July 31: SingPost, Riverstone, SGX, F&N

Singapore stocks may rise on on ECB, Fed hopes.

Singapore shares soared on Monday with the benchmark Straits Times Index up 30.77 points to close at 3029.26. Volume was 1.52 billion shares worth $1.17 billion. Gainers outnumbered losers 244 to 129.

Here are some stocks and factors to watch:

Singapore Exchange said it is proposing that members will have to deposit margins on equities trades cleared through its system, as part of a drive to strengthen the city-state's financial system. Separately, the bourse said it had signed a memorandum of understanding with the Securities Investors Association (Singapore) to encourage higher participation among retail investors in the city-state.

Singapore beverage and property conglomerate Fraser and Neave said on Monday the proposed privatisation of its Hong Kong-listed unit, Frasers Property (China), was not approved at a court meeting.

Keppel Corp said on Monday its subsidiary, K-REIT Asia Investment, had acquired 6.245 million units in K-REIT Asia. With the transaction, Keppel Corp's deemed interest in K-REIT Asia has increased to 75.49% from 75.43%, the company said.

Separately, Keppel FMO, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Keppel Integrated Engineering, the environmental technology and engineering division of Keppel Corporation, has been awarded a five-year maintenance contract by Changi Airport Group, starting 1 August 2012. The contract covers the facilities management services for the mechanical and electrical (M&E) systems in Terminal 2 of Singapore Changi Airport.

SingPost said group earnings declined 2.9% to $38.1 million in the first quarter, as it continued to invest in resources for future growth and came under the pressure of the declining high-margin domestic mail business.

Riverstone Holdings, the leading manufacturer of cleanroom and healthcare gloves, said group revenue rose 19.5% to a record RM78.3 million ($31 million) while earnings rose 7.2% to a record RM11 million for the three months ended 30 June 2012 (2Q 2012)

HSR Global said the group expects to report a consolidated net loss for 1H2012 compared to a consolidated net profit of $0.3 million for the financial period ended 30 June 2011.

Tuan Sing Holdings reported net profit of $11.61 million, a 167% increase from $4.35 million a year ago, for the fiscal second quarter ended June 30, 2012.

Tat Hong Holdings said it has agreed to buy over the entire share capital of Jiangsu Hengxinmao Financial Leasing Co from Yongmao Holdings Limited for US$2.63 million ($3.3 million).

Sakari Group reported a 39% fall in net earnings to US$23.94 million ($30 million) for the fiscal second quarter ended June 30, 2012 from the year ago period.