In a market characterized by volatility and uncertain interest rates, dividends provide a safe haven with prospects of long-term gains.

Looking for examples?

Here are four Singapore-listed companies — Haw Par (SGX:H02), Singapore Technologies Engineering (SGX:S63, also known as ST Engineering), Singapore Exchange (SGX:S68, referred to as SGX), and United Overseas Bank (SGX:U11, or UOB) — that stand out for their reliable dividend payouts over the next decade.

Haw Par Corporation

Haw Par, a Singapore-based manufacturing and investment firm, engages in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, leisure products, and property.

Renowned for its ownership of Tiger Balm, Haw Par is a steady dividend distributor, bolstered by substantial cash reserves and recurring dividend income from its holdings in United Overseas Bank (SGX: U11) and UOL Group (SGX: U14).

Its dividend per share (DPS) has seen a 7.2% increase over the past decade, with a dividend yield of 2.7% (excluding special dividends), slightly below the STI's trailing twelve-month (TTM) yield of around 4%.

Haw Par maintains a healthy payout ratio of approximately 35% over its TTM and holds a significant cash balance of $700 million. This financial robustness allows the company to consistently deliver dividends to its shareholders.

ST Engineering

ST Engineering operates as a conglomerate with global exposure in technology, defense, aerospace, and digital solutions.

The group has consistently increased its dividends over the past decade, supported by strong order books and recurring contracts.

ST Engineering has projected a dividend payout of S$0.18 per share in 2025 and has updated its dividend policy to distribute one-third of its annual net profit increase as additional dividends starting in 2026.

Since 2020, the conglomerate has achieved a compounded annual growth rate of around 9% in earnings per share (EPS) and 13.4% in operating profit.

Looking forward, ST Engineering has an order book of S$31.2 billion, with S$9.1 billion in new contracts won in the first half of 2025 (1H2025) and another S$4.9 billion in the third quarter (3Q2025).

Approximately 45% of its 1H2025 sales are defense-related, providing stability through numerous contracts with the Singapore government.

Singapore Exchange (SGX)

SGX is the sole stock exchange operator in Singapore, managing equity, fixed income, currency, and commodity markets.

SGX distinguishes itself as a dependable dividend payer, benefiting from consistent trading income. Its strong margins and cash flow enable stable or growing dividends, even during market volatility.

SGX's dividend per share has increased by nearly S$0.10 over the past decade, reaching S$0.37.5 per share for the fiscal year ending 30 June 2025 (FY2025).

Currently, it offers a dividend yield of 2.2%.

In terms of revenue, around 56% comes from fixed income, currencies, and commodities (FICC), and derivatives, which generate strong revenue growth despite inherent volatility.

Additionally, SGX has a high operating margin of 54.2%, underscoring its position as Singapore's sole bourse operator.

United Overseas Bank (UOB)

UOB is one of Singapore's three major banks that distribute dividends, supported by stable earnings and its recent expansion into Southeast Asia.

UOB has maintained a consistent dividend payout even during economic downturns.

Notably, its dividend per share increased from S$0.78 in 2020 to S$2.30 in 2024 (including S$0.50 in special dividends).

For the first half of 2025 (1H2025), UOB paid out S$0.85 per share.

The bank has performed exceptionally well in recent years, achieving an 11% return on equity in the second quarter of 2025 (2Q2025), and a net profit of S$6 billion in 2024.

In terms of dividend sustainability, UOB's capital position is well above regulatory requirements, with a Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio of 15.3% in 2Q2025. This is driven by strong earnings and robust internal capital generation, making UOB a savvy choice among dividend-paying stocks.

Combined with a solid capital base and expansion plans, UOB is a strong candidate for investors seeking a long-term dividend grower.

What This Means for Investors

High-quality dividend stocks like Haw Par, ST Engineering, SGX, and UOB showcase steady cash flows, prudent management, and resilience to market fluctuations.

Therefore, investors looking to build a long-term dividend portfolio should consider these four stocks, given their ability to consistently generate value for shareholders.