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.
Keppel : The global asset manager posted a 7 per cent increase in net profit to S$513 million, from S$481 million in the previous corresponding period. Keppel’s board has approved an interim cash dividend of S$0.15 per share for H1 2024. Shares of Keppel closed 1.7 per cent or S$0.11 higher at S$6.64 on Wednesday.
Japfa : The agri-food company on Wednesday reported net profit of US$51.7 million for the first half of 2024, reversing into the black from a net loss of US$53.6 million in the corresponding period the year before. Revenue for the period was up 6.3 per cent at US$2.3 billion. Shares of Japfa closed 2.9 per cent or S$0.01 lower at S$0.33, before the announcement.
Trading halt: The Place Holdings requested a trading halt on Thursday morning, pending the release of an announcement. The counter ended Wednesday unchanged at S$0.0050.
