FBMKLCI 1570.02 DJ+145.13 CRUDE OIL92.69 RM3.0210

MAA Holdings Bhd says it is not urgently seeking to sell its overseas units now that its debt obligations of RM140mil which are due for repayment soon, can be paid off following the sale of its insurance business for RM344mil cash. Instead, the group was now looking to “build up” its insurance businesses in Indonesia and the Philippines, chief executive officer and group managing director Muhamad Umar Swift said after the company’s shareholders’ meeting here yesterday. “Our business in the Philippines is doing well. Indonesia has been slower than expected. We are looking at partnerships that can leverage that particular asset,” he said without elaborating.

Packet One Networks (M) Sdn Bhd (P1), a subsidiary of Green Packet Bhd, has sealed a technology cooperation agreement with China Mobile Ltd to spearhead the time division-long term evolution (TD-LTE) technology in Malaysia and South-East Asia. TD-LTE technology is a 4G telecommunications evolutionary path for the future of mobile broadband.

The coming together of Khazanah Nasional Bhd and Temasek Holdings to develop RM30bil worth of real estate projects in Singapore and Iskandar Malaysia will help UEM Land Holdings Bhd make a great leap forward, both financially and in terms of branding, say analysts. UEM is among the top landowners in Iskandar Malaysia, with 1,300 acres of development land in the southern economic corridor. Among the several economic corridors spearheaded by the Government, Iskandar Malaysia remains the most upbeat and vibrant. In many ways, according to analysts, the alliance of the two government investment holding companies is expected to be a win-win proposition for both sides.

Eastern & Oriental Bhd (E&O) has entered into a shareholders' agreement with Pulau Indah Ventures Sdn Bhd to develop a wellness township Nusajaya. E&O (via wholly-owned subsidiary Galaxy Prestige Sdn Bhd) and Pulau Indah have agreed to establish a 50:50 joint venture (JV) company named Nuri Merdu Sdn Bhd.

Pulau Indah is a 50:50 JV between Khazanah Nasional Bhd and Temasek Holdings. This will be E&O's maiden foray into Johor. The 210-acre freehold land for the proposed development is 15 minutes away from the Tuas Second Link to Singapore, and is owned by Iskandar Investment Bhd, a 60% subsidiary of Khazanah.

Cypark Resources Bhd posted net profit of RM6.22 million in the second quarter ended April 30, 2011 on the back of RM40.98 million in revenue. Earnings per share were 4.0 sen. The second quarter revenue was about RM1.6 million lower than in the first quarter. It said the second quarter revenue was generated mainly from the second phase of the national landfill restoration projects and foundation works for the leachate treatment plans.

Muhibbah said it believes it will not have to write down RM300 million in outstanding payments due from its major client Asia Petroleum Hub (APH), which was reported to be in receivership. Muhibbah managing director Mac Ngan Boon said APH was actively speaking to potential investors and hoped for a resolution "soonest". He added: "We do not believe there will be a write down. We believe there are other solutions.” To recap, APH is the developer and operator of the APH oil terminal in Johor and had awarded Muhibbah the marine piling and jetty works worth RM820 million.

Ingress reported net profit for the first quarter ended April 30, 2011 fell 34% to RM6.94 million from RM10.47 million a year earlier, due to a one time gain on disposal of shares totaling RM7.6 million included in 1Q 2010 net profit. Revenue for the quarter slipped to RM175.07 million from RM180.41 million in 2010. Earnings per share were 9 sen, while net assets per share was RM2.08. It expects its automotive division to further improve during the financial year.

SIG Gases Bhd inked an MoU with Japan-based Iwatani Corporation Bhd (IC) to establish a partnership to set up a helium refilling plant in Southern Industrial Gas plant in Senai, Johor.

IRIS CORPORATION BHD [] expects to raise gross proceeds of RM25.52 million from a proposed private placement exercise of up to 10% of its paid-up share capital. It plans to use RM25.37 million of the proceeds as working capital and the remaining RM150,000 as estimated expenses relating to the proposed private placement. Iris said the RM25.52 million in proceeds would be based on an indicative issue price of 15 sen per placement share.

FBMKLCI 1522.75 DJ no market CRUDE OIL112.77  RM 2.9738

Khazanah Nasional Bhd has divested its strategic 32.21% stake in Pos Malaysia to DRB-Hicom Bhd at RM3.60 per share or RM622.79 million, deemed a landmark divestment by the government’s investment arm of its entire stake in a major government-linked company. Pos Malaysia said based on the audited results for the financial year ended Dec 31, 2010, its audited consolidated net profit was RM67.11 million and audited consolidated net assets RM828.59 million.

Iris Corp has secured a US$149.96 million(RM451.61 million) contract from the government of Tanzania to supply 25 million identification cards based on the Smartcard TECHNOLOGY []. Iris Corp said the contract was for five years, comprising 36 months for implementation and 24 months for maintenance and support. The scope of work and deliverables were 25 million smart cards which shall be used as the National ID cards of Tanzania

HPI Resources’ net profit for the third quarter ended Feb 28, 2011 soared 121.5% to RM6.94 million from RM3.13 million a year earlier, driven by higher demand. Revenue for the quarter rose by 11.6% to RM105.43 million from RM94.46 million in 2010, while earnings per share was 12.43 sen. HPI said the strong performance was primarily the result of both its paper milling and corrugated packaging divisions demonstrating double-digit expansion in revenues and operating profits.

Ranhill Bhd’s unit Ranhill Power Sdn Bhd has received the Securities Commission’s approval to issue up to RM800 million of debt notes which will have a tenure up to 15 years. The proceeds from the issue will be on-lent to Ranhill to finance in full the redemption of the US$220 million guaranteed notes issued by Ranhill (L) Ltd. The funds would also be to finance the service reserve account requirement, the first guarantee fees payable and the expenses/ costs incurred in relation to the establishment of the Sukuk, and to on-lend to Ranhill to reimburse advances made by Ranhill to Ranhill Engineers and Constructors Sdn Bhd to complete the CONSTRUCTION [] of Senai-Desaru Expressway.

FBMKLCI 1540.62 DJ+69.48 CRUDE OIL 87.47 RM 3.009

Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd posted a jump in net profit to RM107mil in its first quarter ended Dec 31, 2010 from RM77.7mil a year ago, on account of higher revenue and tax incentives enjoyed by its dairy plant in Rojana, Thailand.

The world’s largest synthetic glove manufacturer Hartalega Holdings Bhd posted slightly higher net profit of RM49.2mil for the third quarter ended Dec 31, 2010 from RM37.2mil a year ago, while its revenue rose to RM188.1mil from RM148.6mil.

Maxbiz Corp Bhd will hold an EGM in Kuala Lumpur on Feb 23 on the proposed removal of its auditors Gomez & Co with immediate effect and proposed appointment of STYL Associates as auditors for the financial year (FY) ended Dec 31, 2010, it told Bursa Malaysia yesterday.

Iris Corp is venturing into industrialised building system (IBS) via a joint venture with a joint venture with Koto Malaysia Sdn Bhd and Ambitech Sdn Bhd. Iris said it planned to develop the Koto IBS for mass building projects in Peninsular Malaysia. “Koto IBS is an alternative way to mass manufacture energy efficient housing, commercial buildings, high-rises and affordable housing.

Ireka secured a RM27.58-million contract to build the structure for the proposed City International Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It was awarded the contract by Hoa Lam-Shangri-La Healthcare Ltd Liability Co. The contract works are expected to be completed by Sept 30, 2011.“The contract is expected to contribute positively to the earnings of the Ireka group for the financial year ending March 31, 2012,” it said.

KENCANA PETROLEUM BHD  plans to finance the US$200 million required to jointly develop and operate the Berantai oil and gas field through an equity/debt fund raising exercise. “The detailed breakdown between the various sources of funding has yet to be determined at this juncture, pending completion of the company’s proposed fund raising exercises in its entirety,” it said on Monday, Feb 7, in response to a query by Bursa Malaysia.

SAPURACREST PETROLEUM BHD informed the stock exchange that it was in discussions with a leading local bank to secure the necessary funding to part-finance its unit, Sapura Energy Venture’s contribution to the cost of development of the Berantai field.