When being small and 'boring' is an advantage

CRITICS of the local market have often labelled it as "boring" and "too small" compared to other, supposedly more exciting and undeniably larger markets like Hong Kong and China.

Yet being small and/or boring has its advantages, especially now when markets are being rocked by a falling British pound, sliding oil prices and mounting uncertainty over the consequences of Britain's decision to exit the European Union (EU).

On a relative basis, the Straits Times Index (STI) has outperformed most other Asian markets - its 1.3 per cent loss so far this year compares well to a 6.2 per cent loss for the Hang Seng Index (HSI), a 15.6 per cent plunge in t…