SGX lists more than 140 consumer stocks with a combined market cap of over S$120 billion. Among these, more than 100 belong to the consumer discretionary sector, while the remainder are classified under the consumer staples segment.
The 5 largest and best-performing consumer stocks in the 2018 YTD were: Best World (+94.8%), Japfa (+44.6%), Sri Trang (+36.7%), Sheng Siong (+21.7%), and Dairy Farm (+20.4%). These 5 stocks have averaged a YTD total return of 43.6%, bringing their 3Y and 5Y total returns to 414.5% and 808.0% respectively.
In the month of November, SGX saw a net institutional inflows of S$212.5 million – the first net inflow in seven months. Consumer Staples and Consumer Discretionary were among the top net buy sectors, while top institutional net buy stocks were Best World, Genting Singapore, and Jardine Cycle & Carriage.
SGX lists more than 140 consumer stocks with a combined market capitalisation of over S$120 billion. Among these, more than 100 belong to the consumer discretionary sector, while the remainder are classified under the consumer staples segment.
The 10 largest and best-performing consumer stocks in the 2018 year-to-date have a combined market capitalisation of nearly S$50 billion, and are in the following industry segments: personal care products, packaged foods and meats, food retail, agricultural products, tires and rubber, automotive retail and distribution, department stores, as well as hotels and resorts. This reflects the diversity of Singapore’s Consumer Sector – in terms of the range of businesses as well as its geographical spread, with the majority of these stocks reporting revenue flows from across the Asia-Pacific region.
For a previously published update on SGX stocks with a rubber focus, click here.
Among these 10, the 5 largest and best-performing consumer plays in the YTD were: Best World International (+94.8%), Japfa Ltd (+44.6%), Sri Trang Agro-Industry (+36.7%), Sheng Siong Group (+21.7%), and Dairy Farm International (+20.4%). These 5 stocks have averaged a YTD total return of +43.6%, bringing their three-year and five-year total returns to +414.5% and +808.0% respectively.
During the month of November, SGX saw a net institutional inflows of S$212.5 million – the first net inflow in 7 months – compared with net outflows of S$266.0 million in October. Top net buy sectors were Financials (+S$154.8 million), Consumer Staples (+S$109.5 million), and Consumer Discretionary (+S$71.2 million). Top institutional net buy stocks in November were Best World (+S$98.5 million), Genting Singapore (+S$38.5 million), and Jardine Cycle & Carriage (+S$27.6 million).
The table below details the 10 largest and best-performing consumer stocks in the 2018 YTD, sorted by YTD total returns.
| Name | SGX Code |
Market Cap S$m |
Total Return YTD (%) |
Total Return 3Y (%) |
Total Return 5Y (%) |
Dvd Ind Yld (%) |
P/E (x) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best World Intl | CGN | 1,368.0 | 94.8 | 1840.6 | 3834.5 | 1.6 | 20.6 |
| Japfa Ltd | UD2 | 1,347.3 | 44.6 | 54.0 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 16.0 |
| Sri Trang Agro-Industry | NC2 | 1,090.6 | 36.7 | 76.0 | 65.4 | 1.5 | 10.9 |
| Sheng Siong Group | OV8 | 1,638.9 | 21.7 | 40.9 | 126.8 | 3.1 | 23.3 |
| Dairy Farm Intl | D01 | 16,675.1 | 20.4 | 61.0 | 13.4 | 2.4 | 29.2 |
| Wilmar Intl | F34 | 19,865.9 | 5.0 | 17.4 | 4.3 | 3.4 | 10.3 |
| Gallant Venture | 5IG | 715.2 | 2.3 | -39.1 | -50.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Mandarin Oriental | M04 | 3,431.3 | 2.2 | 39.3 | 62.8 | 1.5 | 40.1 |
| Delfi Ltd | P34 | 837.3 | -1.8 | -30.9 | -54.8 | 1.7 | 29.7 |
| Metro Holdings | M01 | 880.9 | -2.0 | 43.6 | 66.6 | 4.7 | 5.0 |
| Average | 22.4 | 210.3 | 406.9 | 2.0 | 18.5 |
Source: Bloomberg & StockFacts (data as of 10 Dec 2018)
In the YTD, the five largest and least-performing consumer plays on SGX were: Shangri-La Asia (-35.6%), Thai Beverage (-33.4%), Golden Agri-Resources (-30.9%), Fraser and Neave (-29.7%), and Genting Singapore (-23.6%). These five stocks have averaged a YTD total return of -30.6%, bringing their three-year and five-year total returns to +10.5% and -12.4% respectively.
Did You Know
Consumer staples stocks are typically regarded as defensive, as they are involved in the non-cyclical businesses of food, beverages and other household items. Consumer discretionary stocks, on the other hand, are seen as cyclical, or non-essential, as such products are purchased only if income levels are sufficient. This is influenced by prevailing economic conditions, which directly affects consumer confidence. Such businesses typically operate in the durable goods, apparel, entertainment, leisure and automobile industries.
