STI jumps 5.1% in Q1 as dividends lift total return to 5.6%

Amidst global market swings, the STI’s "income-defensive" nature proved to be its greatest asset.

The Straits Times Index (STI) gained 5.1% to 4,885.45 in the first quarter (Q1) of 2026, with dividends lifting the total return to 5.6%.

According to SGX, dividends remained a key contributor to STI returns, underscoring the index’s income‑defensive characteristics amid global volatility.

By comparison, the FTSE APAC Index delivered 0.4% total return, and the FTSE World Index declined 3.0%. STI ETFs recorded their 13th consecutive month of net inflows, totalling $981m, ending Q1 with AUM of $4.2b.

“Across the capitalisation cohorts, performance was sector‑led: the FTSE ST Technology Index and FTSE ST Industrials Index generated total returns of 17.9% and 11.7%, respectively,” the group said.

“The FTSE ST Consumer Goods Index also emerged as a leader in Q1, posting a 13.6% total return,” it added.

The Industrials and Consumer Cyclicals Index also ranked with Telecommunications as the three Sectors that booked the highest net institutional inflow, whilst Technology ranked fifth highest in Q1.

Meanwhile, Singapore-listed Gold ETFs recorded their 22nd consecutive month of net inflows, with cumulative inflows reaching $2.2b since June 2024, including $243m of net new assets in March 2026. Monthly turnover exceeded $500m for the third straight month, with $532m traded in March.

Excluding REITs, the SMID ($100m to $10b) segment attracted close to $470m of net institutional inflow in Q1.

In total, 60 of around 240 SMIDs generated double-digit total returns during the period.

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