Johor Corp's Last Card

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!

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

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!

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

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

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!

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.