Stocks to Watch on Friday | Lianhe Zaobao

Zaobao
2026.08.14 00:41

Affected by the cooling of U.S. inflation and the decline in oil prices, the market has strengthened expectations that the Federal Reserve will maintain interest rates in September, and Asian stock markets are expected to continue their upward trend. U.S. stocks rose overnight, with the S&P 500 reaching a new all-time high. The Straits Times Index in Singapore slightly declined. Stocks to watch on Friday include Aolans Group, which reported a year-on-year revenue decline of 18.3% in the first half of the year, but net profit surged by 488.8% to nearly SGD 1.9 billion due to one-time gains, and announced a dividend distribution

U.S. inflation further cools, coupled with a drop in oil prices, strengthening market expectations that the Federal Reserve will maintain interest rates in September. Asian stock markets are expected to continue their upward trend on Friday (August 14).

U.S. stocks rose overnight, with the S&P 500 index climbing 0.7% on Thursday, reaching a new all-time high; as major tech companies increased spending, boosting tech stocks, the Nasdaq 100 index rose 1.15%, reaching its highest level since the end of June. U.S. stock index futures were slightly higher in early trading on Friday.

The drop in oil prices also alleviated inflation concerns, with U.S. crude oil falling another 0.2% in early trading on Friday.

The Straits Times Index in Singapore closed at 5720.05 points on the previous trading day, slipping 0.70 points or 0.01%.

Here are some stocks to watch on Friday:

  1. Olam Group announced its half-year performance report for the period ending June this year before the market opened, showing a year-on-year revenue decline of 18.3%. However, due to one-time gains, including the sale of a 44.58% stake in Olam Agri and the proceeds from the sale of Mindsprint, net profit surged 488.8% year-on-year to SGD 1.90632 billion.

The company's board announced a dividend of 7 cents per share, which includes a 1 cent interim dividend and a 6 cent special dividend. Olam Group closed at SGD 1.30 on Thursday, down 2.99%.

  1. Local agribusiness First Resources released its half-year performance report for the period ending June this year before the market opened. The company reported a year-on-year net profit increase of 57.4%, reaching USD 234.9 million (approximately SGD 300 million), mainly due to increased production and improved processing margins; revenue grew 44.5% year-on-year to USD 973.6 million.

The company's board announced an interim dividend of 8 cents, up from 4.5 cents in the same period last year. First Resources closed at SGD 3.67 on Thursday, down 0.81%.

  1. Q & M Dental Group released its half-year performance report for the period ending June this year before the market opened. The company reported a 13% year-on-year increase in revenue to SGD 99.5 million; EBITDA increased by 19% to SGD 19.2 million. The company announced a dividend of 0.4 cents.

Further Reading

Profit-taking during the earnings period, the Straits Times Index closed at 5720.05 points on Thursday, down 0.01% Genting Singapore's net profit fell 34% in the first half of the year

Q&M Dental closed at SGD 0.55 on Thursday, unchanged.

  1. Thai Beverage released its business report after the market closed on Thursday. For the first nine months of the 2026 fiscal year ending in June, revenue fell 1.8% year-on-year to THB 254.04 billion (approximately SGD 9.65 billion), mainly due to a decline in beer and non-alcoholic beverage sales.

Thai Beverage closed at SGD 0.47 on Thursday, unchanged.

  1. Semiconductor company UMS Integration announced its earnings after the market closed on Thursday. For the second quarter of the 2026 fiscal year ending in June, the company's net profit surged 89% to SGD 19.4 million; revenue grew 29% to SGD 87.1 million.

UMS Integration closed at SGD 2.70 on Thursday, up 5.06%. The stock has risen 134.78% since the beginning of the year.

  1. Genting Singapore released its performance report for the period ending in June after the market closed on Thursday. The company's net profit for the first half of the 2026 fiscal year fell 34% to SGD 156.1 million, mainly due to increased depreciation, reduced interest income, and the impact of asset renewal projects; group revenue fell 1% to SGD 1.2356 billion The company announced a mid-term dividend of 2 cents per share, unchanged from the same period last year. Genting Singapore closed at SGD 0.625 on Thursday, down 2.34%
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