logo
Investors in Hong Leong Asia (SGX:H22) have seen impressive returns of 163% over the past five years

Investors in Hong Leong Asia (SGX:H22) have seen impressive returns of 163% over the past five years

Yahoo27-05-2025
When you buy a stock there is always a possibility that it could drop 100%. But on the bright side, you can make far more than 100% on a really good stock. For instance, the price of Hong Leong Asia Ltd. (SGX:H22) stock is up an impressive 125% over the last five years. Also pleasing for shareholders was the 15% gain in the last three months.
Now it's worth having a look at the company's fundamentals too, because that will help us determine if the long term shareholder return has matched the performance of the underlying business.
This technology could replace computers: discover the 20 stocks are working to make quantum computing a reality.
To quote Buffett, 'Ships will sail around the world but the Flat Earth Society will flourish. There will continue to be wide discrepancies between price and value in the marketplace...' One imperfect but simple way to consider how the market perception of a company has shifted is to compare the change in the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price movement.
Over half a decade, Hong Leong Asia managed to grow its earnings per share at 14% a year. This EPS growth is lower than the 18% average annual increase in the share price. So it's fair to assume the market has a higher opinion of the business than it did five years ago. And that's hardly shocking given the track record of growth.
The image below shows how EPS has tracked over time (if you click on the image you can see greater detail).
It's good to see that there was some significant insider buying in the last three months. That's a positive. That said, we think earnings and revenue growth trends are even more important factors to consider. Before buying or selling a stock, we always recommend a close examination of historic growth trends, available here..
It is important to consider the total shareholder return, as well as the share price return, for any given stock. The TSR incorporates the value of any spin-offs or discounted capital raisings, along with any dividends, based on the assumption that the dividends are reinvested. So for companies that pay a generous dividend, the TSR is often a lot higher than the share price return. In the case of Hong Leong Asia, it has a TSR of 163% for the last 5 years. That exceeds its share price return that we previously mentioned. This is largely a result of its dividend payments!
It's nice to see that Hong Leong Asia shareholders have received a total shareholder return of 100% over the last year. That's including the dividend. Since the one-year TSR is better than the five-year TSR (the latter coming in at 21% per year), it would seem that the stock's performance has improved in recent times. Given the share price momentum remains strong, it might be worth taking a closer look at the stock, lest you miss an opportunity. It's always interesting to track share price performance over the longer term. But to understand Hong Leong Asia better, we need to consider many other factors. Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 2 warning signs with Hong Leong Asia , and understanding them should be part of your investment process.
There are plenty of other companies that have insiders buying up shares. You probably do not want to miss this free list of undervalued small cap companies that insiders are buying.
Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on Singaporean exchanges.
Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Trump says Japan will invest $550 billion in US at his direction. It may not be a sure thing
Trump says Japan will invest $550 billion in US at his direction. It may not be a sure thing

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Trump says Japan will invest $550 billion in US at his direction. It may not be a sure thing

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is bragging that Japan has given him, as part of a new trade framework, $550 billion to invest in the United States. It's an astonishing figure, but still subject to negotiation and perhaps not the sure thing he's portraying. "Japan is putting up $550 billion in order to lower their tariffs a little bit," Trump said Thursday. 'They put up, as you could call it, seed money. Let's call it seed money.' He said 90% of any profits from the money invested would go to the U.S. even if Japan had put up the funds. 'It's not a loan or anything, it's a signing bonus,' the Republican president said, on the trade framework that lowered his threatened tariff from 25% to 15%, including on autos. A White House official said the terms are being negotiated and nothing has been formalized in writing. The official, who insisted on anonymity to detail the terms of the talks, suggested the goal was for the $550 billion fund to make investments at Trump's direction. The sum is significant: It would represent more than 10% of Japan's entire gross domestic product. The Japan External Trade Organization estimates that direct investment into the U.S. economy topped $780 billion in 2023. It is unclear the degree to which the $550 billion could represent new investment or flow into existing investment plans. What the trade framework announced Tuesday has achieved is a major talking point for the Trump administration. The president has claimed to have brought trillions of dollars in new investment into the U.S., though the impact of those commitments have yet to appear in the economic data for jobs, construction spending or manufacturing output. The framework also enabled Trump to say other countries are agreeing to have their goods taxed, even if some of the cost of those taxes are ultimately passed along to U.S. consumers. On the $550 billion, Japan's Cabinet Office said it involves the credit facility of state-affiliated financial institutions, such as Japan Bank for International Cooperation. Further details would be decided based on the progress of the investment deals. Japanese trade negotiator Ryosei Akazawa, upon returning to Japan, did not discuss the terms of the $550 billion investment. Akazawa said he believes a written joint statement is necessary, at least on working levels, to avoid differences. He is not thinking about a legally binding trade pact. The U.S. apparently released its version of the deal while Japanese officials were on their return flight home. 'If we find differences of understanding, we may have to point them out and say 'that's not what we discussed,'' Akazawa said. The U.S. administration said the fund would be invested in critical minerals, pharmaceuticals, computer chips and shipbuilding, among other industries. It has said Japan will also buy 100 airplanes from Boeing and rice from U.S. farmers as part of the framework, which Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said would be evaluated every three months. 'And if the president is unhappy, then they will boomerang back to the 25% tariff rates, both on cars and the rest of their products. And I can tell you that I think at 25, especially in cars, the Japanese economy doesn't work,' Bessent told Fox News' 'The Ingraham Angle.' Akazawa denied that Bessent's quarterly review was part of the negotiations. 'In my past eight trips to the United States during which I held talks with the president and the ministers," Akazawa said. 'I have no recollection of discussing how we ensure the implementation of the latest agreement between Japan and the United States.' He said it would cause major disruptions to the economy and administrative processes if the rates first rise to 25% as scheduled on Aug. 1 and then drop to 15%. 'We definitely want to avoid that and I believe that is the understanding shared by the U.S. side,' he said. On buying U.S. rice, Japanese officials have said they have no plans to raise the current 770,000-ton 'minimum access' cap to import more from America. Agricultural Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said Japan will decide whether to increase U.S. rice imports and that Japan is not committed to a fixed quota. Trump's commerce secretary, Howard Lutnick, has suggested that the Japanese agreement is putting pressure on other countries such as South Korea to strike deals with the U.S. Trump, who is traveling in Scotland, plans to meet on Sundayv with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to discuss trade. 'Whatever Donald Trump wants to build, the Japanese will finance it for him,' Lutnick said Thursday on CNBC. 'Pretty amazing.' ___ Yamaguchi reported from Tokyo. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data

World's First Mass-Produced Semi-Solid-State Battery EV Is Coming, And You Can't Have It
World's First Mass-Produced Semi-Solid-State Battery EV Is Coming, And You Can't Have It

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

World's First Mass-Produced Semi-Solid-State Battery EV Is Coming, And You Can't Have It

World's First Mass-Produced Semi-Solid-State Battery EV Is Coming, And You Can't Have It originally appeared on Autoblog. China is ahead of the game For most auto enthusiasts, solid-state batteries are viewed as the final hurdle for electric vehicles. These types of batteries offer a longer range, faster charging, and improved performance in extreme temperatures. Affordability is a problem; solid-state battery tech isn't new, but the industry has yet to produce it at scale, making it incredibly expensive. So why is a mid-range EV in China getting solid-state battery tech? MG Motor, a state-backed Chinese automaker, will soon produce a hatchback (the MG4) with semi-solid-state battery technology, and it will be available to buyers for 80,000 yuan to 120,000 yuan - or roughly $11,000 to $17,000. The MG4 - how it has solid-state battery tech In a conventional lithium-ion EV battery, liquid electrolyte travels between a positive cathode and a negative anode (both electrodes) to supply power. It's this specific movement of liquid that matters for battery performance; if you use more components in your car, more of the liquid has to migrate through the battery, reducing its range. Similarly, using the AC or heat less helps you get the most from your EV's range. A solid-state battery has no liquid; instead, it uses a solid electrolyte for energy transfer between electrodes. This means far less time charging a battery, increased battery density (which translates to more power storage and, consequently, a more extended range), and possibly improved battery life. The MG4's 'semi-solid-state' battery is a step toward full solid-state battery technology in an EV. Instead of a liquid, the battery will use a gel electrolyte. Swapping liquid for gel is more easily and affordably produced than solid-state batteries. It also provides many of the stability, structural integrity, and thermal safety benefits of a proper solid-state battery. While there's no strict designation, a semi-solid-state battery is generally defined as one with less than 10 percent liquid electrolyte. The semi-solid-state battery used in the MG4 will be five percent liquid electrolyte. It has reportedly passed a 360-degree puncture test and achieved a 13.8 percent better range retention in cold weather compared to traditional lithium-ion phosphate battery technology. The battery density is 180 watt hours per kilogram, which leaves a lot to be desired. Tesla's 4680 lithium-ion cells, by comparison, offer at least 272 watt hours per kilogram. For an $11,000 EV, though, we're not going to complain too much. Final thoughts The worldwide auto industry may be overlooking semi-solid-state battery technology. While we're left wondering when solid-state batteries will hit EVs, MG Motor is at least trying something different. A 333-mile range isn't incredible, but it's more than adequate for most drivers. At this rate, the auto industry risks leaving itself in the same position mobile tech has been in for over a decade. Many have longed for solid-state battery technology to be made available for everything from smartphones to toothbrushes for years. The song has remained the same: it's too expensive to make solid-state batteries, and the infrastructure isn't available. Semi-solid-state batteries address many issues EV doubters have. It might be smarter to give people a step toward the end goal of solid-state rather than expecting them to hold off on electrifying their small garage fleet. Instead, everyone outside of China is left wanting. World's First Mass-Produced Semi-Solid-State Battery EV Is Coming, And You Can't Have It first appeared on Autoblog on Jul 25, 2025 This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Jul 25, 2025, where it first appeared.

Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7 Regains Foldable Throne After Years
Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7 Regains Foldable Throne After Years

Forbes

timean hour ago

  • Forbes

Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7 Regains Foldable Throne After Years

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is so thin Ben Sin Over a 12-month stretch between 2019 and 2020, Samsung invented the foldable phone industry that we know today. In 2019, it was the South Korean tech giant which released the first functional, useable foldable phone (I had to add the descriptive caveats because a now-bankrupted Chinese company named Royole had rushed out a foldable phone before Samsung, but it was only sold in China and did not operate too well), and then a year later, Samsung also released the first flip phone style compact foldable. Fold 7 in the hand Ben Sin But while Samsung pioneered the tech, Chinese brands soon took that idea and began engineering superior foldable hardware. Starting in 2021, when Huawei released the Mate X2, all the way to last year, when Oppo released the Find N5, Chinese foldable phones were flat out superior in hardware in almost every way that mattered: they were thinner, lighter, with bigger batteries, bigger camera sensors, and screens with a less prominent crease at the folding point. Samsung's 2022 foldable, Fold 4 (left) next to Xiaomi's 2022 foldable (right). Look at the difference in thickness. Yet Xiaomi's foldable had a larger battery and better cameras. Ben Sin It took a few years, but Samsung has finally stepped up, and its new Galaxy Z Fold 7 features hardware that more than catches up — and even surpasses — the competition. Significantly thinner compared to last generation The new Fold 7 (left) next to the Fold 6 Ben Sin The biggest change to the Fold 7 is that it has slimmed down drastically. Last year's Fold 6 measured 12.2mm thick when folded. This year's Fold 7 measures just 8.9mm, which is either the number one or two thinnest in the industry right now (Honor is claiming to be thinner at 8.8mm but there have been some disputes). The three latest foldable phones right now Ben Sin If you compare the Fold 7 just against previous Samsung foldables, the new thinness is absolutely jaw-dropping. The phone is also much lighter, at 217g, compared to 239g last year. From worst crease to arguably best crease Samsung's Fold 7 also reduces the display crease at the folding point. The crease is still noticeable if you actively look for it, but it is not as deep or jarring as previous generations of Samsung foldables. Fold 7 screen Ben Sin The method by which Samsung used to reduce the crease appears to be the exact same method Chinese brands have been using for years: allowing a small amount of space in the hinge for the screen to fold in a curved form instead of a straight fold. (The below marketing image is from Chinese brands OPPO/OnePlus, but Samsung's hinge uses this same mechanism to reduce the crease). This is a marketing image released by OPPO/OnePlus for its foldable phone two years ago. But Samsung's hinge now uses this same mechanism. OnePlus But to my eyes, Samsung's Fold 7 crease is even less noticeable (shallower) than the crease in all my other Chinese foldable phones. I feel like the crease in my Honor Magic V5 and Vivo X Fold 5 (both just as new as the Fold 7), has slightly deeper grooves at the folding point. In other words, Samsung's crease went from the worst in the industry to the best. This isn't new tech, however I need to make clear here that almost every improvement the Fold 7 has made -- slimming down, reducing crease -- are not new tech, and in fact, Samsung is merely catching up to the Chinese competition. For me, who has seen all the latest Chinese foldables, the Fold 7 makes me think "about time" more than "wow this is so amazing." Fold 7 in the hand Ben Sin However, Chinese foldables are not available worldwide (they're virtually non-existent in North America and South Korea). So for people who have only seen Samsung's foldables in the past, the Fold 7 will appear very, very impressive to them. Other bits make the Fold 7 the most polished foldable Fold 7 in folded form Ben Sin In addition to the new slimdown and display, the Fold 7 brings back the best-in-class hinge (which has always been a strength of Samsung foldables). The Fold 7 is also powered by a special edition of Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite that's a bit over-clocked, so it is technically the most powerful silicon in the Android realm right now. Add all these things together, and one can make a case that the Samsung Fold 7 hardware is the best in the industry. This was something I could not say from 2021 to 2024. The camera system of the Fold 7, however, are just solid, but unremarkable. There's a new 200-megapixel main camera that can grab some good looking images, but the 10-megapixel 3X zoom lens is dated, and falls behind the Periscope cameras offered by Chinese competition. The 12-megapixel ultrawide is solid if shooting under good lighting scenarios. Overall, Samsung's camera system is fine for a foldable, but does fall behind Vivo's last two generation of foldable cameras. Fold 7 Ben Sin Battery capacity is also on the low side compared to the competition, at 4,400 mAh. Other foldables, like the Honor Magic V5 or Vivo X Fold 5, pack batteries north of 5,500 mAh in a similar form factor. That's because Chinese brands use a new battery tech known as silicon carbon that is more energy-dense. Samsung has so far avoided using this new battery tech. Considering Samsung's past history with batteries, it is understandable why the company is cautious, but I do need to point out Chinese foldables have been using these batteries for two years and I have not heard any reports of them malfunctioning. Still, the Fold 7 battery life should be enough to last an average Joe all day. I am a heavy user who is always outside (I do not work a 9-5, and I do not like to sit at home), and this phone could still last me about 10 hours of use. For a less active person, who's stuck in the office 8-9 hours a day, or who drives everywhere, the Fold 7 will be able to finish their entire day with enough juice to spare. The Fold 7 is a hit at home in Korea, and will be worldwide Reports out of South Korea show the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is a major hit in its home country, as it has shattered Samsung's pre-order records. And I think the Fold 7 will have similar success worldwide (maybe except inside China, where Samsung has almost no market presence). Fold 7's outside screen next to the Fold 6. Ben Sin Despite Chinese foldables being clearly superior the past few years, various factors (some out of their control) have prevented Chinese foldables from reaching mainstream appeal. Samsung's superior brand power, marketing, and physical retail presence has kept its outdated foldables the last couple years afloat; now that Samsung actually has up-to-date, bleeding edge hardware? I expect the Fold 7 to be a hit from U.K. to Germany, Hong Kong to Singapore. As a tech reviewer, I must still say: about time, Samsung. Now let's not wait four years until your next hardware push.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store