Singapore stocks rose this week, with the STI up 0.8%. Investors reacted positively to the possibility of the US Federal Reserve choosing not to raise interest rates in September.
In terms of individual stocks, Yangzijiang Shipbuilding rose 10%; Genting Singapore rose 7.3%; ST Engineering rose 6.2%; OCBC rose 4.9%; Sembcorp rose 4.1%; Singtel rose 3.5%; SGX rose 3%; Keppel rose 1.3%; Sats fell 2.7%; UOB fell 3.5%; SIA fell 3.6%; Wilmar and YZJ Maritime fell 4.8%.
Market News
Singapore Raises 2026 Growth Forecast on AI Boom After Robust Q2 GDP
Singapore raised its economic growth forecast for 2026 on Tuesday, saying a stronger-than-expected global artificial intelligence investment boom and a milder impact from the Middle East war should support activity in the second half of the year.
The trade ministry now expects growth of 4.5%-5.5% this year, up from 2.0%-4.0% after second-quarter GDP expanded 5.9% from a year earlier, above an advance estimate of 5.7%.
The ministry said fallout from the Iran war had been less damaging than feared, while the global AI investment surge had exceeded expectations.
JPMorgan Boosts Singapore Stocks Target as Economic Growth Holds
JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its target for Singapore stocks as robust economic growth and a narrowing valuation gap with developed-market peers bolster their outlook.
The Straits Times Index may climb up to 7,000 over the next 12 months in a bull case scenario, analysts including Khoi Vu wrote in a note. The target implies a 22% upside from Tuesday’s close.
“A goldilocks economic backdrop should continue to underpin earnings per share growth and empower fiscal room,” JPMorgan analysts said. “Strong yields, stable currency, and the Equity Market Development Programme should enhance investor flows.”
Singapore Exchange Eyes Single-Stock ETFs, Tie-Ups to Grow
Singapore Exchange Ltd. is exploring offering a broader suite of exchange-traded funds and stepping up partnerships across markets as it seeks to bolster its position as Southeast Asia’s key multi-asset exchange.
“We are focused on trying to create a wider choice” of ETFs, with representation across the region, asset classes and sectors, said Chief Executive Officer Loh Boon Chye. The bourse may also look into single stock or leveraged products if there is interest, he said in a recent interview.
The bourse currently offers 53 ETFs, with more than S$21 billion ($16.4 billion) in assets under management. It launched its first physical gold ETF in March, and will next month list an active ETF tracking the iEdge Singapore Next 50 Index, which covers the 50 largest companies on SGX after the top 30.
Singtel's Quarterly Profit Tops Estimates on Optus, Digital Services Strength
Singapore Telecommunications (Singtel) reported a better-than-expected quarterly underlying net profit on Thursday, fuelled by strong contributions from Optus, regional associates and its digital and data centre businesses.
Singtel, Southeast Asia's largest telecom operator, reported underlying net profit of S$831 million ($649.22 million) for the quarter ended June 30, higher than a Visible Alpha consensus estimate of S$746.1 million and S$686 million a year earlier.
Post-tax contributions from regional associates rose 16.1% to S$543 million, primarily driven by higher contributions from India's Bharti Airtel and Thailand's Advanced Info Service (AIS).
Optus, its Australia-based subsidiary, delivered operating earnings of A$152 million ($107.14 million), a 14% jump from year-ago levels.
Wilmar Posts Higher HY Profit on Strong Growth, Flags Uncertain Operating Environment
Singapore-listed Wilmar International posted a nearly 10% rise in first-half core profit on strong demand in feed and industrial products and food products segments, but cautioned that geopolitical tensions could weigh on operating conditions.
The company, one of the world's largest food producers, posted a core net profit of $641.5 million for the six months ended June 30. It proposed an interim dividend of S$0.05 per share, up from S$0.04 per share declared a year ago.
Strong performances at the group's two largest divisions, feed and industrial products and food products, outweighed weakness in its plantation and sugar milling business.
Singapore Top Property Firms' Profit Grows, Signal Recovery
Two of Singapore’s biggest property-focused firms reported improved first-half profit, helped by growing fee-related business and new project launches, as they seek to rebuild investor confidence after past setbacks.
CapitaLand Investment Ltd. said on Thursday profit rose 14% year-on-year to S$327 million ($255 million) in the six months ended June 30. Performance at the firm, majority-owned by Singapore state investor Temasek Holdings Pte, was supported by higher contributions from private funds and various real estate investment trusts it backs.
Real estate developer City Developments Ltd., controlled by one of the country’s wealthiest clans, saw its first-half net income more then triple to S$302 million. The surge was mainly driven by its property development segment, which benefited from Singapore’s buoyant private residential market.
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