Singapore’s benchmark Straits Times Index (STI) gained 69.93 points or 1.24% over the week from Aug 3 to 7, ending at 5,698.43, as a sharp recovery in the final two sessions more than offset losses earlier in the week.
The STI began the week on the back foot, falling on Monday before trading largely sideways on Tuesday and Wednesday. The benchmark then reversed course on Thursday, gaining more than 1%, before extending the rally on Friday to finish close to the 5,700-point level.
On Monday, the STI fell 16.22 points or 0.29% to 5,612.28 after opening at 5,604.08. The benchmark remained under pressure amid mixed regional market conditions, setting a cautious tone at the start of the week.
The market was largely flat on Tuesday, with the STI edging down 0.03 points to 5,612.25. Singapore shares traded amid mixed regional markets, with CapitaLand Investment among the STI constituents providing support.
The weakness continued on Wednesday as the STI declined 30.88 points or 0.55% to 5,581.37. By the end of the session, the benchmark had fallen roughly 0.85% from the previous Friday’s close, leaving investors waiting for a catalyst to reverse the pullback.
That catalyst arrived on Thursday, when the STI surged 57.62 points or 1.03% to 5,638.99. Strong buying returned to Singapore equities, marking a sharp reversal from the first half of the week.
The momentum carried into Friday, with the STI climbing another 59.44 points or 1.05% to 5,698.43. Yangzijiang Shipbuilding was among the key contributors to the advance and was also the most actively traded stock among the benchmark constituents.
The two-day rally lifted the STI by more than 2% and pushed the benchmark close to the 5,700-point threshold, resulting in its ninth consecutive weekly gain.
The strength in Singapore equities coincided with a strong set of full-year results from Singapore Exchange (SGX), although the performance of the STI and the exchange operator’s own financial results represent two separate measures.
SGX reported record FY2026 net revenue of S$1.4783 billion, up 13.9% year-on-year, while reported net profit stood at S$698.4 million.
Adjusted net profit rose 24.6% to S$759.5 million, supported by stronger activity across the exchange’s businesses. Equities-cash net revenue increased 28.1%, while fixed income, currencies and commodities revenue rose 17%.
Trading activity also strengthened significantly. Securities daily average value increased 34.9% to S$1.8 billion, while total securities traded value rose 35.5% to S$455.7 billion.
The exchange also proposed a one-off additional dividend as part of its FY2026 results.
The stronger performance came alongside signs that efforts to revitalise Singapore’s equity market were gaining traction. SGX recorded 21 new listings during the financial year that raised approximately S$4.1 billion, compared with six listings raising just S$25.7 million in the previous financial year.
For the week, the STI’s 1.24% gain brought its year-to-date total return to 22.65%, according to the weekly market review.
Overall, Singapore equities delivered a positive week despite a soft opening and midweek retreat. The late-week rebound helped the STI approach the 5,700-point mark, while stronger trading activity and SGX’s record FY2026 results provided a favourable backdrop for the market.
The week therefore offered two positive signals for Singapore’s capital market: the STI continued its strong run with a ninth consecutive weekly gain, while SGX itself reported stronger revenue, earnings, trading values and new-listing activity.
