Asian stocks looked set for a muted start to the week as traders awaited a Federal Reserve policy meeting and a flurry of earnings reports against the backdrop of the worsening pandemic. The dollar was steady after Friday’s gains. Futures were little changed in Japan and Hong Kong and shares saw modest gains in Australia. S&P 500 contracts ticked higher after the benchmark slipped Friday for the first day in four amid concern that a new coronavirus strain may be deadlier than earlier variants. Treasury yields retreated. Oil prices were little changed Monday.

CAPITALAND announced in its profit guidance on Friday that it is expecting to report a loss for the full year ended Dec 31, 2020 as a result of the impact from revaluations and impairments. Based on indicative values, the company's share of fair value losses is expected to be in the range of S$1.55-1.65 billion, compared with the gain of S$674.8 million a year ago. This fair value loss represents about 4.7 per cent of the group's investment properties portfolio value.

THE Singapore Exchange (SGX) on Friday posted a net profit of S$239.8 million for the half year ended Dec 31, 2020, up 12.4 per cent from S$213.3 million a year ago. This came mainly from revenue increases across all three of its businesses: equities; fixed income, currencies and commodities; and data, connectivity and indices, it said in a regulatory filing. Earnings per share stood at 22.4 Singapore cents for the half year, up from 19.9 cents a year ago.

MAINBOARD-LISTED retailer FJ Benjamin Holdings announced in a regulatory update on Sunday that it has obtained an in-principle approval from the Singapore Exchange (SGX) to transfer to the Catalist board.This is subject to certain conditions, including obtaining shareholders' approval. In an earlier announcement in October last year, FJ Benjamin said that listing on the Catalist will put it in a better position to attract investors in the future.

FOOD and beverage (F&B) play Jumbo Group announced on Sunday that its indirect wholly owned subsidiary has entered into a joint venture (JV) agreement with The Art of Mee Pok to run outlets selling Teochew fishball and minced meat noodles. The subsidiary, Jumbo Group of Restaurants, will be subscribing for 6,000 ordinary shares for an aggregate consideration for S$6,000 while The Art of Mee Pok will subscribe for 3,998 ordinary shares for S$3,998.

JAPANESE department store operator Isetan (Singapore) announced on Friday that it is currently "exploring its options" regarding its strata area at Wisma Atria building along Orchard Road. It added that it may be appointing property agents and valuers to assist the company, and to commence exploratory discussions with third parties. However, shareholders and potential investors should note that all options regarding Isetan Wisma Atria are being evaluated, and no definitive decision or agreement has been made.

Source: SGX Masnet, The Business Times, Bloomberg, Channel NewsAsia, Reuters, PSR