The Singapore Exchange (SGX), the country’s paramount exchange operator, has released its monthly volumes across its derivatives and commodities segments for August 2021.
Markets experienced a seasonal lull, with low volatility and a lack of market drivers serving as the primary culprit. Additionally, with the Western world observing multiple holidays, Asian markets seemingly ground to a halt by the month’s end, not unlike other global exchanges in the US and Europe.
In terms of SGX’s latest turnover figures, the group reported its securities volumes at S$26.3 billion in August 2021. On a monthly basis, this figure reflected a gain of 5 percent from S$25 billion in July 2021.
Of note, SGX saw a total of 21 trading days, the same as it had been in July. The results are somewhat weaker than other institutional venues in August, nearly all of which saw a consolidation of volumes.
Furthermore, the SGX’s daily average value of trading rose in August 2021, having yielded S$1.3 billion, up month-over-month from S$1.19 billion in July.
“Institutional investors increased their portfolio risk management amid uncertainty over China’s outlook, after manufacturing activity in the world’s second-largest economy contracted in August for the first time in nearly a year-and-a-half,” the exchange explains.
FX volumes shine
SGX’s FX segment was upbeat up for a second month in August. Total FX volumes were reported at 2 million contracts, indicating a rise of 12 percent year-over-year. In terms of specific instruments, the volume of SGX INR/USD Futures climbed 9 percent to 1.1 million contracts, lifting total foreign exchange (FX) futures traded volume.
Meanwhile, total commodity derivative volume gained 10% from a year earlier to hit 2.6 million contracts last month.
SGX-listed companies continued to tap the equity capital markets with secondary funds raised of S$377 million in August. The amount issued from 42 new bond listings on Asia’s leading marketplace stood at S$20.9 billion.
