Over the five trading sessions from May 2 to May 8 institutions were net buyers of Singapore stocks, with net institutional inflow of SS$123 million, adding to the $56 million of net inflow for the preceding four sessions. This brings the net institutional outflow for the 2025 year to May 8 to S$1.61 billion. 

Institutional Flows 

Over the five trading sessions through to May 8, the stocks that saw the highest net institutional inflow were Singtel, Singapore Airlines, Keppel, Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation, Jardine Matheson Holdings, Capitaland Ascendas REIT, Hongkong Land Holdings, Sheng Siong Group, Keppel DC REIT, and Genting Singapore.

Meanwhile DBS Group Holdings, United Overseas Bank, Mapletree Logistics Trust, Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Holdings, Capitaland Integrated Commercial Trust, Venture Corporation, SATS, iFAST Corporation, Wilmar International, and Mapletree Industrial Trust led the net institutional outflow over the five sessions.

From a Sector perspective, Telecommunications and Industrials experienced the highest net institutional inflow, while Financial Services and Technology again saw the most net institutional outflow. 

Share Buybacks

The five sessions through to May 8 saw 14 primary-listed companies make buybacks with a total consideration of S$22.8 million. 

Director Transactions

The five trading sessions spanning May 2 through to May 8 saw more than 100 director interests and substantial shareholdings filed for more than 40 primary-listed stocks. Directors or CEOs filed 11 acquisitions, and one disposal, while substantial shareholders filed eight acquisitions and three disposals. This included director or CEO acquisitions in Darco Water Technologies, Hong Fok Corporation, the Manager of Mapletree Logistics Trust, Nera Telecommunications, Niks Professional, Q & M Dental Group (Singapore), Sheffield Green, Southern Alliance Mining, United Overseas Bank, and UOB-Kay Hian Holdings.

United Overseas Bank

On May 7, United Overseas Bank deputy chairman and CEO Wee Ee Cheong acquired 100,000 shares at an average price of S$34.48 per share. This increased his direct interest to 0.36 per cent, and total interest from 10.75 per cent to 10.76 per cent.

This followed the Group reporting a net profit of S$1.49 billion for its 1QFY25 driven by broad-based growth, highlighted by record fee income and strong loan growth. 

Mr Wee highlighted that China-ASEAN and intra-ASEAN trade flows continue, driven by growing client demand for hedging and a healthy pipeline of infrastructure financing. He also noted the Group will resume FY25 guidance once the situation stabilises and remains committed to the S$3 billion capital distribution plan.

UOB-Kay Hian Holdings

On May 2, UOB-Kay Hian Holdings Chairman and Managing Director Wee Ee-Chao acquired 139,753 shares at S$1.80 apiece. This increased his deemed interest from 35.35 per cent to 35.37 per cent. This followed his acquisition of788,360 shares on April 29 at the same price.  Mr Wee has gradually increased his deemed interest in regional financial services group from 29.49 per cent at the end of 2019. 

UOB-Kay Hian Holdings' regional distribution footprint now encompasses major financial centers in Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, London, New Jersey, and Toronto, while also maintaining a research office in Shanghai and an execution presence in the Philippines. For its FY24 (ended Dec 31), the Group achieved attributable net profit of S$224 million, an increase of 32 per cent from FY23. Commission and trading income increased by 26 per cent to S$369 million due to higher commission income from structured products. Meanwhile, interest income decreased 3.4 per cent from S$262 million to S$253 million because of lower interest rates and other operating income increased 32.1 per cent to S$48 million due to increased corporate finance activities.

Wee Hur Holdings 

On May 5, Wee Hur Holdings Executive Director and Deputy Managing Director Goh Yew Gee disposed of 1 million shares at an average price of S$0.545 apiece. This reduced his total interest from 2.18 per cent to 2.07 per cent. Mr Goh has maintained this role since September 2007. In January 2009, he was also appointed as the Managing Director of the wholly owned subsidiary, Wee Hur Construction Pte Ltd. He holds the responsibility for overseeing the overall operation of the construction and dormitory business.

FY24 (ended Dec 31) was highly eventful of the group with the PBSA Fund I sale proceeds which delivered a S$0.07 special dividend per share that went ex-dividend on May 8. At its FY24 AGM on April 30, Wee Hur Holdings announced it had been awarded a new Build-To-Order (BTO) project valued at S$236.4 million. This increased its S$263.3 million orderbook as of end 2024, by as much as 90 per cent. 

Q & M Dental

Between May 2 and 5, Q & M Dental Holdings Non-Independent Executive Director and Group Chief Executive Officer Ng Chin Siau increased his total interest from 53.02 per cent to 53.17 per cent. The 1.4 million shares were acquired at an average price of S$0.30 apiece. The shares were acquired both directly and through Quan Min Holdings Pte Ltd. Dr Ng oversees the corporate direction of the Group, leading business strategies, policy planning, and development in Singapore, Malaysia, and the PRC. His preceding acquisition via the market  was in November 2021. 

For FY24, Q & M Dental reported total revenue of S$180.7 million, driven by the resilience of its core dental business, which contributed S$173.8 million. The Malaysian dental clinics also saw increased contributions during this period. While total revenue was comparable to FY23, focus on operational efficiency and cost discipline, saw FY24 attributable net profit increase 27 per cent from FY23 to S$14.6 million. For FY25, its strategy focuses on three key areas: regional expansion, and sustainability and ESG. In Singapore, it aims to explore new outlet locations for growth, while in Malaysia, it is looking to expand its dental business, particularly in the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone.

For its AI and digital transformation strategy, Q & M Dental has been dedicated to developing AI solutions, since November 2018, with the establishment of the EM2AI subsidiary. Looking ahead, Q & M Dental plans to deploy AI-powered dental charting across all its clinics and establish industry-academia partnerships by the end of FY25. In March 2025, Q & M Dental also signed a binding agreement with a major dental solutions provider in Southeast Asia, granting them a license to integrate EM2AI’s dental AI solutions into their platform. The Group believe this collaboration will significantly expand EM2AI's reach, enabling it to provide dental AI solutions to over 1,100 clinics across Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Australia.

Following Q & M Dental’s recent increase in its interest in Aoxin Q & M Dental Group ("Aoxin") from 33.33 per cent to 50.53 per cent, it has made a mandatory unconditional cash offer to acquire all the shares it does not already own. With an offer of S$0.0321 per share, Q & M Dental maintain it is their intention to maintain the present listing status of Aoxin following completion of the offer. Q & M Dental have also recently proposed a Secondary Listing of the company on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad. 

Hong Fok Corporation

On May 6, Hong Fok Corporation executive director and joint CEO Cheong Sim Eng acquired 80,000 shares, for a consideration of S$50,345 at an average price of S$0.754 cents per share. He maintains a 20.41 per cent total interest in the property developer. This was his first acquisition since August 2022, when 35,000 shares were acquired at S$1.05 cents per share. Prior to that he acquired 43,000 shares at 98.0 cents per share in June 2022. 

Mr Cheong is principally involved in the group’s overall operations and management, with greater emphasis in Singapore and he has over 40 years of experience in the property development business.

Looking ahead, Hong Fok Corporation plans for YOTEL Singapore Orchard Road to enhance operational efficiency, implement cost-saving measures, and boost guest satisfaction to attract both loyal and new visitors despite economic challenges. The Group acknowledges that geopolitical uncertainties make predicting interest rate trends difficult, but a decline in mortgage financing costs could improve affordability and encourage first-time homeowners and upgraders, though foreign demand will remain low due to the Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty. The Singapore office market is expected to see modest growth amid economic uncertainty, with the Group focusing on sustainability practices and targeted marketing to retain and attract tenants, ensuring stable rental income.

Wing Tai Holdings 

Wing Tai Holdings chairman and managing director Cheng Wai Keung has increased his deemed interest in the company through shares acquired by his spouse, Helen Chow. Between May 2 and May 8, Mr Cheng’s deemed interest in the leading real estate developer and lifestyle retailer rose by 240,000 shares, from 61.65 per cent to 61.69 per cent.

Mapletree Logistics Trust 

On May 8, Mapletree Logistics Trust Management non-executive chairman and director Lee Chong Kwee bought 100,000 units of Mapletree Logistics Trust at S$1.10 per unit. This increased his direct interest in  the REIT to 400,000 units. The trust invests in a diversified portfolio of quality logistics real estate in Singapore, Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea and Vietnam. Its tenant base spans 934 customers, with approximately 85 per cent of its revenue coming from tenants serving domestic consumption and around 15 per cent from those engaged in export businesses. 

Inside Insights is a weekly column on The Business Times, read the original version.

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