FBMKLCI 1554.24 DJ+64.25 CRUDE OIL 95.57 RM 3.01

The sale of a 25% stake in RHB Capital Bhd (RHB Cap) by Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank Bhd (ADCB) at 2.25 times the book value of RHB Cap or RM10.80 per share, has set a relatively high pricing benchmark for the potential takeover of the bank by Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) and CIMB Group Holdings Bhd.

Muhibbah Engineering Bhd would continue to be actively traded after the sell-down on the stock following concerns that Asia Petroleum Hub (APH) -- which it undertook a project for -- faced receivership.
It saw RM152.11 million in market capitalisation wiped out on Thursday, as its shares fell 38 sen to close at RM1.52 – the lowest since mid-May. The market capitalisation was reduced from RM608.43 million to RM456.32 million. However, there could be some mild bargain hunting as some analysts viewed the selling as overdone and the worst-case scenario for Muhibbah was a write-down of the RM300 million due from APH, which would push Muhibbah into losses for FY11. APH, the developer and operator of the APH oil terminal in Johor, faced the prospects of receivership, news reports said. Muhibbah was awarded the marine piling and jetty works worth RM820 million. Cost escalation in 2008 led to funding issues for APH and the stalling of payments due to Muhibbah.

UEM Land Holdings Bhd has set an internal target for a 50% revenue growth in FY2011 and a 10% return on investment. Its managing director and CEO Datuk Wan Abdullah Wan Ibrahim said with the acquisition of SUNRISE BHD [], UEM Land was hoping to build its portfolio and surpass its competitors' revenue in the near future.

Mitrajaya has proposed to invest RM6 million cash for a 20% stake in Rawang Specialist Hospital Sdn Bhd (RSHSB). RSHSB is a private limited company incorporated in Malaysia to principally operate and manage a specialist hospital and to provide healthcare solutions under the name of Optimax Specialist Hospital (Rawang). On May 23, it awarded to Mitrajaya's unit, Pembinaan Mitrajaya Sdn Bhd, a RM46.41 million contract to build the eight-storey private hospital with 180 beds. The hospital is expected to commence operations in December 2013.

Merge Energy Bhd has secured RM38.1 million contract to undertake water treatment and associated projects in Kuantan. The contract was awarded by the East Coast Economic Region Development Council. It  involves the balancing reservoir, access road, treated water mains and associated works for the Panching water treatment.

Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) unveiled - the new MyVi -- an upgraded version of the best seller on Thursday night, June 16 and prices range from RM43,900 to RM57,400. The second national carmaker expects to sell about 8,500 units monthly. The price is from RM43,900 for the standard manual transmission and RM57,400 for the elegance automatic transmission on-the-road. Perodua plans to export the new MyVi units to Indonesia this month, starting with 500 cars, under the Daihatsu Sirion badge.

FBMKLCI 1556.42 DJ-279.65 CRUDE OIL100.13 RM2.9770

The potential merger of either Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) or CIMB Group Holdings Bhd with RHB Capital Bhd would bring the new enlarged entity not too far behind some of the largest banks in the region. The top regional banks in Asean include three Singapore banks DBS Group Holdings Ltd, Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp Ltd (OCBC) and United Overseas Bank Ltd (UOB) with market capitalisation of US$27.7bil, US$25.7bil and US$24.5bil respectively. While in terms of asset size, the Singapore banks remain at the top, a Maybank-RHB Cap merger could overtake DBS Group in terms of combined market capitalisation with US$28.8bil. The potential merger of CIMB-RHB, on the other hand, would see a combined market capitalisation of US$27.3bil, just marginally below DBS but would overtake both OCBC and UOB. In terms of asset size, DBS, OCBC and UOB stand at US$238bil, US$198.4bil and US$178.8bil respectively.

Following the dismissal of Primus (M) Sdn Bhd's petition against the sale of EON Capital Bhd (EON Cap) to Hong Leong Bank Bhd (HLB), Primus now has to pay RM1.9mil in court costs. High Court Judicial Commissioner Varghese George Varughese ordered Primus to pay the sum to the 13 respondents in its suit EON Cap and nine of its board members, and three entities controlled by two of those board members.

Sarawak Energy Bhd (SEB), which will have the rights to the Bakun dam's power at a rate of 6.25 sen per kwh, has a firm utilisation rate of 50% from its four customers. The electricity from the Bakun dam which is priced at 6.25 sen/kwh with an annual hike of 1.5% under a power purchase agreement (PPA) between Sarawak Hidro Sdn Bhd and Syarikat Sesco Bhd confirmed a StarBiz report yesterday. StarBiz quoted sources saying the rate represented the cheapest tariff in Asian history but would be escalating at 1.5% per annum for 30 years.

SapuraCrest Petroleum Bhd (SapCrest) has signed an agreement with Real Mild Sdn Bhd and Labuan Shipyard and Engineering Sdn Bhd (LSE) for the subscription of 25 million new shares in LSE. The shares, according to SapCrest in a filing with Bursa Malaysia yesterday represented a 50% stake of the enlarged share capital of LSE.

Oil and gas services provider Dialog Group Bhd has entered into a joint-venture agreement with Vopak Terminal Pengerang BV, a unit of the Royal Vopak group, for the development of an independent deepwater petroleum terminal at Pengerang, Johor worth RM5bil. The company told Bursa Malaysia yesterday that both parties had set up a joint-venture company - Pengerang Terminals Sdn Bhd - in which Dialog would hold a 51% stake and Royal Vopak the remainder.

Water concessionaire Puncak Niaga Holdings Bhd is expected to register a loss this financial year following the adoption of a new accounting treatment that requires certain charges to be capitalised as intangible assets and amortised. Managing director Datuk Hashim Mahfar said in a statement yesterday that the IC Interpretation 12-Service Concession Arrangements, which were retrospective, had also resulted in a drop in shareholders' funds from RM1.5bil to RM35.6mil. However, Puncak Niaga has obtained a conditional waiver from being categorised a PN17 company until the announcement of its second-quarter results for the period ending June 30, 2012. (Under Bursa Malaysia rules, that would have been the case if a company's shareholders' funds fell below RM40mil).

Benalec expects to realise a net gain of RM34.93 million from the completion of separate agreements its units have entered for the disposal of land and joint venture for a mixed property development. Benalec on June 1 said its subsidiaries Sentosacove Development Sdn Bhd and Orientalcove Realty Sdn Bhd had entered into a sale and purchase agreement and joint venture agreement with Vista Selesa Development Sdn Bhd, respectively.

CBIP is selling its entire equity interests in Sachiew PLANTATION []s Sdn Bhd and Empressa (M) Sdn Bhd for a total of RM268.06 million. Sachiew is principally involved in the cultivation of oil palm and production of crude palm oil and palm kernel, while Empressa engages in the cultivation of oil palm and the operation of a palm oil mill. CBIP said the gross proceeds of RM268.06 million from the disposal would be utilised for its working capital including for financing receivables, inventories, and repayment of bank borrowings.

Bina Puri’s 80%-indirect owned subsidiary PT Megapower Makmur has received two contracts from PT PLN (PERSERO) to operate power plants in Indonesia.

FBMKLCI 1558.29 DJ+128.21 CRUDE OIL102.85 RM 2.9735

the biggest takeover battle in Malaysia's corporate history, banking heavyweights Malayan Banking Bhd and CIMB Group Holdings Bhd have declared their interest to wrest control of RHB Capital Bhd, which could cost over RM20bil. This development confirmed heated speculation in recent weeks that the country's largest and second largest banks, Maybank and CIMB respectively, were vying to take over RHB Cap, which is the fifth largest banking group. Sources said due to the rife market talk and “leaks”, Maybank and CIMB were directed by the central bank to disclose their interest to bid for RHB Cap to curb further speculation. Alongside this major takeover bid, is the sale of Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank's (ADCB) 25% stake in RHB Cap.

Investor sentiment towards Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB)'s stock immediately turned positive, following Monday's announcement of a long-awaited power tariff hike, as evident in the rise of the company's share price yesterday. The counter gained 59 sen, or 9%, to close at RM7.11 yesterday. It also topped the list of most actively traded stock on Bursa Malaysia, with 89 million shares changing hands. TA Research in its report explained that the impact on TNB's FY11 earnings would slightly be negative as the higher tariff would only have two months' impact on revenue, that is, for July and August, since June bill would still be reflecting usage in May, in which the previous tariff still applied. The higher gas price, on the other hand, will have three months' impact, that is between June and August. In addition, the revised tariff was still based on coal price of US$85 per tonne, and Tenaga still had to absorb the differential to actual market rate of around US$120 per tonne.

Hydropower from the 2,400-megawatt Bakun Dam project is likely to be sold, on an escalating basis, at 6.25 sen per kilowatt (KwH) to Sarawak Energy Bhd, the state utility arm. Sources told StarBiz this represented the cheapest tariff in Asian history but would be escalating at 1.5% per annum for 30 years. “The tariff is expected to be sufficient to pay off all Federal Government debts in 15 years,'' said a source, adding that in total, the valuation came close to RM8bil. The power purchase agreement (PPA) signing between the Federal and Sarawak state governments is expected to take place today.

Maxis Bhd saw its first quarter net profit decline slightly by some 2% to RM539mil compared with RM552mil made a year ago due to higher borrowing costs. For the three-months ended March 31, Maxis made a revenue of RM2.13bil, or less by 1%, compared with RM2.15bil made a year ago. Revenue declined due to lower voice, interconnect and hubbing revenue. the company said the drop in interconnect revenue was due to reduction in mobile and fixed termination rates since July last year. Meanwhile, the decline in hubbing revenue was in line with the planned scale down in its hubbing business. Maxis declared a first interim single-tier tax exempt dividend of 8 sen per share in respect of the financial year ending Dec 31, 2011, to be paid on June 30, 2011.

Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) recorded a 20% jump in net profit to RM88mil for the first quarter ended March 31, led by strong demand for air travel. This was despite uncertainties in the aviation sector due to political tensions in the Middle East and earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Revenue rose 22%, or RM118mil, to RM610mil from RM498mil a year ago. However, the airport operator's earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) was marginally lower at RM189mil from RM190mil a year earlier.

Axiata Group Bhd reported a 40.5% year-on-year drop in net profit to RM548.4mil for the first quarter ended March 31. The lower net profit was attributed mainly to a 97.7% year-on-year dip in the group’s other operating income to RM7.5mil in the quarter under review. This was because there was a one-off gain from the disposal of shares in Indonesian unit PT XL Axiata Tbk of RM307.5mil recorded in the same period last year.

MMC CORPORATION BHD []’s net profit for the first quarter ended March 31, 2011 rose 29.5% to RM43.04 million from RM33.23 million a year earlier, due mainly to higher contributions from most of its divisions. Revenue for the quarter increased to RM2.23 billion from RM2.06 billion in 2010. Earnings per share was 1.41 sen while net assets per share was RM2.19.

Ajinomoto (Malaysia) Bhd net profit for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2011 rose to RM5.39 million from RM1.48 million a year earlier, due mainly to lower sales and marketing expenses. Ajinomoto proposed dividend of 20 sen per share in respect of the FY ended Mrch 31, 2011 comprising a first and final gross dividend of nine sen; a nine sen tax-exempt dividend as well as special gross dividend of two sen per share. For the financial year ended March 31, Ajinomoto’s net profit rose to RM25.73 million from RM23.94 million, on the back of revenue RM316.17 million.

FBMKLCI 1542.84 CRUDE OIL 100.67 RM 2.9910

After several rounds of deferment and a long wait, Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) has finally gotten the green light to implement new electricity tariff rates which will help it mitigate the effects of higher gas prices. “As a result of the gas price increase, TNB's gas bill will increase by about RM1.5bil per year. “Due to the gas price increase, TNB will have to increase the electricity tariff to cover for the additional cost,” TNB president and CEO Datuk Seri Che Khalib Mohd Nor said at a briefing yesterday. Tenaga has been allowed by the government to increase its base tariff by 2%. As a result, average tariff will increase by 7.12%; industrial consumers and commercial users will see an average hike of 8.3%, but Tenaga said there would be no increase to about 75% of households.

Boustead Heavy Industries Corp Bhd (BHIC) signed a joint-venture deal with Prokhas Managers Sdn Bhd (PMSB) yesterday to supply artillery propellants to the Malaysian Armed Forces. Under the joint venture, a new company, namely Pyrotechnical Ordnance Malaysia Sdn Bhd, will produce double base artillery propellants at a plant located on a 21-acre site in Bentong, Pahang. The plant is due to begin production in the third quarter of next year.

Analysts are confident that Sime Darby Bhd is making progress with the portfolio review and divestment of non-core assets after suffering massive losses in the oil and gas division a year ago. The share price has also moved up especially since the announcement of the non-binding memoranda of agreement to sell the Teluk Ramunia fabrication yard to Petroliam Nasional Bhd for RM296mil and the Pasir Gudang fabrication yard to Malaysia Marine and Heavy Engineering Holdings Bhd for RM399mil. The conglomerate posted a net profit of RM820.1mil for the third quarter ended March 31 after suffering a loss of RM308.6mil in the same corresponding period last year on higher contribution from plantation, motors, industrial, and energy and utilities divisions. Revenue for the period under review also rose to RM10.6bil from RM7.6bil previously.

Oldtown Bhd is pricing its issue/offer price at RM1.25 per share for its initial public offering (IPO) of 96.4 million shares of RM1 each,  The company, which owns and operates the Oldtown White Coffee chain, aims to list on Bursa Malaysia's Main Market on July 11. According to its prospectus draft, the company is offering 63.4 million new ordinary shares for application by the Malaysian public, directors, eligible employees and business associates of Oldtown and its subsidiaries.

Malayan Flour Mills Bhd (MFM) has proposed a share split of every one existing ordinary share of RM1 each in the company into two new ordinary shares of 50 sen each. Based on the issued and paid-up capital of MFM of RM107.6mil comprising 107.6 million shares as at May 27, the share split would result in an issued and paid-up capital of RM107.6mil comprising 215.3 million shares. 

CIMB Group's first quarter results came in slightly below expectations but the second half will likely be boosted by stronger capital market activities, higher domestic net interest margin (NIM) and impact from various economic transformation projects. CIMB reported net earnings of RM917mil, representing an increase of 9.3% for the first quarter (Q1) of financial year (FY) 2011.

PLUS Expressways Bhd’s net profit for its first quarter ended March 31 rose by 75.3% to RM495.1mil as it received RM364mil of compensation in accordance with the terms in the current concession agreements.

PLUS said RM364mil of compensation was included in the current quarter under review.

TIME dotCom Bhd net profit for the first quarter ended March 31 surged 21.8% to RM22.9mil from a year ago due to higher revenue and improved margins. Revenue for the quarter increased 7.7% from the same quarter last year to RM70mil as a result of higher data earnings within its wholesale and corporate segments. TIME’s data business posted a 16% growth to contribute RM51.1mil in revenue. Earnings per share for the quarter also increase to 90 sen from 74 sen a year ago.

Proton unit Group Lotus plc has won the right to use the name “Lotus” within Formula 1, and entitled to race in its historic black and gold livery. Proton said the Chancery Division of the English High Court had on last Friday, May 27 had also ruled that 1MRT was in breach of the Licence granted to them by Group Lotus to race in Formula 1 under the name Lotus Racing and had awarded Group Lotus damages in respect of that breach.

Brem Holding Bhd net profit for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2011 surged to RM26.72 million from RM2.12 million a year earlier, due mainly to the reversal of allowance for impairment of RM21.5 million.

The company proposed a gross dividend of five sen per share for the financial year ended March 31.

FBMKLCI 1533.57 DJ+38.45 CRUDE OIL 101.73 RM 3.0190

Malaysian Airline System Bhd (MAS) posted a net loss despite recording strong revenue and traffic growth for the first quarter ended March 31, 2011 as high jet fuel price and a stronger ringgit impacted earnings. The airline posted a net loss of RM242.33mil for the quarter under review from a net profit of RM310.04mil in the previous corresponding quarter after taking into account Airbus' compensation for late delivery. Revenue was 3.26% lower at RM3.19bil as fuel cost surged by 32% or RM321mil.

CIMB Group Holdings Bhd's net profit for first quarter ended March 31 was 9.4% higher year-on-year at RM917mil as credit losses dropped sharply. The net profit was equivalent to net earnings per share of 12.3 sen from 11.86 sen a year ago. This was achieved despite a 1.3% decrease in revenue to RM2.75bil for the quarter under review. The annualised net return on equity (ROE) for the quarter was 15.7%.

Telekom Malaysia Bhd's (TM) net profit for its first quarter ended March 31 (Q1FY11) was down 32.8% to RM163.3mil from a year ago mainly due to lower unrealised exchange gains on translation of foreign currency borrowings. But the revenue for the quarter under review recorded a 1.1% growth to RM2.15bil year-on-year (y-o-y), mainly attributed to higher revenue from data, Internet and multimedia services, which when combined contributed 57% of the group's total revenue for the quarter. Earnings per share was down to 4.6 sen for the quarter from 6.9 sen a year ago.

Mah Sing Group Bhd's net profit jumped 47.6% to RM41.1mil for the first quarter ended March 31 due to progressive recognition of development revenue and contribution from its property projects in the Klang Valley, Penang and Johor Bahru. The company said in a statement yesterday that revenue for the quarter rose to RM311.7mil against RM238.3mil a year ago. Earnings per share stood at 4.95 sen. Mah Sing said projects that contributed to the group's profit and revenue included Perdana Residence 2 in Selayang, Garden Residence in Cyberjaya as well as Hijauan Residence and One Legenda in Cheras.

Proton Holdings Bhd posted a higher net profit of RM61.6mil for the fourth quarter ended March 31 compared with a net profit of RM2.64mil in the previous corresponding quarter. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia yesterday, the company attributed the positive results to higher vehicle sales for Proton and Lotus Group International Ltd. Proton vehicle sales for the fourth quarter was driven by demand for its Persona, Saga, Exora and Inspira models. However, for its full financial year ended March 31 (FY2011), Proton's net profit dropped by 30.5% year-on-year to RM152mil against a net profit of RM218.9mil previously.

Revenue for FY2011 grew to RM8.98bil compared with RM8.2bil in the previous year.

Property developer Ibraco Bhd, which has exited the Practice Note 17 (PN17) list, will embark on a new residential project in Stutong here. The company also plans to extend its property development activities to other major towns in Sarawak and venture into construction business. Chief executive officer Chew Chiaw Han said Ibraco would launch the proposed Stutong housing project, comprising 77 single-storey terraced and semi-detached houses, in July. “The project will have a gross development value (GDV) of about RM15mil,” he told StarBiz.

Property developer UEM Land Holdings Bhd's net profit and revenue for the first quarter ended March 31 soared compared with the same quarter a year ago on realisation of earnings from its own projects in Nusajaya, Johor, and from subsidiary Sunrise Bhd. The company said net profit jumped 460.34% to RM17.60mil on revenue that advanced 372.77% to RM187.68mil. 

Muhibbah secured a contract worth RM101 million in Australia for the Gorgon liquefied natural gas (LNG) jetty and marine structure project.

KUALA LUMPUR KEPONG BHD (KLK) posted a strong set of earnings in the first quarter, with net profit at RM373.85 million, up 73% than the RM215.93 million a year ago. Revenue also showed an increase, rising 24.6% to RM2.368 billion from RM1.90 billion a year ago.

Alliance Financial Group Bhd’s fourth quarter earnings rose 10% to RM84.93 million from RM77.25 million a year ago due to higher net income, lower overheads and lower impairment charge. Revenue was RM270.53 million compared with RM277.56 million, earnings per share were 5.5 sen compared with 5.0 sen.

FBM 1527.23 KLCI DJ+115.49 CRUDE OIL112.31 RM 2.9661

CIMB Group Holdings Bhd’s 97.9% (indirectly held) subsidiary, PT Bank CIMB Niaga Tbk (CIMB Niaga), reported a consolidated net profit (unaudited) of 727.53 billion rupiah in the first quarter ended March 3 1, which was 39% higher than the same period last year.

Yeo Hiap Seng (M) Bhd’s net profit for its quarter ended March 31 was up 35.7% to RM7.6mil year-on-year supported by higher sales from Yeo’s core products.

Seacera Tiles Bhd has proposed to dispose of four parcels of freehold land of 59,053 sq m together with a factory to Suong Sdn Bhd for RM62mil and lease back the property.

Kencana secured a RM208 million contract for the fabrication of a substructure for the Kebabangan northern hub development project off the coast of Sabah from Kebabangan Petroleum Operating Company (KPOC). Under the contract, it would build and commission the substructure for the Kebabangan northern hub.

MPI reported an 81% decline in its third quarter earnings to RM5.05 million from RM27.14 million a year ago due to the strengthening of the ringgit against the US dollar and rising commodities prices. Revenue fell 5.3% to RM334.82 million from RM353.68 million while earnings per share were 2.61 sen compared with 13.92 sen. It proposed dividend of 10 sen a share.

Tricubes Bhd is going to make a cash call to fund the controversial myemail project that will require a RM50 million investment over 10 years.

Sealink International Bhd has recommended a final single tier tax exempt dividend of 2.7 sen per share totalling RM13.50 million for the financial year ended Dec 31, 2010. The dividend entitlement date is Sept 12 and payment date Sept 28.

FBMKLCI 1521.53 DJ+65.16 CRUDE OIL 108.27 RM 3.0020

KARAMBUNAI CORP BHD and PETALING TIN BHD shares rose in active trade after the government announced the multi-billion ringgit Karambunai Integrated Resort City (KIRC) as a premier world-class ecotourism destination. A consortium consisting of Prism Crystal Enterprises Ltd and Tan Sri Dr Chen Lip Keong & group of companies together with the landowner Karambunai and Petaling Tin will invest RM9.6 billion by 2020 to develop the resort city.

EMAS KIARA INDUSTRIES BHD has declared a special tax exempt interim dividend of 12 sen per 50 sen for the financial year ending Dec 31, 2011. The dividend was equivalent to 24% per share and it would go ex on May 19. In November last year, Emas Kiara announced it was disposing of its business and subsidiaries for RM100 million to Tencate Geosynthetics Asia Sdn Bhd.

BERJAYA CORPORATION BHD’s unit has appointed Ken Whittingham and Atle Crowe-Maxwell of PKF Australia Ltd receivers and managers of its self-service carwash company --  Carlovers Carwash Ltd (CCL) -- based in Australia. BCorp said  it would appoint the two as receivers and manager for CCL’s three units -- Carlovers Carwash (Aust) Pty Ltd, The Carwash Kings Pty Ltd and Carlovers (Maroochydore) Pty Ltd, to preserve its interest as a secured creditor of the CCL Group. BCorp group’s unaudited carrying amount/net book value of the CCL Group as at Jan 31, 2011 is about RM400,000 whilst its original cost of investment in the CCL Group is about RM46.1 million. The amount has been substantially written down and impaired over the years,” it said.

Tricubes Bhd will invest RM50 million in the next 10 years in the 1Malaysia email project.

Steel products player Starshine Holdings Bhd (SHB), which is planning a listing on Bursa Malaysia’s Ace Market by the third quarter of the year, will invest RM32mil in a new plant in Klang and new machinery to broaden its product offering.

Aeon Credit Service (M) Bhd’s net profit for its fourth quarter ended Feb 20, 2011 rose to RM19.40mil from RM14.31mil in the previous corresponding period mainly due to growth in trade receivables on the back of increased financing transaction volume.

CIMB Bank Bhd’s 93.15% subsidiary, CIMB Thai Bank Public Company Ltd and its subsidiaries registered a total operating income of 1.5 billion baht (RM163mil) with the net profit of 282 million baht (RM30.6mil) for its unreviewed operating results for the first quarter ended March 31.

Bursa Malaysia Bhd registered profit after tax and minority interest of RM40.5mil for the first quarter ended March 31, 44% higher than the RM28.1mil in the previous corresponding quarter.

FBMKLCI 1514.13 DJ-30.88 CRUDE OIL107.43 RM 2.994

CIMB Bank and CIMB Islamic Bank will maintain their base lending rate and base financing rate at 6.3%. The two banks backtracked on their decisions in less than 24 hours after having announced a rise of five basis points on lending rates on Wednesday.

TIME DOTCOM BHD [] is teaming up with Measat Broadcast Network Systems Sdn Bhd (MBNS) to provide IPTV and broadband services across the Klang Valley and Penang., TT dotCom Sdn Bhd (TTdC) had signed a collaboration agreement with MBNS, which takes effect from Dec 20, 2010 and continue for 10 years from April 1. The collaboration agreement supersedes and replaces the principal terms of collaboration signed by the parties on Dec 20, 2010.

Glomac’s net profit for the third quarter ended Jan 31, 2011 rose 55.2% to RM16.52 million from RM10.65 million a year earlier, mainly due to stronger contribution from higher margin projects such as Glomac Tower, Glomac Damansara and Glomac Cyberjaya. Revenue for the quarter surged 124% to RM176.53 million from RM78.76 million in 2010. Earnings per share were 5.65 sen, while net assets per share was RM2.01. Glomac proposed an interim dividend of 4.5 sen per share. For the nine months ended Jan 31, Glomac’s net profit rose to RM47.96 million from RM28.29 million a year ago, on the back of revenue RM443.74 million.

There has been no indication from the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) that it will pare down its stake in MBSB, said its CEO Datuk Ahmad Zaini Othman. MBSB targets to grow its personal loans to account for 50% of its overall loan portfolio from about 30% presently and this should translate to an additional RM5 billion in fresh disbursements.

Perisai revealed that if it acquired Garuda Energy, it would assume a debt of RM120mil of the latter. Analysts had earlier said it was difficult to ascertain if Perisai was paying a fair price for Garuda Energy, considering there were no details on the latter's debt levels. Perisai also said its total borrowings would balloon from RM251.2mil as at Dec 21, 2009 to RM600.4mil post-acquisition of Garuda Energy. Aside from the RM150mil debt at Garuda Energy, Perisai said it may raise another RM150mil via external borrowings to fund the cash consideration needed for buying Garuda Energy. The projected total borrowings also include a consolidation of borrowings of RM91.4mil from its January 2011 acquisition of another company, Intan Offshore Group

SAM Engineering & Equipment (M) Bhd has proposed to acquire an engine casing manufacturing division from Singapore Aerospace Manufacturing Pte Ltd for RM135mil and restricted issue of irredeemable convertible unsecured loan stocks (ICULS) of up to 33.75 million ICULS to minority shareholders of SAM.

Nam Fatt Corp Bhd, a Practice Note 17 (PN17) status company, has entered into a heads of agreement with Tan Sri Ta Kin Yan to undertake a series of proposals with the ultimate aim of regularising the financial condition of the company. “Ta will participate in the proposed regularisation of Nam Fatt subject to the terms and conditions of the heads of agreement and the terms and conditions of a definitive agreement to be agreed and executed between the company and Ta,” it said. Nam Fatt also appealed to Bursa Malaysia not to de-list its securities and to allow the company to submit its regularisation plan.

Handal Resources Bhd’s rights issue of 60 million ordinary shares together with 60 million free warrants have been oversubscribed by 76.26%. At the close of acceptance and payment of the rights issue and free warrants on March 25, applications were received for 105.76 million new rights shares together with warrants, an excess of 45.76 million shares, Handal said in a statement yesterday. The rights issue of 60 million ordinary shares priced at 52 sen per share was offered together with 60 million new free detachable warrants on the basis of two rights shares and two free warrants for every three existing Handal shares. Together with the rights issue, Handal also made a bonus issue of 10 million shares on the basis of one bonus share for every six right shares subscribed.

FBMKLCI 1531.63 DJ+71.60 CRUDE OIL 104.32 RM 2.994

Trading in Fotronics Corp Bhd on Bursa Malaysia will be suspended from April 7 as it has failed to submit its regularisation plan within the stipulated time.

Berjaya Corp Bhd posted a net profit of RM32.46mil in the third quarter ended Jan 31, 2011 compared with net loss of RM156.20mil a year ago on higher profit contribution from gaming, stock broking, direct selling, retail and distribution businesses.

CIMB Bank Bhd and CIMB Islamic Bank Bhd have announced an increase in their base lending rate (BLR) and base financing rate (BFR) by five basis points from 6.3% to 6.35%, effective from April 4.

Integrated Logistics Bhd expects to spend RM200mil in three years to expand its business in China and Dubai.Integrated Logistics (China) Co Ltd head of corporate finance and investment Eric Tay said the amount was for the expansion of its warehouse to 4 million sq ft from 1.8 million sq ft currently. “Of the total investment, 40% will come from loans and 60% internal funding,” he said after the company's AGM yesterday.  The company's warehouse in Dubai would be a 50:50 partnership with a local company there and was expected to contribute to group revenue next year.

Ireka Corp Bhd's wholly-owned subsidiary, Ireka Engineering & Construction Sdn Bhd (IECSB), has received a letter of award from Transmission Technology Sdn Bhd for a RM232.75mil contract. It told Bursa Malaysia that it was for architectural as well as mechanical and electrical works on the proposed offices and hotel development in Kuala Lumpur.

Tan Chong Motor Holdings Bhd has received approval from the Securities Commission to upsize its asset-backed medium term notes (MTN) programme to RM2bil from RM600mil. “The approval would enhance the group's ability to tap the capital markets for future funding needs,” it said in a statement yesterday. The group has completed four issuances and raised over RM788mil from the capital markets via Premium Commerce Bhd's MTN programme. Premium Commerce Bhd is an independent special purpose entity established to undertake a securitisation programme for the Tan Chong group.

DBE Gurney’s additional 593.33 million new shares and 200 million warrants will be listed on Thursday. The warrants were issued for free to the subscribers of the renounceable rights issue of 400 million rights shares on the basis of one free detachable warrants for every two rights shares subscribed for. The maturity date of the warrants is March 22, 2016 and the conversion price is 10 sen. The new shares of 10 sen were issued pursuant to the rights issue with warrants and capitalisation of amounts due to director and creditors settlement.

V. S. Industry has set a dividend policy of making out an annual payment of at least 40% of its net profit to shareholders as dividends, and plans to disburse payouts on a quarterly basis. The dividend policy is effective in the current financial year ending July 31, 2011 (FY11). VSI’s net profit in the second quarter ended Jan 31, 2011 surged 134.1% to RM10.1 million from RM4.4 million a year ago, due to higher revenue. The profit came mainly from the higher group sales as a result of the increased sales generated by its Malaysian and Indonesian operations.

Masterskill Education Group Bhd has recommended a final single tier dividend of 7.9 sen per 20 sen share for the financial year ended Dec 31, 2010. It said on Wednesday, March 30 the dividends would be payable on June 15. The group had on Oct 13, 2010, completed the distribution of an interim dividend of seven sen per share to the shareholders. The total of 14.9 sen per share dividend for 2010 will represent a total payout of 60% of its net profit, equivalent to RM61 million.

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 1489.27 DJ+61.95 CRUDE OIL 99.55 RM 3.024

Bina Puri Holdings Bhd's subsidiary, Bina Puri (B) Sdn Bhd has secured a total of RM1.1bil worth of projects in Brunei. Bina Puri (B) Sdn Bhd chairman Datuk Ali Abdullah in a Q&A session in Kuala Belait, Brunei on Friday said the company had an unbilled portion totalling RM265mil until 2013. He said it planned to secure another RM600mil worth of projects in the Sultanate this year.

TM proposed a capital distribution of about RM1.037 billion or 29 sen for each share held. TM said the proposed capital distribution will be funded through its existing cash balances, which stands at RM3.488 billion as at Dec 31, 2010. TM also announced its earnings rose 135%to RM400.63 million in the fourth quarter ended Dec 31, 2010 from RM170.25 million a year ago. Revenue was marginally higher by2.1% at RM2.32 billion from RM2.27 billion. Earnings per share were 11.2 sen compared with 4.8 sen. It proposed a final dividend of 13.1 sen per share. For FY10, TM’s earnings surged 87.6% to RM1.20 billion from RM643.02 million. Its revenue rose 2.1% to RM8.79 billion from RM8.61 billion.

CIMB Group posted a record net profit of RM3.52 billion in the financial year ended Dec 31, 2010. For the fourth quarter, earnings were RM877.62 million, boosted by its Indonesian operations. The 4Q net profit was 9.3% higher from the RM802.89 million a year ago. Revenue rose 16% to RM3.168 billion from RM2.731 billion. Earnings per share were 11.83 sen compared with 11.37 sen.

MAS posted net profit of RM225.92 million in the fourth quarter ended Dec 31, 2010, down 64.7% from RM640.12 million a year ago, on lower derivative gains and higher finance costs. Its managing director and chief executive officer Tengku Datuk Seri Azmil Zahruddin was quoted saying MAs had operationally, done well in the quarter where traffic volumes rose 10% and yields were up 5%. However, it was also weighed down by higher cost of fuel despite that it carried more passengers. Its fuel bill was 13% higher at RM1.2 billion in 4Q compared witrh RM1.06 billion due to higher fuel prices and consumption. Its revenue rose 8.2% to RM3.67 billion from RM3.39 billion a year ago. Earnings per share were 6.76 sen compared with 31.17 sen.

Proton swung into the red with net loss of RM60.1 million in the third quarter ended Dec 31, 2010 compared to net profit of RM79.68 million a year ago, due mainly to higher branding costs as well as the restructuring expenses incurred by Lotus Group International Ltd. Revenue for the quarter fell by 8.96% to RM1.83 billion from RM2.01 billion last year. Loss per share was 10.90 sen compared to earnings per share 14.50 sen previously. Net assets per share was RM9.73. For the nine months ended Dec 31, 2010 Proton’s net profit fell 58.1% to RM90.5 million from RM216.29 million, although revenue rose to RM6.36 billion from RM5.97 billion. Proton said as part of the transformation plans to turn around LGIL, it had started investing in rationalisation of dealers network, and branding activities to deliver the five-year business plans. Proton also said that during 3Q, it had experienced lower domestic sales volume, as well as increased promotional and marketing spending by a principal subsidiary.

UEM Land Bhd recorded a 37.3% increase in its earnings to RM135.36 million in the fourth quarter ended Dec 31, 2010, boosted by higher revenue and higher margin achieved for one-off transactions from strategic land sales.

AZRB posted net loss of RM83.06 million in the fourth quarter ended Dec 31, 2010 compared with net profit of RM5.13 million a year ago following the termination of the Alfaisal University Campus project in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Revenue shrank to RM52.62 million compared with RM105.56 million a year ago. Loss per share was 30.03 sen compared with earnings per share of 1.86 sen. For the financial year ended Dec 31, 2010 its net loss was RM61.28 million compared with net profit of RM20.76 million in FY09. Its revenue was RM431.34 million compared with RM459.40 million.

Faber Group saw its net profit shrink to RM2.91 million in the fourth quarter ended Dec 31, 2010 from RM42.57 million a year ago. Revenue declined to RM203.95 million from RM303.93 million. Earnings per share were 0.8 sen only compared with 11.73 sen. It proposed dividend of eight sen per share compared with six sen. For the financial year ended Dec 31, 2010 net profit was RM78.78 million compared with RM82.68 million in FY09.

FBMKLCI 1503.20 DJ -24.97 CRUDE OIL 81.75 RM 3.078

Key Asian markets including Bursa Malaysia are expected to start on a softer note on Tuesday, Nov 23, weighed down by the weaker overnight close on Wall Street due to the debt crisis in Europe and the FBI’s probe into insider trading.
Reuters reported risk aversion kicked in as stocks followed the euro's fall against the U.S. dollar after turmoil in Ireland's fragile coalition government overshadowed an agreed-on bailout of the country. Investors fear the crisis will spread throughout Europe, raising the spectre of losses by exposed U.S. banks.

PPB Group Bhd saw its 3QFY10 ended Sept 30 net profit plunge 51.6% year-on-year, or RM307.1 million, to RM288 million due to weaker contributions from 18.35%-owned associate Wilmar International Ltd.

The jury is still out on the preliminary offer made by Tan Sri Halim Saad to acquire the entire business and undertakings of QSR Brands Bhd, with analysts saying details are still too scant to judge whether the offer is fair. 

MRCB-IJM Land suspended, they are to announce potential corporate exercise today. Another GLC-private sector property merger appears to be on the cards, this time between Malaysian Resources Corporation Bhd (MRCB) and IJM Land Bhd, as has been speculated since last week. 

FTSE Group and Bursa Malaysia Bhd announced yesterday that Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd would replace Berjaya Sports Toto Bhd (BToto) in the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KL Composite Index (FBM KLCI).

Javace Sdn Bhd has extended the takeover offer for UBG Bhd shares to 5pm on Dec 17 from 5pm tomorrow, UBG Bhd told Bursa Malaysia yesterday.

Salcon Bhd has proposed to sell a 40% stake in its wholly-owned subsidiary Salcon Asia to Challenger Emerging Market Infrastructure Fund Pte Ltd (EMIF) for 238 million renminbi or RM112.26mil cash.


CIMB Group Holdings Bhd posted a 26% increase in net profit to RM916mil in the third quarter ended Sept 30 versus RM726.8mil in the same period a year ago. 

BHIC posted a slightly higher net profit of RM26.9mil for the third quarter ended Sept 30 versus RM24.75mil a year ago.