Stocks to watch: UOB, SIA, Keppel, Japfa

THE following companies saw new developments that may affect trading of their securities on Thursday (Aug 1):

UOB : The bank’s net profit for its second quarter rose due to double-digit fee income growth and lower credit allowances, it said on Thursday. Net profit for the three months ended June 30, 2024, stood at S$1.43 billion, a 1 per cent increase from the S$1.42 billion the previous year. The counter ended 0.3 per cent or S$0.09 higher at S$32.35 on Wednesday.

Singapore Airlines (SIA): It reported a net profit of S$451.7 million in the first quarter, a 38.5 per cent drop from S$734 million in the year-ago period. Weaker operating performance, a reduction in net interest income, lower surplus on disposal of aircrafts and spare engines, as well as a lower share of profit from its associated companies contributed to the decline, the group said. Shares of SIA closed S$0.06 or 0.9 per cent higher at S$6.97 on Wednesday, before the announcement.