Singapore equities opened slightly lower on Wednesday, even as strong export data highlighted resilience in the external sector , while global markets remained cautious amid geopolitical tensions. STI Slips as Global Sentiment Weakens The FTSE Straits Times Index edged down 0.11% to 5,009.32 in early trade. Market breadth was mildly positive: Advancers: 68 Decliners: 53 The muted performance reflects cautious sentiment , tracking overnight weakness in US markets. Wall Street Falls on Renewed Geopolitical Risks US equities declined for a second straight session: S&P 500 -0.63% Dow Jones Industrial Average -0.59% Nasdaq Composite -0.59% The pullback was driven by rising oil prices and renewed US-Iran tensions , which weighed on broader risk sentiment. However, AI-related stocks outperformed , signaling continued investor interest in the sector. Singapore Exports Surge on Electronics Boom Singapore’s trade data surpri...
Malaysia must take urgent steps to strengthen its large-cap stock base and expand into higher-growth sectors , as the country risks losing visibility among global investors, according to the Securities Commission Malaysia . Declining Global Relevance Raises Concerns The SC warned that Malaysia’s shrinking weight in global indices — particularly the MSCI Emerging Markets Index — could lead to: Reduced passive fund inflows Lower market liquidity and visibility This decline reflects stronger growth from regional peers such as China, Taiwan, India, and South Korea, which now command a larger share of global capital. IPO Boom Fails to Lift Market Depth Despite a strong IPO pipeline in 2025, most listings were: Small-cap companies Concentrated in industrial and consumer sectors This has limited: Market diversification Availability of investable large-cap names for institutional investors As a result, Malaysia continues to...