Latest news with #SingaporeLandGroup
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
UOL-SingLand moves nearly 54% of units at UpperHouse at Orchard Boulevard on launch day at $3,350 psf
UOL-SingLand sold 162 units at Upperhouse at Orchard Boulevard on the first day of launch (Photo: UOL Group/Singapore Land Group) After two weekends of private previews, three new projects launched on July 19 — two of which are in the Core Central Region (CCR): UpperHouse at Orchard Boulevard and the 348-unit The Robertson Opus. The third is the executive condo, the 600-unit Otto Place in Tengah. The 301-unit UpperHouse, jointly developed by UOL Group and Singapore Land Group, saw 162 units (53.8%) sold before 6pm on launch day. The average price achieved was $3,350 psf. There was interest across all unit types, which range from one-bedroom plus study to four-bedroom suites. The most popular were the two-bedroom premium plus study units, with 60 out of 67 sold at prices ranging from $2.338 million to $2.72 million, or $3,060 to $3,560 psf. Search for the latest New Launches, to find out the transaction prices and available units The second most popular were the three-bedroom premium units, with 33 out of 34 sold at prices ranging from $3.269 million to $3.781 million, or $3,230 to $3,736 psf. According to Anson Lim, UOL Group's senior general manager of residential marketing, the Bespoke Collection — comprising 31 four-bedroom suites with private lift and private carpark — also saw a healthy 30% take-up. A high-floor unit in this collection sold for $7.66 million, or $3,724 psf. Almost all buyers were Singaporeans or Permanent Residents, with a mix of owner-occupiers and long-term investors, Lim adds. 'Many were drawn to the Orchard Boulevard address, direct MRT access, efficient layouts and the attractive quantum for a development in this location,' he notes. UpperHouse sits at the corner of Orchard Boulevard and Grange Road, right in front of the Orchard Boulevard MRT Station (Source: EdgeProp Landlens) "The take-up rate at the private preview of UpperHouse at Orchard Boulevard is the strongest for a CCR new project, since Watten House sold 57% of its 180 units when it was launched in November 2023," says Kelvin Fong, CEO of PropNex. UpperHouse is located at the junction of Orchard Boulevard and Grange Road in prime District 10, directly in front of the Orchard Boulevard MRT Station on the Thomson-East Coast Line. It is also within 1km of River Valley Primary School. Read also: Project Spotlight: Ardmore Park tops the resale price chart UOL and SingLand submitted the top bid of $428.28 million ($1,616 psf per plot ratio) for the 99-year leasehold site in a government land sale (GLS) tender that closed on 1 February 2024. According to Yvonne Tan, chief corporate and development officer at UOL Group, the price gap between the CCR and the Rest of Central Region (RCR) is currently at its narrowest. 'The price differential between freehold and leasehold high-end luxury products is also at its most attractive,' she observes. The gap between the median psf of new homes in the CCR and RCR has narrowed from a high of 56.5% in 2018 to a mere 1.9% in 1H2025, says Mark Yip, CEO of Huttons Asia. "There is potential for a strong upside once the gap between CCR and RCR home prices widens," he adds. The average per sq ft price done at UpperHouse at Orchard Boulevard is one of the most competitive prices for a new launch that is located near Orchard Road recently, says PropNex's Fong. He points to the average price for new freehold units sold at Park Nova across the road, which reached a high of $6,150 psf this year, while the resale price at Boulevard 88 averaged about $4,200 psf. Meanwhile, Cuscaden Reserve, which is also 99-year leasehold, fetched an average price of more than $3,100 psf for the resale units transacted in the first four months of 2025. 'UpperHouse is well-positioned to benefit from the upcoming master plan developments in the Paterson and Newton areas, as well as the revitalisation of Orchard Road,' says Marcus Chu, CEO of ERA Singapore. Despite recent adjustments to the Seller's Stamp Duty and multiple rounds of cooling measures, 'demand for high-end properties with strong fundamentals — such as location, tenure and developer reputation — remains resilient, as such buyers tend to take a long-term investment view,' Chu adds. Read also: Is it a Good Deal?: A three-bedroom freehold unit in District 10 sold at a loss of $867,842 Recent flash estimates indicate that Singapore's economy remained resilient, with an estimated average year-over-year (y-o-y) growth of 4.2% in 1H2025. It led some economists to revise their forecasts for the Singapore economy upward for 2025. "This may have bolstered confidence among homebuyers," reckons Huttons' Yip. "Furthermore, the 3-month SORA (Singapore Overnight Rate Average) has dipped below 2.0% in Jul 2025, lowering borrowing costs for buyers." Check out the latest listings for Upperhouse At Orchard Boulevard properties See Also: Singapore Property for Sale & Rent, Latest Property News, Advanced Analytics Tools New Launch Condo & Landed Property in Singapore (COMPLETE list & updates) Project Spotlight: Ardmore Park tops the resale price chart Is it a Good Deal?: A three-bedroom freehold unit in District 10 sold at a loss of $867,842 UOL, Hilton sign deal for first NoMad Hotel in Apac at former Faber House site En Bloc Calculator, Find Out If Your Condo Will Be The Next en-bloc HDB Resale Flats Up For Sale, Affordable Units Available
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Singapore Land Group's (SGX:U06) Dividend Will Be Increased To SGD0.045
The board of Singapore Land Group Limited (SGX:U06) has announced that the dividend on 28th of May will be increased to SGD0.045, which will be 13% higher than last year's payment of SGD0.04 which covered the same period. This takes the annual payment to 2.3% of the current stock price, which unfortunately is below what the industry is paying. AI is about to change healthcare. These 20 stocks are working on everything from early diagnostics to drug discovery. The best part - they are all under $10bn in marketcap - there is still time to get in early. Even a low dividend yield can be attractive if it is sustained for years on end. Before making this announcement, Singapore Land Group was easily earning enough to cover the dividend. This means that most of its earnings are being retained to grow the business. EPS is set to fall by 14.0% over the next 12 months if recent trends continue. If the dividend continues along recent trends, we estimate the payout ratio could be 27%, which we consider to be quite comfortable, with most of the company's earnings left over to grow the business in the future. Check out our latest analysis for Singapore Land Group The company has been paying a dividend for a long time, and it has been quite stable which gives us confidence in the future dividend potential. The dividend has gone from an annual total of SGD0.03 in 2015 to the most recent total annual payment of SGD0.045. This implies that the company grew its distributions at a yearly rate of about 4.1% over that duration. Slow and steady dividend growth might not sound that exciting, but dividends have been stable for ten years, which we think makes this a fairly attractive offer. Investors could be attracted to the stock based on the quality of its payment history. Let's not jump to conclusions as things might not be as good as they appear on the surface. Singapore Land Group's earnings per share has shrunk at 14% a year over the past five years. This steep decline can indicate that the business is going through a tough time, which could constrain its ability to pay a larger dividend each year in the future. Overall, it's great to see the dividend being raised and that it is still in a sustainable range. The earnings coverage is acceptable for now, but with earnings on the decline we would definitely keep an eye on the payout ratio. The dividend looks okay, but there have been some issues in the past, so we would be a little bit cautious. It's important to note that companies having a consistent dividend policy will generate greater investor confidence than those having an erratic one. At the same time, there are other factors our readers should be conscious of before pouring capital into a stock. For example, we've identified 2 warning signs for Singapore Land Group (1 shouldn't be ignored!) that you should be aware of before investing. If you are a dividend investor, you might also want to look at our curated list of high yield dividend stocks. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Straits Times
30-04-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Family meal allowances, medical coverage for dependents: How firm cares for staff's loved ones too
Ms Cynthia Liang (left) and her son participate in an activity together at her workplace during Bring Your Kids To Work Day. PHOTO: SINGAPORE LAND GROUP BRANDED CONTENT Family meal allowances, medical coverage for dependents: How firm cares for staff's loved ones too At Singapore Land Group, employees are supported not just in the work they do, but also in their roles as parents and caregivers This year, Ms Cynthia Liang faces one of the most stressful challenges for parents in Singapore – preparing her son for the PSLE. However, she finds comfort in knowing that she can request more work-from-home (WFH) days to support him better. 'Just being there makes a difference,' says the 43-year-old assistant general manager at Singapore Land Group (SingLand). 'I may not be able to help him with his schoolwork, but he can tell me what he's struggling with and I can lend a listening ear. Having someone who cares for him by his side will help with his mental state.' Caring for employees and their families SingLand's adoption of a flexible WFH policy – two years before the release of the Tripartite Guidelines on Flexible Work Arrangement Requests which sets out the process for employees to formally request such arrangements – underscores the real estate firm's progressive approach to work-life balance. This policy has greatly benefited its workforce – nearly half of whom are women and many are juggling parenting or caregiving responsibilities. 'Something as simple as being able to work from home can actually allow you to be a better parent while still fulfilling your work responsibilities,' says Ms Liang. For the mother of three boys, the firm's annual $500 medical expense coverage for dependents of employees has also lightened her financial load. The amount can be used for spouses and children. 'Kids get sick quite often, and with three kids, it really adds up. At least, I don't have to worry too much when they see the doctor so frequently.' Such family-centric policies and benefits are a key reason SingLand has been named one of Singapore's best 250 employers, in a list compiled by global research firm Statista in collaboration with The Straits Times. These policies and perks embody the company's belief that work and family life are not a zero-sum game; employees should be able to prioritise both without compromise. 'Family is important to SingLand and its employees,' says Ms Welch Er, head of human resources (HR). 'Knowing their loved ones are well-cared for allows employees to focus on and engage fully with their work.' In a companywide Your Voice Survey conducted in 2024, three in four employees said they would recommend SingLand as a great place to work at. Unlike traditional companies that might expect employees to leave their personal lives at the door, SingLand takes the opposite approach. The company designates June as 'Family Month' and organises various activities for employees and their family. One such event was 'Bring Your Kids To Work Day', held in 2023. During the event, Ms Liang's sons, along with other children, received Lego sets, enjoyed magic shows and toured the company's departments to learn about their functions. Events like 'Bring Your Kids To Work Day' let staff share with their children what they do at work. PHOTO: SINGAPORE LAND GROUP 'My three boys had a lot of fun,' she says. 'They know I go to work every day, but the office is like a 'black hole' in their minds. Now they have a glimpse of my nine-to-five life.' Such events also allow employees to relate to one another beyond mere job titles, deepening mutual understanding. These opportunities to engage employees' families and foster connections among staff continue well beyond the month of June. Throughout the year, employees can bring their children to team events, such as pickleball matches. They also receive a yearly $100 allowance for family meals – a small gesture that emphasises the importance of quality family time. Ms Er says: 'These initiatives help nurture close-knit families, which naturally shapes our family-like company culture. Employees should feel at home when they come to work.' Strong support networks at home and in the office contribute to employee resilience and well-being. Based on findings from the Your Voice Survey 2024, SingLand is ranked near the top 70th percentile among companies that participated in a Gallup survey in Singapore on employee well-being and work-life balance. A culture of trust and openness To support employee self-care, SingLand offers three days of Medical Time-Off annually, allowing employees to attend routine health and dental check-ups without using their annual leave. Ms Liang says: 'It's helpful because such appointments are often scheduled during the workday. It's super hard to get an appointment after 6pm.' In 2025, the company introduced Sick Leave without a medical certificate, which allows employees to take time off to recuperate at home if they are unwell without the need for a visit to the doctor. Ms Er explains: 'This reduces their anxiety about having to wait for an hour for a consultation, especially when they already have medicine at home and don't really need to see the doctor.' To Ms Liang, these benefits not only offer employees greater autonomy in managing their health, but also communicate the employer's trust in its staff. 'It shows that the company thinks of us as adults who can manage our own work, instead of being suspicious of us,' she says. This trust and care extended to employees have shaped an open culture at SingLand. This translates even to the office's redesign in 2023. When staff returned to the office after the Covid-19 pandemic, they found their cubicles had been replaced with an open-plan layout. In the office's cafe-style pantry, employees come together for lunch and to celebrate birthdays, a ritual that SingLand supports by sponsoring birthday cakes. The company also promotes healthy eating with a weekly distribution of fruits in the pantry, offering employees an opportunity to gather and catch up with one another. The workplace overhaul created opportunities for informal bonding that Ms Liang, an introvert, 'never thought she needed'. The open-plan office has also changed the way employees work. No longer are employees separated by partitions or required to knock on doors. Now, Ms Liang and her colleagues can simply stand up at their table and immediately discuss their work face-to-face. 'It's a seed HR has planted to allow for serendipitous meetings. These things may seem insignificant, but they actually create a certain type of magic,' she says. Empowering women at work Women Inspired to Thrive is a ground-up initiative that supports female employees balancing work and home. PHOTO: SINGAPORE LAND GROUP Another employee-focused initiative that SingLand has rolled out is Women Inspired to Thrive (WIT), an ground-up employee resource group led by the firm's head of legal, Ms Teo Hwee Ping. To support female employees who wear multiple hats at home and at work, WIT chairs bi-monthly closed-door sharing sessions on topics ranging from building confidence at work to managing personal finances. These sessions serve as an opportunity for introspection for employees like Ms Liang, who, for the last 12 years, has dedicated herself to both her role at SingLand and raising her three sons, often at the expense of personal development. 'It's very difficult for women. When you get to a stage when you have to mind your child, you have less time for self-improvement,' Ms Liang says. At a recent session on aligning work with one's strengths, she realised that a role recalibration might inject new energy into her work life. This led to a conversation with Ms Er, in exploring the possibilities of a job rotation into other potential roles which could benefit both Ms Liang and the company. 'It allowed me to take a step back, understand myself, and figure out how to move forward in my career,' she explains. WIT also promotes a culture of psychological safety. Employees who may initially be reluctant to speak up gain confidence in its supportive environment, eventually finding their voice in other settings. 'In this setting, you get to see the vulnerabilities of others, which can make you reevaluate your initial impressions. That's quite powerful,' Ms Liang adds. Read more about Singapore's Best Employers here. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Singapore Land Group (SGX:U06) Is Paying Out A Larger Dividend Than Last Year
Singapore Land Group Limited (SGX:U06) will increase its dividend on the 28th of May to SGD0.045, which is 13% higher than last year's payment from the same period of SGD0.04. Even though the dividend went up, the yield is still quite low at only 2.4%. AI is about to change healthcare. These 20 stocks are working on everything from early diagnostics to drug discovery. The best part - they are all under $10bn in marketcap - there is still time to get in early. Even a low dividend yield can be attractive if it is sustained for years on end. However, prior to this announcement, Singapore Land Group's dividend was comfortably covered by both cash flow and earnings. As a result, a large proportion of what it earned was being reinvested back into the business. EPS is set to fall by 14.0% over the next 12 months if recent trends continue. Assuming the dividend continues along recent trends, we believe the payout ratio could be 27%, which we are pretty comfortable with and we think is feasible on an earnings basis. View our latest analysis for Singapore Land Group Even over a long history of paying dividends, the company's distributions have been remarkably stable. The dividend has gone from an annual total of SGD0.03 in 2015 to the most recent total annual payment of SGD0.045. This means that it has been growing its distributions at 4.1% per annum over that time. Although we can't deny that the dividend has been remarkably stable in the past, the growth has been pretty muted. Some investors will be chomping at the bit to buy some of the company's stock based on its dividend history. However, things aren't all that rosy. Over the past five years, it looks as though Singapore Land Group's EPS has declined at around 14% a year. Such rapid declines definitely have the potential to constrain dividend payments if the trend continues into the future. In summary, it's great to see that the company can raise the dividend and keep it in a sustainable range. The earnings coverage is acceptable for now, but with earnings on the decline we would definitely keep an eye on the payout ratio. The dividend looks okay, but there have been some issues in the past, so we would be a little bit cautious. Market movements attest to how highly valued a consistent dividend policy is compared to one which is more unpredictable. Still, investors need to consider a host of other factors, apart from dividend payments, when analysing a company. For example, we've identified 2 warning signs for Singapore Land Group (1 makes us a bit uncomfortable!) that you should be aware of before investing. Is Singapore Land Group not quite the opportunity you were looking for? Why not check out our selection of top dividend stocks. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
