Frasers Centrepoint Trust posts steady 3Q DPU of 3.04 cents

Frasers Centrepoint Trust (FCT) is declaring a distribution per unit (DPU) of 3.04 cents for the 3Q16 ended June, up 0.1% from the same quarter a year ago.

This brings the total DPU for the 9 months ended June to 8.949 cents, which is 2.3% higher than the same period a year ago.

Gross revenue for 3Q was $45 million, which was 4.4% lower compared with the year ago period. Property expenses for the quarter was 2.6% lower at $13.9 million.

3Q16 net property income declined 5.1% to $31.2 million. The decline in gross revenue and net property income were due mainly to lower contributions from Northpoint which is currently undergoing asset enhancement works (AEI).

FCT’s gearing level stood at 28.5% after it issued $50 million 2.76% Medium Term Note on June 21 to partially refinance the $264 million secured borrowing due July 2016 and for working capital purposes.

As at end June, FCT has 78% of its borrowings on fixed or hedged-to-fixed interest rates. Net asset value as at 30 June 2016 was stable at $1.90 per unit.

The portfolio occupancy as at end June declined to 90.8% from 92.0% in the prior quarter, due mainly to the AEI at Northpoint and transitional vacancy at Changi City Point.

The portfolio shopper traffic in 3 months period between April and June nudged down 0.4% compared to the same period a year ago. Portfolio tenants’ sales for the 3-month period from March to May was 1.8% lower year-on-year.

“The growth in the overall retail sector remains tepid, as seen in April’s 3.0% year-on-year decrease in the Singapore retail sales index (excluding motor vehicle sales). Nevertheless, FCT’s well-located suburban malls are expected to remain resilient,” says Dr Chew Tuan Chiong, CEO of Frasers Centrepoint Asset Management, FCT’s manager.

FCT last traded at $2.12.

Click Here To Register For Free Trial Services OR Give A Missed Call : +6531581402 Follow Us On Twitter : www.twitter.com/epicresearchsg Like Us On Facebook : www.facebook.com/EpicResearchSingapore Need Any Assistance Feel Free To Mail Us at : info@epicresearch.sg

Read More

SPH sees 3Q earnings fall by nearly half to $52.7 mil on impairment charge

Property and media group Singapore Press Holdings saw third quarter earnings tumble 46.4% from a year ago.

Net profit attributable to shareholders for the three months to May came in at $52.7 million, impacted by impairment charges of $28.4 million that was related to the magazine business whose performance was affected by unfavourable market conditions.

At the operating level, group recurring earnings of $60.8 million was $44.4 million or 42.2% lower on year. Excluding the impairment charges, group recurring earnings would have fallen by $17.1 million or 16.1%.

Group operating revenue slid $15.2 million or 5.0% y to $291.6 million, “as structural challenges confronting the media industry and the sluggish economic environment continued to weigh on the performance of the group’s core media business”, says SPH.

For the quarter, the media business saw a $15.7 million or 9.2% dip in advertisement revenue. Circulation revenue was maintained y-o-y, aided by the positive impact of the newspaper cover price increases implemented on March 1.

The property segment turned in a “resilient” performance despite the subdued retail environment, with revenue up $1.0 million or 1.6% against a year ago. This was on the back of higher rental and services revenue from the group’s retail assets.

Investment income of $18.7 million fell $5.3 million or 22.2% from last year, attributable to lower dividend income and smaller gains from sale of investments.

On its outlook, Alan Chan, CEO of SPH, says: “Given the challenging market conditions, the Group has embarked on a comprehensive review of our core Media business. The aim is to better address the evolving needs of our advertising customers and deliver effective, integrated solutions across our various media platforms. In addition, we will critically examine our product portfolio and also identify areas where we can further enhance our operational efficiency.”

SPH shares closed 1% higher at $4.07.

Click Here To Register For Free Trial Services OR Give A Missed Call : +6531581402 Follow Us On Twitter : www.twitter.com/epicresearchsg Like Us On Facebook : www.facebook.com/EpicResearchSingapore Need Any Assistance Feel Free To Mail Us at : info@epicresearch.sg

Read More

M1's 2Q earnings dip 7.5% to $44.3 mil

M1 has posted earnings of $41 million for 2QFY2016, a 7.5% decrease from the earnings of $44.3 million in 2QFY2015.

For the quarter to June, revenue fell 13.2% to $240.4 million on lower handset sales.

The group’s customer base rose 6.4% y-o-y to 2.1 million and its market share was 23.5% at end April. Churn rate was 0.9% during the quarter.

Telecommunication revenue fell 2.2% to $163 million, largely from lower postpaid revenue which had fallen 1.6% to $145 million. International call revenue fell 11.7% to $15.3 million and handset sales fell 49.9% to $36.4 million.

On the other hand, fixed services rose 26.9% to $25.6 million from a higher fiber customer base.

The group recorded a 14.1% decrease in operating expenses to $191.1 million, due in part to the lower sales of handsets.

M1 says that it continues to invest in new technologies and capabilities to counter the impact of OTT services on its traditional telecommunications revenue, while tapping on the increased data demand for growth. It added that such investments would begin to recognise revenue after it has achieved scale in service adoption in the next few years.

As such, M1 estimates it will record single-digit decline in earnings for FY2016.

The group declared an interim dividend of 7 cents for the half year period.

M1 shares closed lower at $2.78 on Friday.

Click Here To Register For Free Trial Services OR Give A Missed Call : +6531581402 Follow Us On Twitter : www.twitter.com/epicresearchsg Like Us On Facebook : www.facebook.com/EpicResearchSingapore Need Any Assistance Feel Free To Mail Us at : info@epicresearch.sg

Read More

EMAS Offshore swings into 3Q losses

EMAS Offshore, the subsidiary of Ezra that provides offshore oil and gas services, swung into 3Q losses of US$23.2 million ($31.2 million) from net profit of $5.2 million a year ago.

Revenue for the three months ended May fell 41% to US$35.1 million from US$59.2 million a year ago, mainly due to general weakness in the offshore industry.

The shallow water platform support vessels (PSV) and anchor handling, towing and supply vessels (AHTS) segment continues to remain weak, says EMAS Offshore.

The softening of demand in the offshore accommodation vessels (OAV) segment also contributed to the decline in revenue.

Shares of EMAS Offshore last traded at 8 cents.

Click Here To Register For Free Trial Services OR Give A Missed Call : +6531581402 Follow Us On Twitter : www.twitter.com/epicresearchsg Like Us On Facebook : www.facebook.com/EpicResearchSingapore Need Any Assistance Feel Free To Mail Us at : info@epicresearch.sg

Read More

Palm oil's bear market won't help relieve Singapore's haze

Nearly a year after haze from Indonesian forest fires created some of the worst air pollution ever in Singapore, fire season is starting again. The Indonesian government agency in charge of disaster mitigation said via a Twitter post on July 13 that an alert was in effect until Oct. 8 for land and forest fires in Central Kalimantan, on the island of Borneo. On July 14, the same agency said over 1,300 hectares (3,212 acres) were already burning in Riau, on the island of Sumatra.

To be fair, it's too early to break out the facemasks and air purifiers: the Sumatra fires are still small. Moreover, it's unclear whether this year's fires will cause haze as bad as the pollution that darkened Singapore's skies in 2015, when the smog led to school closures and disruptions of air and sea traffic. On Sept. 24, Singapore's air pollution index soared to 316, just shy of the record 321 hit in 2013. The pollution from 2015's fires led to $700 million in losses, Environment and Water Resources Minister Masagos Zulkifli said in March. The damage in Indonesia was far worse, with the World Bank estimating the country suffered losses of US$16.1 billion ($21.6 billion).

The fires this time could exacerbate tensions between Singapore and Indonesia, where many farmers illegally use slash-and-burn methods to clear land for palm oil plantations. Last month, Indonesian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Arrmanatha Nasir said the country's ambassador in Singapore had submitted a “strong protest” against the city-state's attempts to use a 2014 law against polluters to investigate Indonesian companies.

“We emphasize that laws implemented in Singapore shouldn't harm the beneficial trade cooperation we have in place or harm our businesses,” he said. “The government has communicated our objection to the law.”

Singapore has the right to look into alleged polluters, the country's top environment official told Bloomberg Television in an interview on July 12. “I am sure from the signals that we are getting they are worried,” Masagos said, adding that Singapore would not pursue alleged Indonesian-based polluters without the cooperation of the government there. “We respect the sovereignty of Indonesia,” he said.

With the fires now starting in Indonesia, the environment minister is hoping for the best. “We believe, cautiously, that there will be less haze this year,” Masagos said, “but that will be either because [Indonesian officials] have done a good job or because the weather is on our side.”

Click Here To Register For Free Trial Services OR Give A Missed Call : +6531581402 Follow Us On Twitter : www.twitter.com/epicresearchsg Like Us On Facebook : www.facebook.com/EpicResearchSingapore Need Any Assistance Feel Free To Mail Us at : info@epicresearch.sg

Read More

Sapphire Corporation wins $175 mil in contracts

Sapphire Corporation has clinched new infrastructure contracts worth about RMB 873 million ($175 million) in China.

The contracts were won through construction subsidiary, Ranken Infrastructure.

The projects include a RMB 300 million yuan project to build the Jian Cao Ping flyover that will connect to Metro Line 2, Taiyuan City's first metro line.

The other is the RMB 313 million contract to construct part of the Urumqi Rail Transit Line 2 and the Hama Mountain Station.

The third is the 3.26km Shun He viaduct in Jinan City, valued at RMB210 million and other civil engineering works for metro lines in Chongqing and Chengdu, worth RMB 50 million.

Sapphire says it will continue to accelerate business expansion opportunities by targeting projects for metro, urban rail transit and major land transport infrastructure in China and South-east Asia.

It is also in talks with governments in South Asia regarding infrastructure business opportunities in the region.

Sapphire Corporation closed flat at 28 cents.

Click Here To Register For Free Trial Services OR Give A Missed Call : +6531581402 Follow Us On Twitter : www.twitter.com/epicresearchsg Like Us On Facebook : www.facebook.com/EpicResearchSingapore Need Any Assistance Feel Free To Mail Us at : info@epicresearch.sg

Read More

SGX, Ezra, Sapphire, First REIT, Singapore Myanmar Investco, China Everbright

Here are some stocks that could move the market this Friday morning:

Singapore Exchange (SGX) says its securities market will open per normal on Friday, after technical glitches forced the market shut since 11.38am the day before. Investors can now check on the status of their orders with their brokers. SGX last traded at $7.79 before the breakdown.

Ezra Holdings announced a post-tax loss from continuing operations of US$239.2 million ($321.5 million) compared with a profit of US$0.05 million posted a year ago. This was the result of a one-off non-cash loss of US$181.3 million on disposal of a held-for-sale unit as well as allowance for doubtful debt of US$25.0 million. Revenue for 3Q declined 10% to US$125.7 million. Shares of Ezra closed 1.5% higher at 6.7 cents.

Sapphire Corporation has clinched new infrastructure contracts worth about RMB 873 million ($175 million) in China. The contracts were won through construction subsidiary, Ranken Infrastructure. Sapphire Corporation closed flat at 28 cents.

First REIT has declared a 2Q DPU of 2.11 cents, up 1.9% from a year ago, lifted by contributions from properties acquired last December. Gross revenue rose 6.5% to $26.6 million mainly due to contribution from the Kupang Properties, while net property income increased 6.9% to $26.3 million. First REIT closed at $1.30.

Singapore Myanmar Investco (SMI) has signed a licensing agreement with Chikaranomoto Holdings Co. to operate and manage Ippudo ramen restaurants in Myanmar. The agreement was signed for a five-year term SMI says it expects to open the first Ippudo ramen restaurant in Myanmar by 1Q2017. Shares of SMI closed at 39 cents.

China Everbright Water has secured the Ju County Shudong Waste Water Treatment Project located in Rizhao City, Shandong Province, from Ju County Government. The total investment of the project is estimated to be about RMB50 million ($10 million). Shares of China Everbright Water closed at 66 cents.

Click Here To Register For Free Trial Services OR Give A Missed Call : +6531581402 Follow Us On Twitter : www.twitter.com/epicresearchsg Like Us On Facebook : www.facebook.com/EpicResearchSingapore Need Any Assistance Feel Free To Mail Us at : info@epicresearch.sg

Read More

First REIT posts 1.9% rise in DPU

First REIT posted a distribution per unit (DPU) of 2.11 cents for 2Q16, which is 1.9% up from its 2.07 cent DPU from the same quarter in the previous year.

The trust reported a 5.5% higher 2Q distributable income of $16.24 million as compared to $15.4 million 2Q15, while gross revenue was up 6.5% to $26.604 million from $24.992 million from the same quarter in the previous year.

Net property income rose by 6.9% to $26.321 million in 2Q16. For the year to date, DPU rose 2.2% to 4.22 cents from 4.13 cents a year ago.

The manager of First REIT attributed this to contributions from its Kupang property, comprising Siloam Hospitals Kupang and Lippo Plaza Kupang, which was acquired in Dec 2015.

First REIT also announced the extension of its building rights title (HGB title) for Siloam Hospitals Kebon Jeruk for a period of 20 years to August 2037.

The trust says it will continue to keep a lookout for yield-accretive acquisitions in the region to boost growth, particularly in Indonesia where its sponsor, PT Lippo Karawaci Tbk, continues to expand its healthcare portfolio to 43 hospitals for potential acquisition.

According to First REIT, the healthcare sector is expected to “continue to grow steadily with demand supported by the growing aging population and the national health insurance scheme” despite a slowdown in the Indonesian economy.

As at 9.11am, units of First REIT are up 0.39% at $1.31.

Click Here To Register For Free Trial Services OR Give A Missed Call : +6531581402 Follow Us On Twitter : www.twitter.com/epicresearchsg Like Us On Facebook : www.facebook.com/EpicResearchSingapore Need Any Assistance Feel Free To Mail Us at : info@epicresearch.sg

Read More

SGX Singapore Opening Market Update : Epic Research Singapore

SINGAPORE shares resumed trading higher on Friday, a day after technical glitches forced the Singapore Exchange (SGX) to suspend trading in its securities market.

The blue chip Straits Times Index (STI) was trading around 2,929.43, up 0.77 per cent, or 22.51 points, at 9.02am on Friday. More than 273 million shares changed hands, with gainers ou
tpacing losers 90 to 48.

SGX's securities market stopped trading at 11.38 am on Thursday due to a computer glitch. After failing twice to meet its target resumption time, SGX decided to shut the market for the rest of the day. At the time of the breakdown, the STI was trading around 2,906.93, down 3.72 points, or 0.13 per cent.

Elsewhere in Asia, Tokyo stocks edged higher at the open on Friday after four straight days of gains and as Wall Street powered to fresh records, which saw the Dow Jones Industrial Average trade up 0.73 per cent, at 18,506.41.

Click Here To Register For Free Trial Services OR Give A Missed Call : +6531581402 Follow Us On Twitter : www.twitter.com/epicresearchsg Like Us On Facebook : www.facebook.com/EpicResearchSingapore Need Any Assistance Feel Free To Mail Us at : info@epicresearch.sg

Read More

SGX Singapore Closing Market Update : Epic Research Singapore

A LENGTHY trading suspension from 11.38am until the end of the day, caused by a computer glitch, provided the main talking point in Thursday's session. As a result, turnover amounted to just 539 million units worth S$335.2 million, about one-third recent averages. At the time of the breakdown, the Straits Times Index had dropped 3.73 points to 2,906.92.

Brokers said the system started experiencing problems in mid-morning and finally went offline at 11.38am, at which time Singapore Exchange (SGX) said orders can be entered, taken out or amended but could be matched only when the market reopened.

A second update sent an hour later said the securities market had been put in "adjust phase at 1138 hours due to duplicate trade confirmation messages being generated" and that "no duplicate trades were executed". It added that trading was expected to resume at 2pm; this however did not occur. After another update which said trading would restart at 4pm, the exchange at 4.1pm said the market would be closed for the day.

Comments from brokers were understandably critical and scathing, though some could see the funny side.

Click Here To Register For Free Trial Services OR Give A Missed Call : +6531581402 Follow Us On Twitter : www.twitter.com/epicresearchsg Like Us On Facebook : www.facebook.com/EpicResearchSingapore Need Any Assistance Feel Free To Mail Us at : info@epicresearch.sg

Read More

SGX Stock Recommendations : Epic Research Singapore

MARKET UPDATES :

• The Straits Times Index (STI) ended 8.83 points or 0.3% higher to 2910.65, taking the year-to-date performance to +0.97%.The top active stocks today were SingTel, which declined 1.16%, DBS, which gained 0.88%, ComfortDelGro, which gained 3.51%, UOB, which gained 0.54% and OCBC Bank, with a 0.34% advance.

• The FTSE ST Mid Cap Index gained 0.18%, while the FTSE ST Small Cap Index rose 0.17%.

• The outperforming sectors today were represented by the FTSE ST Real Estate Holding and Development Index, which rose 1.05%. The two biggest stocks of the Index – Hongkong Land Holdings and Global Logistic Properties – ended 0.82% higher and 0.27% lower respectively.

• The underperforming sector was the FTSE ST Telecommunications Index, which slipped 1.02%. SingTel shares declined 1.16% and StarHub improved 0.26%.

• The three most active Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) by value today were : IS MSCI India 100 (+0.28%),SPDR Gold Shares (-1.04%),STI ETF (+0.34%)

• The three most active Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) by value were : CapitaCom Trust (-0.65%),Ascendas REIT (-1.21%),CapitaMall Trust (-0.46%)

• The most active index warrants by value today were : HSI23800UBeCW161229 (+18.46%),HSI21400MBeCW160728 (-8.00%),HSI20400MBePW160830 (-5.26%)

• The most active stock warrants by value today were : DBS MB eCW161031 (+5.95%),OCBC Bk MBeCW161004 (+1.28%),DBS MB ePW161003 (-10.53%).

Click Here To Register For Free Trial Services OR Give A Missed Call : +6531581402 Follow Us On Twitter : www.twitter.com/epicresearchsg Like Us On Facebook : www.facebook.com/EpicResearchSingapore Need Any Assistance Feel Free To Mail Us at : info@epicresearch.sg

Read More

CMC Infocomm wins $3.8 mil in orders

Telecommunications engineering company CMC Infocomm has secured $3.8 million worth of cellular network engineering and maintenance projects with mobile operators in Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines.

The Catalist-listed company targets to complete the projects over the next two years.

(See: Telecoms engineering firm CMC Infocomm plans Catalist listing)

In a Thursday statement, CMC Infocomm says the new contracts are not expected to have a material impact to its consolidated net tangible assets per share and earnings per share for the current financial year ending May 31, 2017.

Kevin Phua, executive director and CEO of CMC Infocomm, says the securing of the new contracts “reflects sustainable demand for (the company’s) services and solutions”.

CMC Infocomm last traded at 4 cents on Tuesday.

Click Here To Register For Free Trial Services OR Give A Missed Call : +6531581402 Follow Us On Twitter : www.twitter.com/epicresearchsg Like Us On Facebook : www.facebook.com/EpicResearchSingapore Need Any Assistance Feel Free To Mail Us at : info@epicresearch.sg

Read More

Olam, Yanlord, SB REIT, CITIC Envirotech, Sim Lian, Duty Free, CMC Infocomm

Here are some stocks that could move the market this Thursday morning:

Olam International is to issue US$500 million ($674 million) of perpetual capital securities under its US$5 billion Euro Medium Term Note (EMTN) Programme. The securities bear a distribution rate of 5.35% for the first five years. The rate will then be reset at the end of five years from the issue date and each date falling every five years thereafter. Olam closed 1.07% higher on Wednesday at $1.89.

See Olam to issue US$500 mil of perpetual capital securities

Developer Yanlord Land Group is acquiring a 30% stake in the project company which holds an 3.2 million sf prime residential site in Suzhou city’s Gusu district, which was acquired through a public land auction for RMB4 billion ($806 million). Yanlord shares closed 2.6% higher at $1.175 on Wednesday.

See Yanlord Land partners China Ping An unit to develop Suzhou residences

Soilbuild Business Space Real Estate Investment Trust (SB REIT) has declared a distribution per unit of 1.57 cents for 2QFY2016, a 3.1% decline from a year ago. Net property income rose 3.7% to $17.3 million, due to the $0.6 million decrease in property tax expenses for West Park BizCentral. SB REIT units closed higher at 70 cents on Wednesday.

Click Here To Register For Free Trial Services OR Give A Missed Call : +6531581402 Follow Us On Twitter : www.twitter.com/epicresearchsg Like Us On Facebook : www.facebook.com/EpicResearchSingapore Need Any Assistance Feel Free To Mail Us at : info@epicresearch.sg

Read More

Singapore’s 2Q GDP up 2.2% on year

Singapore’s economy expanded by 2.2% in 2Q16, based on advance estimates by the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI).

The latest y-o-y figure is marginally higher than the 2.1% growth reported in the previous quarter.

In a Thursday statement, MTI notes that gross domestic product (GDP) expanded by an annualised 0.8% on a q-o-q basis, which is four times faster than the 0.2% growth in the preceding quarter.

Manufacturing expanded 0.8% y-o-y in the second quarter, a turnaround from its 0.5% 1Q16 decline due to an increase in the output of the biomedical manufacturing and electronics clusters. Overall, the sector grew at an annualised rate of 0.3% on a q-o-q basis after its 18.4% growth in the preceding quarter.

Construction eased from its 4.5% growth in the previous quarter, expanding moderately by 2.7% on a y-o-y basis in 2Q16 due to the slowing of private sector construction activities. Q-o-q, the sector expanded at a 0.6% annualised rate, which is lower than its previous quarter’s 3.5% expansion.

Growth in services remained unchanged from the last quarter at 1.7%, driven mainly by wholesale and retail trade sectors – the latter being supported by strong motor vehicle sales – as well as the transportation and storage sectors. On a q-o-q seasonally adjusted basis, the services producing industries’ 4.8% contraction in the preceding quarter was reversed to reflect a 0.5% growth in 2Q.

MTI says it will release its preliminary GDP estimates for 2Q16 in its ‘Economic Survey of Singapore’ report this August, which includes performance by sectors, sources of growth, inflation, employment and productivity.

Click Here To Register For Free Trial Services OR Give A Missed Call : +6531581402 Follow Us On Twitter : www.twitter.com/epicresearchsg Like Us On Facebook : www.facebook.com/EpicResearchSingapore Need Any Assistance Feel Free To Mail Us at : info@epicresearch.sg

Read More

In the land of $117,888 Corollas, cars just got pricier again

Buyers in one of the world’s most expensive car markets just missed their chance to snag one at the cheapest price in five years.

Car-ownership permit costs in Singapore have gained since February after ride-hailing companies obtained licenses for their fleets and the regulator eased rules on vehicle loans in May. The price of a permit, called a certificate of entitlement, for small cars and taxis reached $52,301 in the last round of bids, enough to buy a new Jaguar XE in the US or Mercedes-Benz B180 in Hong Kong.

The cost of the licenses -- whose supply the government controls to ease traffic snares -- may climb in the near term amid restricted supply and as buyers enter the market following the looser auto-loan rules. Over a longer period, the number of permits available and outlook for an economy that’s projected to slow this year from an average growth of more than 5 percent in the past decade will influence car demand, according to Song Seng Wun, an economist at CIMB Private Banking in Singapore.

“It’s all about finding that balance in terms of what is needed for the economy, and what is needed in terms of quality of life,” Song said. Without a system to ration road usage and vehicle ownership, “the whole jolly island could well be overwhelmed by bumper-to-bumper cars, the number of cars itself,” he said.

The regulator has tightened the supply of car permits for the immediate term. No more than 25,843 COEs will be issued from August to October, the Land Transport Authority said July 12. That’s a drop of 11% from three months earlier. It will announce the next three-month supply in October.

Click Here To Register For Free Trial Services OR Give A Missed Call : +6531581402 Follow Us On Twitter : www.twitter.com/epicresearchsg Like Us On Facebook : www.facebook.com/EpicResearchSingapore Need Any Assistance Feel Free To Mail Us at : info@epicresearch.sg

Read More

SGX Singapore Opening Market Update : Epic Research Singapore

SINGAPORE shares opened higher on Thursday morning, despite Wall Street's retreat from the highs the previous day and nervousness about the Bank of England's policy meeting.

The benchmark Straits Times Index (STI) opened up 2.06 points or 0.07 per cent at 2,912.71.

Two minutes into morning trade, some 85.5 million shares worth S$92.5 million changed hands, with gainers outnumbering losers 67 to 59.

Among the most active counters were SingPost, Singtel and Sino Grandness.

Click Here To Register For Free Trial Services OR Give A Missed Call : +6531581402 Follow Us On Twitter : www.twitter.com/epicresearchsg Like Us On Facebook : www.facebook.com/EpicResearchSingapore Need Any Assistance Feel Free To Mail Us at : info@epicresearch.sg

Read More

SGX Singapore Closing Market Update : Epic Research Singapore

WITH markets in "risk on" mode, the Straits Times Index (STI) on Wednesday added more distance between itself and its 2016 starting point of 2,882 when it closed with an 8.83-point gain at 2,910.65, thus bringing its rise for the year so far to 28 points or about one per cent. It was the STI's third consecutive gain for the week.

Wall Street's second consecutive all-time high this week provided the impetus, which was reinforced by rises of just under one per cent in Japan and 0.5 per cent in Hong Kong. The Dow futures, however, traded in the red and at 5pm stood marginally weaker.

Wednesday's turnover of 1.9 billion units worth S$1.1 billion was about average for the year so far and compares with Tuesday's 1.8 billion units worth S$1.1 billion. Excluding warrants, there were 224 rises versus 190 falls throughout.

The standout performer within the STI this year has undoubtedly been Singtel - as at the close of Tuesday's session, the counter had risen 17.4 per cent.

Macquarie Warrants (MW) in the daily newsletter said the stock is currently taking ranks among some of the best-performing statistics in the Singapore market.

"In the last 2.5 weeks, as equity markets have seen a post-Brexit rally, it has outperformed not just the local STI (+3.9 per cent), but is also the regional outperformer - Hang Seng Index's +4.8 per cent, with its 12.8 per cent gain," said MW. "It was also relatively unscathed during the Brexit sell-down."

Click Here To Register For Free Trial Services OR Give A Missed Call : +6531581402 Follow Us On Twitter : www.twitter.com/epicresearchsg Like Us On Facebook : www.facebook.com/EpicResearchSingapore Need Any Assistance Feel Free To Mail Us at : info@epicresearch.sg

Read More

SGX Stock Recommendations : Epic Research Singapore

MARKET UPDATES :

• The Straits Times Index (STI) ended 25.68 points or 0.89% higher to 2901.82, taking the year-to-date performance to +0.66%.The top active stocks today were SingTel, which gained 1.89%, DBS, which gained 0.38%, UOB, which gained 0.93%, Noble, which gained6.10% and OCBC Bank, with a 0.80% advance.

• The FTSE ST Mid Cap Index gained 1.03%, while the FTSE ST Small Cap Index rose 0.52%.

• The outperforming sectors today were represented by the FTSE ST Technology Index, which rose 2.92%. The two biggest stocks of the Index – Silverlake Axis and CSE Global – ended 3.60% higher and 2.22% higher respectively.

• The underperforming sector was the FTSE ST Utilities Index, which slipped 0.21%. Keppel Infrastructure Trust shares declined 0.98% and SIIC Environment Holdings remained unchanged.

• The three most active Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) by value today were : IS MSCI India 100 (+0.85%),STI ETF (+0.69%),SPDR Gold Shares (-0.27%).

• The three most active Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) by value were : Ascendas REIT (+1.64%),CapitaMall Trust (-0.46%),Suntec REIT (unchanged).

• The most active index warrants by value today were : HSI20800MBePW160728 (-38.10%),HSI19400UBePW160929 (-13.83%),HSI23800UBeCW161229 (+12.07%).

• The most active stock warrants by value today were : DBS MB eCW161031 (unchanged),OCBC Bk MBeCW161004 (+6.85%),DBS MB ePW161003 (-3.39%).

Click Here To Register For Free Trial Services OR Give A Missed Call : +6531581402 Follow Us On Twitter : www.twitter.com/epicresearchsg Like Us On Facebook : www.facebook.com/EpicResearchSingapore Need Any Assistance Feel Free To Mail Us at : info@epicresearch.sg

Read More

Singapore is safest country to do business: new Pinkerton index

Singapore is the safest nation to do business, according to global risk management company Pinkerton’s new tool to help corporate clients assess threats on a country-by-country basis.

The Pinkerton Risk Index Report, which the Ann Arbor, Michigan-based unit of Securitas AB announced on Tuesday, lists Switzerland as the second-safest country. The United States ranked seventh.

At the other end of the scale, Chad has the highest overall risk, followed by Zimbabwe and Guinea, according to the index, which uses data based on factors including natural disasters, disease, terrorism, social unrest and economic problems.

Pinkerton said its report would take into account 83 different variables to help companies make decisions on relocations, expansions, investment and business travel.

The report could also help insurers determine risk for providing coverage around the world.

Pinkerton President Jack Zahran said terrorist attacks and natural disasters were becoming more frequent, potentially causing widespread disruption to supply chains.  

“If you look at how our clients are operating, they're more global, and things are more connected," Zahran said in an interview. "You can't just look at your country in a silo
anymore because things happening around the world are going to start impacting you directly and indirectly."

Pinkerton will publish an overall risk index annually, which covers more than 60 countries, while clients can receive daily updates.

Jeff Spivey, president of Security Risk Management Inc and co-founder of the Global Security Risk Management Alliance, said the index could provide companies with more visibility to help them manage risk.

“The companies that have better risk management programs like this make more money," Spivey said, "and they’re more profitable, successful companies."

Click Here To Register For Free Trial Services OR Give A Missed Call : +6531581402 Follow Us On Twitter : www.twitter.com/epicresearchsg Like Us On Facebook : www.facebook.com/EpicResearchSingapore Need Any Assistance Feel Free To Mail Us at : info@epicresearch.sg

Read More

ST Engineering, Lifebrandz, OKP, FCL, Vard, Ausgroup

Here are some stocks that could move the market this Wednesday morning:

ST Engineering’s aerospace arm, ST Aerospace, has won $770 million worth of contracts in the second quarter. The projects include airframe cabin interiors maintenance, engine wash, component repair and overhaul, line and heavy airframe maintenance for commercial airlines and military operators, as well as cabin interior modifications. Shares of ST Engineering closed 1.2% higher at $3.32 on Tuesday.

See ST Aerospace wins $770 mil in contracts; incorporates German subsidiary for component manufacturing

Lifebrandz is making a foray into the goldmining industry. Lifebrandz said it had entered into a non-binding term sheet on Tuesday with Asidokona Mining Resources to acquire the entire issued and paid-up share capital of Tolukuma Gold Mines. The purchase consideration of US$212 million ($286 million) will be satisfied in its entirety by the allotment and issue of new Lifebrandz shares. Lifebrandz shares last traded at 0.2 cent.

See Lifebrandz to acquire goldmine business after dumping health and wellness plans

OKP Holdings, the infrastructure and civil engineering company, says wholly-owned subsidiary, Eng Lam Contractors Co has won a $19.3 million contract for infrastructure works at Punggol. With these latest contracts, the total value of contracts secured in 2016 amounted to $101.8 million and boosted the net construction order book to $414.1 million, with contracts extending to 2019. OKP shares last traded at 25 cents.

See OKP unit wins $19.3 mil contract for Punggol infrastructure works

Frasers Centrepoint Limited plans to issue US$200 million ($269 million) in fixed five-year 2.5% interest rate notes through its wholly owned subsidiary FCL Treasury. The net proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes. This includes refinancing existing borrowing, financing investments and for general working capital needs. Units of Frasers Centrepoint closed 0.3% higher at $1.51.

Click Here To Register For Free Trial Services OR Give A Missed Call : +6531581402 Follow Us On Twitter : www.twitter.com/epicresearchsg Like Us On Facebook : www.facebook.com/EpicResearchSingapore Need Any Assistance Feel Free To Mail Us at : info@epicresearch.sg

Read More