The Business Times
Ben Paul

Ben Paul

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT

Ben Paul joined The Business Times in 2020, after nearly three decades of covering financial markets as an analyst and journalist. He writes and produces the BT’s Mark To Market column and podcast.

emailbenpaul@sph.com.sg
email@BenPaulBT
The sheer size of UOB’s allowances in Q3 2025 suggests it is trying to “kitchen sink” the problem of higher NPLs, and completely negate the risks that might lie ahead
MARK TO MARKET

UOB could be Singapore’s top ‘value-up’ play

DBS likely to outperform despite its seemingly high valuations, while OCBC may come to be viewed as the main value play among...

YZJ Maritime has signed agreements to raise S$5.2 million through a placement of nearly 8.64 million shares at S$0.60 each, tagging its overall valuation at more than S$2 billion
HOCK LOCK SIEW

YZJ Financial right to spin off maritime assets

After birthing YZJ Maritime, YZJ Financial could move more aggressively in interesting new directions

Besides retiring the financial watch list, SGX RegCo also lowered the profit test requirement for companies seeking to list on the mainboard, from S$30 million to S$10 million.
MARK TO MARKET

Shareholder engagement crucial as listing rules are loosened and financial watch list is retired

Was the negative stigma of the watch list really a problem? Or, was the real problem the fact that many companies on...

The STI would have to rise by about 5.6 per cent a year from its Friday close of 4,422.21 in order to reach the 10,000 level by 2040
MARK TO MARKET

STI 10,000 is not an unachievable goal

DBS’ Singapore 2040 report could mark the beginning of a more positive narrative about the Singapore market

Five Next 50 stocks have chalked up triple-digit percentage gains this year: Hong Leong Asia, Yangzijiang Financial, Propnex, Food Empire, and Pan-United Corp
MARK TO MARKET

Institutional investors will have key role to play if the run in smaller-cap stocks is to continue

Next 50 indices in their current form are likely to be just as effective in promoting market discipline among smaller-cap companies as...

Keppel Reit has raised S$113 million through a placement of nearly 115 million new units priced at S$0.983 each to part fund its latest acquisition
HOCK LOCK SIEW

Is Keppel Reit’s deal Down Under a good move?

Prime office landlord may continue diversifying geographically and across real estate asset classes to expand its portfolio

The recent crop Catalist listings – including MetaOptics, Lum Chang Creations and Dezign Format Group – have performed well; but the performance of recent listings on the mainboard have been less impressive
MARK TO MARKET

Singapore gets noticed as IPO activity rises

Increased listings might be due to companies and Reit sponsors taking advantage of elevated investor sentiment

Centurion Accommodation Reit ended its first trading day at S$0.96, nearly 9.1 per cent above its IPO price of S$0.88
MARK TO MARKET

Strong debut for Centurion Accommodation is only half the story unfolding in the S-Reit space

Pressure for value-up initiatives could test resources and networks of sponsor groups; CapitaLand Investment may set new standards for them with listing...

Against a bullish backdrop this year, the iEdge Singapore Next 50 Indices have returned more than 24 per cent while the STI returned 18.6 per cent
MARK TO MARKET

Closer alignment of interests between independent directors and minorities key to driving ‘Next 50’ stocks higher

Efforts by MAS to help companies boost shareholder value should be supplemented with moves to incentivise IDs to play a more active...

Deputy MAS chairman Chee Hong Tat called on corporate boards last week to do more to deliver shareholder value, and communicate better with investors
MARK TO MARKET

From defence to dividends: The best performing STI components are riding big global currents

Betting that laggards will quickly catch up with the leaders could be a mistake in the current thematic, growth-oriented market environment

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