SGX seeks to shake off ‘boring’ image, draw more young investors as trading hits 12-year high

SINGAPORE, 24 AUGUST 2026 —

Singapore Exchange (SGX) reported that retail trading activity in the local market reached a 12‑year high in the 2026 financial year ended 30 June, with the daily average value of retail securities trading up 52 percent year‑on‑year. The exchange said the surge reflects a growing participation of younger investors, a demographic that has historically been perceived as disengaged from Singapore’s equities.

One of the most tangible changes is the reduction of board lot sizes. Starting 5 October, the standard lot for instruments priced above $10 will fall from 100 units to 10 units, up to $100. The first tranche will affect 11 stocks, including UOB, OCBC, DBS, Keppel, Venture Corporation, Great Eastern Holdings, Haw Par Corporation, Jardine Cycle & Carriage, Jardine Matheson Holdings, Prudential and SGX itself. The move is designed to lower the entry threshold for retail investors, allowing them to purchase shares of local banks and other blue‑chip names with less capital.

In addition to smaller lots, SGX is promoting exchange‑traded funds (ETFs) as a convenient way to gain diversified exposure. Assets under management of SGX‑listed ETFs grew 43 percent year‑on‑year, with the Straits Times Index (STI) ETFs and gold ETFs attracting the most inflows. “ETFs offer convenience, cost and efficiency,” said SGX director of capital market development Emelia Tan. “Buying one gives the investor exposure to a broad‑based index, instead of buying 30 stocks individually.”

SGX’s Global Listing Board (GLB) is another tool aimed at attracting a younger, more globally minded investor base. The GLB will allow companies to list simultaneously on SGX and Nasdaq with a single set of documents. Chan said the board is intended for large firms seeking Asian exposure, and that a strong GLB could “help younger folks (to be interested) as it’s also associated with the US.”

The exchange’s “Invest in Action” programme, relaunched in 2026, seeks to bridge the gap between local investors and companies. Tan explained that the initiative will move away from traditional classroom‑style courses and instead offer interactive learning experiences. SGX plans to partner with companies to conduct site visits, allowing investors to meet senior management and view physical assets. The visits will focus on small‑ and mid‑cap firms, a segment that has seen trading activity triple year‑on‑year. Real‑estate investment trusts already participate in the programme.

In 2025 SGX launched InvestSG, a social‑media‑style platform operated by AlphaInvest. The site allows users to discuss stock picks, share comments, access consolidated research reports and view share price performance. The platform now has more than 50,000 users. Tan said the goal is to make investing more accessible and engaging for younger audiences, who are increasingly comfortable with digital interactions.

SGX’s data also highlights the local market’s recent outperformance relative to the United States. Over the past five years, Singapore delivered a total return of 125 percent versus 73 percent for the US. In the past three years, Singapore returned 94 percent against 64 percent for the US, and in the most recent year the local market rallied 41 percent compared with 18 percent in the US. Tan noted that many young investors still view the US market as the sole source of growth, despite the higher risks associated with US growth stocks.

The exchange’s long‑term vision includes embedding investing in the life course of new parents. Chan described a future where a “baby bonus” package would include a sum earmarked for the local stock market, allowing a child to hold investments from birth. “When the kid is say, 16 years old, they can say, ‘Hey, mum and dad, how’s my investment going?’ Even if they don’t trade at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter. By then, they will have a vested interest,” Chan said. He added that a 20‑year horizon would allow investments to grow, reinforcing the importance of time in the market.

The initiatives come at a time when retail participation is rising across the ASEAN region. SGX’s efforts to lower entry barriers, promote diversified products, and create engaging educational experiences are designed to counter the perception that the Singapore market is “boring.” While the exchange acknowledges that changing attitudes will take time, it remains committed to fostering a more inclusive and dynamic capital market that appeals to the next generation of investors.

Related: DBS · SGX · Singapore