Corporate bonds for retail investors available on SGX markets from Oct 1 from Channelnewsasia

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SINGAPORE: The Singapore Exchange (SGX) announced on Tuesday that corporate bonds for retail investors will be available for the first time.

It will be available on the SGX primary and secondary markets.

These corporate bonds will be issued by SGX-listed companies and other organisations and will be traded in smaller denominations.

In a statement, SGX said this will make it more attractive to the growing pool of Asian retail investors.

Real-time prices, volume and price information will be made available on the SGX website.

This came on the back of Singapore Airlines' announcement, offering S$300 million worth in bonds, due in 2015.

SIA's Public Offer will open on Wednesday, September 22.

This issue of corporate bonds will be tradable on SGX Mainboard on October 1.

SGX Senior Vice President and Head of Fixed Income, Tng Kwee Lian said: "We are pleased to have Singapore Airlines, an STI component stock, as the landmark offer of an on-exchange tradable bond for retail investors.

"This is the first in a series of corporate bonds we are offering to retail investors. Our initiative to develop the bond market for retail investors augments SGX's value proposition as an innovative and leading trading hub in Asia."

SGX will also spearhead investor education efforts with a series of seminars and workshops to help investors better understand fixed income investments and make informed decisions. - CNA/fa