What stocks are popular amongst investors?
This is a question to be asked regardless of whether you’re a beginner investor or a long-term investor.
There are some stocks that are considered “blue-chip”, and are highly sought after due to their steady and long-term record of gains and are sometimes considered fundamental elements in a diversified investment portfolio, thus offering a counterbalance to riskier stocks.
The term “blue-chip stocks” draws inspiration from the game of poker, in which the most valuable chips are typically in blue.
And in a similar vein, blue-chip stocks are considered some of the best-quality investments in the market.
If you’re thinking of investing on Singapore-listed stocks, are you curious what are the most traded Singapore stocks on SGX this year?
Let’s find out more!
TL;DR: Most Traded Singapore Stocks in H1 2023
| 20 most traded SGX-listed stocks in 1Q23, sort by highest trading turnover | SGX Code | 1H23 Average Daily Turnover (S$M) | 1H23 Net Institutional Inflow (S$M) | Jun 23 Price Change (%) | 1H23 Total Return (%) | 5-Year Total Return (%) | Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DBS | D05 | 137.92 | -1,359.43 | 4.0 | -3.1 | 51.4 | Financial Services |
| UOB | U11 | 88.13 | -689.26 | 0.2 | -6.4 | 31.2 | Financial Services |
| OCBC | O39 | 61.64 | -118.82 | 0.1 | 4.1 | 31.7 | Financial Services |
| SingTel | Z74 | 51.94 | -202.90 | 0.4 | -2.7 | 1.7 | Telecommunications |
| SIA | C6L | 45.96 | 113.73 | 11.5 | 29.3 | 3.8 | Industrials |
| Seatrium | S51 | 41.13 | 57.23 | 1.6 | -9.4 | -89.1 | Industrials |
| CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust | C38U | 38.06 | -102.84 | -4.5 | -3.9 | 12.5 | REITs |
| Genting Singapore | G13 | 34.26 | 139.11 | -6.9 | 0.3 | -11.6 | Consumer Cyclicals |
| Yangzijiang | BS6 | 34.04 | -16.34 | 22.0 | 14.8 | 293.4 | Industrials |
| CapitaLand Ascendas REIT | A17U | 31.67 | -29.05 | 0.7 | 4.3 | 36.8 | REITs |
| Keppel Corp | BN4 | 29.42 | -157.01 | 6.3 | 46.0 | 75.0 | Industrials |
| CapitaLand Investment | 9CI | 25.16 | -54.89 | 0.0 | -6.2 | 22.1 | Financial Services |
| Mapletree Logistics Trust | M44U | 24.29 | -3.57 | -2.4 | 4.2 | 60.2 | Financial Services |
| Wilmar | F34 | 22.94 | 5.91 | -2.8 | -6.3 | 48.4 | Consumer Non-Cyclicals |
| Sembcorp | U96 | 20.47 | 169.87 | 14.3 | 73.3 | 364.7 | Utilities |
| Jardine Matheson | J36 | 19.21 | -1.10 | 5.5 | 2.9 | -4.8 | Industrials |
| SATS | S58 | 17.49 | -65.96 | 0.0 | -3.9 | -41.3 | Industrials |
| Thai Beverage | Y92 | 16.94 | -57.03 | 3.6 | -12.3 | -7.1 | Consumer Non-Cyclicals |
| SGX | S68 | 16.79 | 77.16 | 3.6 | 9.2 | 61.6 | Financial Services |
| ST Engineering | S63 | 16.50 | 44.35 | 0.5 | 12.3 | 38.7 | Industrials |
Source: SGX, Refinitiv (as of 30 June 2023)
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Disclaimer: The information provided by Seedly serves as an educational piece and is not intended to be personalised investment advice. Readers should always do their own due diligence and consider their financial goals before investing in any investment.
Top 10 Stocks Traded on SGX in H1 2023
In order of most traded stocks, these are the top 10 stocks on the Singapore Exchange in the first half of 2023.
Financial Services
DBS Group (SGX: D05)
DBS is a household name that needs no introduction.
Being the largest bank in Singapore (25% market share in Singapore’s deposits), DBS’ net profit in Q2 2023 rose by 48% compared to the previous year, reaching $2.69 billion, while the return on equity soared to 19.2%, marking new record highs. Its total income also experienced a substantial 35% growth, surpassing $5 billion for the first time.
The bank’s Net Interest Margin (NIM) outperformed expectations by increasing 4 basis points (bps) compared to the previous quarter, reaching 2.16%, which could be attributed to the high interest rate environment.
Furthermore, DBS announced a 14% quarter-on-quarter dividend boost, raising it from 42 to 48 Singapore cents. When combined with the first-quarter dividend, the total dividend payout for the first half of 2023 reached 90 cents per share.
However, given that the Federal Reserve (Feds) may be slowing down the interest rate hikes this coming October (it’s already slowing down), this could mean that DBS’ NIM may peak in the second half of 2023, and investors should consider this when investing in DBS.
UOB (SGX: U11)
United Overseas Bank (UOB) is one of the top three local banks in Singapore.
It recorded a core net profit of $1.5 billion in Q2 2023, a 35% jump as compared to the previous year, and its net interest income in the same quarter grew by 31%. UOB’s strong performance was largely due to margin expansion in its loans.
OCBC Bank (SGX: O39)
Besides DBS and UOB, there’s OCBC too.
The bank has raised its annual dividend for FY2022 by 28%, equivalent to 15 cents compared to the previous year, resulting in a total dividend of 68 cents per share. This reflects a payout ratio of 53%, a robust figure that surpasses the growth in earnings per share, providing investors with a reason for contentment.
Telecommunications
Singapore Telecommunications Limited (SGX: Z74)
During the first half of 2022, Singapore Telecommunications (Singtel) observed significant selling activity by retail investors, resulting in a net retail outflow of $435 million, while still managing to deliver a total return of 9.1%.
It announced a special dividend of $0.05 per share in late 2022 and could potentially monetise from 5G, new data centers, and with the resumption of travel, there is a potential for roaming revenue.
Industrial
Singapore Airlines (SGX: C6L)
Though the national carrier’s share prices took a dip during COVID-19, Singapore Airlines has picked up where it left off and recorded a quarterly profit of $743 million for Q1 2023. The airline also clocked its highest net profit in its 76-year history of $2.2 billion for the previous financial year in 2022.
Not just that, with strong backing from state investor Temasek Holdings, Singapore Airlines has been one to keep in most investors’ books.
Seatrium (SGX: S51)
For the uninitiated, Seatrium is a new entity formed by Sembcorp Marine and Keppel Offshore & Marine in February this year.
Seatrium was formed to advance maritime and new energy engineering solutions and innovations that are cleaner and greener in the Operations and maintenance (O&M) market.
According to SGX, as of July 2023, Seatrium boasts a net order book totaling $19.73 billion, with a noteworthy 40 percent dedicated to renewables and eco-friendly solutions, while deliveries are slated to continue progressively until 2030.
In the first 30 weeks of 2023, Seatrium has witnessed a substantial surge in daily trading turnover, averaging $43 million, a significant leap from its $15 million average in 2022. As a result, it has ascended to the sixth position among the most traded stocks by trading turnover this year, marking a significant rise from its 23rd position in 2022.
Meanwhile, Keppel Corporation has maintained its eleventh-place ranking as one of the most traded Singaporean stocks in both timeframes.
CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust (SGX: C38U)
If you’re into Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust (CICT) is one of top 10s.
CICT posted robust earnings in the first half of the financial year 2023 by achieving substantial year-on-year growth, with H1 FY2023 revenue and Net Property Income (NPI) surging by 12.7% and 10.1%, respectively, reaching $774.8 million and $552.3 million.
The REIT’s downtown malls exhibited impressive growth of 7%, benefiting from an uptick in tourist arrivals and the gradual return of office-goers.
Nonetheless, a slowdown in office rental growth is anticipated in the second half, driven by potential supply increases and decreased demand.
With an appealing yield of 5.3% and a strong historical performance, CICT remains an excellent choice for long-term investors, even though rising interest rates and persistent inflation could impact returns.
Genting Singapore (SGX: G13)
Fueled by travel resurgence and tourism, Genting Singapore posted a net profit of $276.7 million in Q2 2023, which is equivalent to a 62.9% increase in revenue to $1.1 billion, as compared to $663.1 million in the same period last year.
The growth was mainly attributed to these factors – a rebound in its non-gaming business, improved VIP win rates, and the recovery in its regional gaming business, with non-gaming revenue improving by 31% qoq to $188.7 million.
Yangzijiang Shipbuilding (Holdings) Ltd (SGX: BS6)
Yangzijiang stands as one of China’s foremost shipbuilders, known for its remarkable size, efficiency, and profitability. The company has ascended the value chain, diversifying its production to include ultra-large containerships, bulk carriers, and LNG vessels.
For the unfamiliar, LNG vessels, or liquefied natural gas vessels, are specialised ships designed for the transportation of liquefied natural gas (LNG).
LNG vessels play a crucial role in the global energy trade by facilitating the transportation of natural gas from regions with abundant gas reserves to regions with high demand. They are a vital link in the supply chain that helps meet the energy needs of industries and consumers worldwide.
It has a high order backlog that stretches through 2026, with an order book of US$14.7 billion.
REITS
CapitaLand Ascendas REIT (SGX: A17U)
CapitaLand Ascendas REIT (CLAR), previously known as Ascendas Real Estate Investment Trust, is Singapore’s first and largest listed business space and industrial Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) and has been listed on several indices.
These include the FTSE Straits Times Index, the Morgan Stanley Capital International, Inc (MSCI) Index, the European Public Real Estate Association/National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (EPRA/NAREIT) Global Real Estate Index, and Global Property Research (GPR) Asia 250.
CapitaLand Ascendas REIT has reported strong financial performance in the fiscal year 2022, where gross revenue grew by 10.3% i.e. $1.35 billion. In managing its real estate assets, it’s reported to have an improved portfolio occupancy (indicates a strong demand for the REIT’s properties and a steady stream of rental income), and a positive rental reversion.
Honourable Mentions
SGX (SGX: S68)
Most investors who invest in Singapore stocks would have to go through the Singapore Exchange Limited, or SGX, which is Singapore’s first and only stock exchange operator.
Besides being a stock exchange operator, the SGX has been a multi-asset exchange that offers other financial products including bonds (e.g. Singapore Savings Bonds), currencies, options, and more for investors.
These are other top 20 local companies investors could possibly look into, based on sectors.
Industrial
- Keppel Corporation (SGX: BN4)
- SATS (SGX: S58)
- ST Engineering (SGX: S63)
- Wilmar (SGX: F34)
Technology
- Venture Corporation
Consumer (Non-cyclical)
- Thai Beverage (SGX: Y92)
- ComfortDelGro
Utilities
- Sembcorp (SGX: U96)
REITs
- Frasers Logistics & Commerical Trust
What Would You Be Investing In?
Before jumping into any investments, make sure you have done your research and understand your risk appetite.
And if you want to invest in Singapore listed stocks but unsure how to do so, check out our guide on how to set up an SGX account.
Besides stocks, there are other types of lower risk or low risk investments you can consider. For starters, this guide below has summarised all types of investments in the market:
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