Welcome to this week’s wrap-up of the top stock market developments.
We examine a major industrial expansion in Vietnam through a new 490-hectare township and a strategic S$99.7 million divestment of data centre stakes aimed at unlocking capital.
In the technology sector, a landmark US$2 billion acquisition of a prominent AI startup signals an aggressive push into autonomous agents.
Meanwhile, a global systems integrator has bolstered its order book with a significant US$143.5 million contract extension in the US power management market.
Sembcorp Industries Expands Vietnam Footprint with 21st Industrial Park
Sembcorp Industries Limited (SGX: U96) has secured an investment licence to develop its 21st Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP) through wholly-owned subsidiary Sembcorp Development.
Located in Khanh Hoa Province, the 490-hectare VSIP Ninh Xuan will be developed in partnership with Becamex IDC Corporation (HOSE: BCM).
The park is strategically positioned with access to deep-sea ports, major expressways and modernised airports, making it attractive for export-focused and clean-tech industries.
VSIP Ninh Xuan will adopt the integrated township model, combining modern industrial infrastructure with urban support services to create a sustainable development.
Sembcorp Development CEO Lee Ark Boon stated that the project represents the company’s commitment to advancing sustainable industrial development in Vietnam.
The VSIP brand was also named Best Industrial and Business Park Developer in Vietnam 2025 by Euromoney magazine for the tenth time, underscoring its market leadership.
CapitaLand India Trust Divests Data Centre Stakes for S$99.7 Million
CapitaLand India Trust (SGX: CY6U), or CLINT, announced on 31 December 2025 the divestment of 20.2% stakes in three data centre assets under development to CapitaLand India Data Centre Fund (CIDCF) for an estimated INR 7.02 billion (S$99.73 million).
The transaction values the three data centres at a total enterprise value of INR 51.97 billion (S$738.2 million), representing a 13.7% premium to the independent valuation of INR 45.70 billion.
The three AI-ready facilities will have a combined gross capacity of 200 megawatts.
CEO Gauri Shankar Nagabhushanam commented that this partial divestment reflects the continued execution of CLINT’s portfolio reconstitution strategy.
By unlocking value earlier in the development cycle while retaining a significant 79.8% stake in the assets, the REIT can support its development pipeline and enhance financial flexibility.
Meta Acquires Singapore-Based AI Startup Manus for US$2 Billion
Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META) announced on 29 December 2025 its acquisition of Manus, a Singapore-based artificial intelligence startup with Chinese origins, in a deal valued at over US$2 billion, according to the Wall Street Journal.
This marks one of the largest acquisitions of an Asian AI company by a US tech giant.
Manus, originally founded by Beijing-based Butterfly Effect before relocating to Singapore in June 2025, developed a general-purpose AI agent capable of executing complex tasks such as market research, coding and data analysis.
The company claimed annual recurring revenue exceeding US$100 million just eight months after launch.
Meta confirmed that there will be no continuing Chinese ownership interests in Manus following the transaction, and the platform will discontinue operations in China.
The acquisition will help Meta integrate advanced autonomous AI agents across its platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, as part of CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s aggressive push to compete with rivals such as OpenAI and Google.
CSE Global Secures US$143.5 Million Data Centre Contract Variations
CSE Global Limited (SGX: 544), a global systems integrator providing electrification, communications and automation solutions, announced on 31 December 2025 that it has secured major contract variations worth US$143.5 million (approximately S$186.3 million) for the data centre market in the United States.
This contract extension with an existing hyperscaler customer covers the design, engineering, fabrication, installation and integration of power management systems and solutions.
The scope builds on CSE Global’s strong order momentum in the rapidly expanding data centre market.
Group Managing Director and CEO Lim Boon Kheng remarked that the awarding of these contract variations reflects continued confidence and trust in the company’s solutions and services.
The contracts are expected to contribute positively to CSE Global’s financial performance for financial year 2026.
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