Key Takeaways

  • To buy Singapore stocks you need a brokerage account with a MAS-regulated broker, plus a way to hold your shares: either a CDP account or a custodian account.
  • A CDP-linked account holds shares in your own name, with direct dividends and voting rights; a custodian account holds them through a nominee and often adds broader market access and features.
  • SGX trades in board lots of 100 shares, so a stock priced at SGD 3.50 needs about SGD 350 for one lot.
  • Most beginners start with STI blue chips such as DBS, OCBC, UOB or Singtel, or a low-cost ETF, before picking individual names.
  • From opening your accounts to settling your first trade, the whole process usually takes a few working days.

Buying your first stock in Singapore comes down to three things: opening a brokerage account with a MAS-regulated broker, setting up a way to hold your shares (a CDP or custodian account), and placing an order on the Singapore Exchange (SGX). The setup takes a few working days, and you can start with as little as a few hundred dollars. This guide to how to buy stocks in Singapore covers each step, the costs to expect, and how to pick your first Singapore stocks without overcomplicating it.

What You Need Before You Buy

To buy shares listed on SGX, you need a brokerage account, plus a way to hold those shares: a Central Depository (CDP) account or a custodian account. The CDP, operated by SGX, is the central register that records shares in your own name. The brokerage account is the tool you use to place buy and sell orders. Any Singapore resident aged 18 or older with a bank account and NRIC can open these accounts.

There are two ownership models, and each has its place. With a CDP-linked account, shares sit in your name at the CDP, so dividends and voting rights come directly to you. With a custodian account, the broker holds the shares on your behalf through a custodian or nominee, which often opens up broader market access and platform features while you keep beneficial ownership. Whichever you pick, use a broker licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), the regulator for Singapore's capital markets.

How to Buy Stocks in Singapore, Step by Step

Here is the full process for how to buy stocks in Singapore for beginners, from a standing start to your first trade.

  1. Open a brokerage account. Choose a MAS-regulated broker. This is the tool you use to place buy and sell orders.
  2. Set up how to hold your shares. Link the account to a CDP account to hold shares in your own name, or use a custodian account for broader market access and platform features. A CDP account is applied for online with your NRIC and a linked bank account, and approval takes a few working days.
  3. Fund the account. Transfer SGD from your bank. Many brokers have no minimum deposit, so you can start small.
  4. Decide what to buy. Pick a stock or ETF you understand. Beginners often start with STI constituents or an index ETF rather than smaller, more volatile names.
  5. Place the order. Enter the stock code, the number of board lots (100 shares each), and choose a market order (fills at the current price) or a limit order (fills only at your set price).
  6. Settle and monitor. SGX equities settle two business days after the trade (T+2). After that the shares show up in your account, and you can track them at your own pace.

What Does It Cost to Start?

The cost of your first trade is the share price multiplied by the board lot of 100 shares, plus fees. So a stock at SGD 2.00 costs SGD 200 for one lot before charges. On top of that sit your broker's commission and small regulatory fees set by SGX, including a clearing fee of 0.0325% of the contract value (source: SGX). Commission is where brokers differ most, and it matters more on small trades. Some brokers advertise zero-commission deals; Moomoo, for example, offers $0 commission on SGX trades for the first year for new users, which is a promotion rather than a permanent rate, so check the current terms before you rely on it. US stock trades are commission-free on an ongoing basis. For cost-conscious beginners, Moomoo's custodian service keeps holding costs low while you keep beneficial ownership of your shares, and it opens access to a wider range of markets and products than a CDP-only setup.

The table below breaks down what you actually pay on a first trade.

Cost component

What it is

Typical amount

Share cost

Price per share × 100 (one board lot)

From ~SGD 100–500

Brokerage commission

Your broker's fee per trade; varies widely

$0 to ~0.28% + min fee

SGX clearing fee

Regulatory fee on the contract value

0.0325% (source: SGX)

Settlement / custody

CDP or custodian handling of your shares

Free to small annual fee

Typical ranges for SGX cash equities; confirm current fees with your broker and SGX.

How Do You Choose Your First Stocks?

When you are working out how to buy stocks in Singapore, the choice of what to buy matters as much as the mechanics. A sensible first portfolio leans on the Straits Times Index (STI), which tracks the 30 largest companies on SGX. The three local banks, DBS, OCBC and UOB, make up close to 40% of the index by weight and pay dividend yields that have recently sat in the 5% to 7% range. Names such as Singtel, CapitaLand Investment and ST Engineering add telecom, property and defence exposure. If picking individual companies feels like too much, a single ETF that tracks the STI gives you all 30 in one trade.

Before you commit cash, it helps to understand what you are buying. Structured guides on how to read Singapore shares annual reports, dividend records and sector signals will take you further than any hot tip. Investing in stocks in Singapore rewards patience more than timing.

Where a Modern Broker Helps

The mechanics above are easier on a platform built for them. Moomoo, regulated by MAS and an SGX member with direct CDP linkage, holds your shares in your own name from day one, so dividends and voting rights stay with you. It also gives access to SGX, US and Hong Kong markets from one account, so you can broaden beyond local shares without opening another account. For first-time investors, its in-app learning resources and investor community shorten the climb from confused to confident. And because Moomoo runs physical stores in Singapore, you can get face-to-face help with account setup rather than working through everything alone on a screen.

Learning how to buy stocks in Singapore is mostly about setting up the right accounts once, then letting steady habits do the rest.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much money do I need to start buying stocks in Singapore?

You need enough for one board lot, which is 100 shares of your chosen stock, plus fees. For many SGX stocks that is roughly SGD 100 to SGD 500. Several brokers have no minimum deposit, so you can open an account first and add funds when you are ready.

Do I need a CDP account to buy Singapore stocks?

Not necessarily. You can invest in Singapore-listed stocks through either a CDP-linked account or a custodian account. With a CDP-linked account, your SGX-listed shares are held directly in your own name through CDP. With a custodian account, your shares are held on your behalf by the broker's custodian or nominee. Both account types let you buy and sell Singapore stocks; the main difference is how your shares are held and administered. Some investors prefer the direct ownership of CDP, while others value the convenience, broader market access and added features often available through custodian platforms. The right choice depends on your investing preferences and the platform that best meets your needs.

How long does it take to settle a stock trade in Singapore?

SGX cash equities settle on a T+2 basis, meaning two business days after the trade date. The shares appear in your CDP or custodian account once settlement completes.

Can foreigners buy stocks in Singapore?

Yes. Foreigners can invest in SGX-listed shares through a MAS-regulated broker. Eligibility for a CDP account varies, so many overseas investors use a custodian account instead, which most brokers offer to non-residents.

References

Monetary Authority of Singapore. (n.d.). Capital markets regulation. https://www.mas.gov.sg

Singapore Exchange. (n.d.). Securities trading and clearing fees. https://www.sgx.com

MoneySense. (n.d.). A step-by-step guide to start trading. https://www.moneysense.gov.sg