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.
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 Economics | PMI February PMI was below Bloomberg's consensus, with manufacturing PMI edging down to 49.0 (-0.2pt mom) and non-manufacturing PMI staying contractionary at 49.5 (+0.1pt mom), partly reflecting Chinese New Year seasonality. New export orders sub-index fell to 45.0 (-2.8pt mom) for manufacturing PMI and 44.7 (-2.2pt mom) for services PMI. The manufacturing business expectations sub-index improved to 53.2 (+0.6pt mom) ahead of the Two Sessions. Company Results | AS...
Underlying profit surged 35% yoy to US$270m, driven by stronger subsidiary margins, associate recovery and portfolio simplification. Divestments generated around US$1b in proceeds, shifting from US$468m net debt to US$70m net cash, enabling US$740m in shareholder returns. Maintain BUY with a higher target price of US$5.60, implying 30% upside.
Top Stories Sector Update | REITs CICT, KDCREIT and SUN surpassed expectations, but CLAR missed expectations. Results from 10 out of the 17 large-cap S-REITs under our coverage met expectations. Safe haven inflows kept domestic interest rates depressed. Three-month compounded SORA was stable at about 1.15% in January and February. Maintain OVERWEIGHT. BUY blue-chip S-REITs with attractive yields and positive catalysts: CICT (Target: S$2.95), FLT (Target: S$1.22), MPACT (Target: S$1.84) and NTTDC...
Greater China Strategy | Alpha Picks: March Conviction Calls Chinese equities consolidated further in February, with the HSI and MSCI China Index declining 2.8% mom and 5.6% mom, respectively. March is expected to be volatile, as there are signs that the Middle East conflict could last for a while. We focus on names which have greater domestic exposure, adding Anta, China Duty Free, FII, Futu, Kuaishou and Tencent to our BUY list. Indonesia Strategy | Alpha Picks: Rotating To Commodities Amid M...
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/...
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...
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.
DFI’s bolder sales and ROCE targets as well as guidance for higher operating margins by 2028 have given us greater confidence in its execution of its revenue and profit improvement plans. We upgrade our estimates by 6-12% for 2025-27. Maintain BUY with a higher PE-based target price of US$5.30.
Greater China Company Update | Prudential (2378 HK/BUY/HK$123.40/Target: HK$138.00) We expect Prudential to report >10% growth in NBP, earnings and free surplus generation in 2025, in line with management guidance. It also announced that it would utilise part of the US$1.4b net proceeds from the IPAMC IPO to conduct a US$700m share buyback, with the remainder to be distributed in 2027. With a solid 5% yield and attractive growth outlook over the next two years, we believe Prudential continues to...
Top Stories Company Update | DFI Retail Group (DFI SP/BUY/US$3.94/Target: US$5.30) DFI’s bolder sales and ROCE targets as well as guidance for higher operating margins by 2028 have given us greater confidence in its execution of its revenue and profit improvement plans. We upgrade our estimates by 6-12% for 2025-27. Maintain BUY with a higher PE-based target price of US$5.30. Market Spotlight US stocks were lower on Friday, with all three indexes falling as the healthcare, communication serv...
Greater China Strategy | Alpha Picks: January Conviction Calls Chinese equities remained in consolidation through December, with the HSI and MSCI China down 0.9% mom and 1.5% mom, respectively, despite last week’s window dressing narrowing losses. Policy signals from the Economic Work Conference broadly met expectations. Looking ahead, we are constructive on 1Q26, supported by a favourable global liquidity cycle and potential macro supportive measures in China. We retain most of our December pic...
Greater China Sector Update | IT Hardware We see an acceleration in China’s AI development progress in 2026, with NVIDIA successfully obtaining the US government’s approval on H200 sales to China, which will provide a major boost to the Chinese the AI application users. We also believe that the shipment volume of domestic AI chips will receive minimal impact, with foreign chips acting as a “demand gap filler” while the establishment of a capable local supply chain remains the highest priorit...
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