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10 Companies That Beat The Straits Times Index (STI) in 2021
To say that 2021 has been a wild ride is going to be an understatement, especially in the stock markets. We entered 2021 on the back of the longest bull run on record, quickly plunged in to the fastest 30% stock market decline in history after COVID-19 uncertainties unravelled, and subsequently re-entered a brand new bull run after markets gained 20% in a matter of weeks.
What Was The STI Return In 2021?
At the end of 2021, Singapore's benchmark index – the Straits Times Index (STI) – delivered a return of close to -8%. This was a weak showing compared to other major global indexes, such as the S&P 500 which delivered a positive return of 18% and ended near to its all-time highs.
Note that to achieve investment exposure to the STI, we must invest in one of the two STI ETFs listed on the Singapore Exchange (SGX).
Investing in the STI gives us market returns, which may be positive or negative in certain years, and permits us to invest passively. The big returns in the US market also show us that being diversified to various regions and business sectors is essential.
Furthermore, if investors have the time and expertise to discover stocks and monitor their portfolio, investing in individual stocks can lead to better outcomes. While hindsight is 20/20, those who managed to beat the STI in 2021 may likely have invested in some of these top 10 companies listed on the SGX.
#10 Jiutian Chemical (SGX:C8R)
Share price gain in 2021: 382.4%
Share price at the start of 2021: $0.018
Share price after 2021: $0.082
Dividend yield: –
Market Capitalisation: $162.8 million
China-based Jiutian Chemical was the 10th best performing stock on the SGX in 2021, having a share price gain of 382.4%.
This was mainly driven with a drop in raw material prices along with a corresponding increase in its finished product prices, as well as the permanent closure of a bigger competitor in China because of urban planning initiatives.
This has propelled Jiutian Chemical to become the world's second largest producer, behind another China-based firm, of dimethylformamide (DMF), which is used in the manufacturing process of consumer goods for example leather products, footwear soles, furniture, in addition to used as a solvent within the petrochemical industry. It also produces other products such as methylamine, sodium hydrosulfite and gas and oxygen. Its main clients are in Henan and other provinces surrounding it.
#9 Regal International (SGX:UV1)
Share price gain in 2021: 413.3%
Share price at the start of 2021: $0.015
Share price after 2021: $0.077
Dividend yield: –
Market Capitalisation: $17.4 million
With a market capitalisation of $17.4 million, Regal International may be one of the smaller companies listed on the SGX. Nevertheless, its stock price increase rose 413.3% in 2021, making Regal International the 9th best performing stock on SGX.
Based in Sarawak, Regal International is an established property developer in Kuching and Kota Samarahan in East Malaysia. Recently, it has expanded into Bintulu, also in Sarawak, and into West Malaysia in Negeri Sembilan.
#8 Axington (SGX:42U)
Share price gain in 2021: 432.0%
Share price at the start of 2021: $0.044
Share price at the end of 2021: $0.19
Dividend yield: 10.7%
Market Capitalisation: $54.4 million
Axington is another smaller company listed on SGX, having a market capitalisation of $54.4 million. Nevertheless, its stock price has performed strongly in 2021, gaining 432.0% in 2021 to be the 8th best performing stock on SGX.
Axington is in the business of providing integrated professional services – tax advisory, business consultancy, enterprise management system application and business support – in Malaysia. Its customers are mainly government-linked entities, private and public listed companies and multinational corporations.
#7 Leader Environmental Technologies (SGX:LS9)
Share price grow in 2021: 498.3%
Share price at the start of 2021: $0.019
Share price after 2021: $0.075
Dividend yield: –
Market Capitalisation: $99.4 million
Leader Environmental Technologies saw its stock price increase close to 500% during the year. It ended December strongly, gaining two-thirds of their share price increase from the lowest point in the month to the year-end.
Leader Environment Technologies is definitely an environmental protection solutions provider in China, mainly for wastegas and wastewater emissions.
#6 Zhongxin Fruit (SGX:5EG)
Share price grow in 2021: 550.0%
Share price at the start of 2021: $0.004
Share price at the end of 2021: $0.026
Dividend yield: –
Market Capitalisation: $27.4 million
Zhongxin Fruit's share price gained 550% in 2021. Nevertheless, it is yet another small cap stock having a market capitalisation of $27.4 million.
Zhongxin Fruit is really a subsidiary of one of the world's leading producer of fruit and vegetable juice concentrates. It produces mainly apple juice concentrates for soft drink, cider, yogurt and candies, and sells an edible by-product as animal feed.
#5 Oceanus (SGX:579)
Share price grow in 2021: 575.0%
Share price at the start of 2021: $0.004
Share price at the end of 2021: $0.027
Dividend yield: –
Market Capitalisation: $655.0 million
While Oceanus is the 5th most effective stock on SGX with a return of 575%, we need to note that it is listed in the SGX Watchlist (it is in the process of being removed). Nevertheless, Yaacob Ibrahim joined Oceanus as an independent director on 1 September 2021 after ending his political career. During the year, it has also invested in a prawn breeding company.
Oceanus is a marine aquaculture specialist selling premium quality Japanese abalones. Giving the group a cost advantage, the group farms the abalone inland in tanks located along the coastal lines of Fujian and Shandong.
#4 AnAn International (SGX:Y35)
Share price grow in 2021: 575.0%
Share price at the start of 2021: $0.004
Share price after 2021: $0.027
Dividend yield: –
Market Capitalisation: $114.2 million
AnAn International's share price gained 575% in 2021 – making it the 4th best performing stock in 2021.
AnAn International is an investment holding company within the energy business, managing energy trading and financial services and investments in the energy industry.
#3 Yinda Infocomm (SGX: 42F)
Share price gain in 2021: 772.7%
Share price at the start of 2021: $0.011
Share price after 2021: $0.096
Dividend yield: –
Market Capitalisation: $32.8 million
Within the top 3 performing stocks in 2021, Yinda Infocomm delivered a share price gain of 772% in 2021.
Yinda Infocomm is a regional integrated communications solutions and repair provider in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Philippines. Its core capabilities include maintenance services, telecommunication implementation, outdoor construction and in-building coverage.
#2 UG Healthcare (SGX:8K7)
Share price grow in 2021: 1,153.6%
Share price at the start of 2021: $0.050
Share price after 2021: $0.585
Dividend yield: 0.4%
Market Capitalisation: $360.5 million
It is not difficult to explain why UG Healthcare may be the second-best performing SGX stocks in 2021. Soaring over 1,150%, UG Healthcare is incorporated in the business of manufacturing rubber gloves in Malaysia.
Even having a vaccine on the horizon, demand for its medical gloves will not wane immediately. In fact, UG Healthcare is creating a new facility in Malaysia to boost its production capacity to 1.2 billion bits of gloves per annum.
#1 Medtecs International (SGX:546)
Share price gain in 2021: 2,602.7%
Share price at the start of 2021: $0.039
Share price at the end of 2021: $1.00
Dividend yield: 1.1%
Market Capitalisation: $549.0 million
Not surprisingly, Medtecs International is the greatest performing stock on SGX with a stellar share price gain well over 2,600% in 2021. The group is in the business of supplying medical consumables and private protective equipment, hospital wear, and workwear apparel. Interest in these products rocketed as COVID-19 spread globally.
Medtecs offers integrated hospital services, including rental and laundry of linens, control over laundry facilities, hospital automation along with other functions at hospitals in Taiwan and Philippines.
