Business receipts of Singapore's services sector flat in Q4 2015

BUSINESS receipts for Singapore's services industry were flat in the fourth quarter of 2015, posting only a 0.2 per cent increase year-on-year.

However, business receipts rose 3.2 per cent in Q4 over Q3.

In year-on-year terms, the results were mixed. Segments that enjoyed turnover growth were health & social services (6.6 per cent), financial & insurance (3.5 per cent), information & communications (2.5 per cent), and education (1.5 per cent).

The remaining three segments posted a decline in business receipts, however. Recreation & personal services suffered the most with a 7 per cent drop, while business services and transport & storage posted declines of 2.8 per cent and 0.2 per cent respectively.

The data released on Friday by the Department of Statistics excluded wholesale & retail trade, and accommodation & food services.