Stocks to watch: DBS, Noble, ST Engineering, Keppel

THE following stocks had announcements or developments that could affect trading activity on Wednesday.

DBS Bank: It has established a US$10 billion Global Covered Bond Programme, under which covered bonds may be issued from time to time and investors will have recourse to both the issuer and a portfolio of assets through the covered bond guarantor, Bayfront Covered Bonds.

Noble Group: The commodities trader snapped up more of its shares in its third buyback this month, with such share repurchases now totalling S$42.9 million in value. It had made market acquisition the day before of close to 12.98 million shares for about S$9.22 million, averaging 70.87 Singapore cents apiece.

ST Engineering: The group's aerospace arm, ST Aerospace, has secured a seven-year contract worth over US$100 million for aircraft component support from British low-cost carrier Flybe.

Keppel Corp: Its majority-owned company, Ocean Mineral Singapore (OMS), has entered into a 15-year seabed exploration contract for polymetallic nodules with the International Seabed Authority (ISA).