--- title: "Buybacks & Director Filings Surge Following Heavy Earnings Season" type: "News" locale: "en" url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/278315930.md" description: "For the period from February 27 to March 5, Singapore experienced a net institutional outflow of S$41 million, totaling S$148 million for Q1 2026. Notable stocks with high outflows included DBS Group and Sembcorp Industries, while Singapore Airlines and UOB-Kay Hian saw inflows. During this time, 26 companies executed buybacks totaling S$131 million, led by Singapore Telecommunications. Additionally, over 130 director transactions were reported, with significant acquisitions from Centurion Corporation and Raffles Medical Group, reflecting positive earnings momentum and shareholder commitment." datetime: "2026-03-08T19:33:41.000Z" locales: - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/278315930.md) - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/278315930.md) - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/278315930.md) --- # Buybacks & Director Filings Surge Following Heavy Earnings Season For the five trading sessions spanning February 27 to March 5, institutions were net sellers of Singapore stocks, with net institutional outflow of S$41 million, taking the accumulated net outflow for 1Q26 to Mar 5 to S$148 million. Stocks that saw the highest net institutional outflow over the five sessions included DBS Group Holdings, Sembcorp Industries, Genting Singapore, Keppel, CapitaLand Investment, SATS, Hongkong Land Holdings, Olam Group, Suntec REIT, and Sheng Siong Group Meanwhile, Singapore Airlines, Oversea‑Chinese Banking Corp, Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Holdings, Seatrium, Singapore Technologies Engineering, AEM Holdings, Singapore Telecommunications, Keppel DC REIT, City Developments, and UOB‑Kay Hian Holdings led the net institutional inflow.  **Share Buybacks Surge** Over the five sessions, 26 primary-listed companies conducted buybacks with a total consideration of S$131 million. The tally was likely incremented by purchases for share performance plans following a busy FY25 earnings season.  Singapore Telecommunications topped the consideration tally, acquiring 10.15 million shares at an average price of S$4.92, with the approximate S$50 million spent over five sessions conducted under its Value Realisation Share Buy‑back programme. Stoneweg Europe Stapled Trust also bought back units, as did secondary-listed Hongkong Land Holdings**.**  **Director Transactions** Over the five sessions, more than 130 director interests and substantial shareholdings were filed for more than 50 primary-listed stocks. Directors or CEOs reported 25 acquisitions and five disposals, while substantial shareholders recorded nine acquisitions and 10 disposals. This included CEO or director acquisitions filed for ASTI Holdings, Avi‑Tech Holdings, CapitaLand China Trust, Centurion Corporation, Duty Free International, Far East Orchard, Hyphens Pharma International, IFS Capital, Megachem, Nam Cheong, and Raffles Medical Group. On March 4, Silchester International Investors also increased their interest in ComfortDelGro Corporation from 6.86 per cent to 7.05 per cent, following the acquisition of 4 million shares at an average price of S$1.46 each. This followed Silchester re-establishing itself as a substantial shareholder on January 21, then lifting its deemed interest above 6 per cent on February 2. **Centurion: CEO and Chairmen Lift Stakes Following Results** On February 27, Centurion Corporation Chief Executive Officer Kong Chee Min acquired 50,000 shares at S$1.55 apiece. This increased his direct interest from 0.056 per cent to 0.062 per cent. Mr Kong has served as CEO since August 2011 and oversees group operations, strategy execution, and the Board’s long‑term growth agenda. Executive Director and Joint Chairman David Loh Kim Kang and Non-Executive Director and Joint Chairman Han Seng Juan also increased their interests. Between February 27 and March 3, Mr Loh acquired 1.5 million shares at S$1.53 apiece. This increased his total interest from 59.82 per cent to 60.00 per cent. Mr Han acquired 600,000 shares at an average price of S$1.44, increasing his total interest from 55.83 per cent to 55.90 per cent.  On February 26, Centurion Corporation reported its FY25 net profit from core business operations increased 26 per cent to S$139.2 million, underpinned by a 17 per cent year‑on‑year increase in revenue to S$295.9 million driven by healthy rental reversions and robust occupancies across Singapore and the UK. Reported net profit attributable to equity holders declined 67 per cent to S$114.8 million, largely reflecting lower fair‑value gains on investment properties and one‑off costs related to the CAREIT IPO, rather than operational weakness. Looking ahead, the group maintains a healthy development pipeline with new bed capacities coming onstream through 2026 to 2028, while shareholders are set to receive a final dividend of 2.0 Singapore cents per share alongside a special distribution in specie of one CAREIT unit for every ten Centurion shares, reinforcing Centurion’s commitment to shareholder returns. **Raffles Medical: Chairman Ups Stake as Earnings Momentum Builds** On March 4, Raffles Medical Group executive chairman Loo Choon Yong acquired 1.8 million shares at an average price of S$1.01 per share. This increased his total interest from 56.17 per cent to 56.27 per cent. The week prior Raffles Medical Group reported 13.4 per cent growth in FY2025 PATMI to S$70.6 million, supported by resilient hospital services performance and improved insurance profitability, while revenue rose 1.8 per cent to S$765.3 million. The Group highlighted that second‑half momentum was strong, with 2HFY25 PATMI up 21.7 per cent, diluted EPS increasing 14.1 per cent to 3.81 cents, and operating cash flow reaching S$101.3 million, underpinning a healthy cash position of S$310.8 million. Reflecting earnings strength, the board proposed a final dividend of 3.0 cents per share, representing an 84 per cent payout ratio of sustainable Group PATMI. **Nam Cheong CEO Adds Shares Following 2H Recovery** Between March 2 and 4, Nam Cheong CEO Leong Seng Keat increased his total interest from 3.95 per cent to 4.05 per cent following the acquisition of 400,000 shares at an average price of S$1.42 each.  On February 27, Nam Cheong reported a rebound in 2HFY25, with PATMI rising 17.4 per cent year on year and 138.2 per cent half on half to RM189.6 million. This was driven by improved vessel utilisation and significant gains from vessel sales as longer‑term charter contracts began contributing to earnings. Its 2HFY25 revenue increased 22.7 per cent half on half to RM341.5 million, while gross profit rose 13.2 per cent, although margins moderated due to scheduled vessel maintenance completed in 4Q25. Looking ahead, the group expects higher vessel utilisation in FY26, supported by long‑term charters and potential vessel monetisation to unlock value, recycle capital, and support fleet renewal and long‑term growth. **Geo Energy Taps Market with S$14.9m Placement** On March 4, Geo Energy Resources entered into a best‑endeavours placement agreement with KGI Securities (Singapore) to place up to 35.0 million new shares at a price of S$0.425 per share, raising gross proceeds of up to S$14.9 million (with net proceeds of approximately S$14.3 million after expenses). The placement price represents 7a 4.5 per cent discount to the volume‑weighted average price prior to the trading halt, and the transaction is not underwritten, with the new shares accounting for about 2.0 per cent of enlarged share capital if fully issued. Proceeds will be used entirely for working capital, with the stated rationale being to strengthen the group’s capital structure, enhance financial flexibility, and broaden its shareholder base. **Aoxin Q&M: S$17.0M Placement to Fund Expansion** On March 1, Aoxin Q & M Dental Group entered into placement agreements to issue up to 113.0 million new shares at S$0.1566 per share, raising gross proceeds of up to S$17.7 million and net proceeds of approximately S$17.0 million after expenses. The fundraising comprises two tranches: a best‑endeavours placement of up to 63.0 million shares arranged by SAC Capital and a 50.0 million‑share strategic subscription by controlling shareholder Q & M Dental Group, with the placements not underwritten. The issue price represents a 10.0 per cent discount to the volume‑weighted average price prior to the agreements, and the new shares will account for approximately 9.95 per cent of enlarged share capital if fully issued. Proceeds will be used primarily to fund business expansion, including potential mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and partnerships (95.0 per cent), with the remainder allocated to general working capital (5.0 per cent), as the company seeks to strengthen its capital base and enhance financial flexibility to support growth. **Share Buybacks by Primary-listed Companies by way of Market Acquisition (Feb 27 to Mar 5)** **Number of Shares/Units Purchased**  **Buyback Consideration (incl stamp duties & clearing charges) S$**  **Avg price paid per share S$** SINGAPORE TELECOMMUNICATIONS  10,150,200 49,921,472 4.92 SINGAPORE TECHNOLOGIES ENGINEERING  2,000,000 20,104,663 10.05 KEPPEL  1,500,000 18,767,240 12.51 SINGAPORE AIRLINES  2,500,000 16,928,440 6.77 SINGAPORE EXCHANGE  450,000 7,940,952 17.65 UNITED OVERSEAS BANK  186,000 6,747,059 36.27 VENTURE CORPORATION  200,900 3,144,096 15.65 SEATRIUM  840,000 1,983,569 2.36 HONG LAI HUAT GROUP  15,454,300 1,237,467 0.08 HONG FOK CORPORATION  1,373,500 1,127,947 0.82 COMFORTDELGRO CORPORATION  400,000 582,771 1.46 A-SONIC AEROSPACE  914,000 474,243 0.52 FRASER AND NEAVE  277,500 402,974 1.45 HOCK LIAN SENG HOLDINGS  969,400 401,192 0.41 CHUAN HUP HOLDINGS  1,670,400 393,230 0.24 FOOD EMPIRE HOLDINGS  100,000 296,382 2.96 PAN-UNITED CORPORATION  210,000 286,720 1.37 ATTIKA GROUP  540,000 208,813 0.39 KIMLY  396,400 155,085 0.39 GLOBAL INVESTMENTS  1,024,500 130,700 0.13 KARIN TECHNOLOGY HLDGS  272,000 72,352 0.27 INTRACO  98,100 37,305 0.38 CSC HOLDINGS  1,000,000 16,051 0.02 KODA  45,000 15,759 0.35 GHY CULTURE & MEDIA HOLDING CO,  74,800 11,157 0.15 SARINE TECHNOLOGIES  45,000 9,655 0.21 Total 42,692,000 131,397,294   _**Inside Insights is a weekly column on The Business Times,**_ read _**the original version.**_ _**Enjoying this read?**_ - _Subscribe now to our_ SGX My Gateway _newsletter for a compilation of latest market news, sector performances, new product release updates, and research reports on SGX-listed companies._ - _Stay up-to-date with our **SGX Invest**_ Telegram _and_ WhatsApp _channel._ ### Related Stocks - [U96.SG](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/U96.SG.md) - [C6L.SG](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/C6L.SG.md) - [D05.SG](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/D05.SG.md) - [Z74.SG](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/Z74.SG.md) - [DBSDY.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/DBSDY.US.md) - [BSL.SG](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/BSL.SG.md) - [U10.SG](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/U10.SG.md) - [SGAPY.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/SGAPY.US.md) - [OU8.SG](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/OU8.SG.md) ## Related News & Research - [Singapore Airlines to grow network despite Middle East conflict impact, chief says](https://longbridge.com/en/news/286498633.md) - [SIA April passenger traffic up 7% on spillover demand to Europe, US](https://longbridge.com/en/news/286711032.md) - [Singapore Airlines Posts FY Net Income Attributable SGD 1,184 Million](https://longbridge.com/en/news/286393202.md) - [Singapore Leads Emerging Race to Become World’s First «Trusted AI Financial Hub»](https://longbridge.com/en/news/287063092.md) - [Singapore Airlines to Continue Expanding Network Despite Mideast Conflict](https://longbridge.com/en/news/286504796.md)