The blue-chip space is always a great place to look for investment ideas.
Blue-chip stocks are famed for their reputation and size, and also boast a solid track record of weathering different economic conditions.
With Trump’s tariff tantrum creating significant uncertainty in the markets, this category of stocks not only provides you with peace of mind but also pays you consistent dividends.
We feature four attractive blue-chip stocks that you can consider adding to your buy watchlist.
United Overseas Bank (SGX: U11)
United Overseas Bank, or UOB, is Singapore’s third-largest bank by market capitalisation.
The bank forms one of the key pillars of Singapore’s economy and is a crucial cog in helping businesses and individuals to attain loans, grow their wealth, and invest their money.
The lender reported a resilient set of results for the first quarter of 2025 (1Q 2025).
Total income rose 4% year on year to S$3.7 billion on the back of a 2% year-on-year increase in net interest income to S$2.4 billion.
Total expenses dipped by 1% year on year, allowing operating profit to climb 7% year on year to S$2.1 billion.
Net profit stayed flat year on year at S$1.5 billion because of higher allowance for credit losses.
UOB’s net interest margin eased slightly from 2.02% in 1Q 2024 to 2% for 1Q 2025, but loans grew 6% year on year, led by growth in wholesale and mortgages.
Fee income hit a new high of S$694 million for the quarter, supported by higher loan fees and growth in card and wealth fees.
For 2025, UOB sees growing demand for hedging from clients and a healthy pipeline of infrastructure financing.
It also remains committed to its S$3 billion capital distribution plan, which involves a S$0.50 special dividend (paid out in two tranches this year) along with share buybacks.
SATS (SGX: S58)
SATS is a provider of air cargo handling services and is also a leading caterer.
The group offers passenger services, aviation security, and baggage handling, among other services, and also provides catering to aviation and non-aviation customers.
For the first nine months of fiscal 2025 (9M FY2025), revenue rose 14% year on year to S$4.3 billion.
Operating profit came in at S$367.4 million, more than double the S$155.4 million reported for 9M FY2024.
Net profit shot up more than eightfold year on year to S$205.1 million.
Free cash flow was also positive at S$48.8 million for 9M FY2025 versus the negative free cash flow in the previous corresponding period.
SATS will continue to pursue its focus on growing its network, enhancing operational efficiency, and developing innovative and specialised services.
Last month, SATS, along with Creuers Cruise Services, announced a nine-month upgrade of the Marina Bay Cruise Terminal.
The refurbished cruise centre will be better equipped to handle increased passenger volumes, and these upgrades will cost around S$40 million.
Meanwhile, SATS is also allocating over S$250 million to upgrade and transform its capabilities at Changi Airport, in line with the latter’s plan to construct and open its Terminal 5 by the mid-2030s.
Venture Corporation (SGX: V03)
Venture is a provider of technology products, services, and solutions.
The contract manufacturer serves customers in many verticals, including healthcare, molecular diagnostics, medical devices, and other fields.
Venture released its 1Q 2025 business update that saw revenue dipping 7.5% year on year to S$616.6 million.
Lower demand in the Lifestyle Consumer domain led to lower revenue as Venture improved the reliability and longevity of the customer’s key products, leading to lower product replacements.
Net margin for 1Q 2025 came in at 9.1%, slightly better than the previous year’s 9%.
Net profit fell by 7% year on year to S$55.9 million.
Although management warned about tariffs creating greater uncertainty, the group believes it is well-positioned to help its customers to create competitive solutions.
The group also sees opportunities to increase its market share in at least three or four of its technology domains.
Singapore Exchange Limited (SGX: S68)
Singapore Exchange Limited, or SGX, is Singapore’s sole stock exchange operator.
The group enjoys a natural monopoly by being the only bourse operator in the country, and recently reported a solid set of results for the first half of fiscal 2025 (1H FY2025) ending 31 December 2024.
Net revenue jumped 15.6% year on year to S$646.4 million.
Net profit (excluding exceptional items) shot up 27.3% year on year to S$320.1 million.
In line with the profit growth, SGX upped its interim quarterly dividend to S$0.09 from S$0.085.
Just last week, SGX released its April market statistics that saw securities daily average volume (SDAV) surge 59% year on year to S$1.9 billion, a five-year high.
Singapore was also the most-traded ASEAN market last month, posting a year-to-date SDAV growth of 22%.
The assets under management of exchange-traded funds also rose to a record S$13.8 billion for April, underscoring the influx of cash coming in from investors who are eager to participate in growth in this region.
Elsewhere, SGX also welcomed Jefferies Singapore as a newly accredited issue manager to help facilitate more IPOs and contribute to Singapore’s role as Asia’s premier capital market hub.
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Disclosure: Royston Yang owns shares of Singapore Exchange Limited.
