SG Banks Start the Year at Highs: Are You Celebrating or Profit-Taking?

Tiger_SG
01-06
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January 6 was a meaningful day worth celebrating for many Singapore investors.

Among Singapore’s three local banks, having two reach all-time highs at the same time is a rare sight over the past decade. This rally is no longer just about high dividend yields, it reflects a combination of earnings resilience, interest rate cycle expectations, and a return of local capital flows.

1. DBS: The “core asset” with one-way upward trend

The only notable pullback for DBS came in April 2025, following the announcement of the “Liberation Day” tariffs. Yet that decline did not derail the broader trend — instead, it became a re-entry opportunity for medium- to long-term investors.

Analyst views highlight a clear split:

  • JP Morgan is the most bullish, with a target price of $70 (Overweight)

  • Macquarie, on the other hand, sees valuation risk and assigns a $46 target (Underperform)

Is DBS still in a phase of valuation expansion, or has it entered a period of high-level consolidation?

2. OCBC: Is $20 a milestone or a psychological barrier?

Compared with DBS, OCBC’s move to record highs came later, but with greater momentum.

Consistently setting new highs since November 2025; Supported by strong non-interest income growth and lower provisions

Even though 9M25 net profit declined 4% YoY, the market has chosen to look ahead

Now that the share price is above $20, the issue of affordability per lot is resurfacing. Whether this leads to renewed stock split expectations or a liquidity premium has quietly become a topic of market discussion.

Goldman Sachs: Target price $21.20 (Buy)

3. Is It UOB’s turn?

With DBS and OCBC repeatedly hitting new highs, attention is naturally shifting to whether UOB could be next.

$UOB(U11.SI)$ is not far from its all-time high of $39.20, but the problem is still here.

Has the market fully digested the overly conservative provisioning? Or is it still waiting for a clearer catalyst?

Questions for SG Investors:

1️⃣ With DBS and OCBC at record highs, are you adding on strength or locking in profits?

2️⃣ Will UOB be the next bank to catch up, or continue to lag?

3️⃣ If 2026 does mark the start of a rate-cut cycle, can bank stocks keep rising?

Leave your comments or winning trades to celebrate this moment and win tiger coins~


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SG Banks Start the Year at Highs: Are You Celebrating or Profit-Taking?
January 6 is a meaningful day worth celebrating for many Singapore investors. OCBC shares broke through the $20 mark for the first time in history, opening at $20.04 DBS also set a new record, touching $57.93 intraday Among Singapore’s three local banks, having two reach all-time highs at the same time is a rare sight over the past decade. With DBS and OCBC at record highs, are you adding on strength or locking in profits? Will UOB be the next bank to catch up, or continue to lag?
Disclaimer: Investing carries risk. This is not financial advice. The above content should not be regarded as an offer, recommendation, or solicitation on acquiring or disposing of any financial products, any associated discussions, comments, or posts by author or other users should not be considered as such either. It is solely for general information purpose only, which does not consider your own investment objectives, financial situations or needs. TTM assumes no responsibility or warranty for the accuracy and completeness of the information, investors should do their own research and may seek professional advice before investing.
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Comments

  • Shyon
    01-06
    Shyon
    $DBS(D05.SI)$ $ocbc bank(O39.SI)$ hitting all-time highs together isn’t just about dividends anymore — to me, it reflects earnings resilience and a clear return of local capital to familiar, high-quality names. In a volatile global backdrop, that kind of certainty matters.

    I’m still holding tight on both DBS and OCBC. DBS remains my core banking position, and the April 2025 pullback only strengthened my conviction in its long-term trend. OCBC breaking above $20 feels more like a psychological unlock than a peak, with the market clearly looking past near-term noise and pricing in forward earnings momentum.

    UOB could be next, but it likely needs a clearer catalyst to re-rate. Even if 2026 brings gradual rate cuts, I don’t see that as bearish for the local banks — as long as cuts are orderly, strong franchises can still compound steadily. For now, I’m letting my winners run rather than rushing to take profits.

    @TigerStars @Tiger_comments @Tiger_SG @TigerClub

  • icycrystal
    01-06
    icycrystal
    @rL @GoodLife99 @Universe宇宙 @Zarkness @HelenJanet @Shyon @koolgal @Aqa @LMSunshine

    With DBS and OCBC at record highs, are you adding on strength or locking in profits?

    2️⃣ Will UOB be the next bank to catch up, or continue to lag?

    3️⃣ If 2026 does mark the start of a rate-cut cycle, can bank stocks keep rising?

    Leave your comments or winning trades to celebrate this moment and win tiger coins~

    • Shyon
      [Cool] [Cool] [Cool]
  • koolgal
    01-07
    koolgal
    🌟🌟🌟January 6 marks a special day for me as I celebrate the all time highs of $DBS(D05.SI)$ & $OCBC Bank(O39.SI)$ with my fellow Singaporeans.  This shows the "coming of age" of our local banks & the confidence from investors to invest in DBS and OCBC.  I believe that it is only a matter of time before $UOB(U11.SI)$ will also rise in tandem with the other 2 banks.

    At a P/E ratio of 10.26 compared to DBS's 14.49 and OCBC's 12.30, UOB is certainly undervalued and a great buy for bargain hunters.

    For investors who believe in UOB's long term ASEAN growth strategy and are comfortable with the perceived risks, UOB's lower P/E ratio offers a larger potential "margin of safety" compared to its more richly valued competitors.

    For new investors, a great way to capture this phenomenonal rise in DBS and OCBC, is to invest in $STI ETF(ES3.SI)$ which represents all 3 banks at a low cost.

    Congratulations to all who have invested in DBS & OCBC.🎉

    @Tiger_SG @Tiger_comments @TigerStars

  • BTS
    01-10
    BTS
    随着星展银行(D05)和华侨银行(O39)创下历史新高,推动海峡时报指数突破4,700点,投资者面临着增强实力或锁定利润的两难境地

    将星展银行视为具有单向上升趋势的“核心资产”,投资组合再平衡取决于华侨银行20美元大关是一个里程碑还是心理障碍,因为投资者在资本保值与持续势头之间进行权衡

    尽管大华银行(U11)最近落后于同行,但其估值折扣和对财富管理的重视为价值导向的投资者提供了防御性追赶机会

    如果2026年标志着降息周期的开始,银行股仍然可以上涨;弹性将取决于将重点从利润率扩张转向资本回报和回购,尽管利润率受到压缩,但多元化的收费收入仍将支持增长

    未来一年的战略定位需要平衡新加坡银行的增长潜力与更广泛的经济风险和不断变化的市场条件...

  • Cadi Poon
    01-07
    Cadi Poon
    对于许多新加坡投资者来说,1月6日是一个值得庆祝的有意义的日子。

    $华侨银行(O39.SI)$突破了$20史上首次标志,开幕于$20.04

    $DBS(D05.SI)$也刷新了纪录,感人$57.48盘中

  • icycrystal
    01-06
    icycrystal
    Singapore's major banks entered 2026 at historic levels, driven by strong 2025 earnings and robust wealth management growth.

    for me I will keep them but if price is really good, perhaps will sell some to take profits [Sly] [Sly] [lovely]

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