Singapore, Feb 6, 2026, 15:00 SGT — Regular session
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC) shares dipped roughly 0.8% to S$21.28 by 3:01 p.m. local time on Friday. The stock had ended the prior session at S$21.45 and fluctuated between S$21.15 and S$21.35 during the day. (Google)
The dip comes as Singapore’s major banks enter results season, with investors scrambling to see if pressure on net interest margins is starting to ease. Net interest margin, or NIM, measures the spread between what banks earn on loans versus what they pay on deposits, shown as a percentage of interest-earning assets. (The Business Times)
Maybank Research predicts mixed Q4 results for DBS, OCBC, and UOB. DBS and OCBC are expected to post flat to slightly weaker numbers. The report highlights that potential dividend hikes could buoy the sector, given banks are sitting on capital buffers and might tap into general provision write-backs. It also noted that NIM contraction slowed this quarter, following a 27 basis point drop in the Singapore overnight rate — worth 0.01 percentage point each. Reporting dates are set, with OCBC due to report on Feb. 25. (Asian Banking & Finance)
OCBC moved 2,310 treasury shares for its employee share schemes, according to a separate filing with the Singapore Exchange on Thursday. After that transfer, the bank holds 10,687,464 treasury shares. The shares used were valued at S$34,622.97.
Treasury shares refer to stock a company has repurchased and holds on its books. Using these shares for employee awards usually causes less dilution than issuing new shares on the market.
The bigger question surrounding OCBC now is what CEO Tan Teck Long plans next, after stepping in on Jan. 1. How aggressively he can pursue growth and boost payouts remains under scrutiny from the bank’s major shareholders. Gerard Lee, who once led an OCBC investment unit, told The Business Times Tan “will have to walk a tightrope” balancing market demands against a more cautious shareholder stance. (The Business Times)
Investors riding the bank’s gains face a clear risk: the margin squeeze might linger longer than expected, or credit costs could climb if the regional cycle shifts. Either scenario would challenge the rationale for higher dividends or additional capital returns.
The upcoming report will offer more than just profit figures; expect insights on loan growth, wealth management fee income, and the credit outlook, plus possible changes to payout language. These details usually sway bank stocks after the headline earnings release.
OCBC plans to release its full-year 2025 earnings on Feb. 25, per its investor calendar. This update is expected to influence the stock’s direction as earnings season unfolds. (OCBC)
