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Singapore market reforms may lift sentiment in 2026 despite geopolitical, trade uncertainty

Investors should focus on companies with credible and clearly stated plans to drive shareholder value

Ben Paul
Published Mon, Dec 22, 2025 · 07:00 AM
    • The STI is up 20.7% so far this year, versus the S&P 500’s gain of 16.2%.
    • The STI is up 20.7% so far this year, versus the S&P 500’s gain of 16.2%. PHOTO: BT FILE

    [SINGAPORE] Back in early June, I mentioned feeling a tinge of seller’s remorse after liquidating a small portfolio of US stocks that I had held since the global financial crisis. Looking back now, it was probably the right move.

    While the S&P 500 index has continued marking new all-time highs in the face of controversial US trade tariffs and continued geopolitical tensions, markets close to home – where I have been investing – have also performed quite well.

    Since the beginning of the year, the S&P 500 has advanced 16.2 per cent. The Stoxx Europe 600 index has performed almost in line, rising 15.7 per cent.

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