R Sivanithy

Since an IPO aspirant is effectively taking money from the public, shouldn’t the public be told upfront where their money is going?
THINKING ALOUD

Clearer disclosure of IPO investment proceeds needed

The public should know the use of funds upfront, in terms of every S$1 invested – not every S$1 the company receives

Like many other places around the world, Singapore faces the apparent contradiction of a booming market alongside a tepid economy, says the writer.
THINKING ALOUD

Growing disconnect between stock market and underlying economy

The fundamentals of the domestic economy, which point to steady but unspectacular growth, do not really justify unbridled optimism

Hong Kong’s aim is for its index to represent the economy, while the STI is more a benchmark for the market than the economy.
THINKING ALOUD

Should stock market indices represent the market or the economy?

While the Hang Seng expands to mirror Hong Kong’s economy, the Straits Times Index narrows its focus, raising questions about the purpose...

Financial products are likely to get more complex – and not simpler – over time
THINKING ALOUD

Independent body needed to provide guidance to investors for complex products

Its very existence would likely force the industry to pay more attention to proper explanations and disclosures before any selling is undertaken...

Even though the Fed has hiked rates eleven times from March 2022 to July 2023, Wall Street continues to scale new heights because of the entrenched position the "Fed put" occupies.
THINKING ALOUD

Is the US Federal Reserve truly independent? The ‘Fed put’ says otherwise

The Fed is actually far from truly independent, often basing its actions on the health of the stock market

FILE PHOTO: An SGX sign is pictured at Singapore Stock Exchange July 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo
THINKING ALOUD

The time is ripe for ETFs on the mid and small-cap segments

Exchange-traded funds on both indices would benefit retail investors in many ways

Size, of course, does not equate to quality, but investors would find larger companies more appealing because they do hold certain advantages over smaller ones.
THINKING ALOUD

Time to revisit the ‘upsizing IPO’ strategy?

IN RECENT weeks, two relatively large initial public offers (IPOs) were announced: NTT’s data centre real estate investment trust (Reit), whose assets...

Unequivocal IFA independence would surely boost confidence in the market, which could lead to more interest and improved liquidity.
THINKING ALOUD

Ensuring IFA independence is crucial

In an ideal world, the independent financial adviser would be appointed by an external party – possibly regulators or even Sias –...

The CPF retirement scheme can provide everyone with the foundation for a comfortable retirement.
THINKING ALOUD

Employers should encourage employees to start retirement planning early

They can help spur awareness and action by including it in their suite of benefits

SGX in 2019 mandated, among other measures, that for a delisting to be approved, offers must be both fair and reasonable.
THINKING ALOUD

Minorities should do more to reject or pre-empt ‘lowball’ privatisation offers

THERE has been much discussion in recent months about “lowball” privatisation offers tabled by majority shareholders, with the focus on what can...