logo
Data centre NTT DC REIT makes tepid debut after Singapore's biggest IPO in 4 years

Data centre NTT DC REIT makes tepid debut after Singapore's biggest IPO in 4 years

The Star2 days ago
A file photo of the SGX Centre in Singapore. — Bloomberg
SINGAPORE: Singapore's NTT DC REIT, a data centre real estate investment trust, had a lacklustre market debut on Monday after riding a wave of AI interest to raise $773 million in the city-state's biggest IPO in four years.
NTT DC REIT shares ticked higher to $1.03 in the first 30 minutes of trade on the Singapore Exchange, versus their $1.00 per unit offer price. The benchmark stock index was up 0.4%.
NTT DC REIT, whose primary backer NTT Ltd is part of Japanese telecommunication giant Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp, has six data centres in Austria, Singapore and the United States, valued at $1.6 billion.
Its cornerstone investors include Singapore sovereign wealth fund GIC with a 9.8% stake - the second-largest investor after NTT Ltd with 25%.
The listing underscores global investors' growing appetite for data centres in the Asia-Pacific region driven by high growth potential and strong demand for artificial intelligence services.
NTT DC REIT's IPO was Singapore's biggest since the $977 million IPO of Digital Core REIT in 2021, LSEG data showed. It was also Southeast Asia's biggest IPO since the $942.9 million IPO of Thai Life Insurance in 2022.
GROWING IPO PIPELINE
The Singapore Exchange has seen growing interest from listing hopefuls since announcing measures in February to strengthen its equities market, including a 20% tax rebate for primary listings.
"There is a broad base of potential REIT IPOs on the horizon, including data centre, industrial, logistics, hospitality, commercial and retail assets," said Art Karoonyavanich, global head of equity capital markets at DBS.
"This marks the first time we have such a pipeline within a 12-month horizon and these IPOs could raise anywhere between S$600 million ($468.27 million) to around a billion."
Beyond REITs, Hong Kong-listed China Medical System (CMS) in set to debut a secondary listing on the SGX on Tuesday.
"We believe that upon completion of the proposed secondary listing on the SGX, CMS will be able to attract funds focusing on Asia-Pacific investments and local capital in Southeast Asia, thereby optimising the shareholder structure," CMS told Reuters.
Other firms seeking to list in Singapore include Foundation Healthcare as well as Centurion which plans to list an employee dormitory REIT.
Singapore's growing IPO market comes against a backdrop of a strong stock market where the benchmark index has risen more than 8% this year and set all-time highs in the past nine trading sessions, LSEG data showed. - Reuters
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

American Express Opens New Centurion Lounge at Tokyo's Haneda Airport
American Express Opens New Centurion Lounge at Tokyo's Haneda Airport

The Sun

time2 hours ago

  • The Sun

American Express Opens New Centurion Lounge at Tokyo's Haneda Airport

NEW YORK, US - Media OutReach Newswire - 15 July 2025 - On July 16 American Express (NYSE: AXP) will open a new Centurion Lounge at Tokyo's Haneda Airport (HND), the busiest airport in Japan and one of the busiest airports in the world. The Centurion Lounge at HND marks the 30th to open worldwide and the 4th to open in Asia, joining lounges at Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) in Delhi, Hong Kong international Airport (HKG) in Hong Kong, and Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (BOM) in Mumbai. The new lounge in Tokyo features locally sourced decor and artwork that celebrates Japanese philosophy, craftsmanship, and artistry, a live, open kitchen where guests can watch the chefs cook, a buffet offering a variety of Japanese and Western food and beverages, a dedicated sweets bar nodding to Japan's snack culture, and private phone rooms that are also equipped with a curated audio program for meditation. Located in Haneda's Terminal 3 near Gate 114, guests can enjoy sweeping views of the airfield while they rest and refuel before their flights. 'The Centurion Lounge at Haneda Airport celebrates Japanese culture, featuring custom artwork, an exciting menu that showcases the flavors of Tokyo, and my personal favorite – private meditation booths to help you recharge and find some calm before your flight,' said Audrey Hendley, President, American Express Travel. 'We've seen incredible demand for travel to Japan, it is one of the destinations where we've seen the highest growth recently. We look forward to showcasing the impeccable service Centurion Lounges are known for in a destination we know is so important to our Card Members.' 'Long awaited by our eligible Card Members, we are thrilled to open Japan's first Centurion Lounge at Haneda Airport,' said Yasuhiro Sudo, Senior Vice President, Japan Country Manager at American Express. 'We look forward to providing a best-in-class experience with high-quality meals, a wonderful atmosphere, and local charm to eligible Japanese Card Members and eligible Card Members from all over the world. We are committed to delivering the exceptional customer experience American Express proudly offers and is known for.' Select Dishes by Chef Satoshi Ogino, Plus Specialty Drinks and Sweets Bar Acclaimed Chef Satoshi Ogino is known for his mastery of classic Japanese cuisine with an emphasis on seasonality and has helmed the kitchens of several Michelin-starred restaurants in Tokyo, including his own Akasaka Ogino. In addition to a special lounge menu by Chef Ogino showcasing local flavors in his signature style, the kitchen will also offer Japanese favorites including sushi and ramen, and a buffet will serve both local and global cuisine. A full bar will offer a premium menu of wine, locally inspired cocktails, and a selection of Japanese beers, sake, and shochu1, while a dedicated sweets bar will feature a selection of teas and traditional Japanese Wagashi sweets, plus a rotating menu of additional treats. Art and Design Inspired by Local Craftsmanship and 'Japan Blue' Designed by OnBrand, American Express' in-house creative agency, the lounge is inspired by the philosophy, craftmanship, and artistry of Japanese culture and 'Japan Blue.' Produced by the Japanese dyeing technique of Aizome, 'Japan Blue' is a deep indigo hue that represents tranquility and stability and is ubiquitous in Japanese art, architecture and fashion. The color is woven throughout the lounge and complemented by natural materials and textures, including slatted wood, stone, and subtle walnut and black ash accents. The bar features elegant Uroko ceramic tiles and a dramatic ceiling canopy, while an Edo-Kiriko-inspired custom chandelier hangs in the main seating area and locally inspired textiles and wall coverings can be found throughout the space. The lounge features commissioned artwork from several local artists, including a custom American Express-inspired mural by Shu Kuroki, and Saki Matsumoto's textile reimagining of the American Express bulldog, Sir Charles Frosty Blue, as Komainu - a guardian of Japanese shrines symbolizing trust and protection. The artwork also includes ceramics by Ryuji Iwasaki, ink paintings by Ryohei Sasaki, and a traditional Japanese Wajima Nuri lacquerware installation by Miho Yokoyama. The pieces for the installation were sourced from Ishikawa — home of the Wajima Nuri lacquerware tradition — to support recovery efforts following the 2024 earthquake that devastated the Noto Peninsula. At nearly 7,500 square feet, The Centurion Lounge at HND will feature luxury amenities and several areas for travelers to work, relax and recharge before boarding their flights, including: --> Private phone rooms with curated audio programing for meditation: Private booths that can be used for phone calls or meditation provide functionality and tranquility with acoustical fabric panels, traditional Japanese artwork, and a curated audio program of calming water, forest, bird, and wind sounds. --> Comfortable seating areas for all types of travelers: Guests will have a wide range of seating options to choose from including armchairs, high tops and dining banquettes, cozy couches, and a private room with seating to accommodate families and small groups, complete with a television. --> Centurion VIP Room: Centurion Members have access to a VIP area featuring elevated-yet-comfortable furnishings and finishes, including Kumiko style woodwork, a private beverage station, and a curated display of Japanese artwork and photography that captures scenes from the country's lively festival culture. --> Signature Centurion Lounge amenities for all types of travelers: Guests will also find signature Centurion Lounge amenities, including dedicated workstations and phone booths, premium shower suites and restrooms, abundant outlets and USB ports, access to complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, and more. Meeting More Card Members in More Places With more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer2, the American Express Global Lounge Collection™ is just one of the many ways American Express supports Card Members while they travel. Eligible Card Members have access to more than 1,550 lounges worldwide, including 30 Centurion Lounges. American Express continues to expand and enhance the Centurion Lounge Network with plans announced to open new lounge locations at Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) in Salt Lake City in 2025 and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in New Jersey and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) in Amsterdam in 2026.

Rubber Market Ends Mixed, In Tandem With Regional Futures
Rubber Market Ends Mixed, In Tandem With Regional Futures

Barnama

time3 hours ago

  • Barnama

Rubber Market Ends Mixed, In Tandem With Regional Futures

He said Japanese rubber futures were on the rise, buoyed by supply shortage concerns after top producer Thailand issued warnings of possible flash floods, although sluggish demand continued to cloud the market outlook. 'Thailand's Meteorological Department warned of heavy rains and accumulation that may cause flash floods and overflows from July 19-21,' he told Bernama. Nevertheless, he noted that further gains were capped by sticky United States (US) inflation data as concerns over US tariffs persisted. 'US consumer prices rose by the most in five months in June, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increasing by 0.3 per cent amid higher costs for some goods, suggesting tariffs are starting to impact inflation and may keep the US Federal Reserve on the sidelines until September,' he added.

Malaysian tycoon Robert Kuok's daughter takes over Shangri-La Asia CEO role, earns over RM310,000 a month
Malaysian tycoon Robert Kuok's daughter takes over Shangri-La Asia CEO role, earns over RM310,000 a month

Malay Mail

time4 hours ago

  • Malay Mail

Malaysian tycoon Robert Kuok's daughter takes over Shangri-La Asia CEO role, earns over RM310,000 a month

SINGAPORE, July 16 — Kuok Hui Kwong, daughter of Malaysian billionaire Tan Sri Robert Kuok, has been appointed chief executive of Shangri-La Asia, the Hong Kong and Singapore dual-listed luxury hotel group announced in a stock exchange filing today. Her appointment takes effect on August 1. The 47-year-old has served as the company's chairman since 2017 and has been an executive director since 2016. Shangri-La Asia said her new role as both chairman and CEO is expected to improve 'strategic cohesion and operational execution by ensuring a unified and consistent vision across all levels of leadership'. She succeeds former CEO Lim Beng Chee, who retired at the end of 2022. Lim remains on the board as a non-executive director. According to The Straits Times, Kuok Hui Kwong is the sixth of Robert Kuok's eight children and ranked 40th on Fortune's 2024 list of the most powerful women in Asia. Under her current contract, she receives a monthly base salary of HK$576,000 (RM311,630), along with discretionary bonuses and pension benefits. She also holds a direct and indirect interest in 95.57 million shares, or about 2.7 per cent, of the company. Kuok Hui Kwong graduated with a bachelor's degree in East Asian studies from Harvard University and previously served as managing director and CEO of SCMP Group, which publishes the South China Morning Post. The Kuok Group sold the media arm to Chinese tech giant Alibaba in 2016. Founded by Robert Kuok in 1971 with the opening of the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore, Shangri-La Asia today owns 81 of the more than 100 hotels it operates under its four brands: Shangri-La, Kerry, Hotel Jen and Traders. As of its 2024 annual report, its hotel assets had a net asset value of US$10.83 billion. For the financial year ended December 2024, the group reported revenue of US$2.19 billion, a 2 per cent increase year on year, but net profit fell 12.3 per cent to US$161.4 million, weighed down by rising operating and financing costs. Following news of Kwok Hui Kwong's appointment, Shangri-La Asia's shares on the Singapore Exchange rose 2.4 per cent to HK$4.67 as of 3.11pm today, though they remain down nearly 14 per cent for the year.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store