Daily briefing: SG banks stocks climb after eased dividend restrictions; Hospitals may be filled if COVID cases increase 'uncontrollably'

And TotalEnergies buys BlueSG EV charging network.

From CNBC

Stocks of Singapore banks rose following the announcement of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) that it will lift the dividend cap on local banks and financial companies.

Shares of DBS went up by 0.6 %; whilst OCBC and UOB’s shares increased by around 1%.

MAS said it will not be extending the restrictions, imposed since June 2020 to ensure local financial institutions maintain their lending capacity.

Read more here.

From CNA

Hospital beds could fill up within a week if the cluster grows “uncontrollably,” which could double the number of infections in 7 to 10 days, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said.

At present, Singapore has already opened about 70 ICU beds. This could be increased to 1,000, Ong said, if needed.

Isolation beds have also been increased to 1,000, of which 80% have already been occupied.

Read more here.

From CNA

BlueSG electric vehicle (EV) charging network will be acquired by French energy firm, TotalEnergies.

Blue SG has over 1,5000 EV charging points across Singapore. It accounted for 85% of charging points on the island.

The charging points will be rebranded as TotalEnergies.

Read more here.