#whatstrending feat. Beansprout

Ever wondered what is currently driving the local and regional markets? #whatstrending is a new series addressing some of the most trending questions/topics on the markets for investors. Designed to be educational, expect to get factual information on what is driving sectors and stocks listed on SGX, featuring insights from professionals in the community.

Today, we hear more from Beansprout, Singapore’s next-gen investment research and advisory platform. Gerald Wong, founder and CEO, shares his thoughts on market developments.

Q: STI reached near 3,200 levels which was not seen since mid-June. What drove the local market last week?

From Gerald, founder and CEO of Beansprout:

Best performing market in Asia Pacific YTD. Last week, the STI gained 2.7% and broke above its recent five-week consolidation. This makes Singapore the best-performing market in Asia Pacific year-to-date with a total return of 4.0%.

Which stocks were trending? According to SGX fund flow data, retail investors were net buyers of Thai Beverage (+$14.7m), Yangzijiang Financial (+$13.1m), and Wilmar International (+$10.8m). On the other hand, institutional investors were net buyers of UOB (+$26.0m), DBS (+$25.0m), and SIA (+$18.5m).

Acceleration in property price increases. Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) data showed 2Q22 private home prices growing 3.5% (five times the +0.7% in 1Q22), higher than the prior estimate of +3.2%. The strength in the property market was supported by a sharp turnaround in private home prices in the city fringe. Share prices of Singapore property developers reacted positively, with City Developments +2.8%, UOL Group +2.4%, and GuocoLand +1.3%.

Tourist arrivals hit post-pandemic high. There’s good news for Singapore’s tourism industry as tourist arrivals in June reached a new record since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. According to data from the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), 543,732 visitors arrived in Singapore in June, an increase from the 418,458 recorded in May. The share prices of tourism-related stocks rose from the improvement in sentiment. SIA’s share price +3.3%, CDL Hospitality Trusts +4.8%, and Ascott Residence Trust +1.8%.

Q: Amidst the ongoing earnings season, what were some of the notable company news and announcements last week?

From Gerald, founder and CEO of Beansprout:

There’s never a dull moment in the Singapore market. Last week, we saw notable news on Genting Singapore, Sembcorp Industries, and Mapletree Logistics Trust.

Genting Singapore gets a boost from Las Vegas Sands (LVS). Genting has been in the news a lot recently, but the most recent pop in its share price came through from strong results reported by its peer LVS. Marina Bay Sands saw its 2Q22 EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation) almost triple from the previous year, prompting increasing optimism about the recovery of integrated resorts in Singapore.

Sembcorp Industries generated higher profit from increase in electricity prices. Sembcorp Industries issued a positive profit guidance, expecting its earnings for 1H22 to be “materially higher” compared to the previous year. The company attributed the improvement in earnings to higher electricity prices in Singapore and India.

Mapletree Logistics Trust (MLT) saw stronger regional contribution. MLT reported 1Q23 (1 Apr 2022 to 31 Jun 2022) distribution per unit (DPU) that grew 5% compared to the previous year. Better portfolio performance in Singapore, India, Vietnam, and Japan led to stronger rental reversion of +3.4% in 1Q23, compared to +2.9% in 4Q22.

Many Singapore-listed companies will be reporting their earnings this week. Do check out the SGX economic calendar. 

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