News Bits | 1 March 2013

IDEAS OF THE DAY

l  Sector Update: Banking

l  Result Note: AEON, ALAM, BPURI, CUSCAPI, GENM, GENTING, MAS, MASTEEL, MEDIAC, MMCCORP, MPHB, MUHIBAH, PUNCAK and TRC

l  Quick Bites: PERISAI

l  On Our Technical Watch: Monthly Technical Review

l  Economic Viewpoint: Malaysia Money Supply & Loans Jan ’13

 

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

l  Import duties on cars from Japan to be reduced to 0% by 2016 (Comment included in Kenanga Today)

l  Sunway Q4 profit advances 55.0%

l  OSK posts 4Q profit of RM870.0m after selling operations

l  Tune Ins' gross profit rises to RM58.6m

l  Ahmad Zaki's pre-tax profit rises to RM37.9m

l  Johore Tin 4Q profit dips to RM6.4m

l  Handal's revenue rises to RM97.6m

FOREIGN NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

l  Allianz German unit focuses on growth without mergers

l  RBS Annual Loss Widens on Provision for Swaps, PPI Redress

 

ECONOMIC NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (MACRO BITS)

Asia Pacific

l  More Evidence Of Japan Pickup—Industrial Output Rises

l  Japan Nominates New Central Bank Chief

l  India Announces Rise In Spending To Help Spur Growth

l  Australia Business Investment Slips, Spending Peak In Sight

USA

l  US GDP: Revision Takes Economy Into Growth

l  Business Activity In U.S. Unexpectedly Picked Up In February

l  Americans’ Sentiment Improves Along With Job Market

l  US Consumer Debt Rises For First Time In Four Years

Europe

l  German Jobless Unexpectedly Declines On Growth Revival

l  Eurozone Inflation Falls To 2% In January

l  EU Agrees To Cap Bankers’ Bonuses

Currencies

l  Dollar Advances After Jobless Claims, PMI Data

Commodities

l  Brent Crude Oil Hits Six-Week Low, Down $8 In Two Weeks

l  Gold Down 1% On Day, Posts 5th Straight Monthly Drop