Potential in water–infrastructure players

An catalyst for the water sector is the RM1.1bil allocated under Budget 2024 to implement solutions for water-supply issues especially in Kelantan, Sabah, and Labuan.

IN the utilities space, power companies tend to be investors’ favourite for their defensive nature and decent yields. But in recent weeks, water-related stocks have seen a pick-up in investor interest with the water sector getting some attention from the government.

Shares of PBA Holdings Bhd, which is the licensed water-supply operator that serves Penang, are up about 46% in the past month, while Ranhill Utilities Bhd rallied over 50%. Among water-infrastructure contractors, Salcon Bhd has risen about 66%, while HSS Engineers Bhd is up by close to one-fifth in a month.