SINGAPORE (Sept 16): Thirty-five of the best-performing companies listed on Singapore Exchange were recognised for their return to shareholders and contributions to the corporate sector in Singapore, at The Edge Singapore’s Billion Dollar Club (BDC) and inaugural Centurion Club awards.
First-time winner China Sunsine Chemical Holdings, which won the Centurion Club manufacturing sector award, was appreciative of the recognition. “We are very delighted to have been picked, especially by a reputable publication,” says Paul Tan, the company’s independent director.
“It is recognition of the hard work we have put in this past year, especially by our Oxley team members who have worked tremendously hard to achieve this,” says Eric Low, executive director and deputy CEO of Oxley Holdings. The property developer beat out its sector peers to be the most profitable company in the BDC, with the highest three-year weighted return on equity.
Given changing investor sentiment, this year’s awards also took into account the companies’ performance on the environmental, social and governance front. “This year, we’ve noticed that the ESG score has been added and I think that’s a good thing. We will continue to do more initiatives in sustainability, so as to better the environment not only for ourselves, but for the community as well as all our stakeholders,” says Carolyn Khiu, vice-president of public affairs and branding at SATS, one of the biggest winners of the night. The company was the fastest-growing company and best-performing stock in the services sector, which also led it to win the overall sector award.
Still, the companies are not resting on their laurels, particularly given the uncertain economic environment and market volatility.
To remain competitive, China Everbright Water, which won the Centurion Club services sector award, tells The Edge Singapore that it is pursuing development that is driven by innovation so it can identify a sustainable development path that places equal emphasis on economic, social and environmental efficiencies.
Loh Boon Chye, CEO of Singapore Exchange, which was named winner in the finance category of the BDC, says its business model should hold it in good stead. “We offer a single point of access to Asia through multiple asset classes. Asia continues to lead global growth, so I think we are well positioned to serve the investment and risk management needs of the participants interested in Asia.
