Asas- a hidden gem waiting to be discovered

Background

Asas Dunia Bhd ('Asas') is involved in construction & property development. It is a small developer, with sizable land bank in Seberang Prai- near the Second Bridge connecting Penang to the mainland. See the map below.


Map: The Map of Penang & Seberang Perai (Source: 3.bp.blogspot)

According to the latest Annual Report for FY2011 (page 93-94), Asas has a few pieces of development land in Seberang Perai that are located in the following mukim:

 

Table 1: Asas's development landbank  

All the development land are stated at cost in its book. The Group MD was quoted as saying that these lands are now worth between RM20 & RM50 p.s.f. depending on location (go here). I believe that is a fairly reasonable number. Assuming that we valued the above development land at only RM20 p.s.f., the landbank is worth about RM965 million (or giving a revaluation surplus of RM726 million). Ignoring other assets owned, the NTA of the stock is about RM5.00 (outstanding shares is 191 million).

Recent Financial Results

Asas has just released its results for QE30/6/2012. Its net profit increased by 33% q-o-q or 69% y-o-y to RM12 million while its revenue increased by 26% q-o-q or 67% y-o-y to RM46 million.

 
 Table 2: Asas's last 8 quarterly results

 
Chart 1: Asas's last 22 quarterly results

Valuation

Asas (at RM1.66 as at 12.15pm) is now trading at a PE of 10.2 times (based on last 4 quarters' EPS of 16.26 sen). For a small developer, that PE multiple is fair. The question is how the company will unlock the value of its landbank.

Technical Outlook

Asas may have broken above its strong horizontal resistance at RM1.55-1.60. Its next resistance could be at RM2.60.


Chart 2: Assas's monthly chart as at August 14, 2012 (Source: Tradesignum)

Conclusion

Based on underlining asset backing & bullish technical outlook, Asas could be a good stock for long-term investment..

Tomypak- bottom-line improved

Tomypak broke above its horizontal resistance at RM1.05. Its next resistance will be at RM1.37-1.40.

Tomypak has just announced its quarterly results for QE30/6/2012 where its net profit increased from RM2.8 million to RM5.5 million while revenue rose marginally from RM55 million to RM56 million. For 1H2012 ended 30/6/2012, its net profit increased from RM5.76 million to RM8.99 million while revenue rose marginally from RM106 million to RM108 million. The company attributed the higher bottom-line to better sales mix. Tomypak (at RM1.14) is now trading at a PE of 7 times (based on annualized EPS of 16.5 sen).

Based on technical breakout & fairly attractive valuation, Tomypak could be a good trading BUY.


Chart 1: Tomypak's weekly chart as at August 14, 2012 (Source: Quickcharts)


Chart 2: Tomypak's monthly chart as at August 14, 2012 (Source: Tradesignum)

Tienwah's bottom-line jumped

Results Update

For QE30/6/2012, Tienwah's net profit increased by 126% q-o-q or 14% y-o-y to RM9.1 million on the back of increased revenue, which rose 8.6% q-o-q or 7.7% y-o-y to RM106 million. The company attributed the improved bpottom-line to increase in the top-line as well as higher profit margin (due to greater operating efficiency).


Table: Tienwah's last 8 quarterly results


Chart 1: Tienwah's last 22 quarterly results

Valuation

Tienwah (at RM2.06 as at 9.30am) is trading at a PE of 7.3 times (based on last 4 quarters' EPS of 28.23 sen). At this PE, Tienwah is deemed attractive.

Technical Outlook

Tienwah is in a long-term uptrend, with 'uptrend line' support at RM1.75. Its upside is capped by the line connecting its previous peaks for the past 12 years at RM2.15. An upside breakout above this level would be very bullish for the stock.


Chart 2: Tienwah's monthly chart as at August 10, 2012 (Source: Tradesignum)

Conclusion

Based on good financial performance and attractive valuation, Tienwah is a good stock for long-term investment. Its next upleg would only begin once it has broken above the resistance of RM2.15.

Takaful- the hare awakened from its snooze?

Background

Syarikat Takaful Bhd ('Takaful')'s principal activities consist of managing family and general takaful businesses, whilst the principal activities of the subsidiaries are family and general retakaful business and investment holding. To carry on its insurance business in accordance to the Islamic principles, Takaful has adopted the Wakalah contract as its business model.

The Wakalah Business Model

Briefly, Takaful insurance illustrates the act of a group of people reciprocally guaranteeing each other for mutual financial aids and assistance to the participants, whilst Wakalah is an authorisation contract whereby a person appoints and authorizes someone to execute certain tasks on his or her behalf. The Wakalah model allows Takaful to act as the agent (or Wakil) to manage Takaful funds on the behalf of the participants. For more, go here.

Results Update

For QE30/6/2012, Takaful's net profit dropped by 27% q-o-q but rose 37% y-o-y to RM22.6 million. Its revenue rose by 4% q-o-q or 36% y-o-y to RM446 million. The higher revenue on q-o-q basis was due to higher sales from Family Takaful business. This did not however translate to higher profit due to lower surplus transfer & higher realized gain on disposal of investment in preceding quarter (QE31/3/2012).


Table: Takaful's last 8 quarters' results

The chart below shows clearly the growth potential of Takaful as more Muslims begin to take up insurance products that comply with the Islamic principles.


Chart 1: Takaful's last 25 quarters' results

Valuation

Takaful (closed at RM6.42 last Friday) is now trading at a PE of 11 times (based on the last 4 quarters' EPS of 57.47 sen). At this PE multiple, Takaful is deemed attractive. This is especially so given its high CAGR of at least 20%.

Technical Outlook

Takaful has risen substantially over the past six months.Takaful broke above its long-term downtrend line at RM1.70 in July 2011. After a pullback to the breakout level in October 2011, Takaful rallied in early 2012.


Chart 2: Takaful's monthly chart as at August 10, 2012 (Source: Tradesignum)

After the strong rally of the past 6 months, Takaful could be due for consolidation. It may pull back to its intermediate uptrend line support at RM6.00. If this support can hold, the rally may continue. If the uptrend line is violated, the stock would require a longer consolidation phase.


Chart 3: Takaful's daily chart as at August 10, 2012 (Source: Quickcharts)

Conclusion

Based on the good financial performance, strong growth and farily attractive valuation, Takaful could be a stock for long-term investment. However, it has risen quite substantially over the past 6 months and could be due for consolidation. It would be advisable to wait for the consolidation to buy into this stock.

Success broke above its downtrend line

Technical Breakout

Success broke above its long-term downtrend line at RM0.97 as well as its ascending triangle at the same level. With this breakout, Success has a high probability of starting its upleg. While the breakout is on thin volume, I feel that this a genuine breakout. Its immediate resistance is at the horizontal line at RM1.10.


Chart 1: Success's weekly chart as at August 10, 2012 (Source: Quickcharts)

Recent Financial Results

Success should be issuing its results for QE30/6/2012 soon. At this moment, the latest results is for QE31/3/2012. Its net profit declined by 4.7% q-o-q but rose 7% y-o-y to RM5.6 million. Revenue was similarly lower by 16% q-o-q but rose 22% y-o-y to RM64 million. From Chart 2, we can see that despite a steady rise in turnover, the company's bottom-line was flattish due to declining profit margin.


Table: Success's last 8 quarters' results


Chart 2: Success's last 20 quarters' results

Valuation

Success (at RM1.05) is now trading at a PE of 4.8 times (based on last 4 quarters' EPS of 21.96 sen). Success, being a smallcap, could command a PE of 6 times.

Conclusion

Based on bullish technical outlook, reasonable valuation & satisfactory financial performance, Success could be a good stock for long-term investment.

Century continued to slide

Results Update

For QE30/6/2012, Century's net profit dropped 20% q-o-q or 60% y-o-y to RM3.4 million while its turnover inched up 1.5% q-o-q but dropped 11% y-o-y to RM66 million. Century's results continued to be affected by reduced activities in the total logistics services segment & losses in the double hull product tanker.


Table: Century's last 8 quarters' results

From the chart below, Century's top-line may have peaked and its bottom-line may continue its downward slide.


Chart 1: Century's last 25 quarters' results

Valuation

Century (closed at RM1.76 today) is now trading at a PE of 9.5 times (based on annualized EPS of 18.46 sen). At this PE, Century is deemed fairly valued.

Technical Outlook

Despite the poor financial performance, Century's share price is still holding up very well. Last week, it even traded very near to RM1.90- the high of 2010 & 2007. Century may test its more gradual uptrend line (S-S2) at RM1.70 soon. There are a few more support levels just below the uptrend line support, such as the horizontal lines at RM1.60 & RM1.50.


Chart 2: Century's weekly chart as at August 10, 2012 (Source: Quickcharts)

Conclusion

Based on poor financial performance, elevated valuation & lthe presence of strong resistance at RM1.90 mark, I would rate Century as a REDUCE or AVOID.

E&O- Sime Darby to make GO for E&O at RM2.30?

The Securities Commission (SC) will now order Sime Darby Bhd to make a general offer for Eastern & Oriental Bhd (E&O) shares after buying a 30-per cent stake last year, say government sources. For more, go here.

If it is true, shouldn't SC order E&O to suspend trading on the stock immediately?

 
 Chart 1: E&O's 30-min chart as at August 10, 2012_4.45pm (Source: Quickcharts)

 
 Chart 2: E&O's weekly chart as at August 10, 2012_4.45pm (Source: Quickcharts)

JOBST- improved bottom-line due to investment return!

Results Update

For QE30/6/2012, JOBST's net profit increased by 66% q-o-q or 29% y-o-y to RM17 million while revenue increased by 19% q-o-q or 24% y-o-y to RM45 million. The company attributed its improved performance to higher revenue came from higher sales from Jobstreet Essential & dividends from HK investments. This- and higher profit from associates & a JV entity- contributed to higher profit.

Fr the current quarter, we saw:

1. The Philippines operation showed the more improvement y-o-y with a 50%-increase in revenue to RM14.4 million & operating results  also increased by 50% to RM6.50 million.
2. Revenue in the Malaysia & Singapore operation improved slightly. The Malaysia operation received a dividend income  of RM4.14 million while the Singapore operation, enjoyed a gain on sale of financial assets of RM1.46 million and a dividend income of RM1.72 million from a related company.

The high amount of financial gain or external dividend totaling RM5.6 million is a mixed blessing. This came from its holding of short-term investment of RM37 million as well as available-for-sale investment of RM33 million. In addition, it must be noted that it has cash in hand of RM77 million. The group bank borrowings is negligible at RM300k. This means that JOBST has a cash backing of 46 sen per share!


Table: JOBST's last 8 quarterly results


Chart 1: JOBST's last 25 quarterly results

Valuation

JOBST (at RM2.26 now) is trading at a PE of 15.5 times (based on the last 4 quarters' EPS of 14.57 sen). If the cash backing is deducted from the share price, then JOBST's PE would be 12.3 times. As such, JOIBST is deemed attractive.

Technical Outlook

JOBST has broken below its long-term uptrend line in late 2011. In April this year, it attempted to climb back above that uptrend line but it ws unsuccessful. The stock's immediate support is at RM2.05 while its immediate resistance is at RM2.40.


Chart 2: JOBST's weekly chart as at August 9, 2012 (Source: Tradesignum)

Conclusion

Based on good financial performance & attractive valuation, JOBST is a good stock for long-term investment. However, the technical outlook is not exciting as the stock is likely to trade sideway for now (between RM2.05 & RM2.40).

MBMR- net profit dropped on q-o-q basis

Results Update

For QE30/6/2012, MBMR's net profit dropped 28% q-o-q but rose 40% y-o-y to 29.5 million while revenue increased by 13% q-o-q or 61% y-o-y to RM614 million. The decline in the net profit on the q-o-q basis was due to a drop in contribution from the Automotive Component segment from RM23 million to RM13 million (with revenue from that segment dropped off slightly from RM101 million to RM96 million). The lower profit contribution could not be sufficiently made up by the  higher contribution from the Motor Vehicles segment of RM9 million (as compared to RM6 million previously) which is in turn due to higher revenue of RM516 million (as compared to RM441 million previously).


Table: MBMR's last 8 quarterly results

Despite the sharp rise in revenue in the past 3 quarters (due to the completion of the acquisition of Hirotako in 4Q2011), the group's bottom-line remained fairly stagnant. The reason is the continued slide in its profit margin since 1Q2010.


Chart 1: MBMR's last 25 quarterly results

Valuation

MBMR (closed at RM3.92 yesterday) is now trading at a PE of 8.3 times (based on last 4 quarters' gross EPS of 47 sen). MBMR could trade up to a PE of 10 times, if the market sentiment permits.

Technical Outlook

MBMR has surpassed its all-time high of RM3.20 recorded in 1997. A break above the all-time high is a bullish sign, which means that the stock could have further upside.


Chart 2: MBMR's monthly chart as at August 9, 2012 (Source: Tradesignum)

Conclusion

Despite the recent drop in the bottom-line, MBMR is still a good stock for long-term investment based on valuation & positive technical outlook.

Perstim broke a strong horizontal support

Results Update

On July 19, Perstim announced its results for QE30/6/2012. Its net profit dropped 61% q-o-q or 88% y-o-y to RM1.8 million while revenue increased 3% q-o-q but declined 14% y-o-y to RM185 million. The company attributed the lower pre-tax profit to  lower profit margin which in turn was due to the reduction in selling price to remain competitive especially for Malaysian market.


Table: Perstim's last 8 quarterly results


Chart 1: Perstim's last 30 quarterly results

Valuation

Perstim (closed at RM3.06 yesterday) is now trading at a PE of 14 times (based on last 4 quarters' EPS of 22.42 sen). At this PE, Perstim  is deemed overvalued.

Technical Outlook

Perstim broke its strong horizontal support at RM3.10-3.12. Unless a quick rebound kicks in, Perstim could continue to slide until the next horizontal support at RM2.50.



Chart 2: Perstim's daily chart as at Aug 8, 2012 (Source: Quickcharts)



Chart 3: Perstim's monthly chart as at Aug 8, 2012 (Source: Tradesignum)

(Note: The price data for Quickchart & Tradesignum are not the same. Quickchart adjusts its price s for dividend while Tradesignum does not. The impact is noticeable for a stock that pays high dividend like Perstim. I do not believe this difference would invalidate our study but it may cause some problem in pinpointing the exact support or resistance. To be sure, you may want to see a breakout that appears on both charts).

Conclusion

Based on poor financial performance, demanding valuation and slightly bearish technical outlook, I would rate Perstim a SELL or AVOID.

KKB hanging on the strong support of RM1.45

Results Update

For QE30/6/2012, KKB's net profit dropped by 52% q-o-q or 68% y-o-y to RM3.7 million while revenue declined by 36% q-o-q or 25% y-o-y to RM34 million. Top-line & Bottom-line declined due to the drop in revenue for the Engineering & Manufacturing segments.


Table: KKBt's last 8 quarterly results


Chart 1: KKB's last 20 quarterly results

Valuation

KKB (closed at RM1.45) is now trading at a PE of 14.5 times (based on last 4 quarters' EPS of 10.33 sen). At this PE, KKB is deemed overvalued.

Technical Outlook

KKB is now resting on its strong horizontal support of RM1.45. If this support is violated, the stock's next support would be the psychological RM1.00 mark but the strong support is the horizontal line at RM0.80.


Chart 2: KKB's daily chart as at Aug 8, 2012 (Source: Quickcharts)


Chart 3: KKB's monthly chart as at Aug 8, 2012 (Source: Tradesignum)

Conclusion

Based on poor financial performance & unattractive valuation, KKB is rated a SELL or AVOID. If it can hold at the critical support of RM1.45, it may turnaround if the financial performance recovers. However, a break below that critical support would be a bearish signal for the stock.

IHH broke to new high of huge volume!

The volume leader for today is IHH. This stock broke above its recent high of RM2.40 today. With the huge volume traded and the new high, the stock could see further upside in the days ahead.

Based on this, IHH could be a trading BUY. While IHH is undoubtedly a solid company, its short history would warrant any trade a risky trade. As such, do exercise careful discretion.


Chart: IHH's 15-min chart as at August 7, 2012_4.45pm (Source: Quickcharts)

Outlook for Major Equity Markets

Despite the gloomy prognosis for the global economy, most main indices have recovered quite substantially over the past two months. I have summarized the improvement in the major indices in the table below.

 
Table: Major Indices of Developed Economies as at August 6, 2012

Comments

1. The strongest recovery is seen in Singapore Straits Time Index, where 50, 100 & 200-day SMA lines have rising or hooked upward.
2. The next strongest indices are the US's DJIA & Nasdaq where the 100-day SMA line did not decline but merely dipped slightly. With the 50-day SMA line hooking up now, the 100-day SMA line should also hook up soon.
3. The weakest indices are CAC & HSI where the 200-day SMA line has just hooked up & the 100-day SMA lines are still declining.

Conclusion

Based on the above, the major equity markets in the developed economies are all showing signs of recovery. However, we should note that the intermediate downtrend line resistance for many indices (or, recent high in the case of DJIA) is not far away and this could cap the upward momentum for the next few weeks. If these indices can charge above their downtrend line, we should see further upside in the equity market. This upside breakout, if it happens, would probably coincide with the next round of quantitative easing by the US Fed.


Chart 1: DJIA's daily chart as at Aug 6, 2012 (Source: Stockcharts)

 
Chart 2: Nasdaq's daily chart as at Aug 6, 2012 (Source: Stockcharts)

 
 Chart 3: CAC's daily chart as at Aug 6, 2012 (Source: Stockcharts)
  

Chart 4: DAX's daily chart as at Aug 6, 2012 (Source: Stockcharts)


Chart 5: FTSE's daily chart as at Aug 6, 2012 (Source: Stockcharts)


Chart 5: HSI's daily chart as at Aug 6, 2012 (Source: Stockcharts)


Chart 6: STI's daily chart as at Aug 6, 2012 (Source: Stockcharts)

RHBCap broke its uptrend line

RHBCap broke its long term uptrend line, S-S1 at RM8.20 in September 2011. Since then, it found support at a more gradual uptrend line, S-S2. At the end of July, RHBCap broke below this uptrend line at RM7.50. With this breakdown, the stock will soon test the psychological RM7.00 mark, which is not a strong support for the stock. Its strong support will be at the horizontal line at RM6.50 & then at RM5.50. Another potential support may come if the stock can form another gradual uptrend line, S-S3, which I would call the 3rd fan uptrend line. If that happens, the support from this yet-to-be-formed uptrend line would provide support at RM5.80-6.00. All in all, the stock should have multiple support between RM5.50 & RM6.50.

Fundamentally, RHBCap (at RM7.17) is fairly attractive as it is trading at a trailing PE of 9 times (based on annualized EPS of 80 sen) or trading at a Price to Book of 1.3 times (based on NTA of RM5.46 as at 31/3/2012). These multiple should be adjusted lower after the issuance of new shares in exchange for the acquisition of OSK Investment Bank. Even so, the multiples would not deteriorate substantially. RHBCap is still a relatively inexpensive banking stock.

Based on the latest breakdown, it is best to wait for RHBCap to find its support before buying this stock. That support may come at the psychological RM7.00 mark or more likely at the RM6.00-6.50 level. At the RM6.00-6.50 level, RHBcap is hard to resist.


Chart: RHBCap's weekly chart as at August 6, 2012 (Source: Tradesignum)

Genting may have crossed the tipping point

A reader asked whether Genting is a good BUY at the current price. After looking at the chart, I was struck by the close connection between the crossover or cross-under of the 10-month SMA line & the 20-month SMA line & the stock's next price direction. You can see from the monthly chart below that there were three instances of the faster SMA line cutting above the slower SMA line (what I called the crossover & it is denoted with a green upward arrow). All three crossovers were followed by rally in share price.

There were four instances of the faster SMA line cutting below the slower SMA line (what I called the cross-under & it is denoted with a red downward arrow). Prior to the current cross-under, all three earlier cross-unders were followed by decline in the share price.

When an indicator gives 100% correct reading, you have to sit up & pay attention. Genting's immedaite support is at RM8.80-9.00. If Genting violates this last support, I think the next downtrend for Genting will set in. If you have this stock, you should consider reducing your position.


Chart: Genting's monthly chart as at August 3, 2012 (Source: Tradesignum)

PPB broke the strong RM15.00 support

PPB broke its strong horizontal support of RM15 yesterday, to close at RM14.90. This morning, it pulled away from the breakdown level with a further decline of 30 sen to close at RM14.60 at the end of the morning session. With this breakdown, PPB's next support will be its long-term uptrend line at RM13.00.


 Chart 1: PPB's weekly chart as at August 2, 2012 (Source: Tradesignum)


Chart 2: PPB's monthly chart as at August 2, 2012 (Source: Tradesignum)

PPB's share price declined is a follow-up of the decline in the share price of its related company, Wilmar International Ltd (which is listed on SGX). Wilmar broke below its strong horizontal support of S$5.00 in May and it may soon approach its long-term uptrend line at S$3.00. For Wilmar's chart, go here.

The decline in share price of Wilmar and also PPB is attributed to the poor perfomance of the Soya Bean operation in China. It is understood that the processing of soya bean & refining of soya oil is suffering from losses due to over-capacity in the market, high raw material prices as well as pressure from the government to cap the selling price. This problem will be a drag on the performance of Wilmar & PPB for a while.

In view of this problem & the bearish technical outlook, I would rate PPB as a trading SELL. If it cannot hold above the long-term uptrend line at RM13, it would be an outright SELL.

Multico- a favorable judgment but...

This morning, we read the news that explained Multico's sharp rally yesterday. The reason is that the company has won a judgment sum of RM44.19 million in the Kuala Lumpur High Court against 11 defendants, including its former directors. From the Star article:

The company will stand to record a contribution of about RM44.19mil to net profit after tax in its financial year ending July 31, 2013 from this court judgment.

“Subject to the execution of the judgment and on the full recovery of the judgment sum awarded to the company and its subsidiary, the financial effects of this judgment on the group (are a) contribution of 99.5 sen to earnings per share and (an) increase of 99.5 sen in net assets of the group,” it told Bursa Malaysia yesterday.

 
Winning the judgment is one thing. Getting paid is another matter. We should also consider how much of this positive news- even before the favorable judgment was awarded- has been factored into the price. My feeling is that we should take some profit from the recent sharp price run-up.

The chart below is for your guide. We can see that the strong resistance would be at the 2007 high of RM1.80 while the strong support should be at RM1.30. I feel the RM1.70-1.80 should be a good level to take profit while the support at RM1.30 could be a good level for a trading buy.


Chart: Multico's weekly chart as at August 1, 2012 (Source: Quickcharts)

For background of Multico, check out my earlier post in 2010.

Mahsing- an attractive property stock

Mahsing broke above its intermediate downtrend line at RM2.15 about three days ago. Its next resistance levels are RM2.30 & RM2.45 (the latter is a very strong resistance).


Chart 1: Mahsing's daily chart as at August 1, 2012_12.00pm (Source: Quickcharts)

The bullish breakout could signal the beginning of the next upleg for this stock. From Chart 2, we can see that the stock is in a long-term uptrend, with support at RM1.80-2.00.


Chart 2: Mahsing's weekly chart as at July 31, 2012(Source: Tradesignum)

Mahsing is a medium-size property developer, which made a net profit of RM168 million on revenue of RM1.57 billion for FYE31/1/2/2011. For 1Q2012 ended 31/3/2012, its net profit was RM60 million on revenue of RM458 million. Based on the annualized EPS of 28.8 sen, Mahsing (at RM2.28) is now trading at a PE of 8 times. At this PE, Mahsing is deemed fairly attractive.

Based on technical breakout, fairly attractive valuation & satisfactory financial performance, Mahsing could be a good stock for medium-term investment.