FBMKLCI 1517.66 DJ +124.35 CRUDE OIL 104.62 RM 2.999

Malaysia has unveiled investments worth more than RM2bn across nine private projects spanning the energy, agriculture and electronics to healthcare sectors to boost income and create jobs. Among others, the Government announced a RM600m development of seaport and resort in Perak; construction of chemical
plants, facilities for advanced lightning and a renewable energy park; a RM1m integrated oil and gas hub; as well as public private partnership to cultivate fragrant rice. In addition, US giant General Electric is partnering Malaysian telecommunication provider Redtone International to invest in a teleradiology hub while QAV Technologies SB will develop a light emitting diode certification centre. FaberGroup has been roped in to spearhead the development of an energy-saving system.

Cypark Resources Bhd, a solid waste management company is investing RM94.29mil to build a renewable energy park (RE Park) with grid connection on a 26ha remediated landfill in Pajam, Nilai.

Mudajaya has proposed a corporate exercise involving a bonus issue of up to 137.08 million new shares and the setting up of an employees’ share option scheme (ESOS). The bonus issue would on the basis of one bonus share for every three shares held.

KESM net profit for the second quarter ended Jan 31, 2011 rose 27.3% to RM3.31 million from RM2.6 million a year earlier due to higher revenue arising from stronger demand for burn-in and testing services. Revenue for the quarter rose to RM63.66 million from RM55.89 million. Earnings per share was 7.70 sen while net assets per share was RM5.14. For the six months ended Jan 31, KESM’s net profit rose to RM10.34 million from RM5.47 million last year, while revenue increased from RM127.23 million from RM103.14 million.

The share price of Berjaya Food (BFood), which operates the Kenny Rogers Roasters (KRR) chain, fared well on its maiden trading day. The stock opened on a slight premium of 2.5 sen over its offer price of 51 sen and climbed steadily to a day’s high of 64.5 sen. It closed at 63.5 sen, 12.5 sen or nearly 25% higher, against its offer price. Some 35.865m shares were traded, making it the second most active counter on Bursa. BFood is among the best performing IPOs on debut day.

Financially distressed air cargo operator Transmile Group Bhd said yesterday it would continue to engage with lenders to, if possible, finalise a debt restructuring proposal, and to focus on the completion of the proposed disposal of its four MD-11F aircraft. This is expected to significantly pare down its outstanding debt obligations. Its shares had been suspended since last Thursday as it failed to submit a regularisation plan to Bursa Malaysia. As at Dec 31, 2010, Tranmile’s balance sheet showed that it had debts totalling RM531.5mil.

MUHIBBAH Engineering (M) Bhd’s earnings may at least double this year on rising construction orders, according to UOB-Kay Hian Holdings Ltd. The Malaysian builder has secured at least RM480 million of construction orders so far this year, exceeding 2010’s RM458 million worth of jobs clinched, Vincent Khoo, an analyst at UOB-Kay Hian, wrote in a report today.

FBMKLCI 1519.13 DJ+73.11 CRUDE OIL 91.50 RM 3.074

Johor Corp will sell a parcel of land it owns in Johor as part payment for the RM3.6bil debt that is due in July 2012, says president and chief executive officer Kamaruzzaman Abu Kassim. He also said the land had a market value of more than RM2bil.

Kencana Petroleum Bhd hopes to start recouping its portion of investment, estimated at US$200mil, in the Berantai marginal oil field development within two years, says chief executive officer Datuk Mokhzani Mahathir. Kencana is part of a consortium, which includes SapuraCrest Petroleum Bhd and Petrofac Energy Developments Sdn Bhd to develop and operate an oil and gas field in Berantai, Terengganu estimated to cost a total of US$800mil.

Khazanah Nasional Bhd said yesterday that all bidders for its 32.21% stake in Pos Malaysia Bhd will be given an equal opportunity and that its divestment will undergo “a fair and transparent process”.The bidders will be considered based on their strategy and business plan, followed by the offer price. The name of the shortlisted bidders will be revealed to the panel after the shortlisting process is completed. These shortlisted bidders will then be invited to submit their revised strategy and business plan as well as their final offer.”

For the nine months ended Dec 31, AMMB’s net profit rose 34% to RM1.03 billion from RM766.87 million, on the back of revenue RM5.3 billion, up from RM4.87 billion a year earlier.

Tasek’s earnings in the fourth  quarter surged 325% to RM69.1 million from RM16.25 million. The much improved group results apart from the RM43.6 million gain from disposal of PLANTATION [] and other

property, was mainly in line with the increase in group's total revenue compounded by better local cement sales margin. Tasek said revenue rose 15% to RM133.67 million from RM116.08 million. Earnings per share were 43.3 sen compared with 8.77 sen. It proposed a bumper dividend, comprising of preference dividend of 6%, ordinary dividend 30% and special dividend 50%.

Mudajaya’s net profit for the fourth quarter ended Dec 31, 2010 rose 39% to RM57.09 million from RM41.05 million a year earlier, driven by the increased level of activities. Revenue rose to RM230.29 million from RM211.76 million a year ago. Earnings per share were 13.96 sen while net assets per share rose to RM1.75 from RM1. Mudajaya proposed a final dividend of 3.0 sen per ordinary share of 20 sen each under the single tier system for FY10. For the 12 months in 2010, Mudajaya’s net profit surged 75% to RM208.45 million from RM119.18 million a year ago, on the back of revenue RM869.43 million.

Hap Seng Consolidated’s net profit for the fourth quarter ended Dec 31, 2010 surged to RM103.13 million from RM7.69 million a year earlier, driven by improvement in revenue in all divisions except for fertilisers trading which was affected by lower average selling prices. Revenue rose 19.3% to RM810.88 million from RM679.6 million. Earnings per share were 18.30 sen while net assets per share was RM4.59. For the financial year ended Dec 31, 2010, Hap Seng’s net profit rose 222% to RM323.16 million from RM100.24 million a year ago. Hap Seng proposed to pay out as final dividend about 50% of its net profit tax and minority interest totalalling RM123.98 million or 22 sen per share.

RAMUNIA HOLDINGS BHD is eyeing some RM300 million worth of fabrication jobs this year as projects up for grabs start pouring into the market again, underpinned by the surge in crude oil prices. Chief executive officer Nor Badli Munawir Mohamad said on Friday that while Ramunia's existing order book was negligible, he expected it to grow this year after Petroliam Nasional Bhd  committed to opening more marginal oilfields and issue more oil and gas contracts this year.

FBMKLCI 1487.53 DJ -142.21 CRUDE OIL: 81.23 RM: 3.081

Stocks fell Tuesday as a flare-up of tensions between North and South Korea combined with downbeat news on the economy gave investors plenty of reasons to sell ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. The dollar and gold rose as investors sought safe places to park money. 

  

MRCB and IJM Land Bhd yesterday announced their proposed merger exercise, which will create the country's second largest property player after the enlarged UEM Land Holdings Bhd, with a market capitalisation exceeding RM7 billion and a land bank of over 9,000 acres. 

Market observers are speculating that a “marriage” of sorts is on the cards for SunCity and Sunway Holdings Bhd, after both companies had their shares suspended from trading for two days from yesterday, pending a material announcement on a corporate exercise. 

Gadang Holdings Bhd is bidding for several engineering and construction projects totalling more than RM2 billion and the company anticipates stronger earnings for the financial year 2011 ended May 31.

LionInd’ 1QFY11 net loss of RM18.8m. The poor results were mainly attributed to the arrival of expensive feed material, namely iron ore and scrap metal, which were mismatched with weakening selling prices.

Parkson Holdings announced that it is selling its 100% equity interest in Shantou Parkson to its 51.5% owned subsidiary - Parkson Retail (PRG).

Msports 9MFY10 earnings of RM49.2m. Production volume increased by 34% to 23.4m in 9MFY10 while average selling price improved by 4.4% to RMB18.9 per pair, mainly driven by the higher demand for EVA MD products.

MPHB posted net profit of RM86.49 million in the third quarter ended Sept 30, up 70% from RM50.73 million a year, boosted by its gaming and stockbroking operations. Revenue was 4.6% higher at RM850.7 million compared with RM813.24 million a year ago.

MUDAJAYA GROUP BHD net profit rose 31.8% to RM46.55 million for the third quarter ended Sept 30, 2010 from RM35.32 million a year ago, mainly due increased level of activities.