We are pleased to share with you the third edition of our quarterly KPMG Financial Performance Index (FPI) publication. This publication provides insights into the changing state of corporate health across all companies listed and headquarter in Singapore across all sectors, following the end of the reporting season for the three months to September 2024. KPMG FPI data is refreshed on a quarterly basis. For more information, visit the KPMG FPI page.

Singapore FPI performance comparison

KPMG Financial Performance Index (KPMG FPI Singapore) analysed across:

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  • From June to September 2024, Singapore's financial corporate health saw a slight decline in FPI scores from 83.0 to 80.5. Scores for Infrastructure and Real Estate (72.1 to 79.9), Healthcare (68.9 to 74.3), and Travel and Hospitality (91.3 to 95.4) improved. However, Utilities (93.5 to 65.4) and Trading Companies and Distributors (70.1 to 50.6) declined.
  • Singapore's zombie company count doubled from 4 to 9 in 3Q24, mirroring the broader Asian trend where counts rose from 173 to 294. 
  • Economic data exhibits strong resilience with GDP growth accelerating to 5.4% in Q3 2024, underpinned by controlled inflation metrics (CPI-All Items 2.4%, core inflation 2.1%) and robust labor market performance across both resident and non-resident categories, strengthened by trade-related and modern services clusters that outperform regional peers including Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand.
  • Government's proactive economic initiatives, focusing on infrastructure development projects and enhanced R&D support, combined with strategic labor market adjustments and effective monetary policies, position Singapore favorably for sustained growth despite potential impacts from upcoming US elections and projected inflation moderation to 1.0%-2.0% in 2025.

Historic FPI movement of Singapore with respect to Asia and Global trends

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Historic FPI movement of Singapore with respect to India, Japan, China, Indonesia, and US

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Sector movers

  • Infrastructure & Real Estate sector demonstrates robust growth driven by strategic government housing initiatives and sustained commercial demand. The sector's resilience is evidenced by successful affordable housing programs, coupled with the office market's dynamic adaptation to hybrid work models and Singapore's positioning as a technology hub. Additionally, the industrial segment exhibits strong performance metrics, particularly in logistics and warehousing facilities, indicating a well-balanced sector growth trajectory.
  • Healthcare sector shows significant recovery, primarily attributed to the revival of international tourism and enhanced regional connectivity. Market performance is notably strengthened by key revenue-generating markets including Mainland China, Indonesia, and Australia, signaling successful market diversification strategies.
  • Energy sector exhibits strategic transformation through focused investments in sustainable solutions, including clean energy infrastructure and regional power integration initiatives. Growth projections are underpinned by increasing electricity demand, driven by economic expansion, demographic growth, and the rapidly scaling data center industry, positioning the sector for sustainable long-term development.
  • Utilities sector experiences margin pressure amid market challenges, characterised by energy price volatility and intensifying competition. A dominant player in Singapore's electricity and gas market, faces profitability constraints due to escalating energy costs while maintaining strategic investments in grid modernisation and renewable energy infrastructure.
  • Trading Companies and Distributors sector shows performance decline, impacted by global trade dynamics and supply chain disruptions. The sector's challenges are amplified by ongoing international trade tensions and residual pandemic-related supply chain constraints, significantly affecting companies focused on cross-border trade operations.
  • Technology and Telecommunications sector encounters growth headwinds, stemming from decelerated global tech spending and market competition intensity. Key industry players face revenue growth challenges while balancing competitive pressures with strategic technology investments, particularly in 5G infrastructure development.

From June 2024 to September 2024

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Strongest and weakest sector outperformers

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From June 2024 to September 2024

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Strongest and weakest sub-sector outperformers

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Singapore economy and landscape

  • Singapore's economic performance in Q2-Q3 2024 demonstrates remarkable resilience, with GDP growth accelerating from 2.9% to 5.4% in Q3. This growth trajectory is underpinned by controlled inflation metrics, with CPI-All Items at 2.4% and core inflation at 2.1%, alongside a robust labor market showing strong employment growth across both resident and non-resident categories.
  • Singapore maintains a strong competitive position among regional peers, outperforming Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand. This success is primarily attributed to robust performance in trade-related and modern services clusters, positioning Singapore advantageously in global trade and services demand.
  • The government's strategic initiatives demonstrate a comprehensive approach to economic development, focusing on infrastructure projects like Guoco Midtown and Greater Southern Waterfront, enhanced R&D support, and skill development programs. These are complemented by proactive inflation management through monetary policy and targeted subsidies.
  • Looking forward, key considerations include potential impacts from the US elections on trade policies and investment flows, with inflation expected to moderate to 1.0%-2.0% in 2025. The continued adjustment of labor market policies to attract and retain skilled workforce, combined with strong economic fundamentals and effective policy measures, positions Singapore favorably for sustained growth despite global challenges.


Zombies

  • Zombies are defined as companies close to default (scoring 0 on the KPMG FPI) for three or more consecutive quarters. These businesses might already be facing challenges or implementing restructuring plans.
  • In Asia, the count of zombies has grown each quarter, rising from 173 in 2Q24 to 294 in 3Q24. The leading sectors with the most significant shares of zombies are Infrastructure and Real Estate at 20.6%, followed by Consumer Markets and Technology and Telecommunications both at 13.3%.
  • Singapore’s count of zombies similarly increased from 4 to 9 in 3Q24. Sectors reporting zombies are Technology and Telecommunication (2), Infrastructure and Real Estate (1), Trading Companies and Distributors (1), Agriculture and Husbandry (1), Manufacturing (1), Business Services (1), Energy (1) and Media and Entertainment (1).

Trends of Zombies in the KPMG FPI

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About KPMG FPI

The KPMG Financial Performance Index measures the financial health of individual companies. Based on an initial pool of more than 40,000 companies globally, KPMG FPI identifies those companies, sectors, regions, countries, and territories that are performing well and those that are underperforming. A higher score on the KPMG FPI represents strong performance.

The KPMG FPI model draws from the Logit Probability to Financial Default model (developed by John Campbell, Jens Hilscher and Jan Szilagyi), which is based on eight explanatory variables encompassing financial and market variables, to arrive at the overall financial health of a company. The KPMG FPI is based on raw data from S&P Capital IQ database.

Global analysis

The global version of this tool is also available.

How we can help

To understand your company’s current index score, or to uncover deeper insights about specific markets or segments, contact us today. KPMG’s global network of professionals have the data, sector, and geographic expertise to help you understand your score and tie it back to your business needs. Whether it is benchmarking, identifying targets, comparing sectors, or looking for trends over time, KPMG professionals can connect you to the information you need to capitalise on your opportunities.

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