Daily Debrief: What Happened Today

MAS seen edging toward tightening policy SINGAPORE'S central bank is widely seen sticking to a neutral stance on Friday, but it may be moving closer to tightening policy SINGAPORE'S central bank is widely seen sticking to a neutral stance on Friday, but it may be moving closer to tightening policy as the economy continues to strengthen.

Narrowed skills gap eases Singapore's labour market pressure: Hays LABOUR market pressure in Singapore has eased over the past year thanks to a narrower skills LABOUR market pressure in Singapore has eased over the past year thanks to a narrower skills gap, according to a global skills survey by recruitment firm Hays.

Singapore's August retail sales up 3.5% y-o-y SINGAPORE retail sales in August rose 3.5 per cent from a year ago, continuing its positive year-on-year growth seen in previous months, based on data released SINGAPORE retail sales in August rose 3.5 per cent from a year ago, continuing its positive year-on-year growth seen in previous months, based on data released by the Department of Statistics on Thursday.

Asean to sign cross-border bus pact, further integrate transport markets: Teo Chee Hean SOUTH-EAST Asian nations will sign a pact on cross-border bus services and take further steps to integrate the regional air and shipping markets over the next few days, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said SOUTH-EAST Asian nations will sign a pact on cross-border bus services and take further steps to integrate the regional air and shipping markets over the next few days, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said on Thursday at the opening of the 23rd Asean Transport Ministers meeting in Singapore.

Amro agrees with IMF, ESM to enhance collaboration THE Asean+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (Amro) has signed agreements to improve collaboration with the International Monetary Fund THE Asean+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (Amro) has signed agreements to improve collaboration with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the European Stability Mechanism (ESM).

UOB prices US$650m perpetual securities UNITED Overseas Bank (UOB) has priced US$650 million of 3.875 per cent perpetual capital securities at an initial spread of 179.4 basis points a UNITED Overseas Bank (UOB) has priced US$650 million of 3.875 per cent perpetual capital securities at an initial spread of 179.4 basis points above the five-year US dollar swap rate.

The STI Today

Singapore stocks finish higher thanks to hopes of US rate hike in December BOOSTED by gains in DBS, UOB and OCBC, the Straits Times Index finished 22.81 points stronger at 3,303.09, a rise that came despite a 20-po BOOSTED by gains in DBS, UOB and OCBC, the Straits Times Index finished 22.81 points stronger at 3,303.09, a rise that came despite a 20-point fall in the Dow futures that indicated a weak opening for Wall Street.