Ernest Lim's investing blog

Unique insights into SGX small caps

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Will Singapore stocks outperform U.S. stocks in 2022? (5 Jan 2022)

el15

Dear all With reference to my market outlook published on 7 Nov (see HERE) citing our Singapore market may face near term profit taking, STI dropped 201 points, or 6.6% from 3,242 on 5 Nov to close at 3,041 on 30 Nov. As we start 2022, various investment banks and research houses have put forth their views on how the various markets will perform. In this write-up, I will share how the markets have performed in 2021 and my market outlook in 2022.   How did the markets perform in 2021? Based on Table 1 below, it is evident that […]

What’s next for Sapphire if HKICIM becomes a substantial shareholder (19 Oct 17)

el15

Sapphire surged 11.5% this morning to touch an intraday high of $0.340 today on an announcement posted on SGX late last night. It closed +$0.01 to $0.315.   What happened yesterday? Two of Sapphire Corp’s largest shareholders, namely Best Feast Limited and Ou Rui Limited are swaping a combined 27.96% stake in the company with new shares to be issued by Hong Kong-listed Hong Kong International Construction Investment Management Group (“HKICIM”). According to an announcement by Sapphire, the above share swap represents Sapphire’s share price of approximately  S$0.51[1] per share.   Why Sapphire? I have been following up on Sapphire’s […]

5 observations on Sapphire’s results (10 Mar 17)

el15

Sapphire’s share price slumped 8% from $0.335 on 27 Feb 2017 (before their results on 27 Feb, after market) to close $0.310 on 10 Mar 2017. Are their FY16 results bad? If yes, why does Mr Teh, CEO of Sapphire, record his first purchase since Sep 2015 now? Below are my five observations on Sapphire’s results. Click HERE for the press release. Table 1: Snapshot of Sapphire’s results Source: Company   5 observations on Sapphire’s results 1.Disposed loss making Mancala to be a focused infrastructure play Sapphire has divested the bulk of Mancala. Based on most industry experts, it is […]

Is Midas a recovery play in 2017? (3 Feb 17)

el15

Midas has recently announced contracts after contracts. Based on Table 1 below, it is especially evident that Midas is gaining traction (particularly from 23 Jun 2016 onwards) in winning orders from clients, especially from its 32.5% stake in CRRC Nanjing Puzhen Rail Transport Co., Ltd. (“NPRT”). However, investors do not seem to share this optimism as Midas has fallen approximately 12% from $0.260 on 23 Jun 2016 to $0.230 on 3 Feb 2017. Table 1: Ernest’s compilation of contracts announced since 2015 Source: SGX; Ernest’s compilation Is the market overly pessimistic on Midas? I am fortunate to meet Mr. Patrick […]

Sapphire – profit taking likely to taper off (17 Oct 2016)

el15

Sapphire reached $0.365 on 10 Oct 2016, one bid below my measured eventual technical target of $0.370. Since then, it has fallen 14% to $0.315 on 17 Oct 2016. Will it continue to slide further?   Chart outlook Sapphire has largely been trading within the range of $0.240 – $0.305 since 25 Jan 2016 before it broke out on 6 Oct 2016 above $0.305 on heavy volume. As previously mentioned on my 19 Sep 2016 Sapphire’s write-up (click HERE), the upside breakout above $0.305 points to an eventual measured technical target of $0.370. This was attained when Sapphire reached $0.365 […]

Key takeaways from Sapphire’s 2QFY16 results briefing (12 Aug 16)

el15

Sapphire Corp just announced a sterling set of 2QFY16 results last Wed. However, its share price barely budged. Is this a case of Mr Market being unaware of this stock, or is Mr Market still bogged down by Sapphire’s chequered past?[1] To know more about the company and its upcoming developments, I attended Sapphire’s 2QFY16 results briefing last Thurs, hosted at Peach Gardens. The meeting was hosted by Mr Teh Wing Kwan, Sapphire’s Managing Director and Group CEO and Mr Ng Hoi-Gee, Kit, Sapphire’s CFO, collectively known as (“Management”). Picture 1: Management meetup with analysts, funds and remisiers Source: Company […]