<div id="readability-page-1"><div><p>[SINGAPORE] The benchmark Straits Times Index (STI) delivered a total return of 5.6 per cent in the first quarter of FY2026, supported by gains in the technology and industrial sectors.</p><p>Among the top performing stocks with a market capitalisation of more than S$10 billion, by total returns, for the quarter, were  ST Engineering  (28.4 per cent) ,     Wilmar International  (25 per cent) and the  Singapore Exchange (SGX)  (15.8 per cent).</p><p>The two leading sectors sustained their H2 FY2025 momentum, with the FTSE ST Technology Index reporting a 17.9 per cent increase in total returns, and FTSE ST Industrials Index climbing 11.7 per cent. Total returns by the consumer goods sector also lifted 13.6 per cent, said SGX in a note on Thursday (Apr 2). </p><p>Overall, the local index outperformed both the FTSE Asia Pacific Index, which rose 0.4 per cent, and the FTSE World Index, which declined 3 per cent over the same period in Singapore dollar terms.</p><p>The industrials, consumer cyclical and telecommunications sectors captured the highest institutional capital inflows, with  Singtel  recording its second highest net institutional inflow of S$274.2 million in Q1 FY2026.</p><p>Excluding real estate investment trusts (Reits), small and mid-capitalisation (Smid) stocks attracted close to S$470 million in net institutional inflows, of which Smid industrials booked more than S$200 million.</p><div><div><h3>Navigate Asia in<br/>a new global order</h3><p>Get the insights delivered to your inbox.</p></div></div><p>The segment’s average daily trading volume surged to S$670 million, signalling broader participation and improved price discovery beyond large-capitalisation counters. </p><p>Share buybacks reached around S$560 million in Q1 FY2026, up about S$330 million from the same period last year. The increase can be attributed to Singtel’s ongoing S$2 billion value realisation programme where 21.2 million shares were bought back in March. </p><p>Banks counters  United Overseas Bank  (UOB) and  OCBC  alongside Reit  Keppel  and ST Engineering also contributed to the increased buyback expenditure.</p><div><div><div><p>SEE ALSO</p><div><div><div><div><p><img height="2609" src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://cassette.sphdigital.com.sg/image/businesstimes/50d5453a188aa4ae4f29f2d7184b59e653bff79d28fc108f007865a6fb0ae301/query-ZHByPTEmZj13ZWJwJnc9OTYw?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" width="3914" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://cassette.sphdigital.com.sg/image/businesstimes/50d5453a188aa4ae4f29f2d7184b59e653bff79d28fc108f007865a6fb0ae301/query-ZHByPTEmZj13ZWJwJnc9OTYw"/></p></div><p></p><h3><span>Expectations for AGM and reporting timeliness</span></h3><p></p></div></div></div></div></div></div><p>Amid ongoing geopolitical conflict in the Middle East, concerns regarding persistent, elevated energy and food prices, inflation and slowed economic growth have translated to greater risk management activity across SGX-traded commodity counters, said the exchange. </p><div><p>Decoding Asia newsletter: your guide to navigating Asia in a new global order. <span>Sign up here to get Decoding Asia newsletter.</span> Delivered to your inbox. Free.</p></div></div></div>

<p>The Straits Times Index (STI) achieved a total return of 5.6% in Q1 FY2026, driven by strong performances in the technology and industrial sectors. Notable stocks included ST Engineering (28.4%), Wilmar International (25%), and Singapore Exchange (15.8%). The FTSE ST Technology Index rose 17.9%, while the FTSE ST Industrials Index increased by 11.7%. Institutional inflows were significant, particularly in the industrials and telecommunications sectors, with Singtel seeing S$274.2 million in net inflows. Share buybacks reached S$560 million, largely due to Singtel's S$2 billion program. Overall, the STI outperformed regional indices amid ongoing geopolitical and economic concerns.</p>

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Technology, industrial sectors lift STI Q1 total returns to 5.6%