In addition, the brokerage is likely to benefit from improving business in Hong Kong, its second largest market too, where besides a growing number of IPOs, the markets are also seeing easing trade tensions and strong investment.
Malaysia, the third largest market for UOB Kay Hian, is meanwhile seen to enjoy further upside and is Macquarie's preferred market among the Asean economies.
"Outside top-line growth, we see higher margin balances and more retail accounts driving interest income," state the analysts.
They note that UOBK's cost/income ratio was 46% in 1HFY2025, in line with the average for global peers, and this could improve as net interest income increases and activity through its digital platform increases.
Their $3.12 target price is the mid-point between local listed financial services players, which are trading at 13.1x, and +1 standard deviation on the stock's five-year trading history of 7.8x.
Under a bull case, where this counter's liquidity "materially" improves, the target price can go as high as $3.91.
UOB Kay Hian last traded at $2.68, having gained 57.65% in the past year.
