SGX Reports ‘Stellar’ Performance for 2026 Financial Year

Key highlights:

STI extends rally:

The Straits Times Index (STI) reached an all-time high of 5,218.96 on 25 June as the benchmark extended its rally during the month, increasing 30.4% y-o-y to 5,170.65. This lifted total returns over 12 months to 36.4%, as supportive growth and structural investment themes continued to outweigh external headwinds.

Strong momentum in cash equities:

Trading activity in FY2026 increased across all stock segments – STI constituents, small- and mid-cap stocks and REITs – supported by double-digit growth in SDAV across institutional and retail investors. Retail SDAV surged 52% y-o-y in FY2026 to its highest level in 12 years. Retail investors remained net buyers for five consecutive months through June, bringing cumulative FY2026 net inflows to S$2.4 billion. Activity in small- and mid-cap stocks also accelerated, driving SDAV up 155% y-o-y to S$310 million in FY2026, the highest since FY2014. Institutional net buying in small- and mid-caps climbed three-fold to S$606 million, compared with S$200 million in FY2025. Reflecting stronger investor interest beyond the benchmark index, the iEdge Singapore Next50 index advanced 23.8% y-o-y in June to 1,516.01.

Robust ETF growth:

Assets-under-management (AUM) across exchange-traded funds (ETF) on SGX Stock Exchange surpassed S$20.5 billion at the end of June, with net inflows up 240% y-o-y in the second half of FY2026 at S$2.4 billion. During the six-month period, trading activity was robust, with SDAV gaining 120% y-o-y to S$50 million. Combined AUM of STI ETFs exceeded S$5 billion in June, extending net inflows for a 15th straight month. Total inflows of STI ETFs over second-half FY2026 were up approximately five times y-o-y at S$916 million. SGX expanded its offering of daily leverage certificates (DLC) to ETF underlyings on 23 June with the launch of Gold and Silver DLCs. The instruments recorded S$534,171 in turnover in their first week of trading.

Greater capital efficiency in equities: 

SGX Derivatives on 22 June launched SGX Micro Nikkei 225 Index Futures, offering global institutions more capital-efficient access to Japan equities. This further expanded the suite of trusted tools for precision risk management and targeted portfolio adjustments, which includes SGX Micro FTSE Taiwan Index Futures and SGX Straits Times Index Futures.

Record OI in India:

The NSE IX-SGX GIFT Connect marked its third anniversary with record activity on GIFT Nifty 50 Index Futures, as monthly DAV surpassed 100,000 lots for a fourth consecutive month, while month-end open interest (OI) rose to an all-time high of 297,572 lots (US$14.2 billion notional). In FY2026, overall GIFT volume increased 3% y-o-y to 24.4 million contracts.

A50 remains the global bellwether for China equities:

SGX FTSE China A50 Index Futures closed the second half of FY2026 with a record half-yearly DAV of 529,130 lots, underpinned by active investor participation around policy announcements, economic data and broader geopolitical developments. The contract is the world’s most liquid international futures for Chinese equities.

More FX hedging activity:

Uncertainty over Asian currency valuations, amid a mixed outlook for global interest rates, supported hedging activity across SGX’s CNH, INR and KRW futures complexes. Average OI in SGX USD/CNH FX Futures – the world’s most widely traded international renminbi futures globally contract – gained 23% y-o-y in June to US$21.9 billion as DAV reached US$24.3 billion. DAV of SGX INR/USD FX Futures increased 50% y-o-y to 186,496 lots, while SGX KRW/USD FX Futures volume rose 83% y-o-y to 55,453 lots (US$907 million notional). In FY2026, total FX futures volume climbed 31% y-o-y to 96.3 million contracts.

Record year for commodities:

SGX Commodities achieved volume records across key products including benchmark iron ore derivatives, forward freight agreements (FFA) as well as petrochemicals and dairy contracts. Gains were driven by increased hedging and trading activity amid disruptions to global physical supply chains, while continued expansion in the client base further propelled financialisation. In FY2026, total commodities volume rose 21% y-o-y to 78.8 million lots, with average OI up 24% y-o-y at a record 4.2 million lots.