Friday, October 12, 2012

News Bits | 12 Oct 2012


Highlights of the day
§  Top Glove Corp (Results Review): Solid result but strong headwinds ahead (Maintain SELL, TP: RM4.62) [download report]
12M FY Aug 12 reported net profit of RM202m (+78% y-o-y) came in within consensus expectation but above ours. The variance from our forecast was due to higher-than-expected sales volume and lower-than-expected raw material cost. We maintain our FY13 and FY14 earnings forecasts as we assume a slower-than-expected volume sales and headwinds emanating from higher production costs. The shift in demand to nitrile gloves over the last two years has also led to a glut and potential price war in the latex glove segment.  Furthermore, Top Glove is facing higher production costs from the minimum wage policy to be effective Jan 1, 2013 and higher natural gas prices.  The stock is trading at 20x FY13 EPS compared to historical average of 18x.  Maintain SELL with a target price of RM4.62 based on CY13 EPS of 25.7 sen.  (refer to report for details)
 
§  Economics (Industrial Production Index): August 2012: Production slips as manufacturing and exports decline [download report]
August industrial production index slipped by 0.7% y-o-y as manufacturing declined. The fall coincided with 4.5% Malaysian export decline in the same month as well as the wider drop in Asian exports and production. The good news is data from South Korea and Taiwan suggests that global demand may have improved in September. Our preliminary projection for Malaysia’s September IPI growth is 1.0% y-o-y. (refer to report for details)
 
Other reports
§  Newz Bits [download report]
 
Other Malaysian news
§  MISC:  No gain or losses from stake sale
§  AMMB: To run Kurnia and AmG under single licence
§  Astro: Grants near 22 million share options
§  AirAsia: Exercises options to buy into Tune Insurance’s parent
§  AirAsia: May revisit London, Paris
§  KFCH, QSR:  EGM dates set on disposal
§  OSK: Unit gets Indonesia nod
§  Alam Maritim: Bags RM69m contract
§  O&G: Petronas warns of high oil royalty
§  Insurance:  AIA to ride on ING’s strength in bancassurance
 
Global news
§  US: Jobless claims fall on revision difficulty
§  US: Trade deficit widened in August as exports dropped
§  Europe: EU said to weigh delaying Basel bank rules for up to a year
§  Europe: Spain seeking EU consensus before deciding on bailout request
§  China: Banks said to resist cutting loan rates as economy slows
§  Japan: Machinery orders slide 3.3% as economy risks shrinking
§  South Korea: Bank of Korea matches Brazil rate cut as world growth stumbles
 
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