For those new to investing, putting your money in a benchmark country index is one of the easiest and safest ways to begin your journey. In Singapore, the benchmark index is the Straits Times Index (STI), and there are two STI ETFs – SPDR STI ETF and Nikko AM STI ETF – that we can invest in. What Is A Benchmark Index? A benchmark index of a country usually refers to the largest and most liquid stocks listed on its stock market. In Singapore, the Straits Times Index (STI) is made up of the 30 largest (by market capitalisation) stocks listed in Singapore. Combined, these companies comprise approximately 80% of the entire market value of stocks listed in Singapore. Hence, how the 30 stocks on the STI performs is representative of how the Singapore market performs. The STI is co

The STI was well-supported despite Wall St’s plunges DBS and OCBC’s 1Q earnings were in line with expectations, UOB’s fell short US stocks underwent their worst 4 months since 1939 on spiking inflation and slowing growth 10-year US Treasury yield rose 25% in April to 2.9% Singapore’s core inflation could hit 4% later this year: MAS Terms of Sembarine-Keppel O&M merger announced: analyst views mixed Yangzijiang Financial posted disappointing debut after being spun off The STI was well-supported in April despite losing the 3,400 level To a pessimist, the main takeaway from April’s trading might be that the Straits Times Index lost its grip on the 3,400 level. After all, it was only as recently as 5 April that the index closed at 3,445, leading to hopes that it might soon cha

We previously covered Yangzijiang (YZJ) when it announced the possibility of spinning off its investment ... Read more >> The post Yangzijiang splits!  – what do shareholders need to know? first appeared on .

The Straits Times Index gained 26 points or 0.8% at 3,361.11 Rise could be short-lived following Wall Street’s Friday plunge US stocks under pressure from rapidly rising bond yields US Fed: 50 basis points rate hike likely in May, possibly even 75 Singapore to lift most curbs on Tuesday onwards Yangzijiang’s finance arm to list on 28 April Jardine C&C’s reply to SGX: Purchase by major shareholder could be reason for Thursday’s unusual movement Private home price growth slowed in Q1 due to cooling measures IMF cut its global growth forecasts The STI’s 4-day winning streak could be under threat this week After a plunge on Monday, the Straits Times Index then enjoyed a four-day winning streak that enabled it to finish the week with a net gain of 26 points or 0.8% at 3,361.11.

The STI gained 6 points or 0.17% at 3,419.11 The gain came despite a negative external backdrop Keppel O&M and Sembmarine need more time to merge Yangzijiang was in play after capital injection into proposed spin-off SPH to cease trading on 7 April, to be delisted on 13 May Aviation activity to return to pre-pandemic levels by late 2024: UOB-Kay Hian US Treasury yield curve inverted after strong jobs report The STI held firm, possibly boosted by the reopening of the economy Despite no signs of when the war in Ukraine might end and notwithstanding concerns over high oil prices and the US Federal Reserve’s determination to raise interest rates aggressively this year, the Straits Times Index this week held its ground, rising a modest 6 points or 0.17% to 3419.11. A big part of this g

In our financially connected world, financial exchanges are no longer just marketplaces that serve companies and investors from a specific country or region. For example, the Singapore Exchange (SGX) includes many foreign listed companies such as Yangzijiang (SGX: BS6), Thai Beverage (SGX: Y92) and Hongkong Land (SGX: H78). Similarly, Singapore companies can also list on overseas financial exchanges such as the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). The NYSE is an American stock exchange that is also the world’s largest stock exchange by market capitalisation. Top companies around the world such as Alibaba, Berkshire Hathaway, JP Morgan and Visa are all listed on the NYSE. Besides American (and some Chinese) companies, there is also a small handful of Singapore companies that we can find on the

My portfolio is 10 percent in the green, but I have several misadventures, with counters down by 50 percent or more, such as TianNeng Power international, and several others such as Alibaba 9988The portfolio is actually not at it lowest, for the past 1 year, despite the HK tech meltdown, Russia War, and inflation fears.Looking back, the last 6 months provide several reflective points, which I will pen down 1) Portfolio should include both realised and unrealised profits and also cash.I used to ignore unrealised profits or loss in looking at my portfolio, and realised how foolish I have been. Several counters that I bought for a trading gains, like Geely, Alibaba, JD has gone from a profits to loss. Geely especially, has met target of 50 percent gains, and yet, I didn't do anything.&nb

This post was written in collaboration with State Street Global Advisors. While we are financially compensated by them, we nonetheless strive to maintain our editorial integrity and review products with the same objective lens. We are committed to providing the best information in order for you to make personal financial decisions with confidence. You can view our Editorial Guidelines here. “Buy ETFs!” is one of the most frequent pieces of investment advice newbies tend to hear. But when Singaporeans talk about exchange-traded funds (ETFs),  a popular category often comes to mind — the Straits Times Index or STI tracking family of ETFs. The most well-known of the bunch is the SPDR® Straits Times Index ETF (ES3), or the SPDR STI ETF. You see, the SPDR fund was the first ETF known

NOTE: I owned shares of the below mentioned counters, and hence have my biases and ulterior motives for writing this post (Evil laughs) 1) UOBKayhian1H earning beats 2020 earnings. UOBkayhian biggest earning segment is trading commission. SGX trading volume and value for the last 11 months beats 2020 (11 months)US market is seeing new high, Thailand trading volume and value for the last 11 months are also significantly higher than 2020.If the 50% payout holds (which is the case for many years), there is a high probability that dividends will exceed last year 9.5 cents. (1H EPS is already 11 cents.)2) Hotung 2020 EPS is 5.42 NT$, and 1H 2021 EPS is already 3.28NT$2021 there is frequent share buybacks, and this is NOT a yearly occurernce2021 there are 2 vested compan

Yangzijiang Shipbuilding (SGX:BS6) has announced that it is exploring the possibility of spinning off its ... Read more >> The post Yangzijiang is spinning off its investment unit, what does it mean for shareholders? first appeared on .