\n<\/p>\n
Industry observers attribute the rebound largely to Singapore\u2019s reputation for political stability, regulatory clarity and economic resilience.<\/p>\n
Mr Chan Yew Kiang, ASEAN and Singapore IPO leader at business services firm EY, believes last year was the start of \u201crenewed interest\u201d in the Singapore equity market.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cA large part has to do with Singapore (being) very stable, whether it\u2019s politically or economically, and from a regulatory perspective. As long as we maintain the right balance, we will continue to attract interest from companies in Asia Pacific and internationally.\u201d<\/p>\n
That interest is already translating into a busier IPO pipeline.<\/p>\n
Mr Chan said he now receives one to two IPO enquiries every other week, compared with roughly the same number over an entire year in the past.<\/p>\n
\u201cCompanies these days need capital to grow, and they need to grow fast just to be able to compete \u2026 and the IPO remains a very strong source of funds for such companies who have got big growth plans,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Regional firms are increasingly eyeing Singapore as they expand supply chains and seek access to new markets, he noted.<\/p>\n
\u201cSingapore is actually quite an ideal destination for other Asian companies. (They’re using) Singapore as a base to reach out to the ASEAN and even the international markets,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, we expect more interest coming from retail, industrial and even some technology companies.\u201d<\/p>\n
Looking ahead, market watchers highlighted several potential tailwinds.<\/p>\n
For instance, the United States Federal Reserve is widely expected to cut interest rates, a move that could benefit interest-sensitive sectors such as real estate investment trusts (REITs).<\/p>\n
Supply chain realignments, increased adoption of artificial intelligence and stronger domestic construction activity could also support broader market growth, even as economic expansion slows.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are expecting to see a little bit of a slowdown, down to one to three per cent,\u201d said Mr Geoff Howie, market strategist at SGX Group.<\/p>\n
He said that while global growth is expected to slow, much of the economic activity and revenue remains resilient, generating a stable macroeconomic outlook.<\/p>\n
Investor sentiment, he noted, remains cautiously optimistic, though greater retail participation is needed.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to focus on initiatives, whether it’s their investor relations team communicating more with investors and having more engagement, or whether those companies are also looking to engage some corporate strategists to work out ways to optimise their balance sheets and so forth,\u201d he added.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n