Year-in-Review: Top Blue-Chip Losers for 2025 — Opportunity?

Core Viewpoint - The stock market, particularly the Straits Times Index, is experiencing a bull run in 2025, with a year-to-date increase of over 21% as of December 15, 2025, yet three blue-chip stocks are underperforming, indicating potential investment opportunities beneath the surface [1]. Group 1: Thai Beverage (ThaiBev) - ThaiBev reported a total return of -11.1% year-to-date, with revenue declining by 2.1% year-on-year to THB333.3 billion and profit attributable to owners falling by 6.8% to THB25.4 billion for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025 [2]. - The spirits segment saw a revenue dip of 1.8% to THB118.6 billion, while beer revenue tumbled by 2.5% to THB123.2 billion, with a significant 14% decline in beer revenue from Vietnam [3]. - A notable reduction in profit from associates and joint ventures contributed to the sharper drop in net profit, decreasing from THB5.5 billion in FY2024 to THB2.8 billion in FY2025 due to the disposal of Frasers Property Limited [4]. - Despite weaker earnings, ThaiBev's operating cash flow increased by 20.5% year-on-year to THB46 billion, and free cash flow rose by 12.5% to THB32.4 billion [4]. - The company declared a total dividend of THB0.62 per share for FY2025, an increase from THB0.6 the previous year [5]. Group 2: Mapletree Industrial Trust (MIT) - MIT reported a total return of -3.4% year-to-date, with gross revenue of S$346.1 million for the first half of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026, down 3% year-on-year [6]. - Net property income declined by 3.5% to S$257.7 million, and distribution per unit fell by 5.1% year-on-year to S$0.0645 [6]. - Portfolio occupancy remained resilient at 91.3%, with Singapore maintaining 92.6% occupancy and Japan at full occupancy [7]. - The decline in financial performance was primarily due to lower contributions from the North American portfolio and foreign exchange headwinds from a weaker US dollar [7]. - MIT completed strategic divestments totaling S$535.3 million in Singapore and US$11.8 million for a Georgia data center, achieving premiums of 22.1% and 18.6% above market valuation, respectively [8]. - Aggregate leverage improved to 37.3% post-divestment, enhancing financial flexibility for future growth [8]. Group 3: SATS Ltd - SATS reported a total return of -2.8% year-to-date, with revenue rising by 9% year-on-year to S$3.1 billion for the first half of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026, driven by higher cargo volumes and flight handling activities [9]. - Gateway services contributed nearly 78% of revenue, while net profit attributable to shareholders increased by 11.2% year-on-year to S$149.8 million [10]. - Free cash flow surged by 79.4% year-on-year to S$232.7 million, with management optimistic about continued growth in the global air cargo market in 2025 [10]. Group 4: Cash Flow Insights - ThaiBev's free cash flow rose by 12.5% year-on-year, SATS experienced a nearly 80% surge in cash generation, and MIT unlocked value through strategic divestments at premiums exceeding 20% [11].