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RHB picks construction, semicon names after National Day Rally

Jovi Ho
Jovi Ho • 2 min read
RHB picks construction, semicon names after National Day Rally
“The policy focus is on innovation, artificial intelligence (AI) adoption and investing in quantum computing, robotics and automation.” Photo: Bloomberg
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Prime Minister Lawrence Wong mentioned policies on innovation, healthcare, ageing and urban renewal in his Aug 17 National Day Rally (NDR). These will provide tailwinds for healthcare and industrial REITs, as well as construction-linked names, says RHB Bank Singapore analyst Shekhar Jaiswal.

“[The NDR] underscored the risks from US tariffs and US-China trade tensions, with the government launching a taskforce to secure deals and refresh longterm strategies,” says Jaiswal of the Singapore Economic Resilience Taskforce (SERT). “The policy focus is on innovation, artificial intelligence (AI) adoption and investing in quantum computing, robotics and automation.”

In an Aug 18 note, Jaiswal says likely beneficiaries from the Singapore Exchange universe include semiconductor and precision engineering firms like Venture Corporation, AEM Holdings, UMS Integration, Frencken Group and Aztech Global.

Other potential beneficiaries include ST Engineering, Sembcorp Industries and industrial REITs like CapitaLand Ascendas REIT, ESR REIT and AIMS APAC REIT, according to Jaiswal.

Wong also outlined new measures to support the next generation, focusing on health, digital resilience and jobs.

In education, AI will be incorporated as a learning tool across disciplines, alongside a stronger emphasis on resilience and citizenship.

See also: DBS raises target price for Singtel to $5.04, citing rising associates' value and renewed sector growth in Singapore

To Jaiswal, beneficiaries include MindChamps, with its focus on early childhood education, as well as private training firms and healthcare providers like Raffles Medical Group and Thomson Medical Group.

In addition, Singapore’s rapidly ageing population is driving a policy shift from reactive to preventive healthcare.

The government will expand Community Care Apartments (CCAs) and pilot Age Well Neighbourhoods, enhancing senior housing, home-based care and community health services.

See also: JP Morgan upgrades Suntec REIT to 'overweight' on better occupancy, lower interest cost

Hence, Jaiswal thinks likely beneficiaries include Raffles Medical, Thomson Medical and healthcare REITs like ParkwayLife and First REIT.

Meanwhile, Keppel DC REIT and Mapletree Industrial Trust could provide digital infrastructure for healthcare, he adds.

Finally, Singapore is prioritising climate resilience and urban renewal of the northern region.

Redevelopment plans include building 4,000 new flats in Woodlands, converting the 130ha site that was formerly home to the Singapore Turf Club into a 14,000-home green township at Kranji and transforming Sembawang Shipyard into a heritage-inspired waterfront destination with housing, retail and community spaces.

Beneficiaries include City Developments, UOL Group, Hock Lian Seng, OKP Holdings, Wee Hur, Pan-United Corporation, Hong Leong Asia, ComfortDelGro, Mapletree Logistics Trust and CapitaLand Ascendas REIT, says Jaiswal.

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