Unloved and under-owned, CIMB  think this sector is worth a re-look now that global economies are recovering.” Wilmar, meanwhile, saw losses at its Chinese oilseeds and grains business in the first part of the year, largely due to overcapacity, causing earnings to decline significantly for the first two quarters of the year. However, business had started to pick up in 3Q12 ended September, with the company reporting a growth in earnings. And now some analysts are expecting another quarter-on-quarter rise in earnings, as margins in the oilseed crushing, as well as at its palm oil business, are seen to be stabilising.

For Wilmar, which is expected to report on Feb 19, JP Morgan has raised its earnings forecast for the company by 26%, 20% and 20% for FY12, FY13 and FY14 respectively, based on improved margins across its palm and laurics, oilseeds and grains, and consumer products business segments. JP Morgan has upgrading is call on the stock to ‘overweight’ from a previous ‘neutral’, and its target price to $4.20, from $3.30 previously.