Core Insights - The article emphasizes the stability and reliability of dividends from Singapore's blue-chip companies, highlighting the appeal of consistent cash returns amidst market volatility [1][2] Company Summaries Hongkong Land (SGX: H02) - Hongkong Land reported a strong recovery in 1H2025, achieving an underlying profit of US$297 million, a significant turnaround from a US$7 million loss in the previous year [3] - Excluding non-cash provisions, underlying profit increased by 11% YoY to US$320 million, driven by residential completions in Singapore and reduced provisions in China [4] - The company declared an interim dividend of US$0.06 per share, maintaining the same level as the prior year, reflecting confidence in its financial health [5] Jardine Matheson (SGX: J36) - Jardine Matheson experienced a 1% YoY decline in revenue to US$17.1 billion, primarily due to weak auto sales in Indonesia, but underlying profit attributable surged by 45% to US$798 million [7] - The profit increase was supported by strong performances from DFI Retail and Jardine Pacific, alongside an 11% gain from Hongkong Land's residential completions [8] - The company maintained its interim dividend at US$0.60 per share, with a robust financial position evidenced by a reduction in net debt to US$9.7 billion [9] Singapore Exchange (SGX: S63) - Singapore Exchange reported record revenue of S$1.3 billion for FY2025, an 11.7% increase YoY, with growth across all business segments [11] - Free cash flow surged by 40.3% to S$773.6 million, indicating improved operational efficiency [12] - The company proposed a final quarterly dividend of S$0.105, raising the total for FY2025 to S$0.375 per share, an 8.7% increase from the previous year [13]

The Securities and Exchange Commission approved the upstart's application Tuesday. ...

Core Viewpoint - China has opened its stock option market to foreign investors to enhance the attractiveness of yuan assets and promote international use of the Chinese yuan [1][3]. Group 1: Market Opening - The Shanghai Stock Exchange announced that qualified foreign institutional investors can now trade options for hedging purposes and can submit applications immediately [1]. - This move follows recent measures aimed at attracting global investors to China's bond market [1][3]. Group 2: Financial Instruments - Equity options provide the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell a stock at a predetermined price in the future, which can help foreign investors hedge risks in China's 100 trillion yuan ($14.05 trillion) stock market [2]. - Currently, five option products are available on the Shanghai exchange, based on exchange-traded funds [2]. Group 3: Regulatory Environment - China's financial regulators are intensifying efforts to attract foreign investors, particularly in light of the diminishing appeal of dollar assets due to U.S. trade policies [3]. - Recent expansions include increased foreign access to the bond repurchase market and higher daily net trading limits on the cross-border scheme Swap Connect [3]. Group 4: Offshore Initiatives - Authorities have announced plans to enhance offshore yuan business in Hong Kong and have established an operation center in Shanghai to promote the global adoption of the central bank digital yuan [4].

Funds raised from new share sales in Hong Kong jumped 220 per cent in the first nine months of 2025, strengthening the local stock exchange's grip on the top spot in the global rankings, while analysts predicted that the initial public offering (IPO) market would continue to pop well into next year. A total of 66 companies raised US$23.27 billion on the main board of the Hong Kong stock exchange during the first nine months, according to data released on Tuesday by the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG). ...

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of defensive stocks such as Singapore Exchange (SGX), Singapore Technologies Engineering (STE), and Singapore Telecommunications (Singtel) for income investors during periods of market volatility, highlighting their stable earnings and dividends [1][17]. Singapore Exchange (SGX) - SGX is the sole stock exchange operator in Singapore, benefiting from strong recurring income from derivatives and clearing services, and high trading volumes even in volatile markets [2]. - In FY2025, SGX reported its highest revenue and net profit since listing, with net revenue growing 11.7% year on year to S$1.3 billion, driven by growth in equities, currencies, and commodities [3][4]. - The Equities – Cash segment saw a nearly 19% increase in net revenue YoY, while Equities – Derivatives and FICC segments grew by 13.8% and 8.6% respectively [4]. - Total dividend for FY2025 rose by 8.7% YoY to S$0.375 per share, with plans to enhance dividends by S$0.0025 each quarter until FY2028 [5][6]. Singapore Technologies Engineering (STE) - STE's share price reached all-time highs in August 2025, with revenue in 1H2025 growing 7% YoY to S$5.9 billion and net profit increasing nearly 20% to S$403 million [7]. - The order book reached a new high of S$31.2 billion as of 30 June 2025, supported by S$9.1 billion in new contracts secured in the first half of 2025 [8][9]. - STE declared an interim dividend of S$0.08 per share for 1H2025, with plans for a total dividend of S$0.18 per share for 2025 and a new policy to pay out about one-third of year-on-year net profit increases as incremental dividends [10]. Singapore Telecommunications (Singtel) - Singtel's financial performance for FY2025 showed group revenue steady at S$14.15 billion, while underlying net profit rose 9.3% to S$2.47 billion [11]. - A significant one-time gain from the partial divestment of its Comcentre headquarters led to a net profit surge of over 400% to S$4.02 billion [12]. - Total capital expenditure is projected at S$2.5 billion for FY2026, with S$0.8 billion allocated for investments in data centers, AI, digitalization, and satellites [14]. - Singtel proposed a total ordinary dividend of S$0.17 per share for FY2025, a 13.3% increase from the previous year, and aims to pay out a core dividend of 70% to 90% of its underlying net profit [14][15].

Group 1: Financial Hub Rankings - Hong Kong maintained its position as the world's third-ranked financial hub, narrowing the gap with New York and London, with an overall rating increase of 4 points [1][3] - The latest GFCI report indicates that only one rating point separates the top four financial centres, with Hong Kong being 1 point below London and 2 points behind New York [3] - Singapore rose 13 points to rank fourth, just 1 point below Hong Kong [2] Group 2: IPO Market Performance - Funds raised via initial public offerings (IPOs) in Hong Kong increased eightfold in the first six months of 2025, making the city the top global exchange for IPOs for the first time since 2019 [4] - Deloitte projected Hong Kong to record 66 IPOs and raise up to HK$182.3 billion in the first three quarters of 2025, representing a 47% increase in the number of IPOs and a 228% surge in proceeds compared to the same period in 2023 [6] - The Hong Kong stock exchange is expected to retain its position as the global leader in IPO fundraising in the third quarter, driven by six mega IPOs [5] Group 3: GFCI Assessment Criteria - The GFCI's assessment is based on five areas: business environment, human capital, infrastructure, financial sector development, and reputation and general overview [7]

Core Insights - Nasdaq reported an increase in short interest across its listed securities as of the mid-September settlement date compared to August 29 [2] Summary by Category - **Short Interest Data** - Short interest in 5,014 securities totaled 17,146,159,646 shares at the September 15 settlement date [2] - This represents an increase from 4,988 issues and 16,958,657,192 shares reported previously [2]

Core Viewpoint - Saudi Arabia's stock market experienced its largest daily increase since 2020, driven by expectations that the market regulator may relax foreign ownership limits on listed companies, potentially revitalizing interest in the stock exchange [1][4]. Group 1: Market Reaction - The Saudi benchmark index surged over 5%, reaching its highest level since May, following reports of potential regulatory changes [1]. - The index has seen a year-to-date decline of 9.6%, underperforming regional markets such as Dubai and Kuwait, which are up 13.8% and 20% respectively [3]. Group 2: Potential Inflows - If the foreign ownership cap is lifted to 100%, it could attract an additional $9.5 billion to $10 billion in passive inflows from MSCI and FTSE index trackers, according to UBS projections [2]. - The easing of foreign ownership rules is expected to enhance the weight of Saudi public companies in major indexes, thereby increasing foreign investment [4]. Group 3: Market Liquidity and Participation - The anticipated regulatory changes are expected to strengthen liquidity and depth in the Saudi market, tighten bid-ask spreads, and expand institutional participation [5]. - Saudi Arabia has been actively working to attract foreign investors through various initiatives, including establishing exchange-traded funds with partners in Asia [5]. Group 4: Broader Regulatory Context - In January, regulators allowed foreigners to purchase shares in companies owning real estate in Mecca and Medina, while maintaining restrictions on direct land ownership [6].

Group 1 - Nasdaq announced the delisting of certain securities that were previously suspended from trading on its platform [2] - The specific securities listed for delisting include Digital Brands Group (DBGI) warrants, which were suspended on December 18, 2024 [2]

Core Viewpoint - The Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) must implement foundational changes in governance, culture, and risk management following a trading settlement failure, as emphasized by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) [1][2][3] Group 1: Regulatory Oversight - The RBA has stated that ASX's clearing and settlement units do not meet key regulatory standards and will closely monitor improvements [1][2] - The RBA indicated that further regulatory responses will be considered if ASX fails to enhance its operations [2] Group 2: Operational Performance - ASX is currently not meeting the expectations of regulators for a critical national infrastructure operator, highlighting the need for resilient and secure clearing and settlement facilities [3] - The average daily cash market trading value for ASX in the past financial year was A$6.1 billion (approximately $4.04 billion) [4] Group 3: Recent Incidents and Responses - ASX faced criticism after deferring a day's worth of trading settlements due to a breakdown in its Clearing House Electronic Subregister System (CHESS) [5] - ASX's Chief Executive acknowledged the need to rebuild trust with regulators and mentioned ongoing efforts to improve contingency arrangements for CHESS [5][6]