SPH Chairman Chan Yeng Kit on AI, editorial independence and future strategy

Outgoing SPH Media CEO Chan Yeng Kit, who took over Khaw Boon Wan as chairman of SPH Media Trust on Oct 1, shares how AI is reshaping newsrooms, and how SPH balances innovation with a multi-platform, multi-channel strategy.

https://bt.sg/k97i

Case calls for law on prepayments as True group’s consumer losses soar to S$3.78 million

Melvin Yong, president of the Consumers Association of Singapore (Case), emphasised that consumers should not have to bear substantial financial losses when a business ceases operations.

https://bt.sg/w4V5g

The only common thing in S-E Asia is that we all eat rice: Cisco’s Asean president

For Cisco’s Asean president Tay Bee Kheng, leadership means having the courage to speak your mind and taking opportunities even when you do not feel completely ready.

"Too many people shrink from fear of judgment, but I think you should have the courage to speak your mind, even if it’s not popular or what someone wants to hear."

She speaks to BT's Lionel Lim on leading across South-east Asia’s diverse markets, the experiences that have shaped her leadership philosophy, and the mantra that guides her: 'no fear, no guilt and no regret'.

Read more in the latest edition of The Leadership Playbook: https://bt.sg/7Ac3

More asset owners may adopt ‘total portfolio approach’ to counter market concentration risk

Research shows that total portfolio approach (TPA) adopters have a performance edge of 1.3% per annum over portfolios using strategic asset allocation.

https://bt.sg/qz5r

Singapore a high-value market for ChatGPT ads, but Indonesia, Vietnam offer scale: analysts

Singapore is one of the most valuable ad markets in South-east Asia because of its higher purchasing power and advertiser value per user, says an industry watcher.

https://bt.sg/9Uon

Philippine power giant First Gen rebuffs foreign offers, plans up to US$2.6 billion in expansion

With a market capitalisation of more than 65 billion pesos and shares trading at 19 pesos on the PSE, First Gen is doubling down on expansion despite foreign offers valuing the group and its renewable assets well above their implied stock market valuations.

https://bt.sg/mrNv

Hao Mart owner resisting OG’s mortgage foreclosure on his Tanglin GCB

OG and Hao Mart owner, Dr Tan Kim Yong, had entered into a facility agreement on Aug 4, 2023, with Dr Tan borrowing S$66.2 million from the landlord for various payments including for Taste Orchard’s alteration construction works and rent. 

https://bt.sg/9sHF

Start your day with BT ☕️:

Stocks to watch: Civmec, Aspial Lifestyle https://bt.sg/LMrs

Top stories:
1. Property: Shopping spree: Why investors are after Singapore retail assets https://bt.sg/9kZU

2. International: Over 70% of Asian families set to transfer wealth, but only half say next gen is ready for family office: report https://bt.sg/Jaenj

3. Companies: Singapore’s tech workforce grows 4% as 2025 digital economy hits S$144.1 billion: IMDA https://bt.sg/jQbx

Singapore data centre operator DayOne files for US IPO at potential US$20 billion valuation

The data centre operator is part of a wave of firms in the sector eyeing IPOs as soon as 2026.

https://bt.sg/jq6H

Singapore 9-month investment banking fees hit 5-year high of US$693.8 million

Singapore accounted for 69.3% of South-east Asia’s fee pools in the first nine months of the year.

https://bt.sg/tJErw

Retailers struggle, investors splurge: What’s driving Singapore’s S$8 billion retail property spree?

While store closures continue to grab headlines as tenants contend with rising wages, high rents and fickle consumers, retail’s asset yields remain over borrowing costs.

https://bt.sg/7aCQ

8 public officers referred to police over property buys near future MRT stations: Chan Chun Sing

The eight were among 191 officers whose property transactions were reviewed by the Public Service Division (PSD), with further checks still ongoing.

https://bt.sg/d6Uv

Retrenched PMETs who return on lower pay see median 25% wage cut

Those in financial services have the lowest six-month re-entry rate over the last 14 quarters.

https://bt.sg/F6pn

Thakral looks to unlock value through lifestyle spinoff listing, India expansion

“We unlock the value from the business, put the cash in the property and unlock value from the properties as well,” says CEO Inderbethal Singh Thakral, describing a formula passed down from his grandfather.

https://bt.sg/vnNA

As higher interest rates loom, might renting trump buying a private home?

Retirees may welcome higher interest rates as they can get better returns from safe instruments such as Singapore-dollar fixed deposits or treasury bills, says BT's Leslie Yee. However, borrowers will be hurt if interest rates rise and stay at elevated levels for a long time.

https://bt.sg/FXQa

Singapore firms’ payment delays worsen for third straight quarter in Q3: SCCB

Data released on Tuesday (Oct 6) by the Singapore Commercial Credit Bureau (SCCB) showed that slow payments, which refer to when less than 50%of total bills are paid within the agreed terms, accounted for 44.47% of total payment transactions in Q3.

https://bt.sg/padn

North-South Corridor delay: Higher costs likely, surface works will be prioritised, says Jeffrey Siow

The government will aim to complete major structural works creating the most dust and noise by the end of 2027, said Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow.

https://bt.sg/KaU4

Shell to mark 135 years in Singapore with major energy and innovation forum on Oct 9

The event will gather leaders across government, technology, mobility and energy to explore solutions for the transition towards a lower-carbon future.

https://bt.sg/w3SFi

DBS tops trades in smaller board lots on debut of revised SGX framework

Jardine Matheson Holdings sees strongest adoption, with one-third of day’s trades executed in 10-share lots.

https://bt.sg/xEKw

Fire-safety specialist Deluge Corporation to raise S$23 million in IPO at 60 cents a share

CEO Lee Wai Wah says the company is looking to move beyond being a fire-protection contractor and beef up its identity as an engineering specialist.

https://bt.sg/GPgP