Industry News

Singaporean retail investors are setting a benchmark for investment discipline and diversification, according to eToro’s Q4 Retail Investor Beat. The study, which surveyed 1,000 retail investors in Singapore, highlights that 83% of Singaporeans invest monthly, compared to 79% globally. Additionally, they allocate 10% of their monthly income to investments, surpassing the global average of 8%.

The trend is particularly strong among younger generations, with 92% of Gen Z and 88% of millennials investing monthly. eToro Market Analyst Zavier Wong attributes this to early financial education, stating, “Investing is very normalised in Singapore and starts much earlier for the locals here.”

Singaporean investors also demonstrate superior diversification across asset classes. They hold more domestic and foreign equities, real estate, bonds, cash assets, and currencies than their global counterparts. For instance, 57% of Singaporeans hold domestic equities versus 51% globally, and 82% hold cash assets compared to 68% globally.

In response to a weakening US dollar, 63% of Singaporean investors have adjusted or plan to adjust their portfolios, compared to 49% globally. Wong noted, “Retail investors in Singapore engage with macro shifts in a very practical manner.”

This disciplined approach and broad diversification position Singaporean investors favourably amidst global economic shifts, offering them flexibility and resilience in their investment strategies.

SingHealth, Singapore’s largest public healthcare cluster, has inaugurated a new MRI centre at Dunearn Village, marking its first facility of this kind outside a hospital campus. Developed in collaboration with United Imaging Healthcare, the centre aims to extend diagnostic imaging services into the community, enhancing both capacity and patient experience.

The facility, fully licenced and operated by RADSC SGH, houses three MRI systems from United Imaging, including the flagship uMR Omega units. These systems feature the world’s first ultra-wide 75 cm bore and advanced AI-enabled imaging technologies, designed to broaden clinical capabilities and improve patient comfort by reducing anxiety and accommodating a wider range of body types.

The project, which began in April 2025, officially opened on 14 February 2026. It also marked the signing of the first Reference Site Agreement between SingHealth and United Imaging Healthcare on 21 November 2025.

Located within a community setting, the centre incorporates several innovations to enhance patient and staff experience. These include mobile registration and in-app payment via the Health Buddy application, recyclable patient gowns, private sub-waiting pods, and redesigned patient flow to minimise movement and waiting time. Expanded clinical roles for Patient Support Associates and credentialled nurses further improve operational flexibility and efficiency.

Additional features include a door-frame metallic detector for safer screening, scan cohorting strategies to optimise utilisation, and a multi-dosing injector system that reduces contrast waste and consumables whilst supporting sustainability goals. Professor Andrew Tan, Chairman of Radiological Sciences at SingHealth, stated, “The new SingHealth MRI Centre reflects our continuous commitment to person-centred care and environmental stewardship.”

Koh Brothers Group Limited has announced a remarkable financial turnaround for the fiscal year ending 31 December 2025, reporting a net profit of $18.6m attributable to equity holders. This marks a significant recovery from a $5.5m loss in FY 2024. The Group’s revenue surged by 38.2% to $329.4m, largely due to increased contributions from its Construction and Building Materials division and Real Estate division.

The Group’s Executive Chairman and CEO, Francis Koh, attributed the improved performance to the positive momentum in Singapore’s construction sector. “In 2025, we secured several public sector contracts, including the construction of intra-terminal tunnels at Changi Airport’s new Terminal 5,” he stated. Koh Brothers’ order book now exceeds $1b, ensuring revenue visibility through to 2029.

Financially, the Group’s gross profit rose to $39.1m, up from $19.3m in the previous year. Other gains also increased significantly, driven by the completion of a land disposal in Johor, Malaysia. Despite a decrease in profits from associated companies and joint ventures, the Group’s overall profitability improved, with a net profit of $16m in the second half of 2025 alone.

Koh Brothers maintains a healthy balance sheet with cash reserves of $114.3m and a net gearing ratio of 0.09x. The Board has proposed a final dividend of 0.30 Singapore cent and a special dividend of 0.60 Singapore cent, reflecting the Group’s commitment to returning value to shareholders.

Looking forward, Koh Brothers is poised to capitalise on sustained demand in both public and private construction sectors, further strengthening its market position.

Coliwoo Holdings is set to be added to the MSCI Global Micro Cap Indexes for Singapore, effective 27 February 2026. This inclusion is anticipated to enhance the company’s stock circulation and increase its visibility among international institutional investors. The move is seen as a validation of Coliwoo’s robust business fundamentals and its growth trajectory within the co-living sector.

Kelvin Lim, Executive Chairman and CEO of Coliwoo, expressed confidence in the impact of this milestone. “The inclusion of Coliwoo in the MSCI index is a strong testament to our underlying business fundamentals and our growth trajectory within the co-living sector,” he stated. Lim believes that this development will significantly elevate Coliwoo’s visibility among a broader pool of international institutional investors, thereby broadening its shareholder base. This strategic expansion is expected to maximise long-term value for all stakeholders.

The MSCI Global Micro Cap Indexes are designed to measure the performance of the micro-cap segment of the market, and Coliwoo’s addition reflects its potential for growth and expansion. As the company continues to expand its footprint in the co-living sector, this recognition is likely to attract further investment and interest from global investors.

Eneco Energy Limited has announced a significant turnaround in its financial performance for the six months ending 31 December 2025, with the company reporting a net profit of S$0.69m compared to a loss of S$0.31m in the same period the previous year. The logistics division, operating under RichLand Logistics, was the primary revenue driver, contributing to a 3% increase in revenue to  S$16.48m.

The company generated S$3.41m in net cash from operations, bolstering its cash and bank balances to S$28.57m by the end of the year. Total equity rose to S$34.27m, with a net asset per share of 0.90 Singapore cents. Executive Director Ang Jun Long highlighted the importance of stable operating performance and cost discipline in achieving these results, stating, “The strengthening of our balance sheet during the period further enhances our financial flexibility.”

Eneco’s strategic focus remains on organic growth within its logistics operations, aiming to enhance operational efficiency and expand value propositions. The company is also exploring selective mergers and acquisitions to diversify its portfolio into profitable, cashflow-generative businesses. Recently, Eneco entered a non-binding memorandum of understanding to acquire Fastweld Engineering Construction Pte Ltd, a move that signifies strategic diversification into the industrial sector.

Looking forward, Eneco is committed to maintaining its momentum by driving sustainable performance and evaluating growth opportunities aligned with its long-term objectives.

DBS Bank and TenPay Global have introduced a new service enabling DBS customers to transfer money instantly to Weixin Pay, the digital RMB wallet within Weixin (WeChat). This service, launched ahead of the Chinese New Year, aims to accommodate the typical 30% increase in remittances to China during the festive season. The service is part of a broader strategic partnership to enhance cross-border payment experiences within the Tencent ecosystem.

The new service allows DBS customers to use DBS Remit in the DBS digibank app to transfer funds directly to a recipient’s Weixin Pay Wallet Balance or linked bank cards, with zero fees. This initiative makes DBS the first regional bank to establish a direct connection with Weixin Pay, facilitating seamless money transfers from multiple markets. “We’ve been seeing consistent double-digit year-on-year growth in DBS Remit funds sent to China,” said Sanjoy Sen, Group Head of DBS Consumer Bank.

Additionally, DBS and TenPay Global are collaborating to enable DBS PayLah users to make payments at millions of merchants across China by scanning Weixin Pay QR codes. This move is expected to expand payment flexibility for travel, living, and business needs.

Wenhui Yang, CEO of TenPay Global, stated, “By connecting Weixin Pay with DBS’s trusted banking and payment platforms, we are delivering compliant and user-centric cross-border solutions.” This partnership reflects a shared ambition to enhance economic exchange and support secure digital payment experiences globally.

Sheffield Green has announced a 36% increase in revenue for the first half of 2026, attributed to heightened demand for its human resource services from both new clients and existing partners. The company, headquartered in Singapore, also reported a four-fold rise in net profit to US$0.49m, bolstered by improved operational scale and the integration of training centres in Taiwan and Spain.

The CEO of Sheffield Green, Kee Boo Chye, stated, “Our performance in the first half of 2026 validates our strategy of diversifying into training whilst scaling our core manpower business.” He highlighted the successful integration of the company’s mature assets in Spain and the promising early results from the Taiwan facility.

Sheffield Green’s expansion into training centres is part of its broader strategy to maximise the utilisation of existing infrastructure and pursue strategic acquisitions. The company is confident that its expanded geographical footprint and comprehensive service offerings will enable it to capitalise on opportunities within the global renewable energy value chain.

The company specialises in providing human resource services for Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Installation (EPCI) works in the renewable energy sector, including onshore and offshore wind, solar, and green hydrogen. With most of its business stemming from the offshore wind sector, Sheffield Green aims to continue capturing rising demand from established partners.

Looking ahead, Sheffield Green plans to focus on maximising its training infrastructure and exploring value-accretive acquisitions to further strengthen its position in the renewable energy industry.

Singapore has announced the formation of a Growth Capital Workgroup, chaired by Chee Hong Tat, Minister for National Development and Deputy Chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). The workgroup, unveiled during the 2026 Budget Statement, will develop strategies to strengthen Singapore’s position as a leading centre for growth capital. It will include key private sector stakeholders and public sector representatives, supported by MAS and the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

Traditionally reliant on bank loans, Asian economies could benefit from more diverse capital sources. As global investors seek to manage risks and capture new opportunities, Singapore aims to become a hub for growth capital in Asia. The workgroup will explore measures to enhance venture capital, private equity, private credit, and securitised assets, building on the Equities Market Review Group’s efforts to boost Singapore’s equities market.

The workgroup will focus on the full financing value chain, from deal origination to capital recycling, supporting Singapore’s startup ecosystem and helping enterprises scale regionally and globally. The group aims to complete its review by the end of 2027, with interim updates on its recommendations.

The workgroup’s members include prominent figures such as Andy Tai from Goldman Sachs, Bryan Yeo from GIC Pte Ltd, and Tan Su Shan from DBS Group. Their collective expertise will guide the development of strategies to enhance Singapore’s capabilities in deal origination, capital raising, and capital recycling.

Longbridge Securities has claimed the top spot in the Singapore App Store’s finance category, according to Sensor Tower’s recent rankings. The surge in downloads coincides with the launch of the company’s Chinese New Year campaign, “Longbridge Angbao,” which offers both new and existing users the chance to win trading and cash rewards up to S$888.

The achievement reflects Longbridge Securities’ commitment to enhancing the investment experience through technology. The platform, which focuses on US, Hong Kong, and Singapore stocks, has been recognised for its seamless account opening, efficient trading execution, and intuitive investment tools. This marks the first time Longbridge has reached the number one position in the finance app category, a list typically dominated by banking, wealth management, and mobile payment platforms.

Shengyu Xu, CEO of Longbridge Securities Singapore, expressed delight at the growing user base, stating, “We’re delighted to see more and more users in Singapore choosing Longbridge. We will continue to put product experience first, making investing smarter, more convenient, and higher quality.”

The “Longbridge Angbao” campaign, designed to celebrate the festive season, offers a unique interactive experience for users to open an angbao and enjoy various rewards. It supports onboarding new users whilst rewarding loyal ones with a mix of trading-related and cash incentives.

As Singapore’s first brokerage to offer lifetime commission-free trading for US, Hong Kong, and Singapore stocks, Longbridge aims to lower investment barriers and improve trading efficiency. The company plans to continue innovating and enhancing its services to provide a more accessible and efficient trading experience for investors.

Lincotrade & Associates Holdings Limited has reported a significant increase in its net profit for the first half of the financial year 2026, reaching S$3.9m, a substantial rise from the S$2.6m recorded for the entire financial year 2025. This impressive growth is attributed to a 58.2% surge in revenue, driven by strong performances in the commercial and residential segments, and a record order book of S$117.2m as of 31 December 2025.

The company’s gross profit nearly doubled to S$8.0m, supported by higher-margin commercial projects and effective cost management, particularly at its China subsidiary. Lincotrade’s Executive Director and CEO, Jackie Soh Loong Chow, credited the success to strategic initiatives and operational efficiencies, stating, “Our strategic initiatives over the past few years have gained strong momentum, yielding tangible results in our financial performance.”

In recognition of its robust financial performance, Lincotrade has announced an interim dividend of 0.88 Singapore cents per share, surpassing the final dividend of 0.66 Singapore cents per share for FY2025. This interim dividend represents a payout of approximately 41% of the net profit attributable to owners, exceeding the company’s dividend policy of at least 20%.

Looking ahead, Lincotrade aims to leverage its momentum to strengthen its order book and enhance operational capabilities, with a focus on data centre projects. The company has also expanded its operations with new subsidiaries in Singapore, Malaysia, and China, positioning itself for further growth in the region.