circuit breaker measures

"If we all do this, then life can go on more or less normally after the circuit breaker. We don’t want Covid-19 cases to spike up again and be forced to tighten once more,” said PM Lee

SINGAPORE (June 1): As Singapore begins to ease the circuit breaker (CB) measures starting with Phase 1 on June 2, several stocks and real estate investment trusts (REITs) could emerge as beneficiaries.

“The slow but steady recurring income build-up, strong balance sheet, and brand name, coupled with an experienced management team, should help CDL emerge stronger from the crisis,” says RHB analyst Vijay Natarajan.

“If the community transmission – if infection rates over these two weeks remain low and stable – then we will decide by the middle of June on whether we want to take the next step to move to Phase 2,” said National Development Minister Lawrence Wong.

Although deemed essential services in all geographies, ComfortDelGro's business across its key markets has declined on the back of reduced mileage and ridership.

“Many have been hoping that after the circuit breaker, they will be able to go out freely to meet their families and relatives and even dine together. Unfortunately, all of these activities will have to wait,” said Minister Lawrence Wong.

PropNex believes that the private residential segment could see a 27% year-on-year contraction in volume in 2020, while HDB resale market volume could drop 7%.

While China will arguably lead the pack with a recovery by 3Q2020, economist Deyi Tan says export-oriented economies such as Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia are likely to take until 1Q2021 to recover.

Already facing an uncertain future due to lack of interest from the younger generation, Singapore hawkers are taking things "one day at a time" during Covid-19.

As SingPost's full-year earnings surge 380% to $91.1 million, the group says the Covid-19 pandemic has presented opportunities that might otherwise never have surfaced.