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Jardines has survived wars and market collapses. Can it survive the digital age?

For investors, a flood of rumours over the sale of assets – including properties, fast-food chains and car dealerships – can be disconcerting

Jude Chan
Published Thu, Jun 4, 2026 · 01:00 PM
    • Jardine Matheson's restaurant unit has reportedly been seeking to sell its KFC and Pizza Hut chains in Asian markets.
    • Jardine Matheson's restaurant unit has reportedly been seeking to sell its KFC and Pizza Hut chains in Asian markets. PHOTO: REUTERS

    ​[SINGAPORE] With a history spanning nearly two centuries tracing back to its roots as an opium trading house, Jardine Matheson has survived empires, wars and market collapses. ​

    But can a venerable hong whose origins predate the modern corporate era survive the digital economy and fast-moving technological disruption?

    Over the decades, Jardines has diversified into industries such as retail, motor vehicles, real estate and financial services. And it is currently undergoing a structural overhaul, shifting away from its traditional owner-operator model to become a return-focused investment company.