
      • 1949 20 / 21  -  We take a peek inside the homes of four personalities to find out what makes their Christmas trees a treat. By Melissa Lwee-Ramsay mellwee@sph.com.sg Goh Eck Kheng WHEN it comes to Christmas trees, there are families who relish the comfort that comes with putting up the same decorations
        PHOTO OF TREE BY ARTHUR LEE; YEN MENG JIIN; JOHN HENG  -  1,949 words
    • SHOPPING
      • 1086 22 / 23  -  BT Weekend tracks down leading fitness names who show how to stay flexed despite the Christmas flux By Cheah Ui-Hoon uihoon@sph.com.sg Spa Esprit’s Handwrite a Gift If you have dreamed of a place that allows you to customise a scent that can help alleviate any health or
        FILE PHOTO  -  1,086 words
    • SPORT
      • 641 24  -  no holds barred All eyes will be on how City overcome their injury problems, suspensions and the mental blow of recent disappointing results Lee U-Wen leeuwen@sph.com.sg Deputy Foreign Editor WHATdoestheworld’srichestclubdoafter suffering its first Barclays Premier League (BPL) defeat of the season? Why,
        AFP  -  641 words
      • 662 24  -  slam dunk with steve dawson btnews@sph.com.sg BASKETBALL is a game for superstars. With only five men per team on court at any one time, individuals are always going to stand out, even when they are not playing. Personnel trades between teams in the
        AP  -  662 words
    • GOLF
      • 1075 25  -  The latest drivers, irons and more for the golfer in your life. By Justine Moss WITH eight more shopping days until Christmas, there’s still time to head to your favourite golfing retail or online shop to buy the latest toys during this festive season. This year, BT
        1,075 words
    • MOTORING
      • Article, Illustration
        888 26/27  -  Enhance your holiday and your drive. By Samuel Ee Wellness on the go TURN the interior of your car into your own mobile clean room with the Philips GoPure automotive clean air system. According to Philips, there is pollution from outside the car in the form of exhaust
        888 words
      • Article, Illustration
        308 26/27  -  Park and ride takes on a whole new meaning with the easily transportable Mini Folding Bike. By Samuel Ee NO emissions, no ERP and best of all, no COE. The Mini Folding Bike offers compact mobility from the iconic British marque. Park and ride takes on a whole
        ARTHUR LEE  -  308 words
      • 576 28  -  The eighth-generation A4 has undergone what the German carmaker calls a product upgrade rather than a facelift. By Samuel Ee samuelee@sph.com.sg MORE power with less fuel is the principle that German carmakers have been embracing with a vengeance of late. The latest Audi A4 successfully
        576 words


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    • 1035 6 / 7 wine&dine with BTWeekend Mandarin Court Level 35, Mandarin Orchard Singapore, 333 Orchard Road Z6831 6288 Ascend 35 stories of the Orchard Wing and arrive in style at Mandarin Court Chinese Restaurant, the home of authentic Cantonese cuisine. Delight in executive Chinese chef Sunny Kong’s signature dishes such as Classic Peking
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    • 594 13 V I <> <• 4 4 *444* II I 1 V COEX Convention Exhibition Center 43 2s +T-C. —i—A t I JIII Nurimaru APEC House International Convention Center Jeju S-'Su. rL '\N£ I TT?h Daejeon Conventio IliMlIi i iiiif: IsiS --Hi Pf E.' A Kimdaejung Convention Center T m M.I.C.E.
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    • 580 15 Advertising Feature M.I.C.E. HAVEN: A FEAST FOR THE SENSES IN KOREA Admire the ancient beauty of the historical landmarks, experience the calm and serenity with a temple stay, move to the hypnotic beat of the drums at traditional dances, tickle your taste buds with mouthwatering hansik (Korean cuisine) and desserts,
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    • 553 16 1& m mi EH "-'A w ft, V> 1 fi kJ sots Advertising Feature Orange plantation m T'~ 8%1 w- \m •r.. if If ""f M.I.C.E. HAVEN: BACK TO NATURE IN KOREA Blessed with natural beauty, Korea is the choice for stressed city dwellers to relax and recharge their tired
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    • 682 17 J. je; A fa V; Advertising Feature Paju Ubi Park eW Hi LEED PLATINUM »Ji}g a V\ <- Samsung Green Tomorrow P I" r* I y LM r:*i .T Irn is Ef» Nongshim's Gumi Factory M.I.C.E. HAVEN: STEP INTO THE FUTURE WITH KOREA For seasoned, well-travelled M.I.C.E. participants who prefer
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    • 555 18 II r v 5* rv Advertising Feature A W Dried persimmons or M.I.C.E. HAVEN: TAKE IT NICE AND SLOW IN KOREA Leave the work stress behind and take it nice and slow in Korea. Start with a relaxing train ride into our wine and ginseng heartlands. Take a walk through
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