May 28th- Stocks To Watch PChem, MPHB, Naim Holdings, Bonia, Nestle, Parkson

Business & Markets 2013
Written by Ho Wah Foon of theedgemalaysia.com
Monday, 27 May 2013 19:52
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KUALA LUMPUR (May 27): Based on news flow and corporate results
today, some stocks that may stir interest tomorrow (May 28) include
PChem, MPHB, Naim Holdings, Bonia, Nestle and Parkson.
Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd (PChem) registered a net profit of
RM1.11 billion in its first financial quarter ended Mar 31, 2013, an
increase of 8.4% year-on-year from RM1.02 billion.
Its revenue for the same quarter also increased 1.5% to RM4.45 billion
from RM4.39 billion a year ago, supported by slightly higher product
prices.
Boosted mainly by the net profit of its fertilisers and methanol segment,
the company achieved an overall higher net profit despite lower sales
volumes in its olefins and derivatives segment.
On outlook, the company said global demand for fertilisers should
remain steady, backed by world population growth. Demand for
methanol is expected to recover in key markets, it said.
“Subject to sufficient availability of feedstock, we expect that the results
for the financial year ending 31 December 2013 to be satisfactory,” it
added.
MULTI-PURPOSE HOLDINGS BHD [] (MPHB)’s first quarter net profit
rose 78.5%, helped by improvements in all its business divisions and a one-off gain from divesting its stockbroking unit.
MPHB reported that its net profit for the first quarter ended March 31, 2013 (1QFY13) came to RM149.45 million on revenue
of RM920.23 million.
Last year, the group made a net profit of RM83.72 million on the back of RM905.89 million in revenue.
MPHB said all its divisions, namely gaming, financial services and corporate and others saw improvements in their respective
bottom line.
Looking ahead, the group said its demerger exercise will improve the operational and financial efficiency of its businesses.
NAIM HOLDINGS BHD [] reported a huge jump in net profit to RM41.2 million for the first quarter of 2013, up 156% from RM16.1 million a year ago.
Earnings per share for the quarter to March 2013 also rose to 17.37 sen from 6.79 sen in the first quarter of 2012, according
to the company’s filings with Bursa Malaysia.
Revenue increased to RM128.9 million, from RM94.2 million.
Reviewing its results, Naim Holdings said higher revenue was mainly due to higher property revenue.
It added higher profit was due mainly to higher progress in development property sold and improvement in the performance of
associates.
On outlook, Naim Holdings said it is holding a cautious view on the performance of its property division but it is “optimistic”
that the CONSTRUCTION [] segment will perform better in the current year.
Bonia Corp Bhd saw a 94.75% jump in its third quarter net profit from a year earlier on higher revenue.
Bonia said net profit for its third quarter ended March 31, 2013 (3QFY13) was RM13.03 million. Revenue for 3QFY13 came
to RM154.03 million.
A year earlier, the company made a net profit of RM6.69 million on the back of RM137.91 million in revenue.
Its revenue growth was driven by better contribution from overseas sales, mainly from Indonesia and Vietnam, and improved
performance from Carlo Rino and Sembonia brands.
The company said it is positive towards its growth prospect for the remaining months of the financial year. This is despite the
brunt of minimum wage, rising costs and manpower shortage.
"In Indonesia and Vietnam, our rapid expansions plan has yielded positively with a revenue growth of 164% compared to
previous year,” Bonia said.
Nestle (Malaysia) Bhd is expecting an increase in projected sales to rise to RM300 million this year from Sabah and Sarawak,
from RM262.8 million in 2012, with products mainly sourced from its Sejingkat factory here, Bernama reported.
Managing director Alois Hofbauer said today the company was also looking at expansion plans for its 38,000 sq m factory,
which currently produces the Maggi instant noodles and Nestle ice cream brands, with new production lines.
"We are now doing a feasibility study and will meet up with local government officials soon to see how they can support us in
our future investments," he
added.
He was speaking at a media conference after officiating the Nestle Sejingkat factory's 20th anniversary celebration.
At present, an average one million of the instant noodle range is produced daily, which is mainly consumed by East Malaysian
states.
Last year, Nestle recorded a turnover of RM4.6 billion, an increase of 7.3% from 2011, and an increase of 18.3% in net profit.
PARKSON HOLDINGS BHD []’s net profit fell 25% to RM76.92 million in the third quarter ended March 31, 2013 (3QFY13)
from RM102.36 million a year earlier.
The retailer told the exchange today that revenue however rose to RM932.85 million from RM918.21 million previously.
Cumulative nine-month net profit fell to RM210.21 million from RM298.37 million a year earlier. Revenue was however up to
RM2.7 billion from RM2.62 billion.
Parkson said 3QFY13 net profit was dragged down by higher operating expenses. Looking ahead, it expects "a seasonal
lower performance" in 4QFY13 in the absence of major festivals.
"Nevertheless, the group's performance is expected to remain satisfactory despite the slower pace in the recovery of China's
economy," the company said.