KLSE STOCK MARKET

Dated 2012-02-22
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  Moroccan firm keen to assemble Proton cars
Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said a Moroccan company, YNNA Holdings, had expressed today, its keenness to assemble and distribute Proton cars in that country.He said YNNA Holdings is among the biggest companies in Moroco with a varie…..

  AirAsia Q4 profit declines 56pc on fuel costs
AirAsia Bhd, the region’s biggest budget carrier, posted a fourth straight drop in quarterly profit as fuel costs eroded gains from carrying more passengers.Net income dropped 56 per cent to RM135.7 million (US$45 million), or 4.9 sen per share, in t…..

Auto industry players to meet Bank Negara
Automotive industry players will meet Bank Negara Malaysia on Friday to discuss the new guidelines for loan borrowers, following the 25 per cent drop in sales of new motor vehicles last month, says Proton.The guidelines have been in force since Jan 1…..

Petronas Gas records RM28.5m more revenue
Petronas Gas Bhd’s revenue for the quarter ended Dec 31, 2011 stood at RM921.2 million, an increase of RM28.5 million as compared to the corresponding quarter previous year.In a filing to Bursa Malaysia, the company said the increase was mainly due t…..

Genting Singapore proposes perpetual bonds
Genting Singapore plc proposed offering Singapore dollar-denominated perpetual bonds and plans to hold investor meetings in Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong starting on Feb 24.The company hired DBS Group Holdings Ltd and HSBC Holdings plc as global …..

Malaysia to form unit for Lynas plant audit
Malaysia’s government said an independent monitoring unit will be formed to undertake a construction audit at the rare-earth processing plant being built by Lynas Corp in Pahang.The audit will ensure that Lynas’ plant complies to all standards impose…..

Hartalega 9-month net profit, revenue swells
Hartalega Holdings Bhd registered a strong net profit of RM152 million for the nine-month period ended Dec 31, 2011, compared with RM138 million for the same period of 2010.Revenue grew by 27.4 per cent to RM691 million from RM542 million.’The signif…..

KL Kepong Q1 profit climbs 12pc
Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd, Malaysia’s third-biggest listed palm oil producer, said first-quarter profit rose 12 per cent after it got more for its edible oil and rubber, as well as better contributions from its refineries.Net income climbed to RM341 mi…..

IJM Plantations posts higher pre-tax profit
IJM Plantations Bhd’s pre-tax profit for the third quarter ended Dec 31, 2012 increased to RM71.6 million compared with RM59.8 million previously.Revenue decreased to RM146.4 million from RM160.4 million previously.In a filing to Bursa Malaysia, it s…..

IJM Corp Q3 earnings up RM27.8m
IJM Corp Bhd’s pre-tax profit for the third quarter (Q3) ended Dec 31, 2011, rose to RM247.7 million from RM219.9 million in the same period previously.Revenue increased to RM1.172 billion from RM901.3 million before.In a filing to Bursa Malaysia, IJ…..

WCT bags RM331m Riverson contract
WCT Bhd’s unit WCT Construction Sdn Bhd has secured a contract worth RM331 million from Riverson Corporation Sdn Bhd.The contract is for the construction and completion of a mixed commercial development with purpose-built medical centre and related f…..

IJM Land pre-tax profit dips to RM76m
IJM Land Bhd posted a lower pre-tax profit of RM76.3 million for the third quarter ended Dec 31, 2011, from RM105.6 million in the same period previously.Revenue, however, rose to RM292.9 million against RM255.2 million before.In a filing to Bursa Ma…..

YTL Cement retreats, trading halt on Feb 29
YTL Cement Bhd retreated 5.4 per cent to RM4.54, on course for its biggest loss since Oct. 29, 2008. Trading of shares in the cement maker will be suspended from Feb 29 before a delisting, as its parent YTL Corp. (YTL MK) held more than 90 per cent o…..

Proton to offer YES in-car 4G Internet access
Proton Holdings and Yes, a 4G network provider under YTL Communications Sdn Bhd, today launched a collaboration tooffer Malaysia’s first in-car 4G internet access in Proton’s high-end cars and the new sedan P3-21A to be launched next month. In the pa…..

Malaysia’s inflation slows to 1-year low in Jan
Malaysia’s inflation slowed to a one-year low in January, giving the central bank room to extend a pause in monetary policy tightening as the faltering global economy threatens growth.The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for January 2012 rose by 2.7 per ce…..

Oil & Gas capex may reach US$500b
The capital expenditure (capex) in the oil and gas industry worldwide is expected reach a record level at half a trillion US dollars this year.Group Analyst of Acteon Group Ltd, Will Rowley, said the estimates were based on the assumption that oil pr…..

Handal Offshore wins 2 jobs from Kencana
Handal Resources Bhd’s unit Handal Offshore Services Sdn Bhd has bagged two contracts worth RM6.63 million from Kencana Petroleum Bhd to fabricate pedestal cranes for the Serendah oil and gas development project.In a statement, Handal said the letter…..

HeiTech Padu secures RM20m UAE project
HeiTech Padu Bhd has secured a RM20 million (AED24.399 million) project for the Emirates Vehicle Gates (EVG) portal from UAE firm SAEED for Traffic Systems (SAEED).The contract is for a period of twelve months, HeiTech said in a statement today.It ad…..

Lafarge Malayan Cement profit up 10pc
Lafarge Malayan Cement Bhd’s pre-tax profit rose 10 per cent to RM414.647 million for the financial year ended Dec 31, 2011 from RM345.397 million in 2010.In filing to Bursa Malaysia, the group said the higher profit was in line with the increase in …..

Unisem swings to Q4 net loss
Unisem (M) Bhd posted a fourth-quarter net loss of RM2.66 million, from a profit of RM40.7 million in the same period a year earlier.Revenue fell to RM273.2 million in the three months ended Dec. 31, from RM335.6 million, according to a stock exchang…..

MAHB to call for second KLIA2 outlet tender
Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) will be calling for a second tender briefing for KLIA2 involving 39 lots comprisingretail, FandB and services categories on Feb 29 and March 6 respectively, at the Pan Pacific Hotel KLIA. Tender documents can be …..

TSH Resources profit more than doubles
TSH Resources’ pre-tax profit rose 54 per cent to RM162.4 million for the financial year ended Dec 31, 2011 from RM105.3 million recorded in the preceding year. The group turnover increased 27 per cent to RM1.15 billion from RM908 million a year befo…..

IGB Corp FY2011 net profit, revenue jumps
IGB Corporation Bhd posted an increase of 36.09 per cent in net profit to RM237.65 million for the financial year ended Dec 31, 2011 from RM174.62 million previously.Revenue for the year rose to RM772.13 million from RM719.36 million a year ago.For t…..

Tricubes unit gets TNB contract
Tricubes Bhd’s 70 per cent-owned unit, TricubesNCR JV Sdn Bhd, has secured a contract worth RM729,956.25 from Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB).The contract is to supply 45 units of meter reader equipment and meter reading application for field trial at TNB …..

Far East grows net profit by 45pc
Oil palm-based Far East Holdings Bhd posted an increase of 45.2 per cent in its net profit to RM119.73 million for its financial year ended Dec 31, 2011 from RM82.44 million registered in the previous financial year.Revenue for financial year 2011 ro…..

Felda SPV to ensure settlers gain from IPO
The Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) has proposed to set up a special-purpose vehicle (SPV) to ensure the settlers benefit directly from Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd’s (FGVH) proposed listing and all future profits from the listed bus…..

Tradewinds rises on 18pc Q4 income growth
Tradewinds Plantation Bhd, a palm oil producer, rose 1.5 percent to RM4.81 in Kuala Lumpur trading at 9.29am, headed for its biggest gain since Feb. 8. Fourth-quarter net income grew 18 percent from a year earlier to RM98 million, the company said in…..

  Eversendai jumps on contract wins
Eversendai Corp, a structural steel contractor, climbed 2.4 percent to RM1.68 in Kuala Lumpur trading at 9.29am, set for its biggest increase since Feb. 13. The company won contracts valued at RM185 million in Malaysia and the Middle East, it said in…..

  ACE Jerneh eyes double-digit growth
ACE Jerneh Insurance Bhd is targeting double-digit growth in gross written premiums this year, driven by its strong sales force, country president Lim Sun said today. ACE Jerneh is the result of the merger completed on Jan 4 this year between ACE…..

UK LNG terminal has import slot for Petronas
Petroliam Nasional Bhd or Petronas, has a slot available at the UK’s Dragon liquefied natural gas terminal next month to import the chilled fuel, suggesting that it doesn’t plan to bring in its own cargo.The company has offered a berth on March 6 to …..

Malaysia conventions generate RM382m
A total of 49 international and regional conventions, generating an excess of RM382 million in economic impact to the country, was secured by the Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) with industry partners in 2011. With an average of 73…..

Hwang Investment gets SC nod on fund size
Hwang Investment Management (HwangIM) Bhd has received the Securities Commission’s approval to increase the fund size of its latest offering, the Hwang Structured Income Fund V, to RM150 million from RM100 million effective February 16. The company e…..

Eng Tek slides on Q4 net loss
Eng Teknologi Holdings Bhd, an electronic-components maker, slid 2.9 percent to RM1.68 in Kuala Lumpur trading at 9.29am, the most since Nov. 30. Eng reported fourth-quarter net loss of RM53.8 million, compared with a profit of RM9.3 million a year e…..

ING expects 25,000 to take up new product
ING Insurance Bhd expects to sign up 25,000 policyholders for its new investment-linked insurance package, INGeasi For You, by year-end. Its chief marketing officer, Joos Louwerier, said the company currently has over 90,000 policyholders under its…..

CCK Cons gains on share distribution
CCK Consolidated Holdings Bhd, a poultry-processing company, gained 3.3 percent to 93 sen in Kuala Lumpur trading at 9.29am, on course for its highest close since April 2000. The company will distribute one treasury share for every 15 shares held aft…..

Centre to promote SME products in China
The Asean-China SME Trade Centre in east China’s Changshu city, would serve as a one-stop business and trade centre for Asean’s and China’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to trade and promote their products, commodities and services.Low Yat Grou…..

Plantations, banks drag FBM KLCI lower
Share prices on Bursa Malaysia ended on easier note today following losses in selected plantation and banking counters, dealers said.The benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) closed 3.26 points, or 0.208 per cent, lower at 1,560.52, after ope…..

Wilmar Intl Q4 profit surges 57pc
Wilmar International Ltd, the world’s biggest palm-oil processing company, said fourth-quarter profit rose 57 percent on higher contributions from oilseeds, grains and its acquired sugar business.Net income climbed to US$500 million, or 7.7 cents a s…..

Dow tops 13,000 in bumpy day
NEW YORK: The Dow Jones Industrial Average topped 13,000 for the first time since May 2008 before falling back to close nearly flat on Tuesday, in a bumpy day spurred by news of a new bailout deal for Greece.After a slow start the blue-chip index pus…..

Independent unit for construction audit at Lynas, says Govt
KUALA LUMPUR: An independent monitoring unit will be formed to undertake a construction audit at the Lynas Corporation’s rare earth refinery plant in Gebeng, Pahang to ensure compliance to all standards imposed by the appropriate and relevant profess…..

Auto industry to meet Bank Negara on loan guidelines
KUALA LUMPUR: Automotive industry players will meet Bank Negara Malaysia on Friday to discuss the new guidelines for loan borrowers, following the 25 per cent drop in sales of new motor vehicles last month, says Proton……

Tan & Tan’s G Residence to be sold out by year-end
KUALA LUMPUR: G Residence, developed by Opt Ventures Sdn Bhd, a unit of Tan and Tan Development Bhd, is expected to be sold out by year-end……

Shares of Wilmar, which has plantations in M’sia, plunge after Q4 earnings
SINGAPORE: Wilmar International Ltd posted a 57 percent jump in quarterly profit, boosted by a huge revaluation gain in its core palm oil business and from its enlarged sugar operations, but investors dumped shares on concerns about declining margins…..

Malaysia Airports call for second tender for KLIA2 commercial outlets
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) will be calling for a second tender briefing for KLIA2 involving 39 lots comprising retail, F&B and services categories on Feb 29 and March 6 respectively, at the Pan Pacific Hotel KLIA……

Local bourse closed down, Asia more positive
KUALA LUMPUR: The local benchmark index fared poorer today while most Asian bourses tilted towards the positive amid mixed sentiments following Greece’s second bailout that did not quite excite investors……

Mobile service operators start talks on merger and acquisitions
PETALING JAYA: Consolidation talks have begun in the telecommunication space where as many as nine parties have licences to offer mobile services……

Foreign direct investments hit RM33bil, surpassing pre-crisis level
PETALING JAYA: Despite prevailing global economic uncertainties, Malaysia’s total foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows sprung a surprise and climbed to RM32.9bil last year, eclipsing the pre-crisis level of RM29.1bil achieved in 2007……

Westports plans RM3.2bil investment
PUTRAJAYA: Westports Malaysia Sdn Bhd will invest RM3.18bil under its expansion plan to further improve the port’s capacity, executive chairman Tan Sri G. Gnanalingam said……

Felda unit listing hits snag
PETALING JAYA: Felda’s quest for a smooth listing of its investment arm, Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd (FGVH) on Bursa Malaysia hit another speed bump following the cancellation of Koperasi Permodalan Felda Malaysia Bhd (KPF) EGM, which is slate…..

KEuro under close watch after granted highway concession
PETALING JAYA: Kumpulan Europlus Bhd (KEuro) has become a closely-watched company since the issuance of the letter of approval for the 60-year West Coast Expressway concession to its subsidiary, West Coast Expressway Sdn Bhd (WCESB), last month……

Need to reiterate pledge of confidentiality
THE heat is on – from various experiences of consumers, it looks like banks are determined to follow the prudential lending guidelines set about two months ago……

Eversendai wins new RM185mil contracts in Mideast, Malaysia
PETALING JAYA: Eversendai Corp Bhd has secured contracts for projects in the Middle East and Malaysia valued at RM185mil……

Greece bailout deal provides more clarity ton markets
AFTER months of uncertainty, the finance ministers of the 17-member eurozone finally agreed to grant the second bailout worth 130 billion euros negotiated last October to a bankcrupt Greece following more than 13 hours of negotiations……

MAHB’s plans to attract more airlines to Malaysia
SEPANG: Malaysian Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB), which posted a fourth-quarter net profit of RM122.9mil, is in discussions to get more airlines to fly into Malaysia……

HSBC: IPO market to pick up in Q2, Q3
PETALING JAYA: The initial public offering (IPO) market would likely pick up momentum given the strong fundamentals in Asian markets and renewed interest in the equity markets……

Nods for Maybank note programme
PETALING JAYA: Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) has obtained the relevant approvals for a proposed subordinated note programme of up to RM7bil in nominal value……

Kingfisher Airlines near collapse
NEW DELHI: India’s debt-crippled Kingfisher Airlines Ltd stood on the brink of collapse yesterday after nearly a week of flight cancellations and the resignation of dozens of its pilots.        …..

Mazda to raise US$2b in share issue, loans       
TOKYO: Japan’s Mazda Motor Corp plans to raise US$2.1bil to shore up its finances and invest in a new plant in Mexico, a bigger-than-expected fund-raising that sent its shares tumbling 10%.       …..

Investors fear banks may hijack Olympus board
LONDON: Western investors in Japan’s disgraced Olympus have accused its banks of trying to take control of the boardroom by stealth, amid media reports that the firm’s major creditors are set to install their own appointees in the top jobs……

Maxis poised for special dividend payout
KUALA LUMPUR: Maxis Bhd’s board of directors will discuss the possibility of declaring a special dividend payout at their routine directors meeting which is usually held at the end of every month, sources familiar with the matter said……

Steep dip in MMHE earnings, revenue
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia Marine and Heavy Engineering Holdings Bhd (MMHE) posted a 65% year-on-year drop in net profit to RM46.4mil for the quarter ended Dec 31, 2011 mainly due to no further recognition of revenue from engineering, procurement, const…..

Record profit for ECS in fourth quarter
PETALING JAYA: ECS ICT Bhd, which distributes information and communication technology (ICT) products and software, posted record net profit of RM10.5mil in the fourth quarter ended Dec 31, 2011……

Corporate Results In Brief
KUALA LUMPUR: Results from Unisem, Lion Corp, Manulife, Tradewind, Pjarmaniaga, TH Plantations, QL Resources and Tebrau Teguh……

Harrisons gets Customs letter
PETALING JAYA: Harrisons Holdings (M) Bhd’s wholly owned subsidiary in Sabah has received a letter of demand from the Royal Malaysian Customs Department for RM91.75mil regarding alleged unpaid duties and sales tax……

Alibaba Q4 net slips on weak global economy
HONG KONG: Alibaba.com, which could soon be taken private by its founder Jack Ma, posted a first profit decline in more than two years as a weak global economy hit the number of paying members for its services.       …..

Consultant assessing bid for late Tan Sri Lee Yan Lian’s family assets
PETALING JAYA: The sale by tender of the five parcels of freehold land in the Klang Valley owned by the late Tan Sri Lee Yan Lian’s family has attracted strong interest from bidders……

S’pore house prices to drop in next 6 months
SINGAPORE: PropertyGuru, Singapore’s leading property site, revealed its fourth quarter 2011 survey results on the property market sentiment in Singapore……

Elderly not ready to leave flats for bonus
SINGAPORE: The new Silver Housing Bonus offers the elderly the chance to unlock their savings, but many say they are not keen to downgrade to a smaller flat just yet……

China home prices fall in January
BEIJING: Home prices in more than two thirds of China’s major cities continued their slump in January from a month before, the government announced, as moves to cool the market continued to bite……

New EU bailout for Greece package is worth 130 billion euros
BRUSSELS: Eurozone finance ministers has sealed a 130-billion-euro (US$172bil) bailout for Greece to avert a chaotic default in March after persuading private bondholders to take greater losses and Athens to commit to deep cuts……

Eurozone study says Greek debt can easily derail again
BRUSSELS: Greece’s second bailout programme could easily go off the rails and send the nation’s debt rocketing back to unmanageable levels, according to a confidential study by its international lenders……

Bondholders set for loss
LONDON: Banks are set to lose almost three-quarters of the value of their Greek government bonds under a deal agreed early yesterday, slightly more than they had planned, people familiar with the matter said……

OneSteel flies high
MELBOURNE: OneSteel, Australia’s second-largest steelmaker, posted an underlying first-half profit ahead of forecasts, lifting its shares 9%, and outlined plans to change its name to reflect its growing mining business and attract new investors……

HSBC in £4bil SME trade financing boost        
LONDON: HSBC, bucking the trend among some European banks, is increasing its exposure to trade finance by making £4bil of credit available to small and medium-sized enterprises that trade, or are planning to trade, internationally……

Survey: New Zealand Q4 growth likely to be slight              
WELLINGTON: New Zealand’s economy probably posted modest growth in the fourth quarter with improving activity seen in more regions, a survey from the National Bank of New Zealand (NBNZ) showed……

Comcast to take on Netflix with Web video service
(Reuters) – Comcast Corp, the No. 1 U.S. cable operator, became the latest major name to take on Netflix Inc on Tuesday when it announced plans for an online video service offering a library of TV shows and movies……

Dell shares fall on earnings miss, outlook
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – Dell Inc forecast fiscal first-quarter revenue below Wall Street’s expectations, stoking fears the PC industry has not fully emerged from its downturn and sending the company’s shares more than 4 percent lower……

Merrill raises bid for rivals’ top brokers: sources
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Bank of America’s Merrill Lynch has launched a more aggressive recruiting campaign for top-tier brokers, including a bonus paid for transferring client assets after six months at the firm, two sources familiar with the new plan…..

Wall St loses steam after Dow crosses 13,000
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Stocks ended little changed on Tuesday, paring gains after the Dow topped 13,000 for the first time since May 2008, and as higher oil prices damped prospects for the economy……

Johnson & Johnson CEO Weldon to step down in April
(Reuters) – Johnson & Johnson Chief Executive William Weldon will step down from his post in April after a series of recalls called into question the quality of the healthcare conglomerate’s products, from artificial hips to infant Tylenol…..