A Singapore stock market wish list for 2017

WE probably wouldn't be too far off the mark if we were to say that many stock market players here would be glad to see the back of 2016. After the Straits Times Index had lost 14.3 per cent in 2015, there were hopes - albeit slim - that this year would be better; if nothing else, then at least as far as liquidity and new offerings were concerned.

Sad to say, neither hope was fulfilled - daily volume remained low, hovering around the industry's S$1 billion breakeven for most of the year, and brokers and the exchange probably need no reminding that there were more companies delisting than listing over the past 12 months.

No matter, what's past is past; no point after all, harping on what might have been or what has already transpired. Best to try and look forward (even if the outlook isn't that bright because of uncertainty over what policies the Trump administration will pursue), so here is our attempt at constructing a 2017 wish list for the local stock market.