The STI fell by 10.5% in overall returns across the initial five trading days of April.
Despite increased global volatility, local stocks in Singapore experienced net inflows from both institutional and retail investors. new US tariffs .
The Straits Times Index (STI) experienced a decline of 10.5% in overall returns during the initial five trading days of April, slipping from its peak intra-day level of 4,005.18 to 3,540.50, as reported. SGX Group market update.
The decrease followed larger market patterns, where the FTSE All-World Index dropped by 9.3% in SGD terms, the FTSE APAC Index decreased by 9.8%, and the Bloomberg All World Banks Index fell by 10.2%.
The decline occurred after the Trump Administration announced substantial new tariff measures under the US International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
Even with the selling pressure, institutional investors turned into net purchasers of $15.1 million worth of Singapore equities over those five days.
Individual investors exhibited increased engagement, registering net buys totaling $671 million.
On April 7th, which recorded the most significant single-day drop in total returns for the STI since March 2020, the index fell by 7.5% in price and 7.1% in overall returns.
On that day, institutional buyers made net purchases of $153.0 million worth of Singapore equities, whereas individual investors made net purchases of $110.5 million.
On 7 April, several real estate investment trusts (REITs) were among the top choices for purchase by both institutional and retail investors alike.
This list encompassed CapitaLand Ascendas REIT, Mapletree Industrial Trust, Frasers Logistics & Commercial Trust, Keppel REIT, Lendlease Global Commercial REIT, Frasers Centrepoint Trust, CapitaLand China Trust, AIMS APAC REIT, Sasseur REIT, as well as Frasers Hospitality Trust.
The average yield for these ten REITs was 7.2%, drawing in investors looking for high returns.
Retail investors kept purchasing underperforming stocks, with their pursuit of dividends becoming more apparent over this time frame.
