Maybank IB Views

ECONOMICS
BNM Annual Report 2010
No Change in official 2011 GDP forecast

Official real GDP growth forecast remains at 5%-6% (2010: +7.2%) although the growth rates of GDP components were tweaked, while inflation is expected to accelerate to 2.5%-3.5% (2010: +1.7%). We maintained our growth forecast of 5.5% for now but raised our inflation rate (to +3% from +2.a5%) and crude oil price (to USD100/barrel from USD90/barrel). Risks, issues and challenges in 2011 include sustaining growth momentum, ensuring financial stability and dealing with rising inflationary pressures. In this regards, we expect OPR to be raised in Sep and Nov by a total of 50bps to 3.25% but sticking to our contrarion call of no further SRR hike after the 100bps increase to 2% on 11 Mar. We also see further prudential measures to deal with the specific issue of household debt.

SECTOR UPDATE
Banking: Overweight
Upbeat challenges

Maintain Overweight. The banking system remains in the pink of health with profits up a strong 34% last year, supported by strong asset ratios. Yesterday's analyst briefing, in conjunction with BNM's release of its 2010 Annual Report and Financial Stability and Payment Systems Report, sent a positive vibe on the domestic banking sector outlook, with key agenda in 2011 being to manage household sector resilience. There is no change to our earnings forecasts and calls for the banks.

COMPANY UPDATE
Sime Darby RM9.15: Buy
Moving on

Positive kicker to sentiments. Sime Darby has agreed on an out-of-court settlement with Maersk Oil Qatar (MOQ), which results in a RM100m write back of provisions (1.6sen/sh). The write back has no impact on our core earnings forecasts but is positive on sentiment. Going forward, the stock will gain further momentum from perpetual positive news flow. We are sideline on the ongoing lawsuits. Reiterate Buy with a RM10.60 sum-of-parts target price.

Notion VTEC RM1.98: Buy
To benefit from relocation exercise Shariah-compliant

New 'body mount' project from Nikon is a kicker. This new order could generate a net profit of RM4-6m and lift EPS by 3-4 sen. We maintain our forecasts for now. We do not rule out higher outsourcing contracts from Nikon as it reorganizes its operations in Japan. NVB's MSC tax status remains a work-in-progress but would add another 6 sen to EPS once approved. NVB remains a small-cap Buy, with a RM2.40 target price, based on 4.5x FY11 EV/EBITDA, reflecting regional peers' (ex-Japan) valuations.

ACQUISITIONS / DISPOSAL
Tenaga Nasional RM6.18: Sell
Buys 22.1% of Integrax Shariah-compliant

A hand in port operations. We are positive on Tenaga's acquisition of 22.1% Integrax, due to its strategic benefits and attractive valuation. The earnings increment is small - we estimate RM3-4m p.a. initially, based on a 22.1% share in Integrax's earnings (RM48m net profit in 2010), which will be offset by the acquisition cost. That aside, we are concerned about the current high coal prices and lack of clarity on a tariff hike that is undermining Tenaga's earning potential. No change to our earnings forecasts and DCF-based target price for now. Sell.

Technicals
The FBM KLCI inched up 2.87 points yesterday to close at 1,511.97. Its resistance areas of 1,513 and 1,529 will cap market gains, whilst the obvious support areas are located at 1,495 and 1,511.

Trading idea for today is a Buy call on SAPCRES.

Other Local News
RHBCap: ADCB meets investment bankers. RHB Capital Bhd's (RHBCap) single largest foreign shareholder Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) had called for a meeting among investment banks last week to pitch for an advisory role on the sale of its 25% stake in the local banking group. (Source: The Edge Financial Daily)

Malaysia Airlines: May raise surcharge. Malaysia Airlines (MAS) has warned that it would raise its fuel surcharges as the conflict in the Middle East was accelerating the pace of crude oil price hikes which in turn, threatens airline margins. (Source: The Star)

TM: UniFi subscribers almost doubled to 60,000 last year. Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) has almost doubled the number of customers for its high speed broadband service called UniFi, to 60,000 from 33,000 at the end of last year, beating its own estimates. (Source: Business Times)

Axiata: Suspends all dealings with Alcatel for 12 months. Axiata Group Bhd has imposed a 12-month suspension on Alcatel-Lucent group (ALU), including its Malaysian operations, which would bar it from any new bids for contracts, although it would continue all existing contracts. (Source: The Edge Financial Daily)

EON Bank: New CEO soon? Eon Bank Bhd may be one step closer to appointing a new group CEO to replace Datuk Michael Lor, with its board looking to submit a name to the central bank for approval soon. (Source: The Edge Financial Daily)

Property: Demand rebound lifts residential property market. The residential property market has been experiencing an upturn since the fourth quarter of 2009 as demand rebounded by 7.1% (2009: -2.3%) following improved consumer sentiments. Meanwhile, the increase in housing stock moderated in 2010 as housing started a declining trend. (Source: The Star)