What happened?
Singapore stocks recently hit a new record high.
The benchmark Straits Times Index (STI) crossed the 5,000 mark for the first time in 2026.
According to SGX, the STI delivered a 29% price return over the 12 months to 9 April 2026.
This suggests that investors continue to see Singapore as a relatively stable market during uncertain periods.
For many investors, Singapore blue chip stocks such as DBS, UOB and OCBC, as well as Singapore REITs, have traditionally been seen as income plays.
However, the market may now offer more than just dividends, supported by stronger company earnings, efforts to improve shareholder returns, and long-term growth areas such as data centres, infrastructure and wealth management.
In this article, we look at key drivers behind Singapore stocks, what they could mean for Singapore blue chip stocks, and whether the rally could extend to the broader market.

5 key drivers for the Singapore blue chip stocks
These are some of the key reasons why we think Singapore equities are still worth watching closely in 2026:
- EQDP – The MAS policy catalyst
- S$30 Million Value Unlock Programme
- Singapore as a Geopolitical Safe Haven
- Resilient Singapore Dollar
- Structural thematic drivers in the Singapore economy
#1 – EQDP – The MAS policy catalyst
One of the clearest near- to medium-term catalysts is the MAS Equity Market Development Programme (EQDP).

The MAS Equity Market Development Programme (EQDP), expanded to S$6.5 billion in Budget 2026 from the original S$5 billion, is one of the largest policy efforts to support Singapore’s stock market in recent years.
About S$3.95 billion has already been allocated across nine asset managers, including BlackRock, Manulife, Lion Global and Fullerton, with the remaining ~S$2.55 billion yet to be deployed.
This means there is still a meaningful pool of capital that could flow into Singapore equities over time, providing a potential demand tailwind.
This could benefit Singapore blue chip stocks, as well as Singapore small- and mid-cap stocks.
#2 – S$30 Million Value Unlock Programme
Liquidity alone is not enough if companies are not communicating clearly with investors or allocating capital well.
That is where the MAS-SGX Value Unlock Programme becomes relevant.

The MAS-SGX Value Unlock Programme provides grants and advisory support to help listed companies improve investor engagement, strengthen capital allocation discipline, and communicate their strategy more clearly to the market.
The initiative aims to help companies narrow the valuation gap by building stronger governance, better disclosure, and a clearer focus on shareholder returns.
It complements the broader EQDP, which injects institutional liquidity into the market, while Value Unlock works on the supply side by helping listed companies become more investable — particularly in the small- and mid-cap space.
#3 – Singapore as a Geopolitical Safe Haven
Geopolitical tensions, especially the US-China rivalry, have strengthened Singapore’s role as a safe-haven for global wealth.








