Singapore 2009 GDP forecast expected to shrink by 2-5% !!!!

• 4Q08 GDP annualised shrank 16.9% versus consensus of 12.5%
• 2008 GDP grew 1.2% versus 2007 growth of 7.7%

SGX proposing tighter rules for married deals

• Threshold for trades to rise from $150k to $500k, or
• 500k units of securities or future contracts from 50k.

SGX also asking for comments of such trades to be subjected to price guidance. This might lead to queries if match price deviates too much from last done.

Married deals is a possible method to ramp up stock volume, creating an impression that stock is in play, dragging in more interest from the public.

Impact of this proposal will limit such deals to institutions, reducing the possibility of players trying to manipulate the market.