Sembcorp Industries Ltd (SGX: U96) has become one of Singapore’s most-watched blue-chip stocks this week after announcing a major expansion into Australia through the acquisition of integrated utility Alinta Energy—an all-cash deal that is big enough to reshape Sembcorp’s earnings mix, leverage profile, and climate targets in one stroke. ^[1]

With Singapore markets closed on Saturday (Dec 13), Sembcorp shares last closed at S$5.92 on Friday (Dec 12), up 1.72% on the day, as investors weighed the upside of scale and earnings accretion against the risks of added debt and coal exposure. ^[2]

What’s driving Sembcorp Industries stock right now

1) The headline catalyst: a A$6.5 billion Alinta Energy takeover

Sembcorp has signed a share sale…