Singapore, Jan 24, 2026, 14:53 SGT — Market closed
- Singapore Telecommunications (Singtel) slipped 0.45% to close at S$4.44 on Friday, going against the wider market’s upward move
- Attention shifts to rate signals next week, as MAS is set to announce on Jan 29 with the Fed decision coming midweek
- Singtel is set to release its next earnings report on Feb 18, per Investing.com
Shares of Singapore Telecommunications Ltd (Singtel) dipped on Friday, closing 0.45% lower at S$4.44, despite Singapore’s main stock index hitting new highs.
Investors will be focusing on that divergence ahead of the next session. Singtel, a widely held stock known for steady dividends, usually reacts to changes in rate expectations and shifts in risk appetite.
SGX stayed closed over the weekend, shifting attention to the central bank calendar next week and the question of whether bond yields will continue to pressure “yield” stocks — those prized mostly for their dividends.
Singtel (SGX: Z74) closed at S$4.44, slipping slightly from yesterday’s S$4.46, after fluctuating between S$4.42 and S$4.49 during the session. Trading volume hit roughly 17.78 million shares. The stock has gained around 43% over the last twelve months, trading within a 52-week band ranging from S$3.18 to S$4.92. According to Investing, its dividend yield stands near 4.1%, with an annual payout of S$0.18 per share.
The Straits Times Index climbed 1.3% on Friday, ending at 4,891.45 after hitting a fresh high of 4,895.15, driven by strong gains in bank shares. UOB surged 5%, while OCBC added 3.4%. Trading volume reached 1.3 billion securities, valued at S$2 billion, according to the Business Times. “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)
Overseas, global stocks edged up modestly Friday as investors balanced geopolitical tensions, earnings reports, and an upcoming Federal Reserve meeting. Gene Goldman, chief investment officer at Cetera Investment Management, described the mood as a “wait-and-see approach.” (Reuters)
Singapore’s core inflation climbed 1.2% year-on-year in December, matching forecasts. This measure excludes private road transport and accommodation costs, focusing on underlying price trends. The Monetary Authority of Singapore and the Ministry for Trade and Industry said in a joint statement that “private consumption demand is likely to remain steady.” They also warned inflation is expected to rise in 2026. MAS will update its forecast ranges on Jan 29 alongside its policy statement. (Reuters)
Company-specific updates have been scarce lately. According to a roundup of SGX filings on SGinvestors.io, Singtel’s latest announcement came on Jan 16, detailing a management shift at its tech services division, NCS. (Sginvestors)
For now, the stock is acting more like a barometer for dividend and interest rate sentiment than a headline-driven play. On Friday, funds flowed into banks, but Singtel stayed on the sidelines.
The risk is clear-cut. Should central bank signals drive yields up, dividend stocks could quickly fall out of favor. Plus, any fresh operational or regulatory troubles at the Australian arm Optus would grab attention, considering how frequently it has shaped the group’s narrative before.
