In Jan 2019, Consumer Staples and Consumer Discretionary were top net buy sectors after REITs, garnering institutional net inflows of S$50.3 million and S$49.2 million respectively, SGX data showed. Consumer Staples was also ranked the 4th best-performing sector with a total return of 8.4%.
The 10 largest F&B stocks on SGX with a market capitalisation of above S$200 million that were best performers in the YTD have a combined market cap of over S$36 billion. The 10 stocks are characterised by diversity – in terms of the types of businesses as well as their geographical spread, with most of them reporting revenues from across the region.
Among them, the five best performers in the YTD were: Thai Beverage (+35.5%), QAF (+21.4%), Olam (+17.0%), JB Foods (+12.9%), and Indofood Agri Resources (+12.6%). These five stocks have averaged a total return of +19.9% in the YTD, bringing their 1Y and 3Y total returns to -9.1% and +49.8% respectively.
SGX lists more than 140 consumer stocks with a combined market capitalisation of over S$130 billion. Among these, more than 40 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 manufacturers like breweries are categorised under the Consumer Staples sector. This segment is typically regarded as defensive, as companies in this sector are involved in the non-cyclical businesses of food, beverages and other household items.
Given the backdrop of slower global growth and higher macro risks, analysts have recommended investors to focus on stocks with robust balance sheets, stable earnings and good dividends. In its Singapore Strategy 2019 report published last month, RHB Research rated the Consumer space “Overweight”, highlighting it as a defensive sector pick.
Last month, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) cut its global growth forecasts for 2019 and 2020 to 3.5% and 3.6% respectively for the second time in three months. In a January update of its World Economic Outlook report, the global lending agency cited weakness in Europe and some emerging markets, and noted that failure to resolve trade tensions could further destabilise a slowing global economy. Other key risks include a bigger-than-expected slowdown in China and a possible "No Deal" Brexit.
In January 2019, Consumer Staples and Consumer Discretionary were top net buy sectors on SGX after REITs, garnering institutional net inflows of S$50.3 million and S$49.2 million respectively, SGX data showed. In particular, Thai Beverage PCL attracted the second-highest net inflow of S$49.3 million during the month. Consumer Staples was also ranked the fourth best-performing sector with a total return of 8.4%.
The 10 largest food and beverage stocks on SGX with a market capitalisation of above S$200 million that were the best performers in the 2019 year-to-date have a combined market capitalisation of over S$36 billion. These 10 plays are characterised by diversity – in terms of the types of businesses as well as their geographical spread, with most of them reporting revenues from across the Asia-Pacific region.
Among the 10, the 5 best performers in the YTD were: Thai Beverage PCL (+35.5%), QAF Ltd (+21.4%), Olam International (+17.0%), JB Foods (+12.9%), and Indofood Agri Resources (+12.6%). These 5 stocks have averaged a total return of +19.9% in the YTD, bringing their one-year and three-year total returns to -9.1% and +49.8% respectively.The table below details the 10 largest F&B stocks above S$200 million that were best performers in the YTD, sorted by YTD total returns.
Name | SGX Code |
Market Cap S$m |
YTD Total Return (%) |
1Y Total Return (%) |
3Y Total Return (%) |
P/E (x) |
ROE (%) |
Div Yld (%) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
THAI BEVERAGE | Y92 | 20,468 | 35.5 | -2.0 | 33.0 | 20.8 | 16.3 | 2.0 |
QAF LTD | Q01 | 408 | 21.4 | -30.8 | -18.8 | 72.5 | 0.8 | 8.5 |
OLAM INTL | O32 | 6,142 | 17.0 | -8.0 | 35.3 | 13.1 | 8.2 | 3.9 |
JB FOODS | BEW | 212 | 12.9 | 34.3 | 249.6 | 4.9 | 29.0 | 1.5 |
INDOFOOD AGRI RESOURCES | 5JS | 300 | 12.6 | -38.9 | -50.0 | 47.2 | 0.3 | 3.0 |
FIRST RESOURCES | EB5 | 2,725 | 11.7 | 2.4 | -5.0 | 15.0 | 15.1 | 2.0 |
DELFI LTD | P34 | 886 | 9.8 | 1.8 | -28.5 | 30.2 | 10.7 | 1.6 |
BUMITAMA AGRI | P8Z | 1,182 | 9.7 | -0.3 | -0.7 | 9.8 | 17.9 | 3.9 |
FRASER AND NEAVE | F99 | 2,666 | 8.9 | -21.4 | -0.3 | 20.2 | 6.1 | 2.5 |
JAPFA LTD | UD2 | 1,458 | 8.2 | 69.8 | 77.5 | 17.4 | 13.1 | 0.7 |
Average | 14.8 | 0.7 | 29.2 | 25.1 | 11.7 | 2.9 |