As a mum of three, I constantly think about the financial foundation my children will need in adulthood.
Watching my eldest sit for her PSLE and my youngest prepare for Primary 1 next year reminded me how quickly a decade flies by.
Cash in a savings account offers comfort, but true independence requires compounding.
When investing for my children, short-term price momentum matters far less than business quality.
I look past quarterly noise for sturdy, cash-generative businesses with durable moats and growing dividends – companies that will quietly expand over the next ten years to build a lasting legacy.
DBS Group Holdings Ltd (SGX: D05)
Singapore’s largest lender operates consumer banking, wealth management, institutional banking, and markets trading across Asia.
In 2Q2026, total income climbed 6% year on year (YoY) to S$6.09 billion, crossing S$6 billion for the first time.
Non-interest income of about S$2.5 billion – powered by a 42% jump in wealth management fees – offset a 2% decline in net interest income as net interest margin narrowed 18 basis points to 1.87%.
Net profit rose 9% to S$3.1 billion, yielding a strong return on equity (ROE) of 17.9%.
The bank declared a 2Q2026 dividend of S$0.66 per share plus a S$0.15 capital return dividend.
Asset quality stayed firm with a 1.0% non-performing loan (NPL) ratio.
Over ten years, expanding regional wealth fees position DBS as a premier Asian growth proxy, though lower interest rates and economic slowdowns remain key risks.
CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust (SGX: C38U), or CICT
CICT is Singapore’s largest REIT by market capitalisation, with total assets of S$28.2 billion across prime retail, office and integrated properties as at 30 June 2026.
In the first half of 2026 (1H2026), gross revenue rose 7.5% YoY to S$846.8 million, lifting net property income 8.7% to S$630.5 million.
Distribution per unit (DPU) grew 7.1% to S$0.0602.
Portfolio occupancy reached 95.6%, driven by 97.7% retail occupancy, while rental reversions averaged 4% for retail and 6.5% for office.
The strong performance was underpinned by the acquisition of full ownership of CapitaSpring and contributions from Gallileo in Frankfurt.
CICT also acquired Paragon for S$3.85 billion in July 2026.
Aggregate leverage stands at 37.4% with an average cost of debt of 2.9%.
CICT offers predictable, asset-backed income to compound over a 10-year horizon, balanced against interest rate and debt refinancing risks.
Sheng Siong Group Ltd (SGX: OV8)
Sheng Siong operates one of Singapore’s largest supermarket networks, selling fresh produce and household essentials, with a minor presence in China.
In 1H2026, revenue increased 11.9% YoY to S$855.4 million, driven by 16 stores opened since the start of 2025 and 3.3% growth from existing stores.
Expanded gross margins of 31.8% lifted gross profit 15.6% to S$272.4 million, while net profit grew 11.7% to S$80.8 million despite higher staff costs.
The supermarket giant raised its interim dividend 17.2% to S$0.0375 per share.
Sheng Siong maintains a pristine balance sheet with S$402.3 million in cash and zero debt as at 30 June 2026.
Everyday non-discretionary grocery demand provides an essential inflation shield, though wage inflation, store tender competition, and cross-border shopping trends from the JB-SG RTS link may present ongoing operational headwinds.
ST Engineering (SGX: S63)
The global technology, defence, and engineering group backed by Temasek Holdings saw 1H2026 revenue rise 11.1% YoY to S$6.6 billion, while operating profit surged 24.6% to S$701.5 million.
Net profit climbed 27.1% to S$512.1 million, led by engine maintenance (MRO), nacelles and spares in Commercial Aerospace, as well as rail deliveries in Urban Solutions.
Free cash flow improved to S$591.6 million, and total 1H2026 interim dividends rose to S$0.09 per share.
Total borrowings eased to S$4.7 billion against S$255.3 million in cash.
With an order book reaching a record S$35.7 billion, of which S$5.7 billion is scheduled for delivery by end-2026, ST Engineering provides multi-year revenue visibility.
However, disruption to global supply chains remains primary risk factors.
Singapore Exchange Limited (SGX: S68), or SGX
SGX is Singapore’s sole stock exchange operator, with businesses spanning cash equities, derivatives, FICC and market data.
Net revenue for FY2026 rose 13.9% YoY to S$1.5 billion, driven by a 28.1% gain in cash equities revenue as daily average traded value rose 34.9% to S$1.8 billion.
Adjusted net profit, which excludes a S$53.4 million write-down on its Scientific Beta index business and other one-off items, rose 24.6% to S$759.5 million.
Reported net profit rose 7.8% to S$698.4 million.
Free cash flow totalled S$788.8 million, supporting full-year dividends of S$0.570 per share, including a one-off S$0.125 special payout.
SGX holds S$1.8 billion in cash against S$628.2 million in debt, with plans for full debt repayment in FY2027 and quarterly dividend hikes through FY2028.
Its natural exchange monopoly delivers resilient, cash-generative returns across market cycles, counterbalanced by risks of trading volume lulls and technology modernisation costs.
Get Smart: Give Compounding Time to Work
A 10-year investment horizon gives parents a powerful advantage: time.
When you invest for a child, short-term market fluctuations matter far less than the underlying quality of the businesses you own.
By selecting cash-generative, shareholder-friendly companies like DBS, CICT, Sheng Siong, ST Engineering, and SGX, you create a steady stream of dividend payouts.
Reinvesting these dividends into the portfolio while your children are young allows the income stream to compound right alongside capital growth.
Over ten years, this snowballing effect transforms regular dividend payouts into a formidable wealth engine, laying a resilient financial foundation for their future.
We found 6 SGX companies that have paid dividends every year for more than 20 years, through the Global Financial Crisis, COVID-19, and rising interest rates.
If you’re building long-term income for retirement, this free report is a great place to start. Download your copy today.
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Disclosure: Calvina L. owns shares or units of DBS, SGX and CICT.
