KUALA LUMPUR: Despite a strong first quarter, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) can expect a challenging second half this year, says HwangDBS Vickers Research.
KUALA LUMPUR: M&A Securities expects Petronas Dagangan Bhd's commercial retail segment revenue to register a five per cent growth in financial year 2012 (FY12) ending December 31 in tandem with Malaysia's gross domestic product (GDP) growth of five per cent this year.
OSK Research says while the industry's poor outlook will persist, Perwaja Steel is building an iron pelletising plant that is expected to boost the profitability of its direct reduction plant.
OSK Research has maintained a "buy" call on Axiata Group based on its sum-of-parts (SOP) derived value of RM5.60 following strong revenue growth in the company's Idea Cellular.
KUALA LUMPUR: At least five research houses raised their target prices for Alliance Financial Group Bhd (AFG) after the country's smallest banking group posted slightly better-than-expected third quarter results.
KUALA LUMPUR: HwangDBS Vickers Research is maintaining its "buy" call on Petronas Gas Bhd (PetGas) with the target price raised to RM16.90 a share from RM15.50 earlier due to promising outlook in the oil and gas industry.
KUALA LUMPUR: Asean offers "highly investible" opportunities for the retail investor, says Maybank Investment Bank Bhd (MIB), which will share some of its top stock picks at an event here today.
This is despite the property developer receiving Vietnamese government's approval to undertake a residential and commercial development in Ho Chi Minh City.
MIDF has maintained its "buy" call on Petronas Gas Bhd (5681), after the latter announced its 4th Gas Processing and Transmission Act (GPTA), as it could offer strong earnings upside in the future.
Bumiputra-Commerce Holdings Bhd (BCHB) (1023) is expected to underperform against the Kuala Lumpur Composite Index in the near future due to concerns over the group's heavy reliance on capital market-related earnings.
CI Holdings replaces Perisai Petroleum as CIMB Research's top pick this month, citing the management's openness to merger and acquisition opportunities
KUALA LUMPUR: CIMB Research is maintaining its "overweight" recommendation on the oil and gas sector as higher oil prices and steady demand have helped the sector's capital expenditure (capex) to stage a welcome recovery.
KUALA LUMPUR: UMW Holdings Bhd has seen its earnings forecast upgraded by MIDF Research after the automotive-to-oil-and-gas group announced sound interim results.
ECM Libra said SP Setia Bhd's maiden development project in Singapore is expected to generate a net profit of RM40 million over a three-year development.
MIMB Investment Bank expects the second half of this year to be tough for the Malaysian shipping industry, mainly due to worldwide excess vessel capacity, which would continue into 2010.
AmResearch sees high risks involved in the Sedigi project, such as the stability of the government, supply of crude oil and gas, financing sources and execution risks.
Alliance's stockbroking unit is in the red while revenue from wealth management and unit trust sales have declined substantially, says the research house
OSK Research has maintained its "neutral" call on DiGi.Com Bhd (6947), eventhough the company has signed a deal to sell Apple Inc's iPhone in the country.
Nomura Securities Malaysia says the recently passed healthcare reform bill in the US will boost sentiment on the shares of glove makers like Kossan Rubber (7153) , Supermax and Top Glove. It has a "buy" call on all three stocks.
Investors can invest in some bond funds to lock in high yields or to start picking stocks that have potential to rebound sharply when the economy recovers, says a fund manager
At least two research houses have upgraded their rating on Resorts World Bhd (4715), the casino operator that reported a fourth-quarter loss on Wednesday.
AmResearch Sdn Bhd maintains "buy" call on Genting Malaysia Bhd (3182) with a target price of RM3.40 on news that MGM Mirage has sealed a plan to exit the Atlantic City market in favour of the booming Chinese gambling centre of Macau.
OSK views KPJ Healthcare's acquisition of Jeta Gardens Waterford Trust positively as it marks a new milestone for KPJ in terms of business and geographical expansion
Asia Analytica Sdn Bhd expects Bursa Malaysia Bhd to report better earnings in first quarter 2011 on the back of higher trade volume for both securities and derivatives.
OSK Research believes Alam Maritim Resources Bhd's (5115)outlook should brighten going forward as development of marginal oilfields would raise the need for more vessels.
Kenanga Research and TA Securities upgraded the stock after Maybank turned in an over fivefold increase in net profit to RM3.8 billion for the year to June 30.
HwangDBS Vickers thinks Gamuda has been an 'unjustified' laggard against its closest peer, IJM Corp, and expects this underperformance to reverse this year.
ECM LIBRA Investment Research has maintained its "hold" call on DiGi.Com Bhd (6947) with a revised target price of RM23.20 from RM20 previously, following the company's revenue growth guidance of at least 5 per cent for fiscal year 2010 (FY10).
Macquarie Equities Research reiterated its buy call on IJM (3336) and raised the target price to RM6.00 from RM5.50 following a review of the company's prospects.
The shares should be accumulated now as Plenitude is trading at a steep discount to its peers and is supported by a decent dividend yield of 6.3 per cent, says OSK
Finance, betting and power stocks will be the biggest winners in terms of the jump in industry weightings in the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI, says CIMB Investment Bank
AmResearch Sdn Bhd has downgraded Lafarge Malayan Cement Bhd to a "sell" with a lower fair value of RM2.92 per share, due to an earnings downgrade and softening in cement demand this year.
RHB Research said investors may find Amway (M) Holdings Bhd (6351) appealing for its earnings growth and defensive qualities amid the current volatile market environment,
OSK Investment Research has maintained an "overweight" stance on the automotive sector, on the back of strong vehicle sales amid an improved economic landscape and a favourable ringgit.
Cigarette-makers like British American Tobacco Malaysia Bhd (BAT) (4162) will not see a major dent to their earnings once the sale of small packs is banned next year, says a research house.
While the government has put PLUS' toll rate increase on hold, its available free cash flow is more than enough to support dividend per share target of 16 sen in financial year 2009, says HwangDBS
OSK Investment Research has upgraded Public Bank Bhd (1295) to "buy" from "neutral" before, with its target price raised to RM13, from RM11.80 previously.
OSK Research has a 'buy' rating on the operator of Northport, saying the group is well-placed to notch up double-digit gains in revenue and earnings in 2010
Maybank Investment Bank maintains buy call and RM2.10 target price on Sunway Holdings (4308) after the developer won two new construction jobs worth RM154 million.
The research house has upgraded WCT to a 'buy', Gamuda and IJM Corp one-notch above to 'hold' and maintained a 'hold' rating on Zelan and Hock Seng Lee
There are speed bumps ahead for Tan Chong Motor Holdings Bhd (4405), which sells Nissan cars, despite its stellar fiscal performance in the third quarter, analysts said.
ECM Libra Investment Research maintained its "buy" call on numbers forecast operator Berjaya Sports Toto Bhd (BST) (1562) but cut its target price to RM4.91 from RM5.30 before.
OSK Research is bullish on the prospects of Berjaya Sports Toto Bhd (1562), a gaming company, due to its strong dividends and a business that can deal with the economic slowdown.
ECM Libra Investment Research believes the subsidy rationalisation programme will not affect Tenaga Nasional Bhd's (5347) earnings for years 2010 and 2011, but instead improve profits from 2012 onwards.
ECM Libra Investment Research said Telekom Malaysia Bhd's (TM) (4863) new submarine cable project will help to boost the group's revenue from the wholesale global business.
Maybank Investment Bank Bhd (Maybank IB) (8265) said Eastern Pacific Industrial Corp Bhd's (EPIC) 2008 results will likely beat its expectations, helped by a strong fourth quarter.
Fund manager Alliance Investment Management has re-balanced a large proportion of its investments in Malaysia into defensive and dividend-yielding stocks
OSK Research Sdn Bhd expects Silver Bird Group Bhd (7136) , which makes and distributes bakery products under the High 5 and Silver Bird brands, to return to profitability in its 2009 fiscal year, which ended on October 31, after three years of consecutive losses.
The dismal third-quarter earnings has forced Aseambankers Malaysia Bhd to cut its 2008 and 2009 corporate earnings estimates for the second time in a month.
OSK Research has maintained a "neutral" call on Penang's state-owned water company PBA Holdings Bhd, (5041) in view of the a high cost base and declining trade consumption.
INet Research says Sarawak Oil Palms Bhd's (SOPB) (5126) relatively young oil palm crop profile augurs well for the group's earnings going forward, as 48 per cent of its planted areas are young and prime crops.
OSK Research maintained its recommendation and target price on Media Prima Bhd (4502) after the company's net profit was 8 per cent above its expectation.
AmResearch kept its "buy" call on budget airline AirAsia Bhd's (5099)stock, but said its fair value of RM3.10 a share is under a review with an upward bias.
Investment themes in Malaysia include beneficiaries of the pick-up in construction activities, resources stocks and selected export driven stocks, says Public Mutual
The research house, which re-initiated coverage on MISC with a "hold" rating, says its chemical division is affected by lower utilisation of vessels after two of its ships were hijacked
ECM Libra raised the target price for Malayan Banking Bhd (1155) to RM8.30, after the lender posted a better-than-expected first half financial results.
However, the investment bank estimates that non- performing loans will pick up and has trimmed the industry's 2008-10 net profit forecasts by 5.6-7.3 per cent
Maybank Investment Bank Research maintained its "sell" recommendations on Genting Malaysia Bhd (4715) , even though the company posted a strong set first quarter numbers.
The bottom line of Eastern & Oriental should return to the black in 2010 and jump 66 per cent in 2011 and 57 per cent in 2012, says CIMB Investment Bank
OSK Research has initiated coverage on consumer finance company AEON Credit Service (M) Bhd (5139) with a "buy" call, based on its solid track record, low non-performing loans (NPL) ratio, growing customer base and attractive dividend yield.
Nomura Research says after recent sell down and downgrades, it believes that all the bad news has been priced in and expects earnings upgrades as the key catalyst going forward
Supported by its strategic expansion plan, OSK Research Sdn Bhd believes HELP International (7236) would be able to quicken its growth momentum as well as achieve its goal of becoming a leading education provider locally and abroad.
AmResearch has raised its call on Tan Chong Motor Holdings Bhd's (4405) stock to "buy" on the carmaker's improved positioning to ride on an expected uptrend in the domestic automotive industry.
Both yields and load factors could come under pressure given the imminent liberalisation of Asean skies from the end of this year, says the research house
OSK Research Sdn Bhd has cut its earnings forecast for MMC Corp Bhd (2194) given poorer-than-expected numbers for Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) and fears of a further contraction in container trade.
RHB Research upgraded its call on Petronas Gas Bhd (PetGas) (6033)to "market perform" and raised its target price to RM10.51 on the back of the growth potential of its gas transmission business.
HwangDBS Vickers Research has downgraded its rating on shares of KNM Group Bhd (7164), which makes process equipment, citing slower new orders and a higher risk of existing work being cancelled.
Given its size and large downstream operations, IOI Corp's earnings are the most resilient in a weak crude palm oil price environment, says OSK Research
THE corporate ratings on Petronas and Tenaga Nasional Bhd are unaffected by the proposed cuts in gas prices and electricity tariffs, said Standard & Poor's Ratings Services.
For investors who have the patience to ride out the next 12 months or longer, Tan Chong Motor, LCL Corp and Wellcall are good bets, says CIMB head of research
OSK Research is advising investors to buy the stock due to its high dividend yield of 7.9 per cent, consistent profit growth and the stock's defensive nature
AmResearch Sdn Bhd has not changed its earnings estimates for IJM Corp Bhd (3336) despite the latter receiving a contract worth RM350 million for new works on the Penang Bridge.
OSK Research Sdn Bhd is maintaining its financial year 2010-2011 forecasts for Top Glove Corp Bhd (7113) after the company released its third quarter results on Wednesday.
AmResearch expects some rally in O&G stocks like KNM Group, SapuraCrest Petroleum, Coastal Contracts, Sealink International, Alam Maritim Resources and Tanjung Offshore
AMRESEARCH has raised its target price on Kencana Petroleum Bhd (5122) by 25 per cent to RM2.50 each, as it is expected to clinch more jobs in the near term.
A Proposal by the government to remove the subsidy on sugar to cut consumption will not have a significant impact on the earnings of Asean's largest fruit gummy producer, Cocoaland Holdings Bhd (7205), says OSK Investment Research.
Bursa Malaysia Bhd's (1818) shares fell yesterday after a worse-than-expected profit decline last year led analysts to cut their earnings forecast and target price for the stock.
Citi Investment Research revises its target price downwards to RM18 from RM28 previously, citing the market rout and disappointing third-quarter results
The research firm says the stock market continues to hold up better than its regional peers on expectations that the budget would lift sentiment and turn around the economy
MISC Bhd (3816), the world's largest carrier of liquefied natural gas, said the downcycle in the shipping industry is here to stay for the next two to three years.
2009 promises to be a taxing year, with revenue and net profit forecast to contract, which is unprecedented for Jobstreet, says the Malaysian research outfit
RHB Research has raised its target price for Unisem (5005)to RM4.06 from RM3.74 as it expects the chipmaker to post a better net profit this year after a strong first quarter.
Investors should avoid Sime Darby Bhd shares until its valuations become less demanding when compared with regional rivals, OSK Research Sdn Bhd said in a research report yesterday.
AMRESEARCH Sdn Bhd continues to like Press Metal Bhd (8869) for its reaction to an acceleration in aluminium prices amid an improving demand and supply imbalance.
Mercury Securities maintains a 'sell' call on DFZ Capital, citing a poorer economic outlook and the small trading liquidity of the stock on Bursa Malaysia
2009 is likely to be a year of further pain rather than recovery, says Prudential Asset Management, adding that real recovery after a banking crisis will take years.
Maybank Investment Bank views Sunway Holding Bhd's latest move to grow its domestic landbank as positive because the property developer would focus on high-end developments.
Analysts have cut their forecasts for AirAsia Bhd's (5099) profits for the current year after the low-cost carrier's third-quarter core operating profit fell short of their expectations.
The first half of 2009 will not be an easy time for corporate Malaysia, the research firm says, expecting the market to recover by the third or fourth quarter of 2009.
OSK Research believe DiGi is still able to pay out dividends with free cash flow yields projected at 5-6 per cent despite the higher committed capital expenditure on 3G