Singapore shares opened marginally higher on Tuesday, with the Straits Times Index gaining 10.24 points, or 0.18%, to reach 5,690.70 by 9:49 am. Strength among the country’s major banks supported the benchmark, although the broader market displayed a noticeably weaker picture.
Banks provide early support
DBS Holdings advanced to S$75.80, while OCBC Bank rose to S$30.99 and United Overseas Bank traded at S$41.08. The three lenders carry substantial weight in the Straits Times Index and helped keep the benchmark in positive territory.
Singtel traded at S$4.45, while ST Engineering stood at S$10.61 during the early session.
Broader market remains cautious
Despite the index gain, declining shares outnumbered advancing stocks by 184 to 116. Approximately 166.27 million shares worth S$316.44 million changed hands during the opening period.
UMS Integration was among the most active counters, falling 1.5% to S$2.62. The negative market breadth indicated that buying interest remained concentrated among a limited number of large companies rather than spread evenly across the exchange.
Regional risks limit momentum
Singapore’s cautious advance came as Asian markets traded without a clear direction. Investors remained focused on Nvidia’s forthcoming earnings, uncertainty over global AI spending and continued geopolitical tension surrounding Iran.
Oil prices also remained above US$90 a barrel, creating additional concerns for transport, manufacturing and consumer-facing businesses.
The opening nevertheless demonstrated the defensive strength of Singapore’s banking-heavy benchmark, which continued to outperform several technology-dependent markets in the region.
Newshub Editorial in Asia – 25 August 2026
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