Should Eng Teknologi Revise Back Its Privatisation Offer Back To $2.50?

One of the stocks currently enduring a privatisation saga is Eng Teknologi Holdings.

It was just in July 2011, when Eng Teknologi announced its privatisation offer. http://www.theedgemalaysia.com/in-the-financial-daily/190233-tyk-makes-privatisation-offer-for-eng-teknologi-at-rm250.html

• TYK makes privatisation offer for Eng Teknologi at RM2.50 Written by Financial Daily
  Tuesday, 26 July 2011 11:17
  
  Eng Teknologi Holdings Bhd
  (July 25, RM2.28)
  Upgrade to add at RM2.28 with revised target price of RM2.50: In a Bursa announcement last Friday, TYK Capital proposed to acquire all the assets and liabilities of EngTek at an offer price of RM2.50 per share. TYK Capital is controlled by major shareholder Datuk Teh Yong Khoon and Datin Low Yeow Siang (combined 95% interest) and the remainder is held by Advance Capital. Teh and Low collectively own 23.2% equity interest in EngTek. Should the proposed takeover offer be accepted, EngTek would become a cash-rich company with about RM307.2 million cash based on its current outstanding shares of 122.8 million. It is then proposed that EngTek undertake a capital reduction exercise to return the cash to shareholders.
  
  The privatisation offer price is about 9.6% above Friday’s closing price, and also above its 10-year average share price of RM1.47 but short of its recent high of RM2.75 in March 2010. Based on the offer price of RM2.50, EngTek is valued at 7.6 times FY12 earnings per share (EPS), which is at a premium to its three-year mean price-earnings ratio (PER) of 4.3 times and also above its net tangible assets per share of RM2.20 as at end-1Q11.
  
  Even after stripping off cash of RM89.8 million or cash per share of 73 sen, the privatisation offer still prices EngTek at 5.4 times FY12 EPS. This is still at a premium to its three-year historical mean PER of 4.3 times.
  
  We therefore think that the privatisation offer is fair and doubt that prevailing fundamentals alone (in the absence of the privatisation offer) would have been able to re-rate the share price to RM2.50 at least over the near term.
  
  We believe that investors would be better off accepting the offer especially given the volatility in the global equity markets and the weak fundamentals in the sector.
  
  We revise upwards our target price for EngTek from RM1.69 based on 5 times FY12 EPS to its privatisation offer price of RM2.50 and upgrade our rating from a Reduce to an “add” (underpinned by the offer).
  
  Separately, we think that the EngTek privatisation offer could spark off interest in the remaining two larger listed hard disk drive component manufacturers — JCY International Bhd (not rated) and Notion VTec Bhd (not rated), particularly for the latter. Notion’s relatively attractive PER valuation of 6.7 times (compared with 11.3 times for JCY) and smallish market capitalisation of RM317 million could also make it a compelling target. — Affin IB Research
  
  
  This article appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, July 26, 2011.

Of course I do not agree with what was written at all. It's simple. Stock prices does not necessary reflect a company's true value. That's common sense. What a stock is trading bears no indication to a company's true worth and value. There will be times when the market over prices the stock and there will be many times the market under price the stock. Using a 10 year average stock price does no justice. An offer price should not be deemed fair just because the offer price is above the 10 year average stock price. That cannot be the basis to judge the offer. But hey, what do I know? This is just my flawed thinking. For me, to privatise at a PE multiple of 7.6 times FY 12 earnings is absurd. And more since the company is cash rich, with some 89.8 million in its piggy bank.

Then in Oct, the Thai floods happened and floods were used as a reason to delay the privatisation.

http://www.theedgemalaysia.com/in-the-financial-daily/194603-thai-floods-delay-eng-teks-privatisation.html

• “The company and TYK Capital are working together to assess the flood situation, the impact on the financial position and prospects of the Eng Tek group (once there is clarity on the flood situation) and how this may affect the terms and conditions and/or the viability of the proposals,” it said. The Thai operations contribute about 40% to group revenue for FY10 ended Dec 31.
• While the damage and losses could not be ascertained yet, Eng Tek said the floods would have a negative impact on its FY11 ending Dec 31 results.
• Eng Tek increased six sen to close at RM2.00 yesterday with 441,500 shares done.

Eng's share traded at rm 2.00, well below the offer price of 2.50.

In another article: http://www.theedgemalaysia.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=194572&Itemid=79

• Another question raised was why had Eng Tek’s shares trading at such a large discount to the privatisation offer price of RM2.50. The analyst said the concern was the market’s concern whether the privatisation could go through.

( Ah..  this Eng's case should be the perfect example on why betting on a stock with a large discount to its offer price is not a 100% sure win strategy!)

Few days later, Eng Tek issues warning of significant losses from these floods: http://www.theedgemalaysia.com/business-news/194769-eng-tek-warns-of-significant-loss-from-thai-floods.html

By late afternoon that day, Eng Tek shares fell to 1.50++.

Then on 22 Feb 2012: http://www.theedgemalaysia.com/in-the-financial-daily/209188-engtek-sinks-into-the-red-expects-pre-flood-capacity-in-3qfy12.html

• The hard disk drive (HDD) parts manufacturer posted a net loss of RM53 million for 4QFY11 compared to a net profit of RM9.3 million a year earlier as its operations in Thailand were affected by floods during the quarter. The loss was also due to impairment and write-off of property, plant and equipment and writedown of inventories of RM45.8 million as a result of the floods.

Huge losses were recorded, much due to impairment and writedown of inventories.

But the amazing thing, as stated in the article.

• Engtek said the insurance claims are expected to be paid in the second half of 2012. “Insurance claims have been submitted and loss adjusters surveys are expected to complete by end-February 2012,” it said.

The insurance claims that they were making, they did not disclose how much they were claiming for.

And with these huge losses ( losses should be much less, once the insurance claims were adjusted back into the books), the market sensed that perhaps a lower offer price might happen.

True enough, on March 2012, Eng made the long waited announcement: Eng Tek's takeover price revised to RM2

• PETALING JAYA: Eng Teknologi Holdings Bhd has had its takeover price revised to RM2 per share from RM2.50 earlier.
  
  In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, the company said the price was lowered as the financiers were unable to justify the funding at RM2.50 after taking into account the firm's financials considering that Eng Tek's business was affected by the floods in Ayutthaya, Thailand.

Wasn't it incredible? The Thai operation only contributes about 40% of Eng's revenue. Yes, the flood caused damage but was it a justified excuse to delay the privatisation offer and then lower the offer price???

It was absurd. Totally sickening. How could corporate Malaysia behave like this? This is an outrage!

Eng made a public offer to the market and to its shareholders. It made an offer. A promise. How could it be allowed to rescind and lower its offer price?

This other article was even more ludicrous. http://203.115.229.228/edgemyjoomla/business-news/211169-eng-teknologi-board-accepts-revised-takeover-offer-to-seek-shareholders-consent-.html

• Founders of Eng Teknologi Datuk Teh Yong Khoon, and Low Yeow Siang via private vehicle TYK Capital Sdn Bhd, have proposed to lower the offer price to RM2 from RM2.50 as their financiers were unable to justify the funding of the takeover at RM2.50, according to Eng Teknologi.

OMG! What a pathetic excuse! Unable to justify the funding of the takeover at 2.50??? What a load ...

Now I wonder. Yesterday Eng announced its earnings. On Star Biz: Eng Tek Q1 earnings surge 250% to RM16.82m

How?

Now that Eng's earnings is on the recovery, shouldn't Eng be the gentleman and do the right thing by revising the offer price back to rm2.50?

The Said 12 Accounting Irregularities Found At Silver Bird!

Silver Bird released its forensic report on its accounting irregularities last night.

See news report on the Sun Daily: http://www.thesundaily.my/news/391012

Here's the 12 accounting irregularities stated on the pdf file aposted on Bursa Malaysia.

http://announcements.bursamalaysia.com/EDMS/edmsweb.nsf/all/CEDDEAB10131D1DA48257A0C003CC1D1/$File/Announcement-General-forensic%20report-28.05.pdf

• Trade Receivables
  The trade receivables of the SBGB Group have been noted to have included incorrect accounting entries that could create a false audit trail, and included the masquerading of inter-bank transfers as payments from the debtors.

( Hmm.... the trade receivables.... )

• Bread and Supplementary Products
  
  Certain sale of bread and supplementary products were found not to be supported by any physical goods or complete documentation, and hence, may be deemed to exist to increase the sales figures and to possibly serve as a channel for funds as required for working capital to be brought back into the SBGB Group.

( Looks like the sales REVENUE boosted by products that does not exist!)

• Sweetened Creamer
  
  Purchases for sweetened creamer included sales that were not supported by any delivery of physical goods to the premises of the SBGB Group, but appear to have been contracted with back to back sales to companies suspected to be associated with the financial irregularities of the SBGB Group. These companies include those that may have served as a front for the transactions without the knowledge of the companies concerned.

( Purchase of goods that were not supported by delivery og physical goods? Yeah.. purchase of goods that did not even exist! )

• Multicom Sales
  
  The irregularities in respect of the Multicom sales are in respect of credit sales when the business was essentially cash based. Further, various credit sales created in the management accounts appear to have been replaced by two other relatively larger debtors for audit purposes.

( Cash sales being recorded as credit sales! )

• BK Fleet Management Sdn Bhd (“BKFM”)
  Certain of the trucks used by SMSB are registered in the name of SMSB and are subject to
  service agreements with BKFM which allow for BKFM to acquire the trucks for a nominal
  sum at the end of the service tenure. Further, there is evidence that some of the trucks
  were paid for by SMSB via hire purchase and upon the expiry of the initial service
  agreement, the service tenure of the agreement for these trucks was renewed for a higher
  net service fee, with the same option for BKFM to purchase the trucks for a nominal sum at
  the end of the agreement tenure.

• Inventories
  
  There is a lack of documentary evidence for certain motor spare parts, plus approximately RM986,500 of spare parts that cannot be verified by documentary and physical evidence.

( What??? A company like Silver Bird ending up with close of a million ringgit worth of motor spare parts? LOL! And now the said spare parts could not be found! )

• Bank Reconciliations
  
  The bank reconciling items are numerous, including those arising from unrecorded receipts and payments.

• Bankers’ Acceptances
  
  Numerous sales transactions have been made, without any physical goods, for what appears to be for the purposes of refinancing and raising of bankers’ acceptances.
  

( Sales transactions recorded just for the purpose of refinancing and raising bankers' acceptances!! )

• Common Party Relationships
  
  Some of the principal activities of the customers and supplier companies with common party relationships would not include the transactions executed with the SBGB Group. Further, the quantum of their transactions with the SBGB Group does not appear to be reasonable when compared with the figures disclosed in the reported financials of the respective companies.
  

• Destruction of Books and Records
  Upon the financial irregularities coming to light, evidence of destroyed documents were uncovered, as were the evidence of computer file deletion and physical damage to the computer hard drive.
  

( Holy cow!!! The destruction of evidence!!!!! What drama!!!! No wonder they call it 'forensic accounting review!!! )

More Sexy Story: Scomi's Earnings

Got the following comments:

• yea,the article should not omit such information. Maybe the journalist is being lazy and wants to save the trouble of explaining the extreme fluctuation between the quarters. on Best Fit News: Kelington's Growth Potential

In my flawed opinion I think perhaps that there's a small trend in our financial papers to make the news sound better. (Do refer recent postings and you will get a rough idea.)

Most articles makes reference to an earnings report by comparing the current quarter versus the same quarter the previous year.

Today's article on Scomi Group's earnings does something different.

• Scomi posts RM23m pre-tax profit in Q1
  Published: 2012/05/29
  
  KUALA LUMPUR: Scomi Group Bhd has achieved a profit turnaround for the first quarter ended March 31 2012, thanks to gross margin improving to 24.2 per cent, as compared with 13.7 per cent in the last quarter of 2011.
  
  The group posted a pre-tax profit of RM23 million for the quarter, compared with a loss of RM151.1 million in the last quarter of 2011. Revenue increased by 19 per cent to RM365.2 million.
  
  Scomi attributed better earnings to its marine and oilfield services divisions.
  
  Despite recording lower revenues of RM90.8 million, the marine services division's pre-tax profit increased by nearly threefold to RM18.3 million, from RM7.5 million in the first quarter of 2011.
  
  The significant rise in profit was due to costs savings achieved via increased operational productivity, following better port mix and vessel stand downs, Scomi said in a statement issued yesterday.
  
  The pre-tax profit for the oilfield services division climbed 30 per cent to RM22.2 million, from RM17 million in the same period last year.
  
  The division, which posted revenues of RM292.1 million, 29 per cent more than the the first quarter of 2011, had better earnings from its operations here, in the UK and Nigeria.

Comparison is made comparing current quarter versus its previous quarter! Why the change?

When compared to the previous quarter, we will have a massive profit turnaround. It's last quarter, Scomi had posted losses of 151 million. Comparing current earnings to that would sound rather sexy, yes?

Here's the rather less sexy version:

Best Fit News: Kelington's Growth Potential

On The Sun Daily Business: http://www.thesundaily.my/news/389928

• Kelington's growth momentum to continue
  Posted on 28 May 2012 - 05:36am
  
  Kang Siew Li
  
  SHAH ALAM (May 28, 2012): Kelington Group Bhd, which has seen its revenue grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 38% from 2003 to 2011, expects the growth momentum to continue through 2012, backed by strong order inflow and growth opportunities in the emerging light-emitting diode (LED) and bioscience industries.
  
  Its group president and COO Steven Ong Weng Leong said the group, one of the country's largest ultra-high purity (UHP) gas and chemical delivery systems providers, is bidding for RM400 million worth of projects in Malaysia, Taiwan, China and Singapore and hopes to book some RM100 million from these tenders this year, based on past success rate of 25%.
  
  This would be in addition to its RM72 million new orders already secured.
  
  According to TA Securities, 2012 will be another record year for Kelington. It expects the group's revenue to reach RM165.2 million and RM191.9 million in its financial years ending Dec 30, 2012 and 2013, while net profit is expected to increase to RM10.4 million and RM12.2 million, respectively.
  
  Kelington posted a net profit of RM8.7 million on revenue of RM139.7 million for FY11.
  
  "The wafer industry is currently the largest revenue earner for the group, followed by the solar and thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) industries. However, we see the bioscience and LED industries emerging as an important revenue source," Ong told SunBiz in an interview.
  
  He said demand for advanced UHP delivery systems, which are widely used in the semiconductor industry, will continue to be strong as long as technological advances continue.
  
  "As computer chipmakers like Intel continue to build new chip manufacturing plants or upgrade existing ones, there will be requirements for UHP gas and chemical distribution systems. This bodes well for Kelington," he added. The same goes for the TFT-LCD industry.
  
  "(The development of) our UHP delivery systems will also have to follow their pace. In this regard, we have a technology advantage (over our competitors) by having Linde Group and Lien Hwa Industrial Corp of Taiwan as our shareholders via Sky Walker Group Ltd," said Ong.
  
  Sky Walker holds 12.2% in Kelington, with Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera holding another 12.6% and Palace Star Sdn Bhd 47.5%. Palace Star is owned by Ong and Kelington group chairman and CEO Raymond Gan Hung Keng with a 27% stake each and Lim Hock San (who is not involved in the management of Kelington) the remaining 46%.
  
  The group is also looking to newly-acquired Puritec Technologies (S) Pte Ltd of Singapore to help penetrate the bioscience market there as well as bring in new sources of income. In February, Kelington acquired Puritec for S$2.1 million (RM5.1 million).
  
  "The acquisition allowed us to extend our services to cover the entire value chain of a UHP delivery system. We expect Puritec to start contributing to the group's earnings, albeit in a small way, this year and make a significant contribution from next year," Ong added.
  
  On the potential revenue contribution of Puritec, Gan cited a major competitor in Singapore, which currently captures a 70% share of the market there and generates about S$60-70 million in revenue each year.
  
  "If we can capture 20% of this amount when Puritec is fully matured in three years, you can see how much its contribution to the group would be. And this doesn't even factor in contributions from other markets," he said.
  
  Gan said the group is also looking to venture into new markets and has started exploring Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines.
  
  "However, we will only set up our base there when the (semiconductor) industry kicks off. Until then, we are keeping these markets on our radar screen," he added.
  
  The group's revenue is now somewhat evenly spread among Malaysia (31%), China (20%), Taiwan (25%) and Singapore (20%).
  
  With net cash of RM23 million as at Dec 31, 2011, Gan believes that Kelington is trading at a lower than average price-to-earnings ratio of 8.6 times compared with its listed peers – Wholetech System Hitech Ltd in Taiwan and Hanyang Engineering Co Ltd in South Korea of 14.8 times to 10.5 times, respectively.
  
  Kelington shares were last traded at RM1 on Friday, giving a market capitalisation of RM79.6 million.

So much promise eh?

Let's refer the underlined points mentioned in the article.

1. grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 38% from 2003 to 2011, expects the growth momentum to continue through 2012
2. bidding for RM400 million worth of projects in Malaysia, Taiwan, China and Singapore and hopes to book some RM100 million from these tenders this year, based on past success rate of 25%
3. RM72 million new orders already secured
4. According to TA Securities, 2012 will be another record year for Kelington. It expects the group's revenue to reach RM165.2 million and RM191.9 million in its financial years ending Dec 30, 2012 and 2013, while net profit is expected to increase to RM10.4 million and RM12.2 million, respectively
5. Kelington posted a net profit of RM8.7 million on revenue of RM139.7 million for FY11
6. With net cash of RM23 million as at Dec 31, 2011, Gan believes that Kelington is trading at a lower than average price-to-earnings ratio of 8.6 times compared with its listed peers
7. Kelington shares were last traded at RM1 on Friday, giving a market capitalisation of RM79.6 million

There is an impressive CAGR, lots of job bids, lots of orders secured, record profits, net cash, much cheaper compared to other listed 'peers'...

So good eh?

Now I saw Kelington reporting its quarterly earnings report last Friday. Why no mention of the earnings?

Well here's the bare numbers...

A net profit of 802 thousand only!

How?

Do you feel the disconnect between the article and the numbers posted by Kelingtion?

Btw here's the link to Kelington's quarterly earnings report in Feb 2012: Quarterly rpt on consolidated results for the financial period ended 31/12/2011

ps: I have no idea if this is a good stock or a lousy stock.

Featured Article: Beware the highly priced IPO

On Star Biz: Beware the highly priced IPO sometimes

• Saturday May 26, 2012
  Beware the highly priced IPO sometimes A Question of Business
  By P. GUNASEGARAM
  
  Malaysians should take heed that IPOs don't always make money as the Facebook fiasco has amply demonstrated.
  IF you think an initial public offering (IPO) is a sure way of making money, think again things can go seriously wrong and companies can open a lot lower than their IPO price.
  If anyone has delusions about an IPO automatically making money for those fortunate enough to have obtained the shares at that stage, the recent episode with Facebook should dispel any such notion.
  
  Barely a week into trading, Facebook is trading at an 18% discount to its IPO price at the time of writing, hardly something that inspires confidence in IPOs in this current poor market.
  
  Facebook was offered at US$38 per share to raise US$16bil for the vendors that included founder Mark Zuckerberg, who became a cash billionaire after the deal and whose company was valued at US$104bil based on the IPO price.
  
  And this for a company that had earnings of less than US$1bil and revenue of US$3.7bil, giving a historical price earnings ratio (market value divided by earnings) of over 100.
  
  But still investment bankers felt they had a deal, secured the IPO investors and then listed the stock on May 17, only to see a steep fall from the very first day of trading, which eventually saw a cut in value of almost a fifth.
  
  That's amazing for a stock pushed by some of the top investment firms in the US including Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs and a company with such a strong brand recognition too.
  
  Now disgruntled investors are crying foul and amidst reports of selective information given to some banks by Facebook, shareholders have started suing Facebook and Zuckerberg in an embarrassing development that threatens to overturn yet again how Wall Street does business.
  
  The entire Facebook fiasco underlines one key important lesson ignore fundamental valuation at your own risk. True, markets have their own madness and sometimes stocks trade way above what can be considered their intrinsic value.
  
  But they don't stay there for long if they ever do especially if the earnings stream does not start kicking in soon. And if there are any indications of problem, one can expect no less than a collapse in share prices if valuations were excessively high in the first place.
  
  As the Facebook saga unfolds in the US, the applications closed yesterday for Gas Malaysia's IPO here. Those who follow the situation here closely may realise that disclosure in IPOs, while it may seem better than before, need not necessarily be so.
  
  Try as I might I could not find a forecast for earnings for Gas Malaysia in its prospectus, a company with a blue chip reputation owned by amongst others, an MMC Holdings-Shahpadu joint venture, Petronas Gas and Tokyo Gas-Mitsui. The Petronas name attached to it gives it a certain mystic and pedigree, no doubt.
  
  But still I could not find forecast earnings per share or dividends for this year in the thick prospectus of over 300 pages. If it was in there and I doubt that should it not have been highlighted? And how does one value the company without such figures?
  
  There was a time when every IPO had forecast earnings and dividends, sometimes for more than a year. That gave retail investors a good feel for the company they were buying but apparently that's no more the requirement. In the light of the Facebook fiasco, that's a retrograde step.
  
  Whether it's in the US or here, there is a clear need to tighten up IPO procedures and disclosures so that all investors have equal access to information and are not discriminated against. That helps in the creation of a fair, orderly and clean capital market, which people can generally rely upon.
  
  In Gas Malaysia's case, some analysts put the forward price earnings ratio at the issue price of RM2.20 a share at 18 times and the dividend yield at 4.4%. It is academic now since applications have closed but those don't look particularly attractive.
  
  At 18 times, the price earnings ratio is above that of many Malaysian blue chips. The dividend yield at 4.4% look respectable but is based on 100% of earnings being paid out as dividends, which makes it equivalent to the earnings yield and also implies very little or no future growth because nothing is being retained in the business for expansion.
  
  In that context it looks less than attractive. But the Malaysian public, perceiving IPOs as a means to make money and attracted by Gas Malaysia's affiliations, including that with national oil corporation Petronas, might think otherwise.
  
  One hopes not, but if the valuations turn out to be expensive, then there could be nasty surprises. To reduce the possibility of that, regulatory authorities should probably revert to older, more stringent standards for IPOs which require profit and dividend forecasts to be clearly stated and verified, subject to the usual conditions, by the merchant bankers and accountants.
  
  That will go some way to reassure investors, and especially retail investors who are the last to know things, that there is substance in the company that supports the issue price.
  
  We certainly don't want a Facebook-style fiasco in Malaysia.
  
  Independent consultant and writer P Gunasegaram (t.p.guna@gmail.com) is not a fan of Facebook, the service or Facebook, the company.

Gas Malaysia's IPO prospectus, which is more than 300 pages, includes no earnings forecasts?

What????

Ok I have mixed feelings here.

I am not a fan of earnings forecass but despite me not being a fan, I still feel all companies should include their earnings forecasts in their IPO. Yes, these earnings forecasts tends to be over the top but for some, how theses company make their earnings forecast and how they actually perform, they do give a fair guide on what kind of a company it is.

For instance ( or shall I say let the the broken recorder repeat once more), let's use AirAsia.

Before they list, they made the following remarks:

• AirAsia expects profit to soar
  By ALICE CHIA
  
  BUDGET carrier AirAsia Bhd expects net profit for the financial year ending June 30 2005 to more than triple to RM159.9 million compared with RM49.1 million before. Revenue is also expected to jump 90.1 per cent to RM746.6 million from RM392.7 million, according to its prospectus.

AirAsia expects its net profit to triple the very year its stock will be listed!

I kid you not!

And that's how AirAsia sold its IPO to the market.

Yeah, jack up the earnings forecast and the sold could be then sold to the market at a 'fairly cheap' price for its IPO. Sweet simple strategy eh?

And how did AirAsia do? Here's the snippet the next year,

• Monday August 29, 4:09 PM
  Malaysia's Airasia Misses Yr Net Profit Forecast
  
  ]KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 29 Asia Pulse - AirAsia Berhad (KLSE:5099) has reported group profit after tax and minority interest of RM111.635 million (US$29.6 million) for its financial year ended 30 June 2005, up 127.5 per cent year-on-year.
  
  However, the net profit was 30.2 per cent below the RM159.9 million forecast for the year in the prospectus issued in relation to its initial public offering [IPO] last year, the budget airline said in a filing to Bursa Malaysia on Friday.

Anyone remember how did AirAsia IPO fared?

Featured Article: The Said Error Trade On KL Kepong

On Star Biz: More than an error?

• Saturday May 26, 2012
  More than an error? Optimistically Cautious
  By ERROL OH
  
  After two weeks, Bursa Malaysia has yet to give an update on trade cancellation request.
  
  IT has been two weeks since Bursa Malaysia made a special announcement about a trade cancellation request. It's definitely special in the sense that such requests come along maybe only once or twice a year, if at all. What makes it stand out even more is that the stock exchange has not said much else about the latest incident.
  
  On May 11, Bursa Malaysia informed that it had received a request to cancel trade (or trades) arising from a “participant's error” for Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd (KLK) shares done at RM17. On that day, other transactions in the stock was for more than RM23.
  
  “The exchange will make a decision of the request and will communicate the decision to cancel the trade or otherwise to all in due course,” added Bursa Malaysia, which neither named the market participant nor disclosed the nature of the error.
  
  The non-disclosure of those details is consistent with the practice in similar cases in the past, but what's unusual this time is that the exchange has yet to go public with its decision on the request, or indeed, with whether the matter has been decided.
  
  It has since come out that the participant in question is Kenanga Investment Bank (Kenanga IB), through whom a sell order was issued for 500,000 KLK shares at a significant discount to the market price. It was an irresistible “bargain”, and the shares quickly found buyers.
  
  Kenanga IB says it was notified verbally on the same day that there will be no cancellation, and has acted accordingly. The next trading day, it bought KLK shares to settle the error trade. Apparently, the investment bank considers the case closed and has moved on.
  
  But if everything has been neatly resolved, what's keeping Bursa Malaysia from giving an update? What's different with this episode?
  A search of the stock exchange's website shows that there have been at least three other trade cancellation requests in recent years.
  
  In June last year, there was a request to cancel a trade in Parkson Holdings Bhd shares done at RM7.73, also “arising from a participant's error”.
  
  In December 2009, Bursa Malaysia was called upon to decide whether to cancel a transaction in which 200,000 shares of Ge-Shen Corp Bhd changed hands at 4 sen.
  
  Another case in October 2009 forms an uncanny symmetry with the latest trade cancellation request. The stock is KLK and the reason given is a participant's error. The special announcement did not state the price, but it was reported that the transaction was done at RM17! In this instance, it was above the then market price of over RM13.
  
  The stock exchange rejected all three requests and each of those decisions was announced on the same day the respective request was made. Does this mean the current KLK error trade is a more complicated affair? If so, is this something that the investing public and the stockbroking industry ought to know about?
  It doesn't help that there has been talk that the trade cancellation request could have been due to an unauthorised use of a dealer's account to put through the sell order for the KLK shares. Kenanga IB does not deny or confirm this, and refuses to divulge details of what it calls an “internal matter”.
  
  When the media had sought comments on the cancellation request and the circumstances behind it, the stock exchange twice gave this answer: “Aside from information publicly available, as a matter of policy, Bursa Malaysia does not disclose details of any market transactions.”
  
  Speaking of policy, Bursa Malaysia's trading manual for participating organisations explains the exchange's policy on trade cancellation arising from participants' error.
  
  The manual doesn't define participant error, but it does specify that this policy covers “price errors due to keying-in by participants which causes a trade to be executed at erroneous price substantially inconsistent with the prevailing market price”.
  
  The manual next sets out the price ranges in which an erroneous trade can or cannot be cancelled.
  
  It adds: “The benefit of establishing and identifying such ranges in advance will provide market participants with certainty as to the price traded and provide consistency of treatment by the exchange in handling erroneous trades.”
  
  Presumably, this is why the previous three cases of trade cancellation requests could be decided within hours; it was a matter of determining which price range applied to each erroneous trade.
  
  Given that Bursa Malaysia has had no updates on the current KLK case after two weeks, it doesn't seem that the trade cancellation request stemmed from a price error caused by somebody slipping up at the computer keyboard. This only strengthens the belief that Kenanga IB has claimed that its dealer's account had been hijacked.
  
  If true, when is a good time for Bursa Malaysia to reveal that this is not merely a participant's error? We can appreciate that the regulators are often unable to furnish particulars of an ongoing probe and that may well be the case here but why not be forthcoming at least about the longer-than-usual time needed to evaluate the request?
  People are prone to fearing the worst when they're starved of information. That's when it is hard to maintain a fair and orderly market.
  > Executive editor Errol Oh would love to have a chat with anybody who bought KLK shares on May 11 at RM17 each.

Exactly. The silence is truly deafening!

Other articles on this error: http://www.theedgemalaysia.com/in-the-financial-daily/213711-error-trade-may-have-cost-kenanga-rm17m.html

• Error trade may have cost Kenanga RM1.7m Written by Ben Shane Lim
  Thursday, 17 May 2012 14:42
  
  KUALA LUMPUR: Kenanga Investment Bank Bhd may have lost around RM1.7 million in last Friday’s alleged error trade involving Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd (KLK) shares.
  
  According to sources, a “dormant direct market access (DMA) account” belonging to Kenanga was responsible for the sale of 447,400 KLK shares at RM17 per share at around 3pm last Friday.
  
  The selling price was a 27.6% discount to KLK’s closing price of RM23.50 per share on May 10 and works out to some RM2.9 million in potential losses.
  
  According to sources, Kenanga managed to minimise its losses to RM1.7 million by quickly buying back some of the shares.
  
  The trade was below the threshold of the static limit imposed by Bursa Malaysia, which will freeze trading on the stock for a short period if a stock trades 30% above or below its opening price.
  
  But a yet-to-be implemented feature known as dynamic limits could have prevented the allegedly erroneous trade, said a market observer. He said dynamic limits allow for multiple trigger limits which can be set with narrower price bands than the static limit. When a particular stock hits the trigger limit, matching on the stock will be paused for 30 to 60 seconds, enough time for the dealer to withdraw the order if it had been erroneously entered.
  
  Kenanga officials would not confirm or deny the trade. In an email response, the company said: “Kenanga doesn’t have any comments on this matter.”
  
  In an announcement last Friday, Bursa acknowledged there was a request to cancel the alleged error trade on KLK shares but did not name the party making the request. “The exchange will make a decision on the request and will communicate the decision to cancel the trade or otherwise to all in due course,” it said. The market regulator is still investigating the matter, said industry observers.
  
  Bursa declined to answer any questions from The Edge Financial Daily and wrote: “Aside from information publicly available, as a matter of policy, Bursa Malaysia does not disclose details of any market transactions.”
  While the regulator has the authority to cancel the trade, market observers argue that in practice it is typically not possible to cancel or unwind a trade, even if the trade can be proven to be a genuine error.
  
  “Once such an incident has happened, not much can be done. Reversing a trade raises a lot of ethical issues. There should be better measures in place to prevent such trades as it will have an immediate impact on the market,” said one market observer.
  
  KLK’s share price rebounded minutes after the incident but its sudden fall knocked 14.17 points off the FBM KLCI.
  
  
  This article appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, May 17, 2012.

Last Staurday: http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/5/19/business/11318314&sec=business

• Saturday May 19, 2012
  MB: Kenanga IB took swift action By ERROL OH
  
  PETALING JAYA: Kenanga Investment Bank Bhd (Kenanga IB) says it has acted swiftly and appropriately to address an error that had prompted it to ask for a trade cancellation last week. However, the investment bank declined to explain how it ended up the intermediary for the sale of 500,000 Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd (KLK) shares at a low price, insisting that this was an internal matter.
  
  Chay Wai Leong, group managing director of K&N Kenanga Holdings Bhd, the parent of the investment bank, said Kenanga IB bought KLK shares to settle the so-called error trade even before the market opened on the next trading day.
  
  We responded very quickly with the buy-in. The management dealt with it properly and neatly. As soon as possible, we were out of it, he told StarBizWeek.
  
  On a news report that the investment bank might have lost RM1.7mil due to the error trade, Chay said the reported figure was incorrect and that the actual amount was not big. He however refused to be specific.
  
  We have reviewed all our internal processes and we have put in further safeguards to minimise the possibility of a recurrence, he added.
  
  On May 11, Bursa Malaysia announced that it had received a request to cancel trade(s) arising from a participants error for KLK shares done at RM17. At the time, the stock was being bought and sold for more than RM23.
  
  The exchange said it would communicate in due course the decision whether to allow a cancellation. At press time, there has been no update on this. However, Chay said Kenanga IB was verbally notified on the same day it made the request that there would be no cancellation.
  
  There has been talk within the industry that the trade cancellation request might not have been due to a human error or a technical glitch as is usually the case. Instead, this could have been caused by an unauthorised use of a dealers account to put through a sell order for the KLK shares.
  
  Chay did not deny or confirm this, but said: Its just an internal matter. Its an error trade. As has been done with most error trades, we have done the necessary rectifications, such as the buying in, which we did on Monday (May 14). As far as were concerned, the incident is over.
  
  Its part and parcel of the business. There are hundreds of thousands of trades a year. One or two may slip up. The industry has a mechanism for this, and already has safeguards that protect all the brokers.
  
  Earlier this week, the Kenanga IB remisiers handed a letter to the management to express their concerns over the episode and to urge that preventive measures be taken. Chay said the matters raised had been addressed.
  
  On how Kenanga IB justified labelling the KLK trade as an error, he said: Nobody would sell shares at RM17 when they are (trading at) RM23-something. Thats an error.
  
  He pointed out that the fact that there were only one or two trade errors occurring every year gave the comfort that these were not prevalent. Generally, the market is fair and orderly. I believe this (the KLK error trade) was an abnormal event, he added.
  
  When asked about the possibility of a dealers account being hijacked, a Bursa Malaysia official said: Aside from information publicly available, as a matter of policy, Bursa Malaysia does not disclose details of any market transactions

Best Fit News: Texchem Sees More Revenue

On Business Times, Texchem Resources was featured.

• Texchem sees more revenue from restaurant division
  
  By Marina Emmanuel Published: 2012/05/25
  
  GEORGE TOWN: Texchem Resources Bhd (TRB) expects its restaurant division to continue generating large revenue streams this year, with the opening of more outlets and introduction of new cuisines.
  
  With a RM12 million investment to grow the division this year, the company is looking to open its first Mediterranean restaurant, a new chain of halal sushi eateries and a Japanese fusion restaurant called Waku Waku.
  
  "We have managed to convince around 10 of our Japanese suppliers operating in the Asean region to be halal-compliant and we hope to open the 'Sushi-Ku' halal 'kaiten' sushi chain by the second half of this year," TRB chairman Tan Sri Fumihiko Konishi told Business Times after the company's annual shareholders meeting here yesterday.
  
  Some of the Japanese suppliers who have agreed to be halal-compliant include soya-sauce maker Yamasa Corporation and rice vinegar producer Mitsukan Group Corporation.
  
  The RM3.3 million Mediterranean restaurant, which is yet to be named, will open its doors before Christmas and will occupy some 500 sq ft of space, close to the link bridge connecting MidValley Megamall and The Gardens in Kuala Lumpur.
  
  He said the Texchem group is currently focusing on improving operational efficiencies as well as expanding its market share, particularly in its restaurant division.
  
  "We are looking at adding another seven Sushi King outlets this year and each will see a RM500,000 investment," he said.
  
  For the 2011 financial year ended December 31, the group achieved revenue of RM1.08 billion, a 2.0 per cent increase from the previous year's performance and a higher a pre-tax profit of RM4 million.
  

The very last line... it describes Texchem as a billion dollar company, making money somemore...

So how true is this?

Well this is the Q4 announcement: Quarterly rpt on consolidated results for the financial period ended 31/12/2011

How?

Texchem losses for the year was 5.174 million.

The most recent quarter in April 2012? Losses again.

Quarterly rpt on consolidated results for the financial period ended 31/3/2012

So .. LOL!

Yeah... more revenue indeed.

Best Fit News: AirAsia's Earnings

Here are the numbers...

Here's the article on Star Biz: AirAsia net profit up on higher passenger volume

• Thursday May 24, 2012
  AirAsia net profit up on higher passenger volume
  
  PETALING JAYA: AirAsia Bhd's net profit for its first quarter ended March 31 was up a marginal 0.3% to RM172.44mil against RM171.93mil in the same period last year, but revenue grew a more robust 10.9% to a record RM1.17bil from RM1.05bil led by higher passenger volumes.
  
  The airline's net operating profit increased 4% to RM167.97mil from RM161.9mil, while earnings per share was unchanged from a year ago at 6.2 sen.
  
  In the notes accompanying its financial results, AirAsia attributed the improvement in revenue to a 12% growth in passenger volume and 7% higher average fare of RM177 compared to RM164 achieved last year.
  
  Both its ancillary income per passenger and load factor were unchanged at RM40 and 80% respectively.
  
  Its capacity climbed 12% in the quarter under review to 6.06 million passengers from 5.42 million. Revenue per available seat km was 16.92 sen against cost per available seat km of 13.44 sen. This was on the back of a 9% increase in its average fuel price.
  
  The margins for its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortisation and rent as well as earnings before interest and taxes are at 35% and 21% respectively.
  
  “We have defied industry trends again by achieving a 4% growth in net operating profit. This remarkable performance, relative to our peers', signifies our resilient business model in the volatile and cyclical airline business coupled with the current stubborn high oil prices,” group CEO Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said in a statement.
  
  He added that AirAsia was able to equity account RM2.3mil from its soon-to-be-listed unit, Thai AirAsia, in the first quarter as the unrecognised losses in its Thai affiliate have been reversed.
  
  The group's cash from operations was RM100.5mil at end-March compared to RM538.2mil in the preceding quarter ended December 2011, while net cash flow amounted to RM47.9mil outflow as cash flows from investing and financing activities exceeded operating cash flows.
  
  Its total debt stood at RM7.5bil, with net debt at RM5.44bil after offsetting cash balances. This translates to a net gearing ratio of 1.26 times, 11% lower than the preceding quarter.
  
  In terms of its outlook, AirAsia said that based on the current forward booking trend, underlying passenger demand in the second quarter for the Malaysian, Thai and Indonesian operations remained positive.

Here's the other version or is it poison:

http://www.theedgemalaysia.com/in-the-financial-daily/214175-airasia-1q-profit-flat-on-higher-expenses.html

• AirAsia 1Q profit flat on higher expenses
  In The Edge Financial Daily Today 2012
  Written by Chong Jin Hun
  Thursday, 24 May 2012 14:50
  
  KUALA LUMPUR: AirAsia Bhd’s 1Q net profit came in flat from a year earlier as higher revenue and foreign exchange (forex) gains failed to offset higher operating expenses and losses from its global units.
  
  In a statement to the exchange, the low-cost carrier said it posted a net profit of RM172.44 million in 1QFY12 ended March 31 against RM171.93 million previously while revenue rose 11% to RM1.17 billion from RM1.05 billion a year ago.
  
  “The outlook for 2Q should be seen in the context of the current high prices of oil and aviation fuel.
  
  “However, barring any unforeseen circumstances, the directors remain positive on the prospects of the group for 2Q and remainder of 2012,” AirAsia said.
  
  The company said operating expenses, which included costlier jet fuel, rose 10% to RM943.83 million in 1Q from RM854.3 million a year earlier. Bottom line was also helped by a significant increase in forex gains to RM83.58 million versus RM40.97 million previously.
  
  Quarter-on-quarter, 1QFY12 net profit rose 27% from RM135.66 million in 4QFY11 ended Dec 31 while revenue was down 8% from RM1.27 billion.
  
  AirAsia’s operating unit in Thailand was profitable in 1Q while its other three entities, each in Indonesia, the Philippines and Japan, had registered losses, the company said.
  
  Based on the current forward booking trend, the company said underlying passenger demand in 2Q for its operations across Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia remains positive.
  
  “Load factors achieved in April were in line with the previous year in Malaysia and Thailand and slightly lower in Indonesia though with higher capacity aircraft.
  
  “Average fares were higher in Malaysia, in line with the previous year in Indonesia and slightly lower in Thailand,” AirAsia said.
  
  The budget airline said it will, in 2Q, take delivery of three A320 aircraft for its operations in Malaysia, Indonesia and Japan. The aircraft will be used to serve new routes from Bandung, Indonesia, and from Tokyo, Japan; and to increase frequency for current routes in Malaysia.
  
  
  This article appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, May 24, 2012.

Yeah, choose your own poison.....

And yeah, that's 17 consecutive quarters of losses for Green Packet!

Green Packet announced its earnings and finally it achieved it's so called EBITDA positive. Oh yeah, do refer to the following posting for their countless promises on EBITDA positive: And Green Packet Now Says .............

But despite being EBITDA positive, the company recorded some 29 million in losses for the current reporting quarter.

Yeah and for the stats lover, that's 17 consecutive quarters of losses!

For the record:

1. May 21st 2008: Quarterly rpt on consolidated results for the financial period ended 31/3/2008 - loss of 3.354 million

2. Aug 20th 2008: Quarterly rpt on consolidated results for the financial period ended 30/6/2008 - loss of 6.579 million.

3. Nov 14th 2008: Quarterly rpt on consolidated results for the financial period ended 30/9/2008 - loss of 10.894 million

4. Feb 16th 2009: Quarterly rpt on consolidated results for the financial period ended 31/12/2008 - loss of 38.660 million

5. May 22nd 2009: Quarterly rpt on consolidated results for the financial period ended 31/3/2009 - loss of 22.550 million

6. Aug 13th 2009: Quarterly rpt on consolidated results for the financial period ended 30/6/2009 - loss of 28.167 million

7. Nov 12th 2009: Quarterly rpt on consolidated results for the financial period ended 30/9/2009 - loss of 32.869 million

8. Feb 11th 2010: Quarterly rpt on consolidated results for the financial period ended 31/12/2009 - loss of 95.612 million

9. May 13th 2010: Quarterly rpt on consolidated results for the financial period ended 31/3/2010 - loss of 44.753 million

10. Aug 16th 2010: Quarterly rpt on consolidated results for the financial period ended 30/6/2010 - loss of 35.900 million

11.Nov 15th 2010: Quarterly rpt on consolidated results for the financial period ended 30/9/2010 - loss of 28.912 million

12. Feb 16th 2011: Quarterly rpt on consolidated results for the financial period ended 31/12/2010 - loss of 100.112 million

13. May 24th 2011: Quarterly rpt on consolidated results for the financial period ended 31/3/2011 - loss of 37.893 million.

14.  Aug 15th 2011: Quarterly rpt on consolidated results for the financial period ended 30/6/2011 - loss of 37.069 million.

15. Nov 23rd 2011: Quarterly rpt on consolidated results for the financial period ended 30/9/2011 - loss of 44.321 million.

16. Feb 23rd 2012: Quarterly rpt on consolidated results for the financial period ended 31/12/2011 - loss of 61.512 million.

17. May 23rd 2012 - loss of 29.735 million!!

Wanna count how much losses since their venture into this 'wonderful' business?

And yeah, after so much losses they have incurred the following was published on Business Times today: ( LOL! Apparently their talk is now shifted from their EBITDA positive to the BILLION dollar!!!  )

• Green Packet aims for RM1b revenue by 2015
  By Goh Thean Eu Published: 2012/05/24
  
  GREEN Packet Bhd, a wireless networking technology developer and a mobile broadband service provider, aims to hit RM1 billion in revenue by 2015, partly helped by the expansion of its wireless broadband business.
  
  "We believe mobile broadband is the way to go. In the future, we are not only looking at connecting people, but also machine-to-machine communications. Basically, everything that can be connected, will be connected.
  
  "So, the growth potential in the wireless broadband is huge," said group managing director Puan Chan Cheong in an interview recently.
  
  The company has two main businesses. One is its wireless broadband business - which is currently operated under its unit, Packet One Networks Sdn Bhd (P1). The other is its solutions business, which sells software and customer premises equipment like modems, to mobile operators.
  
  The software helps mobile operators to manage their mobile data traffic more efficiently.
  
  "The good news is that, both our pillars are expected to continue to grow at a healthy rate over the near to medium term."
  
  The company - which saw red in its earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) for the past four financial years - registered a "positive Ebitda" during the first quarter this year.
  
  "Our main focus now is to ensure that we are able to sustain the Ebitda's positive trend," he said.
  
  For the first quarter ended March 31 2012, the company posted a net loss of RM29.74 million, compared to RM37.89 million net loss in the same quarter last year. Revenue rose by five per cent to RM128.17 million.
  
  The group recorded an Ebitda of RM3.9 million for the quarter, a 153 per cent jump year-on-year.
  
  Its P1 pillar contributed about 85 per cent (or RM3.3 million) to the group's total Ebitda.
  
  Puan explained that in the business of telecommunication, what is important is that the company is able to make profits operationally.
  
  The company, for the full year ended December 31 2011, posted a net loss of RM85 million. A significant part of the net loss was contributed by the depreciation expenses of its wireless broadband equipment and infrastructure.
  
  "We have invested a total of about RM1 billion in capital expenditure. These investments would need to be amortised over a 10-year period. So, this means we are looking at depreciation of about RM100 million a year," he said.
  
  Green Packet Bhd is evaluating a few proposals from investment bankers on the possibility of listing P1 on the stock exchange.
  
  "We are looking at a few proposals right now," said Puan.
  
  He added that the company, as well as P1, remained open to the possibility of merger or partnership with its rivals.
  
  "I think the industry is set for a consolidation. I think, eventually, there will be four to five players. We are currently the fourth largest broadband provider, after Telekom Malaysia Bhd, Maxis Bhd, Celcom (Axiata) Bhd," said Puan.

Less Horrific News: Tradewinds Plantation's Earnings

Tradewinds Plantation reported its earnings last night. Here are the numbers in brief.

As you can see the current quarter's net profit is only 4.337 million compared to 48.628 million it achieved a year earlier.

Here are two set of articles covering Tradewind Plantation's earnings.

On the Edge Financial Daily. http://www.theedgemalaysia.com/business-news/213660-tradewinds-plantations-1q-net-profit-tumbles-911-to-rm434m-.html

• Tradewinds Plantations 1Q net profit tumbles 91.1% to RM4.34m Written by Surin Murugiah of theedgemalaysia.com
  Wednesday, 16 May 2012 17:26
  
  KUALA LUMPUR (May 16): Tradewinds PLANTATION [] Bhd net profit for the first quarter ended March 31, 2012 tumbled 91.1% to RM4.34 million from RM48.63 million a year earlier, due to lower production and prices of palm products, higher operating expenses of the plantation segment and operating loss incurred by the overseas operations.
  
  The company said on Wednesday that its revenue for the quarter jumped to RM608.45 million from RM229.93 million in 2011, due to the contribution from Mardec Berhad which was acquired in October 2011.
  
  Earnings per share was 0.69 sen compared to 7.73 sen a year earlier, while net assets per share was RM3.44.
  
  On its outlook, Tradewinds Plantation said that based on the prevailing prices of palm products, the forecast increase in fresh fruit bunches production in the coming months and the improving rubber products trading margins, the company expected the results for the remaining periods of the current financial year to be better than the current quarter.

Net profit tumbled 91.1%.

That sounded rather horrific.

Here's the Business Times article.

• Tradewinds Q1 profit drops to RM10.509m
  Published: 2012/05/17
  
  KUALA LUMPUR: Tradewinds Plantation Bhd’s pre-tax profit for the first quarter ended March 31 fell to RM10.509 million from RM75.669 million reported in the corresponding quarter of last year.
  
  In contrast, revenue for the three months rose to RM608.45 million from RM229.93 million previously.
  In a statement to Bursa Malaysia, Tradewinds attributed the drop in profit to lower production and prices of palm products, higher operating expenses in the plantation segment and operating loss incurred by the overseas operations in the manufacturing and trading segment.
  
  The higher revenue, meanwhile, was mainly due to the contribution from Mardec Bhd which was acquired on last October 10, the company said.

The Business Times article talked about 'pre-tax profit' and it EVEN mentioned that revenue increased!

Eh? Pre-tax profit? Tax not important to talk about?

( Star biz version: http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/5/17/business/11306064&sec=business )

Best Fit News: AirAsia's dividends

The Edge Malaysia's article header involving AirAsia'a dividends: AirAsia proposes first and final single tier dividend of 5 sen per share

• AirAsia proposes first and final single tier dividend of 5 sen per share
  Written by Surin Murugiah of theedgemalaysia.com
  Tuesday, 15 May 2012 18:58
  
  KUALA LUMPUR (May 15): AirAsia has proposed a first and final single tier dividend of 5 sen per share of 10 sen each for the financial year ended Dec 31, 2011 to be paid in cash on July 20, 2012.
  
  In a filing to Bursa Malaysia Securities Bhd on Tuesday, AirAsia said the dividend was subject to shareholders’ approval at its forthcoming annual general meeting.
  
  The single-tier dividend is tax exempt in the hands of the shareholders, it said.

Source: http://www.theedgemalaysia.com/business-news/213562-airasia-proposes-first-and-final-single-tier-dividend-of-5-sen-per-share.html

Here's the Star Biz header: AirAsia expected to propose dividend of 50%

• Wednesday May 16, 2012
  AirAsia expected to propose dividend of 50%
  PETALING JAYA: AirAsia Bhd will recommend a first and final single tier dividend of 50% or five sen per ordinary share of 10 sen for its financial year ended Dec 31, 2011 at its upcoming AGM.
  
  It said in a filing with the stock exchange that the proposed dividend, which requires the approval of shareholders, would be payable in cash on July 20 to the holders of ordinary shares registered in the Record of Depositors at the close of business on June 21.
  
  It said in the filing that the dividend was tax exempt in the hands of the shareholders and the notice of entitlement would be announced and advertised at a later date.
  
  For the financial year ended Dec 31, 2011, AirAsia’s after-tax profit fell 47% to RM564.1mil from RM1.061bil previously.
  
  Revenue, however, rose 13% to RM4.474bil due to growth in passenger volume.

Source: http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/5/16/business/11298900&sec=business

The 50% dividend is indeed correct but it's only 5 sen per ordinary share of 10 sen.

Featured Article: The De-Listing And Re-Listing Game

On the Star Biz today:

• Thursday May 10, 2012
  Minorities are often the losers in the de-listing, re-listing game Comment by Rita Benoy Bushon
  
  Regulatory conundrum?
  
  THE fact that a growing number of previously publicly traded companies are now seeking to re-enter the stock exchange have compelled me to revisit an issue I have often critiqued in the past: the de-listing and re-listing of companies on Bursa Malaysia.
  
  In recent memory, Maxis Communications Bhd (privatised in 2007) and Bumi Armada Bhd (privatised in 2003) have both rejoined the stock exchange albeit in different forms, while Astro All Asia Networks plc (privatised in 2010) could be making a comeback. Meanwhile, Malakoff Bhd is also considering a re-listing.
  
  While it is entirely within the legal framework to do so, a regulatory conundrum is presented when some major owners de-list their companies at very low valuations only to later re-list them at richer valuations. In such cases, the beneficiaries of these exercises are the corporate advisors and major owners, who profit from each change in direction.
  
  And the losers are the minority shareholders, especially long term ones, who are bought out when the prices offered are low.
  Malakoff, when delisted in May 2006, was estimated at RM8.8bil. It has since grown, securing several power projects here and overseas. Clearly, it was de-listed at a time when it was experiencing significant growth in its operations, which minorities were henceforth not privy to.
  
  Bumi Armada was taken private with a price earning ratio (PE) of under four times on a forward earnings basis in 2003. After nearly a decade, it was re-listed last year at a PE of about 20 times despite more dilution due to an ESOS scheme.
  
  Again: why were minority investors forced out at the time? Why were they not allowed to share in the growth story?
  These are just two examples that demonstrate the gravity of our concern.
  
  Fundamental investors buy counters for the long term, and plan accordingly. They willingly assume the risks in doing so (especially when a company is still finding its feet early on in its life) so that they may reap the benefits when the fruits later ripen.
  
  But how are we to promote a mature capital market that is founded on the maxim of fundamentals and long term investing and sound corporate governance principles when corporate advisors are able to propose a cheap exit point and a lucrative re-entry point for company's majority owners?
  
  Shouldn't there be a cooling-off period imposed before a company that had been taken private and de-listed is allowed to re-list and some conditions imposed if relisting is allowed, such as the price should not exceed the valuation price when the company was delisted.
  
  Bursa Malaysia, which has often lamented the lack of equity market participation among the young, can take a cue from this. Surveys have revealed that only 12% of investors are in the 20-29 age group, while 59% involve those 40 years and above.
  
  Warren Buffett (net worth US$44bil) bought his first stocks at age 11 three shares in Cities Service Company, now known as CITGO and continues to invest today, at age 81. If we are indeed seeking similar approaches among our young to buy stocks for the long term, why do we allow major owners to list and de-list their companies without imposing conditions?
  
  We have already seen how disadvantageous the compulsory delisting rules are when minimum public shareholding spread thresholds are crossed, minorities have no choice but to throw in the towel.
  
  Surely the authorities are aware that this loophole using the threat of de-listing is being exploited to the detriment of the minorities? Clearly, this loophole must be closed.
  
  As I have often remarked, central to our concerns are the valuations offered. Time and again, we have seen the take-over offers priced at a level which is as near as meaningless to the minority shareholder, especially after some have profited from speculative rises in the counter. Such activity penalises the minority investor, because his or her upside has every potential of being capped while the downside risk remains in its entirety.
  
  On a related issue, SEG International Bhd (SEGi) is the target of a privatisation bid by Navis Capital Partners Ltd and Datuk Seri Clement Hii, who are the largest shareholders with a combined 60% stake.
  
  They are offering to buy out minorities at a significant discount to the stock's fair value and trading price, with the intention of growing SEGi into a regional player.
  
  Is this yet another case of a major owner and its partners muscling out the minorities from a profitable long term future?
  
  Rita Benoy Bushon is CEO of the Minority Shareholder Watchdog Group.

Finally! Someone is finally willing to say publicly what this blog had been trying to say all this while (do see the posting http://whereiszemoola.blogspot.com/2012/03/say-it-isnt-so-that-astro-wants.html or read below). Yeah, this blog had featured this  issue many times before. Here are some selected past postings.

• Johor Port: Related Party Transaction, Underwater land And Privatisation
• Is It Fair On The Minority Shareholders?
• How Badly Does The Minority Wants Takeovers?
• The Pirates which seized the Armada
• On IOI Properties Privatisation Again
• More On Privatisation Issue

Regarding the re-listing issue. Do refer to this posting:

http://whereiszemoola.blogspot.com/2012/03/say-it-isnt-so-that-astro-wants.html

Got the following comments:

• Heineken Pilsener said...
  
  moola, i think you might be interested in this. http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20120329130041/Article/index_html
  
  my first impression? WTF.

HP: This is why I hold Bursa Malaysia responsible for all these shenanigans.

As mentioned many times before, Bursa Malaysia should never had been allowed to be a listed entity. As a business entity, it needs and wants more business. So when a business is seeking listing (even though it's a relisting exercise), Bursa as business seeking profits, Bursa would always welcome any relisting.

So, as some have argued, business lists to make profit. They take it private because it's a profitable exercise. And they would also relist because it's also profitable.

And what does turn Bursa into? An ATM machine? A Stock Exchange with a revolving door where companies can come and go as they wish? Such mockery!!

I think Bursa needs to be tough. Real tough.

Companies can always delist. It's their rights to do so.

But.....  BUT .... BUT ..... BUT .....  as a governing body Bursa needs to stand up and have the guts to make it much tougher for these businesses to relist again. Let them delist anytime they want. But when they want to relist, impose a time frame for companies seeking relisting. For example, you can only relist after 8 years after you delist. And/Or you can only relist but at a much lower valuation than the privatisation offer. ( For example, you do not want to see (again) company delisting at say a PE of 6 times and then only to seek relisting at a PE of 12 times! You seriously do not want such incidents to happen!)

However sadly, this now would not happen.

Business is business. Bursa is a business. It wants more profits. More listing means more profits. That's the simple and sad equation.

And if Astro wants relisting, sadly I think, Bursa would allow their relisting.

But what can we, the investing public, do? Should we be a gullible investor and minority shareholder and allow these companies to make a mockery of our money? Well, I think we can do something about it.

We need to be strong and we need to stand up to these companies.

Just tell them "NO".

Simple as that.

Don't buy their shares.

Forgo all those IPO seduction.

Have the guts to say NO.

There are so many other companies we can invest in. So one less IPO won't hurt us right?

And Hock Lok Siew Is Now Designated A PN17 Stock

Saw the following news article on the Edge just now. HLS Corp now a PN17 company

The chain of events surrounding this stock is truly incredible (but I wonder how many would even care and how many realise that this stock even exist),

On 13th March 2012: New major shareholder for HLS after unit sale?

• New major shareholder for HLS after unit sale?
  Written by Cindy Yeap
  Tuesday, 13 March 2012 11:41
  
  KUALA LUMPUR: Loss-making Hock Lok Siew Corp Bhd (HLS) saw over 20.4 million shares, equivalent to 22.4% equity interest, traded on the open market yesterday. This may signal the emergence of a new substantial shareholder in the property firm whose market capitalisation is less than RM15 million.
  
  The buyer and sellers were unknown at press time. Only its largest shareholder, Hock Lok Siew Realty Sdn Bhd, controlled by HLS’ chairman Ooi Chieng Sim, has a stake bigger than 20 million shares. Apart from the 29.4% indirect holding, Ooi directly owned another 2.9 million shares or a 3.19% stake as at May 11, 2011, according to HLS’ 2010 annual report.
  
  Yesterday’s jump in trading volume also followed a holdings selldown of HLS’ second largest shareholder, A1 Capital Sdn Bhd, which last Friday ceased to be a substantial shareholder after selling 4.05 million shares in HLS, according to a filing yesterday.
  
  A1 Capital last Friday also bought a 60% stake in HLS’ wholly-owned subsidiary, HLS Properties Sdn Bhd (HLSProp), a separate filing showed. HLS sold 60% of HLSProp to A1 Capital for RM2.6 million, a deal expected to result in a RM60,000 one-time gain, it said in a statement last Friday. The price took into consideration HLSProp’s net assets of RM4.3 million as at Feb 29, 2012. HLSProp’s principal asset was a 2,570 sq m tract of land in Bandar Jelutong, Penang.
  
  “As the company (HLS) is currently engaged in a pending litigation with Malayan Banking Bhd, the group is unable to raise sufficient funds to develop the piece of land belonging to HLSProp. Due to tight cash flow at the present moment, the group has rationalised that raising capital via disposal of shares in HLSProp is a viable and logical expansion strategy,” HLS said in the statement last Friday, adding that applications have been submitted to obtain planning approval for the development of the land.
  
  The disposal, which is not subject to shareholders approval, is expected to complete in September 2012, it said.
  
  On the open market yesterday, HLS shares changed hands for 13.5 sen to 17.5 sen before closing at 14.5 sen, down 9.4% for the day. That is just below its unaudited net assets per share of 14.7 sen as at Dec 31, 2011. HLS made a RM1.56 million net loss on the back of RM10.61 million turnover for FY11 ended Dec 31.
  
  Last Friday, HLS saw 7.4 million shares change hands at 14 to 16 sen apiece before closing at its intra-day high.
  
  A hardly traded counter, the last time HLS saw this much trading volume was in late September 2009. Filings show that on Sept 30, 2009, Datuk Ng Aik Kee ceased to be a substantial shareholder after selling 6.5 million shares for prices between 32.5 sen and 38 sen on the open market.
  
  This article appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, March 13, 2012.

On the 16th March: Hock Lok Siew chairman and MD resigns

• Hock Lok Siew chairman and MD resigns
  Written by Cindy Yeap
  Friday, 16 March 2012 10:20
  
  KUALA LUMPUR: Ooi Chieng Sim, 42, has resigned as Hock Lok Siew Corp Bhd (HLS) chairman and managing director on the advice of his family and personal doctor, casting yet another question mark on the fate of the company.
  
  “His reason for the resignation is due to pressure and stress arising from the court case with Malayan Banking Bhd in relation to the corporate guarantee amounting to RM31.26 million,” said a company statement to Bursa Malaysia yesterday.
  
  A new chairman and managing director has not been named at press time. The company’s market capitalisation stands at RM10.92 million currently.
  
  On Monday, the company saw 20.4 million shares or 22.4% done on the open market. Only its largest shareholder, Hock Lok Siew Realty Sdn Bhd, controlled by Ooi, has a stake bigger than 20 million shares. Apart from the 29.4% indirect holding, Ooi owns another 2.9 million shares or 3.19% stake directly as at May 11, 2011, according to HLS’ 2010 annual report.
  
  The sudden jump in trading volume last Monday followed a selldown by HLS’ second largest shareholder, A1 Capital Sdn Bhd, which on March 9 ceased to be a substantial shareholder after selling 4.05 million shares.
  
  A1 Capital on March 9 bought a 60% stake in HLS’ wholly-owned subsidiary, HLS Properties Sdn Bhd (HLSProp), a separate filing showed. HLS sold 60% of HLSProp to A1 Capital for RM2.6 million, a deal expected to result in a RM60,000 one-time gain, it said in a statement last Friday. The price took into consideration HLSProp’s net asset of RM4.3 million as at Feb 29, 2012. HLSProp’s principal asset is a 2,570-sq m land in Bandar Jelutong, Penang.
  
  In response to a Bursa Malaysia query on Wednesday, HLS said A1 Capital still has 3.78 million shares or 4.15% of the company following its share sale last Friday, though no longer considered a substantial shareholder. Kwan Seong Kee controls 90% of A1 Capital while the balance is owned by Ng Chin Nam.
  
  On the HLSProp stake sale, HLS said the estimated construction cost of the Penang land is RM25 million and its 40% stake in HLSProp will be further diluted if it fails to pay up its portion of the cost.
  
  “No valuation was carried out on the [Penang] land. However, the indicative value of the land as provided by valuers, Henry Butcher and Azmi & Co Sdn Bhd, is in the range of RM3.1 million to RM3.25 million,” read the reply on Wednesday.
  
  For FY10 ended Dec 31, HLSProp recorded a net loss of RM104,510, had RM652,772 in net assets, and its net book value stood at RM3.26 million.
  
  HLS shares changed hands between 11.5 sen and 13 sen yesterday before closing at 12 sen, down 11.1% for the day. That reflected 0.82 times its unaudited net asset per share of 14.7 sen as at Dec 31. HLS made a RM1.56 million net loss on RM10.61 million in turnover for FY11.
  
  
  This article appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, March 16, 2012.

Then on the 18th March, the shares started tumbling after it announces that CIMB had taken legal action against the company to recover outstanding loans: Hock Lok Siew tumbles 26% to lowest since Aug 2000 IPO

• Hock Lok Siew tumbles 26% to lowest since Aug 2000 IPO Written by Chong Jin Hun of theedgemalaysia.com
  Wednesday, 18 April 2012 15:08
  
  KUALA LUMPUR (April 18) : Shares of Hock Lok Siew Corp Bhd (HLS) fell 26% to the stock’s lowest since the audio speaker manufacturer’s listing in August 2000. This follows news that its wholly-owned subsidiary Foremost Audio Sdn Bhd (FASB) has defaulted on RM5.51 million worth of debt obligations.
  
  HLS declined 2.5 sen to seven sen on Wednesday morning before rising to nine sen at 2.58pm with some 4.1 million shares done. The company’s initial public offering had involved 7.8 million shares at RM1.70 each.
  
  HLS said it had on Tuesday received a default notice from CIMB Bank Bhd which plans to take legal action against HLS to recover the outstanding loans. HLS said should CIMB succeeds in its legal action, FASB will be liquidated, and accordingly, HLS will become a Practice Note 17 entity.
  
  The borrower said it will be able to fulfill its debt obligation provided that the audio speaker manufacturer is able to negotiate for a debt-settlement scheme with its lender in the next 12 months.

The next day this was reported. Hock Lok Siew tumbles after loan default

• Hock Lok Siew tumbles after loan default
  Written by Financial Daily
  Thursday, 19 April 2012 15:26
  
  KUALA LUMPUR: Hock Lok Siew Corp Bhd’s (HLS) share price tumbled 26% in the morning session of trading yesterday, to a historical low of seven sen, amid worries that the speaker manufacturer would fall into the Practice Note 17 category for cash-strapped companies. The counter recouped some losses later in the day to close at nine sen.
  
  HLS’s share price has tumbled nearly 42% YTD and its market capitalisation is barely RM8.2 million.
  The selldown came after the speaker manufacturer announced that its wholly owned unit Foremost Audio Sdn Bhd (FASB) had defaulted on RM5.51 million worth of debt obligations.
  
  In an announcement to Bursa Malaysia, HLS said FASB had received a default notice for the payment of principal and interest in respect of banking facilities granted by CIMB Bank Bhd. The total amount outstanding is more than 5% of the consolidated net assets of the company.
  
  HLS said the bank had indicated that it would take legal action against all the liable parties to recover the outstanding amount.
  
  “If the creditor bank succeeds in its action against FASB, a receiver and manager will be appointed to FASB. Accordingly, HLS will fall into Practice Note 17 as it will no longer have business activity,” the company said in its announcement.
  
  However, the board of directors said they are of the view that HLS is “solvent and will be able to repay all of its debts, as and when they fall due in the next 12 months.”
  
  A corporate adviser said that under the circumstances, the banks might have to take a haircut or undertake a debt-to-equity scheme to recover the defaulted loans.
  
  Last month, HLS chairman and managing director Ooi Chieng Sim, 42, resigned from the two positions on the advice of his family and personal doctor.
  
  His reason is the pressure and stress arising from the court case with Malayan Banking Bhd over a corporate guarantee amounting to RM31.26 million.
  
  The substantial shareholder of HLS is Hock Lok Siew Realty Sdn Bhd with 29.44% equity interest, followed by A1 Capital Sdn Bhd with an 8.6% stake. Ooi owns 3.19% equity interest in the company.
  
  The company has been loss-making for the past three years. It incurred a net loss of RM1.56 million for FY11 ended Dec 31, compared with a RM940,000 loss for FY10. Revenue halved to RM10.6 million from RM21.2 million in FY10.
  
  
  This article appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, April 19, 2012.

On today's article from the Edge:

• HLS Corp now a PN17 company
  Written by Surin Murugiah of theedgemalaysia.com
  Wednesday, 02 May 2012 19:08
  
  KUALA LUMPUR (May 2): Hock Lok Siew Corporation Bhd said on Wednesday that it has been designated a Practice Note 17 company after triggering the prescribed criterias of the Listing Rules.
  
  The company said that on April 4 this year, Malayan Banking Berhad's (MBB) claim of about RM18million against the company based on the corporate guarantees provided by the company has been allowed and that it had proceeded to file a notice of appeal to the Court of Appeal against that decision and an application for stay of execution of the judgement sum by MBB.
  
  HSL said its external auditors had provided a matter of emphasis on the audited financial statements of the dompany for the year ended Dec 31, 2011 highlighting the negative shareholders' equity position of the Group and of the Company of RM8.12 million and RM14.14 million respectively.
  
  “Consequently, the Company has triggered the Prescribed Criterias 2.1(a) and (e) of PN17 of the Main Market LR,” it said.

Quick comments on MaeMode's Latest Earnings

Malaysian AE Models reported its earnings the other day.

Quarterly rpt on consolidated results for the financial period ended 29/2/2012

This is one stock that I had blogged many times on it before. My last posting was Malaysian AE Models 2Q net profit jumps 70%???

All the issues mentioned in that posting and in all the older postings ( search via label: