Moody's confirms U.S.'s triple-A rating (MarketWatch) -- Moody's Investors Service late Tuesday confirmed the U.S.'s triple-A rating following the increase in its debt ceiling. However, the rating agency assigned a negative outlook on the rating. " The initial increase of the debt limit by $900 billion and the commitment to raise it by a further $1.2 trillion to $1.5 trillion by year-end have virtually eliminated the risk of such a default, prompting the confirmation of the rating at Aaa," Moody's said in a statement. The ratings agency also said the debt deal is the first step in long-term fiscal consolidation that is the key in maintaining the sovereign rating at triple-A. Moody's also warned that the negative outlook indicates that there is a risk of a downgrade if the U.S. fiscal environment weakens further and its economic outlook deteriorates significantly.

Stocks Sell Off Amid Credit Rating, Economic Worries - U.S. Commentary

Stocks saw substantial weakness during trading on Tuesday, as traders shrugged off news of the approval of the debt ceiling agreement amid continued concerns about the economic outlook and whether the deal will be enough to secure the U.S. credit rating. (Aug  2,  2011) Full Article

Effective 17 November 2009, SGX will be implementing new securities settlement processes to reduce the incidences of non-delivery of securities and imposition of penalties for failed deliveries.

The key changes are :

Streamline Security Delivery Cut-off Time to 12.00pm on T+3
The cut-off time for clients to meet their sale obligations has been brought forward to 12.00pm on T+3. Clients must ensure that they have sufficient securities in their securities account by this timing in order to avoid buy-in by the SGX. This will take effect for trade done on 17 November 2009 onwards.

Introduction of Buying-in on T+3
CDP will conduct the buy-in of undelivered securities on T+3 from 3.00pm to 5.00pm instead of the morning of T+4. This new buy-in time will take effect for trade done on 9 December 2009 onwards.
During the transition period (i.e. trade done between 17 November 2009 to 8 December 2009), buying-in will be conducted on T+4 from 3.00pm to 5.00pm.

Penalty for Failed Trades on T+3
A trade is deemed to have failed if buy-in for the shortfall is unsuccessful by the end of T+3. SGX will impose a penalty of $1,000 or 5% (whichever is higher) of the value of the failed contract that was not bought in at the end of T+3. The existing arrangements for SGX to consider appeals for the waiver of this penalty will continue.
Penalties will NOT be imposed on short positions whereby the securities have been successfully bought-in on T+3 afternoon.

Buying-in and Procurement after T+3
Buy-in will continue on T+4 and T+5 from 3.00pm to 5.00pm for outstanding undelivered securities at the end of T+3. For failed delivery of securities that cannot be procured after T+5, a penalty of $5,000 each day will apply.
For extended failed delivery of securities after T+7, or for failed delivery of securities in the buy-in market, the matter may be referred to the SGX Disciplinary Committee to decide on the appropriate penalty. A penalty of not less than S$20,000 may be imposed if the party is found culpable.

Revision of Buying-in Processing Fee
The buying-in processing fee will be revised from the current S$30 to $75 (S$80.25 inclusive of GST). This revised fee will be applicable to trades done from 17 November 2009 onwards.



For more details, kindly contact your brokers.
You can also refer to SGX news releases dated 9 October 2009 and 12 November 2009 via the link below.