Top Stories Strategy | Singapore Stock Picks In A Turbulent Market With war clouds, an oil shock, and market volatility, we focus on Singapore’s defensive sectors and quality blue-chip names. Deployment of funds from MAS’ Equity Market Development Programme could provide some respite in March and April. Key stock picks are CLAR, CLI, CIT, DBS, DFI, KEP, SE, ST, YZJSGD, ASL, CAREIT, CSE, DELFI, FEH, IFAST, UGAI and VALUE. Market Spotlight US stocks were higher on Monday, with all indexes risi...
Greater China Economics | China China set a 2026 GDP growth target of 4.5-5.0% yoy, in line with expectations, while maintaining a 4% fiscal deficit ratio. Fiscal policy remains the main growth driver, supported by Rmb4.4t in local government special bonds and Rmb1.3t in ultra-long treasury bonds, while monetary policy stays accommodative. Policy priorities focus on AI+, New Quality Productive Forces, industrial upgrading, and targeted consumption support, alongside welfare improvements and ...
Singapore equities extended gains in February, with the STI rising 1.8% to near the 5,000 level after reaching a record high above 5,040. Market sentiment was supported by steady manufacturing expansion and selective corporate strength, including Yangzijiang Shipbuilding’s strong earnings. Global markets remained cautious amid AI-related concerns, while geopolitical tensions in the Middle East raised risks of higher oil prices.
Greater China Strategy | Alpha Picks: February Conviction Calls Chinese equities recovered in January, with the HSI and MSCI China rising 6.9% and 5.0% mom, respectively. Given the supportive macro policy environment, we maintain a constructive view on the markets despite risk of further volatility in February. Accordingly, we are adding Alibaba, Ganfeng Lithium, and Minth to our BUY list, while adding Meituan to our SELL list. Indonesia Company Results | Bank Negara Indonesia (BBNI IJ/B...
Singapore equities delivered a strong January performance, with the STI rising 5.6% to fresh record highs amid heightened geopolitical tensions that drove flight-to-safety flows. Manufacturing activity remained in mild expansion, led by electronics and AI-related demand. Market/corporate catalysts during the month include REIT earnings, IPO interest in Catalist and continued strength in gold-linked counters.
Greater China Initiation Coverage | Metasurface Technologies Holdings (8637 HK/BUY/HK1.48/Target: HK2.90) Metasurface is set to benefit from robust investment in the semi supply chain. As chip fabrication grows in complexity, more time is required to fabricate wafers and more wafer fabrication equipment is needed. Aerospace engineering is set to drive long-term growth as airline capacity continues to face shortages, forcing airlines to rely on their existing fleets and bo...
Attractive yield differentials. With Singapore government bond yields trending lower, the yield differential between fixed income and equities has narrowed in 2025, thus reinforcing the relative appeal of companies offering high, sustainable dividend payouts. Equity yields in the 4-6% range now offer a compelling pickup versus the 10-year Singapore Government Bond yield (1.8579% as at 4 Sep 25), while also providing potential for capital gains. In our view, this widening yield gap should support...
For 1Q25, the sector’s muted 1.7% yoy earnings growth was within expectations, underpinned by strong contributions from Singtel’s regional associates and better overall cost discipline. Moving into 2Q25, we expect similar sector earnings growth, largely driven by Singtel and NetLink. We like Singtel for its regional exposure, Starhub as the main beneficiary of market consolidation and NetLink for its defensive earnings, supported by the sector’s attractive dividend yields. Maintain OVERWEIGHT.
GREATER CHINA Strategy China And Hong Kong Property: Channel check of Shanghai’s primary residential market; closer look at Hong Kong properties’ rental yields. MALAYSIA Results Westports Holdings (WPRTS MK/HOLD/RM4.53/Target: RM4.40): 1Q25: Results in line. WPRTS believes global acclimation towards tariff impact will rebalance trades; maintaining its 0-5% volume growth expectation. SINGAPORE Sector Banking: 1Q25 round-up: First-order direct impact assessed to be manageable. Upgrade to OVERWE...
StarHub reported a higher 1Q25 service revenue (+1.1% yoy) but sharply lower PATMI (-20.7% yoy), dragged by higher operating and transformative costs. Despite strong customer additions, the group’s mobile segment continued to face stiff domestic pricing competition. The enterprise businesses will continue to drive growth in 2025. Despite an attractive 2025 dividend yield of 5.8%, we opine that the group is fairly valued at current price levels. Maintain HOLD with the same target price of S$1.26...
KEY HIGHLIGHTS Sector Banking 1Q25 round-up: First-order direct impact assessed to be manageable. Upgrade to OVERWEIGHT. Results Civmec (CVL SP/HOLD/S$0.815/Target:S$0.80) - 3QFY25: Results in line; outlook remains challenging as project delays extend. Marco Polo Marine (MPM SP/BUY/S$0.044/Target:S$0.066) - 1HFY25: Earnings in line; poised for growth in offshore wind sector. Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp (OCB...
GREATER CHINA Strategy China And Hong Kong Property & Hong Kong Landlord Tariffs curtail US rate cuts, thereby hindering the recovery of Hong Kong property and tourism; Maintain OVERWEIGHT on China property. INDONESIA Strategy Alpha Picks: Outperform In Mar 25 Remove BBNI, BBRI, ASII, JSMR and KLBF; add BBCA, ICBP, ERAA and BUKA. MALAYSIA Update Pekat Group (PEKAT MK/BUY/RM1.08/Target: RM1.45) Good earnings visibility over 2025...
The selloff driven by the US’ unprecedented and perplexing tariff plans has liberated many investors of profits this year. Given the fluidity of market conditions, we highlight a number of domestic-focused stocks such as CENT, CD, DFI, HLA, PANU, PROP, RFMD, SSG and SIE as well as Singapore-focused REITS such as CDLHT, FEHT, FCT, KREIT, LREIT and PREIT. In addition, the MAS’ equity market review should inject much needed liquidity in 2H25. We lower our STI target to 3,720 (previously 4,115).
GREATER CHINA Results China Mengniu Dairy (2319 HK/BUY/HK$19.50/Target: HK$23.60) 2024: Results in line with profit warning; operating margin beat; targeting low single digit revenue growth for 2025. China Merchants Bank (3968 HK/HOLD/HK$45.90/Target: HK$49.00) 2024: Improving fundamentals but valuation is no longer attractive; downgrade to HOLD. China Overseas Property Holdings (2669 HK/BUY/HK$5.47/Target: HK$6.80) ...
For 4Q24, the sector’s 18% yoy earnings growth was within expectations, driven by Singtel’s regional associates, strong performance from the enterprise businesses and better overall cost discipline. We expect decent earnings growth for 1Q25, backed by strong earnings visibility, cost-saving initiatives and robust Enterprise business outlook. We like Singtel for its regional exposure and value-unlocking initiatives, Starhub’s attractive yield and NetLink’s defensive earnings. Maintain OVERWEIGHT.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS Results Raffles Medical Group (RFMD SP/BUY/S$0.88/Target: S$1.06): 2024: Results in line; share buyback announced. Upgrade to BUY. Riverstone Holdings (RSTON SP/BUY/S$0.99/Target: S$1.16): 2024: Earnings in line; steady outlook ahead. StarHub (STH SP/HOLD/S$1.23/Target: S$1.26): 2024: Soft results, DARE+ to end in 1H25. Downgrade to HOLD. TRADERS’ CORNER Sembcorp Industries (SCI SP): Trading BUY Singapore Airlines (SIA SP): Trading BUY
GREATER CHINA Sector Property Channel checks and observations of Shenzhen and Shanghai primary markets. INDONESIA Strategy Danantara – Who Could Benefit Beneficiaries: PGEO, ANTM, TINS, BMRI, BBNI, BBRI and TLKM. We have an end-25 target of 7,500 for the JCI. MALAYSIA Results 99 Speed Mart Retail (99SMART MK/BUY/RM2.14/Target: RM2.60) 4Q24: Delivers on earnings...
StarHub reported a higher 2024 service revenue (+3.9% yoy) and PATMI (+7.7% yoy), driven by the broadband and enterprise segments. Despite strong customer additions, the group’s mobile segment continues to face ongoing headwinds amid stiff pricing competition. The enterprise segment is poised to drive growth in 2025. Despite a decent 2025 dividend yield of 5.5%, we opine that the group is fairly valued at current price levels. Downgrade to HOLD with a lower target price of S$1.26.
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