Warren Buffett, arguably one of the best investors in the world, has said that “if the business does well, the stock eventually follows”.
That’s why it’s a good idea to focus on how the business performs rather than being fixated on share price movements.
And when tough times come along, as they inevitably do, sticking with tried-and-tested blue-chip companies allows you to have a good night’s sleep.
Such stocks can not only boast a great track record of weathering crises but also pay out a decent dividend to boot.
By observing which of these businesses are doing well, you can be assured that their share prices should eventually rise in tandem, bestowing you with capital gains.
Here are five blue-chip businesses that announced a jump in their net profit in their latest earnings report.
Genting Singapore Limited (SGX: G13)
Genting Singapore owns and operates the Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) integrated resort (IR).
The IR comprises six luxury hotels, a world-class convention centre, a theme park (Universal Studios Singapore), a casino, and the S.E.A Aquarium and Adventure Cove waterpark.
Genting released its fiscal 2022’s third quarter (3Q2022) business review recently.
The group saw a sharp surge in both revenue and net profit as more tourists streamed into Singapore after borders reopened.
Total revenue surged from S$251.5 million to S$519.7 million, led by increases in both gaming and non-gaming revenue.
In particular, non-gaming revenue soared 144.3% year on year to S$137.3 million.
Net profit more than doubled year on year from S$60.7 million to S$135.8 million and was also three times higher than 2Q2022’s net profit of S$44.1 million.
Looking ahead, Genting is optimistic as the recovery has yet to return to pre-pandemic levels.
Its RWS 2.0 expansion project is also proceeding smoothly, with the construction of a new attraction, Minion Land, progressing well and the remake of Festive Hotel set to complete by 1Q2023.
Venture Corporation Limited (SGX: V03)
Venture is an electronic services provider with a portfolio of more than 5,000 products and solutions and 12,000 staff employed worldwide.
For 3Q2022, the group reported a 32.8% year on year jump in revenue to S$1 billion.
Net profit surged by 26.4% year on year to S$97.4 million.
Venture did warn, however, of potential headwinds in the science and technology market if geopolitical tensions and other headwinds persist.
The technology group plans to diversify its capabilities and strengths to continue to remain relevant to its clients.
Keppel Corporation Limited (SGX: BN4)
Keppel Corporation is a conglomerate with four core divisions – energy and environment, urban development, connectivity, and asset management.
Revenue for the group grew 24% year on year to S$6.8 billion for the first nine months of 2022 (9M2022).
Net profit also improved over the same period.
In addition, Keppel also announced asset monetisation totalling S$4.4 billion and is well on track to hit its S$5 billion target before the end of next year.
As of end-September, the group reported its highest net order book since 2007 of S$11.6 billion.
Wilmar International Limited (SGX: F34)
Wilmar is an integrated agribusiness group with over 500 manufacturing plants along with an extensive distribution network spanning 50 countries and regions.
For 3Q2022, Wilmar reported a 10% year on year improvement in revenue to US$18.9 billion.
Its core net profit rose 38.2% year on year to US$796.7 million.
Sales volume increased by 3.2% and 8.5% year on year for its Food Products and Feed and Industrial Products divisions, respectively.
The group also churned out a significantly higher operating cash flow of US$3.5 billion, up 68.2% from a year ago.
Wilmar remains sanguine on its business outlook, noting that while global conditions remain tough, it is confident that its integrated business model can help to overcome these challenges.
United Overseas Bank Ltd (SGX: U11)
United Overseas Bank Ltd, or UOB, is one of Singapore’s three big local banks.
The lender reported a stellar set of earnings for 3Q2022, posting a record net profit of S$1.4 billion, up 34% year on year.
Net interest margin for the quarter surged to 1.95%, up sharply from the prior year’s 1.55%.
UOB acquired Citigroup’s (NYSE: C) consumer banking business in four countries, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam, for almost S$5 billion back in January.
Higher interest rates should also continue to boost its net interest margin, leading to higher net interest income and profits.
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Disclaimer: Royston Yang does not own shares in any of the companies mentioned.
