OREANDA-NEWS. As noted in the Market Update on the 10 Most Active Stocks of the FTSE ST Mid Cap Index in first 10 months of 2015, the FTSE ST Mid Cap Index can now include Straits Times Index (STI) components as it targets stocks within a set market capitalisation band.

Noble Group, Ascendas REIT, Global Logistic Properties, ComfortDelGro Corporation, Keppel Corporation, Singapore Exchange, Yangzijiang Shipbuilding (Holdings), CapitaLand, CapitaLand Mall Trust and Golden Agri-Resources were the 10 most active components in the Straits Times Index (STI) between January and October 2015.

This activity gauge is based on turnover velocity, which compares the total traded value of a stock to its market capitalisation over a period of time, where the total traded value is the result of multiplying price with volume of each trade. The 10 STI constituents with the highest turnover velocity in the October year-to-date averaged annualised turnover velocity of 87.3%. The highest turnover velocity among the 10 stocks was registered by Noble Group.

Recent Performance

The 10 abovementioned STI stocks averaged a negative 10.3% total return in the year thus far, which brought three-year returns to 5.5%. The stocks currently maintain an average indicative dividend yield of 4.0%.

Among the 10 most active stocks, the five best performers in the year thus far were ComfortDelGro Corporation, Singapore Exchange, Yangzijiang Shipbuilding (Holdings), Ascendas REIT and CapitaLand Mall Trust. These five stocks averaged a 2.6% total return over the period, with the median return being a 0.4% decline. The Straits Times Index generated a negative 14.6% total return in the year thus far.

As of Friday’s close, the 10 stocks had traded 24.5% below their 12-month highs and 12.8% above their 12-month lows, with five stocks forming lows in September.

The table below details the 10 most active stocks, and is sorted according to turnover velocity. Click on each stock name to visit its profile page on SGX StockFacts.

Source: SGX, Bloomberg & SGX StockFacts (data as of 13 November 2015)

ComfortDelGro and Golden-Agri Resources reported their financial results for the quarter ended 30 Sept last week, with both companies posting an increase in net earnings.

In the third quarter ended 30 September 2015, ComfortDelGro posted a 1.0% YoY increase in revenue, which resulted in an 5.4% YoY gain in net profit to S$85.2 million. ComfortDelGro’s basic EPS also rose 5.0%, from SGD3.78 cents in 3Q 2014 to SGD3.97 in 3Q 2015. 

In the third quarter ended 30 September 2015, Golden-Agri Resources posted a 14.6% YoY decrease in revenue and 19.1% YoY fall in cost of sales, which resulted in a 303.7% YoY surge in net profit to US$16.8 million. Golden-Agri's basic EPS also rose fourfold, from US0.03 cents in 3Q 2014 to US0.12cents in 3Q 2015. 

Noble Group

Noble Group is a supply chain manager of energy, power & gas products, metals and carbon steel materials, with an asset portfolio of essential natural resources, with integrated sourcing, marketing, processing, financing and transportation operations. The company operates through the four segments: Energy, Gas & Power, Metals & Mining, and Corporate. Their portfolio consists of assets across Asia, Europe and the United States.

Ascendas REIT

Ascendas REIT invests in business and science park properties in Singapore and China. As at 30 September 2015, their portfolio consists of 102 properties in Singapore and 2 business park properties in China. The properties host a customer base of around 1,430 international and local companies from a wide range of industries and activities, including research and development, life sciences, information technology and engineering. The trust announced in September the acquisition of 26 logistics properties in Australia.

Global Logistic Properties

Global Logistic Properties owns, operates and develops logistics facilities. As of 30 September 2015, their US$33 billion property portfolio encompassed 48 million square meters (521 million square feet) of logistics facilities across China, Japan, Brazil and the US. It is also involved in the property investment and management activities. The company serves manufacturers, including auto and parts, electronics/high-tech, machinery, and pharmaceuticals/medical instruments companies; retailers, such as fast-moving consumer goods, and e-commerce/retail/fast food chains; and third party logistics companies.

ComfortDelGro Corporation

ComfortDelGro Corporation operates as a land transport company.  ComfortDelGro’s businesses include bus, taxi, rail, car rental and leasing, automotive engineering services, inspection and testing services, driving centre, insurance broking services and outdoor advertising. The company operates in seven countries and has a network of more than 46,000 vehicles, including buses, taxis, trains and rental vehicles.

Keppel Corporation

Keppel Corporation primarily engages in the Offshore & Marine, Property, Infrastructure and Investments business. The Offshore & Marine segment is involved in offshore rig design, construction and repair, ship repair and conversion, and specialised shipbuilding, the Infrastructure segment offers environmental engineering, power generation, and logistics and data center services, the Property segment engages in property development and investment, and property fund management activities and the Investments segment  is involved in investments in other companies.

Singapore Exchange

Singapore Exchange operates an integrated securities exchange and derivatives exchange in Singapore and related clearing houses. It operates through three segments: Securities Market, Derivatives Market, and Other Operations. The company provides listing, trading, clearing, depository, market data, member services, connectivity, collateral management, and issuer services, as well as counterparty guarantee services.

Yangzijiang Shipbuilding (Holdings)

Yangzijiang Shipbuilding (Holdings) provides agency services for ship building and related activities. It produces a range of commercial vessels, such as containerships, bulk carriers and LNG vessels. The company also undertakes offshore engineering projects.

CapitaLand

Capitaland engages in the real estate development, investment in real estate financial products and assets, investment advisory and management services, and management of serviced residences in Singapore, China, other Asia, and Europe and other countries. The company operates real estate investment trusts such as : Capitaland Mall Trust, Capitaland Commercial Trust, Ascott Residence Trust, Capitaland Retail China Trust and Capitaland Malaysia Mall Trust.

CapitaLand Mall Trust

CapitaLand Mall Trust  invests in income producing retail properties in Singapore. As at 30 June 2015, the trust’s portfolio comprised 16 shopping malls, and was valued at approximately S$10.1 billion.

Golden Agri-Resources

Golden Agri-Resources operates an a palm oil plantation company with a total planted area of 484,472 hectares as at 30 June 2015. It has integrated operations focused on the production of palm-based edible oil and fat. Golden Agri-Resources’ primary business activities include cultivating and harvesting of oil palm trees; processing of fresh fruit bunch into crude palm oil ("CPO") and palm kernel; merchandising and refining CPO into value-added products such as cooking oil, margarine and shortening. It also has integrated operations in China including a deep-sea port, oilseeds crushing plants, production capabilities for refined edible oil products as well as other food products such as noodles.