Sheng Siong Group (OV8.SI) saw its shares plummet 4.85% in intraday trading on Monday, following the release of its annual report which revealed a substantial increase in CEO compensation despite modest profit growth.

The supermarket operator's annual report, released on Friday, disclosed that CEO Lim Hock Chee received a total compensation of S$7.06 million for FY2024, marking a 20.6% increase from the previous year's S$5.86 million. This significant rise in executive pay comes in contrast to the company's relatively modest 2.9% increase in full-year net profit to S$137.5 million.

While Sheng Siong reported a 4.5% revenue growth to S$1.4 billion for the full year, investors appear to be concerned about the disproportionate increase in executive compensation. The company faces challenges, including external uncertainties such as geopolitical tensions and global trade conflicts that could impact consumer sentiment and supply chain stability. Despite these headwinds, Sheng Siong maintains a strong growth pipeline with eight tender results pending and plans to invest in automation to improve operational efficiency and enhance profit margins.