As we leave 2021 behind, it’s a good idea to try to glean some lessons from what the year had taught us.
For one, it gave us a clear look at which companies and industries survived or even thrived during the pandemic.
Another clear insight is which companies had managed to raise their dividends despite the weak economic conditions.
It’s also instructive to take a look at some of the top share price performers last year.
These businesses could have enduring catalysts that can help to catalyse their share prices for 2022 as well.
By studying them, investors can gain a sense of whether their stellar performance can be repeated.
Here are four stocks that more than doubled in share price last year.
iFAST Corporation Limited (SGX: AIY)
iFAST is a financial technology (fintech) business that runs a platform for the buying and selling of unit trusts, equities and bonds.
The group’s share price witnessed a strong surge last year, jumping by 180% from S$3 to S$8.40.
iFAST reported a sterling set of earnings for the first nine months of 2021 (9M2021) as more people used the internet for investments.
Net revenue climbed by 38.1% year on year to S$85 million while operating profit surged by 59.2% year on year to S$27.8 million.
Net profit was up 63.6% year on year to S$23.4 million.
The group’s assets under administration also scaled new heights, hitting S$18.38 billion as of 30 September 2021.
iFAST upped its interim dividend by 62.5% year on year to S$0.013.
Looking ahead, the company has a few irons in the fire to continue its growth.
Previously, the group had announced a game-changing contract for the Mandatory Provident Fund of Hong Kong that should see profits rise sharply by 2024 and 2025.
Meanwhile, iFAST also unveiled a five-year growth plan focusing on getting “bigger and better” and intends to pursue more licences in various jurisdictions.
As part of this plan, iFAST recently announced that it is purchasing an 85% stake in BFC Bank in the UK that will allow it to add a digital bank to its fintech ecosystem.
The Hour Glass Ltd (SGX: AGS)
The Hour Glass, or THG, is a luxury watch retailer that owns a total of 50 boutiques spread out across 12 cities in the Asia Pacific region.
The group carries famous Swiss watch brands such as Rolex, Patek Philippe, Omega, Hublot and Cartier.
The luxury retailer has seen its share price more than double from S$0.80 to S$2.04 in 2021.
For its fiscal 2022 first half (1H2022) ended 30 September 2021, revenue jumped by 63% year on year to S$472.4 million.
Net profit for the group soared by 110% year on year to S$62.5 million.
THG declared an interim dividend of S$0.02, unchanged from a year ago.
Swiss watch exports to Singapore have done well in the first 11 months of 2021, rising by 39% year on year to CHF 1.2 billion.
Management has also reported that consumer sentiment within the watch industry remains positive, so there is a high chance that THG can continue to report strong numbers.
PropNex Limited (SGX: OYY)
PropNex is an integrated real estate services provider with close to 10,000 sales professionals.
The group provides services such as real estate brokerage, training, property management, and consultancy.
PropNex’s share price surged by 116.7% last year from S$0.78 to S$1.69.
The group reported a strong set of earnings for 9M2021, with revenue nearly doubling year on year to S$715.5 million.
Net profit soared by 114.8% year on year to S$49.9 million.
The healthy numbers were due to a higher number of transactions completed during the period as the COVID-19 situation eased.
These numbers may not sustain in 2022, though.
Property cooling measures were imposed by the government last month that could result in a decline in the number and value of real estate transactions.
Singapore Press Holdings Ltd (SGX: T39)
Singapore Press Holdings, or SPH, is a media organisation that publishes newspapers and magazines in print and digital editions.
The company also owns a property portfolio comprising a 65% stake in SPH REIT (SGX: SK6U) and operates purpose-built student accommodations under the Student Castle and Capitol Students brands.
The blue-chip media giant saw its share price jump from S$1.13 to S$2.33 last year, up 106.2%.
SPH is the target of a bidding war between offshore and marine conglomerate Keppel Corporation Limited (SGX: BN4) and a Temasek-linked consortium.
The consortium is offering S$2.40 per share for SPH, which explains the jump in the latter’s share price last year.
If successful, the media group will be privatised and delisted in 2022.
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Disclaimer: Royston Yang owns shares of iFAST Corporation Limited.
