Singapore deal-making holds amid global market turmoil

Despite global trade uncertainty and rising market volatility, Singapore may remain a hub for deal-making as firms restructure supply chains and seek capital for growth. Experts say companies could turn to the Singapore Exchange (SGX) to fund expansion, while foreign businesses eyeing resilient markets may explore local capital markets. Still, ongoing global tensions and US tariffs have slowed IPOs and M&A worldwide, affecting sentiments in Southeast Asia. Singapore’s equity capital market fell 52.4% year-on-year to USD265.7m in Q1 2025, its weakest first-quarter showing since 2016. With only two firms filing to list on SGX so far this year, market watchers remain cautious amid continued geopolitical and economic headwinds.