logo
Broadening bullishness in Singapore

Broadening bullishness in Singapore

Business Times19 hours ago
In the latest episode of Mark To Market, a podcast by The Business Times, senior correspondent Ben Paul takes a hard look at Singapore's multi-billion-dollar shot in the arm for its flagging equity market and whether it's finally moving the needle.
The spark? The Monetary Authority of Singapore's (MAS) Equity Market Development Programme (EQDP), which placed S$1.1 billion with three heavyweight fund managers Avanda, Fullerton and JP Morgan. The goal: to inject fresh capital beyond the usual STI suspects and revive interest in small to mid-cap stocks.
Paul walks us through why this could be more than just a flash in the pan. Analysts are already flagging potential 'EQDP beneficiaries' like Food Empire, iFast and Sheng Siong whose stocks are seeing renewed investor interest. But the bigger story is how this could shift the way companies engage with shareholders, especially as MAS is also ramping up its GEMS scheme and introducing recourse mechanisms for investors burned by market misconduct.
Paul delves into the critics' take and shares his opinion on these latest developments. The episode also unpacks MAS' upcoming consultations on investor recourse, including legal support for shareholder lawsuits and whistleblower protections.
Why listen?
Because this isn't just another reform package
A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU
Friday, 8.30 am Asean Business
Business insights centering on South-east Asia's fast-growing economies.
Sign Up
Sign Up
MAS is putting real money behind market revitalisation and investors are paying attention.
Because it's not just about liquidity, it's about accountability
With more investor tools, underperformers can no longer hide behind excuses.
Because the public market is getting a public reboot
And Singapore Inc. needs to step up.
Listen now to the full episode and stay ahead of market trends and corporate developments with Ben Paul.
Mark To Market is a podcast of BT Correspondents. Look out for the next episode featuring wealth editor, Genevieve Cua. And if you have any thoughts or questions, feel free to reach out to us at btpodcasts@sph.com.sg .
Written and hosted by: Ben Paul (benpaul@sph.com.sg)
Edited by: Howie Lim & Claressa Monteiro
Produced by: Ben Paul, Howie Lim & Chai Pei Chieh
A podcast by BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media
---
Follow BT Correspondents:
Channel: bt.sg/btcobt
Amazon: bt.sg/btcoam
Apple Podcasts: bt.sg/btcoap
Spotify: bt.sg/btcosp
YouTube Music: bt.sg/btcoyt
Website: bt.sg/btcorresp
Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party's products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice.
---
Discover more BT podcast series:
BT Money Hacks: bt.sg/btmoneyhacks
BT Podcasts: bt.sg/pcOM
BT Market Focus: bt.sg/btmktfocus
BT Branded Podcasts: bt.sg/brpod
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

BlueSG is shutting down - what happens next?, Lifestyle News
BlueSG is shutting down - what happens next?, Lifestyle News

AsiaOne

time8 hours ago

  • AsiaOne

BlueSG is shutting down - what happens next?, Lifestyle News

Electric car-sharing firm BlueSG has announced that it is shutting down its operations in Singapore on Aug 8. What happens next? And what does that mean for you as a user? Why is BlueSG stopping operations? Technically, the company is 'taking a pause' to do a major upgrade of its platform and fleet, and it promises to be back in 2026 fully refreshed. In the meantime, the car-sharing service will cease operations at 11.59pm on Aug 8, with the company laying off staff accordingly to 'reflect the reduced operational scale during the pause period', said a BlueSG spokesperson. Keith Kee, chief executive officer of BlueSG, told The Business Times, "We are not ending the service per se. We call it a pause, because it is in preparation for the upgrade." He added, "We want to have a refreshed user experience. The new platform will feature a refreshed fleet and upgraded systems, designed to deliver a stronger performance and more seamless user experience." BlueSG had previously done another upgrade, or 'technical migration', to its platform between 2023 to early 2024 to improve the user experience. While that upgrade took place without any disruption to its services, users experienced some issues with billing and booking cars during that period. The BlueSG spokesperson told The Straits Times, "Through that migration, it became clear that the current infrastructure needed a decisive, future-ready upgrade - one that could better support the changing mobility landscape. Emerging technological advancements also reinforced the urgency to act decisively." The need for a stoppage to operations could also be down to BlueSG's fleet of electric cars, which would require extensive refreshing. The French-made Bollore Bluecar, which was BlueSG's launch model, has been in use since the company started operations in 2017, and is now regarded as being extremely outdated. The other BlueSG model, the Opel e-Corsa, which was introduced to the fleet in 2022, will also be soon rendered obsolete, as Opel will no longer have any official representation in Singapore. The brand's dealer, Auto Germany, has announced plans to stop Opel sales here by the end of 2025. That would make servicing and maintaining the Opel e-Corsa BlueSG cars a difficult proposition. The current fleet are unlikely to be reused when BlueSG restarts operations, and they will be decommissioned or repurposed, said Kee, without elaborating further. I'm a BlueSG user. What's going to happen to my account? Obviously, you won't be able to make or complete any bookings after Aug 8. Any pre-bookings after that date will be cancelled. Users on BlueSG's paid subscription pricing plans, which range from $8 to $18, will have their plans adjusted, and any subscription fees billed up to Aug 8 will be refunded accordingly. They will also not be charged any subscription fee from Aug 8 onwards. All user accounts will remain accessible until 11.59pm on Aug 31, following which they will be closed. The company stated in a press release that it will process all account closures, outstanding billing issues, subscription adjustments and refunds by Aug 31. Users will be required to update their contact details within the BlueSG app by Aug 16 to a PayNow-linked number, and all refunds will be made through that method. Refunds will be processed in batches starting from Aug 16. BlueSG's customer service team will provide support until Aug 31 through phone, live chat and emails. Following that date, support will continue to be provided via email only from Sep 1 to Oct 1. Users can also approach the Consumers Association of Singapore (Case), who have set up a dedicated channel address matters related to the refund of credits and outstanding bills. Those who need help may approach Case via its hotline on 6277 5100 or its website at [[nid:720947]] No part of this article can be reproduced without permission from AsiaOne.

The time is ripe for ETFs on the mid and small-cap segments
The time is ripe for ETFs on the mid and small-cap segments

Business Times

time17 hours ago

  • Business Times

The time is ripe for ETFs on the mid and small-cap segments

SINCE the Monetary Authority of Singapore's Equity Market Development Programme (EQDP) is aimed at uplifting the mid and small-cap sectors, here's a thought – how about some enterprising provider of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) consider introducing ETFs on two market indices that have been around for years and could be the benchmarks for any future unit trusts to beat, namely the FTSE ST Mid Cap and FTSE ST Small Cap indices? It would be fair to say that other than the FTSE Straits Times Index (STI), most investors are unfamiliar with its mid-cap and small-cap stablemates. According to the Singapore Exchange (SGX), the Mid Cap Index 'is a market capitalisation weighted index that tracks the performance of the next top 50 companies after the 30 STI constituents''. The Small Cap Index, in the meantime, 'is a market capitalisation weighted index that tracks the performance of companies listed on SGX that are within the top 98 per cent (by market capitalisation), save for those included in the STI and FTSE ST Mid Cap Index''. In a Jun 18 market update, SGX reported that 'Food Empire, Yangzijiang Financial, Centurion Corporation, BRC Asia and Wee Hur Holdings led the 42 constituents of the FTSE ST Small Cap Index in H1 2025, which has generated a 4.9 per cent total return over the period, marginally outpacing the FTSE Asia Pacific Small Cap Index at 2.7 per cent''. The exchange also reported that the Small Cap Index had a combined market capitalisation of S$33 billion, with S$69 million of average daily turnover (ADT) in the 2025 year to Jun 17, so it has decent size and liquidity. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up The Mid Cap Index appears to be a bit of a laggard – at least until June. In a Jun 26 market update, SGX said: 'SIA Engineering, UOL, Sheng Siong, Raffles Medical and DFI Retail Group have led the 32 constituents of the FTSE ST Mid Cap Index in H1 2025, which has generated a marginal 1.5 per cent decline in total return over the period, lagging the FTSE Asia Pacific Mid Cap Index at 4.6 per cent.'' SGX said the Mid Cap Index had a combined market capitalisation of S$125 billion, with S$340 million of ADT in the 2025 year to Jun 25, so it, too, has decent size and liquidity. ETFs on both indices would benefit retail investors in many ways. First, many smaller firms are largely unknown to the majority of small investors, given the absence of research. Trying to pick winners would therefore be difficult. ETFs would provide immediate diversification and exposure to both segments. They would also complement the EQDP's efforts to raise the profile of these firms. Another justification is that the timing is opportune. Smaller companies tend to be more highly geared, and therefore more sensitive to interest rates. Small shifts in rates can have a profound impact on their bottom lines, so rates falling as they are now will very likely translate to better profits for these firms. Currently, exposure to these segments is only available through unit trusts, which may include overseas firms and tend to come with higher fees because of active management. Passively managed ETFs, on the other hand, would charge lower fees while offering the added advantages of greater transparency and intraday liquidity. However, not all mid and small-cap companies are truly investment-worthy. Hopefully, as research coverage improves, the better firms will be selected for inclusion in the indices, which would in turn help sustain interest in any related tracker funds that should be launched.

Broadening bullishness in Singapore
Broadening bullishness in Singapore

Business Times

time19 hours ago

  • Business Times

Broadening bullishness in Singapore

In the latest episode of Mark To Market, a podcast by The Business Times, senior correspondent Ben Paul takes a hard look at Singapore's multi-billion-dollar shot in the arm for its flagging equity market and whether it's finally moving the needle. The spark? The Monetary Authority of Singapore's (MAS) Equity Market Development Programme (EQDP), which placed S$1.1 billion with three heavyweight fund managers Avanda, Fullerton and JP Morgan. The goal: to inject fresh capital beyond the usual STI suspects and revive interest in small to mid-cap stocks. Paul walks us through why this could be more than just a flash in the pan. Analysts are already flagging potential 'EQDP beneficiaries' like Food Empire, iFast and Sheng Siong whose stocks are seeing renewed investor interest. But the bigger story is how this could shift the way companies engage with shareholders, especially as MAS is also ramping up its GEMS scheme and introducing recourse mechanisms for investors burned by market misconduct. Paul delves into the critics' take and shares his opinion on these latest developments. The episode also unpacks MAS' upcoming consultations on investor recourse, including legal support for shareholder lawsuits and whistleblower protections. Why listen? Because this isn't just another reform package A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 8.30 am Asean Business Business insights centering on South-east Asia's fast-growing economies. Sign Up Sign Up MAS is putting real money behind market revitalisation and investors are paying attention. Because it's not just about liquidity, it's about accountability With more investor tools, underperformers can no longer hide behind excuses. Because the public market is getting a public reboot And Singapore Inc. needs to step up. Listen now to the full episode and stay ahead of market trends and corporate developments with Ben Paul. Mark To Market is a podcast of BT Correspondents. Look out for the next episode featuring wealth editor, Genevieve Cua. And if you have any thoughts or questions, feel free to reach out to us at btpodcasts@ . Written and hosted by: Ben Paul (benpaul@ Edited by: Howie Lim & Claressa Monteiro Produced by: Ben Paul, Howie Lim & Chai Pei Chieh A podcast by BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media --- Follow BT Correspondents: Channel: Amazon: Apple Podcasts: Spotify: YouTube Music: Website: Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party's products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice. --- Discover more BT podcast series: BT Money Hacks: BT Podcasts: BT Market Focus: BT Branded Podcasts:

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store