Thursday, May 24, 2012

New Bits | 24 May 2012

Highlights of the day
§  Economics (Gross Domestic Product): 1Q2012: The economy moderates but not too badly. [download report]
The Malaysian economy grew slower at 4.7% y-o-y beating both house estimate and market consensus of 3.5% and 4.6% y-o-y respectively. The slower growth was due to some braking of pace in the trade and government spending components. Substantial increase in investment as well as sustained consumption partly overcame the slowdown. On the supply-side, the construction sector was the main beneficiary of improved investment as various civil engineering and residential projects began. Finally, while we are keeping our full year estimate at the moment, we will be looking to upgrade our 2012 GDP forecast soon. Our model suggests 4.2% annual growth will likely be the floor for our new revised figure.

§  Economics (Consumer Price Index): April 2012: Inflation slows further as demand-pull forces weaken. [download report]
April 2012 CPI grew slower by 1.9% y-o-y after growing 2.1% y-o-y in March. We estimate core inflation to have grown slower by 1.6% y-o-y versus 1.8% in the previous month. On m-o-m basis, the CPI was stable as both headline and core inflation experience 0.0% growth. The m-o-m stability and y-o-y slowdown may suggest at least two relevant factors at play: subsiding subsidy rationalization effect and weak demand-pull forces. We project both headline and core inflation in May 2012 to slow slightly to 1.8% and 1.5% y-o-y respectively.

Other reports
§  Newz Bits [download report]

Other Malaysian news
§  Petronas Chemicals: Allocates RM2bn capex for 2012
§  Maxis: Promotion rate for fibre internet service
§  Tan Chong: Aims for better second half
§  Axiata: To narrow gap in cost of debt
§  RHB-OSK: Wraps up merger deal
§  SP Setia: Has big plans in Penang
§  MPHB: Plans for 80% dividend payout policy
§  MAS: Bonds secured
§  Star: Tony Fernandes joins board
§  TSH Resources: Plantation capex at RM1bn over next 5 years
§  CMS: Cement unit embarks on RM150m expansion
§  Green Packet: Aims for RM1bn revenue by 2015
§  Ramunia: Expects to exit PN17 status soon
§  SAM Engineering: Eyes RM1bn revenue
§  Oil & Gas: Petronas targets 10 to 12 more partners for Rapid

Global news
§  US: Sales of new homes climb more than forecast
§  Europe: Eurozone looks at Greek exit as leaders meet
§  Europe: Hollande pushes EU to talk about joint euro bonds
§  UK: BOE’s ‘finely balanced’ decision keeps QE options open
§  Japan: BOJ Shirakawa says no change to powerful easing stance
§  Taiwan: Industrial output declines more than estimated in April
§  Singapore: Inflation to stay elevated after reaching 5.4%


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