2025 is already 50% behind us.
And my what a 2025 we have had so far. The half year milestone is always a great indicator to take stock and reflect on investment returns.
The S&P 500 is currently up by 6.41% YTD and 11.06% for the past year. Barring any unforeseen black swan events, and if S&P500 to continues to edge higher, we could be in for another good year for equities.
Those who have opted for passive investing in the top 500 US companies are reaping solid gains, but did you know that those who picked the right Singapore-listed companies would have done even better?
Yes. The notion that there are no growth stocks listed in Singapore might still be around, but there are easily more than 10 Singapore stocks that have returned over 10% this year.
In fact, I can name you 12 of them.
So which are the 12 stocks?
1. Moneymax Financial Services Ltd (SGX: 5WJ): +124%
Moneymax Financial Services operates a multi-faceted business model primarily focused on pawnbroking, secured lending, and the retail and trading of gold and luxury items.
It may seem surprising to see shares of a pawnbroker hitting all-time highs when the general macroeconomic conditions are not in dire state.
A deeper look into its latest financial results spills it all. The company reported a record profit after tax of S$41.6 million in FY2024, a substantial +65.4% YoY increase. This was driven by booming goal and luxury retail, which drove up its revenue. The rising gold prices have spurred gold purchases, while the tight pockets of Singaporeans who still crave for luxury items have actually diverted these purchases to Moneymax, shunning official boutiques.
Share prices are up by +124% over the past 1 year, making it an outlier in the SGX.
2. DFI Retail Group Holdings Ltd (SGX: D01): +58.60%
Although not as loved as the ones in Thailand and Taiwan, the local 7-Eleven convenience stores are strategically situated around Singapore. Be it a quick snack or bottled water and beverages for the tourists or locals, 7-Eleven is still a sound business.
And investors are able to invest into the 7-Eleven business in Singapore, as it is owned by listed company DFI Retail Group. DFI also owns the Guardian chain pharmacy, yet another vital chain store in our everyday lives.
While DFI previously operated supermarket chains Giant and Cold Storage, it is in the process of divesting these businesses.
Despite the divestments, the share price rally signifies that a more focused approach on convenience and health and wellness would be more accretive to shareholders, thus a +58.60% return over the past year.
3. Valuemax Group Ltd (SGX: T6I): +48.78%
Valuemax Group Limited is another prominent player in Singapore’s financial services and retail sector, similar to Taka Jewellery and Moneymax, with a strong focus on gold-backed businesses.
Its share price saw a rally of +48% over the past year, on top of better financials driven by sky high gold prices.
4. Taka Jewellery Holdings Ltd (SGX: 42L): +48.75%
Another listed jewellery and goldsmith company is riding the gold rally.
Taka Jewellery might not be well known to Malaysians, but for the Singaporeans, it is considered as a reputable homegrown jeweller.
The company also operates a pawnbroker business under the Top Cash brand. The rationale of its rally would most likely be similar to Moneymax.
5. Old Chang Kee Ltd (SGX: 5ML): +45.83%
A local brand and favourite amongst all Singaporeans that has been around since Singapore’s independence.
As a Malaysian, I am surprised that a curry puff business is able to command such a loyal following, as where I come from, it is a very fragmented market with every Malaysians having their preferred choices.
Old Chang Kee’s net profit attributable to shareholders grew to S$11.3 million, a 17.4% year-on-year increase. This was achieved on top of better gross profitability, which improved by +3.5%.
An OCK product lover and investor would have experienced a +45.83% gain for holding onto the stock over the past 1 year.
6. Q & M Dental Group (Singapore) Limited (SGX: QC7): +41.67%
Q & M Dental is pretty much everywhere, so it did not took me long to discover that it’s listed. Being Singapore’s largest private dental healthcare provider, I have also chance upon Q & M outlets in Malaysia as well.
Despite a slight decline in overall revenue for FY2024, mainly due to the cessation of their medical laboratory business which was heavily involved in COVID-19 testing), their net profit after tax attributable to the parent company still expanded +27% to S$14.6 million.
The better profits were attributable to strong contributions from their core dental operations and improved performance in Malaysia, on top of cost cutting measures.
But the rally could be attributable to the commercialisation of its Dental AI (EM2AI). EM2AI has obtained regulatory licenses to sell and distribute its technology in several Southeast Asian countries, including Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia. This represents a new source of recurring earnings growth and is seen as a transformative milestone for the company.
7. Singapore Post Ltd (SGX: S08): +36.96%
Steven Lim kor kor definitely bought the right stock at the wrong time.
Because Singpost is up +36.96% for the past 1 year. Many of us (including myself) would’ve been surprised that a listed postage business is returning more than the S&P 500.
Singpost has sought to diversify its business for years. On paper, Singpost has been chiming that it is doing so, but when scrutinised, it is still largely focused on postage, albeit investing in stakes of other postage businesses outside of Singapore.
Its recent divestment of Australian Logistics Business (FMH) clocked in a gain of S$289.5 million. Following the divestment, Singpost announced a special dividend of 9 cents per share for the financial year ended March 31, 2025. This, combined with an interim dividend, brought the total dividend per share to 9.34 cents.
8. Sheng Siong Group Ltd (SGX: OV8): +36.24%
Sheng Siong is having another strong year.
It managed to further expand its store count, adding 6 stores in 2024 and 2 in 2025 so far.
Cash flow generation remains strong as it seeks to etch more market share in a highly competitive retailing business. By offering daily goods and essentials at a cheaper price, and operating in a rather inflation proof business, Sheng Siong’s defensive nature could be the reason its share price has appreciated by more than 20% YTD.
9. Fraser and Neave Ltd (SGX: F99): +23.36%
Another brand that has played a huge role in the lives of many Malaysians and Singporeans is none other than F&N.
The company has seen growth momentum in its beverage and dairy businesses. It has also doubled down in its integrated dairy farm in Gemas, Johor, a dairy plant in Cambodia, and a beverage plant in Penang.
With its holistic portfolio of dairy and beverages performing strongly, the company charted a 1-year return of +23.36%.
10. DBS Group Holdings Ltd (SGX: D05): +22.03%
Who could forget DBS’ share price appreciation performance over the past 1 year?
The banking stock is up +22.03%, fuelled by robust financial performances and increasing dividends.
The valuations look high if gauged from a price to book ratio, but from a dividend yield perspective, the stock still sports a decent trailing 5% yield.
11. SBS Transit Ltd (SGX: S61): +15.73%
The most evergreen transportation and infrastructure business in Singapore in my opinion.
SBS Transit has played a significant role in my life. 90% of my commute has been by public transportation and SBS Transit consist a major portion of it.
SBS Transit’s share price has seen a positive trend over the past 1-year. While it’s not experiencing explosive growth like some of the other companies tied directly to the gold market or undergoing massive restructurings, the increase is attributable to stable, recovering and growing ridership.
The opening of new MRT stations (like Punggol Coast MRT Station in December 2024 and Hume MRT Station in February 2025) and ongoing expansion of the public transport network will fuel SBS Transit’s next growth frontier.
12. United Overseas Bank Ltd (SGX: U11): +11.92%
The Singapore bank stock prices rarely divert from each other. Closely behind DBS is UOB, which is up +11.92% over the past year.
A deeper look reveals that while some sectors outperformed and others tapered, overall, UOB recorded solid results that fundamentally spurred its share price up.
When including dividends, UOB would have also eke past the S&P 500 performances over the past 1 year.
Verdict
With the STI breaching 4,000 yet again, it’s clear that Singapore equities remain strong and performing.
Granted, attention might still fall to the lacklustre number of IPOs activity compared to Malaysia.
But the list of stocks above proves that even the local Singapore stock investor can find plenty of market-beating stocks. Some are long-term compounders, while some present themselves as great trading stocks based on momentum and technical analysis.
All 12 companies have strong brand and a formidable economic moat. So I wouldn’t be too surprised if these stocks continue to go up, barring any unforeseen black swan events!
If you’re looking for more stock ideas, Alvin shares how he finds the best stocks to invest in to grow our Dr Wealth portfolio. Learn more here.
