To The Moon

This year marks Singapore’s 60th birthday, a milestone that feels both personal and national. It got me thinking about my own investment journey here, and how it mirrors the growth of the country. Over the years, my portfolio has shifted from simple savings and a few stock picks into something more structured, something I call my Singapore Investment Map. It is not just a collection of tickers, numbers, or dividend yields. It is a living picture of how I see opportunity in different sectors of our economy and how they fit together to form a balanced whole.

When I first started investing, I naturally gravitated toward the familiar names. The big banks like DBS, OCBC and UOB were the pillars I trusted. They were visible in our daily lives and had reputations for stability and consistent dividends. Over time, I realised that these banks are far more dynamic than they appear. Their performance is closely tied to interest rate cycles, regional trade flows, and even the smallest hints of policy changes from the US Federal Reserve or the Monetary Authority of Singapore. My positions in these banks have taught me to look beyond local headlines and to connect the dots between global events and their effect on Singapore’s financial heartbeat. They are the anchor stones of my portfolio, steady when storms hit but also capable of surprising rallies when conditions align.

After securing that stable foundation, I expanded into real estate investment trusts and property-linked plays. Singapore is a REIT powerhouse, and names like Ascendas REIT, CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust, and the various Mapletree trusts quickly became core components of my portfolio. These investments do more than pay quarterly distributions. They let me participate in the ongoing evolution of Singapore’s urban landscape. Every time a shopping mall undergoes a major revamp, or a new business park takes shape, I feel a sense of ownership in that progress. Investing in REITs has also taught me hard lessons about interest rate risk, refinancing cycles, and how management teams balance growth ambitions with prudent debt control.

While Singapore may not be Silicon Valley, our market does have exposure to innovative growth stories. Sea Limited, although listed in the US, has its headquarters here and operates across the region. In my map, it represents our outward-looking tech ambition. Closer to home, companies like AEM, UMS, and Venture Corporation play crucial roles in the global semiconductor and electronics supply chain. These stocks are far more volatile than my blue-chip or REIT holdings, but I see them as the high-growth satellites that keep my portfolio forward-looking.

I have also learned to appreciate the value of defensive and consumer-centric names. Companies like Sheng Siong, ComfortDelGro, and ST Engineering may not double overnight, but they provide resilience when markets turn unpredictable. ST Engineering benefits from long-term defence contracts and infrastructure projects, while Sheng Siong’s supermarket business tends to see steady demand in both good and bad times. These positions give me a sense of security that balances out the higher-risk bets in tech and growth.

Then there are the infrastructure and energy plays like Keppel Corporation and Sembcorp Industries. These companies have been reshaping themselves in recent years, moving beyond traditional businesses into renewable energy, data centres, and digital infrastructure. For me, they are the connectors — companies that tie Singapore to global energy flows, shipping routes, and the growing digital economy. Their transformation stories keep me engaged because they show how even our most established companies can adapt to new realities.

When I look at my Singapore Investment Map today, it is clear that it has grown more intentional over time. In the early days, I bought shares simply because I liked the company or heard a good tip. Now, I think in terms of balance, diversification, and alignment with long-term trends. I want a mix of stability from blue chips, income from REITs, upside from tech, resilience from defensive plays, and exposure to long-term structural changes from infrastructure and energy.

Patience has been the quiet hero in this journey. Many of my best returns came not from rapid trading but from holding quality companies through multiple cycles, reinvesting dividends, and letting compounding quietly work in the background. It is tempting to chase the next big thing, but my map reminds me that building wealth is about staying invested in the right areas for the right reasons.

As Singapore turns 60, I find myself wondering what the next decade will bring. Will our REIT market continue to lead globally? Will more Singapore-based companies make an impact in global technology, renewable energy, and digital infrastructure? Will new sectors emerge that we cannot even imagine today? My portfolio will undoubtedly evolve in response to these changes, just as the country has constantly adapted to new challenges and opportunities.

Every investor has their own version of this map, shaped by personal goals, risk tolerance, and belief in certain industries. Mine is deeply tied to the Singapore story — built on strong foundations, diversified for resilience, and always looking outward for the next growth horizon. As I reflect on six decades of nation-building and my own years in the market, I am reminded that investing is not just about chasing returns. It is about understanding where we have come from, anticipating where we are going, and positioning ourselves to participate in the journey.

So this is my Singapore Investment Map, my personal compass in the ever-changing markets. What does yours look like? And as we celebrate SG60, how do you see Singapore’s investment landscape changing in the years ahead?