Stocks to watch: Harvest Court, CIMB, BHIC, Wah Seong, Prestariang

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 15): HARVEST COURT INDUSTRIES BHD [] could be in focus on Wednesday, Nov 16 when it resumes trading after Bursa Malaysia Securities declared the securities as designated counters until further notice.

This was the sternest warning to speculators who had chased up the stock in recent weeks as the regulator also issued unusual market activity queries to other penny stocks.

Bursa Securities’ decision to designate the securities of Harvest and the warrants due to excessive speculation observed in the trading of both securities and has been taken in the interest of ensuring a fair and orderly market.

In a separate statement, Harvest Court told Bursa Malaysia that its unit will enter into a related party transaction with 1Green Enviro Sdn Bhd for a RM70 million contract to build a pulp and paper plant in Jempol, Negeri Sembilan.

Other stocks to watch are CIMB Group Holdings Bhd, BOUSTEAD HEAVY INDUSTRIES CORP []oration Bhd (BHIC), WAH SEONG CORPORATION BHD [], Prestariang Bhd, Dutch Lady Milk Industries Bhd, OSK HOLDINGS BHD [] and SOUTHERN STEEL BHD [].

CIMB Group’s net profit rose 10.5pct year-on-year to RM1.012 billion in the third quarter ended Sept 30 from RM916 million a year ago. The net profit for the nine months ended Sept 30, 2011 rose 9.6% year-on-year to a record RM2.898 billion.

Its group chief executive Datuk Seri Nazir Razak said the 3Q earnings were underpinned by the continued improvement at its Malaysian consumer banking operations and rebound in treasury and investments.

Wah Seong Corporation Bhd net profit for the third quarter ended Sept 30, 2011 surged to RM21.29 million from RM12.49 million a year earlier, due mainly to a higher contribution from the oil and gas division.

Its revenue for the quarter rose to RM478.84 million from RM346.76 million in 2010. Earnings per share rose to 2.80 sen from 1.64 sen, while net assets per share was RM1.31.

For the nine months ended Sept 30, Wah Seong’s net profit jumped to RM90.85 million from RM31.21 million in 2010, on the back of revenue RM1.37 billion.

Boustead Heavy Industries Corporation Bhd posted net loss RM2.43 million for the third quarter ended Sept 30, 2011 compared to net profit RM26.9 million a year earlier, due mainly to cost overruns in certain commercial shipbuilding projects.

Its revenue for the quarter fell to RM150.02 million from RM227.71 million in 2010. Loss per share was 0.98 sen compared to earnings per share 10.83 sen a year ago.

For the nine months ended Sept 30, BHIC’s net profit fell to RM9.04 million from RM58.37 million, on the back of revenue RM387.47 million.

Prestariang Bhd posted net profit of RM10.07 million in the third quarter ended Sept 30, 2011, underpinned by its information and communications TECHNOLOGY [] (ICT) training and certification schemes.

Its revenue was RM33.13 million and earnings per share 4.69 sen. It declared an interim single-tier dividend of 4.0 sen per share

Dutch Lady Milk Industries Bhd’s earnings rose 77% to RM23.60 million from RM13.32 million a year ago boosted by lower operating costs, higher sales and favourable sales mix.

It said on Tuesday revenue increased by 9.85% to RM201.71 million from RM183.62 million while earnings per share were 36.87 sen compared with 20.82 sen. It declared a dividend of 35 sen per share.

OSK Holdings Bhd reported a 14.2% decline in net profit to RM28.81 million for the third quarter ended Sept 30, 2011 from RM33.60 million a year ago as it included RM5.63 million allowance for impairment losses on investments.

Its revenue rose 13.1% to RM288.78 million from RM255.35 million and earnings per share were 3.07 sen compared with 3.58 sen.

Southern Steel Bhd posted net profit of RM16.05 million for the first quarter ended Sept 30, 2011 on the back of RM734 million in revenue and expected a satisfactory performance in the current financial year.

Pre-tax profit was RM17.30 million while earnings per share were 3.8 sen and it declared an interim dividend of 5.0 sen per share.