SGX Market Strategist, Equity & Fixed Income, Singapore Exchange Ltd (SGX)

Geoff Howie

SGX Market Strategist, Equity & Fixed Income

Asia’s leading multi-asset exchange

Singapore Exchange Ltd (SGX)

Singapore Exchange is Asia’s leading and trusted market infrastructure, facilitating the exchange of capital and ideas to create value for people, businesses and economies. As a multi-asset exchange operating equity, fixed income and derivatives markets to the highest regulatory standards, SGX is a vertically integrated business that provides listing, trading, clearing, settlement, depository and data services.

With about 40% of listed companies and over 80% of listed bonds originating outside of Singapore as well as established linkages across the region and in Europe, SGX is Asia’s most international and connected exchange. Offering a full suite of derivatives products across Asian equity indices, commodities and currencies, SGX is the world’s most liquid international market for the benchmark equity indices of China, India, Japan and ASEAN.

As Asia’s pioneering central counterparty, SGX is globally recognised for its risk management and clearing capabilities, and was one of the first globally to adopt the Principles for Financial Market Infrastructure.

Headquartered in AAA-rated Singapore, SGX has over 800 employees including offices in Beijing, Chicago, Hong Kong, London, New York, Mumbai, San Francisco, Shanghai and Tokyo.

Equity Bottom-Up

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<ul>
<li>
Singapore’s largest non-cyclical consumer stocks by market cap focused on food production have averaged 5% defensive total returns since regional market highs on 9 June. This marginally outpaced global peers that generated a median 2% over the same period.   
	 </li>
	<li>
The strongest performers of this group of Singapore stocks over the period were Mewah International, Del Monte Pacific, ABR Holdings, QAF and Wilmar, with 27% average gains bringing their average 2020 YTD total return to 9%, compared to an 18% YTD decline of for the FTSE ASEAN All-Share Index. 
	 </li>
	<li>
Wilmar is the largest stock of the Singapore group, and plans to list its YKA China business on ChiNext this month, subject to market conditions. This is intended to unlock value for shareholders with food production stocks in China trading at 42x P/E, compared to global ex-China peers that trade at 16x P/E.   
	 </li>
	<li>Wilmar’s China business accounted for ~60% of its FY19 profit. With an indicative 31x P/E valuation for the YKA business, and overall Group P/E of 15x, current pricing is potentially valuing Wilmar’s Ex-China, but globally integrated business with multiple FY19 expansion highlights at a significant markdown.   </li>
</ul>
 

Singapore Food Producers Average 5% Gain Since 9 June 
Like most manufacturers, food processing and production companies seek to maximise profits, while continuing to improve throughput, control costs and maximise cashflow. Food production stocks are generally categorised as more defensive or non-cyclical, consumer goods or staples, due to the necessary demand for food. However, within the sector, businesses can also be subject to a number of cyclical, seasonal and competitive forces. Since regional market highs were formed on 9 June, Food Producer stocks listed in Singapore with a market value of more than S$100 million have averaged a 5.1% total return, which compares to the Straits Times Index decline of 9.1% and  FTSE ASEAN All-Share Index decline of 8.3%. As illustrated below, the 5.1% return marginally outpaced global stocks of the same genre, with seven of the 13 Singapore stocks generating gains over the period.
</body></html>

<figure>
 <img src='https://api2.sgx.com/sites/default/files/2020-10/Capture_0.PNG' alt='Total Returns' />
 </figure>
 <div class='content-caption'>Total Returns</div>
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<html><body>Wilmar Scheduled Plans to List YKA on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange ChiNext Board in Oct 
Wilmar International (“Wilmar”) is Singapore’s  largest stock by market value that represents the non-cyclical consumer stocks. The stock has generated a 10.2% total return in the 2020 year to 2 October, with S$69.4 million of net institutional inflow, and has been Singapore Exchange’s eight most traded stock for the 40 weeks. Since the STI formed its June 9 high, Wilmar generated a total return of 13.7%. Wilmar’s proposed listing of Yihai Kerry Arawana Holdings Co., Ltd (“YKA”) on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange ChiNext Board is planned to take place by mid-October 2020, however there is no certainty that the proposed listing will proceed as it is still subject to prevailing market conditions. YKA will be 90% owned by Wilmar with a 10% Free Float on the SZSE ChiNext board. The most recent update on the scheduled listing can be found <a href="https://links.sgx.com/1.0.0/corporate-announcements/TZAEJVOICXSR9KO7/572d1d776e36f33ff5dc4c5ae2d21f42b3ab9a54f256603c67f253f6ff73de81">here</a>.  
Wilmar has long maintained the YKA listing is intended unlock value for shareholders as China with food production stocks in China trading near 40x their earnings. As illustrated below, the median P/E ratio of China food production stocks is 42.3x compared to 16.0x for global food production stocks ex-China. Over the past ten years, there has been some gradual convergence of the P/E valuations, however China remains a consumer powerhouse. In terms of scale, comparative populations indicate China is home to 250 times as many consumers as Singapore.</body></html>

<figure>
 <img src='https://api2.sgx.com/sites/default/files/2020-10/Capture_1.PNG' alt='Median' />
 </figure>
 <div class='content-caption'>Median</div>
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In the recent AGM, Wilmar’s management noted that Wilmar’s China business: (I) accounted for about 60% of Wilmar’s 2019 profit and (II), that the profit margins from the Food Product business were more stable than margins from the Feed Ingredients business. With an indicative 31x P/E valuation for the YKA business, and overall Group P/E of 15x, current pricing is potentially valuing Wilmar’s ex-China, but globally integrated business at a significant markdown. While the population of China is 1.4 billion, Wilmar maintain that its products now reach 5 billion consumers worldwide. 
Wilmar is branded as Asia’s leading agribusiness group, with its integrated agribusiness model encompassing the entire value chain of the agricultural commodity business, from cultivation, processing, merchandising to manufacturing of a wide range of branded agricultural products.  Aside from its expansion in its China operations, Wilmar’s FY19 Annual Report highlighted the following global business expansions: 
 

<ul>
<li>A presence in 16 countries across Africa, and is the largest edible oils refiner and a leading oil palm plantation owner on the continent;</li>
	<li>A 50:50 joint venture with Adani Wilmar Limited (“AWL”)  in India, which is the largest refiner and producer of consumer pack edible oils in the country. AWL has expanded into rice and rice milling, as well as enhanced its consumer product offering;</li>
	<li>In Indonesia, Wilmar is continuing to expand its flour and rice milling, oleochemicals,  biodiesel,  refining and packaging  capacities in existing and new sites.</li>
	<li>In Malaysia, 2019 saw Wilmar complete</li>
	<li>the purchase of two palm oil refineries in Kuantan and Kuching and start construction of a new refinery and a specialty fats plant in Port Klang.</li>
	<li>In Vietnam, Wilmar maintains its leadership position in its core businesses including edible oils and soybean crushing while its new businesses such as rice, grains value-added processing and sauces are growing in domestic sales volume. Wilmar is also expanding its flour and rice milling capacity in Vietnam.</li>
	<li>In Myanmar, the edible oils packing plant and flour  mill commenced operation in Thilawa  in October 2019. Concurrently Wilmar has also begun the construction of a rice milling complex which, when completed, will be the largest in Myanmar, and are in the  process of acquiring another rice mill.</li>
	<li>Completed the acquisition of the balance 50% interest in Goodman Fielder from First Pacific Company Limited in December 2019, looking to expand operations in Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands.
</li>
</ul>
 

Singapore lists 13 consumer non-cyclical stocks with a market capitalisation of more than S$100 million. The strongest performers of this group of 13 Singapore stocks since 9 June were Mewah International, Del Monte Pacific, ABR Holdings, QAF and Wilmar International. The five stocks averaged 27% total returns bringing their average 2020 year to 2 October total return to 9%.

<table class="table table-striped"><tbody>
<tr>
<td>
			Non-Cyclical Consumer Stocks with Food Production/Processing Focus
			</td>
			<td>
			Code
			</td>
			<td>
			Mkt Cap S$M
			</td>
			<td>
			Total Return % Since 9 June 
			</td>
			<td>
			YTD Total Return %
			</td>
			<td>
			180 Day 

			Volatility

			%
			</td>
			<td>
			P/E

			(x)
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>
			Wilmar International
			</td>
			<td>
			F34
			</td>
			<td>
			27,919
			</td>
			<td>
			14
			</td>
			<td>
			10
			</td>
			<td>
			43
			</td>
			<td>
			15
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>
			Olam International
			</td>
			<td>
			O32
			</td>
			<td>
			3,995
			</td>
			<td>
			-14
			</td>
			<td>
			-27
			</td>
			<td>
			32
			</td>
			<td>
			7
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>
			First Resources
			</td>
			<td>
			EB5
			</td>
			<td>
			1,943
			</td>
			<td>
			-15
			</td>
			<td>
			-34
			</td>
			<td>
			41
			</td>
			<td>
			14
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>
			Golden Agri-Resources
			</td>
			<td>
			E5H
			</td>
			<td>
			1,802
			</td>
			<td>
			-10
			</td>
			<td>
			-37
			</td>
			<td>
			36
			</td>
			<td>
			16
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>
			Fraser And Neave
			</td>
			<td>
			F99
			</td>
			<td>
			1,769
			</td>
			<td>
			-19
			</td>
			<td>
			-27
			</td>
			<td>
			31
			</td>
			<td>
			12
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>
			Japfa
			</td>
			<td>
			UD2
			</td>
			<td>
			1,260
			</td>
			<td>
			-8
			</td>
			<td>
			9
			</td>
			<td>
			55
			</td>
			<td>
			5
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>
			Bumitama Agri
			</td>
			<td>
			P8Z
			</td>
			<td>
			841
			</td>
			<td>
			4
			</td>
			<td>
			-38
			</td>
			<td>
			47
			</td>
			<td>
			10
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>
			QAF
			</td>
			<td>
			Q01
			</td>
			<td>
			529
			</td>
			<td>
			18
			</td>
			<td>
			21
			</td>
			<td>
			36
			</td>
			<td>
			10
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>
			Delfi
			</td>
			<td>
			P34
			</td>
			<td>
			413
			</td>
			<td>
			-17
			</td>
			<td>
			-29
			</td>
			<td>
			41
			</td>
			<td>
			13
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>
			Mewah International Inc
			</td>
			<td>
			MV4
			</td>
			<td>
			398
			</td>
			<td>
			40
			</td>
			<td>
			11
			</td>
			<td>
			71
			</td>
			<td>
			8
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>
			Del Monte Pacific
			</td>
			<td>
			D03
			</td>
			<td>
			241
			</td>
			<td>
			39
			</td>
			<td>
			7
			</td>
			<td>
			69
			</td>
			<td>
			N/A
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>
			JB Foods
			</td>
			<td>
			BEW
			</td>
			<td>
			174
			</td>
			<td>
			9
			</td>
			<td>
			-5
			</td>
			<td>
			62
			</td>
			<td>
			6
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>
			ABR Holdings
			</td>
			<td>
			533
			</td>
			<td>
			141
			</td>
			<td>
			23
			</td>
			<td>
			-3
			</td>
			<td>
			105
			</td>
			<td>
			57
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>
			Average
			</td>
			<td>
			 
			</td>
			<td>
			 
			</td>
			<td>
			5
			</td>
			<td>
			-11
			</td>
			<td>
			52
			</td>
			<td>
			14
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>
			Median
			</td>
			<td>
			 
			</td>
			<td>
			 
			</td>
			<td>
			4
			</td>
			<td>
			-5
			</td>
			<td>
			43
			</td>
			<td>
			11
			</td>
		</tr>
</tbody></table>
 Source: SGX, Bloomberg, Refinitiv (Data as of 2 October 2020)
</body></html>





Singapore’s largest non-cyclical consumer stocks by market cap focused on food production have averaged 5% defensive total returns since regional market highs on 9 June. This marginally outpaced global peers that generated a median 2% over the same period.    
	 
	
The strongest performers of this group of Singapore stocks over the period were Mewah International, Del Monte Pacific, ABR Holdings, QAF and Wilmar, with 27% average gains bringing their average 2020 YTD total return to 9%, compared to an 18% YTD decline of for the FTSE ASEAN All-Share Index. 
	 
	
Wilmar is the largest stock of the Singapore group, and plans to list its YKA China business on ChiNext this month, subject to market conditions. This is intended to unlock value for shareholders with food production stocks in China trading at 42x P/E, compared to global ex-China peers that trade at 16x P/E.    
	 
	Wilmar’s China business accounted for ~60% of its FY19 profit. With an indicative 31x P/E valuation for the YKA business, and overall Group P/E of 15x, current pricing is potentially valuing Wilmar’s Ex-China, but globally integrated business with multiple FY19 expansion highlights at a significant markdown.   

 

Singapore Food Producers Average 5% Gain Since 9 June  
Like most manufacturers, food processing and production companies seek to maximise profits, while continuing to improve throughput, control costs and maximise cashflow. Food production stocks are generally categorised as more defensive or non-cyclical, consumer goods or staples, due to the necessary demand for food. However, within the sector, businesses can also be subject to a number of cyclical, seasonal and competitive forces.  Since regional market highs were formed on 9 June, Food Producer stocks listed in Singapore with a market value of more than S$100 million have averaged a 5.1% total return, which compares to the Straits Times Index decline of 9.1% and  FTSE ASEAN All-Share Index decline of 8.3%. As illustrated below, the 5.1% return marginally outpaced global stocks of the same genre, with seven of the 13 Singapore stocks generating gains over the period.



      
    
    Total Returns

Wilmar Scheduled Plans to List YKA on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange ChiNext Board in Oct  
Wilmar International (“Wilmar”) is Singapore’s  largest stock by market value that represents the non-cyclical consumer stocks. The stock has generated a 10.2% total return in the 2020 year to 2 October, with S$69.4 million of net institutional inflow, and has been Singapore Exchange’s eight most traded stock for the 40 weeks. Since the STI formed its June 9 high, Wilmar generated a total return of 13.7%.  Wilmar’s proposed listing of Yihai Kerry Arawana Holdings Co., Ltd (“YKA”) on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange ChiNext Board is planned to take place by mid-October 2020, however there is no certainty that the proposed listing will proceed as it is still subject to prevailing market conditions. YKA will be 90% owned by Wilmar with a 10% Free Float on the SZSE ChiNext board. The most recent update on the scheduled listing can be found here.   
Wilmar has long maintained the YKA listing is intended unlock value for shareholders as China with food production stocks in China trading near 40x their earnings. As illustrated below, the median P/E ratio of China food production stocks is 42.3x compared to 16.0x for global food production stocks ex-China. Over the past ten years, there has been some gradual convergence of the P/E valuations, however China remains a consumer powerhouse. In terms of scale, comparative populations indicate China is home to 250 times as many consumers as Singapore.


      
    
    Median


In the recent AGM, Wilmar’s management noted that Wilmar’s China business: (I) accounted for about 60% of Wilmar’s 2019 profit and (II), that the profit margins from the Food Product business were more stable than margins from the Feed Ingredients business.  With an indicative 31x P/E valuation for the YKA business, and overall Group P/E of 15x, current pricing is potentially valuing Wilmar’s ex-China, but globally integrated business at a significant markdown. While the population of China is 1.4 billion, Wilmar maintain that its products now reach 5 billion consumers worldwide.  
Wilmar is branded as Asia’s leading agribusiness group, with its integrated agribusiness model encompassing the entire value chain of the agricultural commodity business, from cultivation, processing, merchandising to manufacturing of a wide range of branded agricultural products.  Aside from its expansion in its China operations, Wilmar’s FY19 Annual Report highlighted the following global business expansions: 
 


A presence in 16 countries across Africa, and is the largest edible oils refiner and a leading oil palm plantation owner on the continent;
	A 50:50 joint venture with Adani Wilmar Limited (“AWL”)  in India, which is the largest refiner and producer of consumer pack edible oils in the country. AWL has expanded into rice and rice milling, as well as enhanced its consumer product offering;
	In Indonesia, Wilmar is continuing to expand its flour and rice milling, oleochemicals,  biodiesel,  refining and packaging  capacities in existing and new sites.
	In Malaysia, 2019 saw Wilmar complete
	the purchase of two palm oil refineries in Kuantan and Kuching and start construction of a new refinery and a specialty fats plant in Port Klang.
	In Vietnam, Wilmar maintains its leadership position in its core businesses including edible oils and soybean crushing while its new businesses such as rice, grains value-added processing and sauces are growing in domestic sales volume. Wilmar is also expanding its flour and rice milling capacity in Vietnam.
	In Myanmar, the edible oils packing plant and flour  mill commenced operation in Thilawa  in October 2019. Concurrently Wilmar has also begun the construction of a rice milling complex which, when completed, will be the largest in Myanmar, and are in the  process of acquiring another rice mill.
	Completed the acquisition of the balance 50% interest in Goodman Fielder from First Pacific Company Limited in December 2019, looking to expand operations in Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands.


 

Singapore lists 13 consumer non-cyclical stocks with a market capitalisation of more than S$100 million. The strongest performers of this group of 13 Singapore stocks since 9 June were Mewah International, Del Monte Pacific, ABR Holdings, QAF and Wilmar International. The five stocks averaged 27% total returns bringing their average 2020 year to 2 October total return to 9%.




			Non-Cyclical Consumer Stocks with Food Production/Processing Focus
			
			
			Code
			
			
			Mkt Cap S$M
			
			
			Total Return % Since 9 June 
			
			
			YTD Total Return %
			
			
			180 Day 

			Volatility

			%
			
			
			P/E

			(x)
			
		


			Wilmar International
			
			
			F34
			
			
			27,919
			
			
			14
			
			
			10
			
			
			43
			
			
			15
			
		


			Olam International
			
			
			O32
			
			
			3,995
			
			
			-14
			
			
			-27
			
			
			32
			
			
			7
			
		


			First Resources
			
			
			EB5
			
			
			1,943
			
			
			-15
			
			
			-34
			
			
			41
			
			
			14
			
		


			Golden Agri-Resources
			
			
			E5H
			
			
			1,802
			
			
			-10
			
			
			-37
			
			
			36
			
			
			16
			
		


			Fraser And Neave
			
			
			F99
			
			
			1,769
			
			
			-19
			
			
			-27
			
			
			31
			
			
			12
			
		


			Japfa
			
			
			UD2
			
			
			1,260
			
			
			-8
			
			
			9
			
			
			55
			
			
			5
			
		


			Bumitama Agri
			
			
			P8Z
			
			
			841
			
			
			4
			
			
			-38
			
			
			47
			
			
			10
			
		


			QAF
			
			
			Q01
			
			
			529
			
			
			18
			
			
			21
			
			
			36
			
			
			10
			
		


			Delfi
			
			
			P34
			
			
			413
			
			
			-17
			
			
			-29
			
			
			41
			
			
			13
			
		


			Mewah International Inc
			
			
			MV4
			
			
			398
			
			
			40
			
			
			11
			
			
			71
			
			
			8
			
		


			Del Monte Pacific
			
			
			D03
			
			
			241
			
			
			39
			
			
			7
			
			
			69
			
			
			N/A
			
		


			JB Foods
			
			
			BEW
			
			
			174
			
			
			9
			
			
			-5
			
			
			62
			
			
			6
			
		


			ABR Holdings
			
			
			533
			
			
			141
			
			
			23
			
			
			-3
			
			
			105
			
			
			57
			
		


			Average
			
			
			 
			
			
			 
			
			
			5
			
			
			-11
			
			
			52
			
			
			14
			
		


			Median
			
			
			 
			
			
			 
			
			
			4
			
			
			-5
			
			
			43
			
			
			11
			
		

 Source: SGX, Bloomberg, Refinitiv (Data as of 2 October 2020)



Food Producers Maintained Defensive Line From June Highs 

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd">
<html><body>
<ul>
<li>
In 1Q2019, Consumer Staples was the second-best performing sector with +13.9% total return, reversing the -2.9% total return in calendar year 2018. It was also amongst the top net buy sectors for the quarter, garnering total institutional inflows of S$61.5 million. 
	 </li>
	<li>
The 20 largest capitalised Consumer Staples stocks on SGX have a combined market cap of more than S$80 billion, and are well-diversified – both in terms of product range as well as geographical spread. The majority of these players report more than half their revenues to the Asia Pacific and/or global markets, excluding Singapore. 
	 </li>
	<li>Among the 20, the five best performers in the YTD were: Indofood Agri Resources (+46.6%), QAF Ltd (+44.4%), Thai Beverage PCL (+38.0%), Golden Agri-Resources (+20.4%), and First Resources (+19.5%). They averaged a YTD total return of +33.8%.</li>
</ul>
Second-Best Performing Sector in 1Q19

In the first quarter of 2019, Consumer Staples was the second-best performing sector on SGX with a total return of +13.9%, after Information Technology’s +28.6% total return. Consumer Staples’ strong performance in 1Q19 also reverses the -2.9% total return it generated in calendar year 2018.

Consumer Staples was also among the top net buy sectors for the January-March quarter, garnering total institutional inflows of S$61.5 million, according to SGX data. This comprised inflows of S$50.3 million, S$9.0 million, and S$2.2 million for January, February and March 2019 respectively.

Geographical Diversity

The 20 largest capitalised Consumer Staples stocks on SGX have a combined market cap of more than S$80 billion and are well-diversified – both in terms of product range as well as geographical spread. The majority of these players report more than half their revenues to the Asia Pacific and/or global markets, excluding Singapore.

In the 2019 year-to-date, these 20 largest Consumer Staples stocks have averaged a total return of +12.9%, bringing their one-year and three-year total returns to -1.4% and +22.6% respectively. They have also averaged a price-earnings ratio of 24.5x and a dividend indicated yield of 2.5%.

Among the 20, the five best performers in the YTD were: Indofood Agri Resources (+46.6%), QAF Ltd (+44.4%), Thai Beverage PCL (+38.0%), Golden Agri-Resources (+20.4%), and First Resources (+19.5%). They have averaged a YTD total return of +33.8%.

Note that earlier this month, Jakarta Stock Exchange-listed PT Indofood Sukses Makmur Tbk, controlled by Indonesian tycoon Anthoni Salim, offered S$0.28 per share to take Indofood Agri Resources private.

The table below details the 20 largest Consumer Staples stocks on SGX, sorted by YTD total return.

<table class="table table-striped"><tbody>
<tr>
<td>
			Name
			</td>
			<td>
			SGX Code
			</td>
			<td>
			Market Cap (S$M)
			</td>
			<td>
			Total Return YTD (%)
			</td>
			<td>
			Total Return 1Y (%)
			</td>
			<td>
			Total Return 3Y (%)
			</td>
			<td>
			P/E (x)
			</td>
			<td>
			Div Ind Yld (%)
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>
			INDOFOOD AGRI RESOURCES*
			</td>
			<td>
			5JS
			</td>
			<td>
			391
			</td>
			<td>
			46.6
			</td>
			<td>
			-10.5
			</td>
			<td>
			-49.0
			</td>
			<td>
			NA
			</td>
			<td>
			2.5
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>
			QAF LTD
			</td>
			<td>
			Q01
			</td>
			<td>
			492
			</td>
			<td>
			44.4
			</td>
			<td>
			-14.4
			</td>
			<td>
			-9.3
			</td>
			<td>
			59.5
			</td>
			<td>
			5.9
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>
			THAI BEVERAGE PCL
			</td>
			<td>
			Y92
			</td>
			<td>
			20,719
			</td>
			<td>
			38.0
			</td>
			<td>
			6.1
			</td>
			<td>
			27.9
			</td>
			<td>
			21.2
			</td>
			<td>
			2.0
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>
			GOLDEN AGRI-RESOURCES
			</td>
			<td>
			E5H
			</td>
			<td>
			3,757
			</td>
			<td>
			20.4
			</td>
			<td>
			-15.4
			</td>
			<td>
			-26.9
			</td>
			<td>
			NA
			</td>
			<td>
			2.0
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>
			FIRST RESOURCES
			</td>
			<td>
			EB5
			</td>
			<td>
			2,931
			</td>
			<td>
			19.5
			</td>
			<td>
			15.5
			</td>
			<td>
			0.8
			</td>
			<td>
			17.9
			</td>
			<td>
			1.9
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>
			WILMAR INTL
			</td>
			<td>
			F34
			</td>
			<td>
			23,034
			</td>
			<td>
			17.3
			</td>
			<td>
			17.8
			</td>
			<td>
			11.1
			</td>
			<td>
			14.8
			</td>
			<td>
			2.9
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>
			BUMITAMA AGRI
			</td>
			<td>
			P8Z
			</td>
			<td>
			1,251
			</td>
			<td>
			16.9
			</td>
			<td>
			4.8
			</td>
			<td>
			-6.8
			</td>
			<td>
			12.0
			</td>
			<td>
			3.8
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>
			OLAM INTL
			</td>
			<td>
			O32
			</td>
			<td>
			6,094
			</td>
			<td>
			15.8
			</td>
			<td>
			-13.7
			</td>
			<td>
			22.7
			</td>
			<td>
			21.0
			</td>
			<td>
			3.9
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>
			YEO HIAP SENG
			</td>
			<td>
			Y03
			</td>
			<td>
			568
			</td>
			<td>
			12.0
			</td>
			<td>
			-11.7
			</td>
			<td>
			-22.1
			</td>
			<td>
			47.3
			</td>
			<td>
			2.0
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>
			MEWAH INTL
			</td>
			<td>
			MV4
			</td>
			<td>
			420
			</td>
			<td>
			10.0
			</td>
			<td>
			-4.7
			</td>
			<td>
			2.3
			</td>
			<td>
			20.6
			</td>
			<td>
			2.4
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>
			DEL MONTE PACIFIC
			</td>
			<td>
			D03
			</td>
			<td>
			276
			</td>
			<td>
			8.8
			</td>
			<td>
			-39.6
			</td>
			<td>
			-54.0
			</td>
			<td>
			11.9
			</td>
			<td>
			NA
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>
			FOOD EMPIRE HOLDINGS
			</td>
			<td>
			F03
			</td>
			<td>
			291
			</td>
			<td>
			6.7
			</td>
			<td>
			-15.1
			</td>
			<td>
			126.4
			</td>
			<td>
			12.2
			</td>
			<td>
			1.2
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>
			JB FOODS
			</td>
			<td>
			BEW
			</td>
			<td>
			188
			</td>
			<td>
			4.8
			</td>
			<td>
			13.7
			</td>
			<td>
			224.7
			</td>
			<td>
			5.1
			</td>
			<td>
			3.3
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>
			OLD CHANG KEE
			</td>
			<td>
			5ML
			</td>
			<td>
			96
			</td>
			<td>
			4.6
			</td>
			<td>
			8.8
			</td>
			<td>
			41.0
			</td>
			<td>
			18.6
			</td>
			<td>
			3.8
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>
			DELFI LTD
			</td>
			<td>
			P34
			</td>
			<td>
			856
			</td>
			<td>
			4.5
			</td>
			<td>
			-6.3
			</td>
			<td>
			-41.6
			</td>
			<td>
			29.8
			</td>
			<td>
			1.6
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>
			BREADTALK GROUP
			</td>
			<td>
			CTN
			</td>
			<td>
			476
			</td>
			<td>
			3.7
			</td>
			<td>
			-10.1
			</td>
			<td>
			79.3
			</td>
			<td>
			39.2
			</td>
			<td>
			1.8
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>
			FRASER &amp; NEAVE
			</td>
			<td>
			F99
			</td>
			<td>
			4,131
			</td>
			<td>
			3.6
			</td>
			<td>
			-2.1
			</td>
			<td>
			64.3
			</td>
			<td>
			19.9
			</td>
			<td>
			2.5
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>
			SHENG SIONG GROUP
			</td>
			<td>
			OV8
			</td>
			<td>
			1,579
			</td>
			<td>
			-1.9
			</td>
			<td>
			5.3
			</td>
			<td>
			32.9
			</td>
			<td>
			22.1
			</td>
			<td>
			3.3
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>
			JAPFA LTD
			</td>
			<td>
			UD2
			</td>
			<td>
			1,287
			</td>
			<td>
			-5.5
			</td>
			<td>
			43.8
			</td>
			<td>
			2.6
			</td>
			<td>
			8.9
			</td>
			<td>
			0.7
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>
			DAIRY FARM INTL
			</td>
			<td>
			D01
			</td>
			<td>
			14,320
			</td>
			<td>
			-11.4
			</td>
			<td>
			-0.5
			</td>
			<td>
			26.1
			</td>
			<td>
			116.3
			</td>
			<td>
			2.7
			</td>
		</tr>
<tr>
<td>
			Average
			</td>
			<td>
			 
			</td>
			<td>
			 
			</td>
			<td>
			12.9
			</td>
			<td>
			-1.4
			</td>
			<td>
			22.6
			</td>
			<td>
			24.9
			</td>
			<td>
			2.5
			</td>
		</tr>
</tbody></table>
Source: Bloomberg &amp; StockFacts (data as of 22 April 2019)

*privatisation offer announced by parent

SGX lists more than 140 consumer stocks with a combined market capitalisation of over S$135 billion. More than 40 of these belong to the Consumer Staples sector, while the remainder are classified under the Consumer Discretionary segment. The retail and distribution of packaged foods and meats, production of agricultural goods, as well as beverage producers like soft drink makers and breweries, fall under the Consumer Staples sector.

Defensive Nature

Given the backdrop of slower global growth and increased macro risks, analysts have recommended investors to focus on sectors with robust balance sheets, stable earnings and decent valuations. In a <a href="https://api2.sgx.com/sites/default/files/2019-04/SG_Consumer_Sector%20Update_20190405_RHB.pdf">report</a> published earlier this month, RHB Research maintained its overweight rating on the Consumer space, pointing to “pockets of opportunities” in companies with strong attributes. “We continue to favour players with market exposure to the region that are likely to benefit from stronger GDP growth and higher domestic consumption,” the brokerage added.

Earlier this month, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) cut its global growth outlook to the lowest rate since the Global Financial Crisis, forecasting 3.3% growth in 2019, down from a 3.5% projection made in January. In its latest World Economic Outlook <a href="https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/Issues/2019/03/28/world-economic-outlook-april-2019">report</a>, the agency cited downside risks from ongoing global trade tensions, as well as a slowdown in several major economies, including the Eurozone, Latin America, the US and the UK.
</body></html>





In 1Q2019, Consumer Staples was the second-best performing sector with +13.9% total return, reversing the -2.9% total return in calendar year 2018. It was also amongst the top net buy sectors for the quarter, garnering total institutional inflows of S$61.5 million. 
	 
	
The 20 largest capitalised Consumer Staples stocks on SGX have a combined market cap of more than S$80 billion, and are well-diversified – both in terms of product range as well as geographical spread. The majority of these players report more than half their revenues to the Asia Pacific and/or global markets, excluding Singapore.  
	 
	Among the 20, the five best performers in the YTD were: Indofood Agri Resources (+46.6%), QAF Ltd (+44.4%), Thai Beverage PCL (+38.0%), Golden Agri-Resources (+20.4%), and First Resources (+19.5%). They averaged a YTD total return of +33.8%.

Second-Best Performing Sector in 1Q19

In the first quarter of 2019, Consumer Staples was the second-best performing sector on SGX with a total return of +13.9%, after Information Technology’s +28.6% total return. Consumer Staples’ strong performance in 1Q19 also reverses the -2.9% total return it generated in calendar year 2018.

Consumer Staples was also among the top net buy sectors for the January-March quarter, garnering total institutional inflows of S$61.5 million, according to SGX data. This comprised inflows of S$50.3 million, S$9.0 million, and S$2.2 million for January, February and March 2019 respectively.

Geographical Diversity

The 20 largest capitalised Consumer Staples stocks on SGX have a combined market cap of more than S$80 billion and are well-diversified – both in terms of product range as well as geographical spread. The majority of these players report more than half their revenues to the Asia Pacific and/or global markets, excluding Singapore.

In the 2019 year-to-date, these 20 largest Consumer Staples stocks have averaged a total return of +12.9%, bringing their one-year and three-year total returns to -1.4% and +22.6% respectively. They have also averaged a price-earnings ratio of 24.5x and a dividend indicated yield of 2.5%.

Among the 20, the five best performers in the YTD were: Indofood Agri Resources (+46.6%), QAF Ltd (+44.4%), Thai Beverage PCL (+38.0%), Golden Agri-Resources (+20.4%), and First Resources (+19.5%). They have averaged a YTD total return of +33.8%.

Note that earlier this month, Jakarta Stock Exchange-listed PT Indofood Sukses Makmur Tbk, controlled by Indonesian tycoon Anthoni Salim, offered S$0.28 per share to take Indofood Agri Resources private.

The table below details the 20 largest Consumer Staples stocks on SGX, sorted by YTD total return.




			Name
			
			
			SGX Code
			
			
			Market Cap (S$M)
			
			
			Total Return YTD (%)
			
			
			Total Return 1Y (%)
			
			
			Total Return 3Y (%)
			
			
			P/E (x)
			
			
			Div Ind Yld (%)
			
		


			INDOFOOD AGRI RESOURCES*
			
			
			5JS
			
			
			391
			
			
			46.6
			
			
			-10.5
			
			
			-49.0
			
			
			NA
			
			
			2.5
			
		


			QAF LTD
			
			
			Q01
			
			
			492
			
			
			44.4
			
			
			-14.4
			
			
			-9.3
			
			
			59.5
			
			
			5.9
			
		


			THAI BEVERAGE PCL
			
			
			Y92
			
			
			20,719
			
			
			38.0
			
			
			6.1
			
			
			27.9
			
			
			21.2
			
			
			2.0
			
		


			GOLDEN AGRI-RESOURCES
			
			
			E5H
			
			
			3,757
			
			
			20.4
			
			
			-15.4
			
			
			-26.9
			
			
			NA
			
			
			2.0
			
		


			FIRST RESOURCES
			
			
			EB5
			
			
			2,931
			
			
			19.5
			
			
			15.5
			
			
			0.8
			
			
			17.9
			
			
			1.9
			
		


			WILMAR INTL
			
			
			F34
			
			
			23,034
			
			
			17.3
			
			
			17.8
			
			
			11.1
			
			
			14.8
			
			
			2.9
			
		


			BUMITAMA AGRI
			
			
			P8Z
			
			
			1,251
			
			
			16.9
			
			
			4.8
			
			
			-6.8
			
			
			12.0
			
			
			3.8
			
		


			OLAM INTL
			
			
			O32
			
			
			6,094
			
			
			15.8
			
			
			-13.7
			
			
			22.7
			
			
			21.0
			
			
			3.9
			
		


			YEO HIAP SENG
			
			
			Y03
			
			
			568
			
			
			12.0
			
			
			-11.7
			
			
			-22.1
			
			
			47.3
			
			
			2.0
			
		


			MEWAH INTL
			
			
			MV4
			
			
			420
			
			
			10.0
			
			
			-4.7
			
			
			2.3
			
			
			20.6
			
			
			2.4
			
		


			DEL MONTE PACIFIC
			
			
			D03
			
			
			276
			
			
			8.8
			
			
			-39.6
			
			
			-54.0
			
			
			11.9
			
			
			NA
			
		


			FOOD EMPIRE HOLDINGS
			
			
			F03
			
			
			291
			
			
			6.7
			
			
			-15.1
			
			
			126.4
			
			
			12.2
			
			
			1.2
			
		


			JB FOODS
			
			
			BEW
			
			
			188
			
			
			4.8
			
			
			13.7
			
			
			224.7
			
			
			5.1
			
			
			3.3
			
		


			OLD CHANG KEE
			
			
			5ML
			
			
			96
			
			
			4.6
			
			
			8.8
			
			
			41.0
			
			
			18.6
			
			
			3.8
			
		


			DELFI LTD
			
			
			P34
			
			
			856
			
			
			4.5
			
			
			-6.3
			
			
			-41.6
			
			
			29.8
			
			
			1.6
			
		


			BREADTALK GROUP
			
			
			CTN
			
			
			476
			
			
			3.7
			
			
			-10.1
			
			
			79.3
			
			
			39.2
			
			
			1.8
			
		


			FRASER &amp; NEAVE
			
			
			F99
			
			
			4,131
			
			
			3.6
			
			
			-2.1
			
			
			64.3
			
			
			19.9
			
			
			2.5
			
		


			SHENG SIONG GROUP
			
			
			OV8
			
			
			1,579
			
			
			-1.9
			
			
			5.3
			
			
			32.9
			
			
			22.1
			
			
			3.3
			
		


			JAPFA LTD
			
			
			UD2
			
			
			1,287
			
			
			-5.5
			
			
			43.8
			
			
			2.6
			
			
			8.9
			
			
			0.7
			
		


			DAIRY FARM INTL
			
			
			D01
			
			
			14,320
			
			
			-11.4
			
			
			-0.5
			
			
			26.1
			
			
			116.3
			
			
			2.7
			
		


			Average
			
			
			 
			
			
			 
			
			
			12.9
			
			
			-1.4
			
			
			22.6
			
			
			24.9
			
			
			2.5
			
		

Source: Bloomberg &amp; StockFacts (data as of 22 April 2019)

*privatisation offer announced by parent

SGX lists more than 140 consumer stocks with a combined market capitalisation of over S$135 billion. More than 40 of these belong to the Consumer Staples sector, while the remainder are classified under the Consumer Discretionary segment. The retail and distribution of packaged foods and meats, production of agricultural goods, as well as beverage producers like soft drink makers and breweries, fall under the Consumer Staples sector.

Defensive Nature

Given the backdrop of slower global growth and increased macro risks, analysts have recommended investors to focus on sectors with robust balance sheets, stable earnings and decent valuations. In a report published earlier this month, RHB Research maintained its overweight rating on the Consumer space, pointing to “pockets of opportunities” in companies with strong attributes. “We continue to favour players with market exposure to the region that are likely to benefit from stronger GDP growth and higher domestic consumption,” the brokerage added.

Earlier this month, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) cut its global growth outlook to the lowest rate since the Global Financial Crisis, forecasting 3.3% growth in 2019, down from a 3.5% projection made in January. In its latest World Economic Outlook report, the agency cited downside risks from ongoing global trade tensions, as well as a slowdown in several major economies, including the Eurozone, Latin America, the US and the UK.



Singapore’s Largest Consumer Staples Stocks Returned 34% in YTD

Singapore

Mewah International, Inc. produces vegetable oils.  The Company produces palm, lauric, coconut, soybean, canola, sunflower, and corn oil.  Mewah markets its oils to refiners, processors, wholesalers and retailers; and packs and sells edible oils and fats and specialized bakery and confectionery oils and fats to consumers.

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Mewah International (MII SP)

Food Producers Maintained Defensive Line From June Highs

Singapore’s largest non-cyclical consumer stocks by market cap focused on food production have averaged 5% defensive total returns since...

Singapore Exchange Ltd (SGX)

Singapore’s Largest Consumer Staples Stocks Returned 34% in YTD

In 1Q2019, Consumer Staples was the second-best performing sector with +13.9% total return, reversing the -2.9% total return in calendar year...

Singapore Exchange Ltd (SGX)

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