SMU Associate Professor of Finance Fu Fangjian believes CK Hutchison's port sale will be prolonged due to US-China tensions. He noted that a decade ago, such a deal would have been routine, but political interests now overshadow commercial decisions. Assoc Prof Fu sees the transaction as a threat to China's national interests and a potential bargaining chip in US-China negotiations.
SMU Assistant Professor of Finance Yao Tianhao said that environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks are already impacting financial markets sooner than many realise, with current asset prices reflecting potential ESG matters in the future. He warns that consumer-facing sectors are particularly vulnerable to ESG scandals, and stresses the need for companies to improve the transparency, precision, and maturity of their ESG disclosures, and for better translation of these disclosures into reliable ESG ratings for investors.
SMU Assistant Professor of Strategy & Entrepreneurship (Education) and Academic Director of Accreditation Terence Fan noted that supermarkets operate on thin profit margins, and believes DFI Retail Group likely decided to exit the supermarket business due to declining margins and intense competition from online retailers and the impact of COVID-19. Asst Prof Fan suggests that Macrovalue's acquisition of DFI is strategic due to the proximity between Singapore and Malaysia, allowing for better economies of scale.
On March 4, CK Hutchison Holdings, owned by Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing, announced that it had reached an agreement in principle with a consortium led by BlackRock. CK Hutchison will sell 43 ports across 23 countries, including the two ports located along the Panama Canal for a total of $22.8 billion. In a Zaobao podcast, SMU Associate Professor of Finance Fu Fangjian discussed the controversy and its impact. He noted that from a business perspective, this decision benefits both the company and its shareholders.
China has introduced new regulations to strengthen its Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law, detailing countermeasures like asset seizures and freezes. SMU Associate Professor of Finance Fu Fangjian sees this as a response to US extraterritorial restrictions, particularly in technology. “The Trump administration won’t back down, but these measures signal a tougher stance to US-aligned countries,” he said. He noted that while the regulations may affect some American firms in China, they also offer justification for resisting US sanctions.
Despite safety risks and legal crackdowns, illegal carpooling services on Telegram chat groups continue to thrive in Singapore where enforcement is difficult, and the low fares are attractive for cash-strapped commuters. SMU Assistant Professor of Strategy & Entrepreneurship (Education) Terence Fan noted that enforcement is difficult as these services operate in private chat groups, making detection challenging. He added that passengers may not always be aware of the legal risks involved.
SMU Assistant Professor of Strategy & Entrepreneurship (Education) Terence Fan attributes the rise in illegal carpooling in Singapore to geographical limitations of the public transport system not covering some areas and lengthy transfers. He also pointed to the lack of affordable transport during off-hours creating demand for such services.
Commenting on the increasing Certificate of Entitlement (COE) premiums, SMU Assistant Professor of Strategy & Entrepreneurship (Education) Terence Fan – who has researched the relationship between inflation and COE premiums – said that inflation directly impacts COE premiums, with every one percentage point in the consumer price index increase leading to a 1.6 per cent rise in Category B COE prices.
Commenting on China's effort to restructure real estate debts, SMU Associate Professor of Finance Fu Fangjian noted that debt reduction through negotiations with creditors or debt-to-equity swaps are standard financial tools during industry downturns. "When businesses face difficulties in a declining sector, creditors must recognise the reality," he said. In China, there are currently over 90,000 qualified real estate companies, but from an economic supply and demand perspective, the per capita housing area is already substantial.
SMU Associate Professor of Marketing (Education) Seshan Ramaswami observes that new premium Chinese tea houses are strategically locating in off-centre-city locations to create an authentic and traditional atmosphere that caters to the super-rich seeking unique experiences and the budget-conscious desiring quality. He notes the growing trend of reconnecting with traditions among younger and affluent Asians, driving the rise of these tea shops.
