Financial markets continued to limp into the second half of 2020, with the benchmark Straits Times Index (STI) declining 3.1% w-o-w to 2,495.09 on Monday morning, after Singapore’s central bank took the unprecedented step of calling banks to cap their dividends for FY20.
Last Wednesday (July 29), the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has asked DBS, UOB, and OCBC to restrict their dividend payout to 60% of what was paid for in FY19.
See: MAS calls on banks to cap dividends for FY20 to 60% of FY19
On Friday (July 31), MAS released bank lending figures, which declined for the fourth month in June.
See also: Singapore's bank lending continues decline in June
Among the constituents, Singapore Airlines (SIA) saw the largest dip at 8.6% w-o-w following its $1.12 billion in 1Q20/21, which marks the second consecutive quarter of losses from the airline.
See also: SIA plummets into $1.12 bil net loss in 1Q20/21 on continued aviation woes
Keppel Corporation came in second with a 8.1% w-o-w decline after its $537 million net loss in 1H20 after registering an impairment of $930 million.
Of the top gainers, Wilmar International led the way with a 5.6% w-o-w increase, while Venture Corporation rose 5.4% w-o-w.
Read all the STI watch articles here.
