Stock research feature now on Android app

Maybank Kim Eng Securities recently added its stock research feature to its application for Android phones and tablets.

The "Market Insight" feature, which was included in the firm's app for iPhones in May, has been well-received, according to the brokerage.

About 30 per cent of the clients who have downloaded the app access it every day although Maybank Kim Eng did not provide the total download figures.

The feature is part of the stock trading app so traders can easily switch to another screen to buy or sell shares after their research.

Most brokers include only tips from their own research teams but Maybank Kim Eng adds aggregated recommendations from other firms' brokers - known as a stock's "consensus recommendations".

It does not reveal who the other brokers are or their individual calls, but the basic information given lets clients see how many local and foreign brokers provide research on the stock and how many "buy", "hold" and "sell" calls have been made.

They will also be able to tell the consensus call and target price so they get the average view of all the analysts.

The app highlights Maybank Kim Eng's call and target price.

"'Market Insight' is designed to provide investors of all levels with a convenient and central point of access to credible, real- time market intelligence and research on Singapore-listed equities," said Maybank Kim Eng in a statement last month.

The app also has a "Market Talk" section where Maybank Kim Eng analysts discuss share-price movements and relate them to a firm's fundamentals, valuations and other key issues.

Corporate news and events affecting the wider economy and market are also reported.

Another app feature lists Maybank Kim Eng analysts' top picks for "growth", "yield" and "value" shares.

The "growth" list has firms with high earnings expansion that will likely appeal to investors keen on more risk. "Yield" stocks pay rich dividends and cater to those wanting less risk, while "value" shares are cheap relative to their asset base or growth potential.

Explanations are given when a share is added or removed.

Maybank Kim Eng also wants to cover Malaysia-listed stocks on the app by the end of the year and provide a Chinese-language version of the research on the same app.

The "Market Insight" research feature will also be added to KE Trade - the company's Internet stock trading platform - by the end of this year.

jonkwok@sph.com.sg

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