Hong Leong Bank: THIS country's sixth largest banking group with total assets of RM43.6bil has been a laggard over the past three months, its share price rising only 5% compared with more than 9% by the KLSE Composite Index (CI). Despite underperforming the CI, Hong Leong Bank Bhd seems to be well liked by analysts. According to earnings forecasting agency Reuters Estimates, 18 of the 20 local and foreign stock brokerages have either a buy recommendation or have maintained neutral ratings on the shares. Stock watch on Hong Leong Bank
RPB: RELIANCE Pacific Bhd shares have risen nearly 17% over the past three months, largely due to better sentiment towards the tourism and hospitality industry. Indeed, Reliance group, together with other firms in the tourism industry, have gone through a tough period over the past one-and-a-half years, having been adversely hit by the global economic slowdown, the threat of global terrorism, the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome and the Iraq war. As a result, it suffered nine consecutive quarters of pre-tax losses from mid-2001. Stock watch on RPB
Jusco: SHARES in retailer Jaya Jusco Stores Bhd have gradually risen over the past three months, reaching a record RM8.70 on Oct 10. One reason for the optimism in the stock is that Jusco, which operates nine superstores throughout the Klang Valley and in major cities in southern Peninsular Malaysia, is the belief that it will benefit from buoyant consumer spending fuelled by better stock market performance, encouraging economic recovery and stimulus measures announced by the government. Stock watch on Jusco
Lafarge: LAFARGE Malayan Cement Bhd shares have appreciated a good 16% over the past three months on optimism that the country's largest cement producer would stand to benefit from a recovery in the local industry after years of over-capacity and stagnant growth. The Cement and Concrete Association of Malaysia has forecast a 23% jump in demand for 2003, based on a better-than-expected 20% increase in cement consumption in the first nine months this year compared with the corresponding period last year. Stock watch on Lafarge
Malakoff: MALAKOFF Bhd, the country's largest independent power producer (IPP), has seen its share price rise by more than 10% over the past three months. The company had in September announced it would pay RM835mil for a 90% stake in SKS Power Bhd, which was to build and operate a 2,100-MW power plant in Tanjung Bin, Johor. With SKS Power and the still pending acquisitions of 100% of Prai Power and 40% of Kapar Energy Ventures, Malakoff's effective capacity will jump almost three-fold to 4,753 MW. Stock watch on Malakoff
Stock watch on Hong Leong Bank
