News Bits | 9 April 2013

IDEAS OF THE DAY

l  Results Note: LPI

l  Quick Bites: ALAM, AXIATA, DRBHCOM, OLDTOWN, WCT

l  On Our Portfolio: GAB

l  On Our Radar: PESTECH

l  On Our Technical Watch: PUNCAK, SUPERMX

 

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

l  RM12.0b KLCCP REIT to be listed early May

l  MMC-Saudi Binladin Group dropped from Jazan project

l  Padiberas takeover offer extended

l  Boustead eyes RM1.0b annual pre-tax profit

l  Bank Negara allows BIMB's extension until June 30

l  Ireka: Viet projects starting to bear fruit

l  NCB buys boutique office in Bangsar South

 

FOREIGN NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

l  EU regulators to approve USD15.8b Liberty, Virgin deal

l  J.C. Penney ousts Johnson as CEO for former chief Ullman

 

ECONOMIC NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (MACRO BITS)

Malaysia

l  Malaysia-Taiwan Trade Set To Rebound

Asia Pacific

l  Weak Yen Puts Japan Current Account Back In Black

l  Xi Jinping: 'China Will Protect Foreign Companies'

l  China, Australia To Allow Direct Currency Trade

USA

l  Obama Must Walk Fine Line As Congress Takes Up Agenda

Europe

l  Ex-Prime Minister Baroness Thatcher Dies, Aged 87

l  BDO Employment Index: UK Hiring Plans At 19-Month High

l  German Industrial Production Increased In February

l  Portugal Plans Spending Cuts After Ruling On Salaries

l  Cyprus Woes Threaten East Europe GDP, Development Bank Says

l  Euro Zone Sentiment Dips In April On Cyprus Woes

Currencies

l  Dollar Nears ¥100 As Japan Stimulus Begins

Commodities

l  Crude Edges Up, Brent Premium To WTI Lowest Since June

l  Gold Falls On US Equities Gain, Soros Comment