News Highlights Monday 25 February 2008

The Business Times

Firms see growth areas in CSR efforts: study 68% of bosses tap them to generate revenue, says IBM


The Straits Times

Hot shops in the mall CapitaLand Retail encourages its stores to look good and attract customers


The Business Times

No arguing about it, US recession is 'already here' It'll be over by end of 2008 but initial recovery mild, says Lehman strategist (Read also BT's US recession could knock 1-2 points off growth: SM)


The Straits Times

January inflation may be as high as in 70s oil crisis
Inflation could hit levels not seen since the oil crisis of the late 1970s, with consumer prices possibly jumping by as much as 7 per cent last month from a year ago. Causes for the price acceleration include surging food and oil prices worldwide, coupled with higher housing and transport costs. The good news is that last month’s inflation rate is likely to be as high as it gets this year, with experts adding that a big part of the rise could be attributed to technical reasons rather than real increases in living costs.


My Paper

Private home rental surge 41.2%
Rental last year marked record-breaking 41.2%, with certain areas such as Yishun, Woodlands, Hougang, Serangoon, Hillview Avenue and Chua Chu Kang increased over 60%. According to Savill’s 4Q report, rental at Yishun increased as much as 73%, from $1.21 to $2.09 psf. Hougang and Serangoon increased 61% from $1.40 to $2.25. Mr. Ku Swee Yong expects rental at outside central region to grow 20 to 30%, while prime area rental will increase 15 to 25%. In 4Q last year, rental at prime area only increased 3%. However, district 9, 10 and 11 gained 46% increase for condos rental. As at December last year, rental index last year achieved 149.4 points.