Friday, May 15, 2026

FTSE ST Industrials Index Gains Momentum in Early 2026

1 min read
Exterior of SGX Centre with SGX sculpture, symbolizing Singapore’s financial hub and equity market strength.
The SGX Centre stands as a symbol of Singapore’s capital market resilience, where industrial stocks continue to attract strong institutional inflows.


Strong Start to 2026

The FTSE ST Industrials Index began 2026 with continued momentum. Early January trading showed a 3% gain, building on a strong 2025 performance. Last year, the index delivered a total return of 44%, driven by renewed interest in Singapore’s industrial sector.

Index Composition and Sector Focus

This index tracks 16 industrial stocks from the broader FTSE ST All-Share Index. It reflects performance across manufacturing, engineering, and industrial services. Institutional investors played a major role in supporting the index throughout 2025.

Net inflows reached $265 million, while average daily turnover stayed healthy at $193 million. These figures highlight strong market liquidity and consistent engagement.

Broader Industrial Outperformance

Beyond the index, larger Singapore-listed industrial companies also performed well. Stocks with market capitalisation above $100 million posted median returns of 61% in 2025. These gains were supported by net institutional inflows of about $741 million.

This broader success signals growing investor appetite across the industrial segment.

Top Performers in 2025

Within the index, Hong Leong Asia was the top performer, delivering a 173% total return. It led gains in the first half of the year, showing steady momentum.

In the second half, Wee Hur Holdings and Yangzijiang Shipbuilding stood out. Each recorded returns of 57%, reflecting stronger sector sentiment.

Rising Trading Activity

Trading activity surged in late 2025. Several industrial stocks saw sharp increases in daily turnover. Companies like Sanli Environmental, Soilbuild, Low Keng Huat, Sunpower, ASL Marine, Vallianz, KSH, Lum Chang, Spindex, and Ever Glory experienced heightened liquidity.

This rise points to growing investor participation and confidence.

Outlook for 2026

As 2026 begins, the FTSE ST Industrials Index shows resilience and growth potential. Strong fundamentals, rising institutional inflows, and broad sector strength suggest that Singapore’s industrial equities are well-positioned for evolving market conditions.

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