Prestariang gains 8% on higher education venture

KUALA LUMPUR (April 25) : Prestariang Bhd advanced as much as 8% on updates that the information TECHNOLOGY [] service provider plans to venture into higher education.

Shares of Prestariang gained seven sen to RM1 before trading lower at 98 sen at 12.14pm with some 3.5 million shares done.

According to news reports quoting its financial executives, the company has secured the rights to set up a private institute which will offer degree courses in information and communication technology.



Get your T+10 interest FREE margin trading account NOW. Attractive brokerage for online trading. Contact Mr Ho at +603-5192 0808 or hoxian@sjsec.com.my for more details.

CIMB Research has technical sell on Prestariang at 92 sen

KUALA LUMPUR (March 22): CIMB Equities Research has a technical sell on Prestariang at 92 sen at which it is trading at a price-to-book of 2.7 times

It said on Thursday the uptrend channel from its Sep-11 low is at stake. If the candles fail to hold on above the support trend line (now at 90.5 sen), prices may tumble towards 86.5 sen, before heading towards 79.5 sen next.

“Selling pressure should accelerate once the candles fall below the 50-day SMA,” it said.

CIMB Research said indicators are showing signs of exhaustion. MACD signal line has staged a negative crossover, pushing its histogram bars into the negative territory while RSI is also below the 50pts mark.

“Unload on strength looks like a good option here, especially near the 94 sen to 97 sen resistances. Put a buy stop at 99.5 sen, just in case,” it said.



Get your T+10 interest FREE margin trading account NOW. Attractive brokerage for online trading. Contact Mr Ho at +603-5192 0808 or hoxian@sjsec.com.my for more details.

Prestariang jumps on dividend plan

Prestariang Bhd, a communications software company, gained 2.2 per cent to 94 sen, set for a record close.

The company proposed a final dividend of 4 sen a share after reporting a fourth-quarter profit of RM10.6 million, according to an exchange filing. - Bloomberg



Get your T+10 interest FREE margin trading account NOW. Attractive brokerage for online trading. Contact Mr Ho at +603-5192 0808 or hoxian@sjsec.com.my for more details.

OSK Research maintains Buy on Prestariang, higher FV of RM1.48

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 16): OSK Research is maintaining a Buy on Prestariang at a higher fair value of RM1.48, based on an unchanged 8.0 times FY12 price-to-earnings ratio (PER).

It said on Thursday that Prestariang reported 4QFY11 core earnings of RM10.60 million and proposed a final DPS of 4.0 sen.

“FY11 net profit surged more than 100% on-year to a new high of RM33.6 million to match our estimates while FY11 DPS stands at 8.0sen, which translates into a lucrative yield 8.7% for the year,” it said.

OSK Research said its bullish view is reaffirmed by the strong numbers as well as the stock’s appealing forecast FY12 DPS of 9.2 sen, which translates into a dividend yield of 10%.

“We believe its stock will climb to new heights after closing at a record high of 92 sen yesterday, Hence, we maintain BUY, at a higher FV of RM1.48, based on an unchanged 8.0 times FY12 PER,” it said.



Get your T+10 interest FREE margin trading account NOW. Attractive brokerage for online trading. Contact Mr Ho at +603-5192 0808 or hoxian@sjsec.com.my for more details.

HDBSVR expects Malaysian market to see resilience

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 16): HwangDBS Vickers Research said as the consolidation drags on, the Malaysian stock market is expected to show a fair bit of resilience.

“On the chart, the benchmark FBM KLCI will probably tread above its immediate support level of 1,555 ahead,” it said on Thursday.

HDBSVR said major U.S. equity indices lost between 0.5% and 0.8% on Wednesday night amid concerns of possible delays for Greece to secure international bailout funds. This could dampen investors’ sentiment around the region when Asia resumes trading this morning.

The research house said that among the Malaysian stocks that may be actively traded today include:

(a) AirAsia following news report that said it is planning to set up a low-cost carrier to serve the Gulf region;

(b) Prestariang, which has just proposed a single-tier dividend of 4.0 sen per share (implying a yield of 4.3% based on its last done share price of 92 sen); and

(c) Compugates Holdings, as one local media reported that the company is expected to clinch several solar-based projects in Sabah worth over RM2 billion.



Get your T+10 interest FREE margin trading account NOW. Attractive brokerage for online trading. Contact Mr Ho at +603-5192 0808 or hoxian@sjsec.com.my for more details.

Stocks to watch: Amway, Prestariang, Can-One, Mulpha Intl

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 15): Stocks on Bursa Malaysia could see cautious trade after the FBM KLCI snapped its two-days of gains despite the firmer broader market.

However, lending support could come from the better-than-expected economic numbers where the fourth quarter 2011 GDP expanded at 5.2%. Economists had expected the 4Q2011 GDP to have expanded 4.5% on-year, driven by upbeat domestic demand.

Among the stocks to watch are Amway (Malaysia) Holdings Bhd, Prestariang Bhd, CAN-ONE BHD [] and Mulpha International following the latest corporate developments.

Amway’s net profit for the fourth quarter ended Dec 31, 2011 rose 36.1% to RM24.93 million from RM18.31 million a year earlier, due mainly to improved gross margin arising from the lower cost of products and lower operating expense.

Amway declared a fourth interim single tier dividend of nine sen net per share for the financial year ended Dec 31, 2011, to be paid on March 30, 2012. The company was adopting a dividend payout ratio of no less than 80% of the company’s current year net earnings from the financial year 2012.

For the financial year ended Dec 31, Amway’s net profit was up 14.9% to RM89.99 million from RM78.32 million in 2010, while revenue rose to RM735.81 million from RM719.41 million.

Prestariang posted net profit of RM10.55 million in the fourth quarter ended Dec 31, 2011, underpinned by strong demand for its information communications TECHNOLOGY [] (ICT) training. Its revenue was RM32.63 million. Its earnings per share were 4.80 sen. It proposed a final single-tier dividend of 4.0 sen per share.

For the financial year ended Dec 31, 2011, it reported net profit of RM33.61 million on the back of RM111.75 million in revenue.

The legal tussle between Can-One Bhd and Kian Joo Holdings Sdn Bhd resumed. The former managing director of KIAN JOO CAN FACTORY BHD [] (KJCF) Datuk See Teow Chuan and 13 others have filed an application seeking the review of the Federal Court ruling that gave the nod for Can-One to buy the 32.9 pct stake of KJCF.

Mulpha expects to record a one-off gain of about RM57.35 million from the sale of its 75% stake in Hong Kong listed Manta Holdings Company Ltd for HK$285 million (RM111.15 million).

Mulpha said its unit Jumbo Hill Group Ltd had on Tuesday entered into a sale and purchase agreement with Eagle Legend International Holdings Ltd to dispose of the stake, comprising of 150 million shares, at HK$1.90 a share.

Meanwhile, DENKO INDUSTRIAL CORPORATION [] Bhd saw Green Power Resources Ltd increasing its stake in the company. Green Power, which is based in Singapore, acquired 9.0 million shares in Denko on Feb 9 and increased its shareholding to 13.14% or 13.72 million shares. The shares were disposed of by Yong Boon Cheong at 30 sen each.

GD EXPRESS CARRIER BHD []'s net profit for the second quarter ended Dec 31, 2011 rose 30% to RM2.11 million from RM1.62 million a year earlier, due mainly to growth in customer base and increase in business from existing customers.



Get your T+10 interest FREE margin trading account NOW. Attractive brokerage for online trading. Contact Mr Ho at +603-5192 0808 or hoxian@sjsec.com.my for more details.

Prestariang posts 4Q net profit of RM10.55m, boost from ICT

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 15): Prestariang Bhd posted net profit of RM10.55 million in the fourth quarter ended Dec 31, 2011, underpinned by strong demand for its information communications TECHNOLOGY [] (ICT) training.

It said on Wednesday that its revenue was RM32.63 million. Its earnings per share were 4.80 sen. It proposed a final single-tier dividend of 4.0 sen per share.

For the financial year ended Dec 31, 2011, it reported net profit of RM33.61 million on the back of RM111.75 million in revenue.

“The results more than doubled Prestariang’s FY2010 performance of RM15.11 million in profit after tax and RM58.52 million in revenue,” it said.

Prestariang CEO Dr Abu Hasan Ismail, CEO of Prestariang said the company’s record performance in 2011 was mainly contributed by the strong demand in ICT training, certification and management of software licences.

“Riding from the rising requirements for ICT training and certifications, we have grown at a compounded annual growth rate of 22.60% since 2006,” he said.

Abu Hassan said Prestariang would roll its own intellectual property (IP) certifications including Green IT and vocational English which would be implemented by second half of this year.



Get your T+10 interest FREE margin trading account NOW. Attractive brokerage for online trading. Contact Mr Ho at +603-5192 0808 or hoxian@sjsec.com.my for more details.

OSK keeps 'buy' call on Prestariang

Prestariang Bhd's (Prestariang) profit after tax for the fourth quarter of the financial year ended Dec 31, 2011 is expected to be within OSK Research Sdn Bhd's estimate of between RM10-RM11 million.

OSK Research in a research note here today said the results are likely to be driven by its information and communications technology training and certification division which usually experiences a peak in the second half of the year.

It said moving into 2012, the Prestariang management is aiming for an internal profit after tax of RM40 million for the new year and the research firm believes the target is achievable.

"We believe that the target, which implies a 19 per cent growth year-on-year is achievable, leveraging on the broader implementation of its in-house developed solutions, which typically yield better margins," it added.

OSK Research said the company is also working towards smoothening out its future earnings by focusing more on non-time sensitive contracts during the off-peak quarters to mitigate the seasonality impact.

The research house expects a more normalised and predictable earnings cycle going forward.

Meanwhile, it has maintained a "buy" call with a higher fair value of RM1.38 on the company as it feels increasingly upbeat on the prospects, riding on the growing adoption of its self-developed solutions. -- Bernama



Get your T+10 interest FREE margin trading account NOW. Attractive brokerage for online trading. Contact Mr Ho at +603-5192 0808 or hoxian@sjsec.com.my for more details.

Prestariang lands two-year government contract worth RM14m

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 17): Prestariang Bhd has landed a two-year contract worth RM14 million from the Ministry of Information Communications and Culture for its 1Citizen Program, its second such contract.

The company, which is an ICT service and education training provider, said on Tuesday rthat its unit Prestariang Systems Sdn Bhd (PSSB) had been awarded the contract.

It said PSSB expects to roll out the 1CITIZEN program from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2013.

It said the program was targeted at the community-at-large and would cater for 40,000 participants to be educated and trained for digital literacy and Internet etiquette.

Prestariang chief executive officer Dr Abu Hasan Ismail in a statement Jan 17 said the company was confident that the contract would contribute significantly to its revenue growth for 2012 as well as its order book for the next two years.

PSSB had in August 2011 received a contract of RM28 million from Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) for its 1CITIZEN program to be implemented for 80,000 students in 20 public institutions of higher learning including universities, polytechnics and community colleges in Malaysia, as well as selected private institutions of higher learning.

Dr Abu said the IC CITIZEN program was the first of the company’s many more home-grown certifications to come.

“It has been well received since its introduction in November 2010.

“More importantly, it is also starting to gain momentum in international markets through our global partners such as Certiport, US and Knowledge Point, UAE,” he said.

IC CITIZEN program is the first of its kind certification on internet etiquette developed and owned by Prestariang Group.

Launched in 2010, IC CITIZEN is globally marketed in partnership with US-based Certiport to a network of 10,000 centres in 152 countries.

Dr Abu said Prestariang’s focus in developing its own Intellectual Property (IP) training and certification programs, such as IC CITIZEN had continued to generate new income stream.

“Moving forward, the company expects to see greater growth and revenue contributions to be spurred by other home-grown certification programs such as Vocational English, Islamic Finance and Green IT scheduled for launch within this year.

“Prestariang’s business model in synergizing both ICT training and certification with software license distribution and management will continue to provide advantage to the group,” he said.



Get your T+10 interest FREE margin trading account NOW. Attractive brokerage for online trading. Contact Mr Ho at +603-5192 0808 or hoxian@sjsec.com.my for more details.

Stocks to watch: Harvest Court, CIMB, BHIC, Wah Seong, Prestariang

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 15): HARVEST COURT INDUSTRIES BHD [] could be in focus on Wednesday, Nov 16 when it resumes trading after Bursa Malaysia Securities declared the securities as designated counters until further notice.

This was the sternest warning to speculators who had chased up the stock in recent weeks as the regulator also issued unusual market activity queries to other penny stocks.

Bursa Securities’ decision to designate the securities of Harvest and the warrants due to excessive speculation observed in the trading of both securities and has been taken in the interest of ensuring a fair and orderly market.

In a separate statement, Harvest Court told Bursa Malaysia that its unit will enter into a related party transaction with 1Green Enviro Sdn Bhd for a RM70 million contract to build a pulp and paper plant in Jempol, Negeri Sembilan.

Other stocks to watch are CIMB Group Holdings Bhd, BOUSTEAD HEAVY INDUSTRIES CORP []oration Bhd (BHIC), WAH SEONG CORPORATION BHD [], Prestariang Bhd, Dutch Lady Milk Industries Bhd, OSK HOLDINGS BHD [] and SOUTHERN STEEL BHD [].

CIMB Group’s net profit rose 10.5pct year-on-year to RM1.012 billion in the third quarter ended Sept 30 from RM916 million a year ago. The net profit for the nine months ended Sept 30, 2011 rose 9.6% year-on-year to a record RM2.898 billion.

Its group chief executive Datuk Seri Nazir Razak said the 3Q earnings were underpinned by the continued improvement at its Malaysian consumer banking operations and rebound in treasury and investments.

Wah Seong Corporation Bhd net profit for the third quarter ended Sept 30, 2011 surged to RM21.29 million from RM12.49 million a year earlier, due mainly to a higher contribution from the oil and gas division.

Its revenue for the quarter rose to RM478.84 million from RM346.76 million in 2010. Earnings per share rose to 2.80 sen from 1.64 sen, while net assets per share was RM1.31.

For the nine months ended Sept 30, Wah Seong’s net profit jumped to RM90.85 million from RM31.21 million in 2010, on the back of revenue RM1.37 billion.

Boustead Heavy Industries Corporation Bhd posted net loss RM2.43 million for the third quarter ended Sept 30, 2011 compared to net profit RM26.9 million a year earlier, due mainly to cost overruns in certain commercial shipbuilding projects.

Its revenue for the quarter fell to RM150.02 million from RM227.71 million in 2010. Loss per share was 0.98 sen compared to earnings per share 10.83 sen a year ago.

For the nine months ended Sept 30, BHIC’s net profit fell to RM9.04 million from RM58.37 million, on the back of revenue RM387.47 million.

Prestariang Bhd posted net profit of RM10.07 million in the third quarter ended Sept 30, 2011, underpinned by its information and communications TECHNOLOGY [] (ICT) training and certification schemes.

Its revenue was RM33.13 million and earnings per share 4.69 sen. It declared an interim single-tier dividend of 4.0 sen per share

Dutch Lady Milk Industries Bhd’s earnings rose 77% to RM23.60 million from RM13.32 million a year ago boosted by lower operating costs, higher sales and favourable sales mix.

It said on Tuesday revenue increased by 9.85% to RM201.71 million from RM183.62 million while earnings per share were 36.87 sen compared with 20.82 sen. It declared a dividend of 35 sen per share.

OSK Holdings Bhd reported a 14.2% decline in net profit to RM28.81 million for the third quarter ended Sept 30, 2011 from RM33.60 million a year ago as it included RM5.63 million allowance for impairment losses on investments.

Its revenue rose 13.1% to RM288.78 million from RM255.35 million and earnings per share were 3.07 sen compared with 3.58 sen.

Southern Steel Bhd posted net profit of RM16.05 million for the first quarter ended Sept 30, 2011 on the back of RM734 million in revenue and expected a satisfactory performance in the current financial year.

Pre-tax profit was RM17.30 million while earnings per share were 3.8 sen and it declared an interim dividend of 5.0 sen per share.



Get your T+10 interest FREE margin trading account NOW. Attractive brokerage for online trading. Contact Mr Ho at +603-5192 0808 or hoxian@sjsec.com.my for more details.

Prestariang 3Q net profit RM10m, boost from ICT schemes

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 15): Prestariang Bhd posted net profit of RM10.07 million in the third quarter ended Sept 30, 2011, underpinned by its information and communications TECHNOLOGY [] (ICT) training and certification schemes.

It said on Tuesday revenue was RM33.13 million and earnings per share 4.69 sen. It declared an interim single-tier dividend of 4.0 sen per share

Prestariang said the ICT schemes were under the 3P (Program Pentauliahan Profesional) Programme for public higher education institutions throughout Malaysia.

It said the 3Q earnings were a 494% increase from its preceding quarter to RM10.07 million while revenue of the ICT training and certification as well as software licence distribution and management provider, improved 270% to RM33.13 million for the third quarter under review, compared to last quarter.

“The current year to date net profit for the company has surpassed its previous year’s full year performance. Prestariang’s cumulative nine-month net profit stood at RM23.06 million over revenue of RM79.12 million,” it said.

For financial year 2010, the company recorded profit after tax of RM15.12 million on revenue of RM58.52 million.



Get your T+10 interest FREE margin trading account NOW. Attractive brokerage for online trading. Contact Mr Ho at +603-5192 0808 or hoxian@sjsec.com.my for more details.