Maybank IB Views

KNM Group RM1.48: Sell
Poor delivery, Sell Shariah-compliant

Downgrade to Sell, target price cut to RM1.19 (-41%). 1H results were a letdown, prompting us to cut 2011-13 earnings by up to 64% p.a.. While KNM delivered on topline, bottomline was a disappointment, felled by cost overruns and high operating expenses. While the share price has underperformed by 48% YTD, we expect performance to be further suppressed. There is no sign of an operating recovery and cost control is absent. Further, valuations are expensive now.

Alam Maritim Resources RM0.78: Hold
Results improve but recovery lingers Shariah-compliant

Pacing but not running. Alam returned to profitability in 2Q but overall, 1H results still missed expectations. Operationally, Alam is showing signs of a turnaround but the catalyst to warrant an upgrade remains elusive. Its stretched balance remains a concern, debilitating its ability to grow. Maintain Hold with a lower target price of RM0.85, based on a reduced 9x 2012 EPS (versus 12x previously).

QL Resources RM2.98: Buy
Margin erosion Shariah-compliant

Below expectations. 1QFY12 results were below consensus and our full-year numbers, with margin contraction seen in the 2 main divisions. Total net profit of RM27.8m (+3.7% YoY, -11.9% QoQ) made up 17% and 19% of our forecast and consensus for FY12. We do expect stronger earnings in the coming quarters and QL remains a Buy. Our forecasts are nevertheless revised down on lower margin expectations and our target price is lowered to RM3.39.

Technicals
The FBM KLCI fell 11.82 points to close at the 1,472.16 yesterday in persistent selling activities. Its resistance areas of 1,472 and 1,500 will cap market gains, whilst the weaker support areas are located at 1,423 and 1,467.


Other Local News
Aeon: Upbeat on 'new' Jusco at 1Utama. Aeon Co (M) Bhd expects the newly renovated and relocated Jusco store in 1Utama Shopping Centre to ring in more sales than previously. The Japan-based retailer is optimistic that it will make RM300m within a year from yesterday. It had made over RM200m in a year previously. (Source: Business Times)

CIMB: Among banks hired for planned MU listing. English football club Manchester United has hired a slew of banks including Malaysia's CIMB Group for its planned listing on the Singapore stock exchange. The US-based Glazer family hired Hong Kong-based BOC International, Malaysia's CIMB, Singapore's DBS and pan-Asian investment bank CLSA as joint lead managers, in a move that suggested the owners are keen to get a well-diversified regional spread of investors. (Source: Business Times)

Maxis: In cloud computing connection with MDeC. Maxis Bhd aims to work closely with the Multimedia Development Corp (MDeC) to establish joint programmes to promote adoption of cloud computing services for independent software vendors. The collaboration will accelerate the adoption of cloud technology by software vendors and businesses. It will also pave the way for an array of enterprise-grade cloud solutions to become available to Malaysian businesses. (Source: Business Times)

IJMP: To invest over RM1b to double up Indonesian venture. IJM Plantations Bhd is investing more than RM1b to double its total planted area in Indonesia to 40,000ha and expects to see substantial earnings contribution from the venture from 2014 onwards. IJM Plantations expects Indonesia to contribute one third of its earnings when planting is completed in Indonesia by 2014 and eventually its contribution is expected to be bigger than the earnings from its Malaysian plantation. (Source: The Malaysian Reserve)

Transportation: Prasarana to manage MRT issues till handover. Syarikat Prasarana Negara Berhad (Prasarana) will continue to manage all issues related to the My Rapid Transit (MRT) project until the establishment of MRT Co. Prasarana would carry on with all works and programmes that has been decided before it officially hands it over to the new MRT Co. (Source: The Edge Financial Daily)