Keppel, StarHub discuss M1 deal; Grab execs buy shares after stock falls: Markets this week

In this column, ST’s business correspondents unpack the latest developments in Singapore and global markets during the week – and explain what they mean for investors.

Singapore stocks rose slightly despite a cautious mood around the September Trump-Xi meeting, where disputes over tariffs and artificial intelligence remained unresolved.

SINGAPORE – Singapore stocks ended the week slightly higher despite a cautious mood around Chinese President Xi Jinping’s Sept 23-25 US state visit hosted by President Donald Trump, where disputes over tariffs and artificial intelligence remained unresolved.

The Straits Times Index rose from its Sept 18 close to finish at 5,711.12 on Sept 25. It had climbed to 5,723.76 on Sept 22, but gave up some of those gains as a sell-off in US government bonds pushed yields higher.

Saxo UK investor strategist Neil Wilson noted “aggressive unloading” of US bonds on Sept 24, as the 10-year Treasury yield touched 5.23 per cent, a 19-year high, and the 30-year yield rose above 5.5 per cent, its highest level since 2004.

Yields had eased by Sept 25, but remained elevated: US Treasury data put the 10-year yield at 5.17 per cent and the 30-year yield at 5.49 per cent. Bond yields rise when their prices fall.

With inflation still above the Federal Reserve’s 2 per cent target, investors were also weighing the prospect of another quarter-point interest rate increase by the US central bank in October.

In Singapore, the three local banks outperformed the broader market over the week. Compared with their Sept 18 closes, DBS gained 1.43 per cent to end at $78, OCBC rose 1.88 per cent to $32.01 and UOB added 1.87 per cent to $42.57.

Listed companies will be held to higher standards of transparency and shareholder communication from Jan 1, 2027.

Among the new obligations rolled out by the Singapore Exchange Regulation on Sept 23, every listed firm must have a dedicated investor relations policy published on its company website to facilitate regular, effective and fair communication with shareholders.

At a minimum, it must set out the channels through which the issuer communicates with investors, including the mechanisms by which investors may contact the issuer.

Companies are also encouraged to publish their annual reports, minutes of annual general meetings, investor presentation decks and a calendar of upcoming events on their websites.