Date: August 2, 2024
SIAS is encouraged to see that the government is now seriously attending to the issues, which have been plaguing the local stock market for several years now. Among these would be low liquidity, absence of quality listings and under performance relative to other developed markets.
We hope the regulators can enhance the regulatory regime to foster investor confidence and facilitate market growth because it is good to have a vibrant and liquid market. One area which the new Review Group might consider is to follow the lead of Japan and South Korea where listcos are required to do more to unlock value from the perspective of investors.
Another area for consideration would be to provide more investor education and free research findings on companies for all investors as a public service. More investors in Singapore should be helped to invest in our listcos. In this regard, SIAS stands ready together with industry partners to educate and help first-time investors take their first investing steps. SIAS, as an independent charitable organisation, will provide the necessary guidance to those who have not started their investment journey.
Last but not least, do not rule out local sovereign funds investing in good companies in the local market. The local sovereign funds should be exchange-neutral. If good companies trading at good valuation exist on the SGX, local sovereign funds should consider them.
David Gerald
Founder, President and CEO
SIAS
