News Bits | 2 October 2013

IDEAS OF THE DAY (SEE SEPARATE REPORTS FOR DETAILS)

l  Quick Bites: FGV, MAHSING

l  On Our Technical Watch: FOCAL, KIAN JOO

 

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

l  Bina Puri bags RM98.6m contract in Sabah

l  TNB to build two coal-fired power plants in Manjung

l  HSL bags RM53.6m job in Kuching

l  Tan Chong unit cancels pact

l  Unconditional takeover offer for Focal Aims

FOREIGN NEWS HIGHLIGHTS           

l  Icahn pushes Apple CEO for USD150.b share buyback

l  Empire State IPO prices at USD13 per share, low end of range

 

ECONOMIC NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (MACRO BITS)

Global

l  World Bank’s Kim Says U.S. Fiscal Deadlock May Hurt Poor Nations

Asia Pacific

l  In Historic Step, Japan Pm Hikes Tax; Will Cushion Blow To Economy

l  S’pore Home Prices Fall After Cooling Steps

l  Indonesia Posts Surplus In August

l  Australia Holds Rates At 2.5% As Mining Investment Cools

USA

l  US Begins Government Shutdown As Budget Deadline Passes

l  U.S. ISM Manufacturing Index Rose In September

Europe

l  German Unemployment In Surprise Increase

l  Euro Zone Manufacturing Output Falls In September

l  UK Manufacturing Continues To Grow In September

Currencies

l  Dollar Pares Loss But Remains At Mid-February Low

Commodities

l  Oil Prices Lower As U.S. Government Remains Shut Down

l  Gold Tumbles 3 Pct, Rattled By Fund Trade, Govt shutdown