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Equity Bottom-Up

DFI Retail Group Holdings / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
 <li>DFI Retail Group is undergoing a significant strategic shift, unlocking capital through divestments (over US$900 million) and returning a substantial portion to shareholders (US$600 million special dividend), signaling confidence in its refined focus.</li>
 <li>The company's financial performance is mixed, with 1H2025 underlying profit growth of 39% driven by lower financing costs and strong Health &amp; Beauty segment performance, but this is contrasted by multi-year declines in revenue and net income.</li>
 <li>The forward outlook is challenging, characterized by intense competition and weak consumer sentiment across key Asian markets, making future growth heavily dependent on the successful expansion of its Health &amp; Beauty footprint and effective cost control.</li>
</ul>This content is AI-generated and displayed for general informational purposes only. Please verify independently before use.


  DFI Retail Group is undergoing a significant strategic shift, unlocking capital through divestments (over US$900 million) and returning a substantial portion to shareholders (US$600 million special dividend), signaling confidence in its refined focus.
  The company's financial performance is mixed, with 1H2025 underlying profit growth of 39% driven by lower financing costs and strong Health &amp; Beauty segment performance, but this is contrasted by multi-year declines in revenue and net income.
  The forward outlook is challenging, characterized by intense competition and weak consumer sentiment across key Asian markets, making future growth heavily dependent on the successful expansion of its Health &amp; Beauty footprint and effective cost control.
This content is AI-generated and displayed for general informational purposes only. Please verify independently before use.

Primer: DFI Retail Group Holdings (DFI SP) - Oct 2025

Equity Analyst - Asia Consumer Sector, Investory

Devi Subhakesan

Equity Analyst - Asia Consumer Sector

ASIA CONSUMER: INSIGHTS AND INVESTMENT IDEAS

Investory

Investory is a Singapore-based boutique independent equity research firm founded in January 2017 with a primary focus on consumption themes across Asia-Pacific.

We aim to generate investible ideas based on consumption trends and outlook. We screen our ideas on several parameters - product potential, long-term growth and management commitment being the most critical.  We follow a fundamental analysis approach in our stock selection process and are not restricted by market cap.

We aspire to grow into a leading source of unbiased research, free of conflict of interest, for investors yearning for independent and disciplined analysis. 

We also undertake bespoke research mandates to support our Institutional clients’ investment needs.

Our team comprises of professionals with extensive experience in the Asian equity markets, in areas ranging from research, servicing institutional clients and investment management.

<ul>
<li>DFI Retail’s strategic shift from portfolio investor to focused operator has unlocked over US$900 million, with US$600 million returned to shareholders via a US¢44.3 per share special dividend announced yesterday.</li>
<li>Underlying profit rose 39% in 1HFY2025, driven by lower financing costs and strong performance in the Health &amp; Beauty segment.</li>
<li>On its investor call, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/dfi-retail-group-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7427:1" rel="noopener">DFI Retail Group Holdings (DFI SP)</a> acknowledged sector headwinds and outlined plans for cost control, margin focus, and digital monetisation to offset weak revenue growth.</li>
</ul>


DFI Retail’s strategic shift from portfolio investor to focused operator has unlocked over US$900 million, with US$600 million returned to shareholders via a US¢44.3 per share special dividend announced yesterday.
Underlying profit rose 39% in 1HFY2025, driven by lower financing costs and strong performance in the Health &amp; Beauty segment.
On its investor call, DFI Retail Group Holdings (DFI SP) acknowledged sector headwinds and outlined plans for cost control, margin focus, and digital monetisation to offset weak revenue growth.


DFI Retail (DFI SP): Up 90% in a Year + Special Dividend. Cash Out or Hold Tight?

SGX Market Strategist, Equity & Fixed Income, Singapore Exchange Ltd (SGX)

Geoff Howie

SGX Market Strategist, Equity & Fixed Income

Asia’s leading multi-asset exchange

Singapore Exchange Ltd (SGX)

Singapore Exchange is Asia’s leading and trusted market infrastructure, facilitating the exchange of capital and ideas to create value for people, businesses and economies. As a multi-asset exchange operating equity, fixed income and derivatives markets to the highest regulatory standards, SGX is a vertically integrated business that provides listing, trading, clearing, settlement, depository and data services.

With about 40% of listed companies and over 80% of listed bonds originating outside of Singapore as well as established linkages across the region and in Europe, SGX is Asia’s most international and connected exchange. Offering a full suite of derivatives products across Asian equity indices, commodities and currencies, SGX is the world’s most liquid international market for the benchmark equity indices of China, India, Japan and ASEAN.

As Asia’s pioneering central counterparty, SGX is globally recognised for its risk management and clearing capabilities, and was one of the first globally to adopt the Principles for Financial Market Infrastructure.

Headquartered in AAA-rated Singapore, SGX has over 800 employees including offices in Beijing, Chicago, Hong Kong, London, New York, Mumbai, San Francisco, Shanghai and Tokyo.

<ul><li>Yangzijiang Shipbuilding secured US$920 million in new contracts for 22 vessels, boosting its 2025 orderbook to US$1.46 billion.</li><li>iFAST's UK-based iGB achieved S$1.7 million profit in 1HFY25, driven by increased customer deposits and net interest revenue.</li><li>City Developments reported S$1.7 billion revenue in 1HFY25, with significant divestment gains expected from South Beach stake sale.</li></ul>

Yangzijiang Shipbuilding secured US$920 million in new contracts for 22 vessels, boosting its 2025 orderbook to US$1.46 billion.iFAST's UK-based iGB achieved S$1.7 million profit in 1HFY25, driven by increased customer deposits and net interest revenue.City Developments reported S$1.7 billion revenue in 1HFY25, with significant divestment gains expected from South Beach stake sale.

New STI Highs Extends 2025 Total Return to 20%

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Back in 2021, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jardine-matheson-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19718:1" rel="noopener">Jardine Matheson (JM SP)</a> took 84.89%-held <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jardine-strategic-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15081:1" rel="noopener">Jardine Strategic (JS SP)</a> private by way of an Amalgamation. As Matheson was permitted to vote, the outcome was assured. </li>
<li>Less clear are "fair value" appraisal rights afforded Strategic's dissentient shareholders, the outcome of which navigates the Bermuda/UK courts. To date, dissenters have mostly had their way.</li>
<li>Which may have precipitated Matheson opting for a (full value) Scheme for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mandarin-oriental-international-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4773:1" rel="noopener">Mandarin Oriental International (MAND SP)</a>, in which appraisal rights are not afforded.</li>
</ul>


Back in 2021, Jardine Matheson (JM SP) took 84.89%-held Jardine Strategic (JS SP) private by way of an Amalgamation. As Matheson was permitted to vote, the outcome was assured. 
Less clear are "fair value" appraisal rights afforded Strategic's dissentient shareholders, the outcome of which navigates the Bermuda/UK courts. To date, dissenters have mostly had their way.
Which may have precipitated Matheson opting for a (full value) Scheme for Mandarin Oriental International (MAND SP), in which appraisal rights are not afforded.


Matheson's Motive For Avoiding MAND's Dissentient Shareholders

<ul>
<li>Strong recovery in 1H2024 profit growth YoY was driven by margin improvements in the food and convenience segments.</li>
<li>Double-Digit sales growth in the Ready-to-Eat (RTE) foods segment boosted margins, offsetting reduced cigarette volumes from last year's tax increases in Hong Kong.</li>
<li>While weak consumer confidence in North Asia impacted sales, good growth in the expanding Southeast Asia business provided a positive offset.</li>
</ul>


Strong recovery in 1H2024 profit growth YoY was driven by margin improvements in the food and convenience segments.
Double-Digit sales growth in the Ready-to-Eat (RTE) foods segment boosted margins, offsetting reduced cigarette volumes from last year's tax increases in Hong Kong.
While weak consumer confidence in North Asia impacted sales, good growth in the expanding Southeast Asia business provided a positive offset.


DFI Retail (DFI SP): 1H2024.Pivoting to Profitable Growth with RTE Foods

Singapore

DFI Retail Group Holdings Ltd operates as a holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, focuses on retail stores such as supermarkets, drugstores, and convenience stores. DFI Retail Group Holdings serves customers in Asia.

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DFI Retail Group Holdings (DFI SP)

Primer: DFI Retail Group Holdings (DFI SP) - Oct 2025

DFI Retail Group is undergoing a significant strategic shift, unlocking capital through divestments (over US$900 million) and returning a...

αSK

DFI Retail (DFI SP): Up 90% in a Year + Special Dividend. Cash Out or Hold Tight?

Looking ahead, DFI faces a value-conscious consumer landscape and intense competition. With profit growth expected to moderate to single digits...

Devi Subhakesan

New STI Highs Extends 2025 Total Return to 20%

Yangzijiang Shipbuilding secured US$920 million in new contracts for 22 vessels, boosting its 2025 orderbook to US$1.46 billion. iFAST's UK-based...

Singapore Exchange Ltd (SGX)

Matheson's Motive For Avoiding MAND's Dissentient Shareholders

I see MAND trading at 2.1%/6.9% gross/annualised - assuming late Feb 2026 payment. That's not exciting. I prefer Matheson here.

David Blennerhassett

DFI Retail (DFI SP): 1H2024.Pivoting to Profitable Growth with RTE Foods

Green shoots of improving margins vs weak consumer sentiment impacting sales. Improving profit margins makes the stock attractive, given limited...

Devi Subhakesan

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