OREANDA-NEWS. Singapore Exchange (SGX) lists 55 companies that represent the Materials Industry according to the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®). The five industries that make up the GICS Materials sector include chemicals, construction materials, containers and packaging, metals & mining, and paper and forest products.

The 10 largest companies that are designated Materials by the GICS® together represent all industries of the Materials sector except for containers and packaging. A number of traders and processors of minerals are included in this group of ten companies. The list also includes Straits Trading which holds mining assets, including Malaysian Smelting Corp.                          

The 10 largest capitalized stocks of the Materials sector maintains a total market capitalization of S\$3.9 billion. These 10 stocks generated an average total return of 12.2% in 2014 and an average year to date return of 3.7% in 2015. The metals and mining industry make up the largest part of the materials sector.  This is exemplified with  four of the ten largest capitalised companies classified under this category. The metals and mining industry includes five sub-industries- Aluminium, diversified metals and mining, gold, precious materials and minerals, and steel. As noted in the SGX Commodities 2014 Review, last year was a bearish year for the bulk commodities. Iron ore was the worst performer, losing almost half its value through the year amid a wave of new low-cost seaborne supply. Oversupply also kept thermal and coking coal prices depressed, while freight digested a number of negatives with the Baltic Dry Index ending the year down 66%.

The largest capitalised stocks of the Materials sector are detailed below.
 

Name SGX
Code		 Market
Cap
S\$M		 Px Chg
Pct
YTD %		 Dvd
Ind
Yld		 Total
Return2014 %		 GICS Industry
STRAITS TRADING CO S20 1183.5 -0.3 1.4 -17.5 Metals & Mining
XINREN ALUMINUM HOLDINGS MN5 638.7 -1.0 N/A 76.8 Metals & Mining
NSL N02 595.8 -0.3 6.3 29.6 Construction Materials
MIDAS HOLDINGS 5EN 383.5 22.0 1.6 -50.3 Metals & Mining
SUNVIC CHEMICAL HOLDINGS A7S 242.8 -3.1 N/A 12.9 Chemicals
CHINA SUNSINE CHEMICAL HOLDINGS CH8 199.1 5.0 2.4 98.6 Chemicals
UPP HOLDINGS U09 192.4 2.2 0.7 -11.2 Paper & Forest Products
SAMKO TIMBER E6R 155.3 13.3 N/A -28.5 Paper & Forest Products
LEE METAL GROUP 593 154.2 1.6 6.2 -6.8 Metals & Mining
ENGRO CORP S44 137.1 -2.1 2.6 18.7 Construction Materials

Source: Bloomberg (Data as of 19 January 2015)

Straits Trading Company

The Straits Trading Company, an investment holding company, is engaged in tin mining and smelting; resources; hotel; and property investment and operations. It primarily operates through Resources, Hospitality, and Property segments.

Straits Trading Company has a market capitalization of S\$1.2 billion and the stock generated a 2014 total return of -17.5%. On 14 November 2014, the company reported their revenue for the third quarter period ended 30 September 2014, increased by 33.7% to S\$230.1 million. The stock went ex-dividend on 21 April 2014, distributing S\$0.04 per share in dividends.

XinRen Aluminium Holdings

XinRen Aluminum Holdings, an investment holding company, produces, trades, and sells aluminum products primarily in the People’s Republic of China and internationally. It operates in three segments: Smelting, Fabrication, and Trading.

XinRen Aluminium Holdings has a market capitalization of S\$638.7 million and the stock generated a 2014 total return of 76.8%. On 11 November 2014, the company reported their revenue for the third quarter period ended 30 September 2014, increased by 155.7% to RMB 5.0 billion. The stock went ex-dividend on 4 May 2012, distributing S\$0.02 per share in dividends.

NSL

NSL manufactures construction materials and chemicals, and markets engineering products and services. The Company manufactures and trades lime, industrial chemicals and spreader cranes, provides environmental and engineering services, building products and services, and engages in property and resort development.

NSL has a market capitalization of S\$595.8 million and the stock generated a 2014 total return of 29.6%. On 6 November 2014, the company reported their profit before tax (excluding exceptional items) for the third quarter period ended 30 September 2014, increased by 59% to S\$6.1 million. The stock went ex-dividend on 24 April 2014, distributing S\$0.50 per share in dividends.

Midas Holdings

Midas Holdings, an investment holding company, manufactures and sells aluminum alloy extrusion products for the rail transportation sector in the People’s Republic of China. It operates through three divisions: Aluminum Alloy Extruded Products, Polyethylene Pipe, and Aluminum Alloy Plates and Sheets.

Midas Holdings has a market capitalization of S\$383.5 million and the stock generated a 2014 total return of -50.3%. On 14 November 2014, the company reported their revenue for the third quarter period ended 30 September 2014, increased by 7.7% to RMB 324.2 million. The stock went ex-dividend on 27 October 2014, distributing S\$0.0025 per share in dividends.

SunVic Chemical Holdings

SunVic Chemical Holdings, an investment holding company, is engaged in the manufacture and sale of intermediate chemical products primarily in the People’s Republic of China, rest of Asia, Europe, North America, and South America. The company’s products are fundamental chemicals used in the production of various industrial, consumer and agricultural products, such as coatings, adhesives, diapers, textiles, detergents, water treatment materials, and herbicides.

SunVic Chemical Holdings has a market capitalization of S\$242.8 million and the stock generated a 2014 total return of 12.9%. On 14 November 2014, the company reported their revenue for the third quarter period ended 30 September 2014, decreased by 31.8% to RMB 1.1 billion. The stock went ex-dividend on 5 May 2011, distributing S\$0.02 per share in dividends.