380 stories mentioning Straits Times IndexUpdated 2d ago
Singapore's benchmark surged Monday, tracking regional gains after a US-Iran deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz lifted investor sentiment.
Singapore Exchange (SGX:S68) logged a 35% annual increase in securities market turnover in the fiscal year ended June to SG$455.7 billion.For June alone, the Singapore bourse operator's turnover surged 72% on the year to SG$44.6 billion, according to a Monday filing.Meanwhile, total trading volume increased 15% in fiscal 2026 to 363.5 million contracts.
Singapore shares closed the week on a high, ending Friday in the green zone on renewed optimism over AI driven demand.The Straits Times Index (STI), a key benchmark for the Singapore Exchange, ranged between 5,412.51 and 5,472.10 throughout the day. It ended the session at 5,469.29, up 35.41 points or 0.7% compared to Thursday's close.On the corporate front, shares of Foundation Healthcare (SGX:FHH) closed nearly 3% lower as its stabilizing manager, UBS AG, purchased 4.5 million shares in the company on July 9 between the price range of SG$0.705 and SG$0.735 per share.Marco Polo Marine's (SGX:5LY) shares closed over 2% higher as its subsidiary, PKR Offshore, signed a framework agreement with Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, to deploy two commissioning service operation vessels.Meanwhile, shares of China Aviation Oil (Singapore) (SGX:G92) closed over 2% higher as its controlling shareholder's restructuring was concluded, with China Petrochemical Corp. now holding 100% of China National Aviation Fuel (CNAF).
Singapore stocks opened lower on Friday as renewed tensions between Washington and Tehran weighed heavily on market sentiment.The STI, a key benchmark for the Singapore Exchange, declined in early trade by 0.1%, or 6.029 points, to open at 5,427.850.A dramatic drop in the number of ships crossing the Strait of Hormuz after the U.S. and Iran resumed strikes led investors to adopt a wait-and-watch approach.The U.S. and Iran exchanged fresh strikes on Thursday, with the former saying it hit 90 military targets, including some near the Strait of Hormuz.
Singapore shares extended gains on Thursday despite a surge in oil prices following the resumption of hostilities in the Gulf.The Straits Times Index (STI), a key benchmark for the Singapore Exchange, ranged between 5,386.59 and 5,436.98 throughout the day. It ended the session at 5,433.88, up 64.31 points or 1.2% compared to Wednesday's close.On the corporate front, shares of Hock Lian Seng (SGX:J2T) were down over 4% at the close with the company expecting to book an operating loss in the first half of the year, compared with a pre-tax profit of SG$10 million a year earlier.AIMS APAC REIT (SGX:O5RU) closed nearly 1% lower as it agreed to acquire a freehold general industrial property in Western Australia for AU$42.7 million.Meanwhile, shares of UI Boustead REIT (SGX:UIBU) were down nearly 1% at the close as it awarded a SG$2.6 million design and build contract to Boustead Projects E&C to convert its AUMOVIO Building Phase 3 to a multi-tenanted building.
The International Monetary Fund raised its 2026 growth forecasts for South Korea and China, citing strong external demand for semiconductors and rebalancing in the Chinese economy, even as the fallout from the Middle East war continues to weigh on the region.In its July World Economic Outlook update published late Wednesday, the IMF said South Korea's economy is expected to grow 2.6% in 2026, up 0.7 percentage points from the April forecast, with growth "buoyed by strong external demand for semiconductors, which dominates the negative impact of the war."Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) and SK Hynix (KRX:000660) dominate the local semiconductor sector in South Korea.The 2027 growth estimate for the country was raised 0.4 percentage points to 2.5%. The IMF noted that South Korea's first-quarter growth came in at 7.5%, more than four times the 1.8% pace projected in April.The fund said the first-quarter growth was powered by a semiconductor and AI-hardware export boom, despite the country's "heavy reliance on imported energy from the Middle East."Meanwhile, China's 2026 growth forecast was raised to 4.6%, up 0.2 percentage point from April, with the IMF citing efforts toward domestic rebalancing. However, it noted that higher global oil prices, protracted uncertainty and structural headwinds are expected to weigh on activity in China.Inflation in China is expected "to rise from low levels," the IMF said.The 2027 GDP growth estimate was raised 0.1 percentage point to 4.1%. China's economy expanded 8.1% in the first quarter, beating expectations on front-loaded infrastructure investment and a surge in high-tech manufacturing and exports, even as domestic consumption stayed soft, the IMF said.Elsewhere, India's 2026 growth forecast was cut to 6.4% from the April outlook of 6.5%, even as the IMF said the country remains among the fastest-growing major economies, supported by strong momentum in private consumption and services activity.The 2027 estimate was raised 0.2 percentage points to 6.7%.Japan's 2026 forecast was trimmed 0.1 percentage point to 0.6%, with fiscal support measures partly cushioning the impact of higher energy prices. The 2027 forecast was raised 0.1 percentage point to 0.7% as the energy shock fades.Japan's first-quarter growth came in at 1.8%, beating expectations on net trade, exports and a pickup in private consumption.The IMF expects core inflation in Japan to return to target gradually by the end of 2027.The fund's 2026 growth forecast for the five ASEAN countries -- Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand -- was unchanged at 4.1%, while the 2027 estimate was cut 0.1 percentage point to 4.3%.Within the group, Malaysia's 2026 forecast held steady at 4.7% on data-center activity and the upturn in the global technology cycle, while Thailand's was raised 0.4 percentage point to 1.9% on emergency fiscal measures and technology-related exports and investment.The IMF identified Taiwan, South Korea, Thailand and Malaysia as the top four net exporters of AI-related hardware, noting their average seasonally adjusted annualized suprise growth of 4.4 percentage points, against the 0.3 percentage point drop for the rest of the world.Overall, the IMF said, "Risks to the outlook are more balanced than in April but still tilted to the downside.""The possibility of renewed Middle East conflict looms large and could extend commodity price volatility, further threaten supply chains, raise prices, and weigh on financial conditions."
Singapore's Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) has reminded property developers to apply anti-money laundering due diligence measures based on a buyer's risk profile, according to guidance issued Wednesday.The URA also cautioned developers against applying excessive verification measures that go beyond international standards.The guidance distinguishes between standard customer due diligence and enhanced customer due diligence. The latter, which includes verifying a buyer's source of wealth and source of funds, is required only for higher-risk purchasers, such as foreign politically exposed persons or buyers from jurisdictions flagged by the Financial Action Task Force.
Temasek reported a net portfolio value of SG$518 billion as at March 31, up SG$49 billion from SG$469 billion a year earlier, according to a company release on Wednesday.The increase was driven by the strong performance of its Singapore-listed portfolio companies and realized gains from key divestments.Meanwhile, the city-state's sovereign wealth fund booked a one-year total shareholder return of 10.5%.During the period, Temasek invested SG$51 billion and divested SG$31 billion, resulting in net new investment of SG$20 billion.
Singapore-based Nanyang Technological University issued SG$350 million worth of 2.42% bonds due 2041, according to a Wednesday filing with the Singapore Exchange.The bonds were listed and quoted on July 9, the filing added.
Singapore's Straits Times Index rallied above 5,400 points at market open on Thursday, owing to strong gains by local bank stocks ahead of the second-quarter corporate earnings season in early August.The STI, a key benchmark for the Singapore Exchange, rose in early trade by 0.7%, or 36.45 points, to open at 5,406.020.Strong institutional inflows pushed Singapore bank stocks to record highs on Thursday, with DBS Group (SGX:D05) briefly crossing SG$70 for the first time. Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation (SGX:O39) and United Overseas Bank (SGX:U11) also hit new peaks, pushing the STI as investors positioned ahead of the earnings season and sought to secure first-half dividend payouts.
The International Monetary Fund kept its ASEAN economic growth estimate for 2026 unchanged.In its World Economic Outlook update published late Wednesday, the IMF expects the region's economy to grow 4.1% in 2026, unchanged from the April estimate.For 2027, the growth estimate moved 0.1 percentage point lower to 4.3% for the group consisting of Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.
Singapore shares extended gains on Wednesday, despite mixed regional gains as investors remained bullish on technology and AI stocks.The Straits Times Index (STI), a key benchmark for the Singapore Exchange, ranged between 5,323.33 and 5,414.84 throughout the day. It ended the session at 5,369.57, up 27.33 points or 0.5% compared to Tuesday's close.On the corporate front, Avarga (SGX:X5N) closed under 1% higher as it received an approval from the Singapore High Court to convene a scheme meeting for shareholders to vote on the proposed scheme of arrangement.Beng Kuna Marine (SGX:BEZ) units, Asian Sealand Offshore & Marine subsidiary bagged new contracts in the first half of the year.Meanwhile, ESR REIT (SGX:J91U) signed sales and purchase agreements to acquire five institutional grade freehold logistics properties in Melbourne, Australia, for AU$276.8 million.
Temasek has drawn up plans to grow its AI-related portfolio exposure form 6% to 15% by 2031, according to a company release on Wednesday.The Singapore state investor plans to deploy capital across five focus areas of AI value chain, energy and data centers, semiconductors, cloud services platforms, foundation models and AI applications and software infrastructure.Recent AI-related investments include Anthropic and OpenAI in the US, which has resulted in direct exposure to foundation model development.
Singapore shares opened flat on Wednesday, tracking overnight losses on Wall Street as market participants remained cautious about the momentum of the AI-driven rally and awaited fresh signals from the U.S. Federal Reserve.The STI, a key benchmark for the Singapore Exchange, rose marginally in early trade by 0.02%, or 1.11 points, to open at 5,343.360.Sentiment remained subdued after the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite led overnight losses on Wall Street, declining 1.16% as semiconductor stocks came under pressure despite stronger-than-expected earnings from South Korean chipmaker Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930). The broader S&P 500 slipped 0.45%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.25% at market close on Tuesday.Investors are awaiting the release of the Federal Reserve's June meeting minutes on Wednesday, the first chaired by Kevin Warsh, for additional insight into the interest rate outlook ahead of the Federal Open Market Committee's (FOMC) July 28-29 policy meeting.
Singapore's total retail sales rose 3% year over year to SG$4.5 billion in May, softer than the 5.4% increase the prior month, according to data from the Statistics Department released Monday.The latest pace of expansion missed the Trading Economics forecast of 6%.Excluding motor vehicles, parts, and accessories, retail sales jumped 3.7% year over year to SG$3.8 billion, compared with a 4.5% growth in the preceding month.On a month-over-month basis, Singapore's seasonally adjusted overall retail sales fell 2.3%, reversing the 0.4% expansion between March and April and defying the Trading Economics forecast of zero change.
Mirae Asset Securities (KRX:006800) filed for the listing of $600 million worth of bonds on the Singapore bourse, according to a filing with the Singapore Exchange on Monday.The financial services company filed for $300 million worth of 5.125% senior bonds due 2029 and $300 million worth of 5.250% senior bonds due 2031.The bonds will be listed and quoted on the Bonds Market on July 7, the developer said.
Singapore's Sentosa Development Corp. on Friday outlined details of the next phase of its Greater Sentosa Master Plan, which will integrate Sentosa with the neighboring Brani island.The new phase will add hotels, attractions, and experiences, projected to double the current number of visitors to the island.The developments are expected to come on board from the early 2030s, Sentosa said.
All four Singapore mobile operators have achieved nationwide 5G standalone coverage, with customers now being migrated, though the transition pace remains varied, according to a Business Times report on Monday.M1 and StarHub (SGX:CC3) have already completed their transition, with the latter retiring its 5G non-standalone network, while M1 converted all sites to standalone, the report said.Singtel (SGX:Z74), on the other hand, did not give a retirement date, according to The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), as cited by the Business Times.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)
Singapore's Prime Minister, Lawrence Wong, signed memorandums of understanding with Timor-Leste counterpart, Xanana Gusmao, linked with bilateral consultations and the designation of Timor-Leste as an approved non-traditional source country for work permit holders.Effective the second half of 2027, Timorese workers will have the opportunity to be part of the city-state's construction, marine shipyard, process, manufacturing and services sector, according to a ministry release on Friday.Meanwhile, ASEAN-related capacity building programs were also revealed to support Timor-Leste's membership integration.
The Singapore Land Authority has disclosed a data security incident involving unauthorized access to IBM-managed cloud development and testing environment, exposing personal data, according to a ministry release on Sunday.The data breach resulted in the exposure of names, NRICS numbers and property addresses of around 70,000 individuals in a dataset that should have contained only anonymized mock data, the release said.The dataset was created in 1998 and was updated periodically for vendor development and testing of SLA's automated registration and eLodgment systems, according to the release.IBM has also revoked access to the compromised environment.
Singapore shares opened lower on Monday, with the benchmark Straits Times Index (STI) slipping in early trade as investors assessed mixed performances among blue-chip stocks.The STI, a key benchmark for the Singapore Exchange, fell marginally in early trade by 0.08%, or 4.31 points, to open at 5,239.980.The lackluster performance was a result of the continued unrest in the Middle East, after Israeli drone strikes killed two people in Gaza, despite US-brokered ceasefire agreements.Market breadth remained positive, with 106 gainers outnumbering 77 losers after 60.67 million securities, valued at SG$75.79 million, changed hands.In other news, oil prices edged lower on Monday after the OPEC+ agreed to raise production targets by 188,000 barrels per day from August, reinforcing expectations of higher global supply. Brent crude slipped 0.33% to $71.88 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate fell 0.16% to $68.58.
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