The first half of 2026 was a strong period for the Singapore market as well as several ETFs listed on the Singapore Exchange (SGX). According to SGX, the best performer delivered a total return of 60.9% in Singapore-dollar terms, while the next three returned between 28.8% and 45.6%.
Source: SGX
Three of the four were linked to China’s technology and innovation markets, while the other invested across Asia excluding Japan and China.
In this week’s edition of 4 Stocks This Week, we look at what these four ETFs invest in, what drove their gains, and the risks investors should keep in mind before chasing recent returns.
CSOP CSI STAR and ChiNext 50 Index ETF (SGX: SCY) (+60.9%)
The CSOP CSI STAR and ChiNext 50 Index ETF (SGX: SCY) was the best-performing SGX-listed ETF in 1H2026, with a total NAV return of 60.9% in Singapore-dollar terms.
The ETF tracks the CSI STAR & ChiNext 50 Index, comprising 50 companies listed on Shanghai’s STAR Market and Shenzhen’s ChiNext Market. These two boards were created to support innovative and fast-growing businesses, particularly in areas such as technology, advanced manufacturing and healthcare. The ETF therefore offers more concentrated exposure to China’s “new economy” companies than a broad China-market fund.
The ETF’s strong performance in 1H2026 reflected the sharp gains across China’s innovation-focused equity markets.
Amova MSCI AC Asia Ex Japan Ex China ETF (SGX: A93/A94) (+45.6%)
The Amova MSCI AC Asia Ex Japan Ex China ETF (SGX: A93/A94) was the second-best-performing SGX-listed ETF in 1H2026, with a total NAV return of 45.6% in Singapore-dollar terms.
The ETF tracks the MSCI AC Asia ex Japan ex China Index, which gives investors exposure to Asian markets while excluding the region’s two largest economies, China and Japan. This means the fund is tilted towards markets such as Taiwan, South Korea, India and Southeast Asia, offering a different mix from broader Asia-focused ETFs.
The ETF’s strong performance in 1H2026 reflected gains across Asian markets outside China and Japan, particularly in technology-heavy markets within the region.
Amova E Fund ChiNext Index ETF (SGX: CXT) (+ 36.4%)
The Amova E Fund ChiNext Index ETF (SGX: CXT) was the third-best-performing SGX-listed ETF in 1H2026, with a total NAV return of 36.4% in Singapore-dollar terms for its SGD-hedged fund class.
The ETF tracks the ChiNext Total Return Index, which captures the 100 largest and most liquid A-share companies listed on Shenzhen’s ChiNext board. These companies tend to operate in growth-oriented industries such as technology, healthcare, clean energy and advanced manufacturing, giving investors concentrated exposure to China’s innovation-driven economy.
The ETF’s strong performance in 1H2026 reflected the rally among ChiNext-listed growth companies.
UOBAM Ping An ChiNext ETF (SGX: CXS) (28.8%)
The UOBAM Ping An ChiNext ETF (SGX: CXS) was the fourth-best-performing SGX-listed ETF in 1H2026, with a total NAV return of 28.8% in Singapore-dollar terms.
The ETF tracks the ChiNext Index, comprising 100 of the largest and most liquid companies listed on Shenzhen’s ChiNext board. This gives investors broad exposure to China’s next-generation industries, including technology, electric vehicles, renewable energy, healthcare and advanced manufacturing. Like the Amova ETF, it provides exposure to China’s fast-growing technology and innovation sectors, although it follows a different underlying index and portfolio composition.
The ETF’s performance in 1H2026 was also supported by the strong gains among China’s innovation-focused companies.
Photo Credit: DollarsAndSense/Raymond Quek
4 Stocks This Week
4 Top-Performing ETFs Listed On The SGX In 1H2026
Bonds and Fixed Income
StashAway Income Portfolio: How You Can Earn 4.6%* Dividends From Your Investments Each Year
