Singapore’s SG60: A milestone year for a market ready to lead

Key points:

• Singapore’s equity market is experiencing a strong revival, with the Straits Times Index on its strongest winning streak in over a decade, boosted by attractive yields, valuation support, and foreign inflows.
• Structural strengths—like global hub status, tech leadership, and safe haven appeal—are aligning with cyclical tailwinds, such as MAS’ equity market push and IPO pipeline revival.
• Beyond banks, compelling opportunities exist in tech, infrastructure, renewables, consumer staples, and REITs, positioning SGX as a diversified and resilient destination for regional and global capital.

As Singapore marks 60 years of independence, its equity market is showing renewed strength. The Straits Times Index (STI) is witnessing a strong July, clocking 16 winning sessions out of 17—its longest winning streak in over a decade.

Beyond its global hub advantage and a safe haven appeal, deeper structural and macro tailwinds are converging to make Singapore equities more compelling—especially for investors seeking income, stability, and regional diversification.

What’s driving the rally?

• Global hub advantage: Singapore continues to attract talent, capital, and businesses, with leadership in finance, trade, and digital infrastructure.
• Safe haven appeal: Political stability, rule of law, and neutrality make Singapore a natural destination in a risk-off world.
• Technology leadership: Among the top 10 AI markets globally, Singapore is investing in autonomous vehicles, humanoids, and data infrastructure—poised for long-term productivity gains.
• Supply chain shifts: Benefiting from China+1 strategies and regional industrial demand.
• Policy support: MAS’ S$1.1 billion equity development plan signals commitment to capital market growth.
• IPO pipeline revival: The NTT DC REIT IPO—Asia’s largest this year—signals renewed investor interest in yield and infrastructure.
• Valuation & FX advantage: Attractive equity multiples and SGD stability stand out in a world of stretched valuations and USD softness.
• Yield leadership: With a 4.76% dividend yield, STI remains a magnet for income-seeking investors. Explore Saxo’s Dividend Aristocrats stock shortlist for the most popular high-yield picks in Singapore.

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Investing beyond banks: themes & companies to watch

While Singapore’s banks (DBS, OCBC and UOB) remain reliable dividend anchors, investors looking beyond the STI heavyweights will find compelling opportunities across emerging growth and yield themes:

AI & semiconductor supply chain

• UMS Holdings – Backend equipment supplier to global chipmakers.
• AEM Holdings – Key provider for AI-focused semiconductor testing solutions.
• ST Engineering – Diversified defense-tech firm with growing exposure to smart city and cybersecurity solutions.

Digital wealth & tech platforms

• iFast – Digital wealth platform gaining AUM across Asia.
• Sea Ltd – Leading Southeast Asia digital ecosystem across e-commerce, gaming, and fintech.

Consumer Staples

• Sheng Siong – Value supermarket chain benefiting from cost-conscious consumer demand.
• DFI Retail Group – Operator of grocery and convenience chains across Asia, undergoing margin recovery and digital transformation.

Infrastructure

• Singtel – Regional telco with growing data centre exposure and stable dividend yield.

Energy & industrials

• Sembcorp Industries – Leading energy player shifting toward renewables across ASEAN.
• Hong Leong Asia – Industrial conglomerate exposed to construction and heavy equipment.

China exposure via SGX SDRs

• Alibaba, JD.com – SGD-listed e-commerce leaders.
• BYD – China’s EV and battery champion.
• SMIC – Largest domestic foundry in China.
• PetroChina – China’s largest oil and gas producer.

REITs rebound

• CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust – Prime office and retail exposure in Singapore.
• CapitaLand India Trust – India’s growth through business parks and logistics assets.
• Keppel DC REIT – Pure-play data centre REIT with global reach.

ETF options to capture the trend

• Nikko AM Singapore STI ETF (G3B:xses) – For index exposure with bank tilt.
• Lion-OCBC Securities Singapore Low Carbon ETF (ESG:xses) – ESG-aware portfolio with local relevance.
• Phillip SGX APAC Dividend REIT ETF (BYI:xses) – A pure-play income vehicle.
• CSOP iEdge Southeast Asia Plus Tech ETF (SQQ:xses) – For AI/semiconductor exposure across the region.

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Risks to watch

• Global trade reset – Rising protectionism or tariffs could impact trade-linked sectors.
• USD resurgence – A reversal in USD weakness may reduce foreign inflows.
• China volatility – Sentiment-sensitive names may suffer from geopolitical shocks.
• Policy surprises – Unexpected property or tax measures could weigh on selected sectors.

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Final word: income, innovation, and resilience

As the global narrative rotates toward income, diversification, and defensiveness, Singapore offers a rare combination of all three—backed by policy support, infrastructure growth, and deepening regional relevance. For investors willing to look beyond the obvious, Singapore’s hidden gems may be the quiet outperformers of this cycle.