Wednesday, October 10, 2012

News Bits | 10 Oct 2012


Highlights of the day
§  Malayan Banking (Quick Bits): Conference call to clarify private placement (Maintain HOLD, TP: RM9.00) [download report]
In a conference call yesterday evening, Maybank clarified that its private placement was to support more aggressive organic growth in the region, and to boost its core equity capital ratio to a more comfortable level.  It has declined to bid for Bank of Ayudhya, which allays concerns that it may engage in an expensive bidding war that ultimately requires to be funded by a rights issue.  Maybank remains one of our preferred banking stocks to HOLD.
 
§  Sunway Bhd (Quick Bits): Disposing of asset to Sunway REIT (Maintain BUY, TP: RM2.70) [download report]
Sunway Bhd plans to dispose of the land and building of Sunway Medical Centre (SMC) to Sunway REIT for RM310m cash. The sale proceeds will be used to repay Sunway Medical Centre’s borrowings, settle other expenses, and finance the Group’s working capital and capex requirements. Incorporating a net gain on disposal of RM148.8m into our FY13 forecasts will increase EPS by 24%, while net gearing is expected to improve to 0.31x from 0.41x previously. Factoring the new disposal has slightly increased our SOP-based target price by 2% to RM2.70 (from RM2.65). Maintain BUY.
 
Other reports
§  Newz Bits [download report]
 
Other Malaysian news
§  Power: Game change in sector; Electricity tariff to remain at current rate
§  Tenaga: Clinches Prai power plant contract
§  Felda: Plans Philippine venture after peace deal
§  Astro: Ties up with Google to expand distribution via YouTube
§  MPHB: To sell AA Anthony Securities for up to RM170m
§  Sunway REIT: Assets reach RM4.95bn
§  Eversendai: Eyes RM500m local contracts
§  Gadang: Gets RM313m job at Rapid
§  IPO: Titijaya Land in RM40.85m IPO
§  Plantation: Indonesia, Malaysia eye joint body to prop up palm oil prices
§  Property:  Rehda eyes RM500m in property sales at Mapex
 
Global news
§  US: Confidence among small businesses cooled in September
§  Europe: EU lauds Greek budget-cutting will, boosting aid prospects
§  Europe: IMF says European banks may have to sell US$4.5trn in assets
§  Europe: UK factory output declines more than forecast, exports plunge
§  South Korea: Government eschews stimulus as economic slowdown abates