Sheng Siong ends 6.5% higher at record closing price on improved Q3 earnings

SINGAPORE – Shares of supermarket operator Sheng Siong rose on Nov 3 after the mainboard-listed group posted a nearly 12 per cent boost to third-quarter earnings compared with the year-ago period.

As at 9.50am, the counter had risen by as much as 8.2 per cent or $0.19 to $2.51 in intra-day trade, with some 3.4 million shares having changed hands. This is the highest price Sheng Siong shares have reached since it was listed on the Singapore Exchange in August 2011, based on data from ShareInvestor and Yahoo Finance.

The counter ended the day at $2.47 – also a record – up 6.5 per cent or $0.15, with close to 10.9 million shares having changed hands.

On Oct 30, Sheng Siong reported that its net profit had risen 11.9 per cent to $43.7 million for its third quarter ended Sept 30, from $39.1 million in the third quarter of 2024.

This translated to an 11.9 per cent increase in earnings per share to $0.0291 for the quarter, from $0.026 in the year-ago period.

For the three months, its revenue grew 14.4 per cent to $415.5 million, from $363.2 million previously.

The improvements were attributed to an increase in its number of stores in the third quarter, up from 79 in the previous corresponding quarter.

The improvements were attributed to an increase in its number of stores to 90 in the quarter, up from 79 in the previous quarter. Comparable same-store sales also improved by 4.4 per cent on the year.

Its gross profit was up 15.2 per cent year on year at $131.1 million, from $113.8 million.

The company in September

leased a new site in Sungei Kadut

to house its headquarters, warehouse and distribution centre. The move from its Mandai Link site to the 61,297 sq m property – which is 2.5 times bigger and can support at least 120 supermarkets – will support its expansion and long-term growth.

Sheng Siong opened four stores in the third quarter and one in October, taking its store count in Singapore to 85.

Looking ahead, the group expects grocery demand to stay resilient, with consumer spending in supermarkets and heartland shops supported by CDC and SG60 vouchers, which are accepted at Sheng Siong supermarkets. However, it noted that intense competition may pressure margins.

THE BUSINESS TIMES