Investing Updates: SGX launches Indonesia depository receipts featuring blue-chip listcos

Source:

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/asean/sgx-launches-indonesia-depository-receipts-featuring-blue-chip-listcos

ChatGPT:

The Singapore Exchange (SGX) has launched Singapore Depository Receipts (SDRs) for three Indonesian blue-chip companies — Bank Central Asia, Telkom Indonesia, and Indofood CBP — enabling Singapore investors to trade these Indonesian-listed securities in Singapore dollars through local brokers during SGX hours. Issued by Phillip Securities, these unsponsored SDRs grant investors beneficial ownership of the underlying shares listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) and are part of the Indonesia–Singapore Depository Receipt (DR) Linkage, aimed at strengthening cross-border market connectivity.

SGX CEO Loh Boon Chye described the initiative as a milestone in regional collaboration, following a 2024 partnership with IDX. The linkage aligns with broader Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) recommendations to enhance the local equities market.

Retail investors have driven SDR growth, with daily trading turnover reaching S$16 million in September 2025, a 30-fold jump since the product’s launch three years ago. Total assets under management now stand at about S$200 million, reflecting increasing retail participation.

The Indonesian SDRs follow the earlier rollout of Thai and Hong Kong SDRs, expanding SGX’s total SDR listings to 26. SGX plans to add more Indonesian names and expand to other ASEAN markets such as Vietnam by 2026.

SGX’s Serene Cai highlighted that SDRs simplify overseas investing while maintaining regulatory integrity across jurisdictions. Although discussions on a unified ASEAN exchange have slowed, SDRs are viewed as a pragmatic step toward deeper regional capital-market integration.

The three Indonesian firms were chosen for their exposure to domestic growth — banking, telecommunications, and consumer demand — representing Indonesia’s dynamic, reform-driven economy.

Opinion:

Interesting developments.

I hope this boosts our market.

Investing Updates: Trust Bank to launch US equities trading function within its mobile app

Source:

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/trust-bank-launch-us-equities-trading-function-within-its-mobile-app

ChatGPT:

Digital lender Trust Bank is set to launch a US equities trading platform within its mobile app, expanding its investment offerings under TrustInvest. The new feature, announced on Oct 15, 2025, will allow users to trade US-listed stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) directly from the Trust app. A waiting list for the service opened the same day, with customers to be progressively invited to open trading accounts in the coming weeks.

A key highlight of the new platform is fractional trading, which Trust claims is a first for any banking app in Singapore. This feature enables investors to buy fractions of expensive US stocks instead of full shares — for instance, owning part of a stock like Netflix, which trades above US$1,200 per share. Such accessibility aims to make investing in major US companies more inclusive, especially for retail investors with smaller budgets.

The trading service will be integrated under TrustInvest, the bank’s investment arm launched in February 2025, which already offers a variety of investment products tailored to different risk profiles.

Fractional trading has already been offered by online brokerages like Interactive Brokers, Tiger Brokers, and Webull, but Trust’s move marks its entry into the digital wealth space as the first local bank-backed app to do so. By embedding stock trading into its ecosystem, Trust Bank continues to position itself as a one-stop financial platform, bridging traditional banking with accessible investing for Singapore’s growing digital-savvy market.

Opinion:

Interesting.

Wonder if it's too late for this.

If the trading prices are not right, I doubt it will gain much traction.

Investing Updates: Singapore gets noticed as IPO activity rises

Source:

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/opinion-features/singapore-gets-noticed-ipo-activity-rises

ChatGPT:

Singapore’s IPO market has drawn attention after overtaking London in Bloomberg’s 2025 ranking of busiest listing venues. With US$1.44 billion raised this year, largely from REITs, Singapore is now ranked ninth globally, while London slipped to 23rd. The surge comes as companies and sponsors capitalize on buoyant investor sentiment, with the Straits Times Index hitting record highs.

Recent Catalist board listings have performed well. MetaOptics, which sold shares at S$0.20, ended last week at S$0.53. Lum Chang Creations, spun off from Lum Chang Holdings, peaked at S$0.59 before settling at S$0.455, while Dezign Format rose from its S$0.20 IPO price to close at S$0.29. These successes contrast with mixed results from mainboard debuts. Centurion Accommodation REIT delivered gains, rising from S$0.88 to S$1.04. However, NTT DC REIT stumbled initially, falling below its IPO price due to concerns over yields and tenant risks, before recovering to US$1.02. Info-Tech Systems, the first mainboard IPO in nearly two years, debuted at S$0.87 and remains volatile, closing at S$0.88.

Momentum appears strong, with upcoming listings in the pipeline. Coliwoo, a co-living property player with 25 sites and expansion plans to 4,000 rooms, and Soon Hock Enterprise, an industrial developer, have filed for mainboard IPOs. Catalist may also see Leong Guan Holdings, a food producer, and Infinity Development, a chemical supplier, entering the market.

While IPO participation carries risks, the rise in listings boosts the broader ecosystem. Investor relations firms are hiring, and research houses, law firms, and banks may follow suit. If Singapore sustains this momentum, surpassing London in IPO activity could become a norm rather than a headline.

Technology Updates: Experts urge caution about using ChatGPT to pick stocks

Source:

https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2025/09/experts-urge-caution-about-using-chatgpt-to-pick-stocks/

ChatGPT:

The rapid rise of AI chatbots like ChatGPT has extended into investing, with around 13% of retail investors already using AI tools for stock selection, according to an eToro survey of 11,000 people. Nearly half say they would consider using such tools. Unlike algorithmic trading, ChatGPT functions more as an advisory tool: investors ask questions, review analysis, and then trade manually.

Some early results appear impressive. For example, Finder asked ChatGPT in 2023 to pick high-quality stocks, creating a 38-stock portfolio that grew nearly 55%, outperforming top UK funds. Former UBS analyst Jeremy Leung also now uses ChatGPT to support his portfolio, citing its affordability compared with professional data services.

However, experts stress caution. Current strong market conditions—US stocks near record highs and the S&P 500 up 13% this year after 23% last year—make many strategies appear successful. Analysts warn that general AI models lack access to real-time data, can misquote figures, and often rely too heavily on past performance. “The risk comes when people treat generic models like crystal balls,” noted eToro’s UK managing director Dan Moczulski.

AI use continues a long history of tech transforming investing, from Charles Schwab’s electronic trading in 1984 to robo-advisors like Betterment and Wealthfront after 2010. The robo-advisory market itself is forecast to grow 600% by 2029. ChatGPT marks a new phase, enabling direct investor interaction with AI, but with limits—such as no access to paywalled data.

Experts caution that while AI democratizes access to financial insights, reliance on it may leave retail investors unprepared for downturns. As Leung warned, gains in rising markets may vanish if users lack risk management strategies.

Investing Updates: SGX launches new indices. Explore opportunities beyond STI blue chips?

Source:

https://growbeansprout.com/iedge-singapore-next-50-index

ChatGPT:

The Singapore Exchange (SGX) has introduced the iEdge Singapore Next 50 Indices, designed to spotlight mid-cap companies beyond the 30 blue-chip constituents of the Straits Times Index (STI). This move follows strong market momentum—STI rose nearly 18% over the past year, supported by the S$5 billion Equity Market Development Programme (EQDP) and corporate restructuring efforts.

The indices track the “next in line” 50 large and liquid companies on SGX’s Mainboard. To qualify, firms must have a market cap above S$100 million, adequate free float, and meet liquidity and trading velocity thresholds. Constituents are capped at 5% each, with rebalancing every quarter. Two versions exist: the iEdge Singapore Next 50 Index and the Liquidity Weighted Index.

Key constituents include ComfortDelGro, Yangzijiang Financial, NetLink Trust, Keppel REIT, Parkway Life REIT, and iFAST, with real estate investment trusts (REITs) representing about 45% of the index. Financials and industrials also carry significant weight.

Performance has been mixed. Over the past decade, the Next 50 Index returned 5% annually versus STI’s 8.9%, while the Liquidity Weighted Index delivered 3.1%. However, recent years show outperformance: year-to-date in 2025, both indices have gained around 25%, topping the STI’s 19.3%. Notably, in 2019 and 2025, they outpaced the STI by wide margins.

The indices aim to broaden Singapore’s investable universe, enhance market engagement, and create potential benchmarks for future ETFs. For now, no direct ETF exists, meaning investors must buy individual stocks to mirror performance. While the new indices highlight promising mid-cap opportunities, they come with greater volatility and liquidity risks compared to STI blue chips.

Opinion:

New indexes still include many REITs, haha.

Would be interesting to see if having both STI and Next 50 indices in portfolio works better long-term.

Investing Updates : SGX Added Two More Hong Kong Singapore Depository Receipts: Here’s What You Need to Know

Source : 

https://thesmartinvestor.com.sg/sgx-added-two-more-hong-kong-singapore-depository-receipts-heres-what-you-need-to-know/

Apple Intelligence : 

SGX added two more Hong Kong SDRs, CATL and Pop Mart, bringing the total to 23. SDRs offer lower brokerage costs, convenience, and diversification by providing access to a wide range of stocks from different sectors. The addition of CATL and Pop Mart broadens the coverage of the Hang Seng Index and the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) 50 Index.

Opinion :

Nice additions.

Will not be adding any into portfolio.

Good for the development of local market.

Investing Updates : Can the TACO Trade Push U.S. Stocks Back to Record Highs?

Source : 

https://www.moomoo.com/community/feed/can-the-taco-trade-push-u-s-stocks-back-to-114596105486341

Apple Intelligence : 

• Market Reaction to Tariff Ruling: Brief market rally on May 28, 2025, due to a U.S. court ruling declaring President Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs unlawful, followed by a temporary stay on May 29, 2025.

• TACO Trade and Market Recovery: The “TACO Trade” (Trump Always Chickens Out), where investors anticipate and capitalize on President Trump’s tendency to backtrack on tariff threats, contributed to the S&P 500 Index’s rebound in 2025.

• Impact of Tariffs on Stocks: While tariffs could potentially hinder the market’s upward trajectory, investors are anticipating the TACO Trade to mitigate any negative effects.

• Market Impact of Tariffs: Trump’s tariff announcements and subsequent pauses caused significant market fluctuations, with steep tariffs leading to market drops and pauses triggering surges.

• Tariff Rollercoaster on Specific Countries: Tariffs on Chinese goods were initially spiked to 145% before being cut to 30%, while threats of tariffs on EU goods were delayed, impacting the markets.

• Factors for Market Growth: Potential rate cuts, sustained corporate earnings growth, and projected foreign investment could contribute to the market reaching new highs.

• Tech Giants’ Performance: The “Magnificent 7” tech giants are regaining momentum, trading at 42x trailing P/E ratios, with potential for further gains.

• Lagging Stocks: Stocks like NVIDIA and Tesla are still below their all-time highs, indicating potential for growth compared to the broader market.

• Investor Sentiment: Investors are optimistic about TACO-driven rebounds and strong fundamentals, anticipating further market gains.

Investing Updates : Retail Investors Aren't Scared Of The Stock Market. That Will Only Make The Selloff Worse

Source : 

https://ttmblog.com/news/2538637504?edition=fundamental&utm_source=news&utm_campaign=2538637504&utm_medium=copy&platform=iOS&shareID=8c64a14506c5185976a3762bed5545b1&invite=KDXR9K&lang=en_US

Apple Intelligence : 

• Retail Investor Behavior: Retail investors are aggressively “buying the dip” in the stock market.

• Market Implication: This behavior suggests the stock market is near a significant top.

• Historical Data: High “Buy on Dips Confidence Index” readings, indicating investor optimism, have historically preceded worse stock market performance.

• Current Market Sentiment: Retail investors are currently buying stocks aggressively, indicating a bullish sentiment.

• Market Bottom Indicator: A market bottom is likely when investors are selling stocks during market upticks due to fear.

• Future Market Prediction: The current bullish sentiment suggests a potential severe downturn is needed to shift investor sentiment and pave the way for a significant market rebound.

Investing Updates : Coinbase to become the first crypto firm to join the S&P 500

Source : 

https://cointelegraph.com/news/coinbase-listed-s-and-p-500-may-19?utm_source=rss_feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss_partner_inbound

Apple Intelligence : 

• Coinbase’s Inclusion: Coinbase will join the S&P 500 on May 19, becoming the first crypto firm in the index.

• S&P 500 Significance: The S&P 500 tracks the performance of 500 large US companies and is a broad measure of the US stock market.

• Impact on Coinbase: Inclusion in the S&P 500 is expected to increase demand for Coinbase stock as index funds and ETFs must buy its shares.

• Stock Performance: Coinbase shares rose 8.8% to $225.4 in after-hours trading and finished the trading day up 4%.

• Market Recognition: Coinbase’s inclusion in the S&P 500 index is seen as a major milestone for the company and the crypto industry.

• S&P 500 Inclusion Criteria: Companies must be profitable, trading on a major US stock exchange, generating at least half of their revenues in the US, and have a market cap above $18 billion.

Investing Updates : Worried about Your UCITS ETFs Denominated in USD? Perhaps the Funds Should be Denominated in Yen!

Source : 

https://investmentmoats.com/money/ucits-etfs-denominated-usd-denominated-in-yen/

Apple Intelligence : 

• Currency Denomination Concerns: Investors express concerns about the impact of USD-denominated UCITS ETFs on their wealth, especially with rising gold prices and potential USD overvaluation.

• Fund Recommendation: Dimensional Global Core Equity fund, available in SGD, GBP, USD, EUR, and JPY, offers a solution to currency concerns.

• Performance Comparison: Investing in the JPY-denominated version of the fund since August 2017 would have yielded the highest returns compared to other currencies.

• Fund Comparison: Global Core fund is more similar to MSCI World index than some European, Pacific Basin, Global Targeted Value funds.

• MSCI World Performance: $1 million GBP invested in MSCI World denominated in GBP becomes $7.2 million in 21 years.

• Currency Impact: Same underlying securities but different performance due to different currencies.

Investing Updates : Time vs. Timing: 60 Years of S&P 500 Bull and Bear Market Insights

Source : 

https://www.moomoo.com/community/feed/time-vs-timing-60-years-of-s-p-500-bull-114302338859013

Apple Intelligence :

• Market Pullback Frequency: The S&P 500 experiences pullbacks of 5% or more about 3.4 times a year, corrections of over 10% about 1.1 times a year, and adjustments of over 15% about 0.5 times a year.

• Market Recovery: The market always recovers from dips, regardless of the cause.

• Importance of Time in the Market: Staying invested for the long term is crucial, as missing just the best 1% of weeks can significantly impact returns.

• Bear Market Definition: A market decline of 20% lasting over two months.

• Market Recovery: Recovery speed varies depending on the economic backdrop, with some markets rebounding quickly after interest rate cuts and others taking years to recover from recessions and crises.

• Market Timing vs. Time in the Market: Staying invested for the long term is generally more beneficial than trying to time the market, as missing the best days can significantly reduce returns.

• Investment Strategy: Shift focus from short-term metrics to long-term growth.

• Market Timing: Emphasize time spent in the market over attempting to time market entry and exit points.

• Market Downturns: Maintain a long-term perspective and avoid panic selling to benefit from market recoveries.

Investing Updates : Lots of Fear in the Market, Stay Calm and Stick to your Strategy

Source : 

https://edition.cnn.com/markets/fear-and-greed

Opinion : 

Lots of fear in the world markets right now.

Rightfully so, with the uncertainty caused by tariffs.

Stick to your strategy and start allocating or re-balancing as usual.

For me, I'm topping up VWRA to increase portfolio allocation as planned, link here.

I'm also executing CPF trades on Poems with 80/20 allocations to Amundi Index MSCI World A12S (C) and Amundi Prime USA AS (C).

Stay calm and stick to your strategy of Lump Sum or DCA.

Investing Updates : STI's Historic Highs: 4000 Just a Pitstop?

Source : 

https://www.moomoo.com/community/feed/sti-s-historic-highs-4000-just-a-pitstop-114239116541958?global_content=%7B%22promote_content%22%3A%22mm%3Afeed%3A114239116541958%22%2C%22invite%22%3A103096561%7D&futusource=news_headline_topnews

Apple Intelligence : 

• STI Performance: The FTSE Singapore Straits Time Index reached a historic high of 4,005.18, marking a 12-day winning streak.

• Contributing Factors: Above-trend GDP growth in 2024 and a cautiously optimistic market outlook for 2025 contributed to the index’s surge.

• Sectoral Performance: The industrial sector saw the most net institutional inflows, with ST Engineering and Sembcorp Industries leading the gains.

• STI Performance: The STI breaching 4,000 indicates robust investor confidence and a favorable economic climate, driven by banking and telecommunications sectors.

• Future Outlook: The STI may continue its upward trajectory, driven by banking, real estate, and consumer stocks, making Singapore a potentially defensive investment market.

• Historical Performance: The STI has yielded impressive returns since its inception in 1966, with a total return of 40% over the past three years (CAGR of 11.9%).

Investing Updates : Singapore Online Stock Brokerage Account Fees Comparison (2025 Edition)

Source : 

https://dollarsandsense.sg/singapore-stock-brokerage-house-comparison/

DeepSeek : 

The article provides a detailed comparison of online stock brokerage account fees in Singapore for 2025, focusing on the costs associated with investing in SGX-listed stocks and other global markets. Here are the key points:

Types of Fees for SGX-Listed Stocks

1. CDP Clearing Fee: 0.0325% of contract value (charged by CDP).

2. SGX Trading Fee: 0.0075% of contract value (charged by SGX).

3. SGX Settlement Fee: $0.35 per contract (charged by SGX).

4. Brokerage Commission Fee: Varies by brokerage (largest cost component).

5. GST: 9% on relevant charges.

Brokerage Commission Fees Comparison

- Range: Most brokerages charge between 0.05% to 0.28% of contract value.

- Online vs. Offline: Online trades are cheaper; offline trades (via phone) are more expensive.

- Pre-funded Accounts: Offer lower commission fees but typically hold stocks in custodian accounts (not CDP).

Key Brokerages and Fees

- CGS-CIMB Securities: 0.18%–0.275% (min. 18–25).

- Citibank Brokerage: 0.18%–0.25% (min. $28).

- CMC Invest: 0.05% (min. $3) with free trades for certain tiers.

- DBS Vickers: 0.12%–0.18% (min. 10–25).

- FSMOne: Flat $8.80 for stocks, $3.80 for ETFs.

- Interactive Brokers (IBKR): 0.08% (min. $2.50).

- moomoo: 0.03% + platform fee (min. $1.98).

- Phillip Securities (POEMS): 0.08%–0.28% (min. 0–25).

- Tiger Brokers: 0.03% + platform fee (min. $1.99).

- uSMART: 0.02% + platform fee (min. $2.88).

- Webull: 0.025% + platform fee (min. $1.60).

Custodian vs. CDP Accounts

- CDP Accounts: Stocks are held in your CDP account; higher commission fees.

- Custodian Accounts: Stocks are held by the brokerage; lower fees but may incur custodian fees.

- Custodian Fees: Vary by brokerage (e.g., CGS-CIMB charges $20/quarter, DBS Vickers charges $2/counter/month).

Additional Considerations

- Pre-funded Accounts: Require upfront payment for lower fees but lock stocks with the brokerage.

- Overseas Markets: Fees may differ for US, Hong Kong, and other global markets.

- Brokerage Features: Consider user-friendly platforms, charting tools, research reports, and investor education.

Choosing a Brokerage

- Factors: Beyond fees, consider access to markets, platform usability, research tools, and customer support.

- Multiple Accounts: Investors can open accounts with multiple brokerages to compare services.

Conclusion

The article emphasizes that while commission fees are important, investors should also evaluate other factors like platform features, custodian fees, and access to global markets when choosing a brokerage. Pre-funded accounts offer lower fees but come with trade-offs like custodian fees and reduced flexibility. Testing multiple brokerages is recommended to find the best fit.