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ComfortDelGro, S'pore's best-performing stock, rises from the ashes of Uber's demise

SINGAPORE — It's been a heck of a ride for ComfortDelGro Corp. In a little over seven months, Singapore's largest taxi company has reversed course from the Republic's second-worst performing stock to its best, as competition for passengers eased following Uber's exit from South-east Asia.

ComfortDelGro, S'pore's best-performing stock, rises from the ashes of Uber's demise
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SINGAPORE — It's been a heck of a ride for ComfortDelGro Corp.

In a little over seven months, Singapore's largest taxi company has reversed course from the Republic's second-worst performing stock to its best, as competition for passengers eased following Uber's exit from South-east Asia.

ComfortDelGro has rallied 18 per cent this year, making it the best-performing stock on the benchmark Straits Times Index, which has fallen 2.7 per cent.

The company's shares rose 2.2 per cent as of 10.08am in Singapore.

Uber's departure has left rival Grab as the only major private-car hire service provider competing for Singapore customers against ComfortDelGro.

Looking ahead, analysts see ComfortDelGro's prospects brightening as the Singapore market stabilises and the firm continues to expand abroad.

Last month, ComfortDelGro bought out an automobile repair service in Australia, started a driving-school joint venture in China and acquired a charter bus company. This week, it announced the purchase of an Australian bus operator for S$111.1 million.

"The worst is over for them," said Mr Joel Ng, an analyst at KGI Securities. He sees the company "back to growth mode rather than being on the defensive".

The stock has not had a sell rating since May, a feat it last pulled off in September 2016. It has 12 buy ratings and 5 hold recommendations, Bloomberg data shows.

ComfortDelGro is scheduled to report second-quarter earnings on Aug 10. BLOOMBERG

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