News Bits | 1 August 2013

IDEAS OF THE DAY (SEE SEPARATE REPORTS FOR DETAILS)

l  Sector Update: Plantation

l  Results Note: MBSB, REDTONE

l  Quick Bites: ASTRO, TM

l  On Our Radar: Tracker Review

l  On Our Technical Watch: MBSB, TEXCHEM

l  Economic Viewpoint: Money Supply & Loans growth

 

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

l  Yinson set to be a top FPSO provider

l  BiotechCorp eyes RM3.0b worth of investments

l  Zelan plans to sell 4% stake, or 56.7m shares, in IJM for cash

l  Shareholders approve L&G rights issue

l  African vendors woo Sona Petroleum

l  Dialog shares fall on Petronas project delay

l  Ancom 4Q loss narrows to RM4.49 m

FOREIGN NEWS HIGHLIGHTS       

l  Marriott cuts earnings outlook as group bookings lag

l  Citigroup ordered to pay USD10.8m in Arbitration

 

ECONOMIC NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (MACRO BITS)

Malaysia

l  'Malaysia Must Step Up Fiscal, Structural Reforms'

l  June PPI Declines 2.7% To 124.5

North America

l  Economic Expansion In U.S. Has Been Stronger, More Irregular

l  Companies In U.S. Added More Workers In July Than Forecast

l  Federal Reserve Sees Pick-Up In US Growth

l  Canada’s Economy Expands In May As Retail Offsets Oil

Europe

l  Eurozone Jobless Figures 'Horrendously High'

l  German Jobless Rate Holds Near Two-Decade Low In July

l  IMF Says Greece Must Deliver Reforms At A Faster Pace

Currencies

l  Dollar Falls After Fed Stays Silent On Taper

Commodities

l  Brent Holds Near $107, On Track For Best Month Since Aug

l  Gold Eases In Quiet Trade, All Eyes On Fed Meeting