Group 1: Market Overview - Markets are cyclical, and sentiment can shift quickly, indicating a potential return of risk appetite [1] - Leadership in stocks is crucial during market upswings, as not all stocks will rise equally [1] Group 2: Singapore Exchange Limited (SGX) - SGX is recognized as a long-term dividend income player and is Singapore's sole approved stock exchange, allowing it to generate strong cash flows with low capital expenditure [2] - In the first half of fiscal year 2026, SGX reported a net revenue increase of 10.1% YoY to S$636.6 million and an adjusted net profit rise of 11.6% YoY to S$357.1 million [3] - The interim quarterly dividend declared is S$0.110 per share, contributing to a total dividend of S$0.2175 for 1HFY2026, a 20.8% YoY increase [4] Group 3: SATS Ltd - SATS is positioned as a cyclical recovery play, benefiting from the rebound in global air travel and increased cargo volumes, with a revenue increase of 9.1% YoY to S$3.08 billion in 1HFY2026 [5] - The net profit for SATS in 1HFY2026 was S$149.8 million, up 11.2% from the previous year [5] - An interim dividend of S$0.02 represents a 33% increase from the previous year, although inflation and economic slowdown may pose challenges [6] Group 4: Frasers Centrepoint Trust (FCT) - FCT is a quality REIT focused on suburban retail malls, which comprise 97.3% of its portfolio, providing stable income from essential services [7][8] - The trust has a debt of S$421.3 million due in FY2026 and benefits from refinancing at lower rates, with an average borrowing cost of 3.5% [8][9] - FCT has consistently paid dividends since 2006, with a 0.6% YoY increase in distribution per unit to S$0.12113 for FY2025 [9] Group 5: iFAST Corporation - iFAST is a rapidly growing fintech company in Singapore, driven by increasing assets under administration and recurring fee income [10] - In 3Q2025, gross revenue reached S$135.82 million, a 37% YoY increase, with net profit rising 54.7% YoY to S$26.01 million [11] - The company announced a third interim dividend of S$0.023 per share, a 53% increase from the previous year, with guidance suggesting a potential payout of S$0.082 for FY2025, indicating confidence in cash flow stability [11]

Industry Overview - Tourism in Singapore has rebounded strongly, with hotels and airlines experiencing increased demand and profitability surpassing pre-pandemic levels [1] - The recovery is part of a broader trend across Asia's tourism markets, indicating sustained growth in travel demand [1] Singapore Airlines (SGX: C6L) - Singapore Airlines reported revenue of S$9.7 billion for the first half of the fiscal year ending 31 March 2026, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 1.9% [3] - Profit attributable to shareholders fell nearly 68% year-on-year to S$238.5 million, primarily due to losses from Air India, which resulted in a S$417 million reduction in share of results from associated companies [4] - Passenger demand remained strong, with 20.8 million passengers carried, an 8% increase year-on-year, and a load factor improvement of 1.3 percentage points to 87.7% [4] - The airline declared an interim dividend of S$0.05 per share and a special dividend of S$0.03 per share, totaling S$0.08 compared to S$0.10 a year ago, with shares offering a trailing dividend yield of around 6% at S$6.36 [5] SATS Ltd (SGX: S58) - SATS reported revenue of S$3.1 billion for the first half of the fiscal year ending 31 March 2026, up 9.1% year-on-year [6] - Profit attributable to shareholders increased by 11.2% year-on-year to nearly S$150 million, with free cash flow surging 79.4% to around S$233 million [7] - The operating profit margin expanded from 8.5% to 9.2%, driven by volume growth and operational efficiency [7] - SATS secured new customer contracts with Emirates SkyCargo and Turkish Airlines, and declared an interim dividend of S$0.02 per share, up 33.3% from S$0.015 a year ago, with shares offering a trailing dividend yield of around 1.4% at S$3.82 [8] ComfortDelGro Corporation (SGX: C52) - ComfortDelGro reported revenue of S$3.75 billion for the nine months ended 30 September 2025, a 13.9% year-on-year increase [9] - Profit attributable to shareholders rose 15.4% year-on-year to S$176.4 million, driven by UK bus contract renewals and contributions from acquisitions [9] - Overseas revenue now exceeds 55% of group revenue, with new operations in Stockholm and prequalification for Copenhagen Metro operations [10] - Shares offer a trailing dividend yield of around 5.6% at S$1.47 [10] Investment Insights - The tourism recovery offers various investment opportunities based on risk appetite, with Singapore Airlines providing direct exposure to air travel but facing challenges from Air India losses [11] - SATS presents a steadier investment option, benefiting from rising travel volumes without the volatility of airline operations [11] - ComfortDelGro, with diversified operations and the highest yield among the three, offers defensive exposure to tourism-related spending [12]

Core Insights - The current investment landscape emphasizes reliability over high yields as interest rates normalize, leading to a focus on income stocks that can withstand market volatility while providing sustainable payouts [1] Group 1: Definition of Safe Income - "Safe income" is often misinterpreted as the highest dividend yield, but high yields can indicate falling share prices or business distress [2] - True safe income is derived from stable, recurring cash flows that persist through economic cycles, rather than a single strong year of performance [2] Group 2: Business Quality and Earnings Visibility - Companies providing essential services, such as infrastructure and defensive consumer sectors, should be prioritized for investment [4] - Predictable earnings are more valuable than rapid growth; for instance, Singtel's diversified cash flows support long-term dividend payments despite modest revenue growth [5] Group 3: Financial Health and Dividend Sustainability - Assessing a company's balance sheet is crucial; high debt levels can jeopardize dividend payments during financial stress [6] - Companies with gearing below 40% and well-distributed debt maturities are ideal candidates for sustaining dividends [7] Group 4: Dividend Consistency and Cash Flow - Consistency in dividend payments is more important than the size of the dividend; companies that have maintained uninterrupted payouts build investor trust [8] - Dividends should be funded by cash flow rather than accounting profits, as strong free cash flow allows for sustainable dividend growth [9] Group 5: Valuation Considerations - Even established blue-chip stocks can be poor investments if overvalued; comparing current yields to historical averages and assessing Price-to-Earnings ratios is essential [10] - Reasonable valuations enable investors to benefit from both dividends and capital growth, enhancing compounding effects [11] Group 6: Common Investor Traps - Investors should avoid "yield traps," which occur when buying into price collapses without recognizing deteriorating fundamentals [12] - Special one-off dividends can mislead investors into thinking they represent ongoing income, creating a false sense of security [12] - Overconfidence in recent dividend increases can be risky, as past performance does not guarantee future growth [13] Group 7: Building a Resilient Income Portfolio - Diversification across sectors and income types is key to minimizing risks associated with bearish conditions in any single sector [14] - A balanced strategy should include "defensive anchors" for stability alongside growth stocks for appreciation [14] Group 8: Long-term Investment Strategy - A disciplined approach focusing on quality businesses with strong balance sheets and reliable cash flow is essential for building a resilient income stream [16] - Investors should prioritize long-term compounding over chasing quick gains [15]

Core Viewpoint - SATS Ltd announced a 33% increase in its interim dividend to S$0.02 per share, reflecting management's confidence in the recovery of air travel and its business outlook post-COVID [3][5]. Business Model and Dividend Policy - SATS operates in the air travel and tourism industry, providing ground-handling services, in-flight and on-ground food solutions, and cargo handling [1]. - The company's turnover and earnings are closely tied to travel activity, airport operations, and food costs, making consistent dividend payments more significant than large hikes [2]. Dividend Hike Implications - The recent dividend hike signals management's positive outlook on business fundamentals and the potential to achieve pre-pandemic net margins [5]. - However, it is important to note that this increase does not guarantee sustained high earnings or dividend yields [5][6]. Financial Performance and Valuation - Following the dividend announcement, SATS shares rose by 9%, with the current share price at S$3.40, reflecting a trailing P/E ratio of 22.3 times [7][8]. - The dividend yield stands at 1.4%, significantly below the decade average of 3%, and the company did not pay an annual dividend for three years due to COVID [8]. Future Considerations - Key questions for SATS include the sustainability of travel demand and the company's ability to manage costs amid competitive pressures [8]. - If SATS can return to its pre-COVID price of S$5 per share, it would represent a capital appreciation of approximately 28% [8]. Risk Factors - SATS remains a cyclical business, vulnerable to air travel strength, inflation, economic slowdowns, and potential dividend cuts [6][10]. - The company has a debt level of S$2.45 billion, which should be considered when evaluating investment [11].

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].

Core Insights - Asia's tourism sector is experiencing a significant recovery post-COVID-19, driven by pent-up demand in travel and consumer spending [1][14] - Companies with direct links to hospitality and aviation are well-positioned to benefit from this recovery [1][15] Group 1: CDL Hospitality Trusts (SGX: J85) - CDL Hospitality Trusts holds a diverse portfolio of hotels and resorts across multiple countries, allowing for operational efficiencies [3][6] - For 1H2025, revenue decreased by 1.7% YoY to S$125.1 million, with net property income falling 11.9% YoY to S$58.6 million [4][5] - Despite mixed results, certain regions like Japan and Perth showed strong RevPAR growth of 13.7% and 15.9% YoY respectively [4][5] Group 2: Genting Singapore (SGX: G13) - Genting Singapore operates Resorts World Sentosa, benefiting from increased visitor numbers post-pandemic [7][8] - Revenue for 1H2025 was S$1.2 billion, reflecting a 10% decrease due to renovations and temporary closures [7][8] - The opening of the Singapore Oceanarium is expected to enhance recovery in the non-gaming segment [9] Group 3: SATS Ltd (SGX: S58) - SATS Ltd is a leading provider of ground handling and food solutions, experiencing a 9.9% YoY revenue increase in 1QFY2026 [11][12] - Gateway Services revenue rose 11.2% YoY to S$1.18 billion, while Food Solutions revenue increased by 5.6% YoY to S$328.3 million [12] - The company faces risks from external disruptions and revenue concentration, but remains a key beneficiary of the tourism boom [13]

Core Insights - The Straits Times Index (STI) serves as the main benchmark for Singapore's stock market, tracking the top 30 listed companies known as blue chips, which are recognized for their strong reputations and financial stability [1] Sector Allocation - The STI is heavily weighted towards the financial sector, with the three largest banks—DBS Group Holdings, Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation, and United Overseas Bank—accounting for nearly 50% of the index [2] - Real estate contributes around 16% to the STI, with key constituents including CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust and CapitaLand Ascendas REIT [3] - Industrials represent almost 10% of the index, with Jardine Matheson Holdings holding the largest weightage at 3.8% [3] - The technology sector is the smallest in the index, with a weightage of just 0.89% [4] Investment Opportunities - Investing in the STI is facilitated by exchange-traded funds (ETFs), notably the SPDR STI ETF, which closely mirrors the index's performance with a tracking error of approximately 0.23% [5] - The SPDR STI ETF offers a dividend yield of 4.1% and has a 10-year annualized return of 7.76% [6] - The fund maintains a low expense ratio of 0.28%, allowing more invested funds to remain in the market [7] Fund Characteristics - The SPDR STI ETF has over S$2 billion in assets under management, providing high liquidity for investors [7] - Monthly factsheets are available for retail investors, offering transparency regarding fund holdings [8] Economic Role - The 30 blue chips in the STI are considered the backbone of Singapore's economy, providing a reliable foundation for investment [10]

Core Insights - Blue-chip stocks are essential for a stable investment portfolio, providing a reliable source of passive income through dividends [1] Group 1: DBS Group (SGX: D05) - DBS is Singapore's largest bank by market capitalization, offering a wide range of banking, insurance, and investment services [3] - In 1H 2025, total income rose by 5% year on year to S$11.6 billion, driven by a 3.2% increase in net interest income to S$7.3 billion [3] - Fee and commission income surged 17% year on year to S$2.4 billion, with profit before tax reaching a record S$6.8 billion, up 3% year on year [4] - Net profit decreased by 1% year on year to S$5.7 billion due to a 15% global minimum tax rate [4] - An interim dividend of S$0.75 was declared, which is 39% higher than the previous year's S$0.54 [5] Group 2: Singapore Exchange Limited (SGX: S68) - SGX is the sole stock exchange operator in Singapore, enjoying a natural monopoly [6] - For FY2025, net revenue increased by 11.7% year on year to S$1.3 billion, with net profit excluding one-off items climbing 16% year on year to S$609.5 million [6] - A final dividend of S$0.105 was declared, 16.7% higher than the previous year's S$0.09 [7] - SGX anticipates medium-term revenue growth of 6% to 8% per annum, supported by product developments and global partnerships [8] Group 3: Singapore Technologies Engineering (SGX: S63) - STE operates in aerospace, smart city, and public security sectors, known for consistent dividend payouts [9] - Revenue for 1H 2025 rose 7.2% year on year to S$5.9 billion, with operating profit improving by 15.2% year on year to S$602.2 million [9] - Net profit increased nearly 20% year on year to S$402.8 million, with an interim dividend of S$0.04 declared [10] - The order book stood at S$31.2 billion, with S$5 billion expected to be delivered for the remainder of the year [10] Group 4: SATS Ltd (SGX: S58) - SATS provides air cargo handling services and is Asia's leading airline caterer, operating over 225 stations across 27 countries [12] - Revenue for 1Q FY2026 rose 9.9% year on year to S$1.5 billion, while operating profit increased nearly 11% year on year to S$125.2 million [13] - Net profit increased by 9.1% year on year to S$70.9 million, with cargo tonnage reaching a record high of 3.2 million tonnes [13] - The number of flights handled rose 3.2% year on year to 279,100, and meals served increased by 5.6% year on year to 39.1 million [14]

Group 1: DBS Group Holdings Ltd - DBS Group Holdings Ltd is up 17.8% year to date (YTD) and reported solid results for the second quarter of 2025, with net interest income (NII) remaining resilient despite expected interest rate cuts [2][3] - The bank experienced strong deposit growth of 5% year on year (YoY) in the first half of 2025 and proactive hedging against lower rates [3] - Fee income from wealth management grew 25.3% YoY to S$649 million, contributing 46.5% of total fee income [3][4] Group 2: SATS Ltd - SATS Ltd is down approximately 10.4% YTD, but global travel demand is projected to grow at 6.5% YoY in 2025, which may aid in recovery [5] - Following the acquisition of Worldwide Flight Services (WFS), SATS's total income increased 5% YoY to S$5.7 billion, with net interest income up 2% YoY to S$3.6 billion [6] - The company declared a dividend per share of S$0.75 for 2Q 2025, with an ordinary dividend increase of 11% compared to the previous year [6][8] Group 3: Genting Singapore Ltd - Genting Singapore Ltd's shares are relatively unchanged YTD, with lackluster results in the first half of 2025 due to renovation disruptions and temporary closures [9][14] - The company is expected to benefit from a rise in international visitor arrivals, particularly from Chinese tourists, which could boost its premium gaming market [10] - A final dividend of S$0.02 per share was declared, unchanged from the previous year, despite a decline in gaming revenue by 12.3% YoY [14] Group 4: Singtel - Singtel is up 40.5% YTD, driven by recovery in mobile and roaming services, alongside growth in data centres and regional associates [11] - The company plans to invest S$2.5 billion in capital expenditures, with S$1.7 billion allocated for core expenditure and S$0.8 billion for data centres [12] - Singtel's underlying net profit for dividend payout increased 14% YoY to S$686 million, with a total core dividend of S$0.123 per share, representing a 2.8% yield [15][16]

Core Viewpoint - The Straits Times Index has reached new heights, with Singapore blue-chip stocks experiencing significant gains, raising questions about the sustainability of this rally and potential corrections in the market [1][12]. Group 1: CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust (CICT) - CICT is one of Singapore's largest REITs, owning prime office and retail properties, and has shown resilience with a solid occupancy rate of 96.3% as of June 2025 [3][4]. - Retail rents increased by 7.7% and office rents by 4.8%, indicating strong demand for its properties [4]. - The gearing ratio stands at 37.9%, which is manageable, and the interest cover is at 3.1 times, providing room to manage borrowing costs [4]. - CICT's price-to-book ratio is just under 1.1, suggesting it is trading close to its underlying asset value, which may cushion against potential downturns [5]. Group 2: Frasers Centrepoint Trust (FCT) - FCT owns suburban malls that serve as community hubs, achieving a retail occupancy rate of 99.5% as of June 2025, indicating near-full occupancy [6][7]. - Shopper traffic increased by 1% year on year, and tenant sales rose by 3.3%, demonstrating the malls' importance to the community [7]. - FCT's cost of debt has decreased below 4%, providing financial relief, and its gearing is at 38.6%, still below the 50% cap [8]. - The upcoming asset enhancement at Hougang Mall, which is 64% pre-leased, is expected to drive future growth [8]. Group 3: SATS Ltd - SATS has evolved into a global aviation and food solutions provider following its acquisition of Worldwide Flight Services (WFS), with first-quarter revenue for fiscal 2026 rising nearly 10% year on year to S$1.5 billion [9][10]. - Operating margins improved to 8.3%, and revenue from Gateway Services increased by 11.2% year on year [10]. - The integration of WFS is ahead of schedule, and new contracts with major airlines highlight SATS's expanding global presence [10]. - The gross debt-to-equity ratio has eased to 1.5 times, and the fiscal 2025 dividend of S$0.05 reflects management's confidence in cash flow [11]. Group 4: Investment Considerations - The current market rally does not imply that all stocks are overpriced; strong businesses with solid fundamentals can still present investment opportunities [12][13]. - CICT offers exposure to prime commercial real estate with a 5% yield, FCT provides defensive suburban retail exposure, and SATS represents a transformation play with expanding operations [12]. - Investors are advised to focus on quality businesses at reasonable valuations rather than chasing market momentum [13].