Daily Debrief: What Happened Today

Singapore dollar rises as US Fed keeps rates unchanged

The Singapore dollar rose on Thursday in line with other currencies after the US Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged, but the local unit's rally was weighed down by what the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) might do next month.

Fed leaves rates unchanged, signals 2016 hike still likely

Singapore SMEs' sentiment sinks to second lowest level in seven years

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Singapore are downbeat over their prospects for the next six months with profit expectations having sunk to the lowest level in seven years, according to a survey conducted to gauge business sentiment in the SME space.

Vard Holdings secures US$40m contract to build two vessels

Vard Holdings has bagged a US$40 million contract for the design and construction of two more module carrier vessels (MCVs) for Topaz Energy and Marine. Both the vessels are scheduled for delivery in the second quarter of 2018, Vard said in a Singapore Exchange filing on Thursday.

PSL to place new shares with three Malindo Exim directors to raise S$2.9m

Singapore-listed engineering services provider PSL Holdings has entered into a private subscription agreement with three individuals to raise net proceeds of S$2.9 million.

Marco Polo seeks noteholders' consent to defer notes' redemption until 2019

Marco Polo Marine has launched a consent solicitation exercise for its S$50 million notes due next month to seek noteholders' approval to defer the redemption of its debt papers by three years to October 2019.

Rickmers Maritime tweaks plan to restructure S$100m notes with debt-to-equity swap

Rickmers Maritime has come up with a revised restructuring plan for its S$100 million 8.45 per cent notes due 2017, following feedback after its informal meeting with the noteholders a week ago.

The STI Today

Singapore shares end weaker as traders grapple with US rate outlook

By the end of trading, the STI was a net 4.68 points weaker at 2,846.06, with the whole market generating only 1.07 billion units worth S$754.2 million in turnover, the lowest for the week to date in both unit and dollar terms.