Greater China Sector Update | Automobile CATL, BYD, and Changan are deploying SIBs in EVs due to longer cycle lives, strong cold-weather performance and better fire safety. SIB-equipped EV sales are projected to make up 4-9% of global EV sales. LIBs remain dominant, but CATL benefits from diversification. The lithium market is expected to stay resilient through 2030. The hike in lithium carbonate costs will mostly be borne by auto OEMs. Maintain MARKET WEIGHT; BUY CATL, Ganfeng Lithium, Minth, G...
Singtel delivered strong earnings in 3QFY26, lifting its 3QFY26 underlying net profit by 9% yoy and 12% qoq to S$744m. Earnings were bolstered by Optus and NCS’ positive operating matrix and 15% yoy associate income uplift. Singtel’s 9MFY26 underlying net profit of S$2.1b (+12% yoy) is in line with expectations. Maintain BUY with a higher SOTP-based target price of S$5.50.
The Singapore Budget for 2026 did not provide any major surprises, with the financial sector likely to be the most identifiable market beneficiary. We remain bullish on the Singapore market in 2026 given positive earnings growth prospects as well as funds flow momentum. Key stock picks are CLAR, CLI, CIT, DBS, DFI, FR, GENS, KEP, SE, ASL, CAREIT, CSE, FEH, IFAST, UGAI and VALUE.
Top Stories Strategy | Bullish Foundations In Place For 2026 The Singapore Budget for 2026 did not provide any major surprises, with the financial sector likely to be the most identifiable market beneficiary. We remain bullish on the Singapore market in 2026 given positive earnings growth prospects as well as funds flow momentum. Key stock picks are CLAR, CLI, CIT, DBS, DFI, FR, GENS, KEP, SE, ASL, CAREIT, CSE, FEH, IFAST, UGAI and VALUE. Company Results | Singapore Telecommunications (ST SP/...
With shares at all time high, Singtel delivered good results. Core profit growth slowed as Singtel Singapore deteriorated further, but NCS and Optus continue to perform well and associates’ contribution from AIS and Bharti were strong. It would appear the share price consolidation following the STT GDC acquisition is already over.
Top Stories Company Results | DBS Group Holdings (DBS SP/BUY/S$58.19/Target: S$66.75) Wealth management and loans-related fees saw a significant sequential pullback of 19% and 25% qoq respectively due to seasonal weakness. Specific provisions for chunky Hong Kong real estate exposure were cushioned by a write-back in general provisions. NIM compression moderated by a smaller 3bp qoq in 4Q25 and exit NIM was stable at 1.92% in Jan 26. Management expects two Fed rate cuts in 2026 but sees firm...
Greater China Sector Update | China Property Recent equity placements proposals by Zhuhai Huafa Properties and Seazen signal improving equity financing conditions for mainland developers. Expected losses in 2025 will lower BPS for SOE/quasi-SOE developers, increasing the likelihood of state-owned capital injections amid industry consolidation. Jan 26 property sales data shows improved yoy performances in both the primary and secondary markets, partly due to a low base in Jan 25 which was impacte...
Wealth management and loans-related fees saw a significant sequential pullback of 19% and 25% qoq respectively due to seasonal weakness. Specific provisions for chunky Hong Kong real estate exposure were cushioned by a write-back in general provisions. NIM compression moderated by a smaller 3bp qoq in 4Q25 and exit NIM was stable at 1.92% in Jan 26. Management expects two Fed rate cuts in 2026 but sees firmer SORA at 1.25%. Maintain BUY. Target price: S$66.75.
Top Stories Company Results | Frasers Logistics & Commercial Trust (FLT SP/BUY/S$1.01/Target: S$1.22) FLT’s logistics properties in Australia, Europe and the UK maintained full occupancy of 100% in 1QFY26. Its logistics properties in New South Wales, Australia clocked strong positive rental reversion of 43.3%. Occupancy at ATP improved 8.4ppt qoq to 86.3% after securing new ICT and healthcare tenants. Occupancy at Blythe Valley Park in the UK improved 6.8ppt qoq to 85.2% after securing a new tec...
Greater China Company Results | Yum China Holdings, Inc (9987 HK/NOT RATED/HK$392.40) In 4Q25, YUMC’s total revenue reached US$2,823m, up 9% yoy. Total system sales grew 7% yoy, with a 3% increase in same-store sales. Operating profit rose 25% yoy to US$187m, with operating margin at 6.6% (+80bp). For 1Q26, management targets positive SSS. It aims to maintain flat yoy restaurant margin and operating profit margin on a high base. For 2026, it expects to open more than 1,900 net new stores, wi...
Singtel and KKR announced the acquisition of STT GDC at an enterprise value of US$13.8b. Singtel will pay S$740m for a 25% stake in STT-GDC, with a further injection of S$400m-500m in equity over the next 2-3 years for capacity expansion. STT GDC owns 673MW of data centre capacity worldwide. The deal is viewed positively as it provides a longer-term earnings growth trajectory and cash flows. Maintain BUY on share price weakness with an SOTP-based target price of S$5.20.
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 the risk of further volatility in February. Accordingly, we are adding Alibaba, Ganfeng Lithium, and Minth to our BUY list, and Meituan to our SELL list. Indonesia Strategy | Alpha Picks: From MSCI Shock To Policy-Driven Rebala...
Singtel announced it is acquiring a 25% stake in STT GDC. The deal was well flagged and we believe makes strategic sense but the detail is slightly underwhelming suggesting the stock is likely to see some profit taking near term.
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 Economics | PMI January PMI was below Bloomberg’s consensus, as the manufacturing PMI dipped to 49.2 (-0.9pt mom). The manufacturing output sub-index stayed marginally expansionary, while the new orders and new export orders sub-indices weakened. The purchase prices sub-index surged, pointing to higher cost pressure for manufacturers. The non-manufacturing PMI also fell to 49.4 (-0.8pt mom), mainly driven by a sharp contraction in the construction industry index. Large enterpri...
Our Alpha Picks outperformed the STI on a price-weighted and market cap-weighted basis but underperformed on an equalweighted basis. For Feb 26, we add CAO, RGL, HLA, and PROP and remove CLAR, KEP, MPM, and RSTON. The portfolio continues to be well-positioned ahead of expected EQDP-driven flows into small- and mid-cap stocks.
The appointment of Kevin Warsh as the new Fed Chair has strengthened the Fed’s credibility in fighting inflation, leading to an abrupt unwind for safe haven assets. Liquidity exiting safe haven assets, such as the Singapore dollar, could lead to firmer domestic interest rates in 2026. Maintain OVERWEIGHT. The Fed regaining its credibility is supportive of our thesis that banks benefit from the Goldilocks economy. BUY DBS (Target: S$68.95) and OCBC (Target: S$23.65). DBS provides an attractive 20...
Tower revenue trends were slightly slower across the board except for Indus Towers as it benefited again from VIL’s network catch up spend. EBITDA margins were roughly stable across EM except in Indonesia which faces the near-term pressure of the XL-Smartfren consolidation. Africa continue to perform well and the LatAm Towers space had a decent Q3.
Top Stories Strategy | Singapore Outlook The Singapore market outlook webinar for retail clients received over 200 attendees. We outlined our 2026 strategy, highlighting large-cap picks (DBS, GENS, KEP, SE), small-mid-cap selections (FEH, VALUE, RSTON, CAO), and top five S-REITs (CLAR, KREIT, LREIT, CAREIT, NTTDCR). Key questions include potential EQDP beneficiaries, small-mid-cap stocks, property counters, banks and REITS. Market Spotlight • US stocks were higher on Thursday, with the DJI...
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