Singapore Exchange Plans Single-Stock ETFs and Regional Partnerships

Expanding the ETF Suite

Singapore Exchange is preparing to broaden its exchange-traded fund offerings, including potential single-stock and leveraged products, as the bourse seeks to capitalize on strong equity market momentum across the region.

Chief executive Loh Boon Chye outlined plans to expand the current roster of 53 ETFs, which collectively hold more than USD 21 billion in assets under management. The focus extends beyond traditional index trackers to include representation across Southeast Asian markets, diverse asset classes, and sector-specific strategies.

"We are focused on trying to create a wider choice," Loh said, noting that single-stock or leveraged products remain under consideration pending investor demand.

The bourse has already begun diversifying its ETF lineup. It introduced its first physical gold ETF in March and will list an active ETF in September tracking the iEdge Singapore Next 50 Index, which covers the 50 largest companies outside the top 30 on SGX.

Riding the Equity Rally

Singapore equities have reached multiple record highs throughout 2026, driven by heavyweight banking stocks that attracted investors seeking stability amid geopolitical uncertainty and volatility in the artificial intelligence sector.

SGX has been a direct beneficiary of these inflows. The exchange's shares have climbed nearly 50 percent in 2026, ranking among the top performers on the benchmark Straits Times Index. This surge follows a 33 percent gain in 2025, when authorities introduced measures aimed at revitalizing the local stock market.

The exchange reported record full-year earnings last week, with net income for the year ended June 2026 rising 7.8 percent to USD 698 million. Volume growth across equities, foreign exchange, and commodities segments powered the result.

Cross-Border Collaboration

Loh, who assumed the chief executive role in 2015, is now positioning SGX to deepen ties with regional exchanges as part of a strategy to boost fund-raising activities and broaden market access.

The bourse has established a partnership with Nasdaq to streamline eligibility for companies pursuing dual listings on SGX and the US technology exchange. It has also partnered with the Thai bourse to offer depository receipts of Thai-listed companies.

"Whether it's an extension of Singapore depository receipts, a dual-listing partnership or a product partnership, I think those are all possibilities," Loh said.

These cross-border arrangements reflect a broader effort to position Singapore as a gateway for capital flows between Asia and global markets, leveraging the city-state's regulatory framework and time-zone advantages.

IPO Pipeline Builds

The revival in Singapore's capital markets is translating into a stronger pipeline of initial public offerings. SGX currently has more than 50 IPOs queued, compared with a year ago, and expects these listings to materialize over the next 12 months.

Loh indicated that the number of completed IPOs in the current financial year could exceed the tally for fiscal 2026, signaling sustained momentum in primary market activity.

The uptick in listings follows years of subdued activity, during which Singapore struggled to compete with Hong Kong and other regional financial centers for high-profile debuts. Policy measures introduced in 2025, including adjustments to listing requirements and market-making incentives, have helped shift sentiment.

Strategic Positioning

SGX's strategy rests on two pillars: product diversification and regional integration. The ETF expansion addresses investor appetite for flexible, cost-effective exposure to specific stocks or sectors, while partnerships with other exchanges aim to unlock cross-border capital flows and reduce friction for issuers.

The timing aligns with a broader rebound in Asian equity markets, as investors reassess valuations and seek alternatives to overheated US technology stocks. Singapore's banking sector, which accounts for a significant portion of the STI's market capitalization, has emerged as a preferred defensive play.

For SGX, the challenge will be sustaining this momentum as market conditions evolve and competition from other regional exchanges intensifies. The bourse's ability to deliver on its ETF and partnership initiatives will be critical to maintaining its status as Southeast Asia's premier multi-asset platform.