SGX Group (Singapore Exchange) registered higher securities market turnover in October as investors navigated sharp market pullbacks amid shifting macroeconomic conditions. Derivatives daily average volume (DDAV) rose to its highest since April this year, as heightened market volatility led to increased risk management demand.

Securities market turnover increased 32% year-on-year (y-o-y) in October and 6% month-on-month (m-o-m) to S$44.8 billion. Securities daily average value (SDAV) increased at the same rate to S$2 billion, driven by growth across index stocks and real estate investment trusts (REITs).

During the month, DDAV increased 8% y-o-y and 17% m-o-m to 1.6 million contracts, while total traded volume increased 6% y-o-y and 5% m-o-m to 31.4 million contracts, reflecting higher activity across key equity, FX and commodity derivatives.

Key highlights:

• Steady retail engagement: Effective 5 October 2026, board lot sizes were reduced from 100 to 10 units for 11 securities, improving accessibility and flexibility for retail investors. Net retail inflows into these securities increased 139% m-o-m and retail trading activity rose 33% m-o-m, higher than the increase in institutional turnover. October also marked the ninth consecutive month of net retail buying across all stocks.
• Expanded ETF offerings: SGX welcomed 10 new ETFs in October, broadening investor choice with exposure to global benchmarks, North Asian markets, AI and big data themes, and credit. With combined assets under management of S$20 billion, turnover value of the ETF market increased 32% y-o-y and 6% m-o-m to S$1.1 billion.
• Sustained fundraising momentum: Total funds raised during the month came to S$651.4 million. This included follow-on offerings by small- and mid-cap (SMIDs) stocks as well as two initial share offerings: Deluge Corporation, a provider of fire protection and safety solutions; and Mi Material Holding, a leading manufacturer of semiconductor advanced packaging materials.
• Holiday boost for A50: Trading in the FTSE China A50 Index Futures – the world’s most liquid international futures contract for Chinese equities – recorded a 24-month high in DAV of 660,868 contracts as SGX provided continuous liquidity during China’s Golden Week from 1 to 7 October. Open interest increased 25% m-o-m to 1,043,060 contracts.
• Continued growth in GIFT: GIFT Nifty 50 Index Futures and Options clocked their second-highest monthly trading activity on record, with DAV rising 17% m-o-m to reach 132,348 contracts. Open interest crossed the US$20 billion milestone in October, setting a record high for the second consecutive month.
• New highs for petrochemicals and rubber derivatives: Petrochemicals volume more than doubled y-o-y to 23,312 contracts. Meanwhile, SICOM TSR20 Rubber Futures volume rose 71% y-o-y to 474,011 contracts amid significant price movements as demand growth outpaced supply, compounded by weather-related disruptions.
• Robust FX activity: Total FX derivatives traded volume jumped 27% y-o-y to 8.5 million contracts, with open interest reaching US$34.3 billion. SGX USD/CNH FX futures DAV grew 16% y-o-y to 190,000 lots amid lower implied volatility in the renminbi. SGX INR/USD FX futures DAV rose 40% to 196,421 lots as changing U.S. rate expectations drove hedging activity.

The full market statistics report can be found here.

Source: SGX