Singapore equities saw mixed moves on Thursday, with selective strength among blue chips while REITs showed sharper volatility. STI Top Gainers Top Performer: Jardine Matheson Holdings Ltd (J36. SG) +2.21% to S$76.31 Other notable gainers: Thai Beverage PCL +1.14% Wilmar International Ltd +1.08% Hongkong Land Holdings Ltd +1.07% Seatrium Ltd +0.84% Key Point: Jardine Matheson led STI gains, reflecting strength in regional conglomerates. STI Top Losers DFI Retail Group Holdings Ltd (D01. SG) -5.26% to S$4.50 Other laggards included: UOL Group Ltd -2.81% Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Holdings Ltd -1.47% Genting Singapore Ltd -1.47% SATS Ltd -1.08% REITs Movers Top Gainers BHG Retai...
Financial Performance & Growth Drivers
- Hap Seng Plantations Holdings Bhd (HSPLANT) posted a net profit of RM85.01 million in 4QFY2024, a fourfold increase from RM20.69 million a year earlier.
- The sharp profit growth was driven by higher crude palm oil (CPO) and palm kernel (PK) selling prices, as well as increased CPO sales volume.
- Fair value adjustments of biological assets contributed RM24.4 million in gains, compared to a RM21.1 million loss in 4QFY2023.
Revenue & Dividend
- 4Q revenue surged 33.7% YoY to RM223.37 million from RM174.56 million.
- CPO prices rose 26.1%, while PK prices jumped 66.3%.
- CPO sales volume grew 4%, though PK sales declined 7% due to a lower kernel extraction rate.
- FY2024 net profit more than doubled to RM204.64 million, while revenue increased 12.7% to RM752.45 million.
- Declared a second interim dividend of 11 sen per share, bringing total FY2024 dividends to 12.5 sen, up from 6.8 sen in FY2023.
Industry & Market Outlook
- Indonesia’s B40 biodiesel mandate and higher export levy (10% from 7.5%) are expected to tighten global palm oil supply, benefiting Malaysian exporters.
- Malaysia’s palm oil exports are set to become more price competitive against Indonesian palm oil.
- The rising minimum wage for foreign workers will raise production costs, but this will be partially offset by a higher windfall tax threshold in Sabah (RM3,650 from RM3,500).
- Hap Seng will continue improving operational efficiencies and yield to mitigate cost pressures.
Stock Performance
- Shares closed unchanged at RM1.94 on Wednesday, with a market cap of RM1.55 billion.
- Stock has declined 2.5% year-to-date.
Summary
- 4QFY2024 net profit soared 4x to RM85.01M, driven by higher CPO & PK prices.
- Revenue jumped 33.7% YoY, while FY2024 profit doubled to RM204.64M.
- Declared 11 sen dividend, bringing FY2024 total to 12.5 sen (vs. 6.8 sen in FY2023).
- Stronger palm oil exports expected due to Indonesia’s policies, despite rising labor costs.
- Shares remained flat at RM1.94, down 2.5% YTD.
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