Friday, June 22, 2012

News Bits | 22 June 2012

Highlights of the day
§  Malaysia Market Strategy : Market outlook and strategy for 3Q2012 [download report]
Our market outlook for 2Q2012 proved to be generally correct, but our market strategy did not fare so well with our sole Overweight call on Construction and Building Materials disappointing.  For 2H2012, our view is that the FBMKLCI will trade around 1604 (± 1.6%), until Parliament is dissolved for GE13 (General Elections) which could then trigger a correction to 1487.  As our expected trading range of 1487-1630 is a swing of 10%, we continue to be Neutral on the Malaysian market as a whole, with more downside risk.  We maintain our Overweight on Construction and Building Materials. (refer to report for details)

§  Economics (Leading Economic Indicator): April 2012: Leading indicator grows slower still, slightly [download report]
The leading indicator lost some pace in April. It grew by 2.1% y-o-y in the month after growing at a revised growth of 2.2% y-o-y in March. Growth of coincident index was halved, somewhat reflecting weak export figures in the same month. It grew by 1.8% after 3.4% y-o-y growth in March. We are maintaining our GDP growth forecast of 4.0% for 2012. (refer to report for details)

§  SP Setia (Results Review): 2QFY12: Revenue up, but earnings flat (Maintain HOLD, TP: RM3.60) [download report]
SP Setia 1HFY12 net profit of RM166.4m was within market expectation but below ours, making up 46% and 41% of consensus and house full-year estimates, respectively. 2QFY12 revenue of RM617.2m rose 24% y-o-y contributed by its property development projects in the Klang Valley, Johor Bahru and Penang. However, revenue growth was offset by higher operating expenses which led to a flat net profit growth. As at 31 May 2012, the Group achieved total property sales of RM2.1bn. We maintain our Hold recommendation on SP Setia with RNAV-based target price of RM3.60. The Group declared a 5 sen first net interim dividend.   (refer to report for details)

Other reports
§  Newz Bits [download report]

Other Malaysian news
§  Construction: MRT awards 31 work packages worth RM13.8bn
§  Bumi Armada: To double fleet size by 2016
§  UMW: Cautiously optimistic on O&G
§  MAS: Delays turnaround by another year
§  Wah Seong: Wins bid for stake in Petra Energy
§  Eversendai: Wins RM46m contract
§  Hock Seng Lee: Gets RM26m Demak Laut job
§  BLD Plantation: Plans oil palm expansion
§  KUB: To sell A&W Thailand
§  George Kent: Led consortium tipped to win Ampang LRT job
§  Banking: Indonesia may allow higher ownership limit in banks
§  Oil & Gas: Petronas signs 3 PSC contracts with Hess

Global news
§  US: Firings stay elevated and factories retrench
§  US: Manufacturing in Philadelphia region shrinks at faster pace
§  US: Sales of existing homes fell in May to 4.55m
§  Europe: Manufacturing, services output contracted in June
§  China: PMI falls, points to need for stimulus
§  Global: Moody's cuts ratings of 15 global banks


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