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...
Top Stories Strategy | Monthly Market Radar 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. Market Spotlight • US s...
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.
Top Stories Company Results | Delfi (DELFI SP/BUY/S$0.945/Target: S$1.12) Delfi’s 2025 revenue of US$500m (-0.5% yoy) missed expectations, while core profit fell 20% yoy, despite beating our forecast on lower selling costs. A softer 4Q25 reflects Indonesia sales weakness (-12% yoy), although own brands’ remained resilient (+5% yoy). Gross margin compressed to 26.5% but easing cocoa prices support recovery. Upgrade to BUY with a raised target price of S$1.12. Company Results | Food Empire H...
Greater China Strategy | Hong Kong Budget 2026-27 The 2026-27 Budget marks a shift from deficit spending to structural consolidation, projecting a HK$22.1b surplus (0.6% of GDP) from last year’s HK$67.0b deficit (2% of GDP), which will lift fiscal reserves from 8 months to 10 months of government expenditure. Real GDP growth is projected at 2.5-3.5% yoy, with CPI at 1.7% yoy. Policy prioritises Northern Metropolis and AI investment, while property measures have turned more prudent, raising luxur...
SIA’s 2QFY26 earnings of S$505m (-69% yoy, +863% qoq) were within our guided range of S$450m-530m. Operating profit beat our estimates on better pax yields, but the drag from Air India was heavier than expected. Management noted that pax yields have stabilised, while cargo yields remain under pressure. Overall, we like this set of results, as the positive implications from the strong operating profit beat outweigh the negatives from Air India. Maintain HOLD with a higher target price of S$7.18.
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.
Top Stories Sector Update | REITs S-REITs would be active in asset recycling in 2026, supported by depressed domestic interest rates. M&A activities could be a positive surprise. Maintain OVERWEIGHT. BUY blue-chip S-REITs: FLT (Target: S$1.22), LREIT (Target: S$0.81), MPACT (Target: S$1.84) and NTTDCR (Target: S$1.42). Company Results | CapitaLand Ascott Trust (CLAS SP/BUY/S$0.98/Target: S$1.42) Portfolio RevPAU increased 2% yoy to S$180 in 4Q25 as occupancy improved 2ppt yoy to 83%. Portfolio...
Greater China Sector Update | China Property CRIC data show that the top 100 developers’ contracted sales fell 24.7% yoy in Jan 26, while new-home sales in 28 major cities declined 36% yoy. Second-hand transactions in three Tier 1 cities rose 1% yoy. Maintain UNDERWEIGHT but deepening industry downturn leads to rising possibility of policy support, supporting selective exposure. CR Land remains our top pick, with P/B at 1SD below the five-year mean, and PE and yield near the five-year average....
We lift our 3QFY26 earnings forecast for SIA to S$450m-530m, driven by: a) in-line operating statistics, b) earlier-thanexpected pax yield stabilisation, and c) favourable jet fuel prices in late-Nov to Dec 25. Our estimate represents a significant qoq rebound from 2QFY26’s low of S$52m. Current consensus FY26 earnings estimate is likely on the low side and poised for upward revisions. Backed by 4% yields in FY26/27, we upgrade SIA to HOLD, with a higher target price of S$6.16.
Top Stories Company Update | Hong Leong Asia (HLA SP/BUY/S$2.13/Target: S$2.82) A recent site visit highlights HLA's exposure to Singapore's construction demand. Key updates include an AI pilot programme to improve efficiency and a material growth opportunity in diesel gensets for data centres. Maintain BUY with a target price of S$2.82. Market Spotlight • US stocks were higher on Tuesday, with all three major indexes advancing as the healthcare, consumer discretionary and communication service...
Top Stories Company Results | First Resources (FR SP/BUY/S$2.05/Target: S$2.30) FR reported 9M25 earnings of US$240m which came in above both our and market expectations. Production is on track to hit management’s growth forecast of 20-25% in 2025, boosted by the fresh acquisition of ANJ’s assets, whereas 4Q25 is expected to be the peak production quarter this year. Maintain BUY with a higher target price of S$2.30 (from S$1.97), based on 10x 2026F PE. Company Results | SATS (SATS SP/BUY/S$3.4...
2QFY26 earnings of S$52m (-82% yoy, -72% qoq) were in line with our expectations. Air India’s loss was larger than expected, while SIA’s operating profit was better than expected. We cut our FY26-28 earnings forecasts by 7-12% to reflect the updated Air India loss projections and recent rebound in jet fuel prices. SIA’s new capital return plan (paying 10 S cents special dividend p.a. over FY26-28) leads to our updated FY26-28 yield forecasts of 3.7%. Maintain SELL. Target price: S$6.10.
Greater China Strategy | Alpha Picks: November Conviction Calls HSI and MSCI China fell 3.5%/4.0% mom in October, dragged by renewed US-China trade tensions and lack of fresh policy signals from the 4th Plenum. We remain constructive in the medium term but expect further consolidation as uncertainties persist. The best performer among our picks was SELL-rated Li Auto (+21.4% mom). For November, we rotate into oversold names with near-term upside: add AIA, LINK REIT, NAURA, Pinduoduo, PICC P&...
Our Alpha Picks portfolio gained 8.5% mom in Oct 25, outperforming the STI’s 3.0%. Strength came from MPM, RSTON and CSE. For Nov 25, we add CIT and ASL as BUYs and introduce SIA as a short candidate. The portfolio remains poised for expected EQDP-driven flows into small-/mid-cap names in the next few months.
Top Stories Company Update | Bumitama Agri (BAL SP/HOLD/S$1.28/Target: S$1.20) We expect BAL’s results to fare better in 3Q25, supported by higher production as well as firmer ASPs. Maintain HOLD with a higher target price of S$1.20 from S$0.90 previously. Company Update | Singapore Airlines (SIA SP/SELL/S$6.53/Target: S$6.03) SIA’s Sep 25 pax load was in line with our expectations, up 3.7% yoy, but cargo load missed, down 3.8% yoy, partly due to Typhoon Ragasa affecting SIA’s East Asia operat...
Greater China Sector Update | Automobile China’s auto sector faces a geopolitical bind: Europe demands tech transfers for new investments, while China restricts such transfers. We see no earnings impact from the EU’s tech transfer requirement, but that allows first movers like CATL to enjoy unrivalled advantages. China raises market access requirements for automakers, targeting inexperienced players. Maintain MARKET WEIGHT. Top BUYs: CATL and Geely. Top SELLs: BYD and Li Auto. Small/Mid Ca...
SIA’s Sep 25 pax load was in line with our expectations, up 3.7% yoy, but cargo load missed, down 3.8% yoy, partly due to Typhoon Ragasa affecting SIA’s East Asia operations. We cut our 2QFY26 earnings forecast for SIA to S$30m-130m, a significant drop yoy and qoq, as we expect Air India to be an even more significant drag to SIA in this quarter due to weak seasonality and some temporary operation adjustments. Maintain SELL on SIA. Target price: S$6.03.
Unfortunately, this report is not available for the investor type or country you selected.
Report is subscription only.
Thank you, your report is ready.
Thank you, your report is ready.