Stocks to watch: Keppel, SGX, ESR-Logos Reit, IReit Global, Noel Gifts, Keong Hong
Michelle Zhu
THE following companies saw new developments that may affect trading of their securities on Thursday (Feb 1):
Keppel : The asset manager on Thursday posted a 2.5 per cent rise in net profit to S$439.9 million for the second half ended Dec 31, 2023, from S$429.1 million in the previous corresponding period. Its counter closed 0.3 per cent or S$0.02 higher at S$7.16 on Wednesday.
Singapore Exchange (SGX): Its net profit for the first half ended Dec 31, 2023, dipped 1 per cent to S$281.6 million from S$284.6 million in FY2023, announced the bourse on Thursday. This came as higher revenue was more than offset by a surge in operating expenses. An interim quarterly dividend of S$0.085 per share was declared. Shares of SGX closed S$0.03 or 0.3 per cent lower at S$9.41.
ESR-Logos Real Estate Investment Trust (Reit): Its distribution per unit fell 23 per cent to S$0.01186 for its second half ended Dec 31, 2023. Gross revenue was down 3.1 per cent to S$189.5 million for the half-year period, from S$195.6 million previously, said the manager on Thursday. Units of the Reit closed up 1.6 per cent or S$0.005 at S$0.31 on Wednesday.
IReit Global : The Europe-focused Reit secured two new leases in France and Germany, its manager announced on Wednesday. Separately, it also said the Reit has completed its divestment of Il·lumina, an office building in Barcelona, Spain. Units of IReit Global ended at S$0.40, down S$0.005 or 1.2 per cent, before both announcements.
Noel Gifts International : It has received the green light for the collective sale of its units at 50 Playfair Road and expects the sale proceeds to benefit its financial results for FY2024 ending Jun 30. On Wednesday, the mainboard-listed group said it obtained unanimous consent from the development’s subsidiary proprietors for the sale. Its shares ended the day flat at S$0.27, prior to the news.
Keong Hong Holdings : The mainboard-listed company reported a net loss of S$49.5 million for the year ended Sep 30, mainly due to rising costs in the construction sector. This came even as its full-year revenue rose 18.9 per cent year on year to S$176 million. Shares of Keong Hong closed flat at S$0.16 on Wednesday, before its results were released.
