Guocoland attractive candidate for privatisation (Amended)

THE Singapore bourse seems to have been bitten by the "privatisation" bug. A combination of moribund market conditions and resulting undervaluations has prompted a steady stream of delistings over the past year. And many are saying opportunities abound for a further wave of privatisations.

The move by OSIM International founder Ron Sim to take his company private is the latest such corporate action to have caught the eye - and imagination - of the market, with analysts hopping on the bandwagon, furiously working the numbers.

Earlier this week, OCBC Investment Research pointed out - rightly - that attractive valuations, low capital costs and the upbeat long-term prospects of Asia presented ideal conditions for privatisations or takeovers on the Singapore bourse.