FBMKLCI 1518.64 DJ-140.24 CRUDE OIL 107.78 RM 2.9930

Public Bank Bhd’s net profit rose 21% to RM828 million in the first quarter ended March 31, 2011 from RM685 million a year ago, underpinned by strong growth in net interest and finance income.

Maybank has received the Securities Commission’s approval to undertake a multi-currency medium term notes (MTN) programme totaling US$2 billion.

The MTN programme would enable it to issue senior and/or subordinated notes in currencies other than in ringgit at any time, provided the aggregate amount of outstanding notes does not exceed US$2 billion in nominal value.

Costume jewellery and consumer products manufacturer Zhulian Corp Bhd’s earnings fell 14.2% to RM21.30 million in the first quarter ended Nov 30, 2010 from RM24.84 million a year ago. Revenue was flat at RM86.22 million compared with RM86.33 million a year ago. Earnings per share were 4.78 sen compared with 5.42 sen.

The company reported cash and cash equivalents of RM133.14 million as at Nov 30, 2010.

UNITED MALAYAN LAND BHD []’s unit Seri Alam PROPERTIES [] Sdn Bhd is teaming up with Singapore’s Raffles Campus Pte Ltd to undertake a RM35 million campus in Iskandar Malaysia.

The MoU is to form a joint venture company to build the Raffles International School in Bandar Seri Alam. It will be managed and operated by Raffles as its first campus in Malaysia.

Bursa Malaysia depository Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Bursa Malaysia Bhd, is extending its administration fee waive of RM10 for the registration of eDividend until April 18, 2012.