Temasek portfolio tops $400bn on AI pivot

Temasek’s portfolio value climbed to a record S$518 billion, or about $400 billion, as the Singapore state investment company sharpened its push into artificial intelligence and reported stronger returns after two years of portfolio recalibration.

The latest figure, based on a mark-to-market valuation of listed and unlisted holdings, showed a S$49 billion rise for the financial year ended 31 March 2026. The increase reflected stronger performance from Singapore-based portfolio companies, gains from divestments and a broader recovery in public market valuations. The portfolio has doubled over the past decade, underlining the scale of Temasek’s role as one of Asia’s most influential investment groups.

Temasek invested S$51 billion during the year and divested S$31 billion, resulting in a net investment of S$20 billion. Its one-year shareholder return stood at 10.5 per cent in Singapore dollar terms, while its 10-year return was 7.1 per cent. The 20-year return was 6.8 per cent, a measure closely watched because Temasek is designed to generate long-term returns for Singapore rather than chase short-term market gains.

Artificial intelligence has become a central plank of the company’s next phase of growth. AI-related investments now account for about 6 per cent of its portfolio, with plans to raise that exposure to 10-15 per cent by 31 March 2031. Temasek has already taken positions linked to leading AI companies including OpenAI and Anthropic, while also targeting the wider infrastructure needed to support the technology.

The strategy is not limited to model developers. Temasek is looking across the AI value chain, including semiconductors, cloud service providers, data centres, energy systems, foundation models and software infrastructure. That wider approach reflects a belief that the economics of AI will not be captured only by consumer-facing platforms, but also by companies supplying chips, computing power, storage, power capacity and enterprise software.

Chief executive Dilhan Pillay has described AI adoption as a pivotal phase in the digitisation trend that Temasek has followed for more than a decade. The company’s approach is expected to combine direct investments, listed equities and private market exposure, with a preference for flexibility at a time when valuations across parts of the AI sector remain elevated.

The stronger annual performance also comes after Temasek moved to sharpen accountability within its investment structure. From April 2026, its portfolio has been organised into three broad segments: Singapore-based portfolio companies, global direct investments, and partnerships and funds. The change is intended to improve execution and give clearer visibility on how different parts of the portfolio contribute to returns.

Singapore-based companies remain an anchor of Temasek’s holdings. These include major stakes in groups tied to finance, telecommunications, transport, logistics, infrastructure and real estate. Their performance helped lift the portfolio during the year, even as Temasek continued to diversify beyond its home market.

The company has also increased attention on private credit, an asset class that has expanded as banks have retreated from some forms of lending and institutional investors have sought higher-yielding alternatives. Private credit currently accounts for about 2 per cent of Temasek’s portfolio, with a target of 5 per cent by 2031. The allocation is expected to provide recurring cash yield and a different risk profile from the predominantly equity-heavy portfolio.

Sustainable living remains another major investment theme. Temasek’s sustainable living portfolio rose to S$49 billion as of 31 March 2026, supported by commitments in renewable energy, power grids and transition technologies. Its portfolio emissions remained at about 21 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, around 30 per cent below 2020 levels, though the company has signalled that rising electricity demand, higher capital costs and exposure to emissions-intensive businesses may complicate its 2030 reduction target.

Temasek’s global exposure continues to reflect a balance between Asia and developed markets. Its earlier vulnerability to China-linked volatility had weighed on returns, prompting a more disciplined approach to capital allocation and risk management. The latest numbers suggest that portfolio adjustments, divestments and stronger listed-market performance have helped restore momentum.