When a stock hits its 52-week low, it creates a fascinating dilemma for investors.
These battered share prices could be the bargain of the decade, offering investors the opportunity to snap up quality companies at fire-sale prices. .
However, they can also be value traps with prices dipping further, forcing investors to hold onto stocks for a longer period than they had planned.
Today, we will look at Wilmar International (SGX: F34), StarHub (SGX: CC3), and Riverstone Holdings (SGX: AP4), all of which reached their 52-week lows, and figure out if they are undervalued opportunities or traps for unsuspecting investors.
Wilmar International (SGX: F34)
Wilmar International is one of Asia’s largest agribusiness companies and owns over 1,000 manufacturing plants globally.
The company reported a robust 26% year-on-year (YoY) increase in pre-tax profit to around US$938 million for 2025’s first half (1H2025), and has a market capitalisation of nearly S$19 billion.
Net profit also rose 2.6% YoY over the same period but the company’s stock is hovering near its 52-week low of S$2.87 per share.
Nevertheless, Wilmar’s business is holding up.
Revenue grew 6.3% year on year to nearly US$33 billion in 1H2025, driven by higher sales volumes across most business divisions.
The company announced an interim dividend of S$0.04 per share.
That said, the path ahead for Wilmar could be challenging due to external headwinds.
On top of rising global operating costs and cyclical commodity prices, the Group’s Indonesian operations are under scrutiny with allegations from the authorities regarding operational issues, including price manipulations and rice quality fraud.
Thankfully, there are also numerous growth drivers for Wilmar.
Expansion of their oleochemical business, increased demand for consumer goods in emerging markets, and development of new products can help to drive the company’s overall profits.
For investors with a long investment horizon,Wilmar could present a compelling opportunity with a dividend yield of 4.7%..
StarHub (SGX: CC3)
StarHub is a telco that provides communications, information, and digital solutions for both consumer and corporate customers.
With a market capitalisation of almost S$2 billion, StarHub reported S$1.13 billion in revenue in 1H’2025, a 2.2% year on year increase.
However, the company’s net profits after tax (NPAT) of S$48 million reflects a 41.7% decrease YoY.
According to the company’s financial report, StarHub attributed the earnings decline to lower EBITDA, higher depreciation and amortisation, a one-off forfeiture payment of S$14.1 million for the return of one 700 MHz spectrum lot.
Excluding the one-off forfeiture payment and non-recurring items, the company’s reported earnings increased to S$62.4 million for 1H2025, down 20% YoY.
Having slumped to a 52-week low of S$1.10, the company’s stock price reflects the intense competition in the telecom and entertainment sectors.
Despite these challenges, StarHub plans to keep its interim dividend at S$0.03 per share.
This makes an attractive investment for those who can hold the stock for a longer investment horizon.
StarHub is also working on a more aggressive approach for 2H2025, having recently completed the acquisition of MyRepublic Broadband in August 2025.
While its growth prospects remain stable, the telco industry remains under pressure, especially with Simba’s recent acquisition of Keppel’s M1’s telco business.
StarHub may not be a growth stock, but it could appeal to dividend investors if it maintains its payout amid the challenging operating environment.
Riverstone Holdings (SGX: AP4)
Riverstone Holdings is a Malaysia-based company that manufactures premium cleanroom and healthcare gloves.
Having benefited significantly during the pandemic, the company now faces post-boom challenges due to oversupply and competitive glove prices.
The company reported a net profit of around RM102 million for 1H2025, a near-30% decline YoY.
Revenue was relatively unchanged at RM497 million for 1H2025 .
Riverstone declared an interim dividend of 3.00 sen (RM) per ordinary share, down 25% YoY.
With a market capitalisation of around S$1 billion, Riverstone’s stock price is relatively close to its 52-week low of S$0.635 per share.
The company has identified several challenges, such as competition from newcomers, rising costs, and macroeconomic headwinds such as inflation and price competition.
Nonetheless, Riverstone is confident in overcoming these with its established stellar records, product streamlining, and ongoing R&D efforts.
A potential bright spot comes from geopolitical dynamics.
With Trump’s tariffs hitting China-made goods, Riverstone might gain an upper hand by supplying from Malaysia.
That said, Riverstone could be a value trap unless raw costs stabilise or the company successfully diversifies its revenue base by pivoting to higher-value products and new markets.
Get Smart: Due Diligence is Your Best Friend
52-week lows can present an opportunity for investors to buy quality companies at lower prices, but they can also reflect genuine structural challenges, especially external headwinds that are beyond the company’s control.
Investors will need to do their due diligence and assess their risk tolerance before buying a 52-week low stock.
We’ve found 5 SGX-listed dividend stocks with strong track records in turbulent markets. If you want consistency in an uncertain world, start here.
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Disclosure: Wenting does not own shares in any of the companies mentioned.
