Temasek should do more to offer suitable products for small investors

SINGAPORE-HEADQUARTERED global investment company Temasek’s net portfolio value rose S$7 billion to S$389 billion for the financial year ended Mar 31, 2024 (FY24). Based on marking the unlisted portfolio to market value, the net portfolio value would be S$420 billion.

The investor’s one-year total shareholder return (TSR) was 1.6 per cent for FY24, reversing the previous year’s loss. Temasek’s 10-year and 20-year TSRs were 6 per cent and 7 per cent, respectively. TSR includes dividends paid by Temasek to its shareholder and nets off any new investment made by the shareholder in Temasek’s shares.

Temasek’s performance matters. Under the Net Investment Returns Contribution, the government can spend up to half of the long-term expected investment returns generated by the entities which manage Singapore’s reserves, such as Temasek.