Stocks to watch: DiGi, IOI, Supermax, YTL

KUALA LUMPUR: Stocks on Bursa Malaysia could extend their gains in light trade on Tuesday, Oct 25, in line with the firmer markets as investors pinned their hopes for a resolution to the euro debt crisis.

However, with the Deepavali holidays on Wednesday, there could be some profit taking later in the day.

The markets would also be seeking more clarity from the summit on Wednesday as the EU meeting over the weekend yielded no firm decisions, although the structure of the policy response has now begun to take shape.

A report from The Royal Bank of Scotland research said EU Finance Ministers agreed over the weekend that European banks could need to find 108 billion euros in fresh capital over the next six to nine months with an announcement reportedly set for Wednesday.

“However, this falls somewhat short of the IMF's 200 billion euros estimate. It was also confirmed that the ECB will not be utilised to increase the fire-power of the Euro-zone bailout fund.

“Instead, a special fund may be set up to attract global investors, possibly including the IMF, which would then buy bonds of struggling Euro-zone countries. This could run in parallel with another fund insuring against losses of up to 20% by bondholders,” it said.

Among the stocks to watch are DIGI.COM BHD [], IOI Corp Bhd, Supermax Corp Bhd and YTL Group.

DiGi.com’s earnings rose just a marginal 1.08% to RM292.44 million in the third quarter ended Sept 30, 2011 from RM289.31 million a year ago. The telco said the flat earnings were due to higher depreciation and amortisation while average revenue per user (ARPU) dipped.

An increase in data revenue pushed turnover up by 12.6% to RM1.52 billion from RM1.35 billion. Earnings per share were 37.6 sen compared with 37.20 sen a year ago.

DiGi declared an interim single-tier tax exempt dividend of 37 sen per share for financial year ending Dec 31, 2011 on Dec 8. Depreciation and amortisation was RM306.08 million in 3QFY11 compared with RM196.69 million a year ago.

IOI Corp expects its financial performance for the current financial year ending June 30, 2012 (FY2012) to be better than FY2011. The optimism was based on the improved profitability in its resources based manufacturing division, underpinned by lower crude palm oil prices.

The PLANTATION [] giant also expected crude palm oil (CPO) prices to rise above RM3,000 per tonne in the next three months due to the drop in production amid increasing overseas demand.

IOI chairman Tan Sri Lee Shin Cheng said the rainy season coupled with a labour shortage is expected to derail production of fresh fruit bunches in the next six months, despite increasing demand from China, India and Pakistan.

Supermax’s net profit fell 18.9% to RM30.91 million in the third quarter ended Sept 30, 2011 from RM38.11 million a year ago, affected by the higher natural rubber and nitrile latex prices.

However, it said although profitability is lower than last year, it is seeing positive signs for a rebound after recording a second consecutive quarter of core profit growth. Supermax’s revenue was however higher at RM271.42 million, up 15.4% from RM235.10 million.

For the nine-month period, earnings fell 42.5% to RM77.86 million from RM135.44 million. Revenue rose 8.7% to RM750.71 million from RM690.58 million.

YTL Communications Sdn Bhd (YTL Comms) has submitted its business plan to Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to secure spectrum licences to roll out its Yes 4G mobile internet-with-voice service in Sabah and Sarawak.

Its chief executive officer, Wing K. Lee, said the company was currently awaiting feedback from MCMC. "MCMC will review the plan and give us the feedback," he added.

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Stocks to watch: IOI Corp, UOA REIT, MAHB, SP Setia

KUALA LUMPUR: Stocks on Bursa Malaysia may see more downside pressure in the week ahead, starting July 18 due to external headwinds, mainly from the US.

On Wall Street, US stocks ended the week lower. For the week, the S&P 500 ended down 2.1%, while the Dow lost 1.4% and the Nasdaq fell 2.5%.

Mounting uncertainty about the government's ability to reach a debt-reduction deal may keep investors at bay in the coming week, Reuters reported.

Next week's U.S. data including the Philadelphia Fed survey would provide a crucial update on the state of the world's biggest economy after a disappointing set of data in recent weeks, especially last week's monthly jobs report, it said.

At Bursa Malaysia, the FBM KLCI fell 17.49 points to 1,577.25 from the week before while the marker capitalisation was reduced by RM14.07 billion to RM1.342 trillion.

Year-to-date, the KLCI is up 3.84%, making it the fifth best performing market in the key regional markets. At 1,577, the KLCI is trading at a trailing price-to-earnings of 16.82 times.

Two companies which are due to be listed in the week ahead are Inarai Bhd and Catcha Media Bhd.

Inari Bhd posted net profit RM2.6 million for the third quarter ended March 31, 2011 on the back of revenue RM35.8 million. For the nine months ended March 31, the company’s net profit was RM14.7 million on the back of revenue RM77 million.

Catcha Media reported that in the first quarter ended March 31, 2011, it recorded revenue and pre-tax profit of about RM5.728 million and about RM12,000 respectively.

It said the pre-tax profit was mainly due to the lower revenue achieved in the current quarter as a result of the seasonality associated with media business, significant increase in headcounts and associated payroll expenses in both publishing and online media business in anticipation of the growth of revenue in the future as well as the listing expenses incurred in the current quarter under review.

Stocks to watch on Monday include IOI Corp Bhd. UOA Real Estate Investment Trust (UOA REIT), Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) and SP SETIA BHD [].

The Edge weekly reports executive chairman Tan Sri Lee Shin Cheng as saying that going by its present growth rate, the company's property business could grow to three times its present size and become a distinct and substantial core business for the group.

UOA REIT’s net profit rose 62% to RM10.68 million in the second quarter ended June 30, 2011, from RM6.59 million a year ago.

Its revenue increased by 88% to RM20.28 million from RM10.78 million. Earnings per share were 2.53 sen compared with 2.68 sen.

MAHB’s decision not to install aerobridges at the new Low Cost Carrier Terminal, or KLIA 2, will save the company up to RM104 million.

Its chairman Tan Sri Aris Othman said the amount was for 80 aerobridges, costing RM1.3 million each. Although aerobridges could provide convenience, it would be a waste if airlines would not use it.

SP Setia share price closed 12 sen lower to RM3.89 on Friday after hitting an intra-day low of RM3.84 the lowest since early March as analysts downgraded it to underperform.

CLSA Asia-Pacific Research had downgraded SP Setia to Underperform from Outperform with a revised target price of RM4.30, based on a 10% discount to RNAV of RM4.80. It said this was in line with the discount applied to other property names under its coverage.

“Given that SP Setia is a pure property developer play, we believe that the 10% discount is justified from zero discount previously. We do not see any compelling reason for SP Setia to be valued at a premium compared to the rest of the property companies given that the visibility of the physical property market has been reduced by the mixed signals,” it said.

However, CLSA said it did not change its earnings estimates for FY11 and FY12 as these will continue to be supported by the strong unbilled sales recorded at RM1.8billion as at FY10, which had subsequently increased to RM3billion as at H111.

“For FY13 earnings estimates, we see potential downside risk if the mixed signals above tilted towards more negative outlook. Another potential headwind could be the change in government policy in tightening the lending requirement, which at this stage, still unclear as it remains at the proposal stage,” it said.

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Maybank IB Views

COMPANY UPDATE
IOI Corporation RM5.30: Hold
"Planting" investment properties Shariah-compliant

On accelerated property capex. The recent foray into South Beach and IOI Resort City's development plans are set to accelerate IOI Corp's property capex spending by ~RM2.3b over the next 3 years, with 78% of these channeled to build its property investment portfolio. Investors looking for greater exposure to plantation have been slowly shying away from IOI. IOI lacks immediate re-rating catalyst, especially with limited earnings upside from its matured plantation while the new property ventures do not bring in immediate earnings; they are largely for investments. Our revised TP of RM5.50 on 16x FY12 EPS is based on 1-SD below its 5-year historical mean PER. Maintain Hold.

Top Glove Corporation RM5.26: Hold
Needs more visibility on latex glove demand Shariah-compliant

Valuations not cheap. The upcoming 3QFY11 results (expect to be flat QoQ) could mark the long-awaited inflexion point for the company's earnings, as contributions from new capacity kick in, and as distributors start to replenish stockpiles. We nevertheless feel that valuations do not justify a buy on the stock at current levels, with Top Glove trading at a CY12 PER of 16x versus its peer average of 7x. We cut our FY11 earnings by 14% and 3-4% for FY12-13. Maintain Hold and DCF-derived TP of RM5.10.

Technicals
The FBM KLCI gained 7.68 points and ended at 1,556.19 yesterday. Its resistance areas of 1,558 and 1,576 will cap market gains, whilst the obvious support areas are located at 1,533 and 1,556.Due to the US markets’ weaker tone last night; we will see some initial low volume selling activities in the local bourse today.

Traiding idea is a Short-Term Buy call on AEONCR.

Other Local News
RHBCap: Aabar to buy ADCB's stake. Aabar Investments, the investment arm of Abu Dhabi government, intends to buy a 25% equity stake in RHB Capital Bhd from Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank at RM10.80 per share. (Source: The Edge Financial Daily)

Sunway-Suncity: Merger gets nod. Shareholders of Sunway Holdings Bhd and Sunway City Bhd have approved the proposed disposal of the two companies' assets and liabilities to Sunway Bhd at their EGMs. A new Sunway entity is expected to be listed on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia in the third quarter of this year. (Source: The Edge Financial Daily)

TNB: Buys big supply of fuel oil. Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) has bought more than 200,000 tonnes of fuel oil, for delivery between April and August, in addition to buying electricity from Singapore utility PowerSeraya. The fuel oil volumes were the largest TNB has purchased in at least five years. (Source: The Star)

Alam Maritim: Bids for RM400m to RM500m jobs. Alam Maritim Resources Bhd is bidding for RM400m to RM500m worth of contracts in offshore installation and construction (OIC) as well as offshore support vessel (OSV) services sector. (Source: The Star)

Construction: Eversendai to bid for RM1b-RM1.5b projects. Soon-to-be-listed structural steel construction and engineering company Eversendai Corp Bhd aims to bid for an additional RM1b to RM1.5b worth of projects for the rest of the year, after having secured almost RM350m so far this year. (Source: The Edge Financial Daily)

Property: 1MDB inks deal to kickstart Bandar Malaysia. 1MDB Bhd has signed several agreements that will pave way for the development of Bandar Malaysia, a mixed property project, on the site of the old Sungai Besi airport land. (Source: The Edge Financial Daily)

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Stocks to watch: EON Capital, United Plantations, MMC, IOI Corp, Faber

KUALA LUMPUR: The market will continue to see strong newsflow especially from the oil and gas companies’ positive earnings, economic data, while EON Capital Bhd will see a price surge after a hefty dividend plan when Bursa Malaysia resumes trading on Wednesday, May 18

Bank Negara Malaysia will release its first quarter GDP data after market close and economists expect 5% growth. The economy grew 4.8% in 4Q of 2010.

Also on tap is the consumer price index in April. The CPI for rose 3% year-on-year in March from 99.4 to 102.4 and when compared with the previous month, the CPI increased by 0.1%.

EON CAPITAL BHD [] has declared a special tax exempt dividend of RM5.16 per share. The dividend will go ex on June 9 while the entitlement date is June 13.

United PLANTATION []s Bhd posted net profit of RM86.09 million in the first quarter ended March 31, 2011, up 76% from RM48.90 million a year ago and it expects the current financial year results to be better, boosted by more replanting.

It declared a final dividend of 20% per share or 15 sen net per share and a special dividend of 35% per share or 26.25 sen net per share. The dividends will go ex on June 30.

Investors can expect more upside from United Plantations after its comments that palm oil production in Malaysia and Indonesia was expected to recover in 2011 based on the recovery in the biological yield cycle after a pronounced setback in 2010.

MMC CORPORATION BHD [] plans to list its subsidiaries -- Gas Malaysia Sdn Bhd and Malakoff Bhd -- and also its unit Johor Port.

MMC group managing director Datuk Hasni Harun said the first company to be likely listed would be its 51% owned Gas Malaysia.

Hasni said Malakoff is worth about RM7 billion currently while Gas Malaysia and Johor Port are worth RM5 billion and RM1.5 billion respectively.

IOI CORPORATION BHD [] reported net profit of RM656.71 million in the third quarter ended March 31, 2011, up 19.6% from the RM549.02 million a year ago, boosted by the better overall performance of the group, especially plantations.

Its 3QFY11 pre-tax profit of RM780.86 million was 10% higher than the RM709.27 million a year ago. Revenue rose 37.7% to RM4.34 billion from RM3.15 billion while earnings per share were 10.25 sen versus 8.6 sen.

For the nine-months ended March 31, 2011 (9MFY11), it said net profit was RM1.74 billion compared with RM1.52 billion a year ago. Revenue was higher at RM11.83 billion versus RM9.48 billion.

Digistar Corp Bhd’s earnings surged to RM4.57 million in its second quarter ended March 31, 2011 from only RM457,000 a year ago underpinned by better profit margins from its system integration and broadcast engineering projects.

Its revenue jumped 91.5% to RM23.57 million from RM12.31 million a year ago while earnings per share were 2.31 sen compared with 0.26 sen.

FABER GROUP BHD []’s subsidiary and the joint venture partner have been unable to secure any of the business in the building maintenance services and clinical waste management in Brunei.

Its 70% owned Faber Medi-Serve Sdn Bhd and its joint venture agreement (JVA) with Brufors Technical Services had acknowledged the JVA had lapsed as they had failed to sure any business.

ESSO MALAYSIA BHD []’s earnings surged 154% to RM154.82 million in the first quarter ended March 31, 2011 from RM60.94 million a year ago, boosted by inventory holding gains.

Revenue rose 30% to RM2.6 billion from RM2 billion reflecting higher average product prices and increased retail volume. Earnings per share were 57.30 sen compared with 22.60 sen.

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Maybank IB Views

Kencana Petroleum RM2.75: Buy
Buys AME for RM400m; a positive Shariah-compliant

A strategic acquisition. We are upbeat on Kencana's purchase of AME, on financial and operational aspects. Valuations are decent, in our view, and the deal, secured with profit guarantees (RM40m p.a. for FY11-12) is mildly EPS accretive (+1 sen to EPS). The acquisition will provide Kencana a foothold into the subsea markets and ownership of 4 vessels. This 'all-share transaction' will turn vendors of AME into the 2nd largest shareholder of the Group with a 7.6% stake. Our forecasts and target price are under review pending further details. Buy.

QL Resources RM3.40: Buy
A regional player in the making Shariah-compliant

Regional expansion on track. QL is replicating its success formula regionally for each of its main divisions, and the ongoing expansion will fund its growth in the coming years. Although share price has risen 16.4% YTD, outperforming the KLCI, we believe there is still upside potential, banking on its expansion especially into Indonesia, which has yet to contribute significantly to group earnings. We lift our TP to RM3.75 after rolling over our valuation period. We continue to be positive on QL.

Technicals
The FBM KLCI rebounded 25.24-points and closed at 1,540.74 last Friday. The local market remained quite steady to firmer despite the global markets’ gyrations. Local funds pushed the market up especially last Thursday and Friday on firm bargain hunting activities.The obvious support areas for the FBM KLCI are located in the 1,507 to 1,540-zone. The firm resistance zone of 1,545 and 1,576 will see very heavy liquidation activities.

Weekly trading idea is a Firm Buy call on MEDIAC.

Other Local News
Sunway: To secure site of Jalan Duta complex. Sunway Group is said to have won a competitive bid to acquire the site of the Jalan Duta government complex. Sunway could be paying more than RM500m for the site and construct new offices for the IRB and Customs Department elsewhere. (Source: The Edge Financial Weekly)

MAS: Firefly takes delivery of 3rd 737 for KK ops. Firefly, subsidiary of MAS, took delivery of a third Boeing 737-800 aircraft to be stationed in Kota Kinabalu, officially marking the start of the city as its eastern hub. (Source: Malaysian Reserve)

IOI: Allegations against IOI 'just not true'. IOI Corp Bhd re-iterated that in October 2010, an RSPO-certified auditor SGS investigated the allegations and concluded the deforestation complaints were baseless. (Source: Business Times)

ECM, Kenanga: Close to sealing deal. ECM Libra Financial Group Bhd, whose substantial shareholders are long known to be looking to divest their equity stakes, is close to sealing a merger deal with K&N Kenanga Holdings Bhd. (Source: The Edge Financial Daily)

Masterskill: Seeks RM100m from STMB. Masterskill Education Group Bhd (MEGB), which has won its defamation suit against Sistem Televisyen Malaysia Bhd (STMB) for a total of RM250,000, is appealing to the High Court for the damages to be raised to RM100m. (Source: The Star)

FDI: Good response to Invest Malaysia NY. A total of 56 US fund managers have confirmed participation at the inaugural Invest Malaysia New York 2011 (IMNY 2011), which will be held tomorrow. (Source: Business Times)

Property: Demand for condos in KL. Condominium living is relatively new to KL and well designed projects are seeing strong sales performance, said Christopher Boyd, executive chairman of CB Richard Ellis Malaysia. The take up rate of condos in 1Q11 was between 65% and 88% in prime areas. (Source: Malaysian Reserve)

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Maybank IB Views

RESULTS REVIEW
Public Bank RM13.06: Hold
Slight forex impact on loans

No surprises. 1Q11 results accounted for 25% of our full-year forecast and consensus. Fundamentals remain very much intact with healthy loan growth, improving asset quality and robust ROEs. We nevertheless maintain our view that consumer demand is likely to taper off in 2H11 on the back of measures instituted recently coupled with inflationary pressure. To this end, we see little catalyst in the near term, while Public Bank's pricing is fair in our view (prospective 2011 P/BV of 3x, ROE: 23.9%). We maintain our Hold call with an unchanged DDM-derived TP of RM14.10 (payout ratio: 52%, cost of equity: 10.6%, terminal growth rate: 5%).

CapitaMalls Malaysia Trust RM1.12: Buy
On track; completed Gurney Plaza Extension acquisition

Maintain Buy. CMMT's RM25.8m 3M11 realised net profit (+13% QoQ) came in within expectations. CMMT has completed the RM215m Gurney Plaza Extension (GPE) acquisition which has further strengthened its position in the local retail industry. We raise our earnings forecasts by 10-13% to factor in GPE and the 144.9m new unit placement (RM1.06 issue price). Our DDM-based target price is raised to RM1.27 (+7 sen).

COMPANY UPDATE
Malaysia Marine and Heavy Engineering Holdings RM6.88: Hold
IM 2011: Pasir Gudang yard site visit Shariah-compliant

Better days ahead but prospects largely priced in. We are encouraged by the brisk activity at MMHE's Pasir Gudang yard in southern Johor. We expect job replenishment momentum to kick-off earnestly from May and foresee MMHE clinching RM4-5b new jobs over the next 12 months. These positives could momentarily stretch share price performance beyond the 26x 2012 PER of the sector's historical peak, above our fundamental TP of RM6.50 (22x EPS).

Technicals
The FBM KLCI advanced 5.98 points to close at 1,527.92 yesterday. Its resistance areas of 1,527 and 1,549 will cap market gains, whilst the weaker support areas are located at 1,517 and 1,525. The FBM KLCI has stalled at its new all-time and major high of 1,576.95 on 6 January 2011. The next key low sighted was at 1,474.38 (28 February 2011) and the next swing high was seen at 1,565.04 (4 April 2011).

Trading idea for today is a technical sell call on IOICORP.

Other Local News
Maybank: Gets approval to raise USD2b, Bio-Xcell gets funding from Maybank. Malayan Banking Berhad (Maybank) has obtained approval from the Securities Commission (SC) to establish a multi currency medium-term notes (MTN) programme of up to USD2b. Separately, Maybank and Malaysian Bio-Xcell Sdn Bhd (Bio-XCell) has signed an agreement for a RM250m Commodity Murabahah Term Financing - Islamic Facility (CMTF-i). (Source: Bursa Malaysia, The Star)

Axiata: Celcom signs fiberisation deal with Sacofa. Celcom Axiata Bhd signed a RM168m fiberisation leasing agreement with Sarawak-based Sacofa Sdn Bhd. With the completion of this project, Sarawakians will be able to enjoy enhanced services such as high-definition voice and video plus high-speed browsing with Celcom. (Source: The Star)

Affin: To convert Indonesia's Bank Ina into Islamic lender. Indonesia's conventional bank PT Bank Ina Perdana, which is being acquired by Affin Holdings Bhd will be converted into an Islamic bank - a process that will likely take two years. (Source: Business Times)

Construction: CMC, UK partner may win RM700m LRT job. CMC Engineering Sdn Bhd and UK's Colas (CMC-Colas) may win a contract worth some RM700m for electro-mechanical (E&M) system for the Kelana Jaya light rail transit (LRT) extension line. Tenders closed recently and Prasarana may award the contract by early May. (Source: Business Times)

Autos: Vehicle sales up 12.7% in March. Total vehicle sales surged 12.7% to 63,265 units in March 2011 from 56,139 units a year earlier due to a rush for deliveries and invoicing by companies that have their financial year ending in March. (Source: The Star)

Mining: Indonesian tin miner to list on Bursa Malaysia. Malaysia Smelting Corp Bhd (MSC) is proposing to list its Indonesian unit, involved in tin mining, on Bursa Malaysia's Ace Market. (Source: The Star)
Outside Malaysia

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South Beach acquisition to boost IOI’s reputation

NEWS that IOI Corp Bhd was acquiring a 49.9% stake in Singapore's South Beach project didn't come as a surprise to the market, particularly since the group had previously mentioned its intentions to further expand into Singapore's property market.

This acquisition will add to IOI Corp's property portfolio in Singapore which now includes its joint venture with Singapore's Ho Bee Group for two condominium developments in Sentosa Cove and the development of a condo project in Balestier Road.

Most analysts are generally neutral on this move, more so from the earnings perspective. They, however, see synergies for IOI Corp to further entrench its reputation as a sound property developer in Singapore.

Analysts see IOI Corp gaining valuable experience through its joint venture with its other 51.1% shareholder, City Developments Ltd, which is a reputable property developer in Singapore.

The deal

Over the week, IOI Corp announced that it has acquired a 49.9% interest in the South Beach project in Singapore through a restructuring exercise. The 51.1% shareholder of South Beach is City Developments.

IOI Corp had bought a 33.3% stake in the project from Elad Group Singapore Pte Ltd for S$173.8mil (RM417mil).

Subsequently, IOI Corp had injected the 33.3% stake into Scottsdale Properties Pte Ltd. Scottsdale Properties now wholly owns South Beach.

IOI Corp then paid S$115mil (RM276mil) for a 49.9% stake in Scottsdale and will advance S$28mil in the form of a shareholder's loan.

IOI Corp paid around S$316.3mil (RM759.1mil) for the stake (including Elad Group's 33.33% stake in South Beach Consortium) and expects to contribute further equity of around S$500mil in Scottsdale.

“IOI and City Developments may be required to further contribute equity of S$500mil each to redeem existing mezzanine notes of the project, working capital and part-finance the construction of South Beach,” says AmResearch analyst Gan Huey Ling.

The group indicated that in total, it will invest up to S$816.8mil (RM1.96bil) in the project. In total, analysts estimate that IOI paid S$317mil (RM761mil) for a 49.9% stake in the South Beach project.

The group's net gearing stood at 11.2% as at end Dec 2010. Net debt was RM1.28bil while its cash position was RM3.6bil.

While AmResearch's Gan is neutral over IOI's investment in South Beach, she says that risk of the project is mitigated by the group's partner, which has an established track record in the property development sector in Singapore.

“The good location of the project should encourage demand. South Beach is located between Raffles Hotel and Suntec City and next to the mass rapid transit station,” says Gan.

She points out that based on an operating margin of 20% and assuming that the project's total earnings is recognised over six years, the project could increase IOI's bottomline by 3%-5%. Gan continues to like IOI for its low-cost plantation operations.

Iconic development

“We also believe that there is potential for the group to restructure. A listing of the manufacturing or property division would transform the group into a pure plantation company,” she adds.

CIMB Research analyst Ivy Ng says that the acquisition represents an opportunity for IOI Corp to be involved in an iconic development in downtown Singapore with sizeable office, hotel, residential and retail components.

“The substantial size and location of the development, which is in close proximity to landmarks such as the Suntec City Convention Centre and Raffles Hotel, will make this development one of the most popular and prominent mixed-use developments in downtown Singapore,” says Ng.

Ng says IOI Corp will gain in stature as a player in the Singapore property market and could see earnings enhancement given the relatively attractive acquisition cost. This is however partially offset by concerns over the group's increasing exposure to the property sector, which may dilute the price earnings rating accorded to the group.

Despite the strategic location and the fact that South Beach is likely the last major iconic site in the Civic District, Hong Leong Research remains neutral on the latest development, given the huge investment cost involved.

“The Singaporean government's measure to cool its property sector may in turn affect demand and hence the pricing of this development,” it added.

Subdued view

Other analysts are somewhat concerned over the subdued view of the Singapore property market and the group's mixed track record in Singapore property investment.

Meanwhile, the S$173.8mil price tag for the 33.33% stake in South Beach Consortium is attractive as it represents a 23.5% discount to South Beach Consortium's net asset value of S$681.8mil as at 31 Dec 2010.

“Although the price is 12% higher than what CityDev paid for a similar 33.3% stake bought from another party, we believe that the acquisition price is fair,” says Ng.

According to management, its effective land cost for this project is quite close to the initial bid price of S$1,069psf for potential gross floor area in 2007 due to the accumulated interests on the loan.

Hong Leong Research also believes that IOI would not have issue funding the acquisition, given its healthy balance sheet.

The South Beach project is a mixed use development on Singapore's Beach Road. The land is strategically located between Raffles Hotel and Suntec City and is next to the Esplanade MRT station. The total land area is 376,295 sq ft and has a leasehold tenure of 99 years.

Based on reports, the South Beach development will have 171 apartments, 560 hotel rooms, 632,164 sq ft of office space and 158,014 sq ft of retail space.

In Singapore, City Development has an impressive track record, having built more than 22,000 luxurious and quality homes. As one of the biggest landlords in Singapore, it owns over 6mil sq ft of lettable office, industrial, retail and residential space.

It also boasts one of the largest landbanks among property developers, with over 3.5mil sq ft that has the potential of being developed into over 7mil sq. ft of gross floor area.

source:thestar

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RHBInvest Research

Top Story: TNB

Results Preview
Bracing for weaker 2Q
TNB lacks catalysts due to slowing electricity demand growth and no clear timeline for a formal fuel cost pass-through formula.
Maintain Market Perform.

Corporate Highlights

Faber:
Company Update
Potential bidder for Khazanah’s hospital support concession
We maintain our fair value of RM2.79. Outperform call on the stock.

Parkson:
News Update
Going Into Indonesia Via Acquisition of Centro Department Stores
Assuming the deal does go through, we estimate that it would increase PHB’s FY06/12 earnings by ~1.7-2%,
Fair value is maintained at RM5.90. Keeping our Market Perform recommendation on the stock.

IOI:

News Update
Finally announces South Beach buy
Our estimates suggest this acquisition would have an immediate negative earnings effect of 4-5% p.a. from the interest expense incurred, given that earnings from this property development would not come in until 2015.
Reduced our SOP-based target price to RM5.60 (from RM5.90).No change to our Underperform call on the stock.

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Maybank IB Views

ECONOMICS
Economic Development & Outlook, 2Q11
Revolving and Evolving Risks

The risks, issues and challenges facing the global economy have not changed but have morphed into "4S" from "3S" to now include "(Black) Swans". This is on top of the "Sustainability" (US recovery), "Solvency" (Eurozone sovereign financial crisis) and "Stability" (Emerging Markets's "bubblenomy"). Given the fluid external environment, Malaysia needs to strike a balance between 1) sustaining growth, 2) maintaining macroeconomic and financial stability, and 3) dealing with inflation. The vital elements are 1) executing the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP), 2) gradual monetary policy normalization, fiscal consolidation and subsidy rationalisation, and 3) prudential measures within the financial system to address the asset bubble and household debt risks, thus ensuring the economy stays on track. Our key macroeconomic forecasts are largely unchanged, except for the upward revisions in inflation rate and crude oil price.

COMPANY UPDATE
IOI Corporation RM5.65: Hold
Raises stake in Singapore's South Beach Shariah-compliant

Maintain Hold. IOI Corporation has raised its interest in the Singapore South Beach development to 49.9% from 33.3% when it was initially proposed in Nov 2010. IOI has subscribed for a 49.9% equity interest in Scottsdale which will control 100% of the development. IOI will invest up to SGD816.8m (RM1.96b). Development details are not available, hence, we are unable to estimate the impact on IOI. Nonetheless, we draw comfort that the balance 50.1% holding in Scottsdale is held by Singapore's property pioneer, City Developments Ltd, who should be able to drive values for the South Beach development.

Technicals
The FBM KLCI rose 2.11-points and closed at 1,557.49 last Friday. The obvious support areas for the FBM KLCI are located in the 1,500 to 1,556-zone. The firm resistance zone of 1,558 and 1,576 will see heavy liquidation activities.

Trading idea for today is a Buy call on BENALEC.

Other Local News
MAHB: Passenger traffic to cross 60m mark. Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) is confident that total passenger traffic volume across the country’s airports will breach the 60-million mark this year. In 2010, all 39 airports nationwide handled a total of 57.8m passengers. (Source: Malaysian Reserve)

Notion: Eyed by private equity firm again? Market talk of possible corporate exercises has resurfaced at Notion Vtec Bhd, including the potential entry of a major US-based private equity firm and Nikon Corp considering upping its stake in the company. (Source: The Edge Malaysia)

Mamee: Shareholders propose to privatise company. Major shareholders of Mamee-Double Decker (M) Bhd have proposed to privatise the company by undergoing a capital reduction and repayment exercise under Section 64 of the Companies Act, 1965. Under the plan, major shareholders of Mamee who control the company would repay RM179.8m or RM4.39 a share to minority shareholders. (Source: Bursa Malaysia)

O&G: Shell shortlists five potential bidders for sale of LPG business. Royal Dutch Shell plc (Shell) has shortlisted five potential bidders for its downstream liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) business in Peninsular Malaysia. The shortlisted companies are Boustead Petroluem Marketing Sdn Bhd, KUB Malaysia Bhd, KKB Engineering Bhd, Lembaga Tabung Haji and Integrated Petroluem Services Sdn Bhd. (Source: The Edge Weekly)

Property: Projects galore in Penang. Some RM2.94b worth of residential and commercial properties from six developers, based in Kuala Lumpur and Penang, will be launched on the island this year. The south and south-west of the island will see some 1,275 units of residential and commercial properties launched with an estimated gross sales value (GSV) of RM1.45b, while the north-east district will see the development of about 1,166 units of properties valued at RM1.49b. (Source: The Star)

Transportation: Score railway link still pending study. The Sarawak government is still waiting for the completion of a feasibility study on a railway link beginning form the Samalajau Industrial Park in Bintulu to Tanjung Manis. (Source: The Edge Financial Daily)

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RHBInvest Research

Top Story: Benchmarking – Tracking the benchmark

• Market Update
• Equal weighting all FBM KLCI stocks would have resulted in YTD gain of 3.4% (vs. the index of +2.3%) but this would still have underperformed vs. FBM100 which rose by 4.7%.
• This implies that investors had to take an active risk position. We note that FBM KLCI followers had to get seven stocks right (Maybank, Sime, PetChem, Digi, Genting Malaysia, TM and PetDag), or underweight six others (TNB, MISC, KLK, YTL Corp, YTL Power and MAS). Big gainers outside of the FBM KLCI sectors and stocks included Dialog, SapuraCrest, Mah Sing, MCIL, UEM Land, DRB Hicom, and MPHB, highlighting the merits of bottom-up stock picking under current market conditions.

Sector Call

Insurance:

• Sector Update
• Gradual liberalisation of motor insurance
• We believe that the move to detariff the motor insurance segment is positive for the industry in the long run. In the short to medium term, we believe the gradual premium increase would do little to cover losses stemming from the TPBID policies although we believe that it is in the right direction.

Corporate Highlights

IOI:

• News Update
• RSPO suspends certification process
• We believe this suspension has more to do with the NCR land dispute in Baram, Sarawak, than any other issue.
• Maintain Underperform with fair value of RM5.90.

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RHBInvest Research

Top Story: Construction -Neutral

• Sector Update
• Big Time For Small Caps
• Our top small-cap picks are Fajarbaru (FV = RM1.65) and TRC (FV = RM1.94).

Corporate Highlights

IOI:

• Visit Note
• Luck is not on its side
• Reduce target price to RM5.90 (from RM6.15).
• Maintain our Underperform recommendation on the stock.

IJM Corp:

• News Update
• “Approval In-Principle” For West Coast Expressway And NPE Extension.
• Both projects will be “two bites on the same cherry” for IJM
• Maintain Underperform. Fair value is RM6.39.

• TNB: News Update
• Signs agreement for Manjung project
• Maintain Market Perform.

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RHBInvest Research

Top Story: ILB

• Visit Note
• Full-steam ahead in China, Dubai warehouse opens for business in 2012
• Fair value is RM1.40. Maintain Outperform.

Market View

Government Measures:

Market Update

• Fourth ETP update.
• The nine EPP projects are under six NKEAs including tourism, healthcare, agriculture, palm oil & rubber, electronics & electrical, and oil, gas & energy.
• We believe the Government and Pemandu will have a difficult time keeping the momentum going on the ETP
• Longer-term positive outlook is likely to prevail and in our view, ETP projects related to the Greater KL and oil, gas and energy NKEAs will continue to draw attention from investors.

Sector Call


Plantation:

Sector Update

• Day 1 of POC: Most in agreement for weaker second half
• Maintain Overweight on the plantation sector.
• We reiterate our Outperform calls on KLK, Sime Darby, TH Plantations and on SGX-listed First Resources, and our Market Perform call on IOIC, Genting Plantations and IJMP.

Oil & Gas:

Sector Update

• Another oil & gas project under the ETP.RG
• Gas and Chemicals will invest RM1bn over three years in an integrated oil and gas hub on Pulau Daat, Labuan.
• Maintain our Overweight stance.
• Our top pick for the East Malaysia space is Dayang Enterprise.

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Maybank IB Views

RESULTS REVIEW
Malaysia Airports Holdings RM6.20: Buy
Accountants and Taxman Spoilt an Otherwise Fantastic Year!

Below estimate. RM378m (+0.4%YoY) 2010 recurring net income was 12% below our forecast and 2% above of consensus. There was a host of accounting treatment items and a substantially higher than statutory tax rate which masks the true performance of an otherwise a fantastic year. Nonetheless, we look forward to a promising 2011 as we enter the fourth year of the aviation up-cycle underpinned by strong GDP growth, global trade and tourism boom. Maintain Buy, no change to our RM7.12/share DCF-based target price.


IOI Corporation RM5.71: Hold
Largely priced in Shariah-compliant

In line. RM920m 1HFY11 recurring net profit (+14% YoY) is 45% of our full-year forecast. Reported RM1.02b net profit (+8% YoY) is also within street's expectations at 46% of consensus full-year estimate. We raise our FY11 net profit forecast by 9% after imputing for stronger average CPO price of RM3,500/t in 2H (1H: RM2,800/t). Our sum-of-parts based target price is marginally lifted to RM6.35 (+5sen).


Dialog Group RM2.13: Buy
On track Shariah-compliant

Pengerang CTF & marginal field projects are catalysts. Dialog's 2QFY11 net profit of RM36m (+9% QoQ) took 1H earnings to RM69m (+24% YoY), on track to meet our forecasts. We remain optimistic about Dialog's long-term growth prospects, driven by its CTF projects in Pengerang. Dialog is also touted to be in the running to co-develop PETRONAS' marginal field projects, a major positive in our view. Maintain Buy with an unchanged RM2.60 SOP target price.


Technicals
The FBM KLCI traded mixed to finally close higher by 0.97 points to 1,506.30 yesterday. Its resistance areas of 1,506 and 1,541 will cap market gains, whilst the weaker support areas are located at 1,480 and 1,504.

Trading idea for today is a TAKE PROFIT call on MEGB.


Other Local News
Sime Darby: To challenge suit by Abu Dhabi firm. Sime Darby Engineering Sdn Bhd (SDE), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sime Darby has confirmed that Emirates International Energy Services (EMAS) has indeed filed the suit against the company and vowed to challenge the suit. EMAS has written a letter to SDE claiming compensation in the amount of USD20m for not accepting several projects EMAS had identified for SDE. However, SDE stressed that it was under no obligation to accept EMAS's recommendations and had no time bound requirements to decline EMAS's recommendations. (Source: Bursa Malaysia)

QL Resources: Boilermech gets nod to float on Ace Market. Boilermech Holdings Bhd (BHB), an indirect associate company of QL Resources, has obtained approval to list on the Ace Market of Bursa Securities. (Source: Bursa Malaysia)

Green Packet: Defers Ebitda-breakeven target to end-2011. Green Packet Bhd has deferred its target of breaking even at the Ebitda level to the end of this year as opposed to the first quarter of 2011. The deferment was due to the more competitive environment and lower price point in the nomadic (portable) broadband segment. (Source: The Edge Financial Daily)

Ramunia: Azizul pares down stake in Ramunia. Ramunia Holdings Bhd's major shareholder Datuk Azizul Rahman Abdul Samad has pared down his stake significantly recently, raising speculations that he may exit the group soon. Azizul indirect shareholding in Ramunia fell to 73.3m shares, representing 11.06% stake, from 14.3% or 94.7m shares as at Dec 30, 2010. (Source: The Edge Financial Daily)

Supermax: Counts on new income stream. Glove maker Supermax Corp Bhd is banking on a new income stream derived from global sales and marketing network to mitigate any effects of higher production cost. The company would aggressively globalise its operations via its network of about 700 distributors worldwide. The new income stream is expected to contribute 5% of its 2011 net profit. (Source: The Star)

Metro Kajang: To buy plantation land in Kalimantan. Metro Kajang Holdings Bhd is in negotiations to acquire 20,000ha of plantation land in East Kalimantan. The acquisition could double the size of its plantation land bank which measures about 16,000ha at present. Metro Kajang expects to see contributions from its oil palm venture in 2012, when it will contribute 20% to group revenue. (Source: The Edge Financial Daily)

Utilities: Govt no to coal power plants in Sabah. The government has agreed not to build coal-fired power plants in Sabah. The proposed construction of the plant in Felda Sahabat, Lahad Datu, to meet electricity supply needs in Sabah's east coast had previously received objections not only from local non-governmental organizations but also international activists. (Source: The Edge Financial Daily)

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IOI Corp Q2 profit up

PETALING JAYA: IOI Corp Bhd, a palm oil player, records a 12.8% year-on-year (YoY) in net profit to RM520.2mil for its second quarter ended Dec 31, 2010 due to better performance of its plantation and property businesses.

Revenue for the period under review was also up by 29.7% YoY to RM3.97bil.

According to IOI Corp in its filing to Bursa Malaysia today, the plantation segment reported a 14% increase in operating profit to RM363.7mil for the quarter under review as compared to RM319.9mil a year ago.

“The higher profit is mainly due to higher crude palm oil (CPO) and palm kernel (PK) prices realised,” it said.

Average CPO price realised for quarter under review RM2,800 per tonne compared to RM2,225 per tonne a year ago, while average PK price realised for the quarter RM1,979 per tonne compared to RM1,089 a year ago. “The higher operating profit for property development and investment is mainly due to gains recognised on disposal of investment properties amounting to approximately RM61mil during the quarter.

Cumulatively, IOI net profit for the first six months of the current financial year was at RM1.02bil compared to RM939.5mil in the same period in the previous financial year.

Its revenue for six months period also went up to RM7.49bil from RM6.33bil a year ago.

source: thestar

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RHBInvest Research

Top Story

• Time to take some bold steps?
• Target price of RM11.10, upgrade to Outperform (from market perform).

Sector Call


Property:

• The “re-pricing” wave is coming to Johor.
• Maintain Overweight on the sector. Our picks are: SP Setia (OP, FV = RM6.95), and IJMLD (OP, FV = RM3.50) for big caps; and KSL (OP, FV = RM2.78) and Mah Sing (OP, FV = RM2.50) for small-mid caps. For Johor exposure, KSL is our fundamental pick.

Corporate Highlights

Faber:

• Non-renewal for two of its UAE contracts
• Fair value has been cut to RM2.35/share (from RM3.77 previously).
• We downgrade our call on the stock to Underperform, from outperform.

CIMB: Outperform

• CIMB Niaga loan growth to stay healthy
• No change to forecasts. Fair value of RM9.80 and Outperform call maintained.

IOI: Outperform

• Exchange of land
• The reason for the land exchange is that IOI has embarked on a redevelopment of a portion of the golf course land owned by Resort Villa into a shopping complex as part of its IOI Resort City development.
• Forecasts are unchanged.
  
• We maintain our target price of RM7.65 and our Outperform call on the stock

TNB: Market Perform

• TNB yesterday signed two agreements for the Ulu Jelai Hydroelectric project.
• We maintain our indicative fair value of RM7.50.

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RHBInvest Research

Top Story

Plantations:

• Peak production over, low season
• As weather woes play havoc with vegetable oil production and expectations of future harvests, CPO prices have continued to rise, spurred on further by a pickup in pace of financial demand.
• We maintain our view that CPO prices could continue to stay strong in the near term (potentially until 1H2011)
  

Corporate Highlights


SapuraCrest:

• 9MFY11 net profit was in line, accounting for 73.7% and 73.8% of our and consensus estimates.
• Maintain forecasts and Outperform call with unchanged RM3.34 fair value

Technical Highlights

Daily Trading Strategy:

• We continue to advocate “selling into strength” until and unless the benchmark index removes the key overhead hurdle at 1,524 and 1,532.

Daily Technical Watch: Axiata Group

• Removing RM4.80 will lead to further upside potential…
• Immediate Support:- RM4.40
• Immediate Resistance:- RM4.480

Weekly Trading Idea: IOI Corporation

• Bargain buys nearer to RM5.60.
• Immediate Resistance = RM6.01
• Immediate Support = RM5.60 Exit:
• Cut loss if the stock loses the key level of RM5.60.

Commodities & Currencies:

• Light Sweet Crude Oil futures: Falling below US$87 will mark a false breakout on the previous week’s rally.
• Crude Palm Oil futures (CPO): The commodity is likely to retest the RM3,700 resistance soon.
• Ringgit (RM)/US$: The pair may ease towards the 3.07 level if the trend persists.
• Japanese Yen (JPY)/US$: The yen could weaken further in the near term and heads toward the 87 level.
• Euro Dollar (EUR)/US$: The EUR might continue to weaken against the greenback.
• US Dollar Index (DXY): A likely resumption of the recent rally soon.

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