Sias aims to boost retail participation in Singapore stocks

It will take its Invest Singapore scheme to the heartland, help people start investment journey

- Angela Tan

The Securities Investors Association (Singapore), or Sias, will step up efforts to boost retail participation in local stocks in 2025 and build on what has been a bumper year for investors.

The initiative involves taking its Invest Singapore programme to the heartland to encourage more people to look at the market here, while helping them embark on their investment journey.

Many people avoid stocks and bonds due to lack of knowledge or previous losses, opting for savings accounts which do not account for inflation, noted Mr David Gerald, president and chief executive of Sias, an investor group with around 12,000 members.

He hopes that these new investors "come on board with Sias, which will guide and advise them on how best to construct portfolios that match their risk profiles and investment objectives".

Mr Gerald noted that the Singapore share market exceeded expectations in 2024, largely driven by strong performances from banks, Singtel and property-related stocks.

The Straits Times Index has been the best performer in the region, delivering a 30 per cent return so far in 2024, despite many retail investors here shunning local stocks in favour of more exciting markets like Wall Street.