Singapore investor sentiment in Q2 highest in over a year, Singapore Breaking News & Headlines - THE BUSINESS TIMES SINGAPORE investor sentiment rose in the second quarter of 2014 to its highest level since the first quarter of 2013, according to Manulife Investor Sentiment Index. Sentiment among Singapore investors rose by four points in Q2 to 15, with the rise in optimism driven primarily by a more positive view of the property, fixed income and mutual fund sectors. The proportion of respondents who think it is a good time to invest in their own home rose to 40 per cent in the second quarter, up from 31 per cent in the first quarter. Low interest rates, market stability and the view that property prices have corrected to an attractive entry level for investment were key, said Manulife. Of the other asset classes in the index, fixed income jumped four points to 16, and mutual funds went up two points to 13. Equities, on the other hand, showed a small decline of three points to 16. Singapore investors cited market stability and higher returns in fixed income as the main reasons for their increased optimism towards this asset class. There was also increased interest in mutual funds, with low interest rates and the improving employment situation considered key reasons for favouring this type of investment. Singapore investors are also very optimistic about investing domestically, with sentiment towards Singapore at 28 points, just behind China at 33 points, but well ahead of Japan at 12 points. On a regional basis, Singapore investors show a preference for emerging Asian markets (38 points) as a place to invest compared to developed markets in Asia (31 points). Singapore investors more upbeat investment sentiment extends to Singapores economic growth outlook. Over the next two years, they expect that only China will have faster economic growth. Just over half said they think China will rank first or second for economic growth, India ranks second at 26 per cent, followed by Singapore at 17 per cent and Japan at 7 per cent. Manulifes Investor Sentiment Index in Asia is a quarterly survey based on 500 online interviews conducted across eight markets. Respondents are middle-class to affluent investors, aged 25 years and above who are the primary decision makers of financial matters in the household and currently have investment products.
Posted on: Tue, 26 Aug 2014 13:02:03 +0000
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