{
  "id": 11053255,
  "title": "The next chapter for Singapore equities",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/the-next-chapter-for-singapore-equities",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-09-30T23:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Business Times - Companies & Markets",
    "slug": "the-business-times-companies-markets",
    "url": "https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/singapore/bt50/next-chapter-singapore-equities"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Singapore's equities market is poised for a new chapter, bolstered by robust economic growth, heightened earnings momentum, increasing investor participation, and initiatives to enhance capital formation, liquidity, and research coverage. The country's GDP growth forecast for 2026 has been revised upwards to 5% from 3.5% in June, signaling optimism for manufacturing, non-oil exports, bank lending, and finance and insurance sectors. Consequently, all local stock sectors are anticipated to record positive earnings-per-share growth in the upcoming financial year, with technology, financial services, and industrials among the standout performers. Around 25 listed companies have already returned to profit in the latest reporting season.\n\nThe Straits Times Index (STI) is nearing parity with analysts' weighted target prices, indicating a narrowing discount since the end of 2021. The STI, while a partial representation, underscores the importance of evaluating companies based on their earnings, cash flow, balance sheets, and ability to generate value over time. As companies report results, raise fresh capital, expand operations, pursue acquisitions, and return cash to shareholders, accurate reporting helps investors distinguish short-term market fluctuations from enduring business performance.\n\nThe market's relevance is gauged by companies' sustained use of the capital markets to fund growth initiatives. Since 2017, approximately S$90 billion has been raised through Singapore's equity market, with secondary offerings comprising about four-fifths of the total. Investors prioritize understanding how capital is utilized and whether the anticipated benefits materialize, emphasizing the significance of investor engagement, company communication, and guidance. While fundraising may occur swiftly, investors typically dedicate months and years to assessing the deployment of proceeds and the realization of expected benefits.\n\nAs market activity increasingly ties to business expansion, acquisitions, capacity investment, and corporate transformation, the value of clear reporting and analysis will only amplify. The continuous flow of results, disclosures, and corporate developments necessitates investors understanding not just what has transpired but also the significance thereof. For five decades, The Business Times (BT) has facilitated investors' access to the evolution of Singapore's listed companies and capital markets, a role that remains as pertinent today as investors scrutinize both a company's past actions and future intentions. Simultaneously, the market has become more accessible due to expanded research coverage, which introduces a larger number of listed companies to investor discussions and offers detailed insights into business performance, industry trends, and corporate strategies—particularly beneficial for smaller and mid-cap firms. Through comprehensive reporting, scrutiny, and contextualization, BT remains instrumental in keeping investors informed and well-informed about the companies they follow.",
  "summary": "All local stock sectors are expected to record positive earnings-per-share growth in the next financial year",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Business Times - Singapore",
        "title": "The next chapter for Singapore equities",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/the-next-chapter-for-singapore-equities-11053400",
        "published": "2026-09-30T23:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}