Singapore stocks rose this week, with the STI up 0.12% as the sell-off in artificial intelligence and semiconductor stocks eased.
In terms of individual stocks, AvePoint up nearly 8%; Frasers Cpt Tr up about 6%; JMH USD, China Aviation up over 5%; UOL up 4%.
Market News
Singapore's Core Inflation Rate Rises to 2% in September, Below Forecast
Singapore's key consumer price gauge rose 2% in September from a year earlier, official data showed on Friday.
The core inflation rate, which excludes private road transport and accommodation costs, was lower than the median forecast of 2.3% in a Reuters poll and August's reading of 2.2%.
Headline inflation was 2.2% in annual terms in September, matching the poll forecast.
The central bank kept its monetary policy unchanged last week, in a move that surprised analysts, with inflation risks expected to ease slightly as the AI boom and supply constraints moderate.
Singapore's Wealthy Clients See Growing Assets over Past Year, Citi Report Says
Singapore's domestic and overseas wealth pool has expanded steadily over the past year, with average assets among the country's high-net-worth clients rising 6% to $1.5 million, a white paper prepared by Citi Wealth and independent research firm RFI Global showed on Thursday.
Assets among Singapore's affluent clients increased 5% to more than $565,000, according to the study, aimed at exploring how Singapore compares with other global wealth markets.
Singapore Private Housing Costs Increase; Rental Growth Hits Highest Level Since 2023
Singapore's private residential property prices experienced their largest increase in nearly two years, while rents also climbed, indicating that the market remains robust despite a recent decline in transactions.
An index tracking private residential properties jumped 1.4% during the three months ending September 30, based on final data published Friday by the Urban Redevelopment Authority. This figure aligned with the earlier projection and surpassed the 0.5% gain recorded in the second quarter. Rents for private homes increased 1.3% compared to the prior three-month period, marking the strongest rise in over three years.
Singapore Commits Over S$45 Million to Drive AI Integration Across Manufacturing Sector
Over S$45 million (US$35 million) has been earmarked by the government across the coming three years to assist manufacturers in embracing artificial intelligence, according to Minister of State for Energy, Trade and Industry Gan Siow Huang, who spoke on Wednesday (Oct 21).
The funding is set to back Enterprise Singapore's (EnterpriseSG) Catalytic AI Solutions programme for advanced manufacturing, designed to help manufacturers surmount typical hurdles to AI implementation, she stated.
Addressing the Industrial Transformation Asia-Pacific 2026 event, Ms Gan explained that the programme will enable manufacturers to obtain readily deployable AI tools that boost productivity, streamline operations and sharpen their competitive edge.
Singapore Wage Council Tells Employers to Let Staff Share in Economic Success
Employers in Singapore should lean toward raising pay and pass productivity gains on to their staff, the National Wages Council (NWC) said on Monday (Oct 19), pointing to the country's robust economic showing.
In its recommendations covering December 2026 to November 2027, the council said companies with strong results ought to reward their employees through built-in wage rises and variable payments.
Firms that have fared poorly may hold back on wage increases, the council said in a press release, with management expected to set the example.
Because productivity and business growth differ across sectors, the council said employers should be free to tailor wage increases to their own results and outlook, weighing rewards for staff against staying competitive.
