STI generates a +19.7% gain in 2012

In 2012, the Straits Times Index (STI) rebounded from its 2011 decline, generating a gain of +19.7% over the year. Dividends boost the total return of the Index to +23.5% in 2012. Over the past three years the average annualised return of the STI including dividend distributions amounted to +6.4%.

The five best performing STI stocks over 2012 were CapitaMalls Asia (JS8, +72.1%), CapitaLand (C31, +67.4%), Global Logistics Properties (MC0, +58.4%), Fraser and Neave (F99, +55.8%) and Hong Kong Land (H78, +54.4%). The five underperforming STI stocks over 2012 were Wilmar International (F34, -33.0%), Olam International (O32, -26.8%), Genting Singapore (G13, -8.9%), Golden Agri Resources (E5H, -8.4%) and Jardine Cycle & Carriage (C07, -0.3%).

The broader universe of stocks as represented by the FTSE ST All-Share Index gained +22.2% in 2012. Reinvested dividends boosted the FTSE ST All-Share Index to +26.7%. The FTSE All Share Index is made up of the STI stocks, stocks of the FTSE ST Mid Cap Index and the stocks of the FTSE ST Small Cap Index.  The FTSE ST Mid Cap Index generated a +31.7% gain for the year, while the FTSE ST Small Cap Index gained 30.7%. Reinvested dividends boosted the respective indices to +39.3% and +36.6%. Last Monday more constituents were added to the FTSE All-Share Index, bringing the total number of constituents to 166 stocks.
 
The FTSE ST All-Share Index also represents the selection of stocks that make up the FTSE ST Sector Indices. The two best performing Sector Indices of 2012 have been Real Estate Holdings & Development (+56.0%) and Financials (+36.8%), while the two underperforming Sector Indices in 2012 have been Consumer Goods (-17.5%) and Health Care (-4.1%). Please note that the Financials Sector Index is a broad benchmark that includes Banks, the aforementioned Real Estate Holding & Development stocks, REITs and diversified financials. The two FTSE ST Sector Indices that posted the most similar returns to the STI were the Oil & Gas Index which gained in +23.8% in 2012 and the Utilities Index which gained +15.0%. While the Oil & Gas index includes some STI constituents the Utilities Index does include STI constituents.