SMU Assistant Professor of Finance (Education) Aurobindo Ghosh said that instant gratification from Buy Now Pay Later schemes regardless of one's ability to repay is particularly risky for young people in the early stages of adulthood as this may lead to a habit of accumulating debt.
SMU Associate Professor of Finance Fu Fangjian explained that China's record-high net foreign assets stemmed from both reduced Western investment in China and the overseas expansion of Chinese firms. He highlighted that companies like BYD and Geely had fuelled outbound direct investment, particularly in Southeast Asia.
SMU Associate Professor of Marketing (Education) Seshan Ramaswami said, “Regardless of how useful a product really is or how much it is going to be used, the fact that it is priced really attractively – at a big discount, or in a ‘buy two, get one free’ frame – adds to the utility of the transaction itself.” He suggested that one should consider what the recipient would appreciate when selecting a physical gift.
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.
