SINGAPORE, Jan 25, 2026, 14:51 SGT — Market closed
- Singtel slipped 0.45% on Friday, underperforming the broader gains across Singapore’s market.
- Attention shifts to dividends, buyback announcements, and the group’s push into data centres
- Investors remain focused on Optus headlines and related contributions
Shares of Singapore Telecommunications Ltd fell on Friday, closing at S$4.44, down 0.45%. The stock fluctuated between S$4.42 and S$4.49 during the session, with 17.78 million shares traded. (Investing)
That underperformance is notable since Singapore stocks ended the week on a high, with the benchmark Straits Times Index hitting a new intraday peak before closing at a record. With markets closed for the weekend, Singtel heads into Monday without any fresh company news to shift the narrative.
Singtel holds strong weight in local portfolios and is known for steady dividends. On risk-on days when it dips, investors usually shift focus to the next catalyst instead of the broader market moves.
Singapore’s STI climbed 1.3% on Friday, closing at 4,891.45 after reaching an intraday high of 4,895.15, The Business Times reported. “Washington’s noise has been loud, but the market is learning how to filter it,” said Stephen Innes, managing partner at SPI Asset Management. (The Business Times)
The company last updated investors in November, revealing a 14% jump in first-half underlying net profit. It also raised its fiscal 2026 outlook for operating company earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) to growth between the high single digits and low double digits. Group CEO Yuen Kuan Moon said, “We expect our growth engines to change the complexion of the business in the mid-term as they continue to scale.” (Reuters)
Singtel has also turned to capital returns and asset sales to bolster its equity appeal. The company had already set a plan to repurchase S$2 billion in shares over three years and has now upped its medium-term “asset recycling” target to S$9 billion—selling assets to fund fresh investments and shareholder payouts. Citi analysts noted the timing is ahead of expectations, signaling confidence in the divestment pipeline. (Reuters)
A crucial part of Singtel’s recycling strategy involved cutting back its longstanding stake in India’s Bharti Airtel. In November, the company offloaded a 0.8% shareholding valued at S$1.5 billion. This move was intended to bankroll its push into digital infrastructure and services. (Reuters)
In the coming week, traders will look closely for new buyback filings, any changes in rate forecasts that could shake dividend stocks, and clues that the group’s data centre expansion is driving more consistent earnings growth.
The downside risks remain. Sentiment could still be hit by issues at Optus in Australia, where Singtel’s management has come under scrutiny following emergency call outages. There’s also the chance that operational fixes drag on or turn out pricier than investors anticipate. “It takes time to transform a company,” Yuen told reporters during that earlier episode. (Reuters)
The company’s upcoming earnings report, set for Feb. 18, is the next major date to watch, per Investing.com. (Investing)
