Three-Minute Digest

Market greets proposed rule changes with 'hmm'

TRADING came to a quiet 1.5 billion shares worth $885 million as the bluechip STI nudged higher to 3,017.2.

Refinancing reprieve on TDSR for some homeowners

LEVERAGED home owners mulling refinancing of their owner-occupied unit have been given a breather from the strict debt rules on mortgages.

Indonesia's greenfield refinery meeting cancelled

THE flak over Indonesia's naming of a ship after the Indonesian marines who bombed Singapore's MacDonald House in 1965 has spilt over to the energy front.

Boeing big on region for commercial, defence planes

ON the commercial front, Boeing is forecasting the need for 12,820 new airplanes worth US$1.9 trillion by 2032, making up 36 per cent of the world's new airplane deliveries.

Contra rules good for quality, but could hurt volumes

PROPOSED curbs on uncollateralised contra trading should improve the quality of the Singapore stock market, but the hit on liquidity remains a major concern, stakeholders said.

Neptune consolidation boosts MTQ's Q3 profit to $6.4m

REVENUE more than doubled to $75.1 million from $36.6 million a year ago, due mainly to Neptune.

Slide in S'pore stocks expected to continue

BARING Asset Management Co and Bank Julius Baer & Co expect a deepening slump in Singapore stocks, the worst performers this year among South-east Asian markets.

Big plans for The Big Idea group

A MAJORITY stake in the company was last week acquired for an undisclosed sum by Kitchen Language, a subsidiary of Far East Organization.

Malaysia factory output in December up 4.8%

THE increase was primarily led by growth in manufacturing (6.7 per cent) and electricity generation (6 per cent). However, the slower-than-expected growth was mainly due to a contraction in mining (-0.8 per cent).

Money market volatility to continue: China

CHINA'S central bank signalled that volatility in money-market interest rates will persist and borrowing costs will rise, underscoring the risk of defaults that could weigh on confidence and drag down growth.

EU to review Swiss ties after anti-migrant vote

SWITZERLAND has voted to impose curbs on EU immigrants, in a close referendum that sparked warnings from Brussels that it would review EU ties with the Alpine country.

Toyota to shut Australian car plants in 2017

TOYOTA Motor Corp will stop building cars in Australia in 2017, spelling the end of the local industry after Ford Motor Co and General Motors Co said last year they also plan to pull out.

High taxes, outmoded rules curb Aviation industry

COUNTRIES should ease regulations and investment restrictions to boost the industry, Iata chief Tony Tyler said in Singapore yesterday.