Versus the CI

Pentamaster: >Pentamaster's share price has outperformed the main index by a huge margin – 40% gain against the CI's 11.7% rise – during the past three months, backed by an improving semiconductor industry outlook and the chip equipment maker's solid fundamentals. The recent sharp increase in its share price has pushed the stock close to its fair value. Its full-year results, announced recently, saw the company post a 9% increase in pre-tax profit and a 3% improvement in revenue. Its profit margin remains at a healthy 25%. Stock Watch On PENTA 

Halim Mazmin: Trading in this shipping company's shares has been relatively flat since December last year, which has led to the stock under performing the main index by 8% over the three-month period. Mayban Securities, which has a 'buy' recommendation on this market laggard, estimates Halim Mazmin's current-year earnings at around 41.1 sen per share. This translates into an undemanding single-digit multiple based on yesterday's closing price of RM3.68. About 90% of its revenue is secured via long-term time charter contracts and Mayban Securities expects future earnings upside to be driven mainly by new vessel acquisition. Stock Watch On HALIM 

Keck Seng: Keck Seng shares have been attracting strong buying interest for the past two weeks, which have boosted the performance of this normally subdued counter and saw it outpace the CI by 17% on a three-month basis. Jupiter Research saysd Keck Seng's growth story might not be a compelling one, but a patient investor can look forward to another decent 12 sen per share gross dividend payout this year. Keck Seng has hotel businesses in Canada and Hawaii, property development projects in Johor, and palm oil plantations, all of which have contributed to positive cash flow over the years. At end-December 2003, its cash pile stood at RM150mil, or 69 sen per share. Stock Watch On KSENG 

Jotech: THE share price of this precision stamping and semiconductor tools maker has under-performed the key market barometer over the past three months. Dealers say while the stock offers attractive upside potential – SBB Securities has put a 12-month target price of RM3.78 for the stock in a report this week – its recent price movements suggest the counter is still in consolidation mode. Dealers say that in view of a maiden contribution from its China operations, which is expected to bolster earnings this year, and a 1-for-2 bonus issue to be implemented in the third quarter, the share price is likely to head north going forward. Stock Watch On JOTECH 

EPIC: EPIC's share price received a boost early this month after having traded generally flat since December last year on news that the company planned to reward shareholders with one free share for every share held. Analysts say that for a small company with a market capitalisation of RM270mil, EPIC's balance sheet is exceptionally strong. Its net cash position stands at RM95mil, or RM1.18 per share, and its reserves are about twice its paid-up capital of RM80.6mil. Despite its share price having doubled in the past year, EPIC is still a laggard compared with its peers in the oil and gas sector. 

 Stock Watch On EPIC

Halim Mazmin: Trading in this shipping company's shares has been relatively flat since December last year, which has led to the stock under performing the main index by 8% over the three-month period. Mayban Securities, which has a 'buy' recommendation on this market laggard, estimates Halim Mazmin's current-year earnings at around 41.1 sen per share. This translates into an undemanding single-digit multiple based on yesterday's closing price of RM3.68. About 90% of its revenue is secured via long-term time charter contracts and Mayban Securities expects future earnings upside to be driven mainly by new vessel acquisition. Stock Watch On HALIM 

Keck Seng: Keck Seng shares have been attracting strong buying interest for the past two weeks, which have boosted the performance of this normally subdued counter and saw it outpace the CI by 17% on a three-month basis. Jupiter Research saysd Keck Seng's growth story might not be a compelling one, but a patient investor can look forward to another decent 12 sen per share gross dividend payout this year. Keck Seng has hotel businesses in Canada and Hawaii, property development projects in Johor, and palm oil plantations, all of which have contributed to positive cash flow over the years. At end-December 2003, its cash pile stood at RM150mil, or 69 sen per share. Stock Watch On KSENG 

Jotech: THE share price of this precision stamping and semiconductor tools maker has under-performed the key market barometer over the past three months. Dealers say while the stock offers attractive upside potential – SBB Securities has put a 12-month target price of RM3.78 for the stock in a report this week – its recent price movements suggest the counter is still in consolidation mode. Dealers say that in view of a maiden contribution from its China operations, which is expected to bolster earnings this year, and a 1-for-2 bonus issue to be implemented in the third quarter, the share price is likely to head north going forward. Stock Watch On JOTECH 

EPIC: EPIC's share price received a boost early this month after having traded generally flat since December last year on news that the company planned to reward shareholders with one free share for every share held. Analysts say that for a small company with a market capitalisation of RM270mil, EPIC's balance sheet is exceptionally strong. Its net cash position stands at RM95mil, or RM1.18 per share, and its reserves are about twice its paid-up capital of RM80.6mil. Despite its share price having doubled in the past year, EPIC is still a laggard compared with its peers in the oil and gas sector. 

 Stock Watch On EPIC