Thursday, January 23, 2014

Market Roundup | 22 January 2014


FBMKLCI   1814.10pts      -1.24pts   (-0.07%)   Volume  1.839b   Value 2.135b
 
 
 
1) The KLCI dipped as much as 12pts in the morning following the weaker US market overnight before seeing strong recovery to close marginally lower. In the regional market, bourses were bullish led by China's SHCOMP after money-market rates continue to decline; HSI swung between gains and losses but closed in positive territory ahead of China's HSBC manufacturing data tomorrow. In the local market, bluechip stocks bounced back erasing earlier losses, namely PPB +2.62%, FGV +2.28%, BAT+1.12%, GENTING +1.56%, RHBCAP +0.63%. Market breadth was negative as losers outpaced gainers by 463 : 325. Futures closed at 1808pts (6pts discount).
 
 
 
2) Heavyweights: CIMB -1.40% RM7.01, MAYBANK -1.01% RM9.76, AXIATA -0.60% RM6.60, GENM -0.91% RM4.34, GENTING +1.56% RM10.36, PPB +2.62% RM15.64, FGV +2.28% RM4.47, BAT +1.12% RM63.24.
 
 
 
3) DBT: ASUPREM 20mil @ RM0.16 (6.934% PUC @ 20% discount), EAH 16mil @ RM0.20 (3.763% PUC), UTOPIA 16mil @ RM0.10 (1.779% PUC @ 25% premium).
 
 
 
4) Situational:-
 
MRCB +4.66% RM1.57 - share price rose after news reported company is in the mist of divestment of its 30% stake in Duta Ulu Kelang Expressway (Duke) to Ekovest for RM230m. In response, company confirmed that Board of Directors deliberated on the proposal to dispose its stake in DUKE yesterday and the proposal is still at a preliminary stage and the material terms of the proposal are still being negotiated.
 
 
 
5) MPHB CAP
 
 
The Company today announced that it received unsolicited expressions of interest from an interested party to explore the possibility of forming a strategic alliance with Multi-Purpose Insurans Bhd, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.
BNM has, via its letter dated 22 January 2014, stated that BNM has no objection in principle for the Company to commence preliminary negotiations with the interested party in relation to the possible disposal of a minority equity interest in MPIB.
 
MPIB is the main earnings contributor to the group and ranks 13th in term of insurance premiums.
 
 
The proposed strategic alliance is line with MPHB Capital group's business strategies to, among others, expand MPIB's general insurance business, grow new business to provide new revenue streams as well as to increase its capacity to underwrite more insurance products.
 
 
 
We would not be surprised if the structure of the new entity would see MPHB Cap pare down its stake to below 50% thus eliminating the need for the company to sell down its non financial business as it will not be under BNM purview of a financial holding company. +ve  Buy on weakness
 
 
 
6) Market - Maintain current trading band ahead of next week holidays for CNY .