Top Stock Market Highlights of the Week: SGX-Nasdaq Dual Listing Bridge, Centurion Accommodation REIT, and CICT’s Portfolio Moves

From the boardroom to the classroom, this week marks a transformative period for the Singapore market.

We dive into the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s (MAS) newly proposed framework for the SGX-Nasdaq Global Listing Board, a landmark move set to redefine cross-border capital flow.

Beyond the headlines, the REIT sector remains equally active.

We look at Centurion Accommodation REIT’s A$345 million entry into the Sydney student housing market and CICT’s dual-pronged move: divesting retail strata lots while securing a major development win at Hougang Central.

The Singapore Exchange (SGX: S68) and Nasdaq (NASDAQ: NDAQ) have moved closer to launching their groundbreaking dual-listing bridge, with SGX RegCo issuing a consultation paper on 9 January 2026 seeking feedback on the listing rule book for the new Global Listing Board.

The framework, expected to go live around mid-2026, will enable companies with market capitalisations of S$2 billion and above to list simultaneously on both exchanges using a single set of offering documents.

This first-of-its-kind formalised partnership represents a significant departure from traditional dual-listing arrangements that required separate prospectuses and regulatory filings for each market.

Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat, who chairs the Equities Market Review Group, noted that connectivity with other markets has been identified as an important strategy, with the bridge designed to attract quality growth-oriented companies with an Asian nexus and global ambitions.

Industry observers suggest this framework could serve as a model for similar arrangements with other jurisdictions, as Singapore positions itself as a gateway connecting Asian growth companies to global capital markets while maintaining strong governance standards.

Centurion Accommodation REIT (SGX: 8C8U), or CAREIT, announced on 13 January 2026 the completion of its acquisition of EPIISOD Macquarie Park, a newly developed 732-bed purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) asset in Sydney, Australia.

The acquisition, valued at A$345 million (S$280.1 million), marks CAREIT’s entry into the Sydney PBSA market and its first investment in the city following its initial public offering in September 2025.

The property will operate under the EPIISOD brand, a premium student accommodation brand pioneered by sponsor Centurion Corporation Limited.

The development features modern amenities including a rooftop pool, wellness centre, yoga studio, and full-service cafe.