Monday, January 14, 2013

News Bits | 11 Jan 2013


IDEAS OF THE DAY 
l  Sector Update: Plantation
l  On Our Technical Watch: INGRESS, JOHOTIN
l  Economic Viewpoint: Malaysia IPI Nov ’12

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
l  MISC's 50% owned VTTI to invest RM1.0b in Johor terminal
l  Lingui shareholders approve plan
l  Hock Seng Lee lands RM48.9m Samalaju upgrade project
l  Sun Life, Khazanah near Aviva buyout
l  West Coast Expressway to cost RM6.0b
l  DRB-HICOM: We've not received any privatisation proposals
l  Advance Synergy to hold 70% in JV to manage hotel in Terengganu
l  SPKB offers to buy up shares in SPK-Sentosa

FOREIGN NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
l  Clearwire investor loses bid for fast-track trial versus Sprint deal
l  American Express profit falls on costs tied to job cuts

ECONOMIC NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (MACRO BITS)
Malaysia
l  Production In November Grew By 7.5% YoY
Asia Pacific
l  Indonesia Holds Rates, Sees Robust Growth
l  China's Surprisingly Strong Trade Data Fans Optimism
l  Australia Home Building Continues Slow Recovery
USA
l  Jobless Claims In U.S. Unexpectedly Increased Last Week
l  Consumer Comfort Falls As U.S. Payroll Tax Takes Hold
l  Wholesale Inventories In U.S. Increase 0.6% As Sales Surge
l  Obama Nominates Jack Lew To Succeed Geithner At Treasury
Europe
l  Eurozone Interest Rates Unchanged At 0.75%
l  Bank Of England Refrains From Further QE Stimulus
Africa
l  South Africa Downgraded By Fitch As Strikes Hurt Growth
Currencies
l  Dollar Drops Most Since September After ECB
Commodities
l  Oil Rises After Saudi Arabia Cuts Output
l  Gold Tops $1,675 On ECB Comments