Singapore’s Biggest Blue-Chip Losers in September 2025: Discount or Red Flag?

Core Insights - The Straits Times Index (STI) reached a new 52-week high, but three blue-chip stocks experienced significant declines, raising questions about whether these are temporary setbacks or indicative of deeper issues [1][2]. Group 1: Singtel - Singapore Telecommunications Limited (Singtel) reported a total return of -4.8% for September 2025, primarily due to issues with its Australian subsidiary, Optus, which faced a network outage impacting around 4,500 customers [3][4]. - Optus accounts for approximately 50% of Singtel's revenue, and the recent outages occurred while the CEO was under scrutiny from Australian authorities [4][5]. - Despite the decline, Singtel's share price remains near a decade high, and the company has a strategic plan to reward shareholders with dividends between 70% and 90% of underlying profits [5][6]. Group 2: CapitaLand Investment Limited - CapitaLand Investment Limited (CLI) experienced a total return of -3.9% for September 2025, with total revenue for the first half of 2025 reported at S$1.0 billion, down 24% year on year [7][9]. - The decline in revenue was largely due to the deconsolidation of CapitaLand Ascott Trust, which removed S$322 million from revenue; excluding this impact, CLI's revenue actually grew by 7% [10]. - Operating profit after tax and minority interest (PATMI) fell to S$260 million, a 12% decrease year on year, attributed to divested assets and lower fund performance fees [11][12]. Group 3: Wilmar International - Wilmar International Limited reported a total return of -3.7% for September 2025, facing regulatory challenges in Indonesia, including a fine of nearly US$710 million [14][16]. - Despite the fine, Wilmar generated US$1.3 billion in free cash flow for the first half of 2025, which is sufficient to cover the penalty [16]. - The company operates across a diverse range of segments, including food products and agribusiness, which are subject to commodity price fluctuations [17].