SGX daily turnover up 18% to S$986m in January

AN average S$986 million of trades took place each session in January on the Singapore Exchange's (SGX) securities market, an 18 per cent improvement over December 2018 but a 26 per cent decline over year-ago levels.

Total turnover in January was 29 per cent higher month-on-month at S$21.7 billion but 26 per cent lower year-on-year, according to data released by the market operator on Tuesday.

There were 22 trading days in January 2019 and the preceding year, but two fewer trading days last December.

The Straits Times Index gained about 4 per cent in January 2019 while total market capitalisation value of 742 listed companies stood at S$963.98 billion as at end-January 2019.

Market turnover value of exchange-traded funds was S$214 million, which shrank 6 per cent and 16 per cent month-on-month and year-on-year respectively.

In the derivatives market, the total volume at 18.61 million was up 1 per cent month-on-month and up 3 per cent year-on-year. Among the various futures, Nikkei 225 Index Futures recorded the greatest decline on a month-on-month basis. At a volume of 1.63 million, it was down 30 per cent compared to December, but saw a smaller drop of 10 per cent year-on-year.

It was a different story for the commodities derivatives, which saw improvements both over December and a year ago.

SGX commodities derivatives volume was 2.04 million, up 60 per cent and 52 per cent over December and January 2018 respectively. Iron ore derivatives volume was 1.76 million, up 63 per cent month-on-month and up 57 per cent year-on-year. Forward freight derivatives volume was 84,381, or an improvement of 87 per cent month-on-month and 37 per cent higher year-on-year.

Volume of SICOM rubber futures - the world's price benchmark for physical rubber - was 180,450 as it was up 33 per cent month-on-month, and 25 per cent higher year-on-year.