By Wong Kon How
Singapore stocks are boring. What will it take to shake things up?
The prevailing sentiment is that Singapore's stock market suffers from poor valuations and low liquidity. Key challenges include a lack of new listings, frequent delistings, and a limited base of retail investors. Suggestions for revitalizing the market include listing government-linked companies, allowing pension and sovereign funds to invest locally, and supporting high-growth firms.
Singapore stocks are good paymasters, but there have been no windfalls yet
Source: Weipedia
Comparing the top sectors in technology services or finance between NYSE and SGX, Singapore stocks have consistently been generous with their dividend payouts. The downside of dividend stocks is that part of their strategy is to return earnings to shareholders, which may explain the range we are seeing in the following chart:
Source: Tradingview
A strategy for dividend investors to consider is investing at market lows during a crisis and taking profits during market hype. Over the last 20 years, there have been five cycles. This approach allows investors to benefit from both dividends and capital gains. However, this requires skillsets and time in managing these market cycles. For those who prefer to be passive dividend investors, we need to look at returns in totality. The STI Total Return Index provides a good gauge, as shown in the following chart, as it accounts for both capital gains and the reinvestment of dividends. Since the STI Total Return Index launched on 11 April 2022, to their recent high, the STI increased by 39%, whereas the STI Total Return Index increased by 123%.
Source: Tradingview
Demand for safe haven asset is greater than before
According to UNCTAD's World Investment Report 2023, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows to Singapore reached a record-high of USD 141.2 billion in 2022, up from USD 131.1 billion one year earlier (+7.7%), making the country the third-largest FDI recipient worldwide after the U.S. and China, and accounting for almost two-thirds of flows to ASEAN countries.
In June 2022, US inflation reached a peak of 9%, and global stock markets were down for the entire year. Yet, Singapore achieved record FDI. This clearly signals that during times of crisis, global investors view Singapore as a safe haven.
The next crisis may not be bad for Singapore stocks
Could it be AI fatigue or another inflation fear or carry trade crisis? Although the latest inflation rate has eased to 3%, any escalation of geopolitical risks could quickly cause inflation to climb back up, resulting in market turmoil. Technically, the STI has been trying to breach the 3,400 level since 2007. However, if it can close above 3,400 in the coming quarters with a high inflow of investment, this would indicate a psychological breakthrough.
Source: Tradingview
My investing strategy
As the debate may continues about allowing pension and sovereign funds to invest locally, if we should consider the examples of many countries, such as the United States, Australia, Japan and Malaysia, which have regulations to recycle a large part of their domestic savings – be it pension or retirement savings plans – and insurance monies back into their domestic markets. Supporting our local markets may provide some stability, but the key is to continue grooming and creating a value proposition for our listed companies to attract global investors.
There is a chance of flight to quality from the West to the East among the global investors in the next crisis. Regarding my strategies, I will continue to accumulate value stocks with attractive dividend payouts and add more when the momentum starts after convincingly breaking above 3,400.
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