NEWS RELEASE

As IPO momentum builds up on the Singapore Exchange (SGX-ST) and investor appetite returns, companies are learning that clear, credible communication, not just capital, will determine their long-term success.

IR’s Expanding Role

Once seen as largely administrative — issuing press releases, organising briefings, or handling shareholder logistics — Investor Relations (IR) has evolved into something much broader.

Today’s IR professionals are expected to combine strong financial literacy with communication skills that extend beyond traditional channels. They must be able to interpret balance sheets and valuation models, engage directly with analysts, fund managers, key opinion leaders, financial influencers and mainstream media, and also harness digital platforms, social media and data analytics to broaden investor reach. Increasingly, they are also called upon to advise management on governance, sustainability reporting and crisis management, making IR a critical function at the intersection of finance and strategy.

“IR now sits at the intersection of finance, strategy, and communications, companies that treat it as a tick-box exercise risk being left behind.”

Why This Matters Now

Two shifts in Singapore’s capital markets make this especially urgent.

First, IPO momentum has returned.

The successful debuts of several recent listings have rekindled investor interest, particularly in small- and mid-cap companies that demonstrate credible growth stories and strong governance. Fund managers, research analysts and retail investors alike are showing greater willingness to consider opportunities outside the traditional blue-chip names. Second, policy support is reshaping the market.

Initiatives by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and SGX-ST to boost liquidity, improve research coverage, and encourage equity fundraising are bearing fruit. This includes MAS’s S$5 billion Equity Market Development Programme (EQDP) announced in February 2025. EQDP is designed to anchor local asset management and research ecosystem; increase investor interest in SGX-listed equities. We believe this will further strengthen the market’s depth and vibrancy. Companies that might once have hesitated at the costs or challenges of going public now may see a more viable path to listing.

These dynamics create both opportunities and pressures. Firms must not only attract investors at the point of listing, but also sustain engagement and build trust in the months and years after.

The View from ShareInvestor

At ShareInvestor, one of the region’s largest financial media and data platforms with over 300,000 active users across Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia, these trends are visible in real time.

On Investor-One, our editorial platform dedicated to profiling growth companies and IPOs, readership of IPO features and company deep-dives has risen noticeably. Investors are not just clicking for headline numbers; they want analysis that unpacks business models, competitive positioning, and risks.

Alongside investor education and market data platforms like ShareInvestor, InvestingNote has emerged as Singapore’s leading financial influencer community, with about 200,000 active members.

Every day, investors, traders, and market commentators (such as KOLs, Finfluencers) share stock ideas, charts, and opinions, turning the platform into a buzzing digital “trading floor”.

The conversations often shape sentiment around small- and mid-cap counters and upcoming IPOs, making it a powerful barometer of retail investor interest.

For companies, engaging with this community is no longer optional; it offers a direct channel to connect with a new generation of investors who are driving conversations online and influencing capital flows in real time.

This growing hunger for informed perspectives also shows up at ShareInvestor’s flagship events, such as the annual REITs Symposium and Invest Fair, where both retail and institutional investors gather to meet company leaders directly.

The conversations reveal that investors are increasingly focused on governance standards, capital allocation discipline, and long-term strategy, areas where strong IR can make all the difference.

Christopher Lee, CEO of Alphainvest Group, which owns ShareInvestor, observes, “We are entering a new cycle in the equities market where investors are no longer satisfied with surface-level disclosures. They want substance, transparency, and a direct line to management. Our role is to bridge that gap, giving investors credible insights while helping companies present their value with clarity in both traditional and digital platforms.”

Building Trust, Not Hype

While some IR consultancies are racing to expand, others caution that capability matters more than headcount. Strong financial literacy, sector knowledge, and the ability to translate complex strategies into simple, compelling narratives are what investors value. This perspective aligns with long-established firms such as Waterbrooks Consultants, which has advised SGX-listed companies for over two decades. Waterbrooks notes that credibility is earned not through hype, but by ensuring that communications are accurate, consistent, and grounded in financial reality.

“Companies that commit to honest dialogue and consistent communication will find themselves better supported in both good times and bad.”

Wayne Koo, Managing Director of Waterbrooks and a Chartered Accountant with ISCA, a Chartered Valuer with IVAS and an over 25-year veteran in investor relations explains:

“Good investor relations is not about producing glossy presentations or chasing the next market buzzword.

It is about financial literacy, valuation discipline, and building a relationship of trust between management and investors.

Companies that can explain their numbers, demonstrate how value is created, and commit to honest dialogue will find themselves better supported in both good times and bad.”

What Comes Next

“The next wave of successful companies will not only be those with strong fundamentals, but also those able to communicate their story with clarity, conviction, and credibility.”

The rebound of the equities market is still in its early stages, but the trajectory looks promising. For companies considering a listing, the lesson is clear: investor engagement cannot be left to chance. For those already listed, the challenge is sustaining visibility in a crowded market. With research coverage still limited, consistent communication helps bridge the gap and support fairer valuations. The next wave of successful companies will not only be those with solid fundamentals, but also those able to communicate their story with clarity, conviction, and credibility.

Platforms like ShareInvestor and established advisers such as Waterbrooks Consultants will continue to play a critical role in shaping that dialogue between companies and the market, ensuring that investors receive the clarity and confidence they need to commit capital.