Singapore, Jan 18, 2026, 15:04 (SGT) — Market closed.
OCBC’s shares closed Friday 0.3% higher at S$20.44 as Singapore’s main index edged up before the weekend. The Straits Times Index gained 0.3% to 4,849.10, marking a 2.1% rise for the week, with the market closed Sunday. Jose Torres, senior economist at Interactive Brokers, noted that “bullish sentiment was revived on Wall Street” after Taiwan Semiconductor’s earnings boosted risk appetite. (The Business Times)
The moves matter because Singapore banks remain a major force in the local index, and the rate narrative has taken center stage again. Investors are wrestling with what “higher for longer” actually implies for 2026—and whether that outlook can hold up through upcoming inflation and jobs data.
Net interest margin — the difference between what banks earn on loans versus what they pay on deposits — is a crucial measure. If rate cuts happen sooner, that margin could shrink; if rates remain elevated, it’s likely to stay steady, at least for the core lending portfolio.
OCBC revealed it dipped into its treasury shares — those previously bought back and held for re-issuance — as the new week began. According to an exchange filing, the bank used 5,719 treasury shares on Jan. 16 for employee share schemes, totaling S$85,718.09. (ShareInvestor)
On Friday, the stock fluctuated from S$20.33 up to S$20.54, with roughly 5.18 million shares traded, according to data from Investing.com. (Investing)
Markets worldwide ended the week on a jittery note, with U.S. Treasury yields inching up as investors cooled on bets for early Fed rate cuts, according to a Reuters market wrap. Anthony Saglimbene, chief market strategist at Ameriprise Financial, remarked, “Most investors will take that as a win two weeks into the year.” (Reuters)
Singapore’s traders will soon turn their attention to inflation. The Department of Statistics plans to release the December consumer price index on Jan. 23. (Base)
Markets in the U.S. will be closed Monday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, affecting both stocks and bonds. This holiday can sap global volume early in the week, leaving Asia to trade more on local flows and headline-driven moves. (Kiplinger)
The risk for OCBC and its rivals remains familiar. A steeper slowdown in Asia or a dip in credit quality could curb loan growth and push up provisions, even if interest rates hold steady.
OCBC operates across consumer and corporate banking, markets activities, and insurance, a mix that tends to amplify earnings volatility when financial markets shift. (Reuters)
OCBC’s next major event is its full-year 2025 results on Feb. 25, per its investor calendar. Investors will focus on dividend updates, loan growth figures, and margin trends heading into 2026. (Ocbc)
