Stocks to watch: Great Eastern, CapitaLand Ascendas Reit, MPACT, ESR-Logos Reit, Aims Apac Reit

THE following companies saw new developments that may affect trading of their securities on Wednesday (Jul 31):

Great Eastern : The insurer on Wednesday posted a 45 per cent year-on-year increase in net profit to S$280.4 million for the second quarter ended Jun 30, from S$193.2 million. On a half-yearly basis, net profit increased 34 per cent to S$587.1 million, from S$437.2 million. Trading in Great Eastern shares has been suspended at S$25.80 since Jul 15.

CapitaLand Ascendas Reit (Clar): The industrial property player’s distribution per unit (DPU) fell 2.5 per cent for the half-year ended June to S$0.07524. This comes amid an enlarged unit base and higher finance costs. The lower DPU was despite H1 revenue rising 7.2 per cent year on year to S$770.1 million, while net property income rose 3.9 per cent to S$528.4 million. Clar units closed on Tuesday at S$2.68, up 0.4 per cent or S$0.01.