Journaler0203

London Pacific Insurance Capital-Impressive Growth

2012-02-01T21:53:00.000-08:00

Rising like the Phoenix

Yes, though the counter did not garner any premium when it went ex-dividend, it is still a good stock worthy of a part of your portfolio.

After ex dividend, it should be at RM13.50 but some weak sellers forced it to slide to RM13.32. Today it is sitting at RM13.40 for a 10 sen loss.

I was just looking at the Annual Report 2011 which I just received. Apparently, LPI derived most of its revenue from fire insurance policies (40.6%) followed by motor(24.1%), marine, aviation and transit(2.85%); and miscellaneous (32.5%). The premiums received for the year 2011 were RM304,337,000 for fire, RM263,470,000 for motor, Rm38,461.000 for Marine,Aviation and transit and RM 301644,000 for Miscellaneous.

In terms of performance, net profits attributing to owners of the company amounted to RM154,494,000, a 12% increase over 2010. Earnings per ordinary share rose from 63.8 sen to 70.1%.

As for dividend, LPI paid out a dividend of 75 sen per share.

Under the section called 'Superior Returns to Shareholders', LPI is proud of its returns. I qoute some of their 'pride' as follows.

"Over the medium-term period of 5 years,an LPI shareholder purchasing 1000 shares at the price of RM9.35 at the beginning of 2007 would have received gross dividends of RM5,463 and would have 1,600 shares be the end of 2011.At the price of RM13.52 per LPI shares, a shareholder would have RM21,632 along with his gross dividends of RM5,463 making his returns to be RM27,095 or 27.4% for the 5 year period.

Going further back if a shareholder bought and held 1,000 shares of LPI when it was listed and have subscribed to all its rights issue without selling nay, at the end of 2011, that shareholder will have 8,640 shares worth RM116,813. At the same time the shareholder would have received total gross dividend of RM46,230.

As sch with a capital outlay of RM10,730 and subscribing to all rights issues,that shareholder would have secured a remarkable average rate of return of 26.6% annually for 18 years or 1,420% for that said period."

So, do you still think is worth buying LPI today at RM13.40?

This you will know from hindsight many years down the road.

So let us time capsuled it today.

Risk Takers and the Risk Averse

2012-02-01T19:12:00.000-08:00

If you do have some spare financial resources, what would you do?

Daredevils or Cowards?

Any financial consultant will tell you that you must not put your eggs in one basket. The risk averse will follow, blinkered eyed, to fixed deposits no matter how low the interest regime.

Granted, then what other baskets must one consider? The usual happens to be in properties and land purchases, stocks, bonds, unit trusts and for the braver ones- futures, commodities such as gold and silver and the money market. Then, there is always that other alternative-buying insurance policies.

So, what do you have right now? All of the above,some of the above or none of the above which is unlikely.

In Malaysia, for those who do not trusts stocks, bonds of any nature are acceptable. We used to have the Malaysia bonds for senior citizens but so far there has been none in the past year or so. Then there is the sukuk bonds which is good. There hasn't been any lately, too.

Many were carried away by buying unit trusts. Except for those unit trusts run by the Amanah Saham Malaysia which offers good returns but not many can buy as most are under the bumiputra affirmative programme. Some unit trusts have shown to be good at one time or another. There were good ones but not many. Ask any Joe or Jane and they will tell you that there are more misses than hits!

What next? Go into Bursa KL but in cautious mode. What can be considered conservative stocks? Definitely not derivatives. You will lose trousers and all here if you are not in the money!

The best bet are real estate investment trusts (reits). Question is, most are too expensive except for Stareit and Pavreit. You may also want to look at Al Aqar reits as it owns most of the KPJ premises and Johor Corp will be selling more of their properties to the trust as they are currently cash-strapped. The issue is are you entering at the right price. Some do distribute good dividends. You must study the dividend track and the price if you want to dabble in reits as returns are often slow. Most market players consider reits highly uninteresting.

Assuming if you want to get into stocks, you may want those that pay good dividends. Look no further than Mesiniaga and Maxis at their current prices.

For the brave ones, just keep your money aside and buy blue chips when they fell like tenpins on bad market days. There were a couple or two the last year and many got good bargains. Good stocks to follow are Genting Berhad, Sime Darby and Maybank.

Properties are great investment. However, as always you must buy property in the right location or you will be stuck with this non-liquid asset for a very long time as they are really hard to dispose off. True, there are many who buy land but they do not tell you the sad stories; only the good ones.

I would not go into the money market but those who bought Aussie dollars did make it good.

Commodities can be dangerous though those who bought gold are so far still smiling all the way to the bank.

Then, there are the insurance policies to contend with. While providing coverage, they are also instruments of finance. There are many types of insurance policies on offer these days for investment purposes. The most obvious on is the endowment policies with its regular returns. Such policies though tend to be expensive. The others are life policies hooked to unit trusts, bonds, indices and derivatives. Some are good.

Well, do look at the resources you have under your pillow and do not be all risk averse like the person who was entrusted to 'grow' the talents but hid it in his garden as we know from the parables. No pain, no gain!

No risk-taking-no money! No money, no talk!

Digi:Speeding Through?

2012-02-01T17:29:00.000-08:00

Rallying F1 style?

Was it a nearly self-fulfilled prophecy?

The analyst's conjecture underpinned by some technical mumbo-jumbo may have been catalytic. So, if they are oraclers, will Digi go to the next Rubicon crossing at RM4.40? And soon?

So from the word 'go', like in an F1 rally, Digi speed off, though on small volume, to touch RM4.18 before reality sets in. It then floated at RM4.06 while those who sold at RM4.10 and above gloated to the bank.

So, when I expected it to hit RM4.00 before the Chinese New Year, it went into slumber mode.

So, will this development be a flash in the pen? Let us see as the day is young.

Yes, it is confirmed-a flash in the pan. The flurries are over and Digi is now trading in the RM3.99-RM4.00 range. Volume is good at 24,000 lots done thus far at 10.15 a.m.

Colmar Tropicale-My Next Holiday Destination

2012-02-01T08:17:00.000-08:00

What I have heard it is now quite rundown and not as pristine as what the webpage tells you. My eldest sister tells me that there are two roads going up to this holiday destination but sadly the shorter one has been shut as it is now a soil erosion and landslide threat to motorists. So add more time, as much as 45 minutes by using the longer route.

As for me- it is action station before it the holiday resort gets worse.

I intend to go there possibly in February of March.

Now what can I expect?

From the way it has been advertised Colmar is resplendent in century old Alsace charm. The medieval French village and picturesque surroundings lures one back to a past era steeped in culture and romance. Colmar Tropicale, at an altitude of 2,700 feet above sea-level sits with enchanting grace and hospitality amidst 80 acres of rainforests.

Let us look at some of the photos of the touristy destination.

Wonderland

Medieval Adventure

Quaint

Medieval?

Tea for Two

Dining Splendour

For accomodation, there are 260 units of rooms as well more luxurious suites. One is encouraged to feel the cobbled- stone avenues and bask in the enchantment of Colmar Square. The beauty rainforest in the distance from the high altitude of Bukit Tinggi will be surrealistic and entice the nature lover in you.

One can dine in the Japanese restaurant and savour the wonderment of Japanaese cuisine. Expensive I have been told by a 'little bird'.

Japanese Restaurant

Japanese Hospitality

You can also avail yourself to a cool bath in one of the ponds or go horse-riding if you should fancy it.

Cool Dips

I think Colmar could be that home-away from home though you may have to cough out some money for that indulgence.

Well, there is this shuttle bus I am told that we can take from Berjaya Times Square at 9.30 a.m. and 2.30 p.m.to get to Colmar.

Riding School

Coming home from Colmar-the shuttle will start going down the hill at 12.30 pm and 4.30 p.m.

Fares are RM25.00 one way and RM40.00 for a return ticket.

Enquiry and reservation: 03 3343 2884

Gotta do my booking very soon. Ahem...

The Ex MOH Chinese New Year Get Together 2012

2012-02-01T03:55:00.000-08:00

This is possibly the third time in so many long years since 1986 that the ex-buddies from the Ministry of Housing met. We had one way back when I had my 50th birthday in 2002 at the Woo Yok Hin Restaurant in Damansara Uptown.

Then, perhaps in the late 90s we had one again-this time at the Summer Palace at Damansara Utama, sponsored by See.

Subsequently about three or four years back we had one at the Royal Golf Club Subang (KGNS) sponsored by Chew Sang Peng.

Today, the 1st of February 2012, in the year of the Water Dragon, we met again to strengthen our bond and camaraderie. See played host once more. At the lunch were Francis, Loi, Peng Seng,Cheng, Mrs Chen, Joyce, Cheng Hong, Leana Goh, Kooi Meng, See and Hedy and yours truly.

We had a great time and hope to meet again soon.

This time around, we missed the late Eng Chor who passed on in December 2009. We also spoke of those no longer with us such as the late Teng Fooi and Soo Peng.

Similarly, we prayed for wealth,health and longevity for all of the fellowship at lunch as well as those who could not make it such as Chee Mee Chan.

The memories of this day are captured in the following adorable photos.

The Attendees. Cheng Hong left earlier

Good company;good food

Really huge dishes,don't you agree?

What a joke!

Fish Maws and Goose Feet

Stories to Tell

Self Image?

Enthralling tale?

A Time To Reflect

Good times

Prawn Paradise

Eat and Be Merry!

Strange Foods-The Daring Kind

2012-01-29T20:54:00.000-08:00

Yes, for those who would not squirm; brave to try extreme foods, we have some surprise for you from the four corners of the earth. For some, do not think, just eat!

Here are some of the real food oddities.

Rocky Mountain Oysters

Not for the Weak Hearted

Don't think they are the every day oysters served at prestigious french restaurants. These are different. What is so strange about oysters? Probably the fact that they're not the kind you find at the bottom of the ocean.

It is but rather a fancy name given to deep-fried testicles of a buffalo, bull or boar. Rocky Mountain oysters (also called Prairie Oysters) are well-known and regularly enjoyed, in certain parts of the United States and Canada, generally where cattle ranching is prevalent. The testicles are peeled, boiled, rolled in a flour mixture, and fried, then generally served with a nice cocktail sauce.

Haggis

Scottish Delight

This is a traditional Scottish dish, haggis is made with the minced heart, liver and lung of a sheep mixed with onion, spices, oatmeal, salt and stock, and boiled in the sheep's stomach for a few hours. Larousse Gastronomique, a popular encyclopedia of gastronomic delights, claims that haggis has "an excellent nutty texture and delicious savory flavor."

Haggis is available year-round in Scottish supermarkets and made with an artificial casing rather than a sheep's stomach. In fact some are sold in cans to be heated in a microwave before eating. Similar dishes can be found in other European countries with goat, pork or beef used instead of sheep.

Casu Marzu

Rare Living Cheese

Found in the city of Sardinia in Italy, casu marzu is a cheese that is home to live insect larvae. These larvae are deliberately added to the cheese to promote a level of fermentation that is close to decomposition, at which point the cheese's fats are broken down. The tiny, translucent worms can jump up to half a foot if disturbed, which explains why some people prefer to brush off the insects before enjoying a spoonful of the pungent cheese.So, eat with care if you do not want jumping jellybean larvae in your plate!

Fugu

Deadly Delight

Fugu is the Japanese word for the poisonous puffer fish, filled with enough of the poison tetrodotoxin to be lethal. Only specially-trained chefs, who undergo two to three years of training and have passed an official test, can prepare the fish. Some chefs will choose to leave a minute amount of poison in the fish to cause a tingling sensation on the tongue and lips as fugu can be quite bland. Perhaps the fuss of fugu is more in surviving the experience than the actual taste of the deadly fish.So, are you game?

Sannakji

Finally, we have the sannakji.

Live Tentacle Meal

With sashimi and sushi readily available the world over, eating raw seafood is no longer considered a dining adventure. This Korean delicacy, the sannakji however, is something quite different, as the seafood isn't quite dead. Live baby octopus are sliced up and seasoned with sesame oil. The tentacles are still squirming when this dish is served and, if not chewed carefully, the tiny suction cups can stick to the mouth and throat. This is not a dish for the faint hearted!

There are other stranger foods, I am sure, but we will deal with them again in another posting.

Meanwhile, happy meals to you!

Reflections of Yesteryears

2012-01-28T19:42:00.000-08:00

Rushes of Nostalgia

I have tried my hand at writing. So far it is in the domain of short stories. Really short ones, I mean. Whatever they are, they helped to communicate a bygone era and help bring on the rushes of the nostalgic yesteryears of the 60s.

Here are the stories.

1.    Con of their Salaries

They were waiting for them. After all, it was payday at the estate and they were bound to come, as they were incorrigible gamblers. But they were suckers most of all. This was not the first time they were taken to the cleaners. Fong and his fellow conmen waited. A dim light in the distance signaled the prey had come just like clockwork.

The poker tables laid set and they started the gambling session after a flurry of greetings and backslapping. A few bouts soon and the father-and-son pair were cleaned off their monthly salaries. Operating on body language, the conmen ensured their player with the best hand took the pair down every time.

2.    The Pumpkin Man

The arrival of the pumpkin man was an event. With his long pole, straddled upon his shoulders, he was a sight to behold. All the children ran helter-skelter towards the approaching figure. They were not afraid of him. Smiling at the children, he doled out sweets to them. They all ran off after getting their share. He ambled to Kok Long’s wooden house.

Putting down his pole and the two bundles it balanced, the pumpkin man swiped his forehead of the sweat that was dripping down from his eyebrows. Kok Long saw him from a distance. This chap wanted some cash again, he murmured to himself. After their usual high-spirited greetings, they squatted on the ground and traded the latest stories of their province in Hainan Island..

THe pumpkin man then unfolded the two bundles, which displayed the fruits of his labour from his garden plot. There were many types of root vegetables and some nice looking pumpkins. Kok Long gave the pumpkin man a dollar. He was indeed so pleased that he hugged Kok Long. Whistling a tune, he left Kok Long with the pumpkins and the other vegetables on the ground.

3.    The Share Sale Lifeline

It was that time of year again. The rains beat down hard on the laterite tracks. Work at the plantation had to stop. Daily wage earners were hard-hit. Wages shrunk every year at this time. Nobody could go out to tap or to weed for most of the month. Whilst some sulked at home, others went to town to make a new pair of shirt or to buy new shoes and other domestic requirements. Tappers were busy sharpening their knives while others took this opportunity to catch up on much needed sleep.

It was the season that Indians who had shares in the National Land Cooperative Society hawked their shares. Some used them as deposits for quick loans to tide over their debts. Others sold them outright for a fraction of the price. It was during this rainy season that they go and look for saviours. The estate shopkeepers were oftentimes their targets. If they were lucky, the share certificates would be accepted in lieu of payment for debts. If not, then they looked toward the estate staff for loans, bearing the certificates as deposits. Kok Long has been approached many a time and as he was a soft-hearted man, he had now a collection of these certificates. What is their true worth, he did not know. He only wanted to be a caretaker of the certificates until they were redeemed. Oftentimes, they remained in his hands forever. His wife also had been nagging him to get rid of them. He has been quite unsuccessful though despite his pleas to the lenders to take them back. The shopkeepers and senior staff of the estate echelon were reluctant to take the risk of holding such certificates. To this day Kok Long still own most of them but they are now re-registered under his name or that of his children.

4.    Chicken and Cakes Offerings for the Corruptibles

To the estate worker, the practice of offering gifts to their supervising boss did not amount to corruption. They were likened to appeasing the powers-to-be. A couple of days before Deepavali, the festival of the lights, tappers intending to get the favour of the supervising officer in charge of the tapping department will journey to the nearest town to buy goodies to be gift-wrapped for this estate official. They then go to the market to get a live chicken.

In the evening, they will cycle to this boss man’s home and present the gift hamper and the cackling chicken to him. That done, they prayed and hoped that this tapping supervisor will remember them when choice tapping lots became available the next time around.

5.    The Cramped Pirate Taxi "School Bus"

It was normal in those days. As only few estate children attended school in the nearby town, the only way to get to school and back were by a big black car that operated as the public conveyance. Oftentimes, ten children were cramped in the car and their faces were literary push-glued to the window screens as the vehicle swing through the narrow windy road to town.

When the vehicle turned right or left, an indicator will appear magically at either side of this huge car. It flashed yellow for sometime and then retracted, to the pleasure of the children in the car. When the car stopped, the children slowly extricated themselves, breathed easy and strolled away.

6.    The Weekly Cinema

The monthly cinema show is a sight to behold! It represents a singular pleasure to be had besides the toddy drink in an estate. Sitting through a cinema show at the hall is an event to behold!

By 5p.m., all colours of mats were placed on the floor of the hall. Some children were already there, running around and there were mothers feeding their babies while waiting for the show to start. By 7 p.m., the projector crew would arrive. They carried the equipment to the special projection floor built above the floor and stated running a wire to the front where two speaker boxes were placed. By this time, the hall is filled to the max.

At 7.30 p.m. the show of ten began with a cartoon feature and there with whoos and waahs all round. When the main feature started- an Tamil movie-everyone would clap and soon will quieten down as they get engrossed with the movie.. When the hero won a fist fight, the audience clapped and when his nemesis appeared, they booed. It was like this most of the time.

When the show end, as if by magic, all the mats disappeared. There was silence except for the projection crew, who were left to dismantle the equipment and to switch off the lights in the silent hall.

7.    The “Home Church"

Church Day for many was Sunday. People from all around would congregate in the house of the Lord for fellowship and to listen to the sermon of the week. The message was often deep and needed a great deal of reflection. The congregation then parted way until the following Sunday.

Not every one could attend church regularly. There were those who were 'most privileged' whereby the pastor would come by to their homes on another day to have fellowship with them him and their families. These sessions occur when the pastor had time to do so.

In Kok Long’s estate, there were a handful of Christians. As they found it difficult to come to church, the “church” came to them. More often than not, the pastor was ferried to the estate by one of the members who had a car. Fellow Christians will then gather in Kok Long’s house and worship the Lord. They really felt blessed to have such a kind and understanding pastor. Hallelujah!

8.    The Chinese Opera

The Chinese opera was in town. The temple, which organized this event, was beautifully decorated and the scent of the burning joss filled the air. The famed opera troupe came from a village called Machap. As the performers were mostly owner-rubber tappers, they took time off to perform for the three days which they were hired for. Apparently the fee was relatively good.

The crowd milled around the stage as the temple officials gave their respective speeches. Then, one-cent coins and colored rice was thrown from the stage as part of the ceremony. Those in front, rushed to get the coins.

The musicians provided soothing classical music as the opera began. The crowd was entranced. Kids however were more tempted by the ice-cream sellers nearby. The grassland in front of the stage was all muddy after much trampling by the eager audience.

It was Chee Kiong’s first exposure to Chinese opera and the songs, movements and gestures of the actors and actresses mesmerized him. His mother had informed him that the gestures had operatic significance in telling the story. In fact, the lead actress was so beautiful that Chee Kiong stayed behind after the show.

Waiting at the backstage, he wanted to see how she actually looked minus all that gaudy opera make-up. It was worth the waiting as she came down soon. She was really lovely and Chee Kiong had a instant crush on her. He still felt this way even today whenever he recalled his education of Chinese opera .

9.    The Encyclopedia Britannica

One cannot describe Kok Long as a gullible person, really. He first met Sia Kee Guan, at the office. It was certainly not because of the beautiful pictures he saw in the encyclopedia that made him to want to buy the set of ‘knowledge books’. He was thinking wishfully how much his children would enjoy these books, hoping that it will spur them towards learning.

The set of books cost a bomb but Kok Long was happy to be able to pay them in installments. He paid religiously every month by sending off a money order. He then bought a bookcase where he proudly displayed the books in the hall. Visitors to the house were, no doubt, impressed though in their hearts, they were thinking otherwise.

Sad to say, the books were hardly used. The children glanced through the pictures but gradually lost interest. Over the years, they all grew up and never did touch those books ever again. It was not really a bad investment because it gave Kok Long so much false pride in ownership. On hindsight, the money could have been used to buy an acre of good rubber land.

As the years passed by, Kok Long even used a copy to prop his flagging pillow when he slept. When he moved out from the estate on retirement, the set of books, silverfish riddled, was abandoned.

10.    Grandma’s Visit

Grandma’s visit was joyfully awaited.

When news came that Grandma will be visiting, the children got all excited. They all loved Granny as she was a kind-hearted person; never a nasty word from her to anyone. She hardly visits and every visit was an occasion to celebrate.

The children saw a silhouette of a distant figure on the horizon. Granny, in the distance, appeared strong for her age and her walk was steady and firm. She carried a heavy basket in her right hand. The children screamed at the top of their voices and ran toward Granny. Mother came out of the kitchen and beamed a smile of happiness, as she has not seen her natural mother for some time.

The guest room was well made and Seng Koi led Granny to her room. Granny gave each child a present of sweets and a tee shirt. They loved their presents and kissed Granny on her cheeks. That night they had chicken for dinner and gathered around Granny to hear of her tales that pleased them no end.

Granny’s short stay was memorable.

Up to this day, even as Granny is no longer with them, the children still remembered her with quiet fondness in their hearts. They loved her and were sad to hear of her passing. She was such a dear, kind and wonderful soul; a paragon they would like to emulate.

Dinner at Perdana View

2012-01-24T16:49:00.000-08:00

Toast and Boast?

Apart from the reunion lunch that I had with my father,this was the first dinner among friends for the lunar new year of the water dragon.

So, just before the appointed hour of 7 pm, we were at the approach to the Perdana View condominium in Damansara Perdana.

My friends, the Gans played host. We also got to meet new friends such as Jane and Monica.

After a good dinner and a glass of red wine, we adjourned to the coffee table to talk shop.

Some interesting issues did crop up. One was about why a child from childhood days should show affinity to demonstrate his interest in the opposite sex. Instead of playing with boy toys, the preference was for Barbie dolls. As much as their parents wanted to stop the Barbie toy playing, it all came to naught. From toys it graduated to make up and soon cross-dressing. Now he is a grown up male steward of the gay kind.

Then we broached the topic of same sex marriage among females. If the one that plays the male role in the relationship is called a butch, then can we rightly labelled the other partner a bitch? Also when one of them give birth, how is the egg fertilised-inside one of their bodies or in a petri dish. Also did they procure the sperm from the sperm bank?

Need to read more on this.

Good dinner and good company.

What more can you ask for,my friends?

Homeward Bound in the Dragon Year 2012

2012-01-23T07:56:00.000-08:00

Glorious Dragon

We started off for Malacca to see my Father at 9.45 am. Though we had planned to be ready by 8.30 am, it was akin to building castles in the sky to have that realised.

Traffic was okay and my wife took over the driving from Nilai onwards. Except for two near-driving mishaps, all turned out well. Traffic however slowed down to a crawl at the toll plaza at Ayer Keroh. We lost some 40 minutes here.

We were fortunate to meet up with my younger brothers and their families. There was great bonding and we had our traditional CNY lunch. We also met up with some nephews-Alan, William and Patrick.

My wife and I took turns to drive back home at 3.30 pm. Traffic was choke-a-block from Pedas-Rasah to Seremban.

After a short rest at the Seremban R and R area, my wife took over the wheel. We got home at almost 6.45 pm.

Altogether an eventful first day of Chinese New Year in the year of the rain dragon.

Welcoming The Water Dragon

2012-01-22T07:22:00.000-08:00

Dragon Glory 2012

Yes, in twenty five minutes, the water dragon of 2012 will rear its head.

For many, they pray for good fortune as well as good things for their loved ones.

Some believe the Mayan year in 2012 will spell the end of the earth.

For me, I will enter the fifth cycle of the dragon and pray that this will be a good year for me, my family and my good friends.

Digi: Another Dividend for Shareholders

2012-01-19T16:32:00.000-08:00

Yest Another Dividend

Isn't this not a good share or what?

Having some 9.9 million phone subscribers of both voice and non-voice, Digi achieved better results this time around.

Mobile data revenue exceeded 30% of the group's service revenue for the fourth quarter. Revenue fro the group upped 10.3% to 6.0 billion while EBITDA was RM2.8 billion.

Capex investment was also stepped up from RM550 million to RM660 million. This is done to step up site roll-out and to increase capacity. Operating cash flow rose to RM2.2 billion.

Digi currently has 5.2 million active mobile internet users.

So, it is now giving out another generous interim dividend. A 6.5 % dividend for the new 1 sen par share.

Digi has been re-rated to a new target price of RM4.40 by some analysts.

When will this new Rubicon be attained or crossed?

Currently, Digi is priced at RM3.93 as it closed for the long Chinese New Year break.

Many analysts expects the Bursa to climb steadily after this long break.

Will Digi move up beyond RM4.00 in the near term? Only hindsight can tell.

Happy Chinese New Year of the Water Dragon to you!

Berjaya Foods: Sizzling Mood

2012-01-18T01:29:00.000-08:00

Adding value in Indonesia

Yes, after a quiet start last week when it showed life after a long period of hibernation, the counter rocketed 9 sen today to touch RM1.10 after the company announced it has successfully inked a deal with the franchise holder of Kenny Rogers Restaurants (KRR) in Indonesia.

Taking over 51% of the shares of the franchise holder, PT Boga Lestari Sentosa is definitely going to add a fat bottom-line to Berjaya Foods given Indonesia's huge population.

As Indonesia is showing more prudent economic development these days, the income of the local Indonesian will definitely improve giving them affordability to dine in KRR joints.

I think the time for a re-rating of the counter is close at hand as BJ Foods ready itself for the 4 for 5 rights issue of RM0.65 sen per share.

BJ Foods closed at a good price of RM1.09 this evening.

Mesiniaga-Superior Dividends?

2012-01-17T07:29:00.000-08:00

Dividend Payor

If you look at the dividend trend of Mesiniaga, you will be persuaded to invest in this RM2.00 plus counter.

Let us look at the dividend track record of the company from 2003 to 2010.

2010: 20 sen less 25% tax (15%)
2009:19 sen less 25% tax (14.25%)
2008:19 sen less 26% tax(14.06%)
2007:19sen less 27% tax(13.87%)
2006:19sen less 28% tax(13.68%)
2005:19 sen less 28% tax(13.68%)
2004:13sen less 28% tax(9.36%) + 3 sen tax exempt > 12.36%
2003:13sen less 28% tax(9.36%) + 3 sen tax exempt > 12.36%

Thus it can be seen that the average dividend received is 12.36% to 15%. This will work out to 13.65 sen per share

Assuming that you have expended RM2.00 to buy 1000 shares of Mesiniaga in 2003, you would have received 13.65 sen of dividend per share per year.This will work out to RM135.50 per year times 6 years which should earn you a tidy sum of RM813.

Compared to a fixed deposit rate of say, 3%, you would have earned 6.83 sen per RM1 investment or an equivalent of 3.83% more for every ringgit invested.

If Mesiniaga can maintain its dividend policy and rate payout, then we can say that it is one great stock to derive returns from!

Standard and Poor's European Downgrade

2012-01-16T06:47:00.000-08:00

Making Everyone Poorer!

When the news came into the market that Standard and Poor's have downgraded the credit ratings of some major European economies, everyone expected the backwash effects to overwhelm Asian markets and Wall Street.Only Germany withstood the downgrade.

As there were no illuminating news from Wall Street, today saw a swath of red ink encompassing major regional markets.

So Bursa went down more than 14 points at today's close.

Even resilient shares like Digi got hit and went down 3 sen.

The big boys like BAT,Genting Berhad, GAB and Dutch Lady took wallops at their broadsides.

Interestingly shares such as Maybulk bucked the trend. What is happening here? Is Kuok taking this counter private as well? Good to watch for any developments here.

Also shares such as LPI recovered on closing to end unchanged at RM14.00 as the dividend payout of 50 sen occur on this Friday, 20th January.

Genting Cheapens!

2012-01-16T06:27:00.000-08:00

I was in Genting Highlands last week-end and yesterday as well.

Cheapened Product

What I have noticed is there is a lot of cost cutting.

For instance, there is no longer any Milo for casino patrons. The tea once served with sugar and cream is now without sugar and the coffee with sugar taste like it has been recycled many times over.

Then, let us look at the New Orleans Restaurant in Monte Carlo Casino.

Where in the past, you can have any numbers of refills of soup, salad and coffee, they have now put up signs that forbade any refills. Charges or surcharges are posted on the tables and well as at the place where the soup is ladled and at the salad bar;so if you are caught infringing this new condition, you pay the price-lah.

I think Genting is not being productive to maintain quality but just cheapening itself.

How sad!

Digi: The Long March

2012-01-12T19:23:00.000-08:00

Remembered all the long marches in the world?

Long March and Suffering

Yes, the long march of Mao Tze-tung was one and it brought the country independence.

Or of the concept of 'long suffering' which Christians oftentimes mention in living the life of a Christian with its trials and tribulations.

Going back to Digi, since it went ex-split and opened at RM3.49, the climb has been steady with its usual ups and downs. At the current price, the stock has climbed up by 40 sen.

Currently, it is trading in red ink at RM3.90 after hitting an inter-day high of RM3.95.

As it is Friday, do not expect much up side.

Digi closed down 2 sen to RM3.90.

LPI: A Great Investment Adventure

2012-01-10T22:27:00.000-08:00

A 6 fold return

Based on the 2010 LPI Annual Report,an investor who bought 1000 shares in the company in 1993 and kept it until this day will be in this position at the end of 2010.

Based of the price of the shares and the subsequent bonus and rights issue, that shareholder will be having RM113,875 worth of LPI shares. Add the dividends paid of RM39,750, it means that for the shareholder would have pocketed RM153,625 if he sold all his shareholdings on the last trading day of 2011. The rights issues quantum expended was only RM10,730 thus far. On a 17 year period, the annualised returns worked out to some 27.3% returns.

In 2010, a bonus issue of 1:2 and a rights of 1:10 at RM7.00 were issued and traded. A shareholder with 1000 shares will have to pay RM700 to get 100 shares. With the bonus issue of 500 shares thrown in, it means he will have 1,600 shares.

When the shares traded in September, from RM18.00 it went down to RM11.94 to accommodate the bonus issue. At RM12.00, this shareholder would have RM19,200. It you deduct RM700 from this value, the net benefit for the shareholder will be RM500 in September 2010.

Today at RM14.00, the worth of the shares for that shareholder will work out to RM21,400 (after deducting for the RM700 for the rights value).

An investor who bought into the share at RM18.00 cum rights would have earn RM3,700 as of today. That will work out to almost 20%. Add the special dividends when the shares go ex on 20 January, it will mean a return of 19.2% per annum. This is certainly better compared to the 3% and below fixed deposit regime in the banks today (by 6 folds!)

LPI closed 10 sen down at RM13.98.

Is LPI a great defensive stock or what?

2012-01-10T19:57:00.000-08:00

Solid Defense

On 16 January, BNM has allowed insurance companies to increased the premiums on motor vehicles.

At this juncture, I do not know how much of motor insurance does LPI has in its portfolio. I will certainly be researching on this as it will certainly impact upon the improving profit of LPI.

When Teh Hong Piow started London Pacific Insurance (LPI), not many expect it to move up up the way it did.

In 2010, it gave a bonus of one for every two shares held and a rights issue of RM7.00 for every 10 shares held. At that time, the share was trading at about RM13.00. It exed about RM11.80 and hovered beyond RM12.00 in a short time.

Beginning January 2011, it elevated itself to RM14 and subsequently went south by the middle of January and thereafter slid into the RM12.00-13.00 price range. There was an upsurge to RM14.00 again during the month of July. It then went down once more right up to the RM12.00 price cohort. By October it was in the RM11.00 cohort.

From December is moved up to build a base around the RM13.00 range before the run off to RM14.00 when it touched RM14.10 yesterday(10 January 2012). This represented a 22 sen up from the day before.

Today, it is building a base above RM14.00 until the stock goes ex-50 sen special dividend on 20 January.

Good entry point or what?

LPI is a defensive stock alright. I will trace its dividend record in the next post.

Digi: Sight Setting

2012-01-10T19:35:00.000-08:00

As they say, " the spirit was willing but the flesh is weak."

Targeting beyond RM4.00 on hte cards

That aptly describes the flurry of buying action on Digi when trading started this morning.

The interesting thing to note is they shot the counter price to RM3.99, a heated breath away from the psychological RM4.00 mark. What does this mean? Sight setting.

It you ever underwent military or even para military training, you would know that setting the target from the front-sight and the back-sight on an Armalite in a straight line shoot hit the target with ease even if its 40 yards away.

And so in the case of Digi, it looks like a price assault beyond RM4.00 is on the cards.

Only thing is when.

Right now, Digi has sunk into the bowels of red ink at RM3.89.

RM3.91: A Sen up at the Close

When market closed, there was some last minute buying, bringing the stock to close at one sen up to RM3.91.

Digi's Next Rubicon

2012-01-10T01:53:00.000-08:00

Moving closer to the RM4 level

I think it has been a long time coming.

Except for a brief jump to RM3.95, Digi has been skirting around the RM3.86 level.

The last half hour spurt today that brought it to stick at the RM3.90 is certainly noteworthy.

Will it hit RM4.00 and beyond before Chinese New Year?

Will is go beyond RM3.90?

We have to see that happen,won't we?

Top Glove-Strange but Safe Philosophy

2012-01-09T23:56:00.000-08:00

Number One Globally!

I attended the AGM of Top Glove this morning.

On registration, we had a door gift pack of an organiser bag, 50 pieces of thin gloves and a garden glove.

It was an interesting AGM.

As they say, you get 'educated' after every AGM you attend.

I did get educated this afternoon. Here are some of my learning points.

Interim dividends can be declared without shareholders approval but not final dividends.

Revaluation of property helps to reflect true value of assets but it cost money to do so. The worse thing is after revaluation, the asset value may drop(Remote, I guess).

So, it is Top Glove's policy not to revalue its property. They are more interested in profit and profit expansion year after year.They are interested in long term gains and not short term profits. They are interested in being the number one latex glove producer in the world.

Their current reserves can amply fund special dividends and bonus issues without resorting to asset revaluation.

So, in a sense, Top Glove is an undervalued share.

There was morning tea with light refreshment of mee-hoon,popiah,sandwiches and cookies before the meeting. Top Glove was generous and gave us guava juice and tea/coffee at the side.

For lunch, we were provided with a muhibbah lunch-table style. Food was good. We had clear Chinese soup, fried cuttlefish,chicken in coconut milk,fish fillets,stir-fried mixed vegetables and Japanese tofu. Dessert was a slice of rock melon,a strawberry and a mango pudding.

For drinks, there was a selection of rose syrup,coffee and tea.

This is one counter to watch. It was trading at RM5.00 this morning.

Felda Global Ventures Holdings IPO

2012-01-09T16:46:00.000-08:00

Felda Global Ventures Holdings (FGV) is expected to list by April or May 2012.

IPO-Boon or Bane?

Three foreign and two local merchant bankers are tasked with the job as to the timing of the IPO.

The FGV will involved the leasing of only FELDA-owned land to FGV.

As Koperasi FELDA is the biggest owner of FGV, their rights on the surface seems quite protected.

According to government sources, FELDA cannot hold on only to oil palm and rubber as their chief money earners as high prices cannot be guaranteed all the time

It added it pays for FELDA to look beyond bottom line earnings from just these two commodities and FGV is poised to go beyond this horizon by looking at other potential earning sources.

Digi: The Retailer Selldown

2012-01-05T17:27:00.000-08:00

Retailers' Selldown?

The number of sellers and buyers were not disproportionate. The number of deals done were certainly biased towards the belligerent buyers who brought Digi slowly down by the sen.

Though the market is still riding on a positive note, that Digi could spin down despite yesterday's good closing beckons the RM64,000 question. What gives?

Digi lost a clean 6 sen to RM3.82 at its lowest and it is now trading at the RM3.83-RM3.84 range.

As the morning moves along, will there be an abatement of weak sellers?

The afternoon session was as lacklustre with bargain hunters calling the shots.

Digi lost 2 sen to RM3.86 for the week.

Digi: Is this a Solid Beginning for 2012?

2012-01-04T23:54:00.000-08:00

Two false starts. That is what happened to Digi when trading resumed during the new year. On 3 January, it touched RM3.89 before falling back to RM3.81.

Ibex style

Then yesterday, it went out bungee jumping without a rope after touching a new high of RM3.95. Then is lost its pants to close at RM3.79.

Today, it started more somberly. Every step it took was more sure footed like a mountain ibex. From a good 2 sen start at RM3.81, it is now hovering at the RM3.85 to RM3.86 divide.

By day's end, Digi touched RM3.88 and sat there prim and proper with a 9 sen gain.

Time for Myself

2012-01-04T05:37:00.000-08:00

This year I have set time for myself.

From Monday to Friday, it is time for myself. To do what I want and to fulfil family obligations.

This year, I have to chart a path for my son's tertiary education and to support the growth of my daughter's career.

This year, I intend to do local travel before proceeding beyond the national borders.

This year, I intend to read more of the Bible and through it to know more about myself.

This year, I intend to see more of my parents.

As for Saturdays and Sundays, I devote these two days to teaching the students who are still under my tutelage.

As for the stocks, I must practise patience for good entries and exits.

Easier said than done but I must attempt to ensure there are more hits than misses.

Berjaya Foods: Defreeze?

2012-01-04T03:35:00.000-08:00

A Gathering Storm

In slumber mode for a long time, Berjaya Foods finally reared its head. It started gathering buyers and there was an apparent push to RM1.05.

This is a good start for the new year given the rights issue must be completed by the first quarter of 2012.

To make the rights attractive, Berjaya foods must be sprung to at least RM1.30 to ensure full uptake.

Roasty Flavour profits

I am sure this counter is well controlled by some majority shareholders given the long dull period of inactivity which is so convenient for them to collect the stock.

Frappacino

If the buying trend does not subside, expect action on this counter. Maybe some angpow for you to spend by 20th January?

Is this an uptrend indicator?

Digi: The January Defect?

2012-01-04T03:22:00.000-08:00

When global news turn positive,punters will play up stocks-especially day traders who will square off their position by day's end.

New benchmark at RM3.95

Also, this is driven by the more than anticipated January effect. Fund managers will have been given their war-chest to play into stocks to spin profits for their stakeholders.

And so it seems.

Yesterday, market went down marginally but today, it took off whirl-wind like pushing stocks to high heaven. Look at Genting, massive non-stop punting push the stock to beyond RM11.32. Similarly Digi shot up to no man's land of RM3.95. And then the sellers arrived to profit take all the way down until crimson colour rules these stocks.

Digi finished lower by 2 sen to RM3.79 while Genting was pruned by some 10 sen to RM11.14.

I go up, I go down

The bigger boys also had their gains trimmed such as BAT, Dutch Lady,KLK and Nestle.

Lousy day for trading. What January effect....more like a maddening January defect!

Adventa: Loss Recognition

2012-01-03T03:13:00.000-08:00

Dismal Future?

Despite rising revenue to RM430 million, representing an uptick of 25%,brought about by high shipments and better prices, Adventa experienced a dismal net profit of RM4.2 million in fiscal year ended October 2011. This is an 88% drop from RM35 million earned in the foregoing year.

After writing off exceptional losses of RM9.23mil, the current quarter ended Oct 31 closed with a first time quarterly loss of RM3.66mil, with pre-tax profit standing at RM5.57mil before exceptional losses.

Adventa blamed the losses to a small fire incident at one of the factories. A damaged storage unit took a hit loss of RM2.12mil in fixed assets while goods damaged came up to RM4.61mil.

“While insurance claims are processed, these are written off as a loss. In addition, an investment bond of RM2.50mil which was part of a CLOP arrangement loan five years ago was declared a total loss in October 2011 upon maturity by the trustees and this is written off in this quarter,” it said.

As at fiscal year ended Oct 31, its total borrowings rose to RM189.28mil, compared with RM130.6mil, while cash and cash equivalents dwindled down to RM13.3mil from RM41.5mil recorded previously. Last December, the group issued RM30mil in nominal value Islamic medium-term notes from the Islamic commercial papers/Islamic medium-term notes programme with a give-day tenure.

Moving forward, the group said the erratic dynamism of commodities and currencies created a difficult environment for management control in cost and sales prices.

“To find a sure formula to manage these factors well is a challenging task in view of the commodity and foreign exchange markets reacting very sensitively to news with less valuation based on fundamentals,” it said.

So, it is rough waters for Kelantan-based Adventa until better times come. Otherwise, do not expect magic here!

PPB: The Waikari Chinese Acquisitions

2012-01-02T22:07:00.000-08:00

Waikari Sdn Bhd, a full-fledged subsidiary of Federal Flour has proposed to take a 20% interest in two Chinese-based comapanies namely-Dongguan Yihai and Yihai Zhoukou. Both are local flour millers.

Experience, Infrastructure and Customer Base

Federal Flour is 80% owned by PBB.

Penetrating China Piggyback Style

Why these investments at a lowly 20%?

According to PPB, this is to tap of the vast network of Wilmar in China especially its existing infrastructure and broad customer base. Riding on Wilmar's experience in China, PBB expect to navigate the procedural and legal complexities and vagaries of trading in the various provinces as each apparently are governed by its own set of legal frameworks. Moreover flour consumption per capita is expected to increase in the burgeoning Chinese market. This is also in line with PBB strategy to expand its market share overseas.

The Chinese economy is also expected to be resilient despite the government easing of an overheated property market through interest administration.

Given the bright scenario and the realistic market penetrating strategy via taking minority equities in these local flour milling outfits, PPB expects it to offset for lower Wilmar dividends and to contribute to its bottom line, by and by.

International Bottom line Considerations

So, have a hard look at PPB and buy on weakness.

Go Go Genting!

2012-01-02T19:25:00.000-08:00

"Go Go Genting!'. That is the sign on the sides of their buses.

Good start for 2012

I believe this must be a good year for the group sans the not too rosy reports from equity account associate Genting Manila.

Genting Singapore should continue to provide the lion share of profits with some from Genting New York. As for UK, just getting marginal profits should see the group through.

Genting Malaysia back home as well as the plantation arm should be stable earners.

With that, it is no wonder that the stock was punted up to RM11.20 at this morning session on heavy buying well beyond 34,000 million shares.

With the Dragon Year in waiting, Genting should go, go, go again.........up and up again.

Control and Command Freaks!

2012-01-01T20:49:00.000-08:00

My DUMC senior pastor started the new year sermon by conducting an experiment on the congregation.

He distributed a rubber band to all of us.

The rubber band should be placed on your left wrist. If you have a complaint in your heart or have verbalized it, then you would have to shift it to the right wrist.

Any redemption at the end of the day will allow the rubber band to get back onto the left wrist.

I doubt many mortal can really pass this test. Not if done with absolute sincerely, and it will not be sustainable.

My reasoning?

It is not how good we are but how we are build emotionally.

Stoic, we are not. No Man of La Manca are we!

The basic reason is a majority of us are control freaks save for a good minority of victims!

Dealing with a control freak can take a lot out of you. The way they command attention and make demands makes it almost impossible for you to reject them except at your behest which could range from foul words to other forms of embarrassing anti-social behaviors.

They take over your will and you are rendered virtually opinionless much less a brain to work with. Soon, you've become the control freak's life-long zombie serf!

So, how does one stop this ?

Unless they are optimally incommunicado on the gray matter level, reasoning is the best way. Doesn’t work with me because the person is a freaked out savage where slave driving is the norm. There is just no private time or private space. You are at the beck and call of King Ramses or a devilish Jezebel! You are fully stressed out by the end of the day!

Most controlling personalities have a fear of rejection or failure. They do not know how to lose. So they become belligerent. They should be shown the psycho analyst couch pronto!

Dividend for you this 2012

2012-01-01T19:59:00.000-08:00

Schroders predicts that 2012 will be dividend play in Asia.

Asian Dividend Performer in 2012

Why?

Returns of investments in Asian stocks have yielded 66% return on the long run for them.

Moreover both global and domestic factors will be underpinning this strategy.

As long as the Eurozone sovereign debt issue remains prickly, the forerunner of global dividend payout will no longer be Europe but gravitate towards Asian stocks.

Despite the romance with capitalisation gains, traditionally dividends has been the bedrock of long term returns globally as it reflects the actual dynamics of the economics of the day.

Schroders research has shown high dividend yielding stock has outperformed he market for the last 20 years!

The opportunity cost for entry now is low and payout should be good for yet many years to come.

So, I am going with Schroders' this year!

Look out particularly for CIMB,Maxis,Digi,GAB,BAT,Sime,MBB and other high yielding stocks in 2012 if you are playing Bursa KL.

Revel at the Urban English Carvery

2012-01-01T17:50:00.000-08:00

Yes, at Hotel Istana, you can revel at a choice of lamb,beef and chicken roasted and be served in thin servings as your heart would desire.

The lamb was heavenly though the beef tasted ordinary. The chicken was just not up to par.

The soup was potato and leak and it was salty.

Some of the bread selections especially the garlic bread, pizza and a few pieces of crusty bread chips was great, to say the least.

The smoked salmon was noteworthy with its side dips of mustard and wasabi.

Some may like the fettucinni but I felt it was too spicy to my liking. Made in Malaysia?

There was a good choice of potatoes and I like the red Japanese ones best.

The dessert is really good especially the caramel and cheese cake.

To spice up the meal, we topped it with a maitai and a grenadine cocktail. The maitai was a little stiff but the grenadine was great!

There should have been fruits. That was sorely lacking!

All in all, the last restaurant meal we had for 2011!

Happy New Year 2012!

2012-01-01T00:04:00.000-08:00

We reflect;we remember.

We regret;we resolve.

The new year is in, out went the old one.

Have one great year ahead, wont' you?

Here are some shots of the fire display in some major cities of the world.

Big Ben's fury

British Blowup

Manila Mabuhay!

German Glimmer

Moscow Marvel

Singapore Sky Shower

Sydney Sparkle

Surreal Sydney

Vienna Va va voom!

Bursa KL: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

2011-12-30T21:53:00.000-08:00

Star Performer

Well, today is an opportune time to review how your stocks did in 2011 now that trading will only resume on 3 January 2012.

Dividend Star

For me, I have my share of winning and losing. On hindsight, we are all 2020.

Bountiful Harvest

There were times when we were suckered in by irresponsible regulatory bodies,analysts and industrial banks. There should be a law to punish these irresponsible people and investment banks!

Commodity King

Then there were the circumstances-really extreme in 2011.

Digital Leader

Wall Street jitters, the horrendous Eurozone sovereign debt issue led by the sick Greeks and the debilitating effects of the constant property meltdown possibility in China. Remember also the tsunami and nuclear meltdown in Japan. These all added to the vagaries of dabbling in equities in 2011.

Fast Food Champion

So, what are in my list of the good, the bad and the ugly? What are the regrettable and poor decision making fumbles?

Megamall Master Builder

The shining stars are definitely GAB; Krisassets and TWS which went beyond 100% capital appreciation. This was followed by Digi.Com,BAT, Berjaya Assets, KLK,IGB,Kencana and KFC which brought more than satisfactory capaitalisation gains.

Time Square Operator

O and G Monolith

Megamall Super Administrator

On the other side, the greatest screw-ups include UOA Development,Metronic Global,EIG,Maybulk, Adventa,Ramunia,Hai-O,KHSB,KPS,MNRB and Time Engineering Berhad.

I bought Ramunia based on bad analysts’ reports, Metronic-based on a smart alec statistician’s appraisal but should have left when it ran into bad debts.

PN 17 Red Herring

As for Time Engineering, I did not know why just selling TdC shares to shareholders would lead to its share price downgrade. Something lost in translation?

Lost in Translation

MNRB went down in spite of giving a good dividend? Why, oh, why?

Loss of Agencies?

EIG was an unattractive share that the market kept away with a 10 meter pole given its change in ownership when the ‘beauty people’ left.

Biting the Bullet

Hai-O went down because it followed the government’s ruling to tighten up its direct selling member-get-member structure.

Potential Winner?

Maybulk going south is generally attributed to poor demand for shipping while Adventa's sharp fall was because of the increasing price of rubber.

Die hard?

As for KPS and KHSB, it is because of the water amalgamation mess in Selangor and the court cases.

Foggy Perspective

Hopeful Candidate?

Finally, UOA development, blame it on the Securities Commission and the analysts. They were too laid back in their valuation for the IPO and were faulty in their advice as well. Minority shareholders were all made lambs for the slaughter. No ethics!

Bad Debts

Low Ebb

Institutional Irresponsibility

So, how did your investments went?

Fantabulous Shots

2011-12-29T20:07:00.000-08:00

Yes, these surely are.

Enjoy!

Banpo Bridge Korea

Belgium-Netherlands Cafe Boundary line

Rich Man,Poor Man-Favelas-Brazil

Bruno Catalona Sculpture Creations

Cappadocia Balloons

Crescent Moon Tower

Danxia landform China

Emerald Lake New Zealand

Lena Pillars Russia

Night and Day Sower-Lithuania Monument

Maldives Airport

On Bended Knees Gryfino Poland

Yucatan rayfish migration from Florida

The Density Waveline Breaker in Baltic Denmark

Digi:Just to Touch..........

2011-12-29T19:32:00.000-08:00

It must have been some sort of de javu for Digi shareholders when Digi touched its highest historical price peak of RM3.88 momentarily this morning.

Riding beyond RM3.88 in 2012?

It is definitely consoling when it managed to breached the RM3.80 price obstacle.

That it has been firm in maintaining above this price continues to be re-assuring as the day moved on.

After trading in a tight range of RM3.85 and RM3.86,Digi finished 10 sen up for the year-end at RM3.88. So, it ended highest for the year. Good omen for the Year of the Dragon!

Finishing up 10 sen for 2011

It has been a good two months since Digi went ex-split. If you have entered at RM32.00 cum split, you would have made a tidy sum of RM6,800 by year end.

Happy New Year 2012.

A Most Forgetful Penang Holiday

2011-12-28T01:55:00.000-08:00

Looking back over the years, there were some episodes of food poisoning courtesy of Penang's street food.

As good as you can get

This time around, the holiday was most forgetful.

The reasons, you may ask.

Quality deficiency

Firstly, I never did eat a real good plate of char keow tiau. Quality has really gone down the chute.

Quite good still

The same goes for my other favourites except for the famous Ayer Hitam laksa which is still very good.

Losing taste

Curry mee and or chien were so-so and the lobak was below standard.

Okay

The keow chiap at Jelutong market was okay.

Tolerable mee rebus

Worse thing, I got food poisoning on the way home to Petaling Jaya.

Palatable

What a nerve wracking episode...

Below par

Digi:Two Difficult Rubicons

2011-12-28T01:14:00.000-08:00

If you follow the price trend of Digi shares, you will notice this.

Boxed Pattern

It really had a tough time moving from RM3.60 to RM3.70. Now it is again at the threshold of another barrier-the second Rubicon to cross-the RM3.80 barrier.

Today, it can be seen that there is a deluge of sellers at RM3.79. Fortunately, buyers sprung out at RM3.78 to support Digi's price.

There is just two whole trading days left before we enter the Year of the Dragon.

Today, it closed at RM3.79 for a one sen gain.

Will Digi pass the RM3.80 threshold in this given time?

First Malaysian in a Same Sex Marriage

2011-12-20T07:42:00.000-08:00

For ultra-conservative Muslim Malaysia who will say a no-no to same sex marriage, this one takes the cherry.

A medical student,Ariff Alfian Rosli has just married his male friend, Jonathan in Dublin.

I think the Malay Muslim community is most concerned. This is the first for this ethnic group and from Malaysia as well.

Here are the photos of the wedding.

Exchanging rings

A Kiss on the lips

Rejoice!

Digi-Grooming for Growth

2011-12-19T08:48:00.000-08:00

Quest for lower spectrum bands

Digi would like to have more spectrum in the lower bands especially in the 800Mhz and 900Mhz as it deemed it necessary to provide 'better user experience' for its customers.

According to DiGi CEO Henrik Clausen, the company which has allocated RM800mil in capital expenditure for 2012 was assigned a block of the 2.6G spectrum

He added that though Digi have spectrum,they would like to add more to provide enough capacity. The 2.6G
spectrum would be good for high speed connections but lower range spectrum is also necessary.

As Digi is expanding its network, they would like adequate amount of spectrum in the right bands,so says Clausen.

For the 2.6G, DiGi has been allocated 2x10Mhz (or 20Mhz) of spectrum which can be used by Jan 1, 2013 provided its business plan was approved by the industry regulator.

This is not the first time the company is asking for more spectrum but Clausen said it was a “very cost effective way to provide broader coverage indoor and for 3G.”

The company is on a three-year transformation journey which started last year to modernise its network to cater for more capacity and coverage.

The transformation is necessary as it is moving from a basic voice celco to one that offers Internet. Data will be the next growth driver for DiGi and other celcos and while speed and capacity is crucial, providing the “customer experience” would differentiate one service provider from the other.

Clausen said the planning for the network began last year and the equipment swapping began this year and would be completed by end of 2012.

“By end 2012, we would have swapped 5,000 sites with new equipment and that in itself will give users a better experience when they use their devices to access Internet,” he said.

He elaborated that by then its 3G coverage would have increased to 70% from 52% from the current level.

“Customer expectation is increasing by the day. Unless we embark on the transformation we cannot become the best. We want to provide Internet to all and we have to transform the company and make radical changes to our network, product and process so that we can give the consumers what they want," he said.

He intimated that the big change to its network would happen next year but the full impact of the transformation could be in 2013, he said.

On the capex, Clausen said the company had previously allocated RM650mil for this year but has only spend RM550mil and the additional RM100mil amount would flow into next year, hence the higher allocation for 2012.

The capex is self-funded as the company has accumulated RM1.7bil in operating free cash flow as at third quarter of financial year 2011. It posted a net profit of RM860mil for the first nine months of current financial year.

Digi's share price was last traded at RM3.70.

Taking YTL Cement Private

2011-12-19T03:16:00.000-08:00

Beginning to be a bird of prey

I wonder whether the reason given by YTL Corp to take YTL Cement private via a share swap can hold water.

Just read the reasons given:

Firstly, relatively low trading activity of the YTL Cement counter.

Secondly, a new platform for YTL Cement shareholders to maximise investment value through YTL Corp shares through improved liquidity.

So what is the modus operandi?

YTL Corp acquires all equity interest in YTL Cement including all outstanding irredeemable convertible unsecured loan stocks.

In return-YTL Corp shares to be issued to YTL Cement holders at RM1.42 sen each.

To motivate YTL Cement shareholders, YTL Corp went up 8 sen today to RM1.54.

I would expect YTL Corp shares to be priced beyond RM1.57 sen for the swap offer to be convincing.

Less one on the Bursar?

The current price is about the price when YTL Corp went ex-split to 5 shares of 10 sen each for every 50 sen shares held about a couple of months back.

So, with that, YTL Cement will be the first YTL counter to be taken private.

So, what about YTL Power? Will that be next?

Bungling on the Line

2011-12-18T16:27:00.000-08:00

On the Jinx

Will the CEO of Singapore's Mass Rapid Transit (SMRT) step down or be bodily removed from the position?

If angry commuters are any indication, she will certainly have been put to pasture.

Imagine 3 major disruptions in 4 days!

The CEO, Saw Phaik Hwa, was from the famous Bukit Nenas Convent in Kuala Lumpur, currently mired in political controversy. A graduate of the National University of Singapore, Saw first cut her teeth in retail and marketing. She then went on to helm DFS Venture Singapore as regional president in charge of Malaysia and Indonesia before being pole-vaulted to the driver's seat in SMRT.

Singapore's image now is in tatters as far as mass rapid transport is concerned and one likely reason is the archaic "command and control" mentality that still lurks in the subconscious of Singapore's administrators who have started to exhibit their weaknesses where decentralisation and empowerment best served such as when the MRT breaks down.

Singapore-you can now join the mediocre club across the Causeway where delays, maladministration and command and control is the order of the day!

Change or be changed!

Last Tuition Session in 2011

2011-12-16T21:56:00.000-08:00

Today is my last tuition session for the year.

So, it will be a time of belated rest until 2012 dawns upon us all.

English is the lingua franca and this generation of Malaysians are in dire need of a good command of English not only for education purposes but also for better job opportunities to help climb the corporate ladder. The Ministry of Education's wanton flip-flopping on the use of English for Science and Mathematics and the ultra re-emphasis on BM has slowly seeped away the legendary command of English amongst Malaysian. The everyday student and job-seeker's need for good English Skills in oral and written English in academia and in business is most urgent.

Acquisition of English is key!

Go to any government department today and these operatives are ill at ease to hold even a decent conversation in English.

Case in point-I got a call from a tele-marketeer for a foreign bank yesterday intending to sell personal loans to me. He is a Chinese chap, mind you and could not carry the conversation in English beyond three short sentences verbally. It must have been to his bitter shame that he just disconnected.

Know English well and you would impress. Have personality and poise as well and you will win hands down!

So, anyone who wants to learn English can contact me at this blog.

I do one-on-one teaching and the fee is oh-so-competitive and ultra reasonable!

The Unifi Experience

2011-12-15T07:13:00.000-08:00

I got Unifi fixed in my house.

Happy with Unifi

The contractors came about 9.30 am and only finished the work at 1.30 pm.

There was not much really to be done.

Connecting from their source box outside on the telephone pole, an optic fiber line was attached along my external wall . Then a hole was drilled to allow the wire to come in.

We had the set-top box, router and DECT phone placed on a mantlepiece.

First experience with Unifi-As far as internet browsing and downloading is is really superb.

Have to get used to my phone and the old phone number has been changed.

As for the IPTV, for a month, I can watch 48 channels but after that only 14 comes free. Pay per view on a selected channel is RM3 per month

It was crystal clear sharp though at one moment or two while watching Chicken Run, it freezed.

Need to provide this feedback to Unify Center.

Otherwise, my first impression-Unify is great and a tad cheaper.

Assault on Fortress Digi

2011-12-14T23:19:00.000-08:00

Today should rightly be called the assault on fortress Digi.

Desperate Sellers from Eurozone?

The number of sellers were in 1000s and they have managed to paint Digi red from the very start of trading today.

The counter touched RM3.60 and is currently trading at RM3.61-RM3.62 with 15,500 lots on offer.

What gives?

It is a definite sell-off; either from wounded Eurozone investors or government funds liquidation?

Will there be white knights riding in for the rescue on the horizon as the afternoon comes to a close?

Well, nnone appeared and Digi fell 4 sen to RM3.62.

Tomorrow is Friday and Wall Street is crying.

Will Digi fare better tomorrow?

Johor Corp's Last Card

2011-12-14T03:59:00.000-08:00

Talk about a bailout this year in July and Johor Corp will relived the nightmare of the impending debt that they had to pay with a bond issue.

Near Desperate Plan

Johor Corp had swallowed more than they could digest of corporate and bank loans in expansion plans and fire sale of industrial estate and land would not do for it in the long run. Biting the bullet can be really painful.

And so, they do the obvious. As expected, they used Kulim to take QSR Brands and KFC private so that they can access the dividend horde in one fell swoop.

Mother Lode

So, the Bursar was informed today of their intention officially.

The offer: QSR shares at RM6.80 a piece and KFC shares at RM4.00

Dividend Horde

And so we say good-bye to another 2 quality counters.

Sin,Sin and Win!

2011-12-14T01:56:00.000-08:00

Look at the winners on Bursa KL today and you will see winners from two sin industry.

Let us first look at the cigarette industry largely represented by BAT and JTInternational.

Ever since Budget 2012 decided to let off these cigarette companies from new taxes, their share prices have been moving upwards ever impressively.

Sinful Leisure

After climbing to a new high of RM48.70, BAT shares again created history by closing at RM48.98, a 2 sen whisker from RM49.00.

As for JT International, it is trailing at RM7.05, up 13 sen

Going for RM50 in no time......

Now let us look at the other sin traders- GAB and Carlsberg Breweries.

The Mighty Stout

Both took pole positions today. GAB did not let up or disappoint minority shareholders, upping another 20 sen to RM13.18 while Carlsberg added 37 sen to RM8.83 today after moving up in a flurry yesterday.

Danish Brew

Seems like there will be more merriment in the air as yuletide approaches this year.

BAT in the Belfry

2011-12-13T03:23:00.000-08:00

Heard the expression, "Bee in your bonnet"?

How about 'Bats in the belfry?

If you have a bee in your bonnet, it just means that you have ideas brewing in your head.

So what about having bats in the belfry?

Bats are, of course, the nocturnal erratically flying mammals and 'belfries' are bell towers. So, a person with bats in their belfries are literally mad-cuckoo and acts like one.

So, back to the subject at hand.

BAT flew today upping to a historic price of RM48.70. This is one large price rise.

Does anyone know the reason for this blinding flight?

Does anyone has a bee in their bonnet to help explain the flight of this bumble bat?

It will cost you RM48.700 minus charges to fly into such a price range. So are there strange crazy investors flying like bats in the belfries of Bursa KL? Mad Institutional buyers and insane foreign investors?

Or is something really happening in BAT? Share subdivision such as the one done by Digi.com or another hefty special dividends to cheer about like in GAB?

Lat us watch this counter closely like those chaps at Gotham City.

Bye-bye Exams!

2011-12-13T01:54:00.000-08:00

Today was the penultimate day of my son's STPM examination.

Anxiety and Fear of Failure

After a two-hour exam involving objective type questions on general affairs (of some sort of Malaysian public policies and civics), student life just ended there for him...hopefully.

The Night Before:Burnt Out

The trials and tribulations of the legacy of the British school system has finally seen its death knell. No more sudden death type of results, for sure.

Beginning next year, Form Six examinations will be semester-based and I do hope less stressful for students.

For those who were the Last of the Mohicans, I wish them well!

Bye-bye Birdie!

Lindsay Lohan: Not So Exposed

2011-12-13T01:43:00.000-08:00

Lohan as Marilyn

If you think you will get a stark naked Lindsay Lohan in the latest Playboy Magazine, think twice.

I think it was really tastefully done, ala Marilyn Monroe.

From the early days of child actress in Parent Trap to the hijink days of her fall from social grace, Lindsay Lohan has created her fair share of waves, no matter how notorious.

No Over Exposure

We just wish her many happiness as she mellows up.

Air Asia-In the Eye of Confusion and Exasperation

2011-12-13T01:30:00.000-08:00

Things don’t seem to go well with Air Asia these days.

First there was the spat with Proton on the use of the Lotus name in racing.

Then third quarter of this year’s earnings fell 53 per cent to RM152.3 million ringgit due to higher fuel prices and staff costs.

This was followed by a twitter spat between Tony and the MAB over the cost overrun of the new LCCT complex, closely followed by remonstrations and demonstrations over increased airport tax.

To make matters rise a few octaves higher, Tony said he might be leaving Air Asia soon. This clanger caused a sell-down on Air Asia shares.

Now, it has announced the postponement of the listing of its Indonesian unit due to global economic woes.

But, hey! What do you know?

Tony has just affirmed that both listing ( as well as in Thailand) are as planned en route to listing as early as first quarter of 2012.

Air Asia shares fell again by another 6 sen to RM3.71.

So what is the real story, Tony?

Too much football and F1s?

GAB: It has been One Great Year!

2011-12-12T22:36:00.000-08:00

For the minority shareholders of GAB, every year has been a good year of cheers.

Not only is GAB bringing in great results, they have been generous with their door gifts at every AGM with beer and stout overflowing at the end of the meeting.

But that is not all; they have been giving good dividends as well.

Like this year, after having paid a single tier final year dividend ending 30 June 2011 of 44 sen, they surprised everyone by giving a bumper! A special dividend of another 60 sen for every 50 sen share held. Wow!!

And GAB’s price has also been good. Except for the months of September and October when weak holders sold down GAB’s price below RM10.00, the month of December has certainly brought out loud guffaws as GAB’s price sailed beyond RM13.00 on this day,13 December 2011.

If you have bought GAB at RM10.00, you would have netted a profit of RM3.00 gross per share.

Anyone for an Anchor, Guinness or even an Anglia?

Also Perfect Finish

PS: GAB closed at RM12.98 for a 70 sen gain.

Unmanageable Stress

2011-12-10T21:29:00.000-08:00

I think these days, urban folks are definitely impatient with 'rotten eggs' in the organisation or even equipment that they feel are ' uncooperative'. So when men and machine are fused together, stress that it unimaginable can occur!

These three videos are seriously laughable!

Rapid No More

2011-12-10T21:23:00.000-08:00

Rapid KL is the poor government excuse for public transportation in the Klang Valley!.

Not is it overloading most of the time; it has taken a bunch of drivers that really talk their heads off on CB radio without consideration of the paying passenger.

I think the government must do something about all these delinquents.

Yesterday evening, I waited for Godot for Bus No. 99 to Kota Damansara. It never came after more than an hour of nail-biting impatience.

I think these RapidKL buses are absolutely inefficient. After all what do you expect from the gomen!

So, I had to cough out RM35 for a premier taxi driven by a near drunkard!

A Cannibalistic Polar

2011-12-10T21:10:00.000-08:00

Shocking!

This is one morbid picture of cannibalism among the polar bears.

Times must be hard..........

Bangkok Floods and Ingenuity

2011-12-08T22:59:00.000-08:00

What a flood and what ingenuity the Bangkok folks showed the world.

In spite of the dire situation, it was also a time for revelry and laughs.

Look at these pictures and you will understand.

Gold Coast, Bangkok?

An Imelda Wannabe?

Green Galleys

Hawaiian Wedding Call

Wet Games

Jimmy Choo?

Pig in Boots

Mermaid Love Call

Gossip Girl Serena

Napkin Towel?

Fashion footwear

Lost Tourist?

Wanton Wallops and Favourable Upticks

2011-12-08T21:33:00.000-08:00

If you pursue equities, this is one trying time. Wall Street got a kick in the butt, European markets are down on their knees and the East is Red.

Red Tide Bursa KL

Bursa KL succumbed by close to 15 points and most of the counters have turned into crimson tides.

KLK led the pack southwards when they displayed their latest but dismal output of rubber and oil palm outputs. The counter sunk 70 sen to RM22.30, followed by Nestle, BAT, Petronas Dagang and Genting.

If KLK is the market mover for palm oil and rubber, expect other likewise counters to turn in similar type results. Time to buy?

Digi lost a sen to RM3.61 after going below RM3.60 at one point.

Air Asia went down 11 sen to RM3.66 after Tony's perceived wrong signals of leaving the low-cost airline.

However, the red tide did turn favourably for some counters.

Digi bucked the trend to close up 7 sen at RM3.69 while GAB tacked on 18 sen for a second all-time high of RM12.00 after touching RM12.04.

Digi: Bucking the trend to add 9 sen to RM3.69

Anyway, have a good weekend.

Digi: Balancing Act

2011-12-06T18:00:00.000-08:00

Levelling off

I think today will be an easy day for Digi.

There is no rush to sell nor to buy.

Bearing no unforseen development, we can expect an ambivalent trading day today.

If things are good, then Digi should go back to RM 3.70

As of now it is at at RM3.63 down by another 3 sen.

Will it rebound?

Digi: Early Red Tide?

2011-12-05T17:13:00.000-08:00

Losing traction

It sure appears that tired holders may rule the roost this morning.

So small wonder that the counter opened 3 pips down. It is now trading at RM3.66 for another 4 sen dip.

It looks like today may be a buying opportunity as it lacks traction.

If it slumps further without any redress, then we should wait for the next support level if and when it breaks RM3.60.

As expected, Digi remained at RM3.66 at hte close after dipping briefly to RM3.62 for a while.

Let us see whether tomorrow can see an upward demand for this share.

Digi:A Possible Pullback for Another Entry Opportunity

2011-12-04T19:18:00.000-08:00

New entrants?

Well, it appears that the start of the week did not bode well for Digi as sellers came out in droves to profit take.

Except for a short reprieve in the opening minutes where it went green, most of the first two trading hours saw Digi in scarlet. It hit RM3.66 and it now see-sawing about the RM3.70 level. As expected, it close at RM3.70 for a 3 sen loss.

Giving up 3 sen to RM3.70

As much as there are sellers, there are constantly, buyers at the side waiting to gain entry.

AS I see it, any point on the price curve between RM3.48 to RM3.60 is entry.

The lower, the better.

The 2011 UMNO AGM-Bashing time again!

2011-12-02T23:13:00.000-08:00

After a 18 month's postponement, UMNO finally had its AGM.

Dramatics?

The most important thing is: has it accomplished anything by this postponement?

In spite of its President's caution not to go bashing against the other communities, every one from the DPM went out on a field day.

The victims were, as usual, PAS and PKR.

This year, they had DAP in its cross-hairs, blaming it also as a purveyor of Christianity.

Bashing down PAS and PKR as 'a walk in the park', the perwakilan zeroed in like kamikaze pilots on DAP. Maybe they are right, maybe they are wrong as anything is possible as you focused on common perceived external enemies

What I can read between the lines is a quiet desperation-even a red herring because PAS and PKR will hit the heartland of the Malays especially in Felda stations and they can be potent as can be seen from the drubbing they gave UMNO at the 2008 General elections. It pays for UMNO to continue to look out for PAS as PKR is just trying to put its act in order and time may not be on its side. PAS,however, remains solid.

As for the DAP, I guess there is nothing much that can be done as Gerakan, MCA,MIC and the parties in Sabah and Sarawak are just no match because they are just too weak!

Remember the Greek gods of Mount Olympus versus the titans! They will bury the titans.

Not letting go....never

The Cowgate fallout will be sheer fodder this time around until the elections are held. Even Super Bung Mokhtar from Kinabatangan will not let go of Sharizat, so it seems.......

Digi and the Small Time Investor

2011-12-02T21:10:00.000-08:00

Investment grade

In life, no pain, no gain. That is one saying for risk taking.

Then in love-there is faint heart don't win fair lady.

How about one from the obverse? Fools rush in where angels fear to thread?

Whatever it is, there will always be risk takers, punters and investors.

Some are there for the action, others for the thrill;some for short term gains and others for the long term haul.

Every trading day, deals are done with some cashing in the money, some losing and the remisiers and investment banks taking their fair share from both buyers and sellers.

So, did you pun in on Digi after the announcment of the share split or after it split?

Let us assume a small investor buys a 100 shares of Digi at RM31.60, way after the the announcement and after weak sellers have dunked Digi for easy cash. The lowest it went was to RM31.00 and on good market days it rose from RM32 right up to RM34.96.

It then went ex on 21 September, topping at RM3.88 and after a period of indigestability brought about by a huge deluge of shares, settled from RM3.48 to RM3.60. It is now at RM3.73.

Let us calculate what is the reward for risk taking on a blue-chip counter like Digi which is 49% held steadfastly by Telenor of Norway, ever ready to buy some more when Bank Negara indicates the date line for more substantive holding for foreigners soon.

For a quick count, a minority shareholder will pay RM3,160 for the purchase. This will work out to RM3.16 on an ex basis.

Given the last traded price of RM3.73, the buyer would have gained RM570.00 gross. This will amount to a 18 % gain for a short period of 10 weeks.

Tracking Digi

2011-12-02T20:02:00.000-08:00

Looking forward to RM5.00?

Digi announced that it proposed a share-split of 10 shares for every one unit of 10 sen share held. This effectively makes it the first share with a 1 sen par. So those who fear purchasing UOA Development shares with a par value of 5 sen can rest assured that there is Digi way down there at the minimalist par possible.

Digi shares last traded at RM31.12 before the announcement on the first week of September 2011. On resumption of trading on September 8, it opened for a 7.5 price uptick to RM33.50, an increase of RM2.38.

On 21 November, Digi went ex-split and opened beyond RM3.50.

It has gone through a tug of war price movement after moving up to a historic high of RM3.88.

For the last fortnight, it has moved to RM3.72 after having wobbly feet below RM3.50.

Weak holders, opportunistic day sellers and the broody global markets have paused its potential advance.

It is now at RM3.73, a broad whisker away from the historic height.

Some analysts are giving this counter an open season, putting a top price of Digi beyond RM5.00

When do you think it will touch or breach this illusionary or even elusive price?

But then anything is possible with a counter like Digi, don't you think?

Gossip Girl:Cheeky Dialogue Cheeky Girls

2011-12-02T19:38:00.000-08:00

Talk about an engaging series for teeny-boppers and Gossip Girl comes to mind.

Angst, Rebound and Seduction

The cheeky dialogue and the more than cheeky girls certainly attracts a large following that it has been dubbed in other languages too.

Watch the series for the twists and turns at every episode as the conniving Blaire and the confused Serena takes on uptown Manhattan of old money.

The children of the fat cats do live a fictional life of fantasy.

Strange bedfellows

XOXO. Gossip Girl

Digi: Hopes and Aspirations

2011-12-02T18:26:00.000-08:00

Digi-A worthy investor stock?

The analysts have painted quite a good picture of Digi. Look at their predictions and also observe how Digi continues to outperform market expectations.

Fair Recommendation and Rating

Outperformer

The stock is trading 13 sen away from its historical high of RM3.88.

Some analyst are giving Digi a top price potential above RM5.00.

So what do you think?

Nia Ramadhani-Indonesian Gem

2011-12-02T04:16:00.000-08:00

Well, this charming lass of an Indonesian actress is very popular in the republic.

Here are some of her photographs.

Blaire Waldorf or Leighton Meester?

2011-12-01T20:53:00.000-08:00

Well, this actress has shown the darker side of dramatic roles to play.

Though unimpressive and broody in the film, The Room-mate, Leighton Meester will surely take your attention in Gossip Girl, playing the role of bad girl Blaire Waldorf, the spoilt brast of old money in uptown New York.

Along with the fabulous Blake Lively, they are now in hte Fifth season of Gossip Girl.

To add spice to her, there is an apparent nude video of her in some sex-play. That needs affirmation.

Here are some great shots of this femme fatale!

Malaysian Politics

2011-12-01T19:24:00.000-08:00

Might is Right, always!

How apt!

A Cartoon That Hits Home

2011-12-01T18:19:00.000-08:00

Yes, we hear them all the time. Yet they are deep in this sinful business.

Reminds you of.........

So, this cartoon aptly tells a million words.

Digi: Building Price Shoulders?

2011-12-01T18:10:00.000-08:00

Traction Building

Well, there is just no strength today as the market appears lackluster.

Digi started a tad or two better and it is floating at just that level at about the RM3.62-RM3.63 price axis.

I think in a way it is building price shoulders so that there will be traction.

I do not expect it to breach RM3.70 anytime as there appears to be a surfeit of willing weak sellers or quick profit takers.


Taking on 5 sen at noon

At one time, bargain hunters crashed the price below overnight closing price but more persistent-minded buyers came out just before the bell to shore prices up by 5 sen to RM3.65.

Though the market wobbled on its legs at closing time, Digi managed to moved up to RM3.73; up 13 sen after a day of tug of war between bargain hunters, weak sellers and opportunists looking for entry.

Finally breaching RM3.70 barrier

Digi: Nibblers Abound

2011-11-30T17:58:00.000-08:00

Looking for a new support price

Prices started off this morning by tacking on 6 sen to RM3.60. It is now sitting on the RM3.66-RM3.67 price axis.

Market is good today with the composite going beyond 20 points.

Scouring the price volume axis, there seems to be only small retail buyers. No big hits.

Let us keep our fingers crossed that this is the new support level.

Afternoon trading was comandeered by bargain hunters which brought down Digi to close at RM3.60 for the day.

Anyway, RM3.60 is one good support level before the counter can move up more convincingly.

The toast of Gossip Girl

2011-11-30T08:06:00.000-08:00

Jovial

Spontaneity

Sexy

Allure

Come Hither look

Mystifying

As Serena

Charming

If you follow Gossip Girl on tv,you would notice that Blake Lively is the heroine of the series.

As Serena, she pulls together all the subplots; episode after episode.

Ever vivacious and vibrant, she and Leighton Meester (as the scheming Blaire Waldorf) holds the series together.

I think Gossip Girl fills the vacuum after Sex and the City went off the air.

Here are some pictures of this lovely and magnetic lass.

Appreciate.


Vivacious


Adorable

Diana-the last and gory sight of a failed Princess

2011-11-29T18:26:00.000-08:00

I think they have just declassified this photo.

This is an after death photo of Princess Diana in the mangled Mercedes.

Sudden Departure

Another Great find of an actress

2011-11-29T18:18:00.000-08:00

Mysterious

Alluring Find

Looks like Gossip Girl has unearthed yet another exciting new starlet in Taylor Momsen.

She looks great and has appeared bitchily naughty. Let us watch this teen grow as she is still only 18 years of age.

How far will she go?

Lovely Lass

New Cutie Pie


Bad Hair Day?

At 16

Pensive

Digi- Ready for a Rebound?

2011-11-29T17:58:00.000-08:00

Any chance of a Rebound?

Digi looks okay this morning. With a minimal 3 ticks up the composite, this counter has recovered the loss it took yesterday plus a sen extra to its bosom.

The trend is upwards though a cap is beginning to form at the RM3.55 level.

Though there appears to be more sellers, buyers are still standing firm at RM3.54 sen.

Has Digi found its support trough?

If the afternoon trading performance is the barometer,then selling has as yet not abated.

Digi closed up four sen to RM3.52.

So, let us look to Thursday whether pixie dust will fell on Digi to make it rise.

Migrant Workers in Malaysia

2011-11-29T02:02:00.000-08:00

We must admit it.

Malaysia will never be the same.

A Bangladeshi worker

We did not have this phenomenon before and then the government liberalised foreign workers.

Filipino maids

So, they came,first as maids.

We started sourcing maids at first from the Philippines. Not much of a problem. Generally well-trained and well-behaved. Getting expensive, though.

Indonesian workers

Then came the Indonesian maids. Not all bad though some did give them a bad name, running away from employers and bringing in the notorious 'thrown away babe' phenomenon. Also getting expensive.

Cambodian maids

Then we went to Cambodia to source maids. 'Not very good' were the general comments from ex-employers. I do not know whether these comments are fair.

Nepalese Guards

I do not know about Indian and Sri Lankan maids, though I have heard they have also come to Malaysian shores.

As for male migrant workers, we have our neighbouring Indonesians here, both legal and illegal. Hard-working and quick to learn, they had their social problems- fights and crimes.

Then came the handsome Bangladeshi boys; making our Muslim girls to swoon and many affairs and marriages may have occured, much to the chagrin or behest of Muslim parents.

Next, we have the Vietnamese-blending very well into the Malaysian demographics. The Myanmarese came next. They are seen in almost any coffee-shop in the Klang Valley. Go to any timsum shop and they are the new chefs!

I have been told that there are something like 4 million migrant workers in Malaysia-both legal and legal.

So, what next? Would they be a permanent feature?

Well, the changing scenario will see less Indonesian male workers coming to Malaysia as wages are getting better in the home country. Vietnamese workers are not returning too because of the rapid economic development back home as well.

As Myanmar opens up to the world and allow democracy to seep in albeit slowly, even Myanmarese may not come in droves as they do now.

What I can see will be more Bangladeshis as Malaysia need replacement for the 'missing' Indonesians and Vietnamese in the plantations, labour intensive industries and the construction industry.

As for the Nepalese, they will still be here as there is little economic development in Nepal except for tourism which cannot absorb the current population demand for jobs. Go to any resort hotels-they are there smiling at you!

In ending, be prepared to listen to foreign tongues as the migrant workers noisily throng the alleys, byways and supermarkets of the nation especially on public holidays!

Dunking Digi

2011-11-29T01:22:00.000-08:00

Dunking or Collecting?

Well, as Shakespeare put it,"Fair is foul; and foul is fair". This was the uneasy feelings Macbeth and Banquo experienced war-weary, back from battle.

Similarly, Digi underwent this phase in today's trading. While the whole market went up 22 points in mid-morning trading, it stayed loose tacking on a mere 6 sen. Afternoon trading was foul indeed when it fell to close at RM3.48 for a 6 sen loss.

The only consolation is much of the shares were traded from RM3.57 to RM3.61. Volumes peaked at 12 noon and at 2.30 in the afternoon.

There were plenty of bargain hunters at the end.

Buoyant Bangkok!

2011-11-27T20:42:00.000-08:00

SS Swan

Cling wrapped cars!

Stairway Shoppers

Waterloo!

Hot Dog in Bottles

Cat Wonder

Child Einsteins

To Drink like Neptune

Motorbike hangars

Look at these pictures!

By golly, Miss Molly, the Thais are really practising their science of buoyancy in downtown Bangkok.

And apart from that, they have also displayed their fine art of living through treacherous waters.

Believe!


Basin Armada

UMNO- Just My Initial Thoughts

2011-11-26T23:34:00.000-08:00

UMNO AGM 2011

UMNO will have their AGM beginning this Tuesday, 29 November,a day after a restful Awal Muharram holiday.

This will be the penultimate UMNO meeting before GE13. I do not know whether there are any party elections at this juncture since all is 'quiet on the UMNO front'.

Today's message from the PM in the Bernama news release, talks about an all-out war- a war they will take to the 'enemy'. We all know they refer to anyone with grandiose plans to take their place and that of Barisan Nasional, ipso facto, in Putrajaya. This posturing is akin to Sun Tzu's art of war-a battle cry...........

I will not talk about the 'enemy' in question.

I think UMNO should look at the issues confronting itself. Introspection will do it good if it can harness the tools and strategies to ensure that UMNO operates like an undefeatable juggernaut.

Time is definitely not on UMNO's side.I believe the postponement of its AGM for 18 months to perhaps have the GE has somewhat not worked out and this goes for most of the Barisan Nasional parties which also postponed their AGMs along with UMNO.Will it also be to their detriment especially for MCA, Gerakan and MIC? Thankfully, at least SUPP in Sarawak is having it out this year.

It is common knowledge that in-fighting continues as UMNO division leaders jockey for their political master's favour. Some of them are well beyond their political shelf-lives, clinging to government posts as if there is little tomorrow if they should be shown the door. In a couple of states, dissension among leaders are well-known particularly in Trengganu and Perlis.I believe all is not well in other states too. All these problems have nothing to do with the might of the enemies in the shadows. Enemies in the 'selimut' are more dangerous as their blows from behind will be most fatal. Beware the Ides of November!

Najib Razak seems to be his own man and possibly alone; as his Cabinet do not seems to be singing in harmony with him. Scandalous fall-outs like the National Feedlot Corporation and losses in MAS as well as the alternative media stories will be harmful especially as it may affect the voting pattern of new voters who are impressionable and may be swayed by demagogue talk, however, unlikely they may be in truth.

The Peaceful Assembly Act,2011 and the amendments to the Employment Act,2011 is fanning public indignation as well as worker's angst. In spite of the reprieve to 2020,the language issue to teach Science and Mathematics in English has not abated and is still smouldering and could be used against the ruling party as yet.

The mood is just not right for a general election even if it is held in April,2012. Maybe Najib should stay his full term until better times.

The economy will unlikely be good as Europe, USA and now China cut back on Malaysian exports. We would be lucky to have 4% growth rate next year.

So, these are my initial thoughts.

Let us hear out what the UMNO convention will bring forth as PM and DPM have clearly put out cautionary advice that racial sentiments should be avoided in the speeches of its members who take to the floor.

Red Sea Digi

2011-11-24T18:11:00.000-08:00

Red Sea Digi

As the composite index continue to fell engendered by good old Wall Street fears and the Eurozone woes, most stocks excepting the situation stocks went to the byways. Digi was not spared as sellers came out in hordes from the woodwork to parlay their wares bringing down prices a tad bit down.

At 10.00 am, Digi was trading about two to three sen down at the RM3.63-RM3.64 band. There is an even number of deals done both ways up and down.

I do not see any upside today and the price of Digi should languish at the level.

At noon break, Digi shares broke the psychological RM3.60 level to slump to RM3.58 before ending at RM3.59. There was good buying support at RM3.59.

Before the bell went off,bargain hunters came in droves to bring the price of Digi to its lowest of the day; ending at RM3.54 for a 12 sen loss.

Ended at its lowest at RM3.54

Digi shares traded lower due to indigestion,the Friday mood,Monday being a public holiday as well as the uncertain global equity scenario.

I could sense accumulation as there were two tranches of 5 million shares done.

Digi: Supply Backwash

2011-11-23T17:34:00.000-08:00

Finding Traction

Yesterday the new Digi shares were deposited into the CDS of shareholders though these shares could all be disposed on 21 November when Digi goes ex. Those sold will be delivered today which is T+3 according to Bursa rules of trading.

Psychologically, sellers who are not initiated with these rules will start selling off excess holdings from today onwards.I expected a fall despite the Germans having failed to sell their so-called gold standard bonds which plunged Wall Street yet further down.

Tittering below overnight on the opening, Digi descended to RM3.63 for an initial 9 sen down. Unlike yesterday,there is not widespread dealing on Digi. Digi will have to find traction somewhere along the RM3.60 sen band. If not it will go down to the next band of RM3.50.

No really big buying and so I guess it is only retailers' play today.

Digi took a reasonable fall of 6 sen to RM3.66

Digi shares ended at RM3.66 for a 6 sen fall. Fair price given the German bond debacle.

Courting Black Harvest

2011-11-22T18:55:00.000-08:00

For those dabblers of Harvest Court, it must have been one rude awakening when they saw their shares plunge like a bungee jumper without going up. It always is dangerous to court the unknown penny stocks especially in wild-wild east Bursar!

True, the PM's son lent credence to the company after he has bought its shares and then sits regally on the Board. But that's no reason for you to jump head long into this potential quagmire of a counter?

Sadly, as we see, the Bursa failed to do its job to timely query the company on why there was such a huge percentage jump in its price in a short spate of time or the reason for the flurry trade. It allowed so much leeway for punters and mercenary buyers to sucker a wide slew of innocent babes of investors. From 10 sen it jumped to price stratosphere beyond RM2.00.

Once the punters leave, the PM's son also quited his Board seat and now all those poor blighters or sorry shareholders are left with Harvest Court shares hanging high and dry.

The price of Harvest Court is now 74 sen, down by another 22 sen. It touched a low of 66.5 sen.

As they say, winners guffaw and losers weep.

I can hear the din of the cries of the loser-weepers but sadly, not Bursar.

Digi: Digestible Demand?

2011-11-22T18:13:00.000-08:00

Holding Steady in Morning Trading

Oh yes, it got to a flying start and then ran out of steam by 10 am. Heavy buying was seen from RM3.82 to RM3.86 before retail buyers came out in squads to pare down prices into the 70's region.

Today is Day 3 after Digi went split and prices look like it it holding up. It was up Monday and yesterday and it should hold up with marginal gains if market continue to deteriorate on the whole.

As they say, the market is always right.

Amidst heavy selling pressure, Digi managed to close unchanged at RM3.72. There was quite heavy buying at RM3.72; something like more than 8.2 million shares done.

Close Unchanged at RM3.72 in a bad market

Digi: Swimming Upstream Like The Salmon

2011-11-21T20:55:00.000-08:00

Will Digi Do Some More Magic?

With the deluge of new shares floating around, sellers are always ready to sell into profit, no matter how good the company may be managed or what great future lies with the company.

Man's mind is hard to fathom. While some think they are angels and should no longer tread on this counter as the price ascends, there could be greater fools thinking that there are more miles to go for their 'camel'.

Come what may. As they say, good things comes for those who wait; the other school will have as their affront-Count your blessings and take your gains and leave.After all tomorrow is another day.

The second day of Digi as a 1 sen share saw heavy buying of should I say, selling, at the RM3.72-RM3.75 price range. It ended at RM3.69, a whisker from the next marker of RM3.70.

Closed noontime at RM3.69-a whisker from RM3.70

I think the going is heavy as selling gravity will continue to pull away promising gains. The European debacle still stinks at this stage. Now, France is embroiled as well.

Digi closed at RM3.72, up 12 sen. At least it breached the RM3.70 sen mark.

Ending up 12 sen at RM3.72

So, do not expect a very good market in the next few days.

Driving Miss Digi

2011-11-20T20:50:00.000-08:00

Digi goes Ex

Remembered that beautifully crafted movie," Driving Miss Daisy"? The one that starred the talented Jessica Tandy and the ever charming Morgan Freeman. Yes, Digi's half day performance is bitingly refreshing. Akin to that movie of just driving Miss Daisy. You just want some more and still so more.

Amidst the gloom and doom of the European cancerous sovereign and banking debt fiasco, with the local market losing more than 15 points, Digi continued to be in demand. Undoubtedly there will be weak holders who will sell out some portion of the holdings to take profits.Similarly, we have fresh blood in the form of new buyers who are most thankful of being able to buy one lot of Digi at the RM3,000 level.

Closed at RM3.68 at noon

The starting block of RM3.60 was breached moving up to a high of RM3.81 and a low of RM3.53. Most shares were bone at the RM3.77-RM3.80 level. I think the support level will be RM3.60 and if buying persist in the afternoon, Digi shares may go beyond RM3.70.

Yes, as I predicted-it upped 11 sen to settle at RM3.60 as it final price.

Digi: Strangled at RM35.00

2011-11-18T00:20:00.000-08:00

As much as it wants to go up beyond the RM35.00 divide, crabby buyers pulled the price down.

How much will it open ex-split on 21 November?

All day long it see-sawed just like arm wrestling, sometimes better like in the beginning minutes and faring a little better an hour before closing time.

Except for a 500 lots done at the morning at RM35.10, trading has been kind of dull with minor players coming in just before the dateline for splitting on the forthcoming Monday.

I think the share will likely close at this price range possibly saddling RM35.00.

Evidently,more sellers were in the field and the crabs won the day; and Digi went off best below RM35.00..

Closed at RM34.96 on 18 Nov 2011

Digi closed at RM34.96 and so theoretically it will open at RM3.49 on Monday,21 November 2011

Charming Cheryl Cole

2011-11-17T08:17:00.000-08:00

Yes, this is one charming lady.

The Many Moods of Selena Gomez

2011-11-17T02:02:00.000-08:00

Talk about this teeny bopper-she just lost her case of that stalker.

Anyway she is still news and pretty hot to by the looks of Bieber around her.

Looks okay and have some potential good acting skills in Monte Carlo. Saw the movie?

UPSR Joys

2011-11-17T00:10:00.000-08:00

There was a definite ring of joyful happiness at most primary schools this morning.

Students who did well with either a 7/7 straight As or a 5/5 straight As leapt with joy; brimming with glee. Others who scored lesser As felt contented though disappointment did show on some faces.

However,less than 10% of the total 485,160 Year Six pupils who sat for the Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) exam this year scored all As.

Whatever it was, primary school education is over as these students march in as the next cohort into the secondary schools come 2012.

For many, the government change of heart to allow English as the medium to teach Science and Maths until 2020 has been God-sent. I do hope these students will 'seize the day' to improve upon their life chances notw that they have got this reprieve.

My brother-in-law's daughter Su Chern got straight As for all seven subject and my tuition student Lam got his full quota of 5 As. At this juncture, I have yet to find out what grades my other tuition students got.

My congratulations to them all.

Great days lies ahead for them.

Dog-day Digi

2011-11-16T23:16:00.000-08:00

It appears that as the ex-day arrives for share split on 21 November, more sellers are coming out of the woodwork to generously sell down Digi shares to stubborn bargain hunters.

Today, except for some 46 lots done at the beginning hour of trading where it touched RM34.90, it has been a drab day of trading. Digi shares went to a low of RM34.64 and is currently see-sawing at the RM34.68 to RM34.70 price axis at the noon close.

At the rate, sellers are appearing to sell down the price,Digi shares looks likely to slip further when the bell rings out the day's trading halt.

Digi shares ended at RM34.82 clinching a 6 sen gain.

Digi ended at RM34.82 on 17 November 2011

As long as the Eurozone crisis and the impending banking meltdown hits the fan in Europe, there will not be much upside in equities in the medium term.

50 lots done at RM34.82 at closing

Patience counts as we ride again the Euro fiasco.

Digi: Under Stragglers' Stranglehold

2011-11-15T18:01:00.000-08:00

As to be expected, the shares started evenly at RM35.00 on opening bell, jumped upwards to RM35.40 before being dragged down by the 'cats' to RM34.80. Then it level at a keel to float 2 to 4 sen above RM35.00.

As today represents the third last day before the shares go ex, let us see whether there is still a great demand for Digi shares.

Looks like there is but a spent force in the buying of Digi shares. As sellers emerged,bargain hunters took up position to claw down the shares.

Digi shares finished 14 sen better at RM34.76- a consolation of sorts after it went ex-dividend of 37 sen today.

Digi: Crossing the Rubicon

2011-11-14T19:24:00.000-08:00

As anticipated,the price of Digi shares went beyond RM35.00. I likened it to Julius Caesar crossing the Rubicon. A watershed price for Digi!

With three more days left before Digi goes ex, looks like stragglers are climbing on the last coaches.

Currently, it is trading at RM35.40 with more sellers than buyers.

It closed at RM35.40 for an 88 sen gain.

Will it gain traction in the afternoon session?

No, it did not. The last testy minutes saw the shares ending at RM34.62, down 38 sen.

Will we see further upside action tomorrow?

If the so-called market forces are calling the 'shots', then Digi will definitely hold steady beyond RM3.50 when it ex on Monday 21 November 2011.

Digi: Buying up to RM35.00?

2011-11-13T19:30:00.000-08:00

Are people really lining up to buy Digi shares before it goes ex on 21 November?

If so, what are their possible logical reasons?

Right now, Digi shares are skirting below the RM34.50 price divide. The highest it did was RM34.54 about a hour ago. It has touched RM35.00 in earlier trading sessions. Will it once again touch RM35.00 or even go beyond in the next few days?

At noon, Digi shares closed at RM34.52 with plenty of buyers in tow at RM34.50. It gained 74 sen at half day trading halt. Market willing,it appears that the shares might just end at or above RM34.50 today. As expected, it ended at RM34.52 with a gain of 74 sen intact even though it breached RM34.56 at one point.

At the recent EGM, the Chairman said that the shareholding spread is very small as Digi itself holds 49% of it. They intend to buy some more once the government approves the liberalized framework and that could be sooner that we can expect.

Anticipating this, I am sure punters are picking up Digi stocks and friendly parties could also be accumulating. Once the shares go ex;say at RM3,50; that will allow more minority shareholders like the man in the street to procure shares in trading lots of 100s and 200s to share in the growing story of Digi. And that may also trigger institutions from both external and internal to start mopping loose split lots.

My take is it will be a matter of time before Telenor buys into the market. That will tighten the share-spread once more to propel Digi shares to go beyond possibly RM4.00.

I also believe Digi will also be having a 10% share buy back facility at the next AGM in 2012.

We await for this kind of scenario to unfold before 2011 ends.

Digi:Can I have a bigger slice?

2011-11-11T06:47:00.000-08:00

Can I have a bigger slice?

Telenor ASA, the largest phone company in the Nordic region, is in talks with the Malaysian government about raising its stake in DiGi.Com Bhd.

The interest comes about four years after it sold some shares to comply with a foreign ownership cap for the industry. It now owns 49 per cent of DiGi.

“In all the meetings with the government, we are asking: When will the telecommunications industry be liberalised or when will they take up the threshold for foreign ownership?” said Telenor Asia chief executive officer Sigve Brekke in a Business Times interview.

“We always urged the government to reconsider the ceiling for foreign ownership, and if that ever happens, we would then be considering if we should increase our stake,” he added.

Under the 2012 Budget, the government proposed that 17 services sub-sectors, including telecommunications, be liberalised in order to attract more foreign direct investments.

Telenor used to have 61 per cent of DiGi but sold a 10.2 per cent stake to Time dotCom Bhd (TdC) in 2007 to comply with the foreign shareholding rule. It sold the shares for RM1.61 billion.

Brekke, who is also the chairman of DiGi, said opening up foreign ownership of the telecommunications sector would ultimately benefit consumers.

“By opening up the sector, it will encourage more investments into the country, and also create better competition in the industry,and that means providing cheaper and better services to the people,” he said.

Telenor bought a minority stake in Digi.Com in 1999 and two years later raised it to a majority. The Norwegian government is the major owner of Telenor with a 54 per cent stake.

Digi closed down 22 sen to RM33.78 today

So, are you picking up any Digi when it goes ex-split on 23 November 2011?

Digi: A Halt to the Summit

2011-11-10T07:57:00.000-08:00

Today, Europe launched another stinker of a bugbear.

This time it is Italy. The PM has called it quits. The economy is fast stalling and the government may not be able to be liquid enough to pay its impending debts. So, bond prices in Italy went beyond the so-called unsustainable 7% level.

Pandemonium struck again at most global markets erasing recent gains as fears abound about the potential break up of the Euro currency market.

Bursa KL is also not spared, losing 17 points currently.

For Digi, it is as good a time to take that much needed rest.

Falling to RM33.90 at one point, Digi is now trading in crimson waters just above the RM34.00 level.

The likelihood is Digi will end in red waters. And so it did, at RM34.00 for a 16 sen loss.