Daily Debrief: What Happened Today

Singapore sees slow start to M&A activity: Thomson Reuters ACCORDING to data compiled by Thomas Reuters, the value of announced M&As involving Singaporean companies reached US$7.7 billion in the first three months of this year, down 21.0 per cent from the US$9.7 billion seen in the same period in 2016. Annou ACCORDING to data compiled by Thomas Reuters, the value of announced M&As involving Singaporean companies reached US$7.7 billion in the first three months of this year, down 21.0 per cent from the US$9.7 billion seen in the same period in 2016. Announced deals fell 38.1 per cent to 146, from 236 a year ago.

Brighter outlook for Singapore's trade-dependent sectors, dimmer prospects at home A TWO-SPEED economy ha A TWO-SPEED economy has emerged in Singapore, going by the latest survey among private-sector economists

Singapore 'heartened' that TPP members exploring options to preserve pact benefits SINGAPORE welcomed a decision made by parties to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) to continue seeing how they can reap the benefiSINGAPORE welcomed a decision made by parties to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) to continue seeing how they can reap the benefits of the mega trade deal, even as no decision was made on the future of the deal.

Singapore medtech firm EndoMaster raises S$20.5m Series B funding ENDOMASTER, a spin-off by Nanyang Technological University and National University of Singapore, has developed a robotic-assisted surgical system that removes gastro-intestinal cancer tumENDOMASTER, a spin-off by Nanyang Technological University and National University of Singapore, has developed a robotic-assisted surgical system that removes gastro-intestinal cancer tumours without the need for surgical incisions on the body or organ.

Blackstone said to put Sime Darby Singapore property on sale THE New York-based private equity firm expects to fetch about S$300 million for the Sime Darby Centre in the Buk THE New York-based private equity firm expects to fetch about S$300 million for the Sime Darby Centre in the Bukit Timah area, which it bought for just under S$200 million.

MAS proposes new legal tender limit for coins THIS means a payer can use up to 10 pieces each of five-cent, 10-cent, 20-cent, THIS means a payer can use up to 10 pieces each of five-cent, 10-cent, 20-cent, 50-cent and one-dollar coins per transaction.

The STI Today

Singapore stocks finish higher, STI at 19-month high on Fed signal THE US Federal Reserve lived up to expectations when it raised its short-term rate by 25 basis points on Wednesday, but more importantly fTHE US Federal Reserve lived up to expectations when it raised its short-term rate by 25 basis points on Wednesday, but more importantly for the bulls, it did not signal more than two more hikes this year.