Thursday, September 2, 2010

Malaysia corporate earnings within expectations

Besides banks, analysts expect companies in the automotive sector to do well in the second half, partly due to the strengthening of the ringgit.
 

THE outcome of the recently-concluded financial reporting season was generally expected with only a few surprises, analysts said.

"In general, corporate earnings were largely within our expectations, without much surprises and with a little bit more upgrades than downgrades," said OSK Research head of research Chris Eng when contacted by Business Times.

Companies that posted stronger-than-expected results include Malayan Banking Bhd, the country's biggest bank by assets, as well as AEON Co (M) Bhd, a shopping centre operator.

Those that reported weaker-than-expected numbers include Alam Maritim Resources Bhd, Tanjong Offshore and Wah Seong Corp Bhd.


"Banks have done generally well. Banks are a proxy of the economy. It reflects how well the economy is," said Aberdeen Asset Management head of equity Jalil Rashid.

A look at the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI component companies revealed that 10 companies had posted lower quarterly net profits. They were Sime Darby Bhd, PPB Group Bhd, Genting Malaysia Bhd, British American Tobacco Bhd, Telekom Malaysia Bhd, Petronas Dagangan Bhd, Tanjong Plc, Malaysia Airlines System Bhd, Berjaya Sports Toto Bhd and Maxis Bhd.

From the list, five firms including Maybank, MISC Bhd and IOI Corp Bhd posted lower quarterly revenue.

For the second half, analysts expect companies in the automotive sector to do well, partly due to the strengthening of the ringgit.

Banks are expected to perform well too, but their growth may not be as high as in the first half.

"We may see banks losing some of their strong momentum in the second half, partly due to less merger and acquisition activities," said UOB Kay Hian head of research Vincent Khoo.

Analysts are also expecting companies in the consumer sector to post strong earnings.

"We expect these consumer-related companies such as F&N and Aeon to do well, mainly driven by higher consumption during festive seasons like Hari Raya, Deepavali and Christmas," added Jalil.

Analysts warned that companies in the plantation and export-oriented sectors may see earnings affected, due to poor weather and stronger ringgit.

"We are careful on export-oriented companies such as technology-based companies and rubber glove makers. Their earnings may be hit, partly due to the strengthening of ringgit against the US dollar," said Khoo.

For the remaining second half of the calendar year, analysts generally expect no major surprises on corporate earnings. Therefore, the expected earnings are unlikely to be a catalyst for any surge in share prices.

"Moving forward, we are not expecting earnings to be the main driver of share prices. The main catalysts will be more news flow driven, such as the announcements of Budget 2011 as well as the government transformation programmes," explained Eng.

Jalil agreed, and added that these announcements will not only affect companies but the market as a whole.

"I think the whole market will be waiting to see what the announcements will be. The market is going to see how all these initiatives like the New Economic Model will be implemented," he said.





By Goh Thean Eu
Business Times

No comments:

Post a Comment

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...