Thursday, May 2, 2013

News Bits | 2 May 2013


IDEAS OF THE DAY (SEE SEPARATE REPORTS FOR DETAILS)
l  Sector Update: Telecommunication
l  Results Note: NESTLE, SUNREIT, XL AXIATA
l  Company Update: ASTRO, BIMB, MPI
l  Quick Bites: KNM
l  On Our Radar: FBMKLCI at an All-Time High
l  On Our Technical Watch: Monthly Technical Review
l  Economic Viewpoint: Malaysia Money Supply & Loan Growth
 
NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
l  Hong Leong Industries 33.6% increase in net profit
l  SOP 1Q profit plunges 49.0% despite jump in revenue
l  TM in pact to set up Bengal Gateway submarine cable system
l  Tune Ins buys 70.0% stake in PT Batavia
l  Hibiscus Petroleum in Aussie joint venture
l  I-Bhd pre-tax profit likely to hit RM65.0m
l  Tan Chong Motor eyes 8.0% of bus mart
FOREIGN NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
l  Allstate profit falls 7.4% on catastrophe costs
l  SoftBank slams Dish's Sprint bid, rules out sweeteners
 
ECONOMIC NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (MACRO BITS)
Malaysia
l  M3 Grew By 9.1% In March But Loans Moderated To 10.6%
Asia
l  China Manufacturing Growth Slows In April
l  Indonesia PMI rises amid higher inflation
USA
l  Manufacturing In U.S. Expands At Slowest Pace This Year
l  ADP Says U.S. Companies Employed Fewer Workers Than Forecast
l  US Central Bank Keeps Buying Bonds To Boost Economy
l  US Carmakers Drive Monthly Sales To Six-Year Highs
l  Mortgage Applications Rose Last Week As Rates Fell
l  U.S. Sees Floating-Rate Note By 1q 2014, Lower Coupon Sizes
Europe
l  Eurozone Unemployment At Record High As Inflation Drops
l  UK Manufacturing Sees 'Signs Of Stabilising'
l  Parliament In Cyprus Passes International Bailout Deal
l  Slovenia Rating Cut To Junk By Moody’s As Bond Sale Delayed
Currencies
l  U.S. Dollar Extends Fall After Fed Statement
Commodities
l  Oil, Stocks Fall On Weak Economic Data; Fed Stays Course
l  Gold Falls More Than 1 Pct As Commodities Dip