FBMKLCI 1513.84 DJ+84.54 CRUDE OIL 105.47 RM 2.9980

SEGi said it has set a dividend policy to distribute a minimum of 50% of the group net profits to its shareholders, with effect from the financial year ending Dec 31, 2011. SEGi said the board believes that the dividend payout of a minimum of 50% of its net profits is within the group’s financial capability considering its future earnings growth.

Both Axiata Group Bhd and Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) have barred Alcatel-Lucent from participating in tenders, contracts or joint ventures for a year following the call from Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). “Alcatel-Lucent welcomes the MACC recommendation and is committed to earning back our customers' trust,” it said in a statement in response to the 12-month suspension.  Axiata said the suspension runs for 12 months from Feb 18 while TM's suspension was effective Jan 5.

Gamuda’s  net profit for the second quarter ended Jan 31, 2011 rose 19.6% to RM94.03 million from RM78.63 million a year earlier, mainly due to higher contributions from all its divisions. Revenue rose marginally to RM607.19 million from RM603.24 million. Earnings per share were 4.59 sen, while net asset per share was RM1.74.For the six months ended Jan 31, Gamuda’s net profit rose to RM182.56 million from RM152.66 million in 2010.

Ramunia's net profit for the first quarter ended Jan 31, 2011 fell to RM1.1 million from RM3.42 million a year earlier due mainly to the tail end of the remaining projects billings and lower operating income. Revenue slumped to RM1.36 million from RM15.85 million in 2010. Earnings per share were 0.17 sen while net assets per share was 25.1 sen. Reviewing its results and commenting on its prospects, Ramunia said it was finalising its PN 17 regularisation plan.

Digistar, it said with the secured order book of RM102 million, it is in the midst of tendering and bidding of additional of RM130 million worth of contract and project of broadcasting jobs in Malaysia. “The company is in the view that, once secure with additional contracts, barring any unforeseen circumstances, the expectation in rise of additional revenue in FY2011 shall increase around 30% to 40%, if compared to recorded revenue of RM73 million in FY10,” it said in reply to a query from Bursa Securities.

Eastern & Oriental Bhd’s (E&O) wholly-owned subsidiaries E&O Property Development Bhd and Samudra Pelangi Sdn Bhd has proposed to dispose of their entire securities interest in Fututech Bhd for RM8.78mil cash.

OSK Property Bhd bought 16 acres of prime freehold commercial land in Cyberjaya’s flagship zone from Setia Haruman Sdn Bhd for some RM86.5mil.

Sarawak plywood mills’ plans to raise their production to meet an anticipated high demand from Japan for the reconstruction of Sendai, a Pacific coastal town destroyed by a magnitude-9 earthquake and tsunami, will be hampered by a shortfall in the supply of raw material.

FBMKLCI 1511.97 DJ+67.39 CRUDE OIL 105.45 RM 3.002

US stocks closed higher Wednesday led by industrial and mining companies, as traders eyed the knock-on effects of higher metal and commodity demand and Japanese reconstruction.

Integrax Bhd co-chief executive Harun Halim Rasip has disposed of his entire equity interest in the port management company to TNB for RM106.46 million. TNB said the purchase price represented a premium of 13.5% to the five-day weighted average market price of Integrax shares up to and including March 18, of RM1.41. “TNB intends to fund the purchase consideration entirely through internally generated funds,” it said.

Hai-O’s earnings fell 65% to RM6.34 million for the third quarter ended Jan 31, 2011 from RM18 million a year ago as revenue shrank following lower sales from its multi-level marketing (MLM) division. Revenue fell to RM57.60 million from RM131.28 million a year ago due mainly due the poorer performance of the MLM division, which is its principal subsidiary.

Axiata Group Bhd has imposed a 12-month suspension on Alcatel-Lucent group (ALU) including its Malaysian operations which would bar it from any new bids for contracts, but it would continue all existing contracts. Axiata said on the suspension would include suspension of the ALU group from any invitations to submit any new tenders, entry into new contracts or continuing with any negotiations that are currently being undertaken with any group member.

FBMKLCI 1509.10 DJ-17.90 CRUDE OIL 105.07 RM 3.0040

Oil prices pushed above US$105 per barrel Tuesday, as traders focused on a series of international crises that could tighten global supplies at a time when consumption is expected to increase. 

Benalec is standing out from its CONSTRUCTION [] peers and rapidly gaining investor attention. Now, the company is also shaping up to be a major landowner and developer, as it will receive some 177.3 acres of land in Melaka in exchange for reclamation works.

Ramunia plans to venture into the offshore oil and gas business in Malaysia and the region via a tie-up with Drydocks World of Dubai. It sealed an agreement for a floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) deep producer vessel, known as the MT Laurita. The arrangement would enable Ramunia to venture into the field of engineering, procurement, construction, installation and commissioning. It plans to provide the full offshore production facilities and to penetrate into the growing offshore floating facilities business within the local and regional upstream oil and gas sector.

Berjaya Land posted net profit RM34.91 million for its third quarter ended Jan 31, 2011 compared to net loss RM8.57 million a year ago, due mainly to higher profit contribution from the gaming business operated under BERJAYA SPORTS TOTO BHD [] (BToto). Revenue declined to RM990.59 million from RM993.96 million. Earnings per share were 0.70 sen from loss per share of 0.17 sen, while net assets per share was RM1.04. For the nine months ended Jan 31, BLand’s net profit jumped to RM85.13 million from RM35.42 million, on the back of revenue RM2.99 billion.

Leader Universal’s joint venture to supply cable and cable related equipment in Saudi Arabia has been called off by mutual agreement with its JV partners -- Al-Ghazalah Development Co (Al-Ghazalah) and Suasana Daya Sdn Bhd. The parties had on July 8, 2009 entered into an agreement to set up the JV to sell and supply cables and cable related accessories and equipment with customers in Saudi Arabia, as well installation of cables and turnkey projects and supply and/or construction of power transmission, distribution, substation and related projects in that country.

CIMB Group Holdings Bhd has sought another six months until Oct 6 to complete the proposed dual listing on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. The application has been submitted to the Securities Commission and is pending its decision.

With the Sarawak state assembly dissolved on Monday,speculations on the upcoming 10th state election on April 9 will boost politically-and state-linked stocks, namely those in the timber, construction and oil and gas sectors. This time, the sentiment will be further underpinned by the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) programmes.aption

FBMKLCI 1508.88 DJ+178.01 CRUDE OIL 103.12 RM 3.0135

Salcon Bhd’s wholly owned subsidiary, Salcon Changzhou (HK) Co Ltd, has entered into a concession agreement and an asset transfer agreement with Changzhou City Tian Ning District Diao Zhuang Street Office and Changzhou Southeast Industrial Wastewater Treatment Plant respectively to acquire, upgrade, operate and maintain the Southeast Industrial Wastewater Treatment Plant (SIWTP)

Civil engineering firm Benalec Holdings Bhd has been awarded a contract worth RM37mil by Glenmarie Cove Development Sdn Bhd to undertake earthworks and other associated work in Klang

Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd (ANZ) may raise its equity interest to controlling stake in four of the Asian banks it has stakes in, including Malaysia's AMMB Holdings Bhd. However, AMMB chairman and major shareholder Tan Sri Azman Hashim said in Tuesday's newspaper report he has no plans to sell his stake. He owns 16.7% while ANZ owns 23.8%.

Harbour-Link’s unit Eastern Soldar Engineering & CONSTRUCTION [] Sdn Bhd has accepted a letter of intent from Chiyoda Sarawak Sdn Bhd for a RM29 million general civil work contract for the Tokuyama Malaysia Project. The contract comprised the general civil works Package SP 4C – general utility area at the Samalaju Industrial Park in Bintulu, Sarawak.

Berjaya Food Bhd, Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera has ceased to be a substantial shareholder after it disposed of 7.97 million shares on March 14. LTAT was allotted 10 million shares or 7.07% when BFood was listed on Feb 14 as the Bumiputra allocation by MITI, according to the company filing.

ATLAN HOLDINGS BHD [] expects to gain RM16 million after the sale of two pieces of land along Jalan Batu Ferringhi, Penang for RM33 million cash to Glass Bay Sdn Bhd. It said the RM16.47 million was arrived at after deducting estimated income tax of RM5.49 million, land cost of RM9.19 million, development cost of RM1.84 million.

Perisai, Singapore’s Mercury Pacific Marine Pte Ltd sold one million shares on March 18 and reduced its stake to 158.26 million shares or 23.18%.

Public Investment Bank Berhad ceased to be substantial shareholder of DPS Resources Bhd after it disposed of 13.17 million shares on March 13.

FBMKLCI 1503.89 DJ+83.93 CRUDE OIL 104.11 RM 3.011

The Edge FinancialDaily reported in February that CMSB surged 34% in three months leading to the dissolution of the state assembly on April 28, 2006. The report, quoting Maybank Investment Bank Research, highlighted that Naim advanced 13% while Ta Ann Holdings Bhd rose 18% during the same period. Zecon Bhd gained 10% while Encorp Bhd rose a staggering 67%.

Hock Seng Lee Bhd (HSL), meanwhile, climbed over two months to its 52-week high of 69.5 sen on March 17, 2006 — a significant increase from its 52-week low of 51.9 sen on Jan 25, 2006.
Naim has been profitable over the last three years while CMSB is viewed to be at the forefront of Sarawak’s business landscape.

Naim has been profitable over the last three years while CMSB is viewed to be at the forefront of Sarawak’s business landscape.

Another major catalyst for the Sarawak-based counters is the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) and the favourites being CMSB, Naim, HSL, KKB ENGINEERING BHD [], Dayang and Leader Universal Bhd.

Some of the high-profile projects planned under SCORE include an aluminium smelter expected to cost between RM7 billion and RM10 billion, Tatau pulp and paper factory (RM3 billion) and a zinc electro refinery (RM1.3 billion).