A S$10,000 Portfolio: Your 5-Step Guide to Investing in 2026

Core Investment Strategy - The article emphasizes the importance of having a clear investment process rather than being overwhelmed by numerous options [2][16] - A five-step plan is proposed to guide investors in making informed decisions for 2026 [2] Step 1: Define Investment Goals - Investors should clarify their objectives, whether seeking steady dividends, long-term growth, or a combination of both [3] - Understanding goals simplifies the decision-making process and helps avoid chasing trends [3] Step 2: Asset Mix and Diversification - Investors need to determine their asset mix based on their goals, focusing on growth or income [4] - Diversification across industries is crucial to withstand varying market conditions, with a balanced portfolio including banks, industrial leaders, and REITs [5] Step 3: Core Singapore Stocks - Three Singapore companies are highlighted for their steady performance and reliable cash flow: - Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Limited (OCBC): Offers a trailing dividend yield of 5.3%, with a net profit of S$1.98 billion in 3Q2025, up 9% quarter-on-quarter [7] - Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd (ST Engineering): Benefits from global defense demand and has an order book of S$32.6 billion, with revenue growth of 12.9% year-on-year [9] - CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust (CICT): Singapore's largest REIT with a portfolio occupancy of 97.2% and an annualized yield of 5.2% [11] Step 4: Stay the Course and Reinvest Dividends - Investors are encouraged to hold onto strong businesses and reinvest dividends to compound their portfolio over time [13] Step 5: Quarterly Review and Focus on Fundamentals - A quarterly review of the portfolio is sufficient to stay on track, focusing on steady dividends and healthy earnings [14][15] - Maintaining a long-term perspective is essential for peace of mind in investing [15]