FBMKLCI 1506.88 DJ+191.40 CRUDE OIL 101.89 RM 3.069

KNM Group Bhd said it has year-to-date secured new orders amounting to RM693 million, underpinned by the bullish sentiment in the global oil and gas industry globally as crude oil surges to record highs. The current order book of KNM stood at RM6.4 billion and the backlog at RM5.4 billion. KNM said its tender book was RM17 billion, which it said had significantly improved compared with the trough of the sub-prime crisis which was at RM10 billion.

Malaysia is open to Australia & New Zealand Banking Group doubling its stake in Malaysian lender AMMB Holdings to 49 percent in a move that could encourage more foreign investment, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak was quoted saying by Reuters in Melbourne.

PPB Group Bhd plans to double its flour production capacity in Indonesia and Vietnam within the next two years to 2,800 tonnes a day. It plans to invest RM140 million. Meanwhile, Wilmar International , the world's largest listed palm oil company, plans to enter Indonesia's consumer flour market, possibly in 2012, which will intensify competition in the country. PPB derives a significant chunk of its earnings from Wilmar.

Bank Negara Malaysia has not allowed the Employees Provident Fund Board to hold more than 45% of the paid-up share capital of RHB Capital Bhd. Hence, EPF’s irrevocable undertaking to subscribe under the rights issue shall be for a minimum of 45% of the total rights shares.