Rate hikes are positive for the local banks. However, Koh of UOB Kay Hian has lowered his price target for DBS Group Holding by 10%, to $35.80. On the other hand, fewer hikes than some earlier forecasts is less negative for S-REITs.
The Straits Times Index has a higher weightage towards banks and REITs, unlike the MSCI Singapore Index which included Grab Holdings and Sea Inc so that tech stocks have a larger representation. Hence, The STI should be able to rebound faster than the SiMSCI simply because tech stocks tend to thrive in a low interest rate environment and are sinking on expectations of rate hikes.
Some S-REITs have leases linked to inflation, which could support DPU and DPU yield in the event of the rate hikes. Interestingly, REITs with office assets have done better since the start of the year up by between 5-10%.
No surprise then that the STI gained signficant strength against the Hang Seng Index during Mar 7-11. It managed to establish an initial support level at the March 8 close of 3,148, a 2-month low. Immediate resistance is near current levels. The STI ended the week of Mar 7-11 at 3,249. Despite this underpinning, sentiment is fragile. As a result, prices may ease in the week of Mar 14-18 and the STI could slip back to 3,148 as the current rebound is unlikely to sustain.
See also: STI may retreat on strong overbought pressures but REIT Index may break out
The Hang Seng Index has slipped below a support and its 50-, 100- and 200-day moving averages, losing 9.8% since the start of the year.
