News Bits | 5 Feb 2013

IDEAS OF THE DAY (SEE SEPARATE REPORTS FOR DETAILS)

l  Initiating Coverage: BSTEAD

l  Sector Update: Plantation

l  Company Update: MBSB

l  Quick Bites: ALAM

l  On Our Radar: OSK

l  On Our Technical Watch: BENALEC, MUDAJYA

 

 

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

l  Technip consortium wins RM990.0m offshore deal

l  Petronas extends Alam Maritim contract

l  Salcon unit bags job from Sime Darby

l  AirAsia Group carried 33.8m passengers last year

l  AirAsia X may raise RM775.0m in IPO

l  Patimas gets request to remove 3 directors

l  KDU University College proposes up to RM350.0m sukuk

l  Tracoma Holdings reprimanded

FOREIGN NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

l  Cigna and Berkshire sign USD2.2b reinsurance deal

l  Samsung unveils plans to invest USD1.1b in new ventures

 

ECONOMIC NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (MACRO BITS)

Asia Pacific

l  Australia December Home-Building Permits Unexpectedly Fall

USA

l  Orders To U.S. Factories Rose Less Than Forecast In December

Europe

l  Spain Economy Still 'Very Challenging' Despite Progress

Currencies

l  Spain, Italy Concerns Spur Euro Profit-Taking

Commodities

l  Brent Steadies Above $116 On Economy Hopes, Middle East Worries

l  Gold Edges Up But Economic Recovery Hopes Limit Gains