Bursa Chat- News Highlights

INVESTMENT RESEARCH
Malaysia
Private companies controlled by Genting Bhd (GENT MK, Buy, TP: RM5.30) chief executive officer Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay’s family disposed of a 9.5% stake in Genting Singapore plc, the proceeds of which may be used by the family to invest in MGM Mirage’s Macau casino. The 9.5% stake was placed out for a total of S$658.71m (RM1.59bn) of at S$0.72 each, which was at a 16.7% discount to the closing price on Tuesday. (Financial Daily)
* * * * *
Telekom Malaysia Bhd (T MK, Buy, TP: RM4.90) signed a sale and purchase agreement with AmMortgage One Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of AmBank (M) Bhd, for the sale of its employees’ residential loans. TM said the residential loans would be sold to AmMortgage One with the first series of the sale having an outstanding principal value of RM348.9m. AmMortgage One will issue medium term notes to raise sufficient proceeds to satisfy the purchase consideration of the first series of the mortgage assets from TM. (Financial Daily)
* * * * *
KNM Group Bhd (KNMG MK, Sell, TP: RM0.67) said there are signs demand is picking up after a crude-price rally triggered a revival of exploration projects. "Our guys are becoming busy again," managing director Lee Swee Eng said in a phone interview on Tuesday. "Not busy taking orders, but busy starting to discuss. Customers are starting to restart their projects." It's not clear now long it will take for these new oil and gas exploration proposals to translate into new contracts, Lee said. He declined to disclose the value of KNM's order book, which in March was at RM3.9bn. (BT)
* * * * *
Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB MK, Hold, TP: RM7.00) is expected to issue the tender document for the submarine transmission line by year-end, said chief financial officer Datuk Izzaddin Idris. He said that the bids were expected to be very competitive given that metal prices are at their lows in the current times. Aluminium and copper, which are the main metals used, are much cheaper than before. (StarBiz)
* * * * *
YTL Corp Bhd’s (YTL MK, Buy, TP: RM8.00) wholly-owned subsidiary YTL Hotels & Properties Sdn Bhd has entered into a sale and purchase agreement with Vun Vui Heung and Melinda Voon Ching Mee to acquire 80% of the issued and paid-up capital of Borneo Island Villas Sdn Bhd for RM77.5m cash. Upon completion of the proposed acquisition, Borneo Island will become an 80% owned subsidiary of YTL Hotels & Properties and indirect subsidiary of YTL Corp. (StarBiz)
* * * * *
IGB Corp Bhd is in talks with 10 parties on developing hotels in Vietnam, China, Thailand and Australia. Group managing director Robert Tan said the development might be in the form of joint venture, asset management or to wholly-own the entity itself. The hotels will carry the brand of either St Giles or Cititel but no deals have been closed at the moment. (StarBiz)
* * * * *
Dutch Lady Milk Industries Bhd expects 2009 to be challenging year as the current economic slowdown continues to impact consumer spending. It’s managing director, Hans Laarakker said that he expect this year to be tougher than 2008, but despite the many challenges faced by the dairy industry, he was confident that Dutch Lady would be able to maintain last year’s sales figures. (StarBiz)
* * * * *
Scomi Engineering Bhd is about to embark on the second phase of a feasibility study for a US$3bn (RM10.5bn) monorail system in Bahrain. The Middle Eastern state's Works Minister Fahmi Al Jowder was reported as saying that Scomi Engineering had embarked on preliminary engineering studies on available lines for its first monorail network. (BT)
* * * * *
INVESTMENT RESEARCH
Malaysia
Parkson Holdings’s sub-unit Serbadagang Holdings Sdn Bhd is suing Chinese firms Dalian Tianhe Parkson Shopping enter Co Ltd, and Dalian Tianhe Plaza Co Ltd for RM26.6m and interests for its share of profits. Serbadagang is a wholly-owned subsidiary of East Crest International Ltd, a Parkson unit. Dalian Tianhe is 60% owned by Serbadagang and 40% owned by Dalian Tianhe Plaza. Parkson said Serbadagang had made full provisions for its investment costs in the first defendant and that the suit would not give rise to adverse financial or operational impact on the company. (Malaysian Reserve)
* * * * *
Proton Holdings Bhd is open to any form of partnership, including with China’s Chery Automobile Co Ltd, as long as it benefits both itself and the country. Proton’s MD said that if there was interest from any company, including Chery, they have to approach them first. Only then would Proton make their own fair assesment. He went on to say that Proton needed to be more forward looking and consider other markets than Malaysia. Also from next year onwards, Proton will be offering turbo version of its new models as it keeps tabs on customer preferences. (Malaysian Reserve)
* * * * *
The Malaysian economy contracted 6.2% y-o-y in the first quarter of 2009, the worst quarterly reversal since the 1997-98 Asian financial crisis, following a sharp drop in manufacturing output and exports. Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) governor Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz warned that similar conditions prevailed in 2Q09. The central bank said yesterday that manufacturing shrank 17.6%, mining 5.2% and agriculture 4.3% in 1Q09. It also said services slipped 0.1% while construction expanded 0.6%. Zeti said the economy was expected to stablise in the second half of 2009, supported by fiscal stimulus measures and steps to enhance access to financing. Inflation rate moderated to 3.7% in 1Q due mainly to lower inflation in the food and nonalcoholic
beverages and transport categories. Headline inflation continued to moderate to 3% in April. (Financial Daily)
* * * * *
Malaysia's central bank chief has dismissed the possible downgrade of local banks by Moody's Investors Service, saying that it was wrong in its assessment during the Asian financial crisis. Moody's may downgrade the credit ratings of Malaysian banks as part of a global review on the weakening ability of governments to support their banking system. But local banks have enough capital and are not under financial stress, said Bank Negara Malaysia governor Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz.
(BT)
* * * * *
INVESTMENT RESEARCH
Stocks fell Wednesday, giving back gains from the previous session, after a sharp rise in Treasury yields added to jitters over a looming bankruptcy for General Motors. Stocks had traded mixed for most of the session as concerns that GM will not be able to avoid bankruptcy overshadowed an encouraging housing report. But the sell-off gained momentum in the afternoon as the yield on the benchmark 10-year bond jumped to a 6-month high. The Dow Jones industrial average lost 2.1% (-173.5 pts, close 8,300.0). The Standard & Poor's 500 index lost 1.9% (-17.3 pts, close 893.1) and the Nasdaq composite lost 1.1% (-19.4 pts, close 1,747.6). In currency trading, the dollar rose against the euro and the yen. It slipped against the pound, with the U.K. currency rising above US$1.60. U.S. light crude oil for July delivery rose US$1 to settle at US$63.45 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. (CNNmoney)
* * * * *
Home resales in the U.S. rose for the second time in three months in April as foreclosure auctions and cheaper prices spurred bargain hunters, buttressing the case for an end to the industry’s slump this year. Purchases increased 2.9% to an annual rate of 4.68m, in line with forecasts, from 4.55m in March, National Association of Realtors figures showed in Washington. The median price slumped 15% y-o-y, the second-biggest drop on record. A separate report indicated that the slump in home values eased in 1Q09. The average price of a U.S. home fell 7.1% in 1Q09, slower than the 4Q08 8.3% drop that was the largest on record, the Federal Housing Finance Agency said. (Bloomberg)
* * * * *
U.K. banks granted more mortgages in April than a month earlier, a sign the market for home loans is stabilizing, the British Bankers Association said. Banks approved 27,685 loans for house purchase, the London-based BBA, which represents the U.K.’s biggest banks, said yesterday. That compares with 26,671 loans in March. “The house purchase part of the mortgage market appears to have stabilized, with slightly more approvals coming through, although April’s weak net mortgage lending reflects the lower number of approvals in previous months,” David Dooks, director of statistics at the BBA, said. (Bloomberg)
* * * * *
German consumer prices unexpectedly dropped y-o-y in May, the first annual decline since at least 1996, after energy costs retreated. Prices fell 0.1% when calculated using a harmonized European Union method after rising an annual 0.8% in April, the Federal Statistics Office in Wiesbaden said yesterday. It’s the first negative inflation reading since harmonized data were first compiled in 1996. Economists predicted inflation would slow to 0.2%, according to the median of 18 forecasts in a Bloomberg News survey. A 55% drop in crude oil prices over the past year is pushing down inflation just as companies cut jobs and spending to stem the deepest recession since World War II. While some economists argue that deflationary pressures are
building across the 16-nation euro region, Germany’s Bundesbank says those concerns are unfounded. (Bloomberg)
* * * * *
French consumer and manufacturer confidence rose in May and optimism among Italian executives held at the
highest in more than year on expectations the worst of the recession is over. French manufacturing confidence gained for a second month, while consumer optimism advanced to highest in 13 months, Insee, the national statistics office said. In Italy, household confidence matched the April reading, the highest since December 2007, the country’s national statistics institute reported. Both economies remain mired in the worst recession in more than half a century. Still, lower borrowing costs and falling prices are providing some respite from the slump. The French economy is set to contract for a fifth straight quarter in the three months through June and unemployment will reach 9.6% this year, the European Commission forecast on May 4. Italy contracted 2.4% in 1Q09, the most since at least 1980 and the commission expects Europe’s fourth-biggest economy to shrink 4.4% this year. (Bloomberg)
* * * * *
Japan’s export slump moderated in April, helping the country post an unexpected trade surplus and adding to signs the worst recession since World War II is easing. Shipments abroad fell 39.1% y-o-y, after dropping 45.5% in March and a record 49.4% in February, the Finance Ministry said yesterday in Tokyo. From a month earlier, exports rose 1.9%, a second straight gain. Exports to the U.S., China and Europe all fell at the slowest pace this year, adding weight to Bank of Japan Governor Masaaki Shirakawa’s contention that the economy will resume growing this quarter. Imports fell 35.8% y-o-y, the ministry said, and the trade surplus narrowed 85% to 69bn yen (US$725m). (Bloomberg)
* * * * *
Global
INVESTMENT RESEARCH
China said it was cutting capital requirements for some fixed-asset investment projects to spur growth in the world’s third-biggest economy. “The government will appropriately lower the minimum capital requirement ratio for important state projects,” the State Council said in a statement posted on a government web site yesterday. The council, China’s cabinet, said requirements were being “adjusted” across industries, then specified levels without saying whether they were increases or decreases. Projects involving coal, air or sea ports, property and railways had previously been tagged by the government for reductions. Minimum capital requirements include funds from the government and retained profits and exclude bank loans and dxebt. (Bloomberg)
* * * * *
The global air travel slump eased in April, with passenger traffic falling 3.1% from a year earlier, even after an outbreak of swine flu discouraged travel, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said. The traffic drop compared with an 11% decrease in March, which marked the sixth month of successively steeper declines. “We are not out of the woods yet,” Giovanni Bisignani, chief executive officer of IATA, said in the statement. (BT)
* * * * *

What’s Happening
RESULTS
Company Quarter Date
Sunway City 3Q 28 May
KNM 1Q 28 May
Plus 1Q 28 May
AirAsia 1Q 28 May
MAS 1Q 29 May
Muhibbah 1Q 29 May
NEW LISTING
Companies Prospectus Date
Listing Date
Samchem Holdings Bhd 22 May 23 June
INVESTMENT RESEARCH
Reports Published
Company Title Target Price Rec Date
Bumiputra Commerce (RM8.00) Completes Bank of Yingkou purchase RM7.70 Hold 21 Apr
SunCity (RM1.99) Still some shine to it RM2.96 Buy 22 Apr
British American Tobacco (RM45.00) 1QFY09 Results RM47.00 Hold 23 Apr
Plantations Sector Weekly Review - Overweight 27 Apr
Banking Sector Weekly Review - Neutral 27 Apr
Construction Sector Weekly Review - Neutral 27 Apr
Oil & Gas Sector Weekly Review - Neutral 27 Apr
Property Sector Weekly Review - Neutral 27 Apr
Telco Sector Weekly Review - Neutral 27 Apr
Banking Financial sector liberalization - Neutral 28 Apr
Market Strategy Khazanah's Malaysian investments: Time to
deliver
- - 28 Apr
Banking April 2009: March numbers holding steady Neutral 30 Apr
Property Strong uptick in property loan approval Neutral 30 Apr
DiGi.Com (RM22.30) 1QFY09 Results RM22.60 Hold 4 May
Plantations Sector Monthly Review - Overweight 4 May
Telco Sector Monthly Review - Neutral 4 May
Construction Sector Monthly Review - Neutral 4 May
Oil & Gas Sector Monthly Review - Neutral 4 May
Property Sector Monthly Review - Neutral 4 May
Sime Darby (RM6.70) More than doubling yard space RM6.40 Hold 5 May
IJM Corp (RM5.30) Water tunnel job flowed in RM5.10 Hold 5 May
Hong Leong Bank (RM5.70) 3QFY09 Results RM5.80 Hold 7 May
Sunrise (RM1.46) 3QFY09 Results RM2.17 Buy 8 May
Plantations Sector Weekly Review - Overweight 11 May
Banking Sector Weekly Review - Neutral 11 May
Construction Sector Weekly Review - Neutral 11 May
Oil & Gas Sector Weekly Review - Neutral 11 May
Property Sector Weekly Review - Neutral 11 May
Telco Sector Weekly Review - Neutral 11 May
Building Materials Sector Weekly Review - Neutral 11 May
Bumiputra Commerce (RM8.85) 1QFY09 Results RM8.80 Hold 15 May
Heavy Industries (RM3.26) New JV signed with DNCS Under review Hold 15 May
AMMB Holding (RM3.18) 4QFY09 Results RM4.00 Buy 18 May
IOI Corp (RM4.44) 3QFY09 Results RM4.00 Sell 18 May
Media Prima (RM1.34) 1QFY09 Results RM1.25 Hold 18 May
Boustead Heavy Ind (RM3.30) 1QFY09 Results RM3.30 Hold 18 May
Banking Sector Weekly Review - Neutral 18 May
Building Materials Sector Weekly Review - Neutral 18 May
Oil & Gas Sector Weekly Review - Neutral 18 May
Property Sector Weekly Review - Neutral 18 May
Telco Sector Weekly Review - Neutral 18 May
Plantation Sector Weekly Review - Overweight 18 May
Construction Sector Weekly Review - Neutral 18 May
Boustead Holdings (RM3.54) 1QFY09 Results RM3.60 Hold 19 May
YNH (RM1.47) 1QFY09 Results RM2.02 Buy 20 May
Axiata (RM2.32) 1QFY09 Results RM3.12 Buy 20 May
TSH Resources (RM1.74) 1QFY09 Results RM2.05 Buy 21 May
UMW Holdings (RM5.80) 1QFY09 Results RM5.65 Hold 21 May
DiGi.Com (RM22.50) Enters the MVNO market with Baraka RM22.60 Hold 22 May
Litrak (RM2.30) 4QFY09 Results RM2.22 Buy 22 May
Maybank (RM5.20) 3QFY09 Results RM6.40 Buy 22 May
Telekom (RM3.80) 1QFY09 Results RM4.90 Buy 22 May
YTL Corp (RM7.05) 3QFY09 Results RM8.00 Buy 22 May
YTL Power (RM2.09) 3QFY09 Results RM2.50 Buy 22 May
YTL Cement (RM3.36) 3QFY09 Results RM4.50 Buy 22 May
Tenaga Nasional (RM7.65) Plans to boost hydro power RM7.00) Hold 25 May
Banking Sector Weekly Review - Neutral 25 May
Building Materials Sector Weekly Review - Neutral 25 May
Oil & Gas Sector Weekly Review - Neutral 25 May
Property Sector Weekly Review - Neutral 25 May
Telco Sector Weekly Review - Neutral 25 May
Plantation Sector Weekly Review - Overweight 25 May
Sime Darby (RM6.95) 3QFY09 Results RM7.70 Buy 26 May
Puncak Niaga (RM2.85) 1QFY09 Results RM3.00 Hold 26 may
Sapura Crest (RM1.40) Nippon Steel contract for Sapura 3000 RM0.67 Sell 26 May
Macro Views May 2009 : Liquidity-driven markets - - 26 May
IJM Corp (RM5.70) 3QFY09 Results RM5.10 Hold 27 May
Sunway Holdings (RM1.04) 3QFY09 Results RM10.9 Hold 27 May
Star Pub (RM3.20) 1QFY09 Results RM3.36 Hold 27 May

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Bursa Chat- News Highlights

INVESTMENT RESEARCH
Malaysia


Star Publications (STAR MK, Hold, TP: RM3.36) is working towards increasing revenue from online media to replace
revenue that may be reduced in its print media due to the economic downturn. The group had put in place mechanisms
so that whatever revenue was reduced in print media, it would offset with other revenue streams. The group has applied for
MSC status for its online media subsidiaries and would be implementing online operations more aggressively when this is
approved. (Starbiz)
* * * * *
MMC Corporation shareholders yesterday rejected the company’s proposal to automatically sanction the payment of
fees not exceeding RM700,000 to its non-excutive directors starting from the current financial year ending Dec 21 2009.
The other resolution rejected by the shareholders involved empowering the company to issue shares up to 10% of its paid-up
capital at anytime. (Financial Daily)
* * * * *
EON Capital is issuing warrants at total consideration of RM29.5m to Primus Pacific Partners Ltd. The exercise price of
the new warrants is RM6 per share based on a 57% premium of the 5 day VWAP of EONCap. Assuming the warrants are fully
exercised, EONCap would be getitng RM352.29m in gross proceeds, which would be used for working cap requirements to
repay borrowings. (Malaysian Reserve)
* * * * *
Kulim’s palm oil refinery in Liverpool, the UK, worth RM93.5m, will enable the company to expand its viability in the
European market and increase returns in the long run. Kulim chairman Tan Sri Muhammad Ali Hashim said the refinery can
process up to 200,000 tonnes of palm oil a year. It is expected to begin operations early next year and would only produce
sustainable palm oil. The Liverpool refinery would process palm oil sourced from its plantations in the Solomon Islands and
Papua New Guinea. (BT)
* * * * *
Demand in the manufacturing industry is slowly picking up, especially for food and pharmaceutical products,
according to the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers. The FMM President said that although exports were still weak, the
industry has shown signs of recovery. He added that together with the improved demand, retrenchment in the manufacturing
sector was also declining. (Financial Daily)
* * * * *
The Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) anticipates vehicle sales in the country for May to be lower than the
month before due to higher interest rates and stricter loan approvals. The MAA is nonetheless optimistic that sales will
recover by the end of the year, driven by government stimulus measures, new models and the bottoming out of the global
recession. (BT)
* * * * *
Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) has kept borrowing costs unchanged at 2%, saying the contraction in external demand
had affected domestic conditions for the first half of the year. Bank Negara first announced a cut of 25 basis points (a
quarter of 1%) in November last year, followed by another 75 basis points cut to 2.5% in January and a 25 basis points
reduction to 2.0% in February. The central bank said in its current assessment, the monetary policy initiatives and measures to
enhance access to financing are sufficient to provide support to domestic demand. (BT)
* * * * *
Malaysia's economy may contract by more than 1% this year but is expected to return to positive growth next year,
Second Finance Minister Datuk Ahmad Husni Mohamad Hanadzlah says. The government's earlier forecast for gross domestic
product (GDP) growth in 2009 was between a 1% contraction and 1% growth. Husni said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib
Razak will announce the revised forecast, while Bank Negara Malaysia is scheduled to announce the first-quarter GDP
numbers later today. (BT)
* * * * *


INVESTMENT RESEARCH


Stocks soared Tuesday, with the Dow gaining nearly 200 points after a report showing consumer confidence hit an eightmonth
high offset dismal housing news. Stocks opened lower on concerns about North Korea, which had test-fired missiles
after conducting a nuclear test Monday, along with worries over a report that showed a record plunge in U.S. home prices. But
a much stronger than expected consumer confidence reading offset those concerns and encouraged investors to jump back
into the market after several down days. The Dow Jones industrial average gained 2.4% (+196.2 pts, close 8,473.5). The
Standard & Poor's 500 index gained 2.6% (+23.3 pts, close 910.3) and the Nasdaq composite gained 3.5% (+58.4 pts, close
1,750.4). In currency trading, the dollar was mixed against its major trading partners. The greenback rose against the euro but
fell against the pound and the yen. U.S. light crude oil for July delivery rose 68 cents to settle at US$62.45 a barrel on the New
York Mercantile Exchange. (CNNmoney)
* * * * *
Confidence among U.S. consumers jumped in May by the most in six years, fuelling speculation the economy will recover
later this year. The Conference Board’s sentiment index surged to 54.9, higher than forecast, according to figures from the
New York-based research group yesterday. Still, rising unemployment and falling real estate values underscore that it will take
time to establish a sustained rebound. The 28-point jump in confidence over April and May is the biggest two-month rally since
records began in 1967. The measure reached its lowest point ever in February, with a reading of 25.3. Consumer confidence
was projected to rise to 42.6, according to the median estimate in a Bloomberg News survey of 70 economists. Forecasts
ranged from 38.5 to 47. The Conference Board revised the April reading to 40.8, from an originally reported 39.2. (Bloomberg)
* * * * *
Home prices in 20 major metropolitan areas in the US fell more than forecast in March as foreclosures surged,
threatening to extend the housing slump. The S&P/Case-Shiller home-price index decreased 18.7% from March 2008,
matching the drop in the year ended in February. The measure declined 19% in January, the most since data began in 2001.
Record foreclosures are depressing the value of other properties, contributing to a slump in household wealth that is hurting
consumer spending and the economy. Still, falling prices and mortgage rates have made homes more affordable, helping to
stem the slide in sales, which will eventually help prices stabilize. “We see no evidence that a recovery in home prices has
begun,” David Blitzer, chairman of the index committee at S&P, said in a statement. (Bloomberg)
* * * * *
The slump in the U.S. housing market that caused the median value of homes to decline 24% since 2006 may bottom
next month without any prospect of a rebound for another year, according to estimates from chief economists at Fannie
Mae and Freddie Mac, the Mortgage Bankers Association and national realtors and homebuilder groups. Existing home sales
probably won’t reach pre-boom levels until 3Q10 and housing starts won’t surpass 1m until 2011, a barrier last broken six
decades ago, the economists said. “There are very few V-shaped recoveries in the history of real estate, and this one is likely
to be even slower because of the size of the bubble,” said Robert Shiller, the Yale University professor who, with economist
Karl Case, created home price indexes in the 1980s now used by Standard & Poor’s. The rebound will be so anaemic that
2009 building starts will total about 496,000 homes, the lowest since the end of World War II in 1945, according to the
economists’ forecasts. (Bloomberg)
* * * * *
European industrial orders declined for an eighth month in March as the worst recession in more than six decades
curtailed global demand for machines and equipment. Industrial orders in the euro region fell 26.9% y-o-y, after a revised
34.2% drop in February, the European Union’s statistics office said Monday. From the prior month, March orders fell 0.8%.
Europe’s economy contracted at the fastest pace in at least 13 years in 1Q09 as companies cut output and jobs to cope with
the worldwide slump. The slowing pace of decline in industrial orders adds to indications that the recession may be bottoming
out. (Bloomberg)
* * * * *


Global


INVESTMENT RESEARCH


Record falls in exports and investment made the German economy shrink in 1Q09 at its fastest pace since reunification
in 1990, data showed yesterday, though consumer spending helped to soften the blow. Confirming preliminary estimates from
earlier this month, the Federal Statistics Office said German gross domestic product (GDP) shrank by 3.8% q-o-q and by 6.7%
y-o-y during 1Q09. Forward-looking indicators in recent weeks have suggested the pace of the downturn - which the
government has forecast will cause the economy to shrink by a record 6% this year - has eased since 1Q09. A separate report
from the GfK market research firm yesterday showed German consumer sentiment should hold steady for a fourth month
running going into June as growing worries over household finances are offset by a brighter overall outlook. Exports fell by
9.7% q-o-q, while gross capital investment tumbled by 7.9%, the figures showed. By contrast, private consumption rose by
0.5%. (Reuters)
* * * * *
Hong Kong unveiled HK$16.8bn (US$2.2bn) of tax cuts, fee waivers and spending to spur growth and cushion residents
from the deepest global slump since the Great Depression. The government may “do something further” if conditions worsen,
Financial Secretary John Tsang said yesterday. The latest measures push the government’s stimulus and relief spending since
2008 to HK$87.6bn, or about 5.2% of gross domestic product, Tsang said. Some economists say the city needs to spend
more, faster after first-quarter economic growth shrank by the most since at least 1990 on plunging exports. Hong Kong’s fiscal
reserves stood at HK$494.4bn at the end of March and the city had a HK$1.4bn budget surplus for the year ended March 31,
rather than the deficit the government had forecast. (Bloomberg)
* * * * *
Singapore’s industrial production unexpectedly declined the least in seven months in April as a slump in demand from
the island’s biggest markets eased. Manufacturing, which accounts for about a quarter of Singapore’s economy, dropped 0.5%
y-o-y following a revised 32.8% decline in March, the Economic Development Board said yesterday. That was better than the
most optimistic forecast in a Bloomberg News survey of 11 economists, where the median was a contraction of 21%. Industrial
production rose a seasonally adjusted 24.7% in April from the previous month, yesterday’s report showed. (Bloomberg)
* * * * *
South Africa’s gross domestic product contracted in 1Q09, pushing Africa’s biggest economy into recession for the first
time in 17 years as manufacturers and miners scaled back output and fired workers. GDP fell an annualized 6.4%, the most
since the third quarter of 1984, after declining 1.8% in 1Q08, Statistics South Africa said in a report released Monday.
Economists surveyed by Bloomberg had forecast a 3.9% drop in output. The recession snaps more than a decade of economic
growth, the longest period of expansion on record, putting pressure on newly installed President Jacob Zuma as he pledges to
slash poverty and unemployment. The government is unlikely to achieve its growth target of 1.2% for this year set in the
budget, the Treasury said in a statement. Still, the contraction in 2Q09 is “expected to be smaller” than the previous three
months, it added. (Bloomberg)
* * * * *
The drop in the London interbank offered rate, the benchmark for US$360trn of financial products, to a record low
masks a growing gap between the rates that the biggest banks charge each other for credit. The difference between the
highest and lowest interest rates banks say they pay for three-month dollar-denominated loans is near the widest this year,
according to data compiled by the British Bankers’ Association. The spread signals that lenders still lack confidence in each
other, even though measures ranging from the so-called Libor-OIS spread to corporate bond sales show credit markets have
recovered from the freeze caused by the Sept. 15 collapse of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. Libor fell to 0.66%, from 4.82%
on Oct. 10. At the same time, the gap between the highest and lowest accepted quotes reported by the 16 banks that
contribute to the London-based BBA for its calculation of Libor has averaged 7.5 basis points in May, according to Citigroup
Inc. That’s up from 4.9 basis points in April and 1.5 basis points in the six months before Lehman’s bankruptcy. It widened to 9
basis points on May 14, the most since Dec. 3. (Bloomberg)
* * * * *






INVESTMENT RESEARCH
What’s Happening


RESULTS
Company Quarter Date
Lafarge Malayan Cement 1Q 27 May
KL Kepong 2Q 27 May
Sunway City 3Q 28 May
KNM 1Q 28 May
Plus 1Q 28 May

AirAsia 1Q 29 May

MAS 1Q 29 May
Muhibbah 1Q 29 May
NEW LISTING
Companies Prospectus Date
Listing Date
Samchem Holdings Bhd 22 May 23 June








INVESTMENT RESEARCH
Reports Published
Company Title Target Price Rec Date
Public Bank (RM8.45) 1QFY09 Results RM9.50 Buy 15 Apr
Tenaga (RM6.50) 2QFY09 Results RM7.00 Hold 15 Apr
TSH Resources (RM1.64) Buys 7.96% unlisted plantation company RM1.80 Buy 15 Apr
Plantations Sector Weekly Review
- Overweight 20 Apr
Banking Sector Weekly Review
- Neutral
20 Apr

Construction Sector Weekly Review
- Neutral
20 Apr

Oil & Gas Sector Weekly Review
- Neutral
20 Apr

Property Sector Weekly Review
- Neutral
20 Apr

Telco Sector Weekly Review
- Neutral
20 Apr

Bumiputra Commerce (RM8.00) Completes Bank of Yingkou purchase RM7.70 Hold 21 Apr
SunCity (RM1.99) Still some shine to it RM2.96 Buy 22 Apr
British American Tobacco (RM45.00) 1QFY09 Results RM47.00 Hold 23 Apr
Plantations Sector Weekly Review
- Overweight 27 Apr
Banking Sector Weekly Review
- Neutral
27 Apr

Construction Sector Weekly Review
- Neutral
27 Apr

Oil & Gas Sector Weekly Review
- Neutral
27 Apr

Property Sector Weekly Review
- Neutral
27 Apr

Telco Sector Weekly Review
- Neutral
27 Apr

Banking Financial sector liberalization - Neutral 28 Apr
Market Strategy Khazanah's Malaysian investments: Time to
deliver
- - 28 Apr
Banking April 2009: March numbers holding steady Neutral
30 Apr
Property Strong uptick in property loan approval Neutral 30 Apr
DiGi.Com (RM22.30) 1QFY09 Results RM22.60 Hold 4 May
Plantations Sector Monthly Review
- Overweight 4 May

Telco Sector Monthly Review
- Neutral
4 May

Construction Sector Monthly Review
- Neutral
4 May

Oil & Gas Sector Monthly Review
- Neutral
4 May

Property Sector Monthly Review
- Neutral
4 May

Sime Darby (RM6.70) More than doubling yard space RM6.40 Hold 5 May
IJM Corp (RM5.30) Water tunnel job flowed in RM5.10 Hold 5 May
Hong Leong Bank (RM5.70) 3QFY09 Results RM5.80 Hold 7 May
Sunrise (RM1.46) 3QFY09 Results RM2.17 Buy 8 May
Plantations Sector Weekly Review
- Overweight 11 May
Banking Sector Weekly Review
- Neutral
11 May

Construction Sector Weekly Review
- Neutral
11 May

Oil & Gas Sector Weekly Review
- Neutral
11 May

Property Sector Weekly Review
- Neutral
11 May

Telco Sector Weekly Review
- Neutral
11 May

Building Materials Sector Weekly Review - Neutral 11 May
Bumiputra Commerce (RM8.85) 1QFY09 Results RM8.80 Hold 15 May
Heavy Industries (RM3.26) New JV signed with DNCS Under review Hold 15 May
AMMB Holding (RM3.18) 4QFY09 Results RM4.00 Buy 18 May
IOI Corp (RM4.44) 3QFY09 Results RM4.00 Sell 18 May
Media Prima (RM1.34) 1QFY09 Results RM1.25 Hold 18 May
Boustead Heavy Ind (RM3.30) 1QFY09 Results RM3.30 Hold 18 May
Banking Sector Weekly Review
- Neutral 18 May

Building Materials Sector Weekly Review
- Neutral
18 May

Oil & Gas Sector Weekly Review
- Neutral
18 May

Property Sector Weekly Review
- Neutral
18 May

Telco Sector Weekly Review
- Neutral
18 May

Plantation Sector Weekly Review
- Overweight
18 May

Construction Sector Weekly Review - Neutral
18 May

Boustead Holdings (RM3.54) 1QFY09 Results RM3.60 Hold 19 May
YNH (RM1.47) 1QFY09 Results RM2.02 Buy 20 May
Axiata (RM2.32) 1QFY09 Results RM3.12 Buy 20 May
TSH Resources (RM1.74) 1QFY09 Results
RM2.05 Buy 21 May
UMW Holdings (RM5.80) 1QFY09 Results
RM5.65 Hold 21 May
DiGi.Com (RM22.50) Enters the MVNO market with Baraka RM22.60 Hold 22 May
Litrak (RM2.30) 4QFY09 Results RM2.22 Buy 22 May

Maybank (RM5.20) 3QFY09 Results RM6.40 Buy 22 May

Telekom (RM3.80) 1QFY09 Results RM4.90 Buy 22 May

YTL Corp (RM7.05) 3QFY09 Results RM8.00 Buy 22 May

YTL Power (RM2.09) 3QFY09 Results RM2.50 Buy 22 May

YTL Cement (RM3.36) 3QFY09 Results RM4.50 Buy 22 May

Tenaga Nasional (RM7.65) Plans to boost hydro power RM7.00) Hold 25 May
Banking Sector Weekly Review
- Neutral 25 May

Building Materials Sector Weekly Review
- Neutral
25 May

Oil & Gas Sector Weekly Review
- Neutral
25 May

Property Sector Weekly Review
- Neutral
25 May

Telco Sector Weekly Review
- Neutral
25 May

Plantation Sector Weekly Review
- Overweight
25 May

Sime Darby (RM6.95) 3QFY09 Results RM7.70 Buy 26 May
Puncak Niaga (RM2.85) 1QFY09 Results RM3.00 Hold 26 may
Sapura Crest (RM1.40) Nippon Steel contract for Sapura 3000 RM0.67 Sell 26 May
Macro Views May 2009 : Liquidity-driven markets - - 26 May

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BACK TO CHAT BOX

Market Outlook as at 25th May 2009

Genting Bhd/Resorts World Bhd

What’s Up? … dated May 2009

Genting Bhd has invested US$100 million in bonds of rival MGM Mirage Inc, a US-based casino operator, to secure better returns for its cash. It subscribed for senior notes that are secured against the Bellagio Hotel and Casino and the Mirage Hotel and Casino, both located in Las Vegas.

Genting Overseas Holdings Ltd, a wholly-owned unit of Genting, invested US$50 million while Resorts World Ltd, a unit of Resorts World Bhd, also subscribed for the same amount. Resorts World Bhd is a subsidiary of Genting.

Half of the total US$100 million are notes that pay annual interest of 10.375 per cent and are due in May 2014. The rest carry a rate of 11.125 per cent and they mature in November 2017.


The notes are part of a US$1.5 billion sale made by MGM to partly settle some existing debt. MGM announced the completion of the exercise on May 19 2009.

The debt is also secured against high quality gaming and entertainment assets in Las Vegas. MGM, which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, owns and operates 16 properties located in Nevada, Mississippi and Michigan in the US. It also has 50 per cent interest in four other properties in Nevada, New Jersey, Illinois and Macau. For the year to December 31 2008, MGM group made net revenue of US$7.2 billion.


Going Forward …


Genting group’s recent subscription of US$100mil senior secured MGM Mirage Inc notes has raised the possibility of Genting’s potential entry into the Macau gaming market.


It would not be surprised if the subscription was more than an interest-yielding exercise given recent press reports that the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement has advised that MGM Mirage should be directed to disengage from its Macau joint venture (JV) partner Pansy Ho, who has a 50% stake in MGM Grand Macau. The verdict was in response to the Las Vegas gaming group’s application to renew its casino license for Borgata Hotel Casino in Atlantic Cit in the US.


If complications in the MGM-Pansy Ho JV led to the departure of either party, Genting group’s subscription to the bonds would not hurt its chances of potentially filling the void.


Industry observers continue to believe that an eventual presence in Asia’s gaming hub of Macau would strengthen the group’s position as a formidable regional gaming player.

It is believed that MGM may potentially divest its stake in MGM Grand Macau under regulatory pressure. Should MGM Grand Macau be up for sale as postulated, it could offer Genting an excellent opportunity to immediately access the Macau gaming market without going through the lengthy asset building process.


Project cost for the MGM Grand Macau was reported to be about US$1.3bil. Even if MGM demanded a premium on top of its 50% stake of US$0.7bil, Genting would have no problem funding the acquisition through Resorts World Bhd, which was still sitting on a huge cash pile of RM4.55bil (US$1.3bil) as at Dec 31, 2008.


The acquisition of MGM Grand Macau, if it materialises, could be a huge re-rating catalyst for both Genting and Resorts.


The notes were offered as part of a US$1.5bil placement execrcise, the proceeds of which will be used by MGM to part settle its outstanding debts and for general corporate purposes. The notes are secured by a first-priority lien on substantially all the assets of the Bellagio Hotel and Casino and the Mirage Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.


The intention of to acquire income generative assets is certainly a step in the right direction. Bu the structure of the acquisition deal and the pricing are separate issues.


Will Resorts World be Genting’s group vehicles for assets acquistions or will it be Genting, in which the Lim family owns a direct 32% stake?


If the acquisition is done at Genting level, how will management channel Resorts World’s casino into the parent, considering the latter has never been generous with dividends?



IJMLand/IJM/Tradewinds


What’s Up? … dated May 2009


Talk of a new bridge linking the eastern side of Johor to Singapore, as announced by the prime minister will undoubtedly spark interest in companies that have land or ongoing projects in the region.


DAtuk Seri Najib Razak said the new bridge would help to develop the area of Pengerang, which includes Desaru. This would also mean the further development of Johor’s Pasir Gudang, currently one of the busiest industrial areas in the state.

According to sources, the alignment of the new bridge could see a link between Desaru and Changi.


It will take eight to 10 years before this new bridge actually materializes. The Singapore government is expected to be very meticulous on the matter, and the bridge is to be funded by both parties.


What this also means is that the government has ultimately scrapped the idea of building a slanted scenic bridge to replace the overburdened Causeway that links the heart of Johor Baru to Singapore’s Woodlands.


Despite the long development period, the new bridge would give a needed push to the government’s Iskandar Malaysia project.


In addition to IJM Land (In Aug 2008, IJM Land acquired 1188 acres in Johor’s Sebana Cove marina from AMDB for a mere Rm120 million), other more immediate beneficiaries would include Tradewinds Corp Bhd, a company linked to Syed Mokhtar, and the government’s investment arm Khazanah Nasional Bhd. UEM Land Bhd would benefit as it is controlled by Khazanah.


Since late 2008, Khazanah has been in discussions with a view to acquire parcels of land in Desaru from the Johor government and private company Bagan Cerah Sdn Bhd. given its prime location as a tourist destination, private businesses have been trying to develop the area for years with little success.


When Khazanah finally does own the land in Desaru, it could put it under Iskandar Malaysia project. Access to the area has always been a prime concern, but upcoming Senai-Desaru Highway is expected to open up access to the area and ease the travelling times.


For IJM Land, the area around Sebana Cove does have one advantage, there is currently a customs, immigration and quarantine complex in the area. Thus, it would make logical sense to place the new bridge there as you already have the infra.


IJM Land has said it would not do any new launches in Sebana Cove over the next two years (2010-2011), with construction only to start around the end of the third year.


If the company gets the timing right, it could position itself to attract consumers from the Singapore market. The area itself is extremely scenic, and the appeal of owning land only a short commune away would pose a very attractive scenario for Singaporeans IJM Land’s original plan for use the area was to develop Sebana Cove into an upmarket residential area catering to Singaporeans.


As for Tradewinds, the company’s current landbank includes three parcels in Johor, Tradewinds, has joint ventures with local developers to develop the 953 acre “Pulai land’ and 704 acre Tebrau land, both of which are in the vicinity of Johor Baru city.


But the real jewels in Tradewinds’ crown could be the 2004 acre plot in Sedili, located in Kota Tinggi area and sitting just north of Desaru.


Looking at the bigger picture, other Iskandar Malaysia linked companies such as UEM Land Bhd, which owns the massive Nusajaya development in western Johor, and Mulpha Land Bhd, among others, would also stand to benefit in the long term from this new bridge.


Ultimately, an increased number of linkages between the two countries can only b beneficial. It signifies increased co-existence between the two countries, which is gratifying after the crooked bridge became a sore point.


Singapore would want to leverage on the vast amounts of land that Johor has, which would add value to tourists wanting to visit its casinos.


But critics say that building a bridge in the area would not necessarily facilitate a surge of activity. Take a look at the Second Link. Most were expecting that after it was ready, the area surrounding it would develop at a fast pace. But so far, nothing much has moved on the ground there. However, there is no denying that the government has a big plans for the area.


Essentially, there are plans to link the East Coast Highway all the way down along the east coast of Johor, but that is part of the next Malaysia Plan.


“Incremental Development”


KPS/JAKS/KHSB/Puncak Niaga


Officials from the Selangor and Federal governments will meet to thrash out details and work towards completing the water restructuring in the state by end-June 2009.


Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui is not opposed to the idea of a re-valuation of the water assets owned by the state and the four water concessionaries.


Under the nationwide restructuring of the water sector in peninsular Malaysia and Labuan, the Minister of Finance Inc-owned PAAB will buy over all water assets in the state. Thus far, PAAB has signed agreements for the takeover of water assets in Malacca, Negri Sembilan and Johor.


The restructuring of water assets in Selangor led by the state government was supposed to have been completed in March 2009 but hit a snag when the four concessionaries did not agree to an offer of RM5.7bil made by the state in February 2009.


Subsequently, PAAB was roped in to begin negotiations with the concessionaries.

The setting up of a joint task force and the meeting between Khalid and Chin give renewed hope to the restructuring as Selangor has the most fragmented water industry with the most number of players.


The four concessionaries are Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas), Puncak Niaga (M) Sdn Bhd, Syarikat Pengeluar Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Splash) and Konsortium ABBAS Sdn Bhd.


Valuation of water assets was the biggest issue for the concessionaries in not accepting the offer made by the state. The negotiations would look at the whole package, the assets and other costs.


There was a lot of wastage and all parties involved should look into bringing the percentage to a more acceptable level of 25% from the current 37% nationwide.

Corporate Development


CHHB


What’s Up? … dated May 2009


It is in talks with banks to refinance its RM150 million bonds by year-end (2009), as it prepares for future launches and landbank expansion.


Although the interest costs from servicing the bonds were “not very high”, CHHB saw the need to re-profile its debt to match its future cash flow. It needs to re-profile this RM150 million and work on growing its core business and bring in cash flow.


Rrefinancing is to match its future cash flow with its financing requirements.


The company did not plan to borrow heavily for the refinancing exercise despite CHHB’s low gearing of 0.5 times. It is in talks with a couple of banks to explore several options to refinance the bonds. The cash flow from CHHB’s properties alone will be enough to provide a significant part of that refinancing required.


CHHB sought the indulgence of the end beneficiaries of the bonds for the interest payment of RM16.23 million, due May 6, 2009, to be deferred until Dec 31, 2009. It would seek its bondholders’ consent to transfer properties equivalent to RM16.23 million in value in lieu of payment of interest.


CHHB deputy chairman and former managing director Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew was the only beneficial holder of the bonds. Lee owns a 32% stake in CHHB as at April this year (2009).


The RM150 million 3% to 8% redeemable secured bonds will mature on Dec 31, 2009. The bonds are secured by CHHB’s existing properties, including its Palace of The Golden Horses, which is valued at over RM400 million .The interest payments on the bonds are payable semi-annually in May and November. Since the bonds were issued on April 26, 1996, the company had paid interests totalling RM118.5 million.


CHHB would launch two projects, one residential and one commercial, when market conditions improved next year-end (2009).


For the year ended Dec 31, 2008, CHHB posted a net profit of RM13.6 million, down 86% from RM100.48 million in FY07. Revenue rose 9% to RM240.97 million.


Net cash from operations stood at RM40.2 million. It had RM347.71 million in total borrowings and RM685.79 million in shareholders’ fund.

TSH


What’s NEXT! … dated May 2009


TSH Resources Bhd, which bought two Indonesian plantation companies last year, is on the lookout for additional oil palm land in the republic. The move is part of its long-term plans to grow gradually from being a small plantation-based company to a mid-sized player.

They are currently exploring opportunities (in Indonesia and Malaysia) and are in talks with a few companies. They are not expanding 100,000ha right away, but slowly and gradually around 5,000ha to 6,000ha in Malaysia and 15,000ha to 20,000ha per year in Indonesia.


TSH has a landbank of almost 80,000ha, of which less than 10 per cent is in Malaysia, mainly in Sabah.

In June 2008, TSH bought the entire paid-up capital of the Singapore-based Martinique Cove Pte Ltd, which owns 90 per cent of Indonesian plantation company PT Mitra Jaya Cemerlang. The acquisition added 15,000ha to TSH's landbank.

In December 2008, the group bought the entire stake of another Singapore company, Elaeis Pte Ltd, which owns 90 per cent of the Indonesia-based PT Farinda Bersaudara. This added 13,000ha to its landbank.

On its lower net profit last year, he attributed it to unrealised foreign currency losses of RM31.7 million.

Over the next few years, some of our oil palm trees will start to mature, bringing in more cash flow and revenue for them to repay loans as well as (gaining from the) strengthening crude palm oil prices of up to RM2,700 from RM1,800 a tonne before.

On its cocoa plantations, it had no plans to expand the business, which contributes some 10 per cent of revenue.

TSH Resources Bhd, which owns 65 per cent of Ekowood, had no plans to divest its stake as the latter was still a good company. It had registered profits for the past five years.


Ekowood reported RM2.3 million net loss in the first quarter ended March 31 2009 against RM3.4 million net profit in the same quarter last year, hurt by lower sales volume. Ekowood derives four-fifths of its revenue from overseas markets spanning Europe, the US and Asia.



JLand


Johor Land Bhd (JLand) has decided to abort its plan to acquire 50.98% equity in Windsor Trade Holdings Sdn Bhd (WTHSB) for RM15mil cash.


The decision was reached after considering the current global economic slowdown.

He said JLand had earlier proposed to buy the stake in WTHSB to diversify its business activities to improve its earnings base.


However, it wants to focus on its core business of property development as the segment is becoming more challenging now.


It has a 1,102.79ha land-bank and are looking at RM7bil in gross development value (GDV) when the land is developed over the next 10 to 15 years. At present, JLand is undertaking three property projects – Taman Bukit Dahlia, Bandar Tiram and Bandar Dato’ Onn.


The 168.75ha Taman Bukit Dahlia in Pasir Gudang, expected to be completed by 2010, will have 4,100 units of mixed properties. The self-contained Bandar Tiram township on a 485.62ha site, with 12,300 units and RM2.6bil GDV, is due for completion by 2020.


JLand’s latest project, Bandar Dato’ Onn is located 12km from Johor Baru City Centre. It is sited on 612.69ha and is to be developed over the next 10 years. The project boasts 17,800 properties and a GDV of RM4bil.


The company would be launching the Bandar Dato’ Onn Regional Commercial Centre this year. Covering 47.75ha, the centre will provide about one million sq m of floor area, making the township the largest commercial centre in Johor Baru district.


Financial Results … For the year ended Dec 31, JLand recorded pre-tax profit of RM25.29mil on revenue of RM138.69mil compared with RM8.29mil and RM63.36mil respectively in 2007.



Hovid/Carotech


What’s Up? … dated May 2009


Following the commencement of Hovid Bhd’s new Carotech plant in Lumut, Perak, in January 2009, capacity has increased from 90,000 to 120,000 tonnes of biodiesel per annum.


The positive impact of the higher capacity is already showing. For the quarter ended March 31, revenue increased 51% to RM80mil while net profit rose 72% to RM5.4mil. Over the nine-month period, revenue increased 12% to RM168mil but it recorded a net loss of RM7mil compared with a net profit of RM13mil previously.


This was attributed to the foreign exchange (forex) loss from the translation of its US$55mil loan. Over the nine month period, Hovid has recognised a total forex loss amounting to RM22.2mil.


Hovid took up the loan to construct the Carotech plant two years ago and there was also higher interest and depreciation following the completion of the new plant.


Hovid owns 58% in listed Carotech Bhd, which produces biodiesel and phytonutrients.


Ho, together with the Malaysian Palm Oil Board, is currently conducting a 3-year clinical trial on tocotrienols and its benefits on the brain. Through this trial, Ho will gain exclusive rights to commercialise any resultant patents.


Hovid is already producing its own brand of tocotrienol supplements, Tocovid. It has over 2,000 products registered under its brand and is keen to tie up with a multinational company to market tocotrienols globally.


Carotech uses crude palm oil (CPO) as feedstock, which it refines to produce methyl ester (biodiesel) and phytonutrients in the form of tocotrienols and tocopherols (vitamin E compounds) and carotene, a vitamin A compound. Hovid presently produces 80% of the world’s tocotrienol supply.


Each time Carotech extracts phytonutrients from palm oil, it inevitably produces biodiesel. Although a by-product of Carotech, due to interest, it now contributes some 70% to Carotech revenue.


In the case of Hovid, biodiesel contributes 40% to revenue.


CPO prices are negatively correlated to the production of biodiesel. Hence, high CPO prices will see the production of biodiesel being less viable.


This has been a huge reason for the loss of investor interest in Hovid and Carotech as CPO prices took off beginning 2006 to reach a peak of RM4,330 per tonne in March 2008. It presently stands at about RM2,789 per tonne.


Value Play < -- > Betting On The “Next Phase Of Growth” Companies


“Incremental Development”


RHB Capital Bhd


Financial Results …


RHB Capital Bhd’s net profit was slightly higher at RM228.64 million compared with RM222.42 million a year ago, due to higher net interest income.


Revenue was lower at RM1.35 billion compared with RM1.5 billion a year ago. Earnings per share was 10.6 sen versus 10.3 sen.


The higher profit was mainly due to higher net interest income by RM43.2 million, impairment loss no longer required of RM20.1 million and higher income from Islamic banking business by RM4.4 million; partly offset by lower other operating income by RM30.2 million, higher allowance for losses on loans and financing by RM22.8 million and higher other operating expenses by RM10.3 million respectively.


When compared to the fourth quarter ended Dec 31, 2008, the group recorded a profit before taxation of RM315.0 million, up 20% from RM262.0 million in 4Q. The higher profit was mainly due to lower other operating expenses by RM59.6 million, lower allowance for losses on loans and financing by RM36.0 million.


There was also lower impairment loss by RM27.2 million; partly offset by lower other operating income by RM51.0 million and lower income from Islamic banking business by RM20.2 million respectively.


Comments …


RHB Capital Bhd (RHB Cap) showed a marginal growth in profits, partly due to some significant reclassification of its securities held-for-trading and also higher net interest income.

It posted a net profit of RM228.64 million which is marginally higher than the RM222.42 million a year earlier. This was achieved on the back of lower revenue of RM1.35 billion compared with RM1.5 billion a year earlier. Earnings per share was 10.6 sen versus 10.3 sen.

Interestingly, the balance sheet showed some marked movements where a portion of its securities held-for-trading were reclassified to securities available-for-sale or held-to-maturity. This is allowed under the Revised BNM/GP8 guidelines, effective July 1, 2008 to Dec 31, 2009, that allow banks a one-time movement of their securities.

According to RHB Cap’s balance sheet as at March 31, 2009, securities held-for-trading dropped to RM1.2 billion from RM5.3 billion as at Dec 31, 2008. Securities available-for-sale increased to RM9.9 billion (from RM6.2 billion as at Dec 31, 2008) while securities held-to-maturity rose to RM10.1 billion (from RM9.6 billion as at Dec 31, 2008).

In tandem with the reclassification of securities, RHB Cap in its changes to the equity statement registered an unrealised net loss of RM72.2 million on revaluation of securities available-for-sale. This amount is, however, in the balance sheet and will not reflect on the income statement.

Effectively, as a result of the reclassification of its securities held-for-trading, the bank did not record any net gain or loss arising from changes in the fair value of the securities in its profit and loss statement.

RHB Bank Bhd continued to be the group’s most significant contributor, registering a pre-tax profit of RM317 million, up 26% from the previous corresponding period.

RHB Bank’s risk-weighted capital-adequacy ratio (RWCR) stood at 13.03% and core capital ratio at 9.12% as at March 31, 2009.

Meanwhile, RHB Investment Bank Bhd recorded a profit before taxation of RM18.5 million, 39% lower than a year earlier.

The loan loss allowance was higher by 15%, or RM22.8 million, to RM174.9 million as a result of further pre-emptive specific provision made during the period under review in the light of weaker economic conditions.

Nevertheless, the group’s net non-performing loan (NPL) ratio was marginally higher at 2.57% as at March 31, 2009 compared to 2.24% as at Dec 31, 2008.

Other than some moderation in the mortgage, hire purchase and credit card segments, there are no major signs of deterioration in the group’s asset quality and the group remains confident of its overall portfolio.

Loan loss coverage remained high at 85% as at March 31, 2009, lower than the 90% as at Dec 31, 2008 due mainly to an increase in non-performing loans by RM264.5 million to RM3.1 billion as at March 31, 2009 and contraction in loan base by RM389.7 million to RM62.8 billion.



Perwaja


What’s Up? … dated May 2009


Perwaja received a writ of summons and a statement of claim from Petronas for the sum of RM85.8mil together with a claim for interest with reference to the total amount invoiced for the supply of gas by Petronas to the company. The company has made full provision for the difference between Perwaja’s price and Petronas’ price for the financial year ended Dec 31, 2008.


Perwaja Holdings Bhd is open to an amicable resolution of its present dispute with Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) on the difference in natural gas pricing computation.


Perwaja had “entered an appearance to the suit filed by Petronas” and its lawyers had advised the company not to make any statements on the merits of the dispute as it was now pending in court.


Perwaja said that without prejudice and without any admission of liability as to the allegations in the statement of claim in the suit, it had made of payment of RM40.3mil to Petronas on May 19. “This sum is in addition to the earlier payments made in March and April 2009, before service of the suit, amounting to RM45.5mil.


On May 12, Perwaja had received a writ of summons and a statement of claim from Petronas for RM85.8mil together with a claim for interest with reference to the total amount invoiced (but disputed by Perwaja) for the supply of gas by Petronas to the company.


Meanwhile, Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Jacob Dungau Sagan was quoted in a news report as saying that the ministry was studying the matter and would look for the best solution to resolve the dispute.


The dispute would not have any impact on the company’s profit and loss and cash flow accounts as it had made sufficient provisions to meet any liability of over RM20mil that might arise from the claim.


It wants to negotiate for a better pricing formula based on the government’s announcement last year (2008) that the natural gas price would be at 70% discount to the international market price.



MMC


What’s Up? … dated May 2009


MMC will secure a substantial construction contract either in the form of the light rail transit (LRT) extension lines or the Gemas-JB double-tracking rail project.

There might be an inflow of engineering contracts to MMC being awarded before the end of 2009. While competition is tough for all these projects, MMC with its track record is hopeful that it can at least secure part of these contracts.

The expected contract include the Bakun energy transmission grid worth RM9 billion to RM10 billion, LRT line extensions (RM3 billion-RM4 billion each) new LRT line (RM15 billion-RM30 billion) and the Gemas-JB double-tracking rail project (RM8 billion-RM10 billion).

Given the collapse in global trade during the months of December to February and the subsequent extended factory shutdowns during the period, we expect MMC to report a poor quarter for its upcoming 1QFY09 financial results.



Tenaga


What’s Up? … dated May 2009


Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) is expected to enjoy an improved cost structure given that coal prices have remained at low levels since February 2009.


About 28% of TNB’s fuel mix comes from coal, the bulk of which is imported mainly from Indonesia, Australia and South Africa. Coal prices in the last couple of months have hovered above US$60 per tonne.


For every US$1 change in coal price, its profit forecast would be revised by RM29mil.


With the easing of prices, TNB has more flexibility in terms of cashflow management.


In April 2009, the company had repurchased and planned to cancel US$39.1mil nominal value of the US$150mil 7.5% debentures due 2096, reducing its total debt by almost 1% to RM23.2bil while foreign currency exposure, in US-denominated debt, fell to 25.4% from 26.1% previously, based on total borrowings and exchange rates as of end February 2009.


Earlier 2009, it had repurchased and cancelled US$165mil notes expiring 2011 at a coupon rate of 7.625%.


Lowering its borrowings now would pave the way for TNB to take on further leverage in the future. It has indicated that it planned to raise ringgit-denominated loans in the next 12 months to finance a US$2bil submarine transmission line bringing electricity to Peninsular Malaysia from Sarawak.


Based on cable costs of RM9bil over a seven-year construction period, TNB’s estimated annual capital expenditure was at RM154mil, which was a “very small” amount. Its stake in the project is expected at 40% with a debt-to-equity ratio of 70:30.


Meanwhile, TNB is due for negotiation with Petroliam Nasional Bhd and the Government on the review of gas prices and electricity tariff in less than two months.

Moreover, lower coal cost, coupled with savings from recent cut in gas cost and demand recovery on the back of the government’s stimulus spending, would bode well for TNB’s earnings for year ending Aug 31, 2010.



Telekom (TM)


Financial Results …


It has posted an unaudited net profit of RM27.7mil for the first quarter ended March 31, down 75.8% from RM114.4mil in the previous corresponding period.


The drop in net profit was mainly attributed to higher unrealised exchange loss on foreign currency borrowings of RM175.5mil compared with a gain of RM118.8mil previously.


The company’s revenue for the quarter had increased 5% to RM2.1bil compared with RM2bil previously, mainly attributed to higher revenue from data, Internet and multimedia and other telecommunications-related services.


Earnings per share for the quarter was 0.8 sen compared with 15.1 sen.



YTL Corp


Financial Results …


YTL Corp Bhd’s net profit more than doubled to RM484.4mil for the third quarter ended March 31 from the RM202.5mil it posted in the previous corresponding period.


The group attributed the increase to the fair value gain on investment properties. It also attributed the performance to the recognition of the excess of fair value of a newly acquired associate’s identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities over the cost of investment.


YTL Corp recorded revenue of RM1.99bil, up 21.5% against the RM1.6bil a year ago, due to the consolidation of the newly acquired PowerSeraya in Singapore by YTL Power International Bhd.


Earnings per share was 31.8 sen compared with 13.48 sen in the previous corresponding period.


Going forward, the further diversification of our income streams into the Singapore power and real estate investment trust industries will complement the group’s utilities in Britain, Australia and Indonesia; cement businesses in China and Singapore; and investments in high-end real estate in Singapore.



GPacket


What’s Up (1)? … dated May 2009


It plans to spin off subsidiary Packet One Networks (M) Sdn Bhd (P1) under a separate listed entity within the group next year. The listing would enable its subsidiary to tap funds for future development and further growth.

The group had “some initial discussions” with investment banks.


P1 had been making steady progress and was expected to be earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (ebitda) positive by year-end (2009). It is expecting P1 to be cash-flow positive next year and eventually listed.


The group has already raised funds for the P1’s WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) roll-out for phase one and two.


P1’s WiMAX target is to cover 65% of the population by 2012, from the current 25%.


What’s Up (2)? … dated May 2009


The group’s forward planning might see Green Packet conduct fund-raising activities to raise capital for growth and expansion opportunities. Green Packet announced a renounceable rights issue of up to 208.3 million shares together with up to 208.3 free detachable new warrants on the basis of one rights share and one warrant for every two existing ordinary shares held. However, the price per unit for the rights issue is yet to be confirmed.


The proposed rights issue is expected to raise RM98.8mil to RM104.2mil based on the indicative issue price of 50 sen per rights share.

On its financial performance, the group is expecting to be “still in loss-making position” this financial year ending Dec 31.


Financial Results … For the three months ended March 31, Green Packet posted a higher net loss of RM22.2mil against a net loss of RM2.7mil in the previous corresponding period. Its revenue was RM41.5mil compared with RM22.3mil previously.


Its performance was affected by heavy advertising expenditure activities coupled with subscriber acquisition cost incurred by the broadband business.



Axiata Group


What’s Up? … dated May 2009


Its Indonesian unit XL. May sell its telecommunications tower business in smaller chunks to make it easier for interested buyers to secure financing for the acquisition.


However, its official said that they are in no hurry to sell. Its tower or network business is already in operations and managed as an independent unit.


After several delays, XL announced in Feb 2009 that its planned to sale 7000 towers had been shelved, citing unfavourable market conditions. Bids that came in were lower than expected and interested parties had problems securing financing at acceptable rates, given the sudden tightening of liquidity globally.



There are no plans for another auction at the moment, SL has always maintained that another auction could happen when conditions are right.


XL’s tower business unit is generating revenue for the company. The 3479 towers it leased out in 1Q2009 raked in RM50 million during the quarter. In the same period, XL paid 108 billion rupiah to leas some 1519 towers from others.


Still, proceeds from a tower sale would help XL fund expansion and repay the RM6.77 billion interest billion debt it was carrying on its books as at end March 2009. XL needs to raise between US$300 million and US$600 million for its business in 2009.


Its Indonesian unit was capable of operating without raising capital. Excel requires capital expenditure of US$600mil to US$700mil annually and can generate operating cashflow of some US$400mil.


Expectations are that a rights issue would be chosen, given that both its major shareholders, Axiata and Emirates Telecommunications Corp Ltd, have committed to take up in full their respective portion in the event of a cash call is made. Axiata owns 83.79% of XL and Etisalat 16%.


A decision on how XL would fund its capital requirements in 2009 will be made end June 2009. A big part of the consideration would be to improve XL’s capital structure although credit facilities remain an option.


The main reason for mooting the tower sale plan is to allow XL the freedom to focus on acquiring and retaining customers without having to worry about building and maintaining the network.


There will be no further capital-raising activities at the group level. Axiata completed its RM5.25bil rights issue exercise, which was oversubscribed by about 6%, early May 2009.


Financial Results …


It posted an unaudited net profit of RM63.9mil for the first quarter ended March 31, down 84.1% as compared with RM402.7mil it posted in the previous corresponding period.


The decline was mainly due to the foreign exchange loss of RM216.2mil for this quarter, as opposed to RM42.4mil foreign exchange gains reported previously.


The drop was also attributed to the higher finance cost in this quarter by RM166.7mil predominantly arising from the amount owing to Telekom Malaysia and loans for the Idea Cellular Ltd acquisition amounting to RM112.4mil.

The group posted revenue of RM2.9bil for this quarter, a growth of 5.3% from RM2.7bil it posted in the previous corresponding period as the result of higher contribution from Celcom (M) Bhd and TM International (Bangladesh) Ltd.


Earnings per share was 2 sen for this quarter as compared with 11 sen previously and it proposed no dividend for this quarter, same as the last time.


Overall performance in this quarter was also affected by negative contribution from Dialog and higher share loss from its jointly-controlled entity.



Maybank


Financial Results …


Its net profit for the third quarter ended March 31 was down 33.7% at RM503.28mil against RM758.61mil in the previous corresponding period following higher loan-loss provisions, impairment costs and higher interest expense.


However, revenue was 14.2% higher at RM4.27bil against RM3.74bil while earnings per share stood at 10.31 sen against 15.54 sen.


For the nine months to March 31, the group posted a net profit of RM1.81bil against RM2.23bil before, impacted by lower contribution from the investment banking and insurance operations.

Total revenue was higher at RM7.22bil compared with RM6.65bil in the same period last year.


This was underpinned by growth in revenue across almost all business segments, including Islamic banking (+31.2%), corporate banking (+28.9%), investment banking and treasury (+28.7%), consumer banking (+3.9%), insurance (+5.1%) and international operations (+51.9% – including PT Bank Indonesia Internasional).


The performance for the nine months translates to an annualised net return on equity of 12.1% with net assets per share of RM4.22 as at March 31.


Meanwhile, loans to the business sector grew 9.2% driven by strong corporate loans growth but offset by a contraction in small and medium enterprise loans.


Strong demand was also recorded in Islamic automobile financing and securities financing while income from investments and deposits was also higher during the period.


Loans growth at Maybank’s overseas operations (excluding PT Bank Indonesia) was 39% on an annualised basis with Singapore operations registering a 7% rise (in Singapore dollar terms). Loans growth for PT Bank Indonesia was 9.3% year-on-year (in rupiah terms).


However, the group registered further improvement in asset quality with net non-performing loan ratio at 1.73% as at March 31 compared with 1.92% at end-June 2008. The group’s risk weighted capital ratio (RWCR) stood at 12.10% as at March. However, following the completion of the rights issue on April 30, the RWCR for the group stood at 14.76% at the end of April.

Its Prospects … dated May 2009


It has been pretty muted since it shocked the market with its overpriced and ill-timed purchase of Bank Internasional Indonesia (BII). Its share price got hammered on concerns over capital raising and lower dividends and before it had any chance of gaining ground, the global financial turmoil set in, dragging prices down across the board.


Within less than two months in 2008, the traditionally sedate Maybank had made three acquisitions for RM12.5bil, the most controversial being the RM8.6bil (4.65 times price to book value) it paid for BII. It has issued RM9.1bil in hybrid securities to fund these acquisitions which are bringing in profits except that some other big charges have to be factored into its Indonesian business.


There is a looming goodwill impairment estimated within the range of RM700mil to RM2bil.


BII earned a net profit of RM170mil in 2008. However, there are interest charges of around RM540mil based on a 6% coupon rate on the RM9.1bil of hybrid securities issued. Assuming a 15% long-term return on investment (ROI) of RM8.6bil, there is already a shortfall of RM1bil compared with the RM170mil it is getting. However, Maybank’s new management at BII will probably set ROI targets only at year-end (2009).

However, BII only makes up 12% of Maybank’s asset base; it is still the domestic operations that will be the mainstay and therefore, its health will be closely monitored.


Financial Results … For the third quarter ended March 31, the Maybank group recorded a drop of 34% in its net profit to RM503mil compared with the previous corresponding period while for the nine months, it registered a decline of 18% to RM1.8 bil, due to lower contributions from investment banking, insurance and takaful, higher provisions and interest expense, impairment cost for MCB Bank and forex losses.


Concerns are over, among other things, the weaker performance of overseas operations (NPLs are up 23% quarter-on-quarter to RM1.14 billion); a significant jump in provisions for loan losses by RM464mil; weaker ROEs from its pricey acquisition and possibility of further impairment charge for its stake in MCB Bank in Pakistan (RM242mil in the first quarter), given the political developments in that country.


There is concerned about a potential further write-off on the BII investment by the fourth quarter. Management indicated that Indonesia’s market discount rate has shot up to 20%, from 16%, when the acquisition took place recently. Despite no further details, it is believed the write-off should be in range of RM700mil-800mil and could offset more than one quarter of Maybank’s profit, resulting in under-performing consensus’ FY09E net profit of RM2.332bil.




Going Forward …


After the acquisition spree in 2008, Maybank decided to take a pause and spend time to grow the businesses. Back to the drawing board, it has come up with a two-phase transformation plan that will position it among the top five banks in the region by 2015.


Called LEAP 30 (lead, execute, achieve and progress), the programme essentially has three major thrusts – domestic leadership, regional growth and talent management. A rights issue of RM6bil provides capital for the initiatives over the next two to three years.


Currently BII, among the top seven or eight banks in Indonesia, it has a strong franchise in the business segment and aims to build its consumer (residential and auto) and small and medium enterprises (SME) sectors.


The most closely watched figure over the next three months (June – Aug 2009), when Maybank announces its full year results, will be the goodwill impairment charge on the BII acquisition. Maybank is not expected to make a loss from the impairment charge (where cashflow is discounted to arrive at the appropriate asset value) at BII.


To some extent, that is reflected in the improved share price of BII. Concerns over impairment charge is based on a company’s projection of cashflow and the market value of an investment is partly reflected in its share price. Nevertheless, the assumptions, for example, the discount rate, for the impairment charge will be scrutinised as in the case of Maybank’s 20% stake in MCB Bank of Pakistan, the discount rate of 21% was considered aggressive.


Of immediate urgency, however, is to ensure that domestic operations can withstand the prolonged effects of the financial crisis.


Maybank’s net non-performing loans (NPLs), as at end March 2009, stands at 1.73%.


With the completion of the whopping RM15bil capital raising exercise, the management is now able to focus squarely on the task of growing the bank.

The Concerns …


Concerned arose about Malayan Banking Bhd’s (Maybank) high profile overseas acquisitions even after the completion of the bank’s RM6bil rights issue.


The concerns centre on the total impairment charges for financial year 2009, with forecasts varying widely from RM700mil to RM2bil.


This is not helped by the current (May 2009) dire global economic conditions that could stress earnings even further, not to mention that the bank’s most expensive acquisition is in Indonesia – a country not spared from the crisis.


*** In 2008, Maybank made acquisitions of a 97.5% stake in Bank Internasional Indonesia Tbk (BII) amounting to RM8.6bil, a 15% stake in Vietnam’s An Binh Bank for RM430mil and 20% in Pakistan’s MCB Bank Ltd for RM2.17bil ***


The concerns over impairment have become more acute following the drop in BII’s share price. BII is currently trading at a 20.6% discount at 405 rupiah per share compared with the acquisition price of 510 rupiah per share. However, the lowest point was 280 rupiah per share from March 17 to 19 2009.


Of the two smaller acquisitions, the MCB stake is also considered as high risk; however, that was more of a timing issue on the back of the current economic crisis.


However, industry observers said that the impairment should not be determined from the share price movements of the two entities but on their respective cashflow generation ability.


BII remains profitable although results were weaker quarter-on-quarter due to the absence of a RM43mil exceptional non-operating income from the sale of its Hong Kong subsidiary and non-operating office in Mumbai that was booked in the previous quarter. Associate profit of RM29mil was largely from MCB.


BII reported a net profit of 4.2 billion rupiah for the quarter ended March 31, 2009, compared with 197.9 billion rupiah in the same period last year. However there could be some pressure on Maybank’s share price by end-August 2009 when Maybank releases its full year results possibly along with details of goodwill impairment.


Maybank will unveil the goodwill impairment issue related to BII and MCB upon the release of its fourth quarter 2009 results that are due out end-August 2009.


Maybank CEO Datuk Seri Abdul Wahid Omar said that the bank will stick to its payout ratio of 40% to 60% of profit after tax.


Of the RM6bil raised by its rights issue, RM3bil went towards preserving Maybank’s international credit ratings following the major acquisitions, with the remainder going to “organic growth”.


The second quarter ended Dec 31, 2008, Maybank’s non-performing loans (NPLs) from the Singapore operations went up 27%, Hong Kong, 136% and Labuan, 72%. As of end March, NPLs for Singapore are up 46.99%, Hong Kong, 142% and Labuan, 80.55%.


The P/B of Maybank May 2009 was at a low of 1.4 times compared to its historical average since 2004 of two times. This is aggravated by the current tough economic environment in the region. The potential risk is that P/B is not going to appreciate to two times soon. That is the view for the next six to 12 months.






Investor Alert


“Incremental Development’


Idaman


What’s Up? … dated May 2009


Idaman Unggul Bhd has found a potential investor for its wholly owned subsidiary Lambang Pertama Sdn Bhd (LPSB), which was used as a special vehicle to take over Idris Hydraulic (Malaysia) Bhd (IHMB) about five years ago.

Idaman had been in discussions with for the proposed disposal of LPSB.

Idaman had received a letter from Rabobank International expressing its interest to be an off-shore consultant in relation to the restructuring of the company’s loan stocks via the disposal of LPSB group as well as looking into the funding requirement for the group.

However, Idaman made no mention of the status of a share purchase agreement dated Dec 31, 2008 whereby it agreed to sell LPSB to Satin Court Sdn Bhd for RM400 million cash. Presumably, that deal had fallen through.

As part of the restructuring of IHMB, LPSB was used in 2003 as the vehicle to issue about RM233.99 million redeemable secured loan stocks (RSLS) and acquire the restructured IHMB group that was earmarked for disposal. The RSLS would be redeemed from the proceeds of the disposal of the assets. After several extensions, the RSLS expired.

One of the primary residual assets in IHMB is Forest Management Unit (FMU) timber rights for 100 years under the sustainable forest management licence agreement entered into between IHMB and the Sabah government on Sept 10, 1997, consisting of an area of 234,552ha of permanent forest reserve in Sabah.

For the year ended Dec 31, 2008, LPSB posted a net loss of RM13.08 million and audited consolidated net loss of about RM255.7 million.

Idaman was on Feb 29, 2008 classified as an affected listed issuer pursuant to the Amended Practice Note 17/2005 (PN17) and paragraph 8.14C of the Listing Requirements of Bursa Malaysia Securities Bhd. It is still in the midst of formulating a regularisation plan.



MMM


What’s Up? … dated May 2009


It proposed par value reduction exercise was defeated. This was because preferential shareholders did not agree to the proposal and their votes were more significant.


Nevertheless, there were encouraging signs from the preferential shareholders who had stated a condition for them to pass the resolution at the next meeting. They asked for the rights to convert their preferential shares to ordinary shares.


So far, the turnaround programme, had resulted in reduction of losses by 80%, increased coal transportation contracts, reduced gearing to among the lowest in Malaysian public-listed services companies, repayment of Islamic bonds of RM96mil out of RM120mil four years ahead of time, won an award at the 5th Malaysia Canada Business Council’s Business Excellence Awards 2008, among others.


On the plans to revive the company’s current core business, four new vessels had been ordered in the third quarter of 2008. Even under the prevailing tough funding conditions, the management was nevertheless able to structure vendor financing for these vessels costing about US$90mil even though MMM’s market capitalisation was under US$22mil at that time. These vessels were expected to come on stream in the middle of 2009 in quarterly instalments but the earthquake in Sichuan, China, last year had disrupted the shipbuilder’s operations.



Evermaster


What’s Up? … dated May 2009


Although it has a good eight months to restructure its debts and exit PN17 status, this may not be quite enough.


Given that a receiver and manager from UHY has been appointed to the company, the priority now is obviously to help lenders recover as much of their loans as possible.


The receiver is already exploring a few options, including evermaster’s assets comprising land, buildings and subsidiaries and even giving up its listing status.


According to the receiver, some of Evermaster’s major shareholders have notified him of a plan to bring in strategic investors who may inject capital into the company.


“There was talk of bringing in investors a long time ago. The investors were supposed to have com in before the receivership. Nonetheless, we are evaluating the affairs of the company. If major shareholders’ proposals of settlement are credible, and if Evermaster is viable as a going concern, then hopefully we can continue running the company to maximise returns for the lenders”.


It should be noted that two directors of Evermsater had disposed of substantial shareholdings in the company in Jan 2009, suggesting that the plan to bring in strategic investors could be meaningless.


Evermaster had announced that it had defaulted on Islamic debt securities totaling Rm16.88 million. It has also defaulted on a Murabahah MONI) amounting to Rm40 million. In the even that the commercial papers are cancelled, Evermaster has to immediately repay some rm56 million.


The properties owned by Evermaster’s subsidiaries are unlikely to fetch high selling prices. The company owns several parcels of vacant land, a timber complex and a warehouse, an office building, a sawmill and factory and staff quarters.


For the company to give its listing status for a RTO, it needs shareholders approval.


“Restructuring/Recovering-In-Progress”


Latexx Partners


Its Past ...


It was the first rubber glove manufacturer to be listed on Bursa Malaysia, but it had to muddle through several years of heavy losses that resulted in it being overtaken by rivals that were listed later.


It was held back by losses for five years, between 2000 and 2004 by which time, its net tangible assets had shrunk to just 19 sen a share. It has erased the accumulated losses. The years of losses coincided with the time when Low Bok Tek, who was managing director for 14 years between 1987 and 2001, left the company.


Low would not say why he left. At that time, there were eight brothers, including Low, in the company, and it was probably difficult for so many to agree on any matter. This might have been difficult for Low who, as the CEO, was not the eldest. He is number six among the brothers.


Latexx’s losses between 2000 and 2004 were sizeable, from RM41.5mil in 2000, about RM20mil each in 2001 and 2002, RM13mil in 2003 and RM700,000 in 2004.

Cumulatively, these losses bled Latexx which was then still a small company.


Resulting from the losses, Latexx lacked working capital to do business. Hence, Latexx was operating at only about 20% of its plant capacity when Low returned to the company in 2004 after working out an agreement with his brothers that he would take over.


Low then set about to improve manufacturing operations, and put some money into company. He then talked to the banks about credit lines, and to restructure the heavy borrowings.

A debt restructuring exercise, after some initial difficulties, was eventually worked out with creditor bankers. Stemming from that, RM51mil of debts were converted into new Latexx shares with free warrants. Following that, Citibank Bhd owned 15.4% of Latexx, as well as warrants in 2007 when it took the stocks in settlement of debts. It ceased to be a substantial shareholder a month later.


Low bought a substantial position in Latexx from his brothers and the creditor banks. He currently owns direct and deemed interests of 30.3% in the company.





Going Forward …


Now, the company is operating comfortably with RM20.5mil cash, against borrowings of RM48.8mil. That’s a net debt-to-equity ratio of just 22%, one of the lowest in the industry.


With the company back in the black, cashflow generated and borrowings will enable Latexx to reclaim a position higher up the industry ranks in terms of size and profitability.


The company earned a net profit of RM15.6mil in 2008, and RM9.1mil in the first quarter (Q1) 2009.


All of Latexx’s five plants are located on a single piece of land in Taiping, and a sixth plant being built on adjacent land will increase total plant capacity to 7.5 billion pieces next year and nine billion in 2010.



































Corporate Round Up


MPI


It posted net loss of RM53.85 million in the third quarter ended March 31, 2009 due to the worsening economy.


Its revenue fell to RM201.33 million from RM363.28 million a year ago. Loss per share was 27.63 sen compared with earnings per share of 4.64 sen per share. Despite the losses, it declared dividend of 10 sen per share.


For the nine months, it made net loss of RM40.78 million compared with net profit of RM84.48 million in the previous corresponding period. Revenue also declined to RM888.94 million from RM1.17 billion.


Despite the nine-months of losses, it expected the fourth quarter ended June 30 to be better as “our business volume has shown signs of gradual recovery since the end of the quarter under review”.



PPB/Wilmar


PPB Group Bhd’s net profit fell 29% to RM271.83 million in the first quarter ended March 31 from RM383.1 million a year ago due to higher raw material costs incurred by the sugar refining and flour and milling divisions.


Its associate company, Wilmar International Ltd contributed RM255 million to the group.


Its revenue was RM772.51 million, down 4% from RM808.88 million while earnings per share was 22.93 sen against 32.32 sen a year ago.


The decline in its revenue was due to lower revenue recorded by the flour and animal feed milling, chemicals trading and property investment divisions.



PLUS


PLUS Expressways Bhd (5052), Malaysia's biggest toll road operator, plans to sell about RM600 million worth of of Islamic bonds, known as sukuk, to repay maturing debt.

The money may be used to repay RM550 million of senior sukuk due this month (May 2009). PLUS has another RM558 million of bonds maturing in 2010 and another RM1.36 billion in 2011.

A Musharakah is a type of trust certificate based on a profit-sharing contract that complies with syariah law's ban on interest and speculation.



Reliance Pacific


International Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir has resigned as a non-independent and non-executive director of Reliance Pacific Bhd.

Reliance Pacific announced his resignation from the board on May 19.


Mukhriz held a direct stake of 6.25 million shares and an indirect stake of 38.92 million shares in the company.



Kian Joo


Kian Joo Can Factory Bhd recorded a net profit of RM11.94mil for the first quarter ended March 31, down 17.9% from RM14.55mil in the previous corresponding period due to high carried forward material costs and lower revenue.


Its revenue fell by 5.3% to RM187.48mil for the quarter under review from RM198mil previously.



QL


QL Resources Bhd net profit for the fourth quarter (4Q) ended March 31, 2009, fell 10.5% to RM18.84 million from RM21.1 million a year ago due to lower margins from its surimi (semi-processed raw fish paste) and decrease in catch from deep sea fishing activities.

Revenue grew 3.8% to RM319.21 million from RM331.88 million. For the full year, its net profit rose to RM89.33 million from RM80.8 million in FY08, while revenue increased to RM1.4 billion from RM1.31 billion.

Earnings per share rose to 27.19 sen from 24.49 sen a year earlier. The company proposed a final dividend of seven sen per ordinary share of 50 sen each.

Sales for its marine products manufacturing division increased 10% year-on-year due to higher contribution from its surimi-based products.

Its integrated livestock activities also registered a 10% increase in sales due to higher unit value of animal feed raw materials in the earlier quarters.

However, the company's palm oil activities registered a 11% decrease in sales due to lower crude palm oil prices.









IPOs


Samchem Holding Bhd


It aims to double its overseas revenue contribution to 10%, or over RM40mil, in three years from 5% now.


The group continued to see rising demand for industrial chemicals in the medium and long term, especially in the emerging markets of South-East Asia.


It wants to expand on its distributorship in Vietnam, China and Indonesia moving forward.


The group would raise a minimum of RM11.04mil or a maximum of RM15.2mil from the IPO. It would also raise RM13.85mil for promoters in the offer-for-sale shares.


Of the proceeds raised, RM4mil would be allocated for working capital, including financing its new marketing office and warehouse in Vietnam, RM3mil for acquisition of plant and machinery, RM500,000 for purchase of trucks and RM3.5mil to defray the listing expenses.


Meanwhile, Samchem also planned to construct a chemical blending and drumming plant as well as a drum recycling plant in Telok Gong, Klang by the end of next year. The former is to cater to the demand for customised solvents and the latter to enable the group to produce its own reconditioned drums. Both plants would create a new revenue stream for the group.


With direct presence in Malaysia, Vietnam, China and Indonesia, the group currently markets over 400 industrial chemical products to over 2,500 clients in the region.


Samchem posted net profit of RM12.23mil and revenue of RM355.37mil for the year ended Dec 31, 2008.

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Bursa Chat - News Highlights (22.05.2009)

Malaysia
Public Bank Bhd (PBK MK, Buy, TP: RM9.50), plans to raise RM1bn from a sale of 7.5% bonds, according to a source working on the transaction. The sale of the Tier 1 perpetual notes, callable after 10 years, is managed by CIMB Investment Bank Bhd and RHB Investment Bank Bhd. (Financial Daily)
* * * * *
Axiata Group Bhd (AXIATA MK, Buy, TP: RM3.12) expects to finalise plans for a rights issue for its Indonesian unit PT Excelmindo PRatama Tbk (Excel) next month. Group chief financial officer Datuk Yusof Annuar Yaacob said Excel might raise US$300m to US$600m in a rights offer this year. He also said that the unit needed the funds to repair certain parts of its
capital structure. (StarBiz)
* * * * *
Malaysian Airlines (MAS MK, Sell, TP: RM2.44) forward bookings until year-end look “positive and strong” despite the turbulence in the aviation sector. According to the senior general manager of sales Datuk Bernard Francis, demand for flights did decline since November but the group is in transformation mode and therefore managed to quickly shift its strategy to focus on the retail market by undertaking aggressive promotional activities to stimulate demand. (StarBiz)
* * * * *
Sime Darby Bhd (SIME MK, Buy, TP: RM6.40), and Ramunia Holdings Bhd have extended the signing of a sale and purchase agreement for the proposed acquisition of the latter’s business for RM232m, by 14 days, from May 21 to June 4. The offer consideration comprises of RM46.2m cash and RM185.8m worth of Sime Darby Engineering Sdn Bhd’s shares, which represent 20% of the enlarged paid up capital. (Financial Daily)
* * * * *
Telekom Malaysia Bhd (T MK, Hold, TP: RM2.74), signed on Internet provider Wi-Net Technology Sdn Bhd as the firm’s first wholesale customer of its high-speed broadband (HSBB) transmission service in a deal initially worth RM250m over 5 years. Wi-Net currently has operations in the northern states of Penang and Kedah, and plans to expand nationwide, said group chief executive officer Lee Wai Tuck. Lee said Wi-Net will be investing RM1bn over the next 5 years, starting with Johor Bahru in 3QCY09 and Klang Valley in 2010. This translates into about 2,000 locations nationwide by 2010, and 4,500 locations by 2014. (Financial Daily)
* * * * *
Genting Bhd (GENT MK, Buy, TP: RM5.30) has invested US$100m (RM355m) in bonds of rival MGM Mirage Inc, a USbased casino operator, to secure better returns for its cash. It subscribed for senior notes that are secured against the Bellagio Hotel and Casino and the Mirage Hotel and Casino, both located in Las Vegas. Genting Overseas Holdings Ltd, a wholly-owned unit of Genting, invested US$50m while Resorts World Ltd, a unit of Resorts World Bhd (RNB MK, Buy, TP:RM3.00), also subscribed for the same amount. Resorts World Bhd is a subsidiary of Genting. Half of the total US$100m are notes that pay annual interest of 10.375% and are due in May 2014. The rest carry a rate of 11.125% and they mature in November 2017. (BT)
* * * * *
The Valiram Group has been appointed as the exclusive and sole luxury retail operator of Resorts World at Sentosa, Singapore. The luxury retail boutiques at Resorts World are scheduled to be opened in the first quarter of 2010. Valiram said the 30,000 sq ft of luxury retail space would include a line up of luxury brands ranging from jewellery, fine watch making to leading fashion houses. (Financial Daily)
* * * * *
Tan Chong Motor Holdings Bhd (TCM) expects to double its annual sales volume from 25k units currently with the introduction of at least 1 new Nissan model a year in the next 3 years. TCM executive director, Datuk Dr Ang bon Beng told reports yesterday that the group expected the 3 new completely knocked-down (CKD) models to have combines sales of 2k units a month (24k units a year) once they are completely introduced.. (The Malaysian Reserve)
* * * * *
INVESTMENT RESEARCH
Malaysia
Moody's Investors Service has placed the deposit and debt ratings of 28 banks in the region, including nine Malaysian banks, on review for possible downgrade. According to Moody’s vice president Christine Kuo, the ratings review will determine the extent to which government debt is used to support Malaysian banks, which has traditionally increased bank ratings due to this systemic support. However, she added as the financial crisis continues, Moody’s will reassess this systemic support to determine if its levels are more closely alight to the government’s local currency bond rating. The affected banks here are HSBC Bank Malaysia Bhd, Malayan Banking Bhd, Public Bank Bhd, CIMB Bank Bhd, CIMB Investment Bank Bhd, RHB Bank Bd, Hong Leong Bank Bhd, AmBank (M) Bhd and EON Bank Bhd. Moody’s said the banks’ ratings are unlikely to lead to more than a one notch in its ratings review. (Financial Daily)
* * * * *
Malaysia’ inflation eased to a 1 year low in April as transport and communication costs fell amid a slowing economy, according to Bloomberg. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) in April rose 3% y-o-y, after a 3.5% gain in March, and a 0.2% decrease m-o-m, the Statistics of Department said yesterday. That compares with the median forecast for a 3.2% increase in a Bloomberg News survey of 20 economists. The key driver for April’s CPI upswing was food and non-alcoholic beverages which increased 7.5% y-o-y. Decreasing indexes were transport, clothing and footwear, and communication, which fell 2.1%, 0.7% and 0.6% respectively y-o-y. (Financial Daily)
* * * * *
INVESTMENT RESEARCH
Global
Stocks ended lower Wednesday, erasing earlier gains, as the Federal Reserve's dour economic outlook curbed optimism about the health of U.S. banks. Stocks surged in early trading after Bank of America's US$13.5bn stock sale raised bets that the financial sector is stabilizing. Energy stocks also rallied as oil prices rose to a 6-month high. But the market slumped in the final hour of trading after the Federal Reserve reduced its growth targets and raised unemployment expectations. The central bank also said it expects a recovery in sales and production to begin during 2H09. The Dow Jones industrial average lost 0.6% (-52.8 pts, close 8,422.0). The Standard & Poor's 500 index lost 0.5% (-4.7 pts, close 903.5) and the Nasdaq composite lost
0.4% (-6.7 pts, close 1,727.8). In currency trading, the dollar slipped versus major international currencies including the euro, the yen and the British pound. U.S. light crude oil for June delivery rose US$1.94 to settle at a six-month high at US$62.04 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. (CNNmoney)
* * * * *
Some Federal Reserve officials judged last month that the central bank may need to boost its purchases of assets to secure a stronger economic recovery, while all policy makers agreed to hold off on such a move at the time. Central bank governors and regional bank presidents presented a new set of forecasts at the April meeting. Their central tendency ranges project the economy will shrink 1.3% to 2% this year and grow 2% to 3% in 2010. That compares with forecasts in January of a contraction this year of 0.5% to 1.3% and growth of 2.5% to 3.3% for 2010. Central bankers forecast the unemployment rate at 9.2% to 9.6% this year and 9% to 9.5% next year. That compares with forecast ranges of 8.5% to 8.8% for 2009 and 8% to 8.3% for 2010 in January. FOMC members also saw “some signs pointing toward economic stabilization,” and some officials detected prospects for “a trough” in the housing market’s downturn. (Bloomberg)
* * * * *
The European Central Bank’s Governing Council discussed a package of asset purchases worth about 125bn euros (US$170bn) this month, more than twice the amount finally agreed upon, people briefed on the talks said. The package proposed at the May 7 council meeting included buying commercial paper and corporate bonds, said the people, who declined to be identified because the discussions were private. After the meeting, President Jean-Claude Trichet announced plans to acquire 60bn euros of covered bonds, low-risk securities backed by mortgages and public-sector loans. Germany’s Axel Weber opposed buying assets and argues the ECB should maintain its focus on getting banks to lend to each other again. Smaller countries pushed for the ECB to follow the Federal Reserve and the Bank of England in buying a broader range of assets to pump money into the economy and counter the possible risk of deflation. The ECB’s plan is worth 0.6% of euro region GDP. Asset-purchase programs by the Federal Reserve and the Bank of England amount to about 12% of U.S. GDP and 10% of U.K. GDP. (Bloomberg)
* * * * *
Bank of England policy makers voted unanimously this month to extend their money-printing plan by 50bn pounds (US$78bn) after initially debating whether to increase the program by more to fight the recession. “For some members, a case could be made for a larger stimulus,” according to minutes of the bank’s May 7 decision published yesterday. “But as the precise amount that would ultimately be required was so uncertain, there was no pressing need for the larger extension at this meeting.” Governor Mervyn King said last week that the British economy may face a “slow and protracted recovery” from the nation’s worst recession in a generation. The nine-member panel has now committed to spending 125bn pounds of newlyprinted money on government bonds and corporate debt. Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s government has authorized the bank to spend a maximum of 150bn pounds, and policy makers said they would ask King to seek permission for an extension “should economic conditions require it.” (Bloomberg)
* * * * *
Spain’s economy shrank more than initially estimated in 1Q09 as consumer spending extended its slump and unemployment soared toward 20%. Gross domestic product contracted 1.9% from the previous quarter, when it shrank 1%, the National Statistics Institute in Madrid said yesterday. From the previous year, the economy shrank 3%, the most since at least 1970. In an initial report on May 14, the institute estimated GDP fell 1.8% q-o-q and 2.9% y-o-y. Spain, whose construction boom made it a motor of job creation in Europe, now has 4m people out of work, accounting for almost 70% of the annual increase in euro-area unemployment over the last year. About a million new homes remain unsold and the European Commission expects Spain to continue to contract next year even after other economies in the region start to recover.
(Bloomberg)
* * * * *
INVESTMENT RESEARCH
Japan’s economy shrank by a record last quarter as exports collapsed and consumers and businesses slashed spending, a decline that probably marked the low point in the country’s worst recession since World War II. Gross domestic product fell an annualized 15.2% in 1Q09, following a revised 4Q08 drop of 14.4%, the Cabinet Office said yesterday in Tokyo. The economy contracted 3.5% in the year ended March 31, the most since records began in 1955. GDP fell 4% on a nonannualized basis, more than double the U.S.’s 1.6% slide. It’s also worse than Europe’s record 2.5% contraction. Weaker domestic demand was the biggest contributor to the decline, shaving 2.6 percentage points off GDP, the most since 1974. (Bloomberg)
* * * * *
Enthusiasm about an economic recovery in China may be “premature” as private investment lags behind government spending, the World Bank said. “Until we see a recovery in private investment, it’s hard to get too excited about the future,” David Dollar, country director for China, said at a forum yesterday. Private investment is “the main source of job creation,” Dollar said. “It’s very important for private investment to come back if China’s going to be able to continue to grow at a high rate that is sustainable.” Stimulus spending has “stabilized” the Chinese economy, he said, adding that it can’t be the source of long-term sustainable growth and more should be done to increase consumption. A 30.5% y-o-y gain in urban fixed-asset investment in the first four months, sparked by the stimulus plan, stoked investors’ optimism that a recovery is building. The central bank cautioned in a quarterly monetary policy report released May 6 that surging lending has been overly concentrated on government projects at the expense of small businesses. The recovery’s foundations aren’t solid, it said. (Bloomberg)
* * * * *
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development will probably make few revisions to its economic forecasts next month as the world’s biggest industrialized countries weather a “very difficult patch,” OECD Secretary General Angel Gurria said. “I expect that 2009 will be a difficult year, and perhaps in 2010 we will have an end to the contraction and we maybe start to see a recovery,” Gurria said yesterday. The group forecast on March 31 that the economy of the 30 OECD members will shrink 4.3% in 2009, the most in more than 50 years. Gurria said he was “encouraged” by economic stimulus plans adopted by governments from Washington to Beijing to ease the global slump. While their impact varies from region to region, the conjunction of stimulus packages, interest rates near zero, liquidity injections and bank recapitalizations among OECD nations will eventually pay off, Gurria said. Gurria also warned about growing unemployment among the 30 OECD members. The organization on March 31 forecast the jobless rate will jump to 8.4% this year from 6% in 2008. (Bloomberg)
* * * * *

RESULTS
Company Quarter Date
Maybank 3Q 21 May
TM 1Q 21 May
Sime Darby 3Q 25 May
Puncak Niaga 3Q 25 May
Sunway Holdings 3Q 26 May
IJM Corp 4Q 26 May
Larfarge Malayan Cement 1Q 27 May
KL Kepong 2Q 27 May
Sunway City 3Q 28 May
KNM 1Q 28 May
Plus 1Q 28 May
AirAsia 1Q 28 May

Reports Published
Company Title Target Price Rec Date
AirAsia (RM0.995) More interest hedge unwinding RM1.90 Buy 6 Apr
Banking Sector Weekly Review - Neutral 6 Apr
Oil & Gas Sector Weekly Review - Neutral 6 Apr
Plantations Sector Weekly Review - Overweight 6 Apr
Property Sector Weekly Review - Neutral 6 Apr
Construction Sector Weekly Review - Neutral 6 Apr
Telco Sector Weekly Review - Neutral 6 Apr
Hong Leong Bank (RM5.30) Disposal of Takaful Business RM5.80 Hold 9 Apr
Wah Seong (RM1.45) Business as usual RM1.55 Hold 10 Apr
Tenaga (RM6.50) 2QFY09 results preview RM7.00 Hold 13 Apr
Plantations March MPOB Data - Overweight 13 Apr
Banking Sector Weekly Review - Neutral 13 Apr
Construction Sector Weekly Review - Neutral 13 Apr
Property Sector Weekly Review - Neutral 13 Apr
Oil & Gas Sector Weekly Review - Neutral 13 Apr
Telco Sector Weekly Review - Neutral 13 Apr
Public Bank (RM8.45) 1QFY09 Results RM9.50 Buy 15 Apr
Tenaga (RM6.50) 2QFY09 Results RM7.00 Hold 15 Apr
TSH Resources (RM1.64) Buys 7.96% unlisted plantation company RM1.80 Buy 15 Apr
Plantations Sector Weekly Review - Overweight 20 Apr
Banking Sector Weekly Review - Neutral 20 Apr
Construction Sector Weekly Review - Neutral 20 Apr
Oil & Gas Sector Weekly Review - Neutral 20 Apr
Property Sector Weekly Review - Neutral 20 Apr
Telco Sector Weekly Review - Neutral 20 Apr
Bumiputra Commerce (RM8.00) Completes Bank of Yingkou purchase RM7.70 Hold 21 Apr
SunCity (RM1.99) Still some shine to it RM2.96 Buy 22 Apr
British American Tobacco (RM45.00) 1QFY09 Results RM47.00 Hold 23 Apr
Plantations Sector Weekly Review - Overweight 27 Apr
Banking Sector Weekly Review - Neutral 27 Apr
Construction Sector Weekly Review - Neutral 27 Apr
Oil & Gas Sector Weekly Review - Neutral 27 Apr
Property Sector Weekly Review - Neutral 27 Apr
Telco Sector Weekly Review - Neutral 27 Apr
Banking Financial sector liberalization - Neutral 28 Apr
Market Strategy Khazanah's Malaysian investments: Time to
deliver
- - 28 Apr
Banking April 2009: March numbers holding steady Neutral 30 Apr
Property Strong uptick in property loan approval Neutral 30 Apr
DiGi.Com (RM22.30) 1QFY09 Results RM22.60 Hold 4 May
Plantations Sector Monthly Review - Overweight 4 May
Telco Sector Monthly Review - Neutral 4 May
Construction Sector Monthly Review - Neutral 4 May
Oil & Gas Sector Monthly Review - Neutral 4 May
Property Sector Monthly Review - Neutral 4 May
Sime Darby (RM6.70) More than doubling yard space RM6.40 Hold 5 May
IJM Corp (RM5.30) Water tunnel job flowed in RM5.10 Hold 5 May
Hong Leong Bank (RM5.70) 3QFY09 Results RM5.80 Hold 7 May
Sunrise (RM1.46) 3QFY09 Results RM2.17 Buy 8 May
Plantations Sector Weekly Review - Overweight 11 May
Banking Sector Weekly Review - Neutral 11 May
Construction Sector Weekly Review - Neutral 11 May
Oil & Gas Sector Weekly Review - Neutral 11 May
Property Sector Weekly Review - Neutral 11 May
Telco Sector Weekly Review - Neutral 11 May
Building Materials Sector Weekly Review - Neutral 11 May
Bumiputra Commerce (RM8.85) 1QFY09 Results RM8.80 Hold 15 May
Heavy Industries (RM3.26) New JV signed with DNCS Under review Hold 15 May
AMMB Holding (RM3.18) 4QFY09 Results RM4.00 Buy 18 May
IOI Corp (RM4.44) 3QFY09 Result RM4.00 Sell 18 May
Media Prima (RM1.34) 1QFY09 Results RM1.25 Hold 18 May
Boustead Heavy Ind (RM3.30) 1QFY09 Results RM3.30 Hold 18 May
Banking Sector Weekly Review - Neutral 18 May
Building Materials Sector Weekly Review - Neutral 18 May
Oil & Gas Sector Weekly Review - Neutral 18 May
Property Sector Weekly Review - Neutral 18 May
Telco Sector Weekly Review - Neutral 18 May
Plantation Sector Weekly Review - Overweight 18 May
Construction Sector Weekly Review - Neutral 18 May
Boustead Holdings (RM3.54) 1QFY09 Results RM3.60 Hold 19 May
YNH (RM1.47) 1QFY09 Results RM2.02 Buy 20 May
Axiata (RM2.32) 1QFY09 Results RM3.12 Buy 20 May

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There'll be mild corrections ahead

The Malaysian bourse is expected undergo further corrections as investors take time to digest the impact of H1N1 flu cases while awaiting the release of manufacturing sales, inflation and foreign reserves numbers this week.


Stocks on the local exchange fell into profit-taking correction last week, dampened by external markets which corrected on weaker-than-expected economic numbers from the US, while locally, new twists and political developments with regard to the Perak state government made potential buyers stay on the sidelines. News of the first case of influenza A (H1N1) in Malaysia that popped up last Friday had a mild impact on the market as well.

The KLCI gave back 12.57 points, or 1.2 per cent, last week to end at 1,014.21, with more than half of the losses contributed by Axiata (-2.3 index points), Genting Bhd (-1.75), Tenaga (-1.57) and Maybank (-1.28). Average daily trading volume and value rose further to 2.8 billion shares worth RM1.94 billion, compared with 2.55 billion shares and RM1.97 billion in the previous week.


The performance of oil and gas companies in the last two months was splendid as the share price and price-to-earnings multiple of almost all players involved in the upstream sector more than doubled along with the rise in crude oil prices that touched US$60 (US$1 = RM3.54) per barrel early last week. Nonetheless, profit-taking activity was visible last Friday as oil prices retreated to U$57 despite a US Energy Department report showing that the US crude supplies dropped for the first time in 10 weeks in the world's largest oil consuming nation. This correction was attributed mainly to the unexpected weakness in the US April retail sales and a surprise increase in the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries' oil supply that exceeded the cartel's target by 967,000 barrels a day.


All eyes will be on Opec's next move when member nations meet on May 28 as the organisation has been targeting US$75 per barrel oil price in early 2010. Although the pickup in oil demand is slow, perhaps an agreement to cut supply further and a resolution to adhere to the output cuts strictly will contribute to this target apart from continued weakness in the US dollar.


Despite the short-term hiccups, the price of this scarce commodity is expected to rise above US$70 per barrel in the first quarter of 2010 as the global economy starts shows showing signs of sustainable recovery by then. Hence, it is worth while to accumulate some growth stocks in this sector during price weakness as the caldendar year 2009 CY09) sector price earnings ratio (PER) of 8x is undemanding versus the KLCI's 14x.


Perisai Petroleum is a clear laggard among them as it is trading at a CY09 PER of 4.8x and the expected migration to the main board next month will be an important catalyst for its share price as it will be within reach of funds that have restriction in buying Mesdaq stocks currently. The company's 5-for-4 bonus issue will go ex-bonus on Wednesday. The company's first quarter 2009 results that will be released this month will add more lustre to the stock as the net profit figure is forecast to exceed its whole year's profit in 2008 due to strong "full quarter" contribution from its newly acquired pipe-laying vessel.


The broader market is expected undergo further corrections as investors take time to digest the impact of H1N1 flu cases in Malaysia while awaiting the release of key economic data like manufacturing sales, Consumer Price Index and foreign reserves numbers this week. Externally, the outcome of US housing starts, building permits and leading indicators will have important influence on global equity market direction this week. Besides oil & gas, weaknesses in the construction and industrial material sectors also should be seen as opportunities to accumulate.

Technical outlook


The local stock market staged a profit-taking correction in line with weaker regional markets in afternoon trade last Monday, but market breadth stayed positive as lower liners managed to post gains on strong volume which totalled 3.85 billion shares, the highest since February 2007. The market reversed earlier losses triggered by the overnight fall on Wall Street the next day, as buyers returned to prop up lower liners in line with a rebound in the region from morning lows.


On Wednesday, while blue chips consolidate, lower liners remained resilient as profit-taking was offset by renewed buying momentum in laggards, led by oil & gas and steel related stocks which enjoyed strong gains. However, stocks fell the next day, depressed by the overnight correction in US stocks due to the unexpected fall in April retail sales which raised concern that a recovery from the global recession will be anaemic.


The rebound on Friday failed to gather steam, as profit-taking and forced selling on contra positions by retailers caused the broader market to weaken with market breadth rather bearish ahead of the weekend.


The KLCI peaked at high of 1,034.37 early Monday and sold off to close at an intra-week low of 1,011.99 on Thursday for a narrower 22.38-point range before ending near the lower range last Friday as sellers overcame buyers.


Among the other indices, the FBM-EMAS Index was off by 83.64 points, or 1.2 per cent, to close at 6,764, while the FBM-Small Cap Index tumbled 233.08 points, or 2.7 per cent to 8,421.91.


The daily slow stochastics indicator for the KLCI has dipped into the oversold region as of last Friday (Chart 1), but the weekly indicator flashed a fresh sell signal at the highly overbought area to suggest further correction ahead. The 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) has been neutralised with a reading of 67.62, while the 14-week RSI re-hooked down for a reading of 62.58.


A sell signal was triggered on the daily Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) indicator on Thursday, but the weekly MACD signal line extended higher above to the zero line. The 14-day Directional Movement Index (DMI) trend indicator still showed the uptrend is intact, with the ADX line holding significantly above the 25-point threshold which indicates the local market remains in uptrend mode.


Conclusion


Except for the weekly slow stochastics and daily MACD indicators for the KLCI which triggered sell signals last week, other technical momentum indicators are still friendly to suggest that the current uptrend remained intact. Moreover, the oversold situation on the daily slow stochastics calls for technical rebound potential this week. Longer-term trend indicators also reinforce medium-term upside potential.


While blue chips are expected to extend low-volume consolidation, the present two-tier market suggests that lower liners may still stage strong comeback if robust buying momentum returns. The construction, oil & gas and steel sectors may bounce back once the indigestion from recent high volume peaks has been neutralised by sharp profit-taking pullbacks.


As for the KLCI, look for the retracement levels of the most recent pivot low of 952 ( April 29) to the 1,037 peak (May 7) at 1,005 (38.2 per cent), 995 (50 per cent) and 985 (61.8 per cent) for support formation. More solid support platforms are at the 30-day SMA (975) and the 200-day SMA (949). On the flipside, immediate upside hurdle is seen at 1,020, next at 1,027, and higher up at the recent peak of 1,037.81.


The subject expressed above is based purely on technical analysis and opinions of the writer. It is not a solicitation to buy or sell.

Source ==> BTimes

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Bursa Chat - News Highlights (15.05.2009)

Malaysia
AirAsia Bhd (AIRA MK, Buy, TP: RM1.90) will triple its advertising spending this year, as it sees opportunities to expand amid the economic slowdown, said group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes. He said AirAsia is committed to building their brand despite the economic downturn by focusing on creativity, brand innovation and technology. The airline also hopes to boost the tourism sector by wooing more tourists to spend in Malaysia. (Starbiz)
*****
Axis Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) will soon lose Nestle (M) Bhd as an anchor tenant in one of its properties, but it is in discussion with prospective tenants. Axis REIT Managers Bhd chief executive officer Stewart LaBrooy said the group will spend RM7m on renovations to reposition the building as a 21 century icon. The building is expected to be ready by 2010. Nestle said the current building is too small to cater for its future needs. LaBorry did not disclose if the move will affect the trust. (Starbiz)
*****
Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) saw fewer passengers going through its 39 airports in the first three months of 2009. It saw a drop of 1.9% in passenger traffic, to 11.1m passengers from 11.3m for the same period last year. In a filing to Bursa Malaysia, MAHB said the bulk of the decline was from passengers going through the KL International Airport, with 6.4m passengers as opposed to 6.6m previously. (BT)
*****
MISC has entered into a shareholders agreement with Petronas International Corp Ltd and Mustang Engineering Ltd to establish a JV company to provide floating LNG solutions and services worldwide. MISC said the share capital of the JV company was RM32.5m with Petronas holding 60% equity, MISC 30% and Mustang 10%. (Financial Daily)
*****
The Malaysia-India Business Council (MIBC) said small-scale builders, developers, consultants, architects and engineers can piggy-back on Malaysian companies in India to get jobs in the region. They could also find the right partner for projects, or set up a company in India and look for jobs themselves, MIBC president Datuk Krishnan Tan said. He added that there are currently big opportunities in India' property sector to build and sell a range of products from mass housing to villas. "The infrastructure market is also under supplied. The opportunities are not just for the big boys but smaller players as well," he said. India' construction sector, comprising property, infrastructure and industrial, is worth US$145bn (RM514bn). (BT)
*****
INVESTMENT RESEARCH
Global
Stocks rallied Thursday, bouncing back after several down sessions as investors weighed some weaker-than-expected reports with growing economic optimism. The Dow Jones industrial average gained 0.6% (+46.4 pts, close 8,331.3). The Standard & Poor' 500 index gained 1.0% (+9.2 pts, close 893.1) and the Nasdaq composite gained 1.5% (+25.0 pts, close 1,689.2). In currency trading, the dollar fell versus the euro and gained against the yen. U.S. light crude oil for June delivery rose 60 cents to settle at US$58.62 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. (CNNmoney)
*****
More Americans than forecast filed unemployment-insurance claims last week because of the Chrysler LLC bankruptcy that is likely to reverberate through the economy for months. Initial jobless claims rose by 32,000 to 637,000 in the week ended May 9, the Labour Department said yesterday. A good part of the jump was from states reporting an increase in auto-related claims, a Labour official said without providing a more precise estimate. The bankruptcy filing by Chrysler, and the potential for a similar step by General Motors Corp., is likely to cause further job losses as suppliers and communities are affected. The total number of people collecting unemployment insurance surged in the prior week to 6.56m, setting a record for the 15th straight week and indicating companies are still not hiring. The lack of jobs may restrain consumer spending, the biggest part of the economy, and put off a return to growth that economists project for later this year. (Bloomberg)
*****
Prices paid to U.S. producers rose in April as food costs surged, pushing back risks that extended price declines may take root in the economy. The 0.3% increase was more than forecast and followed a drop of 1.2% in March, the Labour Department said yesterday. Excluding fuel and food, so-called core prices climbed 0.1%, as anticipated. Signs that the worst of the recession is over may boost commodity costs further, alleviating concern over deflation, or an extended drop in prices that hurts the economy. Along with the trillions of dollars pumped into the banking system by the Federal Reserve, increases in raw materials may stoke inflation once an economic recovery takes hold. (Bloomberg)
*****
European Central Bank policy makers clashed over the bank’s asset-buying program and prospects for a recovery less than a week after President Jean-Claude Trichet engineered a truce. Vice President Lucas Papademos said yesterday that a recovery may come sooner than previously thought. Minutes earlier, Dutch council member Nout Wellink said economists shouldn’t get too optimistic about “green shoots.” That came a day after Germany’s Axel Weber and Slovenia’s Marko Kranjec reopened a split over the size of the ECB’s bond-purchase plan. A split on the 22-member Governing Council this year has made it difficult for Trichet to send a clear signal on how the ECB will step up its fight against Europe’s worst recession since World War II. While he won support on a plan to purchase 60bn euros (US$82bn) in covered bonds, a
compromise on the program’s focus and scope may already be unravelling. The debate rumbled on yesterday across Europe, with Slovakia’s Ivan Sramko saying nothing can be excluded and Executive Board member Jose Manuel Gonzalez-Paramo saying there’s no plan to expand purchases “at the moment.” (Bloomberg)
*****
Indonesia and the Philippines still have room to cut their benchmark interest rates to shore up their economies as inflation eases amid the global recession, the countries’ central banks said yesterday. Policy makers across Asia have slashed borrowing costs and are boosting spending to counter the worst global economic slump since World War II. Countries including Malaysia and South Korea, where the benchmark interest rates are 2% compared with 4.5% in the Philippines and 7.25% in Indonesia, have halted rate cuts in anticipation of a recovery in growth. (Bloomberg)
*****
The cost of borrowing in dollars between banks fell the most in eight weeks as government and central bank efforts to unlock credit markets showed signs of bearing fruit and deposits at financial institutions grew. The London interbank offered rate, or Libor, for such loans fell almost three basis points to 0.85% yesterday, according to the British Bankers’ Association. The so-called TED spread, the difference between what the U.S. Treasury and banks pay to borrow for three months, dropped three basis points to 69 basis points, its lowest since the day before BNP Paribas SA halted withdrawals from three of its funds on Aug. 9, 2007, because of subprime-mortgage related losses. Bank borrowing costs have tumbled as the U.S. government and the Federal Reserve pledged US$12.8trn to drag the economy out of its longest recession since the 1930s and policy makers around the world cut interest rates to near zero. The Libor-OIS spread, a measure of the unwillingness of banks to offer each other cash, narrowed three basis points to 64 basis points yesterday, its lowest level since June 16. (Bloomberg)
*****
World oil demand this year will post the sharpest annual decline since 1981 as the economy struggles to bounce back, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said yesterday. Demand will contract by 2.56 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2009, the IEA, which advises 28 industrialised countries, said in a monthly report. It previously forecast demand would fall by 2.4 million
bpd this year. (BT)
*****

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Bursa Chat - News Highlights (14.05.2009)

Malaysia
IOI Corp (IOI MK, Hold, TP: RM3.90) said palm oil yields would fall by 5% due to warm weather, which may push prices to RM3,000 in the near term, if there is an uptick in overseas demand. Oil palms continue to suffer biological stress after last year’s strong harvests and low fertiliser use, said IOI executive chairman Tan Sri Lee Shin Cheng. He added that crude palm oil prices should remain comfortably above RM2,500 in 2H09, despite higher production levels. (Financial Daily)
*****
Vietnam’s An Binh Bank (ABBank), 15%-owned by Malayan Banking Bhd (MAY MK, Hold, TP: RM4.80), said its January – April net profit nearly tripled to 113.7bn dong (RM22.56m). Partly-private ABBank made a net profit of 26bn dong in April alone, well above its 23bn dong in combined net earnings for the first 2 months of the year, the Ho Chi Minh city- based lender said. Outstanding loans at end-April were 6.89trn dong, and the bank has projected gross profit this year to jump to 400bn dong from a gross profit of just 70.2bn dong in 2008, when it suffered from high operating costs and losses from trading foreign currencies and securities. (Financial Daily)
*****
Genting Singapore Plc, a unit of Genting Bhd (GENT MK, Buy, TP: RM5.30), swung to a net loss of S$31.9m (RM76.8m) for 1Q09 from a profit of S$6.02m in the corresponding period last year. The loss was on the back of lower revenue and a fair value loss on derivative financial instruments and increase in pre-operating expenses incurred for the integrated resort in Singapore. Revenue for the quarter was lower at S$105.4m, down from S$164.1m a year ago. The gaming firm said the reduction was mainly due to a fall in revenue of S$58.4m from its UK casino operations. (Financial Daily)
*****
MAS Aerospace Engineering Sdn Bhd (MAE), a unit of Malaysian Airline (MAS MK, Sell, TP: TM2.44), has teamed up with EADS SECA to jointly set up a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility to mainly cater for the servicing of turbo-prop plane engines. The facility, scheduled to be operational by 2010, is positioned as a one-stop centre for engine, airframe and component support for PW100 series engines that are currently fitted into ATR turbo-props, Bombardier Dash 8 planes and Fokker 50s. (Financial Daily)
*****
Astro All Asia Networks Plc (Astro) received mixed results on an arbitration and legal suit against the Lippo Group of companies in Indonesia, which include PT Ayunda Prima Mitra (PT APM), over a failed joint venture (JV) to provide satellite television services there. The arbitration tribunal ruled that it has the jurisdiction to try the matter, that PT APM discontinue the civil suit against Astro, and that PT APM is prohibited from bringing further legal proceedings against Astro. In Astro’s civil suit brought by PT APM, the South Jakarta District Court rejected Astro’s challenge of the court’s jurisdiction, and decided it has jurisdiction over the dispute. Astro is considering an appeal against the court’s decision, on the basis of, among others, that the South Jakarta district court has no jurisdiction to hear the matter, in light of the arbitration tribunal’s award. (Financial Daily)
*****
Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) filed a suit claiming RM85.8m from Perwaja Holdings Bhd in disputed supply charges for natural gas to the steelmarker. Perwaja said the difference is due to Perwaja’s natural gas price computation based on the negotiations with the government, and Petronas’ own price. The steel manufacturer said it had been in negotiations with the government to reduce the natural gas price, in line with international price, with the applicable discount. Perwaja has made full payment to Petronas based on market international price less the government discount. Perwaja said the suit will not impact the company’s earnings, and will continue to defend the suit. (Financial Daily)
*****
It is still too early to say if Malaysia' palm oil output this year will be affected by the current dry weather and some industry players even think that last year' record production could be repeated. Planters with estates in Sabah, Sarawak, Johor and Perak all agree that it is too early to forecast a big drop in crop output. According to the Malaysian Palm Oil Board, oil palm trees produced 5.08m tonnes of crude palm oil in the first four months of this year, 4% less than a year ago. (BT)
*****
Lembaga Tabung Haji (LTH) is in favour of Ramunia disposing of its fabrication assets and liabilities as a way to stave off financial distress. The fund is hoping that with the proceeds, the loss making Ramunia can fare better by entering another business. According to LTH’s Chief Investment Officer, problems in the company included tight working capital, halted orders and high staff turnover which stemmed from the global financial crisis and the proposed RTO with MISC. Tabung Haji owns close to 30% of Ramunia’s paid-up capital. The controlling shareholder is chairman Datuk Azizul Rahman Abd Samad, who (along with his brother, Ahmad Rizal) has a direct and indirect interest of just over 33%. (Starbiz)
*****
EON Capital Bhd (EON Cap) has clarified that its higher net non-performing loan (NPL) ratio for 1Q09 at 3.1% from 2.5% last quarter was mainly due to 2 lumpy loans. However, it was not a concern for the banking group as it had set aside adequate provisions to manage the 2 loans which had become NPLs. The banking group stated that it had anticipated that the 2 accounts may become non-performing and hence had provided for these loans. (Financial Daily)
*****
Mudajaya Group Bhd said its associated company in India, RKM Powergen Private Ltd (RKM), has entered into another power purchase agreement (PPA) with PTC India Ltd (PTC) for the supply of 700MV round-the-clock electricity from phase two of the independent power plant (IPP) project in Chhattisgarh, India. Phase 2 of the IPP project consisted of 1,080MW and was expected to commence commercial operations by September 2011. The PPA is for a period of 12 years. PTC will pay RKM a yearly average tariff rate of 3 rupees (RM0.214) per kilowatt hour (kWh) for the power supply on a ‘take or pay’ basis. The balance of the nominal capacity, amounting to 380MW, would be sold through tariff bids to capture short term market rates. (Financial Daily)
*****
INVESTMENT RESEARCH
Global
Stocks tumbled Wednesday, with the Nasdaq and S&P 500 falling for a third straight session, after a weaker-than-expected retail sales report gave investors a reason to retreat. The Dow Jones industrial average lost 2.2% (-184.2 pts, close 8,284.9). The Standard & Poor' 500 index lost 2.7% (-24.4 pts, close 883.9) and the Nasdaq composite lost 3.0% (-51.7 pts, close 1,664.2). In currency trading, the dollar gained versus the euro and the yen. U.S. light crude oil for June delivery fell 83 cents to settle at US$58.02 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. (CNNmoney)
*****
Retail sales in the U.S. unexpectedly dropped in April for a second month, indicating that rising unemployment is prompting consumers to conserve cash. The 0.4% decrease followed a revised 1.3% drop in March that was larger than previously estimated, the Commerce Department said yesterday. Other reports showed companies continued to cut stockpiles as demand slowed, and climbing oil costs pushed up prices for imported goods. A separate report from Commerce showed inventories at U.S. businesses fell 1% in March, a seventh consecutive drop as slumping sales forced companies to pull back. The streak of decreases is the longest since 2001-2002. (Bloomberg)
*****
The Federal Reserve considers the recent jump in Treasury yields more as a reflection of a better economic outlook than a signal it needs to step up purchases of U.S. government debt, according to central bank officials who declined to be identified. It’s too early to judge the effectiveness of the Fed’s US$300bn plan to buy Treasuries even after 10-year yields climbed 0.65 percentage point since the initiative began in March, the officials said. They added that the goal is to stimulate private lending, rather than to target government-bond rates. The Fed officials’ stance contradicts the view of firms including BlackRock Inc. that have predicted the rise in yields will prompt the central bank to announce an increase in the size of the program as soon as next month. Chairman Ben S. Bernanke said May 11 that the danger of deflation, or prolonged declines in consumer prices, is “receding” and earlier this month cited evidence the economy’s contraction is easing. (Bloomberg)
*****
The Bank of England said the U.K. economy faces a “slow” recovery and inflation will probably stay below its target for the next three years as the country struggles to escape the worst recession since the 1980s. Gross domestic product will contract on an annual basis for the rest of this year before growth resumes in 2010, the central bank’s quarterly forecasts published yesterday showed. Inflation will slow to as low as 0.4% this year. (Bloomberg)
*****
Japan’s current-account surplus narrowed at the slowest pace in six months in March as a decline in exports eased. The surplus shrank 48.8% to 1.486trn yen (US$15.5bn) from a year earlier, the Ministry of Finance said yesterday. Exports fell 46.5% after declining a record 50.4% in February. Imports slid 37.8%, compared with an unprecedented 44.9% drop the previous month. Economists don’t expect shipments abroad to resume rising soon given that they have plunged at an unprecedented pace since last year. The International Monetary Fund says the global recession will be deeper and the recovery slower than earlier predicted as financial markets take longer to stabilize. (Bloomberg)
*****
Growth in China' industrial production slowed in April even as the government continued to ramp up stimulus efforts, showing that a rapid recovery in the world' third-largest economy isn' yet ensured. China' industrial output in April rose7.3% y-o-y, the National Bureau of Statistics said yesterday. Although slower than March' 8.3% growth and beneath market expectations for an 8% rise, the April growth rate was still much faster than the 3.8% rise for the January-February period. While the government' stimulus spending and massive expansion of bank lending have helped to boost new investment, China' exports continue to decline sharply. Economists say that with many projects just getting on stream, the stimulus spending is likely to have a bigger impact on industrial demand in months to come. Meanwhile, China' retail sales in April rose 14.8% y-o-y, the National Bureau of Statistics said separately, holding steady with March' 14.7% rise. (WSJ)
*****

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Bursa Chat - News Highlights (05.05.2009)

AirAsia Bhd (AIRA MK, Buy, TP: RM1.90) has signed a 10-year agreement with Akamai Technologies Inc to boost the airline's online performance and reliability. Under the agreement, AirAsia's website, www.airasia.com, will be powered by Akamai's dynamic site acceleration solution that will deliver website performance up to five times faster than the original web infrastructure. AirAsia group chief executive officer, Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes said through this strategic partnership with Akamai, AirAsia will also be able to sustain its momentum in enhancing market share. (Bernama)
*****
Berjaya Sports Toto Bhd (BST MK, Buy, TP: RM5.60) is increasing its stake in Prime Gaming Philippines, Inc by another 6.81% for RM32.34m. Upon completion of the purchase, BToto will hold 88.3% of Prime Gaming from 81.5% before. (BT)
*****
Berjaya Corporation’s indirect subsidiary Cosway M Sdn Bhd has proposed to buy 900,000 shares or a 90% stake in Golden Works Sdn Bhd which owns 130 shoplots in Wisma Cosway, Jalan Raja Chulan. Bcorp told Bursa that Cosway M would buy the stake from Yang Kiat Lin, Hung Chin Wah ad Ma Yee Chen for RM19.35m or RM21.70 per share. Yang and Ma are present shareholders of Golden Works. Upon completion of the proposed acquisition, Golden Works would be a 90% owned subsidiary of Cosway M which in turn is 90% owned by Cosway Corporation Bhd (100% owned by Bcorp). (Financial Daily)
*****
Yum! India may expand its partnership with KFC Holdings (M) Bhd by giving the latter the franchise to open KFC outlets in cities other than Mumbai and Pune. “It depends on how fast we can grow. For now, there is a big potential in Mumbai for us to open more stores. Mc Donald’s has over 40 stores there but we have three or four. So we can scale up very fast,” said Yum! India managing director Niren Chaudhary after the signing of a memorandum of agreement with KFC yesterday. (Financial Daily)
*****
Hock Seng Lee Bhd is eyeing opportunities from the recently announced economic stimulus package for 2009-2010 and implementation of projects under the Sarawak Corridor for Renewable Energy (Score). HSL’s MD expressed confidence that Sarawak would continue to require the company’s reclamation and construction services for such initiatives. HSL currently has some RM1.7bn worth of outstanding projects on hand, RM905m of which was secured in 2008. (Financial Daily)
*****
Work have started picking up to kick start the estimated RM7bn light rail transit (LRT) extension jobs in Kuala Lumpur. Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd, a unit of the Ministry of Finance, that overseas public infrastructure projects, has invited locally incorporated companies to submit the “expression of interest (EOI)” to participate in the extension and upgrading of the
KL LRT system project. It is learnt that the government is hoping to see construction work start within the next three to four months and is pushing for Prasarana to get the ball rolling. (Financial Daily)
*****
Former special officer and head of policy for the government and 38 year old Datuk Ahmad Zaki Zahid has been redesignated as excutive director of Malaysian Resources Corporation Bhd (MRCB). According to MRCB, the redesignation would be effective immediately. In politics, Ahmad Zaki, is the Umno youth assistant treasurer and the Putrajaya Umno youth chief. During recent elections, he was elected into the national youth excutive council. (Financial Daily)
*****
INVESTMENT RESEARCH
Global
Wall Street rose Monday, pushing the major gauges to multi-month highs, as a better-than-expected housing market report intensified hopes that the economy is closer to stabilizing. The Dow Jones industrial average gained 2.6% (+214.3 pts, close 8,426.7). The Standard & Poor's 500 index gained 3.4% (+29.7 pts, close 907.2) and the Nasdaq composite gained 2.6% (+44.4 pts, close 1,763.6). In currency trading, the dollar fell versus the euro and gained against the yen. U.S. light crude oil for June delivery rose US$1.27 to settle at US$54.77 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. (CNNmoney)
*****
Pending sales of U.S. existing homes posted their first back-to-back gain in almost a year in March and construction spending ended a six-month slide, spurring a rally in stocks. The number of Americans signing contracts to buy previously owned homes jumped 3.2% after a 2% gain in February, the National Association of Realtors said yesterday. Construction unexpectedly rose 0.3% as gains in commercial and government projects overshadowed a continued drop in homebuilding, Commerce Department data showed. Yesterday’s figures indicate the biggest slump in home construction on record may end this year. (Bloomberg)
*****
The European Union cut its forecast for the euro-area economy to show a contraction twice as deep as it projected just three months ago, and said the region’s budget deficit will swell to more than double the EU limit. The economy of the 16 countries sharing the euro will shrink 4% in 2009 and 0.1% in 2010, the European Commission said yesterday, revising a January estimate for a contraction of 1.9% this year. The region’s average budget deficit will swell to 6.5% of output next year, when unemployment will rise to 11.5%, the commission said. The European Central Bank may this week announce new measures to combat the recession after cutting its benchmark rate to a record low. The commission’s new forecasts are in line with numbers from the International Monetary Fund and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. The IMF said on April 22 that the euro-area economy may shrink 4.2% this year and 0.4% in 2010, while the OECD forecast a contraction of 4.1% this year and 0.3% in 2010. (Financial Daily)
*****
Retail sales in Germany, Europe’s largest economy, unexpectedly fell in March as rising unemployment prompted consumers to trim spending. Sales, adjusted for inflation and seasonal swings, declined 1% from February, the Federal Statistics Office in Wiesbaden said yesterday. Economists forecast a gain of 0.2%, the median of 17 estimates in a Bloomberg News survey showed. From a year earlier, sales dropped 1.5%. German companies are scaling back production and cutting jobs, discouraging consumers and exacerbating the country’s worst recession since World War II. German unemployment rose for a sixth month in April and the government said last month the economy may contract 6% this year. German retail sales declined for an 11th straight month in April, the Bloomberg purchasing managers’ index showed on April 29. Companies remained pessimistic about meeting their forecasts in the month ahead because of “weak underlying economic conditions,” the survey of 500 executives showed. (Bloomberg)
*****
Finance Minister Yoon Jeung Hyun said South Korea has scope for further fiscal stimulus to aid an economy where the jobless rate has climbed to the highest since 2005 and bad loans have risen to the most in four years. A “full-fledged” economic rebound is dependent on a resurgence in global trade to drive export growth. Yoon said yesterday. Asia’s fourth-largest economy has leeway to add to stimulus to ensure a recovery takes hold, the International Monetary Fund and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development both signalled in recent global outlook reports. South Korea’s parliament approved on April 30 the government’s latest 17.7trn-won (US$13.8bn) package of cash handouts, cheap loans, labour-market aid and infrastructure spending that adds to 50trn won allocated in relief measures. He said the government didn’t have immediate plans to allocate more spending. South Korea’s budget deficit will be 3.2% of GDP in 2009, less than an average 10.4% shortfall for major advanced economies, according to IMF forecasts. (Bloomberg)
*****

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MKLAND

The principal activities of MKLAND are those of investment holding and the provision of management services. The principal activities of the subsidiaries are property development and property investment, operator of hotel, golf and country club, resort and theme park, provision of educational services and investment holding.

The more notable property project is the Damansara Perdana township project. The project consists of 962 condominium units, 269 units of serviced apartments and 107 units of shops and office suites. The township is strategically located along the Leburaya Damansara Puchong and the Sprint Highway. It is also adjacent to IKEA and Tesco. In addition, MKLAND's flagship project is the RM3 bn Bukit Merah Laketown development in Perak. It consists of a range of resort facilities such as the Marina Village, Waterpark, Eco Park, and the Bukit Merah Lake.

Malaysian Rating Corporation Bhd (MARC) has maintained MK Land Holdings Bhd's BBB+ rated RM60 million outstanding bonds on MARCWatch Negative. The company was first placed on MARCWatch Negative on May 7, 2008 due to liquidity concerns following the deferrment of scheduled payments to build up its sinking fund account.

MK Land has since met the timeline to place RM30 million into the sinking fund account before August 25, 2008 and Tranche 1 bonds has been fully repaid. The company's liquidity position has remained strained despite moderate improvement in profitability measures for the six months ending Dec 31, 2008.

To address its upcoming final redemption of the rated bonds in September 2009 of RM60 million, the company had announced on Jan 20, the disposal of 23 acres of land located in Damansara Perdana in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

For the first half of financial year ended Dec 31, 2008, the company had recorded a pre-tax profit of RM18.2 million, erasing a pre-tax loss of RM16.8 million previously, due to improved sales of development properties.

However, it registered negative net cash from operations of RM2.3 million Its cash and bank balances and deposits with licenses banks remained at RM29 million relative to short-term borrowing of RM300.2 million which includes the outstanding bonds and RM137.9 million of bank overdrafts.

MK Land's revenue increased 82.3% to RM124.6 million for the six months ended Dec 31, 2008, from RM68.4 million a year earlier. It returned the company to the black with a net profit of RM10.1 million or 0.84 sen a share from a loss of RM18.3 million previously. While the profit was boosted by other operating income of about RM8.9 million, the management pointed out that property sales have improved since last July, which was the start of the company’s current financial year ending June 30, 2009 (FY09), despite the difficult market condition.

“We achieved total sales of RM150 million to date (within seven months since July last year) which is significantly higher than the sales recorded in the corresponding period in FY08,” said Mustapha Kamal. According to him, sales for the quarter ended Sept 30 last year amounted to RM59.3 million. The numbers had remained steady in the quarter ended Dec 31, 2008, with sales of RM60.5 million. Meanwhile, “in-hand sales” since the start of the year amounted to RM30.4 million.

Mustapha Kamal stressed that the RM150 million sales came mainly from projects such as the Armanee condominium and Metropolitan Square, not low-cost housing projects that have low or zero margin. Thus, when these sales translate into revenue, it will contribute decent profits to the group. On another note, Mustapha Kamal said he had no choice but to acquire a 9.2-hectare land in Petaling Jaya from MK Land for RM150 million cash last month. He said that MK Land, which was looking to raise funds, couldn’t find a buyer who would offer a fair price for the land.

According to him, MK Land needed the cash flow to kick-start or resume work on certain projects in order to generate the revenue and to avoid delaying the delivery of certain projects, which will result in the company paying “late ascertained damages”.

“I have to sell my privately owned properties before I could pay the RM150 million to MK Land,” he said. MK Land will use proceeds from the land sale to generate more cash flow in order to help repay a RM60 million bond due in September. The bond is deemed to be the last hurdle for MK Land, the management said, as the group’s remaining RM445 million borrowings are essentially project financing, which will only be redeemed as and when the company sells and develops the projects in stages.

He is confident that MK Land is on the path to recovery. He said the company has several projects in the pipeline, in locations such as Damansara Perdana, Damansara Damai, and Jelapang, Ipoh.These projects have obtained the necessary approvals from the authorities and involve 5,639 units of properties with a combined gross development value (GDV) of RM4.1 billion. Depending on the economic situation, the GDV of these projects could be realised within three to five

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The Case For Bull/Bear; First Solar's Stunning Quarter

The cracks I've been discussing in this market which indicate the rally may be tiring has yet to develop into a full blown gaping hole as buyers continue to step in and support this market on any dip. The bottom line right now is that there is zero follow through on days of weakness and that has kept the indices firmly above the 20 day moving averages. Heck, we still don't have 3 consecutive down days since the rally began! The somewhat sideways action over the past few weeks has worked off the overbought conditions, so I have been a bit more aggressive on the long side in recent days, but am locking in profits quickly and setting tight stops. At the same time, I've been shorting with leveraged ETF's and a few individual plays when the S&P gets closer to the 875 level which has been key resistance. It's tricky up here.. no question.

There are compelling reasons to believe this market will move higher and compelling reasons to think it will move lower and soon. Let's look at both..

Bullish reasons:
- market remains in up trend and above 20 day moving averages
- market still looking for the positives (case in point today on GDP - not focused on headline number but underlying consumption number)
- Nasdaq breakout from double bottom base
- Dow cleared downward trend line off Oct, Jan and April highs today (by a hair)

Bearish reasons:
- no significant correction after V shaped recovery
- S&P continues to close below 875
- The Q's are right at resistance of the 200 day moving average on the daily chart
- Jim Cramer remains as bullish as ever (oh c'mon we all know now Jim is a contrarian indicator!)
- there are still big economic problems to work through

Lots of conflicting signals right now that indicate the end of the rally may be near but few MAJOR signals of that yet. What I'm looking at for tomorrow is how this market reacts to the move today. Remember that the trading action the day after a Fed move is often the opposite. I'll be keeping a close eye on that S&P 875 level which this market has had a heck of a time with (at least on a closing basis) as well as that 200 day moving average in the Q's around 34 (there was a bit of a reversal at that level today). IF, we follow through on today's strength and the S&P and Q's clear resistance I will continue to look for short term day and swing trades on the long side and would probably close out some hedging as well.

Given the resiliency of this market we can't rule out a move to the 200 day moving averages for the major indices which would occur around S&P 950, Dow 9000 and Nasdaq 1780. If we don't take out the 20 day moving averages quickly over the next few days a run to those levels becomes much more likely. The 20 day moving average levels acting as support are 1650 in the Nasdaq, 8000 in the Dow and 850 in the S&P.

To close out tonight, I'd like to discuss one trade idea and that idea is First Solar (FSLR). After the bell today the company smashed estimates, doubling revenues and more than tripling profits. This all at a time when the overall economy and solar industry struggling AND before any stimulus package catalyst takes effect. Very impressive. So impressive that I did something I rarely do and that's make a trade after hours. I alerted my Gold members to the earnings report and the long trade alert in FSLR at 165.13. Tomorrow I'm looking for it to get back above the 200 day moving average for the first time since last August. I certainly wouldn't chase it tomorrow particularly given the run this market has had but on any pull backs it will offer the opportunity to get in on the kind of company that will be a leader for many years

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