With seven trading days remaining in 2025, the Straits Times Index (STI) has delivered a year-to-date price return of 20.7% as at Dec 18, while Singapore REITs (S-REITs) have gained 9.0%. Including dividends, total returns for the STI and S-REITs reached 26.7% and 14.4% respectively – placing S-REITs on track for their strongest annual performance since 2019 as previously highlighted in this column.Half of this performance was achieved in Q3, driven by improved operating fundamentals across S-REIT sub-segments and a more conducive environment due to lower interest rates. The US Federal Reserve implemented three 25 basis-point rate cuts this year, with market analysts expecting two more reductions in 2026.In comparison, S-REITs have outperformed the FTSE EPRA Nareit Asia ex Japan Index’s 13

With the global rate-cut cycle and the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s SGD 5 billion Equities Market Development Plan (EQDP) jointly supporting the market, Singapore equities are expected to continue seeing valuation re-rating and earnings expansion in 2026.CGS International forecasts that Singapore-listed companies’ net profit could grow 8.5% YoY in 2026, while market liquidity is set to improve significantly. Against this backdrop, we highlight three blue-chip stocks offering both attractive dividends and growth potential, along with three fundamentally solid S-REITs, giving investors a clear roadmap for positioning into 2026.I. 2026 Market Outlook: Three Key Themes Driving Structural OpportunitiesCGS International maintains a positive view on the Singapore market for 2026 and identifi

Over the five trading sessions, more than 80 director interests and substantial shareholdings were filed. Across close to 40 primary-listed stocks, Directors or CEOs reported 12 acquisitions and three disposals, while substantial shareholders recorded eight acquisitions and seven disposals.1. $Q&M Dental(QC7.SI)$ Between Nov 28 and Dec 4, Quan Min Holdings acquired 2,783,100 shares of Q & M Dental Group (Singapore). This increased the total interest of non-independent executive director and group CEO, Ng Chin Siau, from 55.82% to 56.12%. The shares were acquired at an average price of S$0.515 apiece. 2. $Zhongmin Baihui(5SR.SI)$ On Dec 1, Executive Director and CEO Chen Kaitong acqui

Real estate investment trusts in Singapore (S-REITs) are set to deliver their best yearly performance since 2019, as prices rebound amid stable operating performance and a more supportive interest rate environment.As of Dec 5, 2025, the iEdge S-REIT index has risen 9.3% for the year-to-date, with dividend distributions taking total returns up to 14.7%. This marks the strongest yearly performance since 2019, when the index rose 19.6%, with total returns of 27.5%.Of the 33 constituents in the iEdge S-REIT index, 29 have delivered positive total returns for the 2025 YTD, with the top 10 performers delivering over 20 per cent total returns. Outperformers include diversified S-REITs such as $CapLand IntCom T(C38U.SI)$

$Straits Times Index(STI.SI)$ December Outlook: November Strength May Limit Gains🎅 Seasonal Patterns: The "December Effect" Reality CheckDecember is historically the 3rd strongest month for the STI, averaging +1.3% since 2000, driven by:Dividend capture trades: Investors pile into high-yield names like DBS (5.1% yield) and Singtel (5.8%) before ex-datesWindow dressing: Fund managers boost holdings in index heavyweights ( $DBS(D05.SI)$ , $OCBC Bank(O39.SI)$ , $UOB(U11.SI)$ ) to flatter year-end reportingSanta Rally timing: Typically kicks in after Dec 15, but be warned – Singapore's rally is 40% weaker than the <

Over the five trading sessions, the usual quota of 60 director interests and substantial shareholdings were filed. Across close to 30 primary-listed stocks, Directors or CEOs reported eight acquisitions and three disposals, while substantial shareholders recorded five acquisitions and no disposals.1. $EnGro(S44.SI)$ On Nov 21, Chairman and CEO Tan Cheng Gay acquired 11,870,000 shares in a married deal at S$0.725 apiece. This increased his total interest from 15.01% to 25.01%. Mr Tan is a founding member of the Group and has served as Executive Director since 1973, shaping the Group’s strategic vision. Substantial shareholder Chua Thian Poh also acquired 1.18 million shares at S$0.725 apiece, increasing his total interest from 38.68% to 39.67%.&n

Over the five trading sessions, 60 director interests and substantial shareholdings were filed. Across 25 primary-listed stocks, Directors or CEOs reported 10 acquisitions and no disposals, while substantial shareholders recorded five acquisitions and five disposals.1. $Wing Tai(W05.SI)$ Wing Tai Holdings chairman and managing director Cheng Wai Keung continued to build his deemed interest in the company, through his spouse Helen Chow acquiring shares. From Nov 14 through to Nov 20, Mr Cheng increased his total interest in the leading real estate developer and lifestyle retailer from 62.19% the company, up to 62.24%. This is up from 61.64% at the end of 2024.  2. $Banyan Tree(B58.SI)$ On Nov 14,

In 3Q25, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) reported a modest tightening in office vacancy rates, easing from 11.4% in 2Q25 to 11.2 per cent. According to CBRE Singapore, Grade A office rents increased 2.1% year-on-year, underpinned by constrained new supply in the CBD core over the coming years.This trend supported stronger performance among Singapore-listed office REITs, driven by healthy occupancy levels, positive rental reversions, and proactive asset management strategies.The S-REITs with significant Singapore office exposure are $CapLand IntCom T(C38U.SI)$ $Mapletree PanAsia Com Tr(N2IU.SI)$ $Keppel Reit(K71U.SI)$

Over the five trading sessions, 60 director interests and substantial shareholdings were filed. Across close to 50  primary-listed stocks, Directors or CEOs reported six acquisitions and seven disposals, while substantial shareholders recorded four acquisitions and four disposals.1. $Wing Tai(W05.SI)$ Wing Tai Holdings chairman and managing director Cheng Wai Keung continued to build his deemed interest in the company, through his spouse Helen Chow acquiring shares. From Nov 7 through to Nov 13, Mr Cheng increased his deemed interest in the leading real estate developer and lifestyle retailer by 360,000 shares. He maintains a 62.19% total interest in the company, up from 61.64% at the end of 2024.  2.

Over the five trading sessions, 40 director interests and substantial shareholdings were filed. Across more than 20 primary-listed stocks, Directors or CEOs reported seven acquisitions and no disposals, while substantial shareholders recorded eight acquisitions and two disposals. 1. $Q&M Dental(QC7.SI)$ On Oct 31, Quan Min Holdings acquired 2.9 million shares of Q & M Dental Group (Singapore) at an average price of S$0.547 share. This increased the total interest of non-independent executive director and group CEO Ng Chin Siau to 56.77%, from 56.46% previously. Dr Ng has gradually increased his total interest from 53.09% in April. 2. $UOL(U14.SI)$   On Oct 31, Group Chief E

Industrial Real Estate Investment Trusts in Singapore (S-REITs) have delivered a stable operating performance in the third quarter ended September, as occupancy remained stable with positive portfolio rental reversions. The seven S-REITs that focus on the industrial sector are Alpha Integrated REIT (formerly known as Sabana Industrial REIT), Mapletree Logistics Trust, Mapletree Industrial Trust, ESR REIT, CapitaLand Ascendas REIT, AIMS APAC REIT and Daiwa House Logistics Trust.Six of the seven trusts have reported their latest quarterly updates, and most have seen improvements to distributions in the latest quarter. 1. $Alpha Integrated REIT(M1GU.SI)$ Alpha Integrated REIT, which reported its results on Oct 22, saw a 38.4% year-on-yea

Over the four trading sessions, more than 50 director interests and substantial shareholdings were filed. Across close to 25 primary-listed stocks, acquisitions and disposals by directors and substantial shareholders were below the usual pace ahead of the tranche of companies expected to report 3Q25 business updates in the coming weeks. 1. $Q&M Dental(QC7.SI)$ On Oct 22 Quan Min Holdings acquired 1,335,300 shares of Q & M Dental at an average price of S$0.49 a share. This increased the total interest of non-independent executive director and group CEO Ng Chin Siau to 55.26% from 55.40%.2. $Centurion(OU8.SI)$ On Oct 17 Centurion Corporation non-executive director and joint chairman Han Sen

The latest earnings season for Singapore-listed Real Estate Investment Trusts (S-REITs) has commenced, with seven trusts reporting their latest financial results or business updates over the past week.Of the seven REITs, the six that provided information on distributable income in their latest filings have all reported growth from the year-ago period. This comes on the back of mostly higher gross revenue and net property income (NPI), while the cost of borrowing has also decreased.At least 23 other trusts are scheduled to release their results between October 28 and November 14. Of the three pure-play Data Centre (DC) S-REITs, two reported their results last week.1. $DigiCore Reit USD(DCRU.SI)$ Digital Core REIT started the reporting seaso

Over the five trading sessions 50 director interests and substantial shareholdings were filed. Across 22 primary-listed stocks, Directors or CEOs reported one acquisition and five disposals, while substantial shareholders recorded two acquisitions and two disposals. 1. $MegaChem(5DS.SI)$ On Oct 8, Megachem managing director Sidney Chew Choon Tee acquired 200,000 shares at S$0.45 per share. The married deal increased his total interest in the one-stop specialty chemical solutions provider from 36.35% to 36.50%. His preceding acquisition was on Aug 28 with 10,000 shares acquired at S$0.42 apiece. Mr Chew has gradually increased his total interest from 35.23% at the end of 2019. 2. $IFAST(AIY.SI)$<

Real Estate Investment Trusts in Singapore (S-REITs) are seeing strong equity fundraising (EFR) activity in 2025, with the total amount from primary and secondary fund raising reaching their highest levels since 2021. Around S$4 billion of EFR has been announced by at least 10 S-REITs in the year-to-date, exceeding the S$2.9 billion raised in 2024 and S$1.9 billion in 2023. 1. $NTT DC REIT USD(NTDU.SI)$ & $Cent Accom REIT(8C8U.SI)$ Close to half of the fundraising from S-REITs this year came from the primary markets, with the initial public offerings (IPOs) of $NTT DC REIT USD(NTDU.SI)$ and $Cent Ac

Over the five trading sessions 75 director interests and substantial shareholdings were filed. Across 30 primary-listed stocks, Directors or CEOs reported 10 acquisitions and one disposal, while substantial shareholders recorded two acquisitions and five disposals. 1. $Wilmar Intl(F34.SI)$ Between Sep 26 and 29 Wilmar International chairman and CEO Kuok Khoon Hong increased his deemed interest in the company from 14.34% to 14.39%. Over the two sessions, HPRY Holdings acquired 981,700 shares, Longhlin Asia acquired 981,700 shares and Hong Lee Holdings acquired 981,800 shares. The 2,945,200 shares were acquired at an average price of S$2.83. 2. $Centurion(OU8.SI)$ Between Sep 29 and 30, Centur

Over the five trading sessions close to 60 director interests and substantial shareholdings were filed. Across 30 primary-listed stocks, Directors or CEOs reported five acquisitions and two disposals, while substantial shareholders recorded four acquisitions and six disposals. 1. $Wing Tai(W05.SI)$  Wing Tai Holdings chairman and managing director Cheng Wai Keung resumed increasing his deemed stake in the company, with additional shares acquired by his spouse Helen Chow. This raised his total interest from 61.85% to 61.89% between September 19 and 25.2. $Darco Water Tech(BLR.SI)$ Between Sep 19 and 23, Darco Water Technologies Executive Chairman Wang Zhi acquired 533,900 shares at S$0.08 api