Yahoo Finance 
Stocks In Focus SG (HPH Trust, Raffles Medical, Sembcorp Marine) – 28/04/15
Hutchison Port Holdings Trust (HPH Trust) posted a 48.9 percent drop in first quarter net profit to HK$285.8 million ($49.2 million) despite revenue for the three months ended 31 March 2015 edging 0.1 percent higher to HK$2.9 billion from the preceding year. Absence of the net gain of HK$243.8 million arising from the disposal of 60% effective interest in ACT in 2014 was the main culprit. According to Business Times, the trust is currently raising port tariffs by up to 10 percent to prepare its ports to handle more mega container ships. The increase in tariffs is expected to boost overall revenue by 3 to 5 percent and the tariff hikes would take effect by the end of June 2015. It also plans to add more berths to its port in Shenzhen to free up more space for huge vessels.
Raffles Medical Group posted a 2.9 percent increase in net profit to $15 million for the first quarter of 2015 (1Q15) while revenue rose 8.5 percent to $95 million. Revenue was higher due to stronger contributions from both its healthcare and hospital services divisions, with revenue contribution increasing 13.7 percent and 6.2 percent respectively. Earnings grew at a slower pace as higher staff costs were observed with the recruitment of more doctors, specialists, nurses and ancillary staff for Raffles Hospital and also for upcoming medical centres at Shaw Centre and Raffles Holland V. The group expects to continue posting growth for the rest of the year, barring unforeseen circumstances.
Sembcorp Marine had a quiet start to the year, with zero rig orders and the value of new contracts summing up to only $56 million in the first four months compared to the slightly over $4 billion worth of new contracts it bagged in 2014. The group reported a 13.6 percent drop in net profit to $105.9 million, dragged down by lower revenue and higher operating expenses. Revenue fell 2.4 percent to $1.3 billion, attributable to lower revenue recognition for rig building projects and lower average revenue per vessel repaired. Sembcorp Marine is exploring options such as slowing down the construction of the drillships it is building for Sete Brasil, noting that Brazil’s oil and gas industry is still mired in uncertainty. It faced a challenging year ahead and will be focusing on cost and capital management.
More From Shares Investment:
