Investing Updates: Polymarket Blocked in Singapore: Prediction Market Faces Fresh Scrutiny

URL: https://www.blockhead.co/2025/01/07/polymarket-blocked-in-singapore-prediction-market-faces-fresh-scrutiny/

Gemini Summarized:

• Polymarket Blocked: The Singapore Police Force has blocked Polymarket, a prediction market platform, labeling it an "illegal gambling site."

• Regulatory Crackdown: This action comes amidst a crackdown on unlicensed gambling platforms in Singapore.

• Enforcement Shift: The Singapore Police Force now oversees enforcement, previously handled by the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA).

• Polymarket's Model: Polymarket allows users to bet on world events using cryptocurrency. It has faced regulatory challenges before, including a settlement with the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

• Regulatory Concerns: The Singapore ban raises questions about the distinction between prediction markets and gambling.

• Broader Implications: This case highlights the challenges of regulating blockchain-based platforms and the evolving regulatory landscape for prediction markets globally.

Investing Updates: JS-SEZ in the Making, Which Concept Stocks Are Riding the Wave?

URL: https://www.moomoo.com/community/feed/113795604873222?global_content=%7B%22promote_content%22%3A%22mm%3Afeed%3A113795604873222%22%2C%22invite%22%3A103096561%7D&is_recommendation=0&is_recommend_pos=1&futusource=news_headline_list

Gemini Summarized:

The article discusses the newly established Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) and the concept stocks that are expected to benefit from it.

The JS-SEZ is a massive development zone spanning 3,500 square kilometers, modeled after successful economic zones like Shenzhen and Suzhou in China. The zone aims to enhance cross-border connectivity, facilitate movement of people, and strengthen business ecosystems between Singapore and Malaysia.

Here are the three key focus areas of the JS-SEZ:

• Energy Transition: The zone will target companies working on clean energy solutions, aligning with the national energy goals of both countries.

• Infra & Transportation: Both countries will invest in infrastructure projects to support the expected surge in cross-border traffic.

• Technology: The JS-SEZ aims to attract high-tech firms in areas like data centers, smart cities, and electronic manufacturing services (EMS).

The article also lists some concept stocks that are likely to benefit from the JS-SEZ development. Here are a few examples:

• Energy Transition: Tenaga Nasional ($TENAGA), Cypark Resources ($CYPARK), Svest Berhad ($SLVEST)

• Infra & Transportation: Gamuda Bhd ($GAMUDA), IJM Corporation ($IJM), YTL Corporation ($YTL)

• Technology: MYEG ($MYEG), ITMax Holdings ($ITMAX), Theta Edge Berhad ($THETA)

Investing Updates: SGX Weekly Review｜Seatrium Jumps 7%; NIO and YZJ Shipbldg Gain 3%; SingPost Plunges 7%

URL: https://ttm.financial/news/1160317070?lang=en_US&edition=fundamental

Gemini Summarized:

The Singapore stock market rose this week, with the Straits Times Index (STI) up 1.4%.

• Seatrium rose 7.3%
• NIO rose 3.1%
• YZJ Shipbldg rose 2.8%
• Keppel rose 2.1%
• Genting Singapore rose 2%
• DBS rose 1.7%
• SIA rose 1.3%

On the flip side, SingPost fell 7.1% and Singtel fell 0.6%.

Here are some other news from Singapore this week:

• Singapore's core inflation eased more than expected in November, while headline inflation rose at a faster pace than the month prior.
• Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong will deliver Singapore’s Budget 2025 statement in Parliament on Feb 18.
• Singapore Post fired CEO over mishandling whistleblower report.
• Seatrium repurchased 1.0 million shares in the open market on Tuesday.
• OCBC Plans S$7.5 Million Living-Cost Payout to Junior Staff.
• Nio’s Onvo L60 Delivered 20,000 Units Three Months After the Launch.
• Gojek, Tada, ComfortDelGro Zig Raising Platform Fees from Jan 1 to Cover Costs Arising from Upcoming Platform Workers Act.

Investing Updates: Which S-REITs "yielded" the best results in 2024?

URL: https://www.moomoo.com/community/feed/113722459553798?global_content=%7B%22promote_content%22%3A%22mm%3Afeed%3A113722459553798%22%2C%22invite%22%3A103096561%7D&is_recommendation=0&is_recommend_pos=1&futusource=news_headline_list

Gemini Summarized:

The performance of S-REITs in 2024 was mixed. Large-cap, Singapore-focused REITs did well, while small and mid-cap REITs, especially those with overseas assets, underperformed.

Here are the top 10 S-REITs that achieved positive year-to-date gains in 2024:

• Cromwell Reit EUR (CWBU.SG) with a 24% increase
• Keppel DC Reit (AJBU.SG) at 19%
• EliteUKREIT GBP (MXNU.SG) at 15%

Here are the top 10 S-REITs with the highest dividend yields in 2024:

• Prime US ReitUSD (OXMU.SG) with a 14.37% yield
• KepPacOakReitUSD (CMOU.SG) with a 12.38% yield
• EliteUKREIT GBP (MXNU.SG) with a 10.34% yield

Investors looking for stable income may be interested in high dividend-yielding REITs, even if their share prices haven't grown much. However, it's important to stay alert to global economic changes and policy shifts, as they can increase market volatility.

Investing Updates: Singapore Market 2024 Recap | Which Dividend Monsters Witness the Biggest Surge?

URL: https://www.moomoo.com/community/feed/113724405841926?global_content=%7B%22promote_content%22%3A%22mm%3Afeed%3A113724405841926%22%2C%22invite%22%3A103096561%7D&is_recommendation=0&is_recommend_pos=1&futusource=news_headline_list

Gemini Summarized:

Singapore's stock market performed well in 2024, despite global economic uncertainty. The Straits Times Index (STI) reached new highs, and dividend stocks were particularly attractive to investors seeking stable returns.

The three largest banks in Singapore - DBS, OCBC Bank, and UOB - all saw impressive stock price gains in 2024. DBS was the strongest performer, with a gain of over 52%. The bank also raised its dividend by 22%.

Singapore Airlines was another strong performer in 2024. The company's stock price increased significantly, and it became the highest dividend-yielding stock on the list. The airline's passenger volumes and cargo capacity both grew in 2024.

Sports Updates: Long queue forms at Jalan Besar Stadium for tickets to ASEAN Championship semi-final

URL: https://mustsharenews.com/long-queue-asean-championship-tickets/

Gemini summarized:

This is a document about a long queue for tickets to the ASEAN Championship semi-final. It discusses the long queue that formed outside the Jalan Besar Stadium for tickets to the semi-finals of the Mitsubishi Electric Cup, where Singapore will be playing Vietnam.¹ The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) announced that ticket sales had commenced via an Instagram story on Sunday afternoon.² The clip showed that fans had started queueing even before the sales started, with many braving the hot sun and bringing chairs to prepare for the lengthy wait.³ The first person in the queue arrived at 7.30pm the night before. At 1.17pm, FAS advised fans not to join the queue if they hadn't already done so. This was due to the “overwhelming response” from the public. The first 10 fans in the queue had a surprise — they got to meet Hariss Harun and have him personally buy tickets for them.⁴ The lucky fans also got to pose for a memorable photo with the Lions' captain.

Investing Updates: Singapore 2024 Year Recap | Industrials Take the Lead, Financials Prop Up the Market

URL: https://www.moomoo.com/community/feed/113684101332998?futusource=news_headline_topnews

Gemini summarized:

The Straits Times Index (STI) has performed exceptionally well in 2024, outperforming many other markets in the Asia-Pacific region. This strong performance is primarily driven by the high dividend yields, defensive characteristics of the market, and the robust performance of banks in a high-interest-rate environment.

Among the 11 major industries in Singapore, 7 sectors have experienced gains. The industrial sector has been the top performer, rising by 15.8% year-to-date. The energy and consumer staples sectors have also seen significant growth, with increases of 14.1% and 8.1%, respectively.

The financial sector, which carries the most weight in the market, has witnessed a 3.5% rise since the start of the year. Banks, in particular, have benefited from the high-interest-rate environment, allowing them to maintain high net interest margins. As long as interest rates remain elevated, banks are expected to continue to perform well.

LifeStyle Updates: Economists weigh in after Tesla CEO Elon Musk says Singapore is ‘going extinct’ amid low birth rate

URL: https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/economists-weigh-after-tesla-ceo-elon-musk-says-singapore-going-extinct-amid-low-birth-rate

Summarized:

Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently remarked that Singapore is “going extinct” due to its low birth rate, drawing attention to the nation’s demographic challenges. Singapore’s fertility rate hit a historic low of 0.97 in 2023. Economists note that automation, foreign labor, and productivity improvements are essential to counter the shrinking workforce, but human roles remain crucial in some sectors. Policies like extended paternity leave and affordable childcare aim to address the issue. Experts highlight the need to balance long-term demographic concerns with immediate quality-of-life priorities.

LifeStyle Updates: Salary increments for Singapore employees in 2025 expected to range from 2% to 5%: HR firms

URL: https://www.straitstimes.com/business/salary-increments-for-singapore-employees-in-2025-expected-to-range-from-2-to-5-hr-firms

Summary:

This is a document about salary increments for Singapore employees in 2025. It discusses the expected range of salary increments and the factors that will influence them. According to the document, salary increments for Singapore employees in 2025 are expected to range from 2% to 5%. This is based on the views of several HR firms. The factors that will influence salary increments include the overall economic climate, the performance of individual employees, and the specific industry that they work in.

Opinion:

• This is kind of good news 😁.

• Although, it's still subject to where you are on the bell curve in your org. I think lower end will get 2-3% while higher end get 4-5%.

• More returns means more investments. Get this mindset right as an investor 😉.

Investing Updates: STI Hits 17-Year High, What's Next?

URL: https://www.moomoo.com/community/feed/sti-s-november-surge-signals-rising-investor-confidence-113633670266886

The Straits Times Index (STI) hit a 17-year high of 3739.29 in November, boosted by strong bank performance and defensive stock characteristics amid global market volatility. Analysts attribute the rise to high dividend yields (4.9% in Asia-Pacific) and robust financial and real estate sectors. Predictions suggest STI may surpass its 2007 high of 3906.16 and reach 4000 points in 2025. Amid uncertainty from U.S. policy changes, Singapore’s stability attracts investors, supported by strong banking stocks and growth in the semiconductor-driven manufacturing sector.

Investing Updates: How to Build a Reliable Income Stream with REITs In Singapore

URL: https://www.danconsultancy.com/post/how-to-build-a-reliable-income-stream-with-reits-in-singapore

To build reliable income with REITs in Singapore, focus on operational yield for sustainable cash flow, avoiding misleading headline yields. Prioritize REITs with ethical, proven management to ensure stability and avoid capital loss risks. Differentiate between strategic REITs (long-term, stable income) and tactical REITs (short-term, higher-risk opportunities for gains). A balanced portfolio with these principles can deliver steady dividends and minimize risks over time.

Investing Updates: S’pore GDP growth to soften to 2.4% in 2025 from 3.0% in 2024: CGSI

URL: https://www.theedgesingapore.com/news/singapore-economy/spore-gdp-growth-soften-24-2025-30-2024-cgsi

Singapore’s GDP growth is projected to ease from 3.0% in 2024 to 2.4% in 2025, aligning with MTI’s forecast. Inflation is expected to decline to 2.0% in 2025, down from 2.4% in 2024. Core profit growth for listed companies is anticipated at 5.6% and 6.8% in 2024 and 2025, driven by financials and internet services. Risks include geopolitical tensions and potential tariff policies. Manufacturing, especially electronics, remains a key growth driver, while easing COE and oil prices may mitigate inflationary pressures. MAS policy adjustments are anticipated in 2025.