Stocks to watch: IHH Healthcare, Keppel, Jardine Matheson, Cordlife

[SINGAPORE] The following companies saw new developments that may affect trading of their securities on Friday (May 30).

IHH Healthcare: The integrated healthcare operator on Thursday posted a 33 per cent fall in net profit to RM514 million (S$156.3 million) for its first quarter ended Mar 31, from RM768 million the year before. The drop came mainly from a lower net monetary gain from the application of MFRS 129, and the recognition of a deferred tax credit in 2024 arising from the revaluation of certain assets in Turkey, the mainboard-listed group said. Shares of IHH Healthcare closed flat at S$2.09 on Thursday, before the results were announced.

Keppel: The company has appointed former DBS chief executive Piyush Gupta as deputy chairman and non-executive independent director of its board, effective Jul 1. Gupta will also be appointed a member of the nominating committee, remuneration committee and the board sustainability and safety committee in July. Shares of Keppel closed at S$6.85, up S$0.06 or 0.9 per cent on Thursday, before the announcement.

Jardine Matheson Holdings: The Hong Kong-based conglomerate on Thursday announced the appointment of Lincoln Pan as chief executive officer designate as group managing director John Witt retires from the company as at end-November. Pan, a partner and co-head of private equity at investment business PAG, will rise to helm the group as CEO with effect from Dec 1. The counter ended on Thursday 2.2 per cent or S$1 higher at S$45.60. 

Cordlife: The company has appointed Novus Corporate Finance as the independent financial adviser for a voluntary conditional cash partial offer it has received from a Thai company, said the private cord-blood bank on Thursday. Medeze Treasury, a wholly owned subsidiary of Thai-listed stem cell company Medeze Group, had offered to buy a 10 per cent stake in Cordlife, or about 25.6 million shares, at S$0.25 apiece. Shares of Cordlife closed flat at S$0.27 on Thursday.