Factor Investing
Investors are looking to maximise their returns while keeping their risks under control, and at the sophisticated end of modern finance, another approach is factor investing, whose popularity in current times appears on the rise. This is gaining traction because the emphasis on particular risk and return drivers empowers investors toward more informed decisions. The term is more than just a buzzword; it has sound academic research backing and proven market results. In this blog, we will explain what factor investing is, what the kinds of factors are, and how such a strategy works in different asset classes.
Table of Contents
What is Factor Investing?
Factor investing is a form of investment that seeks to identify and capitalise on factors, supposedly driving the risk and return of the marketplace. A factor can be defined as an attribute or characteristic responsible for describing the return of an asset or group of assets. The factor can either be a vast market force or a particular attribute that congregates the price of an asset. Traditional investment typically consists of a decision on either stocks or bonds, depending on the trending market or the performance of the company. In contrast, factor investing goes one step further in the isolation of such heterogeneous factors that influence an asset’s behaviour; examples include value, size, and volatility, amongst others. These are then exploited in the construction of a portfolio in the pursuit of enhanced risk-adjusted returns.
By targeting the factors that decrease unwanted risks, investors can fine-tune their portfolios. This strategy is very popular among institutional investors but has recently gained huge momentum among individual investors.
Understanding Factors Invest
Factor investing reduces the idiosyncratic world of investment to more easily digested components. Moving away from the stock or bond as a unit of investment prescribes a clear focus on its performance drivers. These drivers may be separated into macroeconomic factors, which generally affect the market, and style factors, which are more narrowly asset specific.
Exogenous macroeconomic factors include economic growth, inflation, and interest rates. These affect the whole market and asset classes. Style factors, such as company size or financial health, can be considered attributes of individual assets in isolation.
These style factors then help investors construct a portfolio that targets goals, including low volatility or high returns. Investors who are aware of the market factors are better positioned to make better choices and effectively manage risk.
Types of Factor Investing
Factor investing strategies make use of a few widely recognized and used key factors. The basis of these factors is that they have been researched at length and are, therefore, known to influence asset prices. These include:
- Value Factor
The value factor looks for relatively undervalued assets compared to their intrinsic value. This is often done by finding stocks or bonds trading at less than their historic price or relative to the general market. Value investors believe that over time, the market will break even, and an undervalued asset can grow in value.
- Size Factor
Size factor: It refers to an organisation’s market capitalisation. In the long run, smaller companies yield greater returns than larger companies due to the volatility of small-cap stocks over large-cap stocks. This is explained by the fact that smaller companies have more scope for growth but are less stable than bigger ones.
- Momentum Factor
The factor of momentum capitalises on the phenomenon of assets that have performed well in the past and will continue to perform well shortly. Momentum investors seek to exploit short- to medium-term trends in stock prices.
- Volatility Factor
This factor focuses on the risk level of an asset. Stocks with low volatility have above-average long-term performance since they usually provide stable returns. Investors who target the volatility factor do this to reduce risk while keeping the return.
- Quality Factor
Quality investing thus seeks assets with sound fundamentals, such as profitability, low debt, and stable earnings. High-quality companies can only perform well in the long run, especially when the market presents uncertainty.
Factor Investing in Different Asset Classes
Factor investing can be applied to multiple asset classes, which include equities, fixed income, and commodities. Value and momentum are two commonly deployed factors in selecting stocks that presumably outperform the benchmarks. Other commodities, such as gold or oil, are also susceptible to factors like momentum and macroeconomic trends. The factors applied to equities include value and momentum in picking stocks that outperform benchmarks. Fixed income employs variables like credit quality and duration in managing risk and optimising return.
This flexibility of factor investing can help an investor create diversified portfolios across different asset classes, spreading risk and thereby increasing return. For example, he can combine low-volatility stocks with high-quality bonds to create a well-diversified portfolio.
Examples of Factor Investing
Two examples will help us better understand how this style of investment works in real life.
1: Value Factor in the US Stock Market
It would be applied in the US to determine the value factor for investors to find stocks below their intrinsic value. Therefore, these kinds of investors would invest in companies like XYZ Corporation, whose finances are strong but trade below their historical P/E ratio. The investment principle behind this decision is that with time, the market would revert to the correct value of the company when the pricing is correct, and a profit could be made.
2: Momentum Factor in Singapore
A Singapore investor may select stocks based on the momentum factor. When a particular company, such as ABC Ltd, has been steadily rising over the past half a year, momentum investors may assume that such trends will flow well into the future; hence, the stock may appreciate a while more soon.
Frequently Asked Questions
The common factors in play within factor investing include value, size, momentum, volatility, and quality. Informed by decades of academic research, these factors provide reliable indicators of how various assets will perform over time
Therefore, factor investing is essentially different from traditional forms since the former focuses on characteristic-oriented investing to drive the twin elements of risk and return. This would mean that stock or bond selection is made in terms of company performance or market trends. Where volatility or quality may be ignored as parameters of traditional investing, the target is made on those specific elements in factor investing.
An investor may merge various factors into a portfolio to achieve a balanced risk-return profile. For instance, the combination of value and momentum factors allows an investor to profit from undervalued stocks and short-term trends. In other words, diversification across the factors is necessary to manage risk effectively.
Timing a factor means increasing or decreasing exposure to it based on market conditions. For example, an investor might try to increase the volatility factor during unstable markets. While factor timing can enhance returns, it is difficult to implement continuously since timing the market has repeatedly proved difficult.
Factor investing involves selecting the right factors to fit your investment goals and risk tolerance. Most ETFs and mutual funds are designed for factor investing, making it much easier for individual investors to attain exposure to these strategies. Investors, for example, can choose an ETF targeting a portfolio of low-volatility stocks or high-quality bonds.
Related Terms
- Variable Annuity
- Asset Swaps
- Anchoring Bias
- Compound Yield
- Discretionary Accounts
- Industry Groups
- Growth Rate
- Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
- Floating Dividend Rate
- Real Return
- Non-Diversifiable Risk
- Liability-Driven Investment (LDI)
- Guaranteed Investment Contract (GIC)
- Flash Crash
- Cost Basis
- Variable Annuity
- Asset Swaps
- Anchoring Bias
- Compound Yield
- Discretionary Accounts
- Industry Groups
- Growth Rate
- Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
- Floating Dividend Rate
- Real Return
- Non-Diversifiable Risk
- Liability-Driven Investment (LDI)
- Guaranteed Investment Contract (GIC)
- Flash Crash
- Cost Basis
- Deferred Annuity
- Cash-on-Cash Return
- Bubble
- Asset Play
- Accrued Market Discount
- Inflation Hedge
- Incremental Yield
- Holding Period Return
- Hedge Effectiveness
- Fallen Angel
- EBITDA Margin
- Dollar Rolls
- Dividend Declaration Date
- Distribution Yield
- Derivative Security
- Fiduciary
- Current Yield
- Core Position
- Cash Dividend
- Broken Date
- Share Classes
- Valuation Point
- Breadth Thrust Indicator
- Book-Entry Security
- Bearish Engulfing
- Core inflation
- Approvеd Invеstmеnts
- Allotment
- Annual Earnings Growth
- Solvency
- Impersonators
- Reinvestment date
- Volatile Market
- Trustee
- Sum-of-the-Parts Valuation (SOTP)
- Proxy Voting
- Passive Income
- Diversifying Portfolio
- Open-ended scheme
- Capital Gains Distribution
- Investment Insights
- Discounted Cash Flow (DCF)
- Portfolio manager
- Net assets
- Nominal Return
- Systematic Investment Plan
- Issuer Risk
- Fundamental Analysis
- Account Equity
- Withdrawal
- Realised Profit/Loss
- Unrealised Profit/Loss
- Negotiable Certificates of Deposit
- High-Quality Securities
- Shareholder Yield
- Conversion Privilege
- Cash Reserve
- Open-Ended Investment Company
- Front-End Load
- Tracking Error
- Replication
- Real Yield
- DSPP
- Bought Deal
- Bulletin Board System
- Portfolio turnover rate
- Reinvestment privilege
- Initial purchase
- Subsequent Purchase
- Fund Manager
- Target Price
- Top Holdings
- Liquidation
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- Deficit interest
- EPS forecast
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- Pledged Asset
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- Encumbrance
- Money Market Instruments
- Share Market
- Opening price
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- Alternative investments
- Lumpsum
- Derivatives market
- Operating assets
- Hypothecation
- Accumulated dividend
- Assets under management
- Endowment
- Return on investment
- Investments
- Acceleration clause
- Heat maps
- Lock-in period
- Tranches
- Stock Keeping Unit
- Real Estate Investment Trusts
- Prospectus
- Turnover
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- Leverage
- Standard deviation
- Independent financial adviser
- ESG investing
- Earnest Money
- Primary market
- Leveraged Loan
- Transferring assets
- Shares
- Fixed annuity
- Underlying asset
- Quick asset
- Portfolio
- Mutual fund
- Xenocurrency
- Bitcoin Mining
- Option contract
- Depreciation
- Inflation
- Cryptocurrency
- Options
- Fixed income
- Asset
- Reinvestment option
- Capital appreciation
- Style Box
- Top-down Investing
- Trail commission
- Unit holder
- Yield curve
- Rebalancing
- Vesting
- Private equity
- Bull Market
- Absolute Return
- Leaseback
- Impact investing
- Venture Capital
- Buy limit
- Asset stripper
- Volatility
- Investment objective
- Annuity
- Sustainable investing
- Face-amount certificate
- Lipper ratings
- Investment stewardship
- Average accounting return
- Asset class
- Active management
- Breakpoint
- Expense ratio
- Bear market
- Hedging
- Equity options
- Dollar-Cost Averaging (DCA)
- Due Diligence
- Contrarian Investor
Most Popular Terms
Other Terms
- Alpha Capture
- Bond Convexity
- Brokerage Account
- Green Bond Principles
- Gamma Scalping
- Funding Ratio
- Free-Float Methodology
- Flight to Quality
- Protective Put
- Perpetual Bond
- Option Adjusted Spread (OAS)
- Merger Arbitrage
- Income Bonds
- Equity Carve-Outs
- Cost of Equity
- Earning Surprise
- Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR)
- Beta Risk
- Bear Spread
- Ladder Strategy
- Junk Status
- Intrinsic Value of Stock
- Interest-Only Bonds (IO)
- Interest Coverage Ratio
- Industry Groups
- Industrial Bonds
- Income Statement
- Historical Volatility (HV)
- Flat Yield Curve
- Exotic Options
- Execution Risk
- Exchange-Traded Notes
- Event-Driven Strategy
- Eurodollar Bonds
- Enhanced Index Fund
- Embedded Options
- Dynamic Asset Allocation
- Dual-Currency Bond
- Downside Capture Ratio
- Dividend Capture Strategy
- Depositary Receipts
- Delta Neutral
- Deferment Payment Option
- Dark Pools
- Death Cross
- Debt-to-Equity Ratio
- Fixed-to-floating rate bonds
- First Call Date
- Financial Futures
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Wells Fargo Maintains Growth Momentum Despite Rate Headwinds
Overview Wells Fargo reported third-quarter 2026 earnings of US$6 billion, up 6% year-on-year, though below analyst estimates due to lower net interest income and trading gains. Investment advisory fees rose 15% as client assets grew, while investment banking fees increased 6% from market share gains. The company maintained its BUY rating with a reduced target price of US$105, down from US$115. Investment Positives Wells Fargo demonstrated strong operational efficiency through successful cost management initiatives. Expenses fell 1% year-on-year despite a 15% increase in revenue-related expenses, as non-revenue-related expenses declined 4%. The bank achieved this through workforce optimisation, with headcount falling 8% year-on-year to 194,000, marking the 24th consecutive quarterly decline. This drove efficiency ratio improvement to 63% from 65% in the prior year, with management expecting to absorb approximately US$400 million of higher revenue-related expenses within unchanged full-year guidance. The bank's commercial client franchise powered impressive balance sheet growth. Average loans surged 11% year-on-year to US$1.03 trillion, led by Corporate and Investment Banking (+19%), Wealth and Investment Management securities-based lending (+16%), and Commercial Banking (+10%). Deposits mirrored this growth, rising 11% year-on-year to US$1.48 trillion, with Corporate and Investment Banking up 22% and Commercial Banking advancing 16%. Auto balances showed particularly strong momentum, climbing 31% year-on-year. Credit quality metrics remained robust throughout this expansion. The net charge-off ratio improved to 0.38% from 0.40% in the prior year quarter, whilst nonperforming assets declined to 0.70% of loans from 0.83%. Investment advisory fees benefited from market tailwinds, rising 15% year-on-year as higher stock and bond prices lifted Wealth and Investment Management client assets by 11%. Investment banking fees grew 6% year-on-year as strategic hiring enhanced market share in mergers and acquisitions and equity capital markets. Challenges Lower interest rates compressed loan yields, offsetting the benefit of strong loan growth on net interest income performance. A sharp move in interest rates in late September also slowed client activity in fixed income, currencies and commodities, impacting trading revenues. The bank faced headwinds from lost lease income following its rail car business sale and lower mortgage banking fees, which left non-interest income down 1% year-on-year despite gains in other areas. Outlook Wells Fargo maintained its full-year 2026 net interest income guidance at approximately US$50 billion, though it lowered Markets net interest income expectations to approximately US$1.8 billion from the previous US$2 billion estimate. The bank expects continued earnings growth from balance sheet expansion capabilities, with maturing card vintages and investment banking share gains contributing to earnings into fiscal year 2027. The company targets return on tangible common equity of 17% to 18%, supported by ongoing cost discipline and revenue growth initiatives. Recommendation & Target Price Phillip Securities Research maintains a BUY recommendation on Wells Fargo with a target price of US$105, reduced from the previous US$115. The firm lowered fiscal year 2026 earnings estimates by 8% due to reduced net interest income, investment advisory, and other non-interest income projections. The valuation assumes 1.85x fiscal year 2026 price-to-book value and return on equity estimate of 16.7%. Frequently Asked Questions [market_journal_faq] This article has been auto-generated using PhillipGPT. It is based on a report by a Phillip Securities Research analyst. Disclaimer Disclaimer These commentaries are intended for general circulation and do not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs of any person. Accordingly, no warranty whatsoever is given and no liability whatsoever is accepted for any loss arising whether directly or indirectly as a result of any person acting based on this information. You should seek advice from a financial adviser regarding the suitability of any investment product(s) mentioned herein, taking into account your specific investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs, before making a commitment to invest in such products. Opinions expressed in these commentaries are subject to change without notice. Investments are subject to investment risks including the possible loss of the principal amount invested. The value of units in any fund and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance figures as well as any projection or forecast used in these commentaries are not necessarily indicative of future or likely performance. Phillip Securities Pte Ltd (PSPL), its directors, connected persons or employees may from time to time have an interest in the financial instruments mentioned in these commentaries. The information contained in these commentaries has been obtained from public sources which PSPL has no reason to believe are unreliable and any analysis, forecasts, projections, expectations and opinions (collectively the “Research”) contained in these commentaries are based on such information and are expressions of belief only. PSPL has not verified this information and no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made that such information or Research is accurate, complete or verified or should be relied upon as such. Any such information or Research contained in these commentaries are subject to change, and PSPL shall not have any responsibility to maintain the information or Research made available or to supply any corrections, updates or releases in connection therewith. In no event will PSPL be liable for any special, indirect, incidental or consequential damages which may be incurred from the use of the information or Research made available, even if it has been advised of the possibility of such damages. The companies and their employees mentioned in these commentaries cannot be held liable for any errors, inaccuracies and/or omissions howsoever caused. Any opinion or advice herein is made on a general basis and is subject to change without notice. The information provided in these commentaries may contain optimistic statements regarding future events or future financial performance of countries, markets or companies. You must make your own financial assessment of the relevance, accuracy and adequacy of the information provided in these commentaries. Views and any strategies described in these commentaries may not be suitable for all investors. Opinions expressed herein may differ from the opinions expressed by other units of PSPL or its connected persons and associates. Any reference to or discussion of investment products or commodities in these commentaries is purely for illustrative purposes only and must not be construed as a recommendation, an offer or solicitation for the subscription, purchase or sale of the investment products or commodities mentioned. This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
Raffles Education Set for Growth Pivot as Focus Shifts to ASEAN K-12 Expansion
Brief Overview Phillip Securities Research has initiated coverage on Raffles Education with a BUY rating, citing the company's strategic pivot towards ASEAN K-12 expansion whilst divesting lower-return assets. The firm expects the education group to return to net cash through substantial asset monetisations exceeding S$500 million in gross proceeds, which will fund growth initiatives across Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. Investment Positives Strengthening ASEAN Regional Presence Raffles Education is strategically expanding its K-12 education footprint through Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. The analyst believes the company is well-positioned to capitalise on two key trends: the increasing regionalisation of higher education within Asia and the expanding base of affluent locals driving demand for international schools. Visa restrictions, rising tuition fees, and policy uncertainty in the US and UK are expected to redirect outbound Asian education demand back towards the ASEAN region. This shift is already evident in strong enrolment trends, with Raffles University enrolment more than doubling from 438 students in 2022 to 1,002 in 2025. Strategic Asset Disposal Programme The company has embarked on a comprehensive asset disposal strategy, having already sold its 51 Merchant Road property in Singapore for S$121.8 million (generating a S$52.3 million gain) and Wanbo College, Hefei, for S$78.4 million in FY26. The analyst expects additional asset divestments worth more than S$500 million in gross proceeds before tax deductions. These lower-return assets are primarily vacant land or China-based properties, with ASEAN assets demonstrating superior efficiency at 0.22x revenue per dollar of non-current assets versus China's 0.09x. The disposal of low-return China assets will transform Raffles Education into a more ASEAN-focused business, potentially narrowing its valuation gap to Southeast Asian peers. Robust Local Demand Foundation Most of Raffles Education's assets benefit from strong affluent local demand, with only Raffles Singapore and RAS Iskandar relying on expatriate populations. The analyst expects increased investment in Southeast Asia to expand the base of affluent locals through several major infrastructure and economic development projects. These include the RTS link and Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, Thailand's Eastern Economic Corridor special economic zone, and Indonesia's participation in the Belt and Road project, all of which are expected to drive job creation and inward investment, supporting demand for international schooling. Challenges The report does not explicitly outline significant investment challenges or negative factors for Raffles Education, focusing primarily on the positive transformation and growth opportunities ahead. Outlook The analyst projects Raffles Education will achieve net cash status by FY27/28, supported by the substantial asset disposal programme and improved operational efficiency from focusing on higher-return ASEAN markets. The company's current valuation of approximately 11x FY27e EV/EBITDA appears attractive given the strategic transformation underway. Recommendation & Target Price Phillip Securities Research initiates coverage with a BUY rating and target price of S$0.20. The valuation is based on DCF analysis using a 7% WACC and 7.5x EV/EBITDA exit multiple derived from peer comparables. The analyst notes that the target price is conservative, incorporating dilution from warrants and approximately S$35 million of resulting cash proceeds. Frequently Asked Questions [market_journal_faq] This article has been auto-generated using PhillipGPT. It is based on a report by a Phillip Securities Research analyst. Disclaimer These commentaries are intended for general circulation and do not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs of any person. Accordingly, no warranty whatsoever is given and no liability whatsoever is accepted for any loss arising whether directly or indirectly as a result of any person acting based on this information. You should seek advice from a financial adviser regarding the suitability of any investment product(s) mentioned herein, taking into account your specific investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs, before making a commitment to invest in such products. Opinions expressed in these commentaries are subject to change without notice. Investments are subject to investment risks including the possible loss of the principal amount invested. The value of units in any fund and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance figures as well as any projection or forecast used in these commentaries are not necessarily indicative of future or likely performance. Phillip Securities Pte Ltd (PSPL), its directors, connected persons or employees may from time to time have an interest in the financial instruments mentioned in these commentaries. The information contained in these commentaries has been obtained from public sources which PSPL has no reason to believe are unreliable and any analysis, forecasts, projections, expectations and opinions (collectively the “Research”) contained in these commentaries are based on such information and are expressions of belief only. 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The information provided in these commentaries may contain optimistic statements regarding future events or future financial performance of countries, markets or companies. You must make your own financial assessment of the relevance, accuracy and adequacy of the information provided in these commentaries. Views and any strategies described in these commentaries may not be suitable for all investors. Opinions expressed herein may differ from the opinions expressed by other units of PSPL or its connected persons and associates. Any reference to or discussion of investment products or commodities in these commentaries is purely for illustrative purposes only and must not be construed as a recommendation, an offer or solicitation for the subscription, purchase or sale of the investment products or commodities mentioned. This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
Nanofilm Technologies Targets Growth Through Commercialisation of Deep Tech Solutions
Brief Overview Phillip Securities Research expects Nanofilm Technologies to benefit from higher demand for its functional hinge coatings driven by customer Z's foldable phone launch in 4Q26e, whilet the company's proprietary coating solutions are moving from R&D into commercial applications across semiconductor, industrial, and automotive sectors. The research house anticipates that the Industrial Equipment Business Unit revenue could increase more than 35% from FY25 to FY27e as products transition to commercialisation. Investment Positives The investment case centres on Nanofilm's expanding opportunities across multiple business segments. In the 3C sector, customer Z's new foldable phone model launching in 4Q26e is expected to drive demand for Nanofilm's functional hinge coatings. Additionally, customer Z has transitioned premium-tier smartwatch housings from aluminium to titanium, expanding Nanofilm's decorative coating product range. These new 3C programmes are expected to ramp up in 2H26e and into 2027e, potentially driving Advanced Materials Business Unit revenue up more than 25% from FY25 to FY27e. The commercialisation of new products presents significant growth potential. Several products are reaching the commercialisation stage, particularly in printed circuit board drills, advanced packaging, and hydrogen fuel cells. Nanofilm's rainbow tetrahedral amorphous carbon extends PCB drill bit life by 3.3x, addressing growing needs as layers increase in AI server boards. The company's approximately 1-nanometre barrier coating providessolutions for 3D AI packaging by evenly lining deep, narrow through-silicon vias (TSVs) and through-glass vias (TGVs) that conventional sputtering struggles to coat. Notably, Sydrogen secured new business worth at least tens of millions in revenue with a leading Chinese automaker for its SydroDIAMOND hydrogen fuel cell coating. Operational improvements are driving margin expansion. Since the founder returned as CEO in January 2025, there has been a refocus from R&D to commercialisation, workshop consolidation in Singapore and China, and prioritisation of asset utilisation. Gross margins expanded by 6 percentage points year-on-year to 39% in 1H26, the highest since FY22. Challenges The report does not explicitly identify specific investment risks or challenges facing Nanofilm Technologies. Outlook With Nanofilm's cost base largely fixed through staff costs and depreciation making up about two-thirds of FY25 expenses, rising volumes should flow through to margins. The major capex cycle is largely complete, and new 3C, semiconductor, industrial and automotive programmes are expected to raise utilisation from 2H26e into 2027e. This should lift net margin from 4.9% in FY25 to 8.6% in FY27e, with the ramp-up and stabilisation of new programmes expected to drive net profit growth by more than 75% from FY25 to FY27e. Recommendation & Target Price Phillip Securities Research initiates coverage with a BUY recommendation and target price of S$1.20. The target price is based on 28x FY27e P/E, in line with peers' average. Frequently Asked Questions [market_journal_faq] This article has been auto-generated using PhillipGPT. It is based on a report by a Phillip Securities Research analyst. Disclaimer These commentaries are intended for general circulation and do not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs of any person. Accordingly, no warranty whatsoever is given and no liability whatsoever is accepted for any loss arising whether directly or indirectly as a result of any person acting based on this information. You should seek advice from a financial adviser regarding the suitability of any investment product(s) mentioned herein, taking into account your specific investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs, before making a commitment to invest in such products. Opinions expressed in these commentaries are subject to change without notice. Investments are subject to investment risks including the possible loss of the principal amount invested. The value of units in any fund and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance figures as well as any projection or forecast used in these commentaries are not necessarily indicative of future or likely performance. Phillip Securities Pte Ltd (PSPL), its directors, connected persons or employees may from time to time have an interest in the financial instruments mentioned in these commentaries. The information contained in these commentaries has been obtained from public sources which PSPL has no reason to believe are unreliable and any analysis, forecasts, projections, expectations and opinions (collectively the “Research”) contained in these commentaries are based on such information and are expressions of belief only. PSPL has not verified this information and no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made that such information or Research is accurate, complete or verified or should be relied upon as such. Any such information or Research contained in these commentaries are subject to change, and PSPL shall not have any responsibility to maintain the information or Research made available or to supply any corrections, updates or releases in connection therewith. In no event will PSPL be liable for any special, indirect, incidental or consequential damages which may be incurred from the use of the information or Research made available, even if it has been advised of the possibility of such damages. The companies and their employees mentioned in these commentaries cannot be held liable for any errors, inaccuracies and/or omissions howsoever caused. Any opinion or advice herein is made on a general basis and is subject to change without notice. The information provided in these commentaries may contain optimistic statements regarding future events or future financial performance of countries, markets or companies. You must make your own financial assessment of the relevance, accuracy and adequacy of the information provided in these commentaries. Views and any strategies described in these commentaries may not be suitable for all investors. Opinions expressed herein may differ from the opinions expressed by other units of PSPL or its connected persons and associates. Any reference to or discussion of investment products or commodities in these commentaries is purely for illustrative purposes only and must not be construed as a recommendation, an offer or solicitation for the subscription, purchase or sale of the investment products or commodities mentioned. This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
JPMorgan Chase Maintains ACCUMULATE Rating Despite Lower Target Price
Brief Overview JPMorgan Chase reported 3Q26 adjusted earnings of US$15.8bn, representing a 10% year-on-year increase but falling short of analyst estimates. The performance was impacted by weaker-than-expected Fixed Income trading and investment banking fees, as client activity in Rates, Credit and Commodities weakened following a late September bond sell-off. Despite earnings growth, share buybacks declined significantly to US$1.1bn from US$8.3bn in the prior year, whilst dividends per share increased 10% to US$1.65. Investment Positives Prime financing emerged as a key growth driver, significantly boosting Equity Markets performance and Markets net interest income. Equity Markets revenue surged 49% year-on-year to US$5.0bn, driven by Prime and Derivatives activities. This growth expanded the balance sheet substantially, with average Markets interest-earning assets rising 20% year-on-year to US$1.7tn. The yield on these assets improved markedly to 0.57% from 0.19% in 3Q25, propelling Markets NII to US$2.4bn compared to US$0.7bn previously. The Consumer & Community Banking division delivered strong performance with net income rising 13% year-on-year to US$5.7bn. Card Services & Auto revenue increased 15% year-on-year, supported by 7% card loan growth and an improved card net revenue rate of 10.76% versus 10.03% in 3Q25. Deposit growth remained healthy at 4% year-on-year, bolstered by 650,000 net new checking accounts. Asset management fees rose 15% year-on-year on higher market levels and net inflows. Credit quality showed improvement with the Card net charge-off rate declining to 2.91% from 3.15%, whilst firmwide net charge-offs fell US$389mn year-on-year due to lower wholesale charge-offs. Management raised FY26 NII guidance to approximately US$106.2bn from US$105.5bn previously, with 2027 central case NII ex-Markets projected at US$107bn. Challenges Fixed Income trading faced headwinds with revenue declining 4% due to lower performance in Commodities, Rates and Credit segments. Investment banking deals stalled following the late September bond sell-off, contributing to underperformance relative to expectations. Principal transactions showed weakness, leading to downward revisions in earnings estimates. Adjusted expense guidance was raised to approximately US$108.6bn from US$107.5bn previously, indicating cost pressures. Outlook Phillip Securities Research maintains a positive outlook on JPMorgan Chase, highlighting the bank's earnings diversity and asset-sensitive balance sheet as key strengths. Rate hikes are expected to contribute to NII growth in 2027, with approximately a quarter of projected growth stemming from rate increases. Prime financing and advisory services are positioned to deliver fee growth independent of rate movements. Management's strategy to redirect capital from buybacks into loans is expected to generate returns exceeding the approximately 6% earnings yield on shares, supporting book value growth into FY27. Recommendation & Target Price Phillip Securities Research maintains an ACCUMULATE recommendation for JPMorgan Chase with a revised target price of US$370, reduced from the previous US$380. The target price reduction reflects a 3% decrease in FY26 earnings estimates due to lower principal transactions, asset management and investment banking projections. The valuation assumes 2.93x FY26 price-to-book value and a return on equity estimate of 23.0%. Frequently Asked Questions [market_journal_faq] This article has been auto-generated using PhillipGPT. It is based on a report by a Phillip Securities Research analyst. Disclaimer These commentaries are intended for general circulation and do not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs of any person. Accordingly, no warranty whatsoever is given and no liability whatsoever is accepted for any loss arising whether directly or indirectly as a result of any person acting based on this information. You should seek advice from a financial adviser regarding the suitability of any investment product(s) mentioned herein, taking into account your specific investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs, before making a commitment to invest in such products. Opinions expressed in these commentaries are subject to change without notice. Investments are subject to investment risks including the possible loss of the principal amount invested. The value of units in any fund and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance figures as well as any projection or forecast used in these commentaries are not necessarily indicative of future or likely performance. Phillip Securities Pte Ltd (PSPL), its directors, connected persons or employees may from time to time have an interest in the financial instruments mentioned in these commentaries. The information contained in these commentaries has been obtained from public sources which PSPL has no reason to believe are unreliable and any analysis, forecasts, projections, expectations and opinions (collectively the “Research”) contained in these commentaries are based on such information and are expressions of belief only. PSPL has not verified this information and no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made that such information or Research is accurate, complete or verified or should be relied upon as such. Any such information or Research contained in these commentaries are subject to change, and PSPL shall not have any responsibility to maintain the information or Research made available or to supply any corrections, updates or releases in connection therewith. In no event will PSPL be liable for any special, indirect, incidental or consequential damages which may be incurred from the use of the information or Research made available, even if it has been advised of the possibility of such damages. The companies and their employees mentioned in these commentaries cannot be held liable for any errors, inaccuracies and/or omissions howsoever caused. Any opinion or advice herein is made on a general basis and is subject to change without notice. The information provided in these commentaries may contain optimistic statements regarding future events or future financial performance of countries, markets or companies. You must make your own financial assessment of the relevance, accuracy and adequacy of the information provided in these commentaries. Views and any strategies described in these commentaries may not be suitable for all investors. Opinions expressed herein may differ from the opinions expressed by other units of PSPL or its connected persons and associates. Any reference to or discussion of investment products or commodities in these commentaries is purely for illustrative purposes only and must not be construed as a recommendation, an offer or solicitation for the subscription, purchase or sale of the investment products or commodities mentioned. This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
Maximizing Retirement Wealth: How to Invest CPF-OA and SRS in SGX ETFs
For working professionals in Singapore, building a comfortable retirement nest egg requires more than just relying on monthly salary savings. The Singapore government offers two powerful retirement savings vehicles: the Central Provident Fund Ordinary Account (CPF-OA) and the Supplementary Retirement Scheme (SRS). While keeping cash in these accounts guarantees safety, holding idle funds during inflationary periods risks eroding your long-term purchasing power. By strategically investing CPF-OA and SRS funds into Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) listed on the Singapore Exchange (SGX), you can harness market growth while enjoying tax efficiency. 1. The Baseline: Understanding Your Minimum Target Returns Before investing, consider both the returns you may gain by keeping your money in its existing account and the potential benefits and risks of investing it instead. As a rule of thumb, your expected investment returns should be higher than the risk-free interest rate guaranteed by each account since investing involves taking on greater risks: · CPF-OA Target Return (2.50% p.a. base): CPF-OA provides a risk-free guaranteed return of 2.5% per year (and up to 3.5% on the first S$20,000 of OA balance via extra CPF interest). Additional CPF interest may also apply to eligible balances, depending on your age and total CPF savings. However, additional interest earned on OA savings is credited to your Special Account or Retirement Account, rather than retained in the OA. Investing your CPF-OA only makes sense if your target portfolio can consistently yield 5.0%–7.0% per year over a long horizon (10+ years). · SRS Target Return (0.05% p.a. base): The SRS is a voluntary retirement savings scheme that offers tax benefits to eligible contributors. Uninvested cash in an SRS account earns a basic bank savings rate of just 0.05% per year. Leaving SRS funds idle will result in a loss of buying power to inflation over time. The Power of Compounding S$10,000 Over 20 Years Investment Strategy Projected Return (p.a.) Value After 20 Years Idle in SRS 0.05% ~S$10,100 Idle in CPF-OA (Base Rate) 2.50% ~S$16,386 Core SGX ETF Strategy 6.50% (Projected) ~S$35,236 Investing SRS funds gives you the opportunity to seek higher returns over time, although this comes with investment risk. The choice of investments should reflect your financial objectives, risk tolerance and retirement timeline. 2. Option 1: Investing CPF-OA via CPFIS Rules & Eligibility To invest CPF-OA funds under the CPF Investment Scheme (CPFIS-OA), you must: Be at least 20 years old and not an undischarged bankrupt. Maintain a mandatory minimum balance of S$20,000 in your CPF-OA (only funds above S$20,000 can be invested). Complete the online CPFIS Self-Assessment Test (SAT). Opened a CPF Investment Account with one of the three approved agent banks Note: Not all investments are eligible under CPFIS. Investors should check the scheme's requirements and the eligibility of specific products before committing their savings. Popular CPFIS-Approved SGX ETFs CPFIS sets strict limits on management fees and risk levels. Top approved ETFs on SGX include: Ticker ETF Name Asset Class / Focus CPFIS Risk Level ES3.SI SPDR Straits Times Index ETF Top 30 Singapore Listed Companies Low to Medium Risk G3B.SI Nikko AM Singapore STI ETF Top 30 Singapore Listed Companies Low to Medium Risk A35.SI ABF Singapore Bond Index Fund Singapore Government & AAA-Rated Bonds Low Risk 3. Option 2: Supercharging Retirement with the Supplementary Retirement Scheme (SRS) Tax Relief Mechanics SRS is a voluntary account that helps you save on taxes today while building wealth for tomorrow. Annual Contribution Caps: Up to S$15,300 for Singaporeans/PRs (and S$35,700 for foreigners). Tax Benefit: Every dollar contributed directly reduces your taxable income for that year (e.g., contributing $15,300 to SRS reduces your taxable assessable income for the year by $15,300). Tax-Free Withdrawals at Retirement: 50% of SRS withdrawals are tax-exempt if made on or after the statutory retirement age (age 63, moving to 64 in July 2026 and 65 by 2030). Broader Choice of Investments Unlike CPF-OA, SRS funds can be invested in a wider range of eligible products, such as any ETF listed on SGX, allowing for broader global and sector exposure. e available choices differ from those under CPFIS, so investors should verify whether a particular product is eligible before investing. Examples of ETFS to research include: Regional Technology: Lion-OCBC Securities Hang Seng TECH ETF (HST.SI) Real Estate Income (S-REITs): Lion-Phillip S-REIT ETF (CLR.SI) or NikkoAM-STC Asia REIT ETF (CFA.SI) Global / US Equities: SPDR S&P 500 ETF (S27.SI) 4. Sample Model Portfolios for CPF-OA & SRS The appropriate allocation depends on your retirement horizon, financial circumstances, risk tolerance and existing investments. The following examples illustrate how investors might approach portfolio construction Strategy A: Conservative Growth & Income (CPF-OA Focus) Designed for stability with steady dividend income: 70% Allocation: SPDR STI ETF (ES3.SI) — Captures ~3.5%–4.5% annual dividend yield from Singapore's top banks and companies. 30% Allocation: ABF Singapore Bond Index Fund (A35.SI) — Provides fixed income backed by Singapore Government Securities. Strategy B: Global Growth & Yield (SRS Focus) Designed for long-term wealth growth and income: 50% Allocation: SPDR S&P 500 ETF (S27.SI) — Broad exposure to the top 500 US companies. 30% Allocation: Lion-OCBC Hang Seng TECH ETF (HST.SI) — Targeted growth exposure to major Asian tech leaders. 20% Allocation: Lion-Phillip S-REIT ETF (CLR.SI) — Generates regular dividend payouts from Singapore Real Estate Investment Trusts. 5. Key Considerations & Best Practices Mind the Transaction Fees: Transaction fees, agent bank charges and other applicable costs can affect your net returns, particularly when making smaller investments. For example, CPFIS trades incur agent bank clearing fees ($2 to $2.50 per transaction for CPFIS). Review the full fee schedule and consider how frequently you trade. Investing larger amounts less frequently may reduce the proportion of costs relative to the amount invested, although this should not come at the expense of an appropriate investment strategy. Reinvest Dividend Distributions: Dividends and fund distributions can contribute to long-term portfolio growth. If your objective is to accumulate retirement savings, reinvesting these proceeds may help your investments compound over time. Cash dividends from CPFIS and SRS investments flow back into your agent bank account. Set a calendar reminder to manually reinvest these funds periodically so your wealth keeps compounding. Avoid Early SRS Withdrawals: Withdrawing SRS cash before reaching your statutory retirement age incurs a 5% penalty, and 100% of the withdrawn amount will be taxed as income. Plan your contributions with your expected cash-flow needs in mind, and avoid committing money that you may need access to before retirement. 5. Key Takeaways CPF-OA and SRS serve different purposes, and investing through either scheme involves trade-offs. Beat the Hurdle Rates: CPF-OA provides a base interest rate (2.5% p.a.) and additional interest may apply under CPF rules, while SRS offers potential tax benefits and access to eligible investments. The decision is not simply about seeking the highest possible return. It is about understanding the benefits you may be giving up, the risks you are taking, and how each investment fits into your broader retirement plan. Optimise Taxes & Costs: Utilise SRS for immediate dollar-for-dollar tax deductions and batch your CPFIS trades to keep agent bank fees low. Stay Invested: Automate dividend reinvestments and hold your SRS positions until reaching the statutory retirement age to avoid early withdrawal penalties. As always, before investing, review your financial needs, compare the costs and investment options available, and ensure that your portfolio is appropriate for your circumstances. A well-considered strategy should support your retirement goals without exposing you to risks you cannot afford to take. Disclaimer These commentaries are intended for general circulation and do not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs of any person. Accordingly, no warranty whatsoever is given and no liability whatsoever is accepted for any loss arising whether directly or indirectly as a result of any person acting based on this information. You should seek advice from a financial adviser regarding the suitability of any investment product(s) mentioned herein, taking into account your specific investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs, before making a commitment to invest in such products. Opinions expressed in these commentaries are subject to change without notice. Investments are subject to investment risks including the possible loss of the principal amount invested. The value of units in any fund and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance figures as well as any projection or forecast used in these commentaries are not necessarily indicative of future or likely performance. Phillip Securities Pte Ltd (PSPL), its directors, connected persons or employees may from time to time have an interest in the financial instruments mentioned in these commentaries. The information contained in these commentaries has been obtained from public sources which PSPL has no reason to believe are unreliable and any analysis, forecasts, projections, expectations and opinions (collectively the “Research”) contained in these commentaries are based on such information and are expressions of belief only. PSPL has not verified this information and no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made that such information or Research is accurate, complete or verified or should be relied upon as such. Any such information or Research contained in these commentaries are subject to change, and PSPL shall not have any responsibility to maintain the information or Research made available or to supply any corrections, updates or releases in connection therewith. In no event will PSPL be liable for any special, indirect, incidental or consequential damages which may be incurred from the use of the information or Research made available, even if it has been advised of the possibility of such damages. The companies and their employees mentioned in these commentaries cannot be held liable for any errors, inaccuracies and/or omissions howsoever caused. Any opinion or advice herein is made on a general basis and is subject to change without notice. The information provided in these commentaries may contain optimistic statements regarding future events or future financial performance of countries, markets or companies. You must make your own financial assessment of the relevance, accuracy and adequacy of the information provided in these commentaries. Views and any strategies described in these commentaries may not be suitable for all investors. Opinions expressed herein may differ from the opinions expressed by other units of PSPL or its connected persons and associates. Any reference to or discussion of investment products or commodities in these commentaries is purely for illustrative purposes only and must not be construed as a recommendation, an offer or solicitation for the subscription, purchase or sale of the investment products or commodities mentioned. This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
Lion-Phillip S-REIT ETF: Analysts Maintain Positive Outlook Despite Rate Headwinds
Brief Overview Phillip Securities Research maintains its ACCUMULATE recommendation on Lion-Phillip S-REIT ETF (SREITS) with a reduced target price of S$0.85, down from S$0.90. The ETF has undergone portfolio changes with Keppel DC REIT becoming the top holding, replacing CapitaLand Ascendas REIT, while Mapletree Logistics Trust remains the third-largest position. The fund continues to offer diversified exposure across retail, commercial, industrial and data-centre assets, balancing stable income with growth opportunities. Investment Positives The ETF's strongest advantage lies in its well-diversified portfolio structure across eight property sectors. Industrial assets form the largest allocation at 35.6%, followed by retail at 17.5%, providing investors with broad exposure across Singapore's REIT market while reducing concentration risk in any single sector. The diversified exposure to retail, commercial, industrial, and data-centre assets create a balanced investment proposition that combines stable rental income streams with structural growth opportunities. This diversificiation allows the ETF to benefit from different property cycles and tenant demand patterns across various sectors. Looking ahead, analysts expect organic rental growth to support the ETF's performance. In addition, easing domestic financing costs should provide tailwinds for the underlying REITs, contributing to a gradual recovery in distribution per unit (DPU) through FY27. Challenges The primary concern facing the ETF is uncertainty over the interest-rate outlook, which may limit near-term valuation upside. Interest rate movements typically have an inverse relationship with REIT valuations, and the current uncertain environment creates headwinds for immediate price appreciation. Outlook Despite near-term challenges from interest rate uncertainty, the analysts maintain a constructive medium-term outlook. The combination of organic rental growth and easing domestic financing costs is expected to support a gradual recovery in DPU throughFY27, providing a pathway for improved performance as interest rate concerns subside. Recommendation & Target Price Phillip Securities Research maintains its ACCUMULATE recommendation for Lion-Phillip S-REIT ETF. The analysts have lowered their target price to S$0.85 from the previous S$0.90, derived using a combination of historical dividend yield spread and price-to-book ratio methodologies, with equal weighting applied to both valuation approaches. Frequently Asked Questions [market_journal_faq] This article has been auto-generated using PhillipGPT. It is based on a report by a Phillip Securities Research analyst. Disclaimer These commentaries are intended for general circulation and do not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs of any person. Accordingly, no warranty whatsoever is given and no liability whatsoever is accepted for any loss arising whether directly or indirectly as a result of any person acting based on this information. You should seek advice from a financial adviser regarding the suitability of any investment product(s) mentioned herein, taking into account your specific investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs, before making a commitment to invest in such products. Opinions expressed in these commentaries are subject to change without notice. Investments are subject to investment risks including the possible loss of the principal amount invested. The value of units in any fund and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance figures as well as any projection or forecast used in these commentaries are not necessarily indicative of future or likely performance. Phillip Securities Pte Ltd (PSPL), its directors, connected persons or employees may from time to time have an interest in the financial instruments mentioned in these commentaries. The information contained in these commentaries has been obtained from public sources which PSPL has no reason to believe are unreliable and any analysis, forecasts, projections, expectations and opinions (collectively the “Research”) contained in these commentaries are based on such information and are expressions of belief only. PSPL has not verified this information and no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made that such information or Research is accurate, complete or verified or should be relied upon as such. Any such information or Research contained in these commentaries are subject to change, and PSPL shall not have any responsibility to maintain the information or Research made available or to supply any corrections, updates or releases in connection therewith. In no event will PSPL be liable for any special, indirect, incidental or consequential damages which may be incurred from the use of the information or Research made available, even if it has been advised of the possibility of such damages. The companies and their employees mentioned in these commentaries cannot be held liable for any errors, inaccuracies and/or omissions howsoever caused. Any opinion or advice herein is made on a general basis and is subject to change without notice. The information provided in these commentaries may contain optimistic statements regarding future events or future financial performance of countries, markets or companies. 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Semiconductor Sector Shows Strong Growth Acceleration Led by Custom ASIC Players
Brief Overview The semiconductor sector has demonstrated mixed performance over the past three months, with the Semiconductor ETF rising 2.4% but underperforming the S&P500's 4.1% gain. Equipment players faced headwinds due to elevated valuations, while memory companies declined amid HBM4 shipment uncertainties. However, enterprise and sovereign AI buildout is driving higher demand, with Coreweave and Nebius' combined remaining performance obligations reaching US$141 billion in June 2026. Investment Positives The semiconductor sector presents compelling growth opportunities across multiple segments. Custom ASIC companies are leading the acceleration, with Broadcom and Marvell guiding 3Q26e revenue to surge 89% year-on-year to a combined US$38 billion, surpassing the combined growth guidance of 83% from NVIDIA and AMD. Equipment manufacturers are experiencing robust demand, with their combined 3Q26e revenue guided to reach 52% year-on-year growth to US$31.4 billion, representing potentially the largest growth since 2021. This equipment demand is underpinned by TSMC's increased capital expenditure guidance of US$62 billion, marking a 15% increase, alongside memory players' higher equipment spending as new fabrication facilities ramp up production. The broadening customer base strengthens the sector's resilience. Coreweave and Nebius have expanded their client roster to include major enterprises such as Caterpillar, Grammarly, Databricks, Reflection, AI neolabs and quantitative trading firms. This diversification across AI neoclouds, enterprises and sovereign nations makes NVIDIA and AMD's growth more resilient should hyperscaler capital expenditure moderate. From a valuation perspective, large-cap SaaS companies are trading at roughly -1 standard deviation, with an EV/Sales multiple of 9.5x versus their 3-year average of 10.8x, suggesting attractive valuations despite strong performance. Enterprise and sovereign nations' AI buildout continues to drive substantial demand growth, with Coreweave and Nebius' combined remaining performance obligations increasing 72% from December 2025 to reach US$141 billion by June 2026. Challenges Valuation concerns persist in certain segments of the semiconductor sector. Equipment players AMAT and Lam Research have experienced significant pullbacks, declining 10.6% and 3.7% respectively, as they trade at elevated forward price-to-earnings ratios of 40x and 34x, compared with the sector average of 27x. Memory companies face headwinds from currency fluctuations and product transition uncertainties. SK Hynix declined 17% while Samsung fell 1.9%, laregly due to uncertainty surrounding HBM4 shipment timelines and the impact of a stronger Korean won on their financial performance. Outlook The outlook for the semiconductor sector remains positive, supported by accelerating growth across the custom ASIC, equipment and foundry segments. Revenue growth acceleration is expected in 3Q26e across these key areas, with custom ASIC companies leading the charge. The diversification of AI demand across multiple customer segments provides additional stability to the growth trajectory. Recommendation & Target Price Phillip Securities Research maintains an OVERWEIGHT recommendation on the semiconductor sector, reflecting confidence in the strong growth momentum of custom ASIC companies, equipment manufacturers and foundry operations. Frequently Asked Questions [market_journal_faq] This article has been auto-generated using PhillipGPT. It is based on a report by a Phillip Securities Research analyst. Disclaimer These commentaries are intended for general circulation and do not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs of any person. Accordingly, no warranty whatsoever is given and no liability whatsoever is accepted for any loss arising whether directly or indirectly as a result of any person acting based on this information. You should seek advice from a financial adviser regarding the suitability of any investment product(s) mentioned herein, taking into account your specific investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs, before making a commitment to invest in such products. Opinions expressed in these commentaries are subject to change without notice. Investments are subject to investment risks including the possible loss of the principal amount invested. The value of units in any fund and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance figures as well as any projection or forecast used in these commentaries are not necessarily indicative of future or likely performance. Phillip Securities Pte Ltd (PSPL), its directors, connected persons or employees may from time to time have an interest in the financial instruments mentioned in these commentaries. The information contained in these commentaries has been obtained from public sources which PSPL has no reason to believe are unreliable and any analysis, forecasts, projections, expectations and opinions (collectively the “Research”) contained in these commentaries are based on such information and are expressions of belief only. PSPL has not verified this information and no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made that such information or Research is accurate, complete or verified or should be relied upon as such. Any such information or Research contained in these commentaries are subject to change, and PSPL shall not have any responsibility to maintain the information or Research made available or to supply any corrections, updates or releases in connection therewith. In no event will PSPL be liable for any special, indirect, incidental or consequential damages which may be incurred from the use of the information or Research made available, even if it has been advised of the possibility of such damages. The companies and their employees mentioned in these commentaries cannot be held liable for any errors, inaccuracies and/or omissions howsoever caused. Any opinion or advice herein is made on a general basis and is subject to change without notice. The information provided in these commentaries may contain optimistic statements regarding future events or future financial performance of countries, markets or companies. 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Software Sector Stages Strong Recovery as AI Concerns Subside
Brief Overview The software industry has experienced a significant re-rating, with the iShares Software ETF (IGV) rebounding 17% in 3Q26 and now sitting just 7% below its September 2025 peak. SaaS LTM revenue growth accelerated to 17.5% YoY in 2Q26, marking the strongest growth in 15 quarters. Phillip Securities Research maintains an OVERWEIGHT stance on software, favouring SaaS infrastructure, data analytics, and cybersecurity as key AI beneficiaries. Investment Positives The software sector's recovery has been driven by easing concerns over AI disruption, with market leader Microsoft surging 30% following its 4Q26 results. Microsoft's performance was supported by Azure growth exceeding 40% YoY, no unexpected incremental capital expenditure announcements despite peers raising spending, and the introduction of usage-based billing. The rebound has also extended to data and AI platform companies, with Palantir gaining 61% and Snowflake rising 35% during the quarter. Salesforce also advanced following the launch of Claudeforce, its joint application with Anthropic, reinforcing the value of proprietary enterprise data despite increasingly capable AI models. Large-cap SaaS companies continue to outperform, benefiting from AI-tier upgrades, usage-based pricing, and seat expansion. These companies are enjoying higher sales growth of 18.2%, which is 0.7 percentage points higher year-on-year, as enterprises spend more on higher-priced AI tiers, increase adoption of usage-based pricing, and expand seat usage. Excluding Microsoft and Oracle, growth remained healthy at 16.3%. From a valuation perspective, large-cap SaaS companies are trading at roughly -1 standard deviation, with an EV/Sales multiple of 9.5x versus their 3-year average of 10.8x, suggesting attractive valuations despite strong performance. Challenges Cybersecurity valuations remain elevated, with companies trading at stretched multiples. This has led to concerns about sustainability of current price levels in this subsector, despite its strong year-to-date performance. Outlook The software sector appears to be emerging from what the research describes as the "SaaSpocalypse", with growth rates expected to persist in 3Q26e. The preferred investment areas include SaaS infrastructure, data analytics, and cybersecurity as key AI beneficiaries. Top picks are supported by strong AI adoption, expanding backlog conversion, and rising enterprise data demand. Recommendation & Target Price Phillip Securities Research maintains an OVERWEIGHT recommendation on the software sector. Preferred names include Microsoft, Oracle, Palantir, and Snowflake. However, the firm has downgraded Palo Alto Networks to NEUTRAL, as its valuation appears stretched, trading at 97x P/E versus its 5-year average of 54x. Frequently Asked Questions [market_journal_faq] This article has been auto-generated using PhillipGPT. It is based on a report by a Phillip Securities Research analyst. Disclaimer These commentaries are intended for general circulation and do not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs of any person. Accordingly, no warranty whatsoever is given and no liability whatsoever is accepted for any loss arising whether directly or indirectly as a result of any person acting based on this information. You should seek advice from a financial adviser regarding the suitability of any investment product(s) mentioned herein, taking into account your specific investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs, before making a commitment to invest in such products. Opinions expressed in these commentaries are subject to change without notice. Investments are subject to investment risks including the possible loss of the principal amount invested. The value of units in any fund and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance figures as well as any projection or forecast used in these commentaries are not necessarily indicative of future or likely performance. Phillip Securities Pte Ltd (PSPL), its directors, connected persons or employees may from time to time have an interest in the financial instruments mentioned in these commentaries. The information contained in these commentaries has been obtained from public sources which PSPL has no reason to believe are unreliable and any analysis, forecasts, projections, expectations and opinions (collectively the “Research”) contained in these commentaries are based on such information and are expressions of belief only. PSPL has not verified this information and no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made that such information or Research is accurate, complete or verified or should be relied upon as such. 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