rightcoastconservative

While everyone seems keen to take part in sports betting starting English Premier League on August, prime minister suddenly surrender to political wills for NOT allowing the license last night. The license was said to be already given to Ascot Sports Sdn Bhd “orally”, and since then, Berjaya Corp (BJCorp) had acquired 70% stake in Ascot Sports for RM 525 million. Shareholders are happy and many analysts are setting high target price for BJCorp. Due to objections from various parties on sports betting, Tan Sri Vincent Tan (BJCorp largest shareholder and Ascot Sports’ owner) surprise us for donating the entire proceeds of RM525 million to charity. Let’s examine the issue carefully… If he is so confident, why Tan Sri Vincent Tan sell its stake in Ascot Sports before officially getting the green light? Why not after , when he can fetch a higher value than RM525 million? In the first place, why Tan Sri Vincent Tan would like to share the pie with investors? It is expected that BJCorp will...

While Malaysia is demolishing the Pudu Jail's walls, China announced that they will adopt a flexible currency exchange regime, ending more than 2 years of pegging with USD. Before this, China have been criticized for manipulating the currency market, by keeping its Renminbi / Yuan low, in order to make Chinese products more competitive, creating a wide global trade imbalance. Specifically, U.S is pointing its finger towards China for causing US economy problems which could not be solve. However, China keeps on denying and refuse to let Yuan appreciates against USD. Why suddenly change now? In my opinion, I summarize it into 3 main reasons as below: 1.       G20 Summit is holding its meeting this week. Again, China would face an axe from world leaders talking about the same old issue – Renminbi. In order to avoid it, just before the meeting, China announces they will adopt a more flexible stance. 2.       Inflation was the main ...

After I wrote about donating made easy with CIMB Cares, one particular company seems like responding to donation today. However, it did not boil down well at all. Why? On 17th June, Tradewinds Plantation Bhd (TPB) held its annual general meeting. Among the topics discussed was its RM 10 million donation to Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar-owned Albukhary International University. The board of directors and management said the company donated the sum because it “had made a lot of profit in the previous financial years”. (The Edge Malaysia) Shareholders of the company is questioning of this donation for a few reasons: 1. Donation consisted of 12% of FY2009 net profit of RM 51.5 million. 2. The University is controlled by its major shareholder and tycoon Syed Mokhtar. 3. Independent directors are silent . If you are one the shareholder, what would be your reaction? Company making profit should reward its shareholder, etc giving higher dividend, instead of donating a large sum of money to a universi...

After reading lots of articles regarding 10 th Malaysia Plan, I was forced to come out with my own version of article. In fact, a lot of those reports using the words like “ mild positive ” or “ unsurprising ” to describe the 10MP. So, I would like to come out with “ Pretty , but not Sexy ”. Why I said so? Pretty: 1.       The Government has allocated RM 230 bil for development expenditure under the 10th Malaysia Plan. 2.       Moving towards high-income economy with gross national income per capita is targeted to increase to RM 38,850 in 2015. 3.       12 national key economic areas were identified. Not Sexy: Instead of being economy spurring , I think 10MP was a problem solving plan. By looking at the sector allocation, construction sector clearly stands out, follow by power, tourism and property. Breaking down the projects proposed, high weightage is on public transport, rural infrastructure and water ...

Still remember Obama’s health care bill which was passed recently? Why Obama want every citizen of US to have a chance to insured themselves? Because Obama knows the reasons below… In reality, insurance cannot protect property or lives, but it can protect those insured against the adverse financial consequences of losing property and lives. Likewise, an insured person cannot be protected against dying or disease, but the dependent is protected financially if such events occur unexpectedly. In any of such similar cases, the insured would be in economic dire straits if not for the financial protection conferred by insurance. In short, insurance as an economic device provides the insured with financial certainty in an environment that is filled with the possibility of losses. In providing such benefits, insurance brings peace of mind to people – and to society at large. Another benefit of insurance is its ability to provide for more optimal use of economic resources . Without insuran...

On June 8, Public Mutual is launching a new fund, Public Optimal Growth Fund (POGF). To achieve optimum returns for investors, this fund invests in a diversified portfolio of dividend and growth stocks in the domestic market. According to Public Mutual’s CEO, global and regional equity markets had rebounded from multi-year lows in March 2009 on optimism that global economic activities would continue to strengthen on the back of government stimulus spending and supportive monetary policies. “The domestic market should remain underpinned by the strengthening pace of economic recovery throughout the Asia Pacific region, resilient liquidity conditions and reasonable valuations,” she said.

After experiencing a strong rally of more than a year, it’s time for us to take a step back, and figure out what is actually pushing the share market up to current level. One year ago, Governments globally lowering down interest rate , pumping liquidity , were rolling out billions of economy stimulus packages . The purpose is to prevent our economy to down deep into depression. Well, these measures seem to be effective thus far. However, reality kicks in while more and more people are jumping into share market hoping it was not too late. Now, it was time for us to do some reality checks on our economy. Perception 1: The market is up because investors have confidence in the economy ? Reality check: At first, they think is cheap and low interest rate environment ( mega-sales ). Then, they scared losing the opportunity while others are investing ( kia-su ). Then, they invest because others are investing ( herd-mentality ). Are all of them really investing based on economy? Definitely NOT...

“ Malaysia will become the next Greece in 9 years ” reported a daily, saying that if nothing is done to reduce the current budget deficit; we will become the headline of the world then. Sound scary? 9 more years left only…   As a preventive measure, Datuk Idris Jala, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, and the head of Performance Management and Delivery Unit (Pemandu), is proposing to cut subsidies that could save up to RM103bn over 5 years for our nation (see chart).     Amongst the key proposals are:   - Petrol prices will increase by 15 cents/liter in mid-year, and thereafter 10 cents every 6 months until 2014. - Toll rates to increase as per concession agreements, except for those without alternative toll-free routes. - Electricity tariffs will be raised by RM0.024/Kwh and thereafter RM0.016/Kwh every 6 months.   If implemented, the country budget deficit may see a small budget surplus of about 1% of GDP in 2012. And, inflation will rise to 4% in...