Many investors purchase blue-chip stocks for their portfolio because of their strong brand names and long track records.
This group of stocks act as a bedrock of stability during tough times as they have been through different economic cycles.
There is more, though.
Most blue-chip stocks also pay out a dependable dividend that income investors will love.
We feature five Singapore blue-chip stocks that dish out quarterly dividends so that you can enjoy a stream of passive income flowing into your bank account every three months.
DBS Group (SGX: D05)
DBS needs no introduction with Singaporeans recognising it as the country’s largest bank.
The lender offers a comprehensive range of banking, insurance, and investment services to both individuals and corporations.
DBS released a sparkling set of earnings for 2023 with its total income boosted by higher global interest rates.
Its net interest income shot up 33% year on year for 2023 to S$14.3 billion.
With fee income rising by 9% year on year, DBS’s total income climbed 22% year on year to S$20.2 billion.
Net profit for the bank increased by 23% year on year to S$10.1 billion.
In line with the strong results, DBS declared a quarterly dividend of S$0.54, up from S$0.42 a year ago.
This dividend was also higher than the S$0.48 paid out in the previous quarter.
Mapletree Logistics Trust (SGX: M44U)
Mapletree Logistics Trust, or MLT, is a logistics REIT with a portfolio of 187 properties across eight countries with assets under management (AUM) of S$13.3 billion as of 31 December 2023.
The REIT’s portfolio occupancy stood high at 95.9%, showcasing strong demand for its properties.
MLT reported a resilient set of earnings for the third quarter of fiscal 2024 (3Q FY2024) ending 31 December 2023.
Gross revenue inched up 2.1% year on year to S$184 million while net property income (NPI) rose 1.5% year on year to S$159.5 million.
Distribution per unit (DPU) edged up 1.2% year on year to S$0.02253.
For the first nine months of FY2024, MLT saw its DPU rise 0.7% year on year to S$0.06792.
The logistics REIT also enjoyed a positive rental reversion of 3.8% for 3Q FY2024.
Mapletree Industrial Trust (SGX: ME8U)
Mapletree Industrial Trust, or MIT, is an industrial REIT with a portfolio of 56 properties in the US, Singapore, and Japan with an AUM of S$9.2 billion as of 31 December 2023.
For 3Q FY2024, MIT reported a mixed set of earnings.
Gross revenue increased by 2% year on year to S$173.9 million while NPI rose 0.8% year on year to S$129.9 million.
DPU, however, dipped by 0.9% year on year to S$0.0336 because of higher finance costs and a larger base of units.
MIT reported a high occupancy of 92.6% as of 31 December 2023.
The industrial REIT also enjoyed an average positive rental reversion of 7.2% for renewal leases.
Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd (SGX: S63)
Singapore Technologies Engineering, or STE, is a technology and engineering group serving the aerospace, smart city, defence, and public security sectors.
The group reported a robust set of earnings for 2023 with revenue rising 11.8% year on year to S$10.1 billion.
Operating profit climbed 24.4% year on year to S$914.7 million while net profit rose 9.6% year on year to S$586.5 million.
However, if one-off and exceptional items were excluded, STE’s net profit would have surged by 24% year on year to S$610 million.
A final quarterly dividend of S$0.04 was declared, bringing 2023’s total dividend to S$0.16.
The engineering giant snagged a total of S$14.8 billion of new contracts for 2023, bringing its order book to S$27.4 billion as of 31 December 2023.
Around S$7.9 billion of this order book is expected to be delivered this year.
Singapore Exchange Limited (SGX: S68)
Singapore Exchange Limited, or SGX, is Singapore’s sole stock exchange operator.
The bourse operator reported its fiscal 2024 first half (1H FY2024) earnings recently.
Revenue rose 3.6% year on year to S$592.2 million with net profit sliding by 1% year on year to S$281.6 million.
Excluding one-off items, SGX’s net profit would have risen by 6.2% year on year to S$251.4 million.
The group declared an interim quarterly dividend of S$0.085, up from the S$0.08 paid out a year ago.
Looking ahead, SGX intends to maintain a mid-single-digit year on year increase in its dividend per share subject to earnings growth.
Boost your portfolio’s returns with 5 SGX stocks that promise both stability and steady growth. We bring you the names of these rock-solid stocks, including why they could drive massive dividends over the next few years. If you’re looking to invest for retirement, this guide is a must-read. Click HERE to download now.
Follow us on Facebook and Telegram for the latest investing news and analyses!
Disclosure: Royston Yang owns shares of DBS Group, Mapletree Industrial Trust and Singapore Exchange Limited.
