SINGAPORE: Singapore Exchange (SGX) has announced a strategic investment in Smartkarma, a Singapore-based fintech that is building a global presence with its pioneering investment research platform.
This investment comes on the back of a growing trend towards self-directed and independent research, creating growth opportunities for Smartkarma’s platform that facilitates the use of alternative data and wisdom sourcing in investment research.
Smartkarma operates a global investment research network that brings together institutional investors, independent investment analysts and listed companies on a single online platform where they share information and interact. Its network comprises independent Insight Providers who publish unbiased research analysis on more than 3,700 listed companies worldwide, with over 24,000 research pieces published on the platform to date.
This investment research network serves to provide investors with an added source of research data and analysis, and offers listed companies a direct touchpoint with investors. This raises the companies’ overall visibility within the marketplace, enhances market coverage and facilitates price discovery.
“Research data and information are crucial to making informed investment decisions. With the advent of technology, we see tremendous potential in this innovative platform that is adding another dimension to fundamental investment research. As SGX continues to uphold the standard and availability of research coverage through initiatives such as partnering with the Monetary Authority of Singapore on GEMS, we are also investing in new models to serve investors and companies now and in the future,” said Chan Kum Kong, Head of Research and Retail, SGX.
“We are excited to add Smartkarma to our suite of multi-faceted investor education, research and outreach initiatives, such as SGX Academy courses, regular market updates and sector reports, as well as SGX corporate access days,” he added.
“Shifts in the investment research industry are affecting all parts of the ecosystem. From the very beginning, we have been working hard to address the fundamental gaps we see around us. SGX shares our conviction that technological innovation is key to navigating this new landscape, and Singapore-listed companies will be the first to benefit from the fruits of our labour,” said Raghav Kapoor, Co-Founder and CEO of Smartkarma.
Smartkarma is launching Corporate Solutions, targeting Investor Relations and C-Suite at listed companies worldwide. This extension to the Smartkarma platform was developed after a successful pilot programme led by SGX.