During the holiday season, as a parent, I find myself in the role of giving rather than receiving red packets.

Nevertheless, my children's savings accounts are experiencing a welcome increase in balance.

There is a unique sense of fulfillment in taking that gift symbolizing fresh starts and investing it where it has genuine potential to appreciate.

As we welcome the Year of the Horse, the Singapore market remains a dependable ally—steady, robust, and abundant with quality opportunities for investors who exercise patience.

If you are considering where to allocate your festive gains with a view to 2026, these three established blue-chip companies are excellent candidates to begin with.

DBS Group Holdings (SGX: D05) – A Steady Foundation

For investors seeking a solid cornerstone for their investment portfolio, DBS is an ideal choice.

The leading local bank has demonstrated its capacity to perform strongly across various economic conditions.

In its most recent full-year 2025 financial results, DBS reported a record pre-tax profit of S$13.1 billion, highlighting its ability to prosper even as interest rate environments change.

The bank's prudent management is clearly reflected in its Return on Equity, which held firm at an impressive 16.2%.

DBS has evolved beyond a traditional bank into a powerful generator of cash flow that places a high priority on shareholder returns.

For the 2026 period, the management has affirmed its commitment to sustaining its quarterly capital return dividend of S$0.15 per share.

Combined with a final ordinary dividend of S$0.66, this results in a total quarterly distribution of S$0.81—a strong indicator that this blue-chip leader is dedicated to rewarding long-term investors.

CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust (SGX: C38U), or CICT – Investing in Singapore's Tangible Expansion

If you have recently encountered difficulty finding a seat at a Bugis Junction food court or maneuvered through the weekend crowds at ION Orchard, you have witnessed the operational strength of Singapore's largest REIT.

For parents, it brings a particular satisfaction to know that each family visit to a CapitaLand mall for a meal also supports a business in which we hold a stake.

The trust's full-year 2025 performance was as sturdy as the customer lines at its properties, with distribution per unit growing a solid 6.4% to S$0.1158.

It is reassuring to observe that its property portfolio is nearly fully occupied, achieving a 96.9% occupancy rate overall and an even higher 98.7% for its retail spaces.

However, CICT is not merely passive in collecting rental income.

It is actively optimizing its portfolio by divesting older assets, such as Bukit Panjang Plaza, at a profit and reinvesting the proceeds into newer, higher-yielding properties.

This dynamic strategy resulted in a 6.6% positive rental reversion, demonstrating that despite the growth of digital commerce, businesses still highly value a presence in CICT's prime locations.

For investors, this translates into a more efficient and resilient source of income as we progress towards 2026.

Keppel Ltd (SGX: BN4) – A Strategic Transformation Gaining Momentum

Keppel has spent recent years transforming from its historical identity as an offshore and marine company into a global leader in asset management.

The revitalized Keppel is now concentrating on future-oriented, high-growth areas such as data centers and sustainable infrastructure.

This strategic pivot is yielding significant results, with net profit from core operations for 2025 surging 39% to S$1.1 billion.

The company's asset-light approach has greatly enhanced its operational efficiency, driving its Return on Equity up to 18.7% from 14.9% the previous year.

Additionally, its Funds Under Management grew to S$95 billion by the end of 2025, approaching its S$100 billion target set for 2026.

For shareholders, this successful transformation materialized as a total dividend of approximately S$0.47 per share for the year—a substantial 38% increase compared to 2024.

Keppel exemplifies that even long-established corporate giants can adapt and master new, highly lucrative strategies.

Strategic Insight: The Advantage of a Long-Term View

Whether you are reinvesting your own unexpected gains or managing the investment of your children's red packet money, the core principle is identical: a long-term perspective is your most valuable asset.

By investing in solid performers like DBS, CICT, and Keppel, you are selecting companies that have helped build the very foundation of Singapore, the environment in which our children are maturing.

While daily market fluctuations are beyond our control, we can control the caliber of the businesses we choose to invest in.

As the well-known adage states, "Price is what you pay, but value is what you get."

Allow the powerful effect of compounding to work steadily over time, turning these seasonal gifts into a enduring financial advantage for you or your family.

Wishing you successful investing and prosperity!