Stocks to watch: SGX, ESR-Reit, FCT, SATS, Trendlines Group

THE following companies saw new developments that may affect trading of their securities on Friday:

ESR-Reit J91U: The Reit recorded a 14.3 per cent rise in its distribution per unit (DPU) to 1.554 Singapore cents for the half year ended June 30, 2021, from 1.359 cents in the year-ago period, the trust's manager announced on Friday. ESR-Reit units closed at S$0.44 on Thursday, up S$0.01 or 2.3 per cent.

SGX S68: The bourse operator on Friday said it is acquiring single source and direct-to-market FX trading platform MaxxTrader for US$125 million, as part of plans to build an integrated FX ecosystem and marketplace that facilitates global access to over-the-counter trading and on-exchange currency derivatives. Shares of SGX closed at S$11.79 on Thursday, up S$0.19 or 1.6 per cent.

Frasers Centrepoint Trust J69U (FCT): The Reit announced Thursday that its committed portfolio occupancy across its retail portfolio remained stable at 96.4 per cent as at June 30, slightly higher than the 96.1 per cent as at end-March. Its manager said the tenants' sales nudged back to around pre-Covid levels despite tightened measures during Phase 2 (Heightened Alert), and performance was "underpinned by the resilience of FCT's portfolio of suburban malls". Units of FCT closed at S$2.41 on Thursday before the announcement, up S$0.01 or 0.4 per cent.

SATS S58: The ground handler and inflight caterer on Thursday reported net profit of S$6.4 million for the first fiscal quarter ended June 30, thanks to government reliefs, without which it would have booked a loss of S$35 million for the quarter under review. Chief executive Alex Hungate indicated the group is diversifying its non-travel business segments, for instance, through a recent acquisition of an 85 per cent stake in Thailand's Food City. Shares of SATS closed at S$3.87 on Thursday, up S$0.09 or 2.4 per cent.

Trendlines Group 42T: The Israel-based company said Thursday it will drop its plan for a proposed dual primary listing and securities offer on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange in Israel, following "further assessment of various factors, including prevailing general economic and capital market conditions which were not favourable to the company". It is still proceeding with its acquisition of a portfolio company, with a view to signing a definitive agreement in due course. Trendlines shares closed at 11 Singapore cents on Thursday before the announcement, up 0.1 cent or 0.9 per cent.

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Trading halt: Far East Group 5TJ : 5TJ 0% requested a trading halt on Friday morning, pending an announcement. Its share price has remained unchanged at 9.7 Singapore cents since July 14.