By Robin Chan

ASIA will replace the United States as the largest source of new economic demand next year, making it the world’s biggest growth driver.

That means US demand will be less important as a growth source, said DBS Bank managing director of economic and currency research David Carbon.

click here to read full article

But with more mass market deals, total value is at 58% of that in 2007

By Joyce Teo, Property Correspondent

WITH the year nearly over, it is clear that nearly as many homes will be sold this year as in the boom year of 2007. 

US$4.1b will be used to meet debt obligations to stave off default

By Fiona Chan

DEBT-LADEN Dubai was rescued from the brink of a default by fellow emirate Abu Dhabi yesterday with a surprise US$10 billion (S$13.9 billion) handout that arrived just in time.

MM: Cost grows with economy, but Govt will help first-home buyers

By Zakir Hussain , POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT

SINGAPOREANS can expect the prices of HDB flats to keep on rising as long as the economy continues to grow, Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew said yesterday. 

WHEN my husband and I bought our resale HDB executive flat in July, we bought a home insurance policy from Prudential almost immediately. We then applied online to the Central Provident Fund (CPF) Board for an exemption from joining the Home Protection Scheme. The board rejected our application on the grounds that it was too early.

As gold price hits never-seen-before levels, Gabriel Chen looks at why the precious metal can make a good investment and asks analysts about its prospects.

small change

Get insurance coverage according to your needs and circumstances

By Ignatius Low, Money Editor

 I bought my first life insurance policy when I was just 19 years old.I wasn’t quite sure how it worked. All I knew was that I was about to take up a government scholarship to study overseas.

Employment prospects are improving in tandem with business expectations

By Shefali Rekhi

Upbeat is the word. The outlook on the job and compensation front for Singapore next year looks promising. 

click here to read full article

Sunday Times Singapore, December 13, 2009, Sunday

FINANCIAL QUOTIENT