SingHaiyi's Celine Tang continues to build stake

FOR the five local trading sessions that spanned Aug 21 to 27, the Straits Times Index (STI) declined 0.3 per cent, with the Nikkei 225 Index, Hang Seng Index and S&P/ASX 200 Index averaging a 1.2 per cent gain. This has brought the STI's decline in total return for the 2020 year to Aug 2 to 19.0 per cent.

Over the five sessions, the iEdge S-Reit Leaders Index was flat, bringing its decline in total return for the 2020 year to Aug 27 to 7.4 per cent.

Share buybacks

There were 10 primary-listed stocks conducting share buybacks over the five sessions with a total consideration of S$7.5 million, a steady increase from the S$4.4 million for the preceding week.

Singapore Technologies Engineering again led the consideration tally, and has now bought back 5 million shares from the May 15 commencement date of the current mandate, through to Aug 27.

Director and substantial shareholder transactions

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The five trading sessions again saw more than 100 changes in director interests and substantial shareholdings, filed for approximately 40 primary-listed stocks. This included 23 company director acquisitions, with eight disposals filed, and substantial shareholders filing nine acquisitions and 10 disposals.

SingHaiyi Group

Between Aug 21 and 26, Haiyi Holdings (Haiyi) acquired 5,960,900 shares of SingHaiyi Group for a consideration of S$429,185 at 7.2 cents per share. The two married deals increased SingHaiyi Group managing director Celine Tang's deemed stake in SingHaiyi Group from 64.33 per cent to 64.47 per cent.

This followed Mrs Tang increasing her deemed interest in SingHaiyi Group between Aug 13 and 19 from 63.17 per cent to 64.33 per cent.

Mrs Tang also serves as managing director of Haiyi where she oversees its daily operations and decision-making, and is the non-executive chairman of Chip Eng Seng Corporation and OKH Global.

On Aug 21, the board of SingHaiyi Group appointed Lawrence Lua Gek Pong as its Independent, non-executive director and chairman of the nominating committee and member of the audit committee and the remuneration committee. Mr Lua also serves as an Independent non-executive director of Bumitama Agri.

SingHaiyi is a diversified company focused on property development, investment and management services. Apart from an established track record in residential property development, the group also holds a diversified portfolio of income-generative assets in the commercial and retail sectors, with geographical reach into the US and widening exposure in Asia.

Ho Bee Land

On Aug 21, Ho Bee Holdings acquired 123,700 shares of Ho Bee Land for a consideration of S$262,391 at an average price of S$2.12 per share. This took the total interest of Chua Thian Poh, the founder of Ho Bee Group, from 75.23 per cent to 75.25 per cent.

This followed his acquiring 185,800 shares, also at S$2.12 per share on Aug 19.

Appointed the chairman and chief executive of the group in 1999, Mr Chua is responsible for the strategic planning and direction of Ho Bee Land, as well as its financial and investment decisions.

Indofood Agri Resources

On Aug 27, PT Indofood Sukses Makmur Tbk (PT ISM) filed that it had acquired 859,300 shares of Indofood Agri Resources during the period of Aug 19 to 27, 2020.

Acquired for a consideration of S$259,737, the average price paid for the 859,300 shares was 29.01 cents per share.

PT ISM is a holding company of Indofood Singapore Holdings Pte Ltd (ISHPL) with an interest of approximately 83.84 per cent of the total number of issued shares in ISHPL.

The acquisition increased the total interest of PT ISM in Indofood Agri Resources from 82.94 per cent to 83.00 per cent. The preceding acquisitions saw PT ISM acquire 211,200 shares between Aug 5 to 18, 2020 at 29.13 cents per share and 871,000 shares of Indofood Agri Resources at an average price of 30.14 cents per share for the period of June 16, 2020 to Aug 4, 2020, excluding the blackout period on July 14 to 29, 2020.

UOB-Kay Hian Holdings

UOB-Kay Hian Holdings (UOBKH) chairman and managing director Wee Ee-chao increased his total stake in UOBKH between Aug 25 and 26, which is now at 30.59 per cent. He acquired 100,000 UOBKH shares for a consideration of S$124,000 at S$1.24 per share.

Besides his stockbroking involvement in UOBKH, Mr Wee is also involved in investment and real estate development in the region. He serves on the board of Haw Par Corporation Ltd and UOL Group as a non-executive director and is a director of Kheng Leong Co and Wee Investment Group.

First Sponsor Group

Between Aug 25 and 26, First Sponsor Group CEO and executive director, Neo Teck Pheng, acquired 12,000 shares of the listed company for a consideration of S$15,474, at an average price of S$1.29 per share. Mr Neo maintains a total interest of 38.71 per cent in First Sponsor Group. The majority of his deemed interest comes from his 80 per cent interest in First Sponsor Management Ltd.

He has overall responsibility for management, operations and growth of the group's businesses, and he was previously a board member of various entities within Hong Leong Group Singapore.

Hwa Hong Corporation

On Aug 25, Hwa Hong Corporation (Hwa Hong) substantial shareholder David Ong Eng Hui acquired 50,000 shares of the listed company for a consideration of S$14,810 at an average price of 29.62 cents per share. Dr Ong has gradually increased his total interest in Hwa Hong from 5.32 per cent at the end of 2018, to 6.28 per cent as of Aug 25.

The acquisitions also increased the deemed and hence total Hwa Hong interest of Dr Ong's father, Steven Ong Kay Eng, whose total interest stands at 16.17 per cent.

GRP

On Aug 20, GRP chairman Daniel Teo Tong How acquired 54,000 shares of the listed company for a consideration of S$9,720.

At 18 cents per share, this increased his direct interest in GRP from 4.44 per cent to 4.47 per cent.

Mr Teo is the managing director of Hong How Group of Companies and director of Tong Eng Brothers Group.

The businesses of these companies include property development and investment holding in sectors such as commercial, residential, industrial and hospitality in Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, the US, UK, Spain and Sweden.

Roxy-Pacific Holdings

Between Aug 24 and 25, Roxy-Pacific Holdings independent director Winston Tan Tien Hin acquired 30,000 shares of the listed company for a consideration of S$9,750. At 32.50 cents per share, this marginally increased his total interest in Roxy-Pacific Holdings, which is 0.78 per cent.

Mr Tan's preceding acquisitions were between Aug 12 and 18, with 142,200 shares acquired, also at 32.50 cents per share. Prior to this, he made acquisitions back in May, with 209,800 shares at 32.5 cents per share between May 14 and 20, and 150,000 shares acquired between May 4 and 13 at 32.3 cents per share.

Mr Tan has been a non-executive director of Roxy-Pacific Holdings since December 2006.

Uni-Asia Group

On Aug 26, Uni-Asia Group executive director, Kenji Fukuyado acquired 9,500 shares of the listed company for a consideration of S$4,323. At an average price of 45.50 cents per share, this took his total interest from 1.21 per cent to 1.22 per cent.

Mr Fukuyado's preceding acquisitions of Uni-Asia Group shares were on April 17, with 30,000 shares acquired at an average price of 53.50 cents per share, and on April 15 with 30,000 shares acquired at an average price of 50.50 cents per share.

VibroPower Corporation

On Aug 20, VibroPower Corporation substantial shareholder Chng Beng Hock increased his total interest in the stock from 10.64 per cent to 10.71 per cent. The 40,000 shares were acquired at an average price of 13.40 cents per share, with a consideration of S$5,360. He has gradually increased his substantial shareholding from 5.24 per cent on June 15.