Market Snapshot
Singapore stocks opened lower on Thursday. STI fell 0.2%; SIA fell 0.3%; OCBC fell 0.4%; Sats rose 4%; Straco fell 3%.
Stocks to Watch
Sats : S58: The in-flight caterer and ground handler on Wednesday reported earnings of S$64.1 million for the second half ended Mar 31, 2024, more than 10 times the S$6 million booked in the previous corresponding period. This comes amid a strong post-pandemic recovery by the aviation sector, as well as contributions from the group’s recently acquired air-cargo handling company Worldwide Flight Services. Shares of Sats closed S$0.01 or 0.4 per cent lower at S$2.63, before the announcement.
OCBC : O39: The bank aims to invest HK$1.5 billion (S$259.1 million) into its technology and facilities in Greater China over the next three years, which includes modernising its technology platforms, channels and products. It is looking to positive spillovers from China’s improving economic conditions to drive growth in Asia. Shares of OCBC closed 0.8 per cent or S$0.11 lower at S$14.39, before the announcement on Wednesday.
IHH Healthcare : Q0F: The healthcare provider posted a 45 per cent fall in net profit to RM768 million (S$221 million) for its first quarter ended Mar 31, 2024, from RM1.4 billion in the corresponding period in 2023. The drop in profit was mainly attributed to a high base in Q1 2023. Shares of IHH closed 1.7 per cent or S$0.03 lower at S$1.77 on Wednesday, before the results were announced.
Straco : S85: The tourism facilities operator reported a net profit of S$5 million for its first quarter ended Mar 31, 2024, more than treble the S$1.6 million recorded in the same period a year prior. This was due to the full resumption of the Singapore Flyer’s operations in the first quarter, and higher visitor numbers for the group’s attractions in China. Shares of the mainboard-listed company closed 1 per cent or S$0.005 lower at S$0.48 on Wednesday, before the announcement.
iFast Corporation : AIY: The financial services company has established a S$300 million multicurrency debt issuance programme, it announced on Wednesday. Proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes, which may include refinancing certain borrowings. Shares of iFast ended S$0.04 or 0.6 per cent down at S$6.86, before the news.
SG Local News
Sats H2 Profit Surges More Than 10 Times to S$64.1 Million on Aviation Recovery, WFS Acquisition
IN-FLIGHT caterer and ground handler Sats reported earnings of S$64.1 million for the six months ended Mar 31, a jump of more than 10 times from the S$6 million booked in the previous corresponding period.
This comes amid a robust post-pandemic recovery by the aviation sector, and the acquisition of global air-cargo handling company World Flight Services (WFS), which Sats acquired in April 2023 for S$1.8 billion, the mainboard-listed company said in a regulatory filing on Wednesday (May 29) evening.
Revenue for the period more than doubled to S$2.7 billion, from S$953.8 million the year before, driven primarily by the consolidation of WFS, which has given the group increased market share and generated network synergies.
OCBC Doubles Down on Greater China Growth, Aims to Invest HK$1.5 Billion into Its Tech and Facilities in the Region
OCBC : O39 is banking on China’s improving economic condition and resultant positive spillovers into Asia as key growth drivers, as it plans further investments into its services across the Greater China region.
The bank aims to invest HK$1.5 billion (S$259.1 million) into its technology and facilities in Greater China – which includes the China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan markets – over the next three years.
This will be used to modernise its technology platforms, channels and products, group chief executive Helen Wong announced on Wednesday (May 29).
Food Factory Site in Mandai Fetches S$74 Million, Among Recent Big-Ticket Industrial Deals
THE industrial property market has been buzzing with big-ticket sales in the past few months. These include a S$74 million deal for a freehold food factory development site in Mandai. A building in Senoko Loop, meanwhile, has fetched S$53.2 million and a property in Pandan Road is being sold for S$36 million; both are on JTC sites with balance leases of more than 20 years each.
A consortium that includes Singapore-based Ding Zhou Group and Unitedland Development was recently granted an option to purchase an old freehold industrial property with a land area of 50,630 square feet (sq ft) at 2C Mandai Estate.
Sands Plots Entertainment-Focused Expansion in Singapore
Las Vegas Sands Corp. plans another development in Singapore to complement its casino resort there, including more space for live entertainment.
The company will give more details later year, Chief Executive Officer Rob Goldstein said Wednesday at an investor conference. It will have fewer rooms than the existing Marina Bay Sands resort, but will have a casino, restaurants and an arena.
“Singapore is going through a growth spurt,” Goldstein said. “All of a sudden Singapore’s become a hugely important market.”
Sands, which shares the market with rival casino operator Genting Singapore, said first-quarter revenue in the country increased 37% to $1.16 billion.
Comments