Commenting on China's economic progress, SMU Associate Professor of Finance Fu Fangjian analysed that, according to the published data, China’s economy remains relatively sluggish. Although it has not fallen into a recession, domestic consumer demand continues to be weak. He believes that the stimulus policies released by the Chinese government at the end of last year are a positive signal. However, these measures are expected to take effect only in the first quarter of this year.
In an interview, SMU Assistant Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship (Education) Terence Fan commented on the record-high certificate of entitlement (COE) premiums for big cars, which reached $120,000 in the first bidding exercise of 2025. He attributed the surge to factors such as lower interest rates and analysed the broader dynamics influencing market demand and supply. Asst Prof Fan also weighed in on whether this price spike is a one-off anomaly or an indicator of future pricing trends.
Commenting on online retail sales peaking in 2021 during the pandemic but trending down, SMU Associate Professor of Marketing Hannah Chang said that while local e-commerce players gained customers due to the pandemic, the question is how they can attract more, now that consumers can shop either online or offline.
In an interview, SMU Assistant Professor of Strategy & Entrepreneurship (Education) Terence Fan discussed how the planned linkage of the Downtown Line to North-South Line would affect commuters, as well as on how it would increase rail resilience in Singapore’s transport network, especially given the recent incidents last year. He also shared how these new stations could affect Sungei Kadut economically and environmentally, stimulating economic growth while necessitating careful environmental management to preserve local fauna and flora.
Commenting on ComfortDelGro expanding their premium services by adding luxury taxis to their fleet, SMU Assistant Professor of Strategy & Entrepreneurship (Education) Terence Fan discussed how drivers would need to balance the trade-off of higher rental fees versus higher starting wage, and how these new taxis provide drivers with more flexibility and opportunities to boost their earnings.
The rise in bus fares due to a shortage of drivers has led many Singaporean parents to turn to private hire services for transporting their children to school, with carpooling emerging as a popular option. SMU Assistant Professor of Strategy & Entrepreneurship (Education) Terence Fan discussed this growing trend, attributing it to factors such as the post-pandemic reshuffling of jobs and wages, increasing technological literacy, and the expansion of private hire service providers.
- Read more about A-shares still fell at beginning of the year despite boost from financial regulators
SMU Associate Professor of Finance Fu Fangjian commented that the Chinese government's objective is not to sustain A-shares at a specific price level but to leverage the stock market's performance as a gauge of the real economy and market confidence. He noted that the stock market's overall trajectory this year will ultimately hinge on China's economic performance. While acknowledging that the potential impact of U.S.
In a commentary, SMU Associate Professor of Marketing Hannah Chang and Joy Zhang, a student from United World College of South East Asia, explored the unique qualities that enable certain toy fads to transcend trends and become cultural icons. They also examined the rising popularity of Labubu, offering insights into whether it has the potential to achieve enduring icon status comparable to the likes of Hello Kitty.
SMU Assistant Professor of Finance Aurobindo Ghosh noted that global best practices in sustainability reporting could boost funding for companies listed in Singapore. He warned that mandatory reporting might initially deter potential issuers from listing on the SGX. However, as more exchanges adopt these standards and investment sources shift towards them, this issue would lessen. Credible and sustainable reporting standards would ensure a more sustainable future for SGX listings, according to Asst Prof Ghosh.
Discussing the increasing popularity of advent calendars and the psychological needs they address for consumers, SMU Associate Professor of Marketing Michelle Lee noted that this trend is largely fueled by social media. "People are curious about what’s hidden behind those little doors and drawers, and content creators cater to this curiosity to some extent by making unboxing videos," she said. "These videos generate significant viewership, enhancing engagement."
