AKN Technology: AKN Technology Bhd's series of acquisitions during the past 12 months was a strategy to become a diversified semiconductor player providing intermediate products and services, according to UT Securities. Its proposed acquisition of SR Technology Sdn Bhd, the analyst believed, would strengthen AKN's packaging capabilities. Although the analyst felt that the acquisition price was on the high side, nevertheless the shares were trading at inexpensive valuations. AKN Technology has also proposed a 1-for-10 bonus issue. WTK Holdings: TIMBER prices are expected to remain stable despite the shortage of logs following strict observance by Malaysia and China authorities of the ban on log exports by Indonesia, OSK Research Investment said. Nevertheless, the analyst said, the imposition of Japan Agricultural Standard on plywood products would benefit WTK Holdings Bhd, which exports 90% of its plywood production to Japan. Investors keen on the timber sector could also consider Ta Ann Holdings and Subur Tiasa Holdings Bhd. DRB-Hicom: THE largest profit earner for DRB-Hicom Bhd was its range of motor vehicles, analysts said. During the year, it launched Mitsubishi Airtrek and Storm Evo and the Citroen C5. Analysts expect property and construction to also drive earnings in the future. The market consensus for DRB-Hicom is a net profit of RM252mil for financial year ending March 2004 and RM278mil for 2005. The group reported net profit of RM206mil for the year to March 2003, beating consensus estimate by about 7%. Ramatex: OSK Investment Research analyst likes Ramatex Bhd's aggressive steps to lower costs by moving its operations to Namibia and expanding its China operation and its continual automation of its production process. The first quarter had always been weak for Ramatex due to the Chinese New Year holidays, as its operations in China would have closed for a month during the festive season, but it surprised with a net profit of RM9.5mil for the quarter ended March, compared with RM7.6mil last year. Petronas Gas: PETRONAS Gas Bhd's net profit was stronger than expected solely due to a write-back in deferred tax provisions in the fourth quarter ended March, Kim Eng Securities said, adding that otherwise revenue met projections. The company recorded revenues of RM2.2bil for the financial year ended March compared with RM1.9bil a year ago. Net profit rose to RM657mil from RM487mil. Growth in the next two years is seen at 6%–8%. According to Multex Global Estimates, the consensus net profit is RM686mil for this financial year. For the latest KLSE indices and other information click here
WTK Holdings: TIMBER prices are expected to remain stable despite the shortage of logs following strict observance by Malaysia and China authorities of the ban on log exports by Indonesia, OSK Research Investment said. Nevertheless, the analyst said, the imposition of Japan Agricultural Standard on plywood products would benefit WTK Holdings Bhd, which exports 90% of its plywood production to Japan. Investors keen on the timber sector could also consider Ta Ann Holdings and Subur Tiasa Holdings Bhd. DRB-Hicom: THE largest profit earner for DRB-Hicom Bhd was its range of motor vehicles, analysts said. During the year, it launched Mitsubishi Airtrek and Storm Evo and the Citroen C5. Analysts expect property and construction to also drive earnings in the future. The market consensus for DRB-Hicom is a net profit of RM252mil for financial year ending March 2004 and RM278mil for 2005. The group reported net profit of RM206mil for the year to March 2003, beating consensus estimate by about 7%. Ramatex: OSK Investment Research analyst likes Ramatex Bhd's aggressive steps to lower costs by moving its operations to Namibia and expanding its China operation and its continual automation of its production process. The first quarter had always been weak for Ramatex due to the Chinese New Year holidays, as its operations in China would have closed for a month during the festive season, but it surprised with a net profit of RM9.5mil for the quarter ended March, compared with RM7.6mil last year. Petronas Gas: PETRONAS Gas Bhd's net profit was stronger than expected solely due to a write-back in deferred tax provisions in the fourth quarter ended March, Kim Eng Securities said, adding that otherwise revenue met projections. The company recorded revenues of RM2.2bil for the financial year ended March compared with RM1.9bil a year ago. Net profit rose to RM657mil from RM487mil. Growth in the next two years is seen at 6%–8%. According to Multex Global Estimates, the consensus net profit is RM686mil for this financial year. For the latest KLSE indices and other information click here
