Monday, 12 December 2011

Stocks to watch: IGB, Notion, Axiata, SYF

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 10): Stocks on Bursa Malaysia could be given a boost on Monday following the firmer close on Wall Street as EU leaders worked out a plan to restore market confidence.

The Dow Jones industrial average ended up 186.56 points, or 1.55%, at 12,184.26. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index was up 20.84 points, or 1.69%, at 1,255.19. The Nasdaq Composite Index rose 50.47 points, or 1.94%, at 2,646.85.

For the week, the Dow rose 1.4%, the S&P gained 0.9% and the Nasdaq was up 0.8%.

As for Bursa Malaysia, the FBM KLCI fell 12.79 points or 0.87% to 1,460.13, weighed by losses including at KL Kepong, GENTING BHD, PPB, AMMB and Gamuda.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index lost 2.73% to 18,586.23, South Korea’s Kospi fell 1.97% to 1,874.75, Japan’s Nikkei 225 was down 1.48% to 8,536.46, Taiwan’s Taiex lost 1.28% to 6,893.30, the Shanghai Composite Index shed 0.62% to 2,315.27 and Singapore’s Straits Times Index lost 1.24% to 2,694.60.

However, whether the rebound could last in the week ahead also remains to be seen.

Affin Investment Bank head of retail research Dr Nazri Khan is more cautious as he believes the FBM KLCI is likely to pullback lower to 1,430 to 1,420 support level on absence of an EU catalyst and lack of momentum from last week liquidity boost rally.

“We reckon the bearishness are driven by two important factors namely : (1) further caution from S&P 500 warning to massively downgrade EU countries and (2) investors losing expectation over EU summit to produce a financial bazooka to contain the debt crisis,” he said.

Stocks which could see trading interest on Monday include IGB Group Bhd, Axiata Group Bhd, NOTION VTEC BHD [] and SYF RESOURCES BHD [].

On Monday, Broadcast Australia will ink and agreement with Axiata Group Bhd’s unit Axiata Celcom wherein the former will be Celcom’s technical partner to bid for the RM2 billion digital terrestrial television broadcasting (DTTB) project.

Celcom would ultimately be providing infrastructure for the (DTTB) network and rent it out for stable income in the future.

Celcom, which invested RM1 billion in the 3G infrastructure this year and plans to spend another RM1 billion next year.

The Edge weekly reports that the IGB group is said to have engaged investment banks to look into structuring a real estate investment trust. The property group is hoping to launch the REIT by first half of 2012.

It also reported that Notion VTec Bhd is hoping to grow its hard disk drive segment by 40% next year with the growing momentum in its 2.5in HDD base plate business, which is expected to turn profitable in the second quarter.

Meanwhile, SYF is now on firmer footing after regularising its financial condition. It recorded net profit of RM39.24 million in the first quarter ended Oct 31, 2011 when compared with net loss of RM581,000 a year ago after the waiver of debts and overprovision of interest.

Its revenue was 6.3% higher at RM42.98 million compared with RM40.44 million a year ago. Its earnings per share were 43.37 sen compared with loss per share of 0.69 sen.



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Friday, 9 December 2011

SYF Resources posts RM39m net profit in 1Q, thanks to debt waiver

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 9): SYF RESOURCES BHD [] posted net profit of RM39.24 million in the first quarter ended Oct 31, 2011 when compared with net loss of RM581,000 a year following the waiver of debts and over provision of interest.

The company said on Friday its revenue was 6.3% higher at RM42.98 million compared with RM40.44 million a year ago. Its earnings per share were 43.37 sen compared with loss per share of 0.69 sen.

SYF said there was a waiver of debts by scheme lenders and over provision of interest amounting to RM32.3 million and RM5.4 million respectively upon the completion of the proposed restructuring scheme on Oct 25.

It also issued 102.72 million redeemable convertible secured loan stocks of 25 sen each to unsecured financial institution creditors; and 84.07 million rights shares of 25 sen each.



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Toyo Ink to fund US$2.5b Vietnam power plant from project capital, borrowings

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 9): TOYO INK GROUP BHD [] plans to finance the US$2.5 billion coal-fired power plant power plant in Vietnam from a corporate exercise and also through borrowings.

Since the project involved a massive capital outlay, the company said on Friday it would consider raising part of the project capital from a corporate exercise and funding the balance via borrowings.

Toyo Ink said it would also seek equity partnerships to incorporate a joint venture company in Vietnam, adding this might involve changes in the company’s existing corporate structure, capital management and financial risk management.

The company was responding to a query from Bursa Malaysia Securities on the proposed investment project.

Toyo Ink also said the power purchase agreement, implementation agreement and the developing and expanding cooperation framework had yet to be finalised.

It share price closed 10 sen lower at RM1.67 as investors were concerned its recent price surge was overdone as returns on investment in the power plant would be longer.

The Edge FinancialDaily reported on Friday Toyo’s share price has benefited from the letter of approval it received from the Vietnamese government for the power plant, but realising the earnings may be a long way off.



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Market Commentary

The FBM KLCI index lost 12.79 points or 0.87% on Friday. The Finance Index fell 0.93% to 12940.89 points, the Properties Index dropped 0.66% to 944.21 points and the Plantation Index down 0.86% to 7860.69 points. The market traded within a range of 7.99 points between an intra-day high of 1464.70 and a low of 1456.71 during the session.

Actively traded stocks include COMPUGT, SYF-WA, SYF, VERSATL, DPS, DPS-WA, UTOPIA, PAVREIT, WIJAYA-WA and EMICO. Trading volume decreased to 1296.67 mil shares worth RM1057.03 mil as compared to Thursday’s 1622.84 mil shares worth RM1175.63 mil.

Leading Movers were DIGI (+7 sen to RM3.69), TM (+5 sen to RM4.55), TENAGA (+1 sen to RM5.53), MMCCORP (+3 sen to RM2.51) and MAXIS (+1 sen to RM5.49). Lagging Movers were GENTING (-26 sen to RM10.62), CIMB (-10 sen to RM6.89), AXIATA (-8 sen to RM4.81), KLK (-72 sen to RM22.28) and AMMB (-16 sen to RM5.74). Market breadth was negative with 213 gainers as compared to 515 losers. -- JF Apex Securities Bhd



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Celcom Axiata plans another RM1b capex for 3G infra

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 9): Celcom Axiata Bhd, which invested RM1 billion in the 3G infrastructure this year, has set aside another RM1 billion next year.

Its chief financial officer Chari TVT said on Friday the network was long-term evolution (LTE) capable for upgrading. LTE is a standard for wireless communication of high-speed data for mobile phones and data terminals.

“Currently, 86% of mobile phones in Malaysia still depends on the 2G network. Over in Japan, they had just phased out the 2G network this year. Malaysia is roughly five years behind Japan, therefore we can expect to phase out 2G TECHNOLOGY [] in about five years,” said Chari.

When asked about plans by Broadcast Australia to ink a deal on Monday to be Celcom’s technical partner to bid for the RM2 billion digital terrestrial television broadcasting (DTTB) project, Chari said the details of the deal would be announced on Monday.

However, he said Celcom would ultimately be providing infrastructure for the DTTB network and rent it out for stable income in the future.

“We have 98% of the infrastructure in place for the DTTB network,” said Chari.

On Celcom Axiata’s financial performance for the third quarter ended Sept 30, 2011, Chari said it posted all-time record high profit and revenue.

Its profit after tax and minority interests for the third quarter rose 10% on-year to RM531million from RM509 million driven by revenue which grew by 6% to RM1.826 billion from RM1.768 billion.

Chari said he expected the group to achieve its key performance indicators and reach its targeted RM7.9 billion in revenue for the full year.

Moving forward, Celcom would continue to modernise its network, and accelerate its technology transformation by investing into network fiberisation, 4G LTE, and alternative access technologies while focusing on IT transformation.

Data makes up about 38% of Celcom’s revenue, but that figure is expected to reach 50% by 2015, he said.

He attributed the rapid growth of Celcom’s data business to the quickly expanding but highly competitive market.

“Smartphone penetration for our network has gone from 10% to 18% within a year,” said Chari who expected smartphone uptake to continue at a rapid pace as smart-phone prices continue to decline.



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Tony moving on to AirAsia regional chief?

PETALING JAYA: AirAsia Bhd may see a new country head soon, while Tan Sri Tony Fernandes will remain as the budget carrier’s regional chief, sources said.

It is worth noting that AirAsia already has CEOs for its respective operations in Thailand and Indonesia. It also has plans to list these entities, which have just started making profits.

The appointment of a new CEO here can be seen as an integral part of Fernandes’ aspirations to make AirAsia a truly Asean airline.

“Fernandes will stay regional, (there will be) just a new CEO in Malaysia,” said the source.

This development came amid AirAsia’s fast expansion in the Asian region as well as the changing landscape of the local aviation industry. Its latest regional move was the setting up of AirAsia Japan. Fernandes also hopes to triple AirAsia’s fleet from 100 to 300.

Named Forbes’ Asia businessman last year, Fernandes played a big role in enabling major changes in the country’s aviation industry this year. The AirAsia CEO was instrumental in forging closer ties between AirAsia and Malaysian Airline System Bhd (MAS) in a collaboration estimated to save both airlines some RM1 billion per annum as both focus on core competencies.

Under the deal, Fernandes and his deputy Datuk Kamarudin Meranun took up some 20% in MAS via a share swap deal with Khazanah Nasional Bhd in August. Khazanah in turn subscribed to some 10% in AirAsia. There is a two-year moratorium attached to these shareholdings.

sell substantially to non-Singaporean customers,” said a local property analyst.

Singapore has had one of the most exciting real estate markets in the region as investors from China, Indonesia and Malaysia snapped up private residential properties in the island state.

According to Singapore government data, foreign buyers accounted for 19% of all private residential property purchases in 2HFY11, a substantial increase from 7% in 1HFY09.

However, S P Setia president and CEO Tan Sri Liew Kee Sin seemed unfazed by the new measures to curb real estate speculation in Singapore.

Liew said S P Setia’s Singapore projects are mainly targeted at Singaporeans wanting to upgrade their dwellings. He expects to sell about 70% of the group’s real estate units there to Singaporeans.

Additionally, Liew does not expect its non-Singaporean customers to be frightened off by the additional stamp duty charges. “The remaining 30% would be foreigners who want to buy anyway, regardless of the stamp duty and additional 10% charge,” a confident Liew said after announcing the group’s latest financial results.

Liew also pointed out that S P Setia’s maiden project in Melbourne had seen fast take up from Malaysians despite the strong Australian dollar against the ringgit.

S P Setia made its maiden foray to Singapore in April after acquiring a freehold development along Woodsville Close for redevelopment. It plans to redevelop the 0.68-acre land into a multi-storey residential apartment building with an estimated gross development value (GDV) of S$130 million (RM316.3 million). The project is expected to be launched in the coming months.

Just last week, S P Setia announced that its subsidiary had won a tender for a 4.62-acre parcel at Singapore’s Chestnut Avenue for S$180 million. The eco-themed development comprises residential apartments with an estimated GDV of S$465 million. The project is scheduled for launched in 4Q12.

Selangor Dredging Bhd (SDB), another Malaysian property developer with ongoing projects in the island republic, believes that Singapore remains a viable investment destination despite the new measures.

SDB communications and corporate affairs manager Yeoh Guan Jin said although the impact of the new measures will likely be felt quickly, the market will adapt to the new regime.

“Speculation will likely be curbed for now. But in the longer term, demand for property will return to normal. We are confident that the market will ride this out. A more stable and less speculative property sector would be a positive development,” Yeoh told The Edge Financial Daily in an email response.

Yeoh added that SDB has no plans of delaying the launch of its fifth Singapore project in Pasir Panjang, which is currently scheduled for 2H12. In Singapore, SDB has completed and sold out its low-density apartment called Jia on Wilkie Road.

The other three projects that are close to selling out are its mixed development Okio Residences, Gilstead Two apartments and 41-units of luxury apartments called Hijauan on Cavenagh.

Among the Malaysian players, IOI Corp and Khazanah (via listed property arm UEM Land) may be more affected as they have a large landbank there with yet-to-be launched projects. The latter recently gained control of two plots of land in the Marina area in exchange for the surrender of the KTM railway land.

Analysts say that a positive spin-off effect of Singapore’s move could be a diversion of property investors to Malaysia, particularly Iskandar Malaysia in Johor and even Penang.

“The changes in Singapore may affect its attractiveness. It was previously seen as having quite a liberal environment for real estate ownership by foreigners. Foreigners do not like changes that affect their investments. The Malaysian government has been relatively liberal when it comes to property ownership by non-citizens,” said one property analyst.

Foreigners in Malaysia are allowed to buy properties priced at above RM500,000 and own landed homes, the analyst pointed out. He also claimed that the Malaysia My Second Home programme was “the cheapest long-term residency programme” in the world.


This article appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, December 9, 2011.



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AirAsia, Bumi Armada and UEM Land to replace Gamuda, MISC and PLUS in KLCI

KUALA LUMPUR: AirAsia Bhd and Bumi Armada Bhd will replace Gamuda Bhd and MISC Bhd in the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI, following the semi-annual review approved by the FTSE Bursa Malaysia Index Advisory Committee yesterday.

Bursa Malaysia Bhd and FTSE Group in a joint statement yesterday added that PLUS Expressways Bhd will be removed from the KLCI due to its suspension and delisting, and be replaced by UEM Land Holdings Bhd, the highest ranking stock in the KLCI reserve list at the close of business on Dec 8. This change will take effect at the start of business on Dec 13.

The KLCI reserve list, comprising the five highest ranking non-constituents of the index by market capitalisation, were UEM Land Holdings, IJM Corp Bhd, S P Setia Bhd, Malaysia Airport Holdings Bhd and Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd.

Companies in the reserve list will replace constituents that become ineligible as a result of corporate actions before the next review.

Changes were also made to the FTSE Bursa Malaysia Mid 70 Index (FBM 70) and FTSE Bursa Malaysia Hijrah Syariah Index (FBM Hijrah).

All constituent changes take effect at the start of business on Dec 19 and the next review will take place on June 7, 2012.

This review saw the FTSE Bursa Malaysia Index Series experience a higher turnover than in previous reviews. This was due to the implementation of a new and enhanced liquidity rule.

The new rule is based on the median of the daily turnover of a stock (expressed as a percentage of its shares in issue and adjusted for its free float weighting) over the course of a month. The old rule was based on the total turnover for a month (expressed as a percentage of shares in issue and adjusted for free float weighting).

The new rule is in line with the FTSE Global Equity Index Series which further aligns it to global standards while continuing to provide an accurate representation of the true investability of companies in the FTSE Bursa Malaysia Index Series.


This article appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, December 9, 2011.



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DRB-Hicom not eyeing Proton

KUALA LUMPUR: DRB-Hicom Bhd has denied a newspaper report that it is looking to secure a substantial stake in Proton Holdings Bhd, and would divest part of the stake to Volkswagen AG.

“In this regard, we wish to inform Bursa Malaysia that the company is not aware of the source and the basis of the article,” it said in a filing with Bursa yesterday.


This article appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, December 9, 2011.



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