Singapore Exchange Research Articles

Lessons from the Demise of the Brent Crude Oil Futures Contract on the Singapore Exchange

This paper highlights the lessons drawn from the demise of the Brent Crude Oil futures contract that was traded on the Singapore Stock Exchange (SGX). We analyze the market microstructure of the contract prior to its failure—specifically, the number of trades, trading volume, open interest, bid–ask spread, and volatility. We find a steady decline in the mean volume, open interest, and number of trades as the contracts near their demise. The bid–ask spread of the contract also widens. Investigations of the mutual offset feature of the Brent Crude Oil futures contract between SGX and the International Commodity Exchange (ICE) provides evidence that trading volume, open interest, and the number of trades increase significantly during 4:00–5:45 PM local time when mutual offset is available.

Indonesian and Singapore Manufacturing Companies: Analysis of Differences in Company Profitability during the Pandemic

Profitability is the ability of a company to earn profits during a period. In 2019, the world was hit by the Covid-19 pandemic which caused disruption to the world economy. Researchers want to look for evidence regarding the company's financial, especially the company's profitability during Covid-19 in Indonesia and Singapore. This research aims to analyze and obtain empirical evidence regarding the differences in the profitability of Indonesia’s manufacturing companies and Singapore. The research method uses the Independent Sample t Test of mean difference with samples from manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) and Singapore manufacturing companies listed on the Singapore Exchange (SGX) during 2018–2022. Profitability variables use the Return on Assets (ROA) and Net Profit Margin (NPM) ratios. The research results show that there are differences in the average NPM and ROA between Indonesian and Singaporean manufacturing companies.

Momentum and individual investor trades: Evidence from Singapore

This paper examines the role of retail investor trading activity on stock price momentum. We find that there is little evidence of momentum for stocks traded on the Singapore Exchange (SGX) unconditionally and momentum is concentrated in stocks with high market capitalization and high nominal prices. While these stocks are likely to be the trading habitat of institutional investors, they exhibit substantially greater price momentum when they are accompanied by heavy trading by retail investors. Moreover, contrarian trading by retail investors on momentum stocks increases stock price underreaction to information and generates momentum of above 2% per month.

How Shifts in Economic Policy Affect Infrastructure Firm Performance ?

This quantitative research was conducted on companies in the infrastructure sector in Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines, and Vietnam to see a comparison of economic policies in influencing company performance, the progress of the infrastructure sector, and good implementation in each country. The company performance measurement variables used are ROE and ROA. This research was conducted in a prescriptive way by collecting secondary data from official stock exchange sites, namely the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX), Singapore Exchange Limited (SGX), Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), and Hanoi Stock Exchange (HNX). To find out the relationship between variables, analysis, and data processing in this study we used the Vector Autoregressive (VAR) method. The results of this study are that the economic policies implemented by each country have different impacts according to the economic conditions in the country so they have different impacts on the implementation of monetary and fiscal policies. In Indonesia and the Philippines, the impact of interest rate monetary policy can significantly affect company performance (positive effect), while in Vietnam and Singapore, it is not proven to have a significant effect. In Indonesia and the Philippines, the impact of fiscal policy shows that the performance of companies in the infrastructure sector appears to be positively influenced by the State Budget and IR, but in Vietnam and Singapore, it does not appear to be positively affected.

Intraday price discovery and volatility transmission between the dual-listed stock index futures and spot markets – new evidence from India

PurposeThis study empirically explores the intraday price discovery mechanism and volatility transmission effect between the dual-listed Indian Nifty index futures traded simultaneously on the onshore Indian exchange, National Stock Exchange (NSE) and offshore Singapore Exchange (SGX) and its spot market by using high-frequency data.Design/methodology/approachThis study applies the vector error correction model to analyze the lead-lag relationship in price discovery among three markets. The contributions of individual markets in assimilating new information into prices are measured using various measures, Hasbrouck's (1995) information share, Lien and Shrestha's (2009) modified information share and Gonzalo and Granger's (1995) component share. Additionally, the Granger causality test is conducted to determine the causal relationship. Lastly, the BEKK-GARCH specification is employed to analyze the volatility transmission.FindingsThis study provides robust evidence that Nifty futures lead the spot in price discovery. The offshore SGX Nifty futures consistently ranked first in contributing to price discovery, followed by onshore NSE Nifty futures and finally by the spot. Empirical results also show unidirectional causality and volatility transmission from Nifty futures to spot, as well as bidirectional causal relationship and volatility spillovers between NSE and SGX Nifty futures. These novel findings provide fresh insights into the informational efficiency of the dual-listed Indian Nifty futures, which is distinct from previous literature.Practical implicationsThese findings can potentially help market participants, policymakers, stock exchanges and regulators.Originality/valueUnlike previous studies in this area, this is the first study that empirically examines the intraday price discovery mechanism and volatility spillover between the dual-listed futures markets and its spot market using 5-min overlapping price data and trivariate econometric models.

Impact of intellectual capital on earnings management and financial performance

Intellectual capital is widely recognized as one of the most important assets in modern businesses, but it is only reported in the financial statement in certain conditions. This study aims to evaluate the role of value-added intellectual capital (VAIC) in moderating the relationship between earnings management and financial performance. This research uses data from non-financial companies listed on the Singapore Exchange and Indonesia Stock Exchange covering the period of 2016–2021, with a total of 3,303 firm-year observations. VAIC is measured using Pulic’s intellectual capital model and earnings management using the Kasznik Model (1999). This study uses multiple linear regressions to examine the relationship between variables. The findings indicate that earnings management has no significant effect on the financial performance of Singapore, but it has a significant positive effect on the financial performance of Indonesia. Furthermore, this study discovers that intellectual capital moderates the relationship between earnings management and financial performance in both countries differently, that intellectual capital moderation is positive (negative) for the Singapore (Indonesia) sample. These findings suggest that the role of intellectual capital varies depending on stock exchanges; Singapore is considered a developed country in Southeast Asia, whilst Indonesia is considered a developing one. This study concludes that the role of intellectual capital in the relationship between earnings management and financial performance varies between market characteristics and across industries.

The Influence of Sustainable Reporting and Corporate Governance on Value of Mining Companies Listed on the ASEAN Stock Exchange

This research aimed to analyze how good corporate governance and sustainability reporting affected company value. The study sample were are all the mining companies listed in the ASEAN Stock Exchange from 2018-2020 with a total sample of 120 companies. Secondary data was collected from annual reports and sustainability reports of companies listed on the Indonesian Stock Exchange, Bursa Malaysia, Singapore Exchange, Philippines Stock Exchange, and Thailand Stock Exchange. This study used the regression panel of the common effects model for data analysis. The findings showed that sustainability reporting had a positive effect on company value, effective and corporate governance had no impact on company value. The two independent variables (sustainability reporting and good corporate governance) significantly affected company value of mining companies listed on the ASEAN Stock Exchange from 2018 to 2020. Keywords: sustainability reporting, good corporate governance, companies value

International linkages of emerging market index futures, under the closure of underlying spot market – evidence from Indian Nifty futures

PurposeThis study examines the dynamic linkages between the Indian Nifty index futures traded on the offshore Singapore Exchange (SGX) and US stock indices (DJIA, NASDAQ and S&P 500) under the closure of the spot market for Nifty futures.Design/methodology/approachWith high-frequency 5-min overlapping price data, the authors employ the Johansen cointegration test to investigate long-run relationships, the Granger causality test to assess short-run dynamics and the BEKK-GARCH model for volatility spillover investigation.FindingsThe empirical findings reveal that the SGX Nifty futures market is cointegrated with the US DJIA market. The US DJIA stock index strongly influences the price discovery of SGX Nifty futures and past innovations in the US markets strongly impact the current volatility of SGX Nifty futures.Practical implicationsFindings from this study have significant implications for market participants, particularly foreign investors and portfolio managers. These findings might be helpful for market participants to improve the prediction power of expected SGX Nifty futures price and volatility, especially under the closure of the spot market. Also, SGX market participants can take the significant role of the US market into account when formulating hedging and trading strategies with Indian Nifty futures. Besides, our findings have significant implications for policymakers in evaluating market stability.Originality/valueThis article adds to the very limited research on offshore or international stock index futures; it is the first study that empirically examines the international linkages of offshore SGX Nifty futures under the closure of its underlying spot market and also the driving force behind the linkages.

The impact of environmental disclosure on initial public offering underpricing: Sustainable development in Singapore

AbstractThis study applies signaling theory to examine the impact of environmental disclosures on equity underpricing at initial public offerings (IPO) when private firms list on stock exchanges. Firms often under‐price their shares to attract investors as IPOs have high information asymmetry between firms and investors. Using a linguistic technique on environmental disclosures in prospectuses from 2009 to 2019 in the Singapore Exchange, we find that disclosures with a positive tone correlate with lower underpricing, but only if these disclosures are authentic. This finding is robust to different model specifications and measurements. We provide new evidence that linguistic features, that is, tone and authenticity, interact to influence a key IPO outcome. The results suggest that investors are not easily attracted by positive disclosure tones but are also concerned with the authenticity of such disclosures. This finding informs firms and various stakeholders navigating the nascent and growing wave of sustainability reporting in Singapore.

Multiscale nonlinear Granger causality and time-varying effect analysis of the relationship between iron ore futures and spot prices

Using the ICEEMDAN approach, the Granger causality test, and the TVP-VAR model, this research examined Granger causality and its time-varying characteristics of four types of iron ore daily spot and futures prices from January 2014 to July 2021. There are two major conclusions. (1) There exist several one-way nonlinear Granger causations from spot markets to futures markets or futures markets to another futures market, and the widespread two-way nonlinear Granger causations. Platts iron ore prices are more sensitive to new market information than others. The iron ore futures prices on the Singapore Exchange are also more sensitive to those on the Dalian Commodity Exchange. (2) The effect of one price on another has a concentrated influence, a brief duration, and a fast decrease in intensity. The effect's intensity, which shows periodic patterns, varies over time and is unstable in positive and negative directions. Therefore, we suggest that (1) nonlinear models are more reasonable for predicting iron ore prices; (2) better private decision-making and public intervention should be based on the multi-time scales variation features of causations between different prices; (3) principal iron ore consuming countries, such as China, should speed up the construction of more mature futures and spot trading markets for increasing price influence.

Indonesia Stock Price Index, Inflation, Interest Rate and Exchange Rate against ISSI

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of Indonesia regional stock price index, inflation, interest rate, and exchange rate on ISSI, for Singapore, Malaysian and Philippine. The dependent variable in this study is ISSI. The independent variables in this study are Straits Times Index (STI), Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange Index (KLSE), Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEI), Singapore inflation (INFSG), Malaysian inflation (INFMY), Philippine inflation (INFPH), Singapore interest rate (SBSG), Malaysia interest rate (SBMY), Philippine interest rate (SBPH), Singapore exchange rate (SGD), Malaysian exchange rate (MYR), and Philippine exchange rate (PHP). The sample of this study are all variables starting in 2014-2019. Analysis tools to test hypotheses using the VECM method. The analysis shows that the variables that have positive and significant effect on ISSI are KLSE, INFSG, SBSG, SGD, MYR, and PHP. SBMY has a positive but not significant effect on ISSI. While the variables that have negative and significant influence are PSEI, INFPH, and SBPH.

Faktor-Faktor Yang Mempengaruhi Environmental Disclosure Pada Perusahaan Industri di Singapore Exchange (SGX)

This study aims to examine the effect of industry type, company size, leverage, auditor type, women directors, and managerial ownership on environmental disclosure. Environmental disclosure is measured using content analysis to determine the quantity of disclosure. The population of this study are industrial companies listed in the Singapore Exchange (SGX) during the period of 2017-2018. Purposive sampling is used as a sampling method, there are 61 companies as the research sample and 122 units of analysis to be used in this study. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to test the effect between variables. The data analysis technique used descriptive statistical analysis techniques and inferential statistical analysis techniques. The research showed that company size has a significant positive effect on environmental disclosure. Similar results are found in the leverage and the type of auditor who find a significant positive effect on environmental disclosure. Meanwhile, type of industry, women directors and managerial ownership do not have a significant effect on environmental disclosure. Based on the research results, large companies pay more attention to the public because of their credibility and reputation. Environmental disclosure is one way to maintain company credibility.

The Influencing Factors on Decision Investment: Case Study on 5 Mining Firms in 5 Countries in South East Asia

This research aimed is to find out the factors influencing decision-making in mining firms listed in Indonesian Stock Exchange, Bursa Malaysia, the stock Exchange of Thailand, the Philippines Stock Exchange and Singapore Exchange from 2014 to 2018. This study employed multiple linear regression to examine independent variable influences such as cash flow, firm size, leverage and investment opportunities. Total asset growth is the metric used to calculate investment decision. Secondary data were retrieved by the audited Mining Corporation Report and Annual Reports from the Indonesian Stock Exchange, Bursa Malaysia, the Philippines Stock Exchange, the Singapore Exchange and the Stock Exchange of Thailand from 2014 to 2018 in web.idx.id, www.bursamalaysia.com.com, www.pse.com.ph, www.set.or.th and the www2.sgx.com/ The findings suggest that cash flow and firm size have a beneficial impact on investment decision-making, leverage has a detrimental influence on investment decision-making whereas acquisition incentives have little impact on investment decision-making.

The Determinants of Human Resource Disclosures in ASEAN

This paper aims to determine the level of Human Resource Disclosure (HRD) in ASEAN and to examine the impact of firm size, firm age, auditor type, profitability, board size, and gender on HRD. The population of this study was banking companies listed on the Indonesian Stock Exchange (IDX), Philippines Stock Exchange (PSE), The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), Bursa Malaysia (Bursa), and Singapore Exchange (SGX) in 2018. The purposive sampling method was used in this study so that obtained 77 banking companies. Multiple linear regression with SPSS 21 was used in this study. The results showed that the mean level of human resource disclosure in ASEAN was 77%. Independent variables of firm size and auditor type have significant and positive influences on HRD. Board size has a negative and significant influence on HRD while firm age, profitability, and gender have insignificant effects. The summaries of this research are the mean level of HRD classified in high. Firm size, auditor type, and board size have significant effects on HRD while firm age, profitability, and gender have insignificant effects. The Absence of HRD level research in ASEAN countries makes this research important to study.
 Keywords: Human Resource Disclosure; Firm Size; Firm Age; Auditor Type; Profitability; Board Size; Gender

Company financial performance, company characteristics, and environmental disclosure: evidence from Singapore

A company disclosed its environmental disclosure by providing its annual report and sustainability report as a responsibility to society and the environment. This study aims to examine the factors that influence environmental disclosure, consisting of profitability, leverage, company size, industry type and company age. Legitimacy theory and stakeholder theory are used in this study. The population in this study is industrial companies listed on the Singapore Exchange (SGX) in 2018. Purposive sampling is used as a sampling method in order to obtain 61 companies. Multiple linear analysis was used to test the effect between variables. The quantity determination of environmental disclosure is measured using the content analysis method based on GRI Standard 2016. The result showed that company size has a significant positive effect on environmental disclosure. Meanwhile, the relationship between profitability and environmental disclosure has a significant negative. On the other hand, leverage, industry type, and company age have no significant environmental disclosure effect. Based on the resulting test, large companies disclosed environmental disclosures to increase public trust and credibility.

The Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on Stock Market Return Volatility: Evidence from Malaysia and Singapore

In this study, the volatility of two Asian stock markets, Bursa Malaysia and Singapore Exchange, is estimated. The analysis used data on daily closing prices of the indices of the respective stock markets between July 1, 2019 and August 31, 2020. The sample is split into two subsample periods: Pre-COVID-19 pandemic and during the COVID-19 pandemic. We estimated a standard GARCH, GARCH-M, TGARCH, EGARCH and PGARCH model for each subsample. We chose the best GARCH that yielded the lowest Schwarz information criterion for the normal, skewed normal, Student’s t-distribution, skewed Student’s t-distribution, generalized error distribution (GED) and skewed GED. The results show that both stock market returns are quite persistent, and the persistence decreases for both stock market returns during the pandemic. Furthermore, the normal distribution performed well for Malaysian and Singaporean stock markets before the pandemic and switched to a Student’s t (skewed normal) during the pandemic. The standard GARCH(1,1), GARCH-M(1,1), and EGARCH(1,1) performed well for both stock market returns, and the EGARCH indicates the presence of the leverage effect when stock market returns are negatively correlated to its volatility.

SPAC Listing Rules in Singapore: The Legal Framework, Rationale, and Competitive Advantages

In September 2021, Singapore Exchange (SGX) officially started to allow the public listing of special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) on its mainboard, in the hope of cementing its status as Asia’s top financial centre, attracting the listing of regional unicorn companies in the tech industry, as well as meeting the needs of local high net- worth investors. Against this backdrop, the article discusses the motivations behind Singapore’s recent regulatory reform, and analyses its SPAC listing legal framework. It also tries to predict whether the Singapore SPAC model could win a place in the increasingly competitive global IPO markets.

Restructuring Business Trusts as Unregistered Companies

The use of alterative business forms harks back to the unincorporated joint stock company that was often a partnership with trust characteristics. REITs and business trusts form a large component of the Singapore Exchange but there are issues with their liquidation and restructuring, particularly involving overseas assets. A recent Delaware Chapter 11 case discussed what a business trust is and whether it is a separate entity. In turn, the concept of legal persona has been linked with affirmative asset partitioning by a UK Supreme Court veil piercing case. Such partitioning existed with partnerships and trusts and this was recognised by Victorian legislatures which crafted early company legislation. While Australian courts have focused on winding up trustees as there is no “trust” as such, restructuring poses more problems, especially for REITs with separate custodian-trustees and managers. They could be seen as “unregistered companies” and restructured in a way that paralleled an incorporated company.

The Risk-Return Relationship in Crude Oil Markets during COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence from Time-Varying Coefficient GARCH-in-Mean Model

In this paper, we propose the new time-varying coefficient GARCH-in-Mean model. The benefit of our model is to allow the risk-return parameter in the mean equation to vary over time. At the end of 2019 to the beginning of 2020, the world witnessed two shocking events: COVID-19 pandemic and 2020 oil price war. So, we decide to use the daily data from December 2, 2019 to May 29, 2020, which cover these two major events. The purpose of this study is to find the dynamic movement between risk and return in four major oil markets: Brent, West Texas Intermediate, Dubai, and Singapore Exchange, during COVID-19 pandemic and 2020 oil price war. For the European oil market, our model found a significant and positive risk-return relationship in Brent during March 26-April 21, 2020. For the North America oil market, our model found a significant positive risk return relationship in West Texas Intermediate (WTI) during March 12-May 8, 2020. For the Middle East oil market, we found a significant and positive risk-return relationship in Dubai during March 12-April 14, 2020. Lastly, for the South East Asia oil market, we found a significant positive risk return relationship in Singapore Exchange (SGX) from March 9-May 29, 2020.

Impact of Sustainability Reporting on Brand Value: An Examination of 100 Leading Brands in Singapore

The recent sustainability reporting (SR) mandate by the Singapore Exchange has heightened stakeholder awareness and propelled sustainability disclosures. Albeit encouraging, more than half of listed companies in Singapore do not produce sustainability reports. This signifies a lack of sustainability commitment, or perhaps, local companies have limited understanding on the potential value of sustainability. Our study aims to fill this gap by examining if (1) the 100 leading brands in Singapore similarly benefit from a higher brand value when they produce sustainability reports; (2) if more disclosure leads to higher brand value; (3) if a lagged effect is present. The methodology of this study included the collation of sustainability information from the 100 leading brands in Singapore, scoring each company’s sustainability performance using the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) framework. Finally, we examine the correlations using regression analysis to compare the companies’ sustainability performance with the reputed brand rankings by Brand Finance. Our findings revealed that one-fifth of the 100 leading brands in Singapore do not engage in sustainability, despite the positive correlation between sustainability reporting and brand value. Our results also suggest that greater disclosure leads to higher brand value, yet social and environmental indicators are undermanaged. Moreover, there is a lagged effect as public perceptions take time to shape. Internalising a company’s sustainability vision through a multi-stakeholder consultative approach is critical. Brand managers and sustainability practitioners must be aware that failures to meet stakeholder expectations today may consequently impact investors’ decisions.