The Singapore Exchange (SGX) reported total securities market turnover of $25.8 billion for the month of February over 19 trading days, according to the latest monthly market statistics released on March 10.
The amount represents a 6% drop y-o-y from the $27.5 billion over 20 trading days in February 2020, and a 13.2% m-o-m drop from January’s total securities market turnover of $29.7 billion over 20 trading days.
In cash equities, securities daily average value (SDAV) slid 1% y-o-y to $1.36 billion, and 8.6% m-o-m from January’s SDAV of $1.49 billion.
During the month, the market turnover value of exchange-traded funds (ETF) climbed 40% y-o-y to $499 million amid increased investor adoption.
The increase was also due to the new daily leverage certificates (DLC) and structured warrants that were listed on the SGX in February.
The benchmark Straits Times Index (STI) was up 1.6% m-o-m at 2,949.04 as it grew for the fourth consecutive month.
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In February, the STI generated a total return of 1.7%, bringing total returns for the first two months of 2021 to 3.9%.
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There were 63 new bond listings for the month, which raised $31.5 billion. According to SGX, Asia’s primary bond market saw increased activity towards the end of the month on broad regional participation.
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Total derivatives traded volume on SGX fell 26.3% y-o-y and 10.5% m-o-m to 17.7 million contracts due to fewer trading days in onshore markets.
Derivatives daily average volume (DAV) fell 14.2% y-o-y to 1.06 million contracts.
Total foreign exchange (forex) futures fell 6.3% y-o-y to 2.3 million contracts, led by a 22% jump in SGX INR/USD Futures as market volatility took a turn higher.
In commodity markets, SGX’s freight derivatives set record open interest in February on heightened demand to manage price risk.
Forward freight agreement (FFA) traded volume surged 80% y-o-y to 150,601 contracts amid a rally in shipping rates.
SGX petrochemical derivatives volume more than doubled y-o-y to a record 1.45 million metric tonnes (MT) on the back of increased hedging and record open interest.
Iron ore derivatives traded volume declined 12% m-o-m in February to 1.4 million contracts.
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SGX SICOM rubber futures, the global pricing bellwether for natural rubber, climbed 12% to 146,291 contracts.
As at end-February, the total market capitalisation value of 695 listed companies stood at $888.74 billion.
During the month, SGX welcomed specialist healthcare group Livingstone Health Holdings Limited as well as fintech group MC Payment Limited to its Catalist board.
Shares in SGX closed 7 cents higher or 0.7% up at $9.99 on March 10.
