Monday, August 26, 2013

News Bits | 26 August 2013


IDEAS OF THE DAY (SEE SEPARATE REPORTS FOR DETAILS)
l  Sector Update: Automotive
l  Company Update: MBMR, PADINI, WCT
l  On Our Portfolio: The Perfect Mini Storm
 
NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
l  Privasia posts higher pre-tax profit of RM2.3m in Q2
l  Zecon unit gets RM606.0m government contract
l  Three more firms shortlisted to bid for Newfield assets
l  Sentoria buying land for RM30.0m
l  Two divisions boost Scomi Q1 profit
FOREIGN NEWS HIGHLIGHTS           
l  Gap second-quarter profit rises 25.0% as denim boosts sales
l  Amgen close to buying Onyx for USD125.0 per share
 
ECONOMIC NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (MACRO BITS)
Global
l  IMF's Lagarde Urges Caution Over Withdrawing Stimulus
l  Kuroda-Bean Say Policies Spur Growth As Fed Weighs Tapering
Asia
l  South Asian Consumers The Least Anxious
USA
l  Sales Of New U.S. Homes Fell More Than Forecast In July
Europe
l  Euro Zone Consumer Morale Jumps To 2-Year High In August
l  UK Economic Growth Revised Up To 0.7%
l  German Budget Surplus Jumps In First Half Of Year
l  Greece 'May Need 10bn Euros More' In Aid – Stournaras
Currencies
l  Brazil Central Bank Commits $60bn To Prop Up Currency
l  Dollar Swings To A Loss After New Home Sales Drop
Commodities
l  Oil Edges Up On Strong China, Euro Zone Data
l  Gold Up 1.5 %, Near $1,400, On Poor U.S. Home Sales