News Bits | 16 August 2013

IDEAS OF THE DAY (SEE SEPARATE REPORTS FOR DETAILS)

l  Results Note: ASIABRN, NOTION, UZMA

l  Company Update: DIGI

l  On Our Technical Watch: CRESBLD, KSL

 

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

l  Astral unit signs JV agreement

l  Century Logistics posts lower earnings

l  AEON targets 3 more outlets

l  RHB Group appoints CEO of Investment Bank Bhd

l  Pos Malaysia to spend RM50.0m to develop integrated parcel centre in Shah Alam

l  Malaysia Airports plans RM1.0b sukuk

FOREIGN NEWS HIGHLIGHTS       

l  Dell results underscore challenges facing turnaround plan

l  IBM says it will buy Trusteer, source says paying close to USD1.0b

 

ECONOMIC NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (MACRO BITS)

Malaysia

l  Moody's Keeps 'Stable' Outlook On Malaysia

Asia

l  Japan's Foreign Bond Binge Hits Three-Year High

l  China’s Treasury Holdings Fall Amid Fed Talk On Taper

l  India Fighting Worst Crisis Since ’91 Seeks To Buoy Rupee

l  Indonesia Raises Reserve Ratio To Aid Rupiah As Rate Held

USA

l  Jobless Claims In U.S. Decline To Lowest Level Since 2007

l  Consumer Prices In U.S. Increase, Supporting Fed Forecast

l  US Industry Output Steady As Manufacturing Dips Slightly

l  Consumer Comfort In U.S. Declines From More Than Five-Year High

l  Homebuilder Confidence In U.S. Jumps To Highest Level Since 2005

l  U.S. Net Outflow Of Long-Term Securities Increased In June

Europe

l  UK: Hot Weather Boosts July Retail Sales

Currencies

l  U.S. Dollar Seesaws On Fed Speculation

Commodities

l  Brent Prices Climb Towards $111 As Egypt Unrest Stokes Supply Fears

l  Gold Drops As U.S. Data Boosts Dollar, Treasury Yields