Wednesday, March 1, 2017

Petronas: Saudi Aramco to take 50% stake in Petronas' Rapid project. Saudi Arabian Oil Co (Saudi Aramco) is taking up a 50% stake in Petroliam Nasional Bhd’s Refinery and Petrochemical Integrated Development (Rapid) project for USD7b (MYR31b) cash. Petronas Tuesday signed a share pu


FEATURE
CALLS

Malaysia | CIMB Group Holdings
FY16 earnings within expectations
Desmond Ch'ng







break





Wah Seong | FY16 ahead of estimates
Thong Jung Liaw







Malaysia Airports | The underlying is great
Mohshin Aziz







TIME dotCom | A good year
Chi Wei Tan







Felda Global Ventures | Weak 2016
Chee Ting Ong







Nestle Malaysia | 4Q16: Higher A&P and raw material costs
Liew Wei Han







QL Resources | 3QFY17: Slight shortfall
Liew Wei Han







Tan Chong Motor | Still lacks clear catalysts
Ivan Yap







Lingkaran Trans Kota | Hit by higher amortisation
Chew Hann Wong







Mah Sing Group | Expect flat sales growth
Wei Sum Wong







Eversendai Corp | A year of kitchen sinking
Chew Hann Wong







Bumi Armada | FY16 results a miss
Thong Jung Liaw







Ta Ann | Missing timber support
Chee Ting Ong







Alam Maritim | FY16: Missed estimates
Thong Jung Liaw









break





Malaysia | Quicker growth
Suhaimi Ilias







Malaysia | Seeking reversal point
Tee Sze Chiah








break


COMPANY RESEARCH





Results Review





CIMB Group Holdings (CIMB MK)
by Desmond Ch'ng





Share Price:
MYR4.97
Target Price:
MYR5.35
Recommendation:
Hold




FY16 earnings within expectations

Where CIMB has fared well is in sustaining loan growth momentum and managing NIM compression and costs. However, its FY17 guidance points to still elevated credit cost, at least in 1H17. Our net profit forecasts are raised by 9% on average and our FY17 ROE estimate of 9.3% is just slightly behind management’s target of 9.5%. We raise dividend payout ratio to 50% from 42%; potential yield of 4.9% in FY17 would provide support to the share price. HOLD maintained with a higher TP of MYR5.35.



FYE Dec (MYR m)
FY15A
FY16A
FY17E
FY18E
Operating income
15,395.8
16,065.3
16,828.4
17,567.9
Pre-provision profit
6,146.8
7,413.6
7,962.1
8,432.3
Core net profit
3,411.2
3,414.4
4,294.7
4,685.4
Core EPS (MYR)
0.40
0.39
0.48
0.53
Core EPS growth (%)
5.6
(2.4)
23.2
9.1
Net DPS (MYR)
0.14
0.20
0.24
0.26
Core P/E (x)
12.3
12.6
10.3
9.4
P/BV (x)
1.0
0.9
0.9
0.9
Net dividend yield (%)
2.8
4.0
4.8
5.2
Book value (MYR)
4.87
5.24
5.37
5.64
ROAE (%)
8.7
7.9
9.3
9.6
ROAA (%)
0.8
0.7
0.9
0.9










Results Review





Wah Seong (WSC MK)
by Thong Jung Liaw





Share Price:
MYR0.91
Target Price:
MYR1.30
Recommendation:
Buy




FY16 ahead of estimates

Impairments aside, FY16 core net loss was 47%/59% below ours/ consensus forecasts, on rebound in 4Q16 earnings. Our FY17-18 forecasts are unchanged. WSC is on track to execute the Nord Stream 2 (NS2) project, which will anchor earnings over the next 3 years. Valuations are inexpensive. Our MYR1.30 TP is pegged to 12x 2018 PER (unchanged).



FYE Dec (MYR m)
FY15A
FY16A
FY17E
FY18E
Revenue
1,839.5
1,276.6
2,150.0
2,198.4
EBITDA
143.3
53.6
233.8
241.3
Core net profit
22.7
(23.3)
77.2
83.5
Core EPS (sen)
2.9
(3.0)
10.0
10.8
Core EPS growth (%)
(84.4)
nm
nm
8.1
Net DPS (sen)
3.0
0.5
0.0
0.0
Core P/E (x)
30.8
nm
9.1
8.4
P/BV (x)
0.6
0.9
0.8
0.7
Net dividend yield (%)
3.3
0.6
0.0
0.0
ROAE (%)
0.9
(23.2)
9.4
9.3
ROAA (%)
0.8
(0.8)
2.7
2.6
EV/EBITDA (x)
12.2
30.4
7.2
6.6
Net debt/equity (%)
73.6
104.7
91.7
72.6


Thong Jung Liaw








TP Revision





Malaysia Airports (MAHB MK)
by Mohshin Aziz





Share Price:
MYR6.48
Target Price:
MYR7.52
Recommendation:
Buy




The underlying is great

FY16 results met expectations despite heaps of accounting adjustments and one-off cost spikes. Management has kitchen sunk many items and things are cleaner and more transparent now. FY17 will enjoy strong demand growth and utilisation rates will sail along the ‘sweet spot’ whereby any incremental growth translates to significant operating leverage. Maintain BUY, with a slight increase in our DCF-based TP by 6 sen to MYR7.52 (WACC: 9.72%, terminal growth: 2%).



FYE Dec (MYR m)
FY15A
FY16A
FY17E
FY18E
Revenue
3,871.0
4,172.8
4,518.7
4,833.9
EBITDA
1,434.1
1,488.9
1,659.1
1,772.9
Core net profit
(25.9)
35.8
374.2
408.2
Core EPS (sen)
(1.6)
2.2
22.6
24.6
Core EPS growth (%)
nm
nm
946.6
9.1
Net DPS (sen)
3.1
1.7
8.3
9.0
Core P/E (x)
nm
300.7
28.7
26.3
P/BV (x)
1.2
1.2
1.2
1.2
Net dividend yield (%)
0.5
0.3
1.3
1.4
ROAE (%)
1.6
0.8
4.9
5.2
ROAA (%)
(0.1)
0.2
1.8
2.0
EV/EBITDA (x)
9.4
9.4
8.7
7.7
Net debt/equity (%)
52.2
46.1
41.6
31.9










Results Review





TIME dotCom (TDC MK)
by Chi Wei Tan





Share Price:
MYR8.70
Target Price:
MYR8.90
Recommendation:
Hold




A good year

FY16 results were ahead due to a substantial tax credit, while the underlying operational trends were generally healthy. The short-term trade (arising from USD-strength) we highlighted previously has played out, and risk-reward now appears balanced in our view. Maintain HOLD with a higher MYR8.90 TP as we raise our earnings forecasts.



FYE Dec (MYR m)
FY15A
FY16A
FY17E
FY18E
Revenue
682.4
766.9
880.3
991.2
EBITDA
263.9
292.6
334.5
376.6
Core net profit
171.2
246.6
235.2
258.2
Core EPS (sen)
29.8
42.8
40.7
44.6
Core EPS growth (%)
34.0
43.5
(4.9)
9.8
Net DPS (sen)
80.2
30.6
10.2
11.2
Core P/E (x)
29.2
20.4
21.4
19.5
P/BV (x)
2.4
2.3
2.2
2.1
Net dividend yield (%)
9.2
3.5
1.2
1.3
ROAE (%)
21.0
19.1
10.6
11.1
ROAA (%)
6.4
9.2
8.4
8.8
EV/EBITDA (x)
16.2
14.2
14.3
12.1
Net debt/equity (%)
net cash
net cash
net cash
net cash










Results Review





Felda Global Ventures (FGV MK)
by Chee Ting Ong





Share Price:
MYR1.88
Target Price:
MYR1.60
Recommendation:
Hold




Weak 2016

FGV suffered core losses for a second consecutive year. This time, its sugar division dragged earnings too. 2017 earnings outlook is sensitive towards CPO price direction as its all-in cost of production remains high at estimated MYR2,680/t in 2016. Maintain HOLD on FGV with a revised TP of MYR1.60 (previously MYR1.78) on unchanged 1x trailing P/BV. We reckon its stock price will defy near term fundamentals ahead of the upcoming general elections.



FYE Dec (MYR m)
FY15A
FY16A
FY17E
FY18E
Revenue
15,558.8
17,282.6
17,785.1
17,943.1
EBITDA
1,180.8
1,073.1
890.2
993.1
Core net profit
(100.2)
(170.6)
68.1
121.2
Core EPS (sen)
(2.7)
(4.7)
1.9
3.3
Core EPS growth (%)
nm
nm
nm
77.8
Net DPS (sen)
4.0
0.0
1.1
2.0
Core P/E (x)
nm
nm
100.7
56.6
P/BV (x)
1.2
1.2
1.2
1.2
Net dividend yield (%)
2.1
0.0
0.6
1.1
ROAE (%)
1.9
0.6
1.2
2.1
ROAA (%)
(0.5)
(0.8)
0.3
0.6
EV/EBITDA (x)
10.0
11.3
15.9
14.1
Net debt/equity (%)
36.7
49.2
57.6
54.9










Results Review





Nestle Malaysia (NESZ MK)
by Liew Wei Han





Share Price:
MYR75.70
Target Price:
MYR78.00
Recommendation:
Hold




4Q16: Higher A&P and raw material costs

4Q16 results fell short mainly due to higher-than-expected raw material costs and A&P expenses (earlier timing of CNY). Moving forward, we expect the positive revenue momentum to continue for its export sales (eg. ready-to-drink, confectionary and coffee). On raw material costs, while we now see some uptick, we sense that there is room for efficiency gains or that NESZ could pass it through to consumers. To recall that it has largely maintained its prices since 2Q15.



FYE Dec (MYR m)
FY15A
FY16A
FY17E
FY18E
Revenue
4,838.0
5,063.5
5,367.3
5,743.0
EBITDA
886.0
932.0
961.0
1,014.9
Core net profit
588.5
598.4
635.9
676.7
Core EPS (sen)
251.0
255.2
271.2
288.6
Core EPS growth (%)
6.9
1.7
6.3
6.4
Net DPS (sen)
260.0
270.0
269.5
286.8
Core P/E (x)
30.2
29.7
27.9
26.2
P/BV (x)
25.1
27.4
27.3
27.1
Net dividend yield (%)
3.4
3.6
3.6
3.8
ROAE (%)
79.5
94.0
98.0
103.6
ROAA (%)
24.6
24.0
24.6
24.7
EV/EBITDA (x)
19.8
19.9
18.7
17.7
Net debt/equity (%)
47.4
39.1
31.0
26.4










Results Review





QL Resources (QLG MK)
by Liew Wei Han





Share Price:
MYR4.45
Target Price:
MYR4.08
Recommendation:
Hold




3QFY17: Slight shortfall

3QFY3/17’s slight shortfall could be due to higher-than-expected production and processing costs for both its marine and livestock divisions. We trim our earnings forecasts by 1-2% for FY17-19. Consequently, our DCF-TP is lowered to MYR4.08 (-2sen, 7.3% WACC, 2.0% long-term growth). While outlook of egg prices remain weak, better surimi prices moving forward could provide some buffer.



FYE Mar (MYR m)
FY15A
FY16A
FY17E
FY18E
Revenue
2,707.8
2,853.9
3,036.2
3,230.6
EBITDA
340.9
368.1
391.3
435.0
Core net profit
183.1
192.1
198.1
222.8
Core EPS (sen)
14.7
15.4
15.9
17.9
Core EPS growth (%)
14.5
4.9
3.2
12.5
Net DPS (sen)
4.3
4.3
7.5
5.2
Core P/E (x)
30.3
28.9
28.0
24.9
P/BV (x)
3.9
3.5
3.2
3.0
Net dividend yield (%)
1.0
1.0
1.7
1.2
ROAE (%)
14.1
12.7
11.9
12.4
ROAA (%)
7.6
7.1
6.7
7.0
EV/EBITDA (x)
16.4
16.5
16.4
15.0
Net debt/equity (%)
37.1
31.3
38.0
39.8










TP Revision





Tan Chong Motor (TCM MK)
by Ivan Yap





Share Price:
MYR1.66
Target Price:
MYR1.75
Recommendation:
Hold




Still lacks clear catalysts

FY16 core net loss came in at MYR49m, lower than our/consensus’ forecasts of MYR63m, mainly due to a surprise incentive from Nissan Japan. We keep FY17/18 net profit forecasts, expecting smaller losses in FY17 before returning to small profits in FY18. Nonetheless, headwinds persist in the forms of slow car sales and the weak MYR. Our TP is lowered to MYR1.75 (-7%) as we roll forward valuation base year to FY17 on a lower trailing NTA peg of 0.4x (-1SD of LT mean) from 0.45x. HOLD.



FYE Dec (MYR m)
FY15A
FY16A
FY17E
FY18E
Revenue
5,716.7
5,510.7
5,321.5
5,554.4
EBITDA
307.2
158.9
167.3
202.2
Core net profit
76.5
(48.9)
(26.9)
2.3
Core EPS (sen)
11.7
(7.5)
(4.1)
0.3
Core EPS growth (%)
11.5
nm
nm
nm
Net DPS (sen)
5.0
2.0
1.0
1.0
Core P/E (x)
14.2
nm
nm
475.1
P/BV (x)
0.4
0.4
0.4
0.4
Net dividend yield (%)
3.0
1.2
0.6
0.6
ROAE (%)
2.7
(1.9)
(0.9)
0.1
ROAA (%)
1.5
(0.9)
(0.5)
0.0
EV/EBITDA (x)
9.1
15.9
15.0
12.3
Net debt/equity (%)
37.7
45.9
48.7
47.8










Results Review





Lingkaran Trans Kota (LTK MK)
by Chew Hann Wong





Share Price:
MYR5.81
Target Price:
MYR6.10
Recommendation:
Hold




Hit by higher amortisation

Litrak’s 3QFY3/17 net profit of MYR51m was below our estimates largely due to higher amortisation charge of highway development expenditure. Litrak declared a 2nd interim DPS of 15sen, bringing its total DPS to 25sen for FY17 YTD, short of our 30sen forecast for FY17. Not expecting a final DPS, we lower our FY17 DPS estimate to 25sen (from 30sen) and forward years to 25sen p.a. too. No change to our earnings, RNAV-TP of MYR6.10.



FYE Mar (MYR m)
FY15A
FY16A
FY17E
FY18E
Revenue
380.7
416.2
555.5
557.5
EBITDA
321.6
353.3
480.0
474.4
Core net profit
137.5
171.8
260.5
268.1
Core EPS (sen)
26.7
33.0
49.8
51.3
Core EPS growth (%)
2.2
23.7
51.0
2.9
Net DPS (sen)
20.0
25.0
25.0
25.0
Core P/E (x)
21.8
17.6
11.7
11.3
P/BV (x)
5.6
5.0
4.1
3.5
Net dividend yield (%)
3.4
4.3
4.3
4.3
ROAE (%)
na
na
na
na
ROAA (%)
6.2
7.7
11.1
10.8
EV/EBITDA (x)
9.0
10.0
7.8
7.5
Net debt/equity (%)
177.5
143.6
98.5
61.7










TP Revision





Mah Sing Group (MSGB MK)
by Wei Sum Wong





Share Price:
MYR1.48
Target Price:
MYR1.44
Recommendation:
Hold




Expect flat sales growth

After deducting the MYR36.8m distribution to perpetual sukuk holders, 2016 core net profit of MYR320m (-6% YoY) was in-line with our expectations but below consensus. 2016 property sales were also within expectations. Amid a still challenging property market outlook, management expects 2017 sales to be flat at MYR1.8b. We fine-tune our earnings forecasts by -0.3% to +1.4%. Our RNAV-TP is largely unchanged at MYR1.44 (-3 sen) based on an unchanged 0.6x P/RNAV. Maintain HOLD.



FYE Dec (MYR m)
FY15A
FY16A
FY17E
FY18E
Revenue
3,108.5
2,957.6
2,980.0
3,061.1
EBITDA
527.9
508.8
585.2
646.1
Core net profit
338.8
319.5
325.0
370.0
Core FDEPS (sen)
14.1
13.3
13.5
15.4
Core FDEPS growth(%)
(23.5)
(5.7)
1.7
13.8
Net DPS (sen)
6.5
6.5
5.4
6.1
Core FD P/E (x)
10.5
11.2
11.0
9.6
P/BV (x)
1.1
1.1
1.0
1.0
Net dividend yield (%)
4.4
4.4
3.6
4.2
ROAE (%)
na
na
na
na
ROAA (%)
5.7
5.0
4.8
5.1
EV/EBITDA (x)
6.9
6.9
6.1
5.3
Net debt/equity (%)
3.7
2.0
net cash
net cash










Rating Change





Eversendai Corp (EVSD MK)
by Chew Hann Wong





Share Price:
MYR0.53
Target Price:
MYR0.58
Recommendation:
Hold




A year of kitchen sinking

4Q16 registered a core net loss due to slower construction progress in the Middle East and escalating costs at the O&G division. We lower FY17/18 earnings after updating for FY16 numbers and tweaking for works recognition. We continue to peg TP to an unchanged 0.5x P/BV (-1SD) to reflect its high gearing and receivables, leading to a lower TP of MYR0.58 (-9%). Rerating catalysts for the stock would hinge on its earnings recovery and delivery of its lift boats to ease its balance sheet burden.



FYE Dec (MYR m)
FY15A
FY16A
FY17E
FY18E
Revenue
1,788.8
1,574.6
1,872.8
1,745.2
EBITDA
124.3
(182.1)
176.7
175.7
Core net profit
47.5
(80.6)
74.9
73.3
Core EPS (sen)
6.1
(10.4)
9.7
9.5
Core EPS growth (%)
100.0
nm
nm
(2.2)
Net DPS (sen)
0.5
0.0
0.8
0.8
Core P/E (x)
8.6
nm
5.5
5.6
P/BV (x)
0.4
0.5
0.4
0.4
Net dividend yield (%)
0.9
0.0
1.5
1.5
ROAE (%)
5.5
(25.6)
8.1
7.4
ROAA (%)
2.0
(2.8)
2.4
2.2
EV/EBITDA (x)
10.2
nm
6.9
6.6
Net debt/equity (%)
58.9
87.0
79.8
67.2










Rating Change





Bumi Armada (BAB MK)
by Thong Jung Liaw





Share Price:
MYR0.72
Target Price:
MYR0.72
Recommendation:
Hold




FY16 results a miss

Impairments aside, FY16 fell short on setback (losses at associates & FPSO ops) to 4Q16. With no FPSO job win expectation in 2017 as a catalyst, execution (to achieve 1st oil for FPSO Kraken by 2Q17, earnings) is key in 2017. Share price has performed well (+21% YTD), partially factoring in the earlier risk-reward opportunities. BArmada is fully valued for now, relative to our MYR0.72 SOP-TP. We advocate investors to take profit and switch to Yinson (YNS MK; BUY; TP: MYR4.35).



FYE Dec (MYR m)
FY15A
FY16A
FY17E
FY18E
Revenue
2,179.7
1,416.6
1,918.9
2,995.6
EBITDA
1,101.7
552.6
1,116.5
1,561.7
Core net profit
360.7
(83.3)
269.8
679.1
Core EPS (sen)
6.1
(1.4)
4.6
11.6
Core EPS growth (%)
(22.2)
nm
nm
151.7
Net DPS (sen)
0.8
0.0
0.0
0.0
Core P/E (x)
11.8
nm
15.8
6.3
P/BV (x)
0.6
0.8
0.7
0.6
Net dividend yield (%)
1.1
0.0
0.0
0.0
ROAE (%)
(3.4)
(29.2)
4.6
10.8
ROAA (%)
2.2
(0.4)
1.2
3.2
EV/EBITDA (x)
11.4
24.6
12.3
8.3
Net debt/equity (%)
89.1
176.3
159.2
131.4


Thong Jung Liaw








TP Revision





Ta Ann (TAH MK)
by Chee Ting Ong





Share Price:
MYR3.88
Target Price:
MYR4.25
Recommendation:
Hold




Missing timber support

Ta Ann’s core results were below expectations as the timber division disappointed on lower log sales affected by reduced log export quota since 3Q16. For 2017, its plantation division will continue to be the main earnings driver. Maintain HOLD with a new TP of MYR4.25 (previously MYR4.06) on unchanged 15x 2017 PER, its 5-year historical mean, post our slight FY17 earnings upgrade.



FYE Dec (MYR m)
FY15A
FY16A
FY17E
FY18E
Revenue
1,048.3
1,147.1
997.7
1,048.0
EBITDA
328.2
277.6
277.6
313.6
Core net profit
177.3
121.6
125.9
138.1
Core EPS (sen)
39.9
27.3
28.3
31.0
Core EPS growth (%)
74.7
(31.4)
3.5
9.7
Net DPS (sen)
16.7
10.0
12.7
14.0
Core P/E (x)
9.7
14.2
13.7
12.5
P/BV (x)
1.5
1.4
1.3
1.2
Net dividend yield (%)
4.3
2.6
3.3
3.6
ROAE (%)
16.7
9.9
9.6
9.9
ROAA (%)
9.2
6.0
5.8
6.0
EV/EBITDA (x)
6.2
6.8
7.5
6.3
Net debt/equity (%)
11.2
5.5
20.5
11.0










Results Review





Alam Maritim (AMRB MK)
by Thong Jung Liaw





Share Price:
MYR0.29
Target Price:
MYR0.13
Recommendation:
Sell




FY16: Missed estimates

Impairment aside, FY16 core earnings came in below ours/consensus expectations, on setback to 4Q16 results (associates & higher expenses). That aside, the OSV market will remain tough over the next 12 months. Optimising costs and OSV utilisation, and preserving cash flows remain key in 2017. Addressing its MYR75m MTNs due in 2017/18 is also a priority. Valuations are expensive vis-à-vis its peers. Our TP is pegged to 12x 2018 PER (unchanged).



FYE Dec (MYR m)
FY15A
FY16A
FY17E
FY18E
Revenue
350.2
247.5
246.0
282.1
EBITDA
71.9
22.2
44.2
54.9
Core net profit
63.1
(90.4)
0.5
9.8
Core EPS (sen)
6.8
(9.8)
0.1
1.1
Core EPS growth (%)
5.9
nm
nm
1,824.1
Net DPS (sen)
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
Core P/E (x)
4.3
nm
535.4
27.8
P/BV (x)
0.3
0.4
0.4
0.4
Net dividend yield (%)
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
ROAE (%)
5.2
(17.0)
0.1
1.3
ROAA (%)
4.9
(8.3)
0.1
1.0
EV/EBITDA (x)
6.5
15.6
7.9
5.8
Net debt/equity (%)
8.2
13.8
10.0
6.0


Thong Jung Liaw






MACRO RESEARCH






Quicker growth
by Suhaimi Ilias


Economics Research





Money supply (M3) growth picked up for the second consecutive month in Jan 2017 to +4.4% YoY (Dec 2016: +3.0% YoY) as faster total loans and deposit growth mitigated liquidity concerns over foreign net bond selling of Malaysian bonds.












Seeking reversal point
by Tee Sze Chiah


Technical Research





FBMKLCI was unable to hold onto its early gains. At day’s end, the benchmark closed relatively unchanged, easing 0.07pts to settle at 1,693.77. Broader market continued to plague by negative sentiment with losers outpacing gainers by 625 to 317. Trading volume of 2.42b worth MYR2.87b was recorded yesterday. Despite still relatively weak, we opine that there is a possibility that the benchmark index could bounce higher today, though upside could be capped around 1,705.







NEWS


Outside Malaysia:

U.S: Consumer Confidence index advanced to 114.8 in Feb 2016, the highest since July 2001, from a revised 111.6 in January. Present conditions gauge increased to 133.4, the highest since July 2007, from 130. Measure of consumer expectations for the next six months rose to 102.4 from 99.3. The increase in the Conference Board’s measure was the third in the four months since Donald Trump was elected president. (Source: Bloomberg)

U.S: Fed officials signal more willingness to consider March hike. Two influential Federal Reserve officials signaled a greater willingness to tighten monetary policy, perhaps as soon as next month. New York Fed President William Dudley, in an interview, said the case for tightening had become “a lot more compelling” in recent months. “The risks to the outlook are now starting to tilt to the upside,” he said. His remarks followed comments from San Francisco Fed chief John Williams, who said he expects an interest-rate increase will receive “serious consideration” at the March 14-15 meeting of the policy-making Federal Open Market Committee. (Source: Bloomberg)

U.K: Consumer confidence weakened on February as the pound’s slide, rising prices and weak pay growth began to weigh on the powerhouse of Britain’s economy. GfK’s household-sentiment index fell in February, remaining below zero for a 10th month, and the appetite for making major purchases decreased, indicating that Britons may be starting to rein in spending. (Source: Bloomberg)

Japan: Industrial production fell for the first time in six months in January, raising questions about the sustainability of Japan’s export-driven growth in the second half of 2016. Industrial production fell 0.8% in January from a month earlier. The unexpected weakness in industrial output points to the risk of depending on external demand for recent economic growth. (Source: Bloomberg)

Japan: Business investment shows modest pickup in 4th quarter. Capital expenditure by Japanese companies picked up in the fourth quarter of 2016, capping a year that saw a slowdown in the growth of corporate spending, finance ministry data show. Capital expenditure rose 3.8% YoY in the fourth quarter of 2016. Sales increased 2% YoY. These figures will be used to revise the fourth quarter gross domestic product data. The preliminary reading for GDP showed 1.0% annualized growth. (Source: Bloomberg)





Other News:

Petronas: Saudi Aramco to take 50% stake in Petronas' Rapid project. Saudi Arabian Oil Co (Saudi Aramco) is taking up a 50% stake in Petroliam Nasional Bhd’s Refinery and Petrochemical Integrated Development (Rapid) project for USD7b (MYR31b) cash. Petronas Tuesday signed a share purchase agreement with Saudi Aramco for the stake in the refinery and cracker project, which will see Saudi Aramco supply up to 70% of the crude feedstock requirements of the refinery. Petronas, meanwhile, will supply natural gas, power and other utilities. Upon completion of the transaction, Petronas and Saudi Aramco will hold equal ownership in selected ventures and assets of the Rapid project. (Source: The Sun Daily)

Prasarana: Eyes Saudi Rail-related Project Worth Over SAR807m. The group will tender for a railway-related project in Saudi Arabia worth over SAR807m (SAR1 = MYR1.19) in the next two months. Its President/Group Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Seri Azmi Abdul Aziz, said the tender would entail providing operations and maintenance support for the project."Currently, the Saudi government has commissioned that the railways be built in several cities. This is one of them," he told reporters after the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Prasarana and Saudi Investment Group and Marketing Co Ltd (SIGMAC) yesterday. Under the MOU, both companies would jointly bid for various public transportation projects and share their practices and human capital in the transportation industry. (Source: The Edge Financial Daily)

PPB: Reports better fourth quarter results, thanks to Wilmar. Net profit for 4Q16 rose 45% to MYR496.03m from MYR341.02m a year ago, mainly due to higher profit contribution from associate Wilmar International Ltd, which cushioned lower results recorded by most of the group’s segments. Its revenue of MYR1.02b in 4Q16 was 6% lower than the MYR1.09b in 4QFY15 negated by reduced revenues from the other segments. For FY16, PPB’s net profit fell marginally by 0.6% to MYR1.04b from MYR1.05b a year ago. PPB said the operating environment in 2017 is expected to be challenging for the group’s core businesses. Intense competition will continue in the flour markets in Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam, while the feed market in Malaysia will be uncertain with the rapidly evolving industry landscape. (Source: The Sun Daily)


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