Written by Bloomberg
Friday, 03 September 2010 11:01
Golden Agri-Resources, part of Indonesia’s Sinar Mas Group, said the government of Liberia and Golden VerOleum (Liberia) Inc. plan to invest US$1.6 billion ($2.15 billion) in oil palm plantations in the African nation.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Genting Hong Kong +18.3%; Eyes on Manila gaming
Written by The Edge
Friday, 03 September 2010 13:03
Genting Hong Kong (S21.SG) +11.7% at new 52-week high of US$0.355 ($0.478) on strong volume as players turn attention from sister company Genting Singapore (G13.SG) to cruise operator, hopeful it could also enjoy latter’s gaming success given its 50% stake in Resorts World Manila, says Dow Jones.
“Since RWM’s entry (in 2009), the overall Philippines gaming market has more than doubled year to date. This is another example of new properties growing gaming markets rather than cannibalising the existing pie,” says a broker.
Friday, 03 September 2010 13:03
Genting Hong Kong (S21.SG) +11.7% at new 52-week high of US$0.355 ($0.478) on strong volume as players turn attention from sister company Genting Singapore (G13.SG) to cruise operator, hopeful it could also enjoy latter’s gaming success given its 50% stake in Resorts World Manila, says Dow Jones.
“Since RWM’s entry (in 2009), the overall Philippines gaming market has more than doubled year to date. This is another example of new properties growing gaming markets rather than cannibalising the existing pie,” says a broker.
8 Singapore companies make it to Forbes' "Best under a billion' list
Eight Singapore companies made it to this year's Forbes' "Best Under A Billion" list, up from the five that were included in the previous year's list.
Related story:
» Singapore's 40 richest in 2010
The yearly list highlights the 200 top-performing small and medium enterprise firms from close to 13,000 publicly listed Asia-Pacific companies with actively traded shares and sales between US$5 million ($6.75 million)and US$1 billion.
The final 200 are selected based on earnings growth, sales growth, and shareholders' return on equity in the past 12 months and over three years.
China had the most entries at 71, followed by India at 39. India is the top gainer, with 19 new entries this year.
Singapore's best under a billion
Click on thumbnail to view
Japan, which had 24 entries last year, managed only 2 entries this year due to local domestic woes.
The 200 winning companies will be honored at the Forbes Asia "Best Under A Billion" award ceremony and dinner in Hong Kong on November 23, 2010
Related story:
» Singapore's 40 richest in 2010
The yearly list highlights the 200 top-performing small and medium enterprise firms from close to 13,000 publicly listed Asia-Pacific companies with actively traded shares and sales between US$5 million ($6.75 million)and US$1 billion.
The final 200 are selected based on earnings growth, sales growth, and shareholders' return on equity in the past 12 months and over three years.
China had the most entries at 71, followed by India at 39. India is the top gainer, with 19 new entries this year.
Singapore's best under a billion
Click on thumbnail to view
Japan, which had 24 entries last year, managed only 2 entries this year due to local domestic woes.
The 200 winning companies will be honored at the Forbes Asia "Best Under A Billion" award ceremony and dinner in Hong Kong on November 23, 2010
SMX off the blocks, focuses on getting it right
Siow Li Sen
Wed, Sep 01, 2010
The Business Times
(SINGAPORE) The Singapore Mercantile Exchange (SMX) finally began operations yesterday, after some two years of planning and preparation.
The commodities exchange went live with four contracts: two crude oil benchmarks (euro-denominated Brent Crude, and West Texas Intermediate or WTI); a currency pair (euro-US$ currency futures contract); and the first gold futures contract in Singapore to be settled via physical delivery.
Two more contracts, both currency pairs - US$-Australia dollar and US$-yen - will be launched next, said SMX chief executive Thomas McMahon at a press conference.
SMX founder and vice-chairman Jignesh Shah said the initial focus is on setting up the ecosystem and getting the processes, risk management, research and systems right.
Liquidity will then follow, said Mr Shah, to the key question why SMX will succeed when commodities trading on its rival, the Singapore Exchange (SGX), has met with mixed fortunes.
He said SMX is not setting any volume targets in its first year.
'What's important is not to be chasing the volume; the foundation of any exchange is to have the right regulatory framework, the right risk management processes and systems,' he said.
'Just to share our Indian experience: for the first year, we were among the first 50 but in the sixth year, we are now sixth largest in the world,' said Mr Shah.
The Multi-Commodity Exchange (MCX), set up in 2003 by Mr Shah's Financial Technologies group, today commands about 80 per cent of India's commodities futures market. Last year, it became the world's largest exchange for trading in silver (in terms of the number of futures contracts traded); the second largest for gold, copper and natural gas; and the third largest for oil.
Mr McMahon added SMX is focused on creating the right contracts which meet specific market needs of Asian industry players.
For instance, its gold futures contract is the first physical contract to be settled in Singapore.
He is also confident that SMX's two crude oil contracts will meet market demand, given that Singapore is the third largest oil refining centre in the world.
He noted that, currently, oil traders here could be trading in New York and London but, increasingly, financial sector reform will lead to more scrutiny of cross-border flows.
That means 'splitting the collaterals' will become more difficult as regulators impose more rules, he said.
Mr McMahon also disclosed that 68 firms have expressed interest in becoming SMX members.
Wed, Sep 01, 2010
The Business Times
(SINGAPORE) The Singapore Mercantile Exchange (SMX) finally began operations yesterday, after some two years of planning and preparation.
The commodities exchange went live with four contracts: two crude oil benchmarks (euro-denominated Brent Crude, and West Texas Intermediate or WTI); a currency pair (euro-US$ currency futures contract); and the first gold futures contract in Singapore to be settled via physical delivery.
Two more contracts, both currency pairs - US$-Australia dollar and US$-yen - will be launched next, said SMX chief executive Thomas McMahon at a press conference.
SMX founder and vice-chairman Jignesh Shah said the initial focus is on setting up the ecosystem and getting the processes, risk management, research and systems right.
Liquidity will then follow, said Mr Shah, to the key question why SMX will succeed when commodities trading on its rival, the Singapore Exchange (SGX), has met with mixed fortunes.
He said SMX is not setting any volume targets in its first year.
'What's important is not to be chasing the volume; the foundation of any exchange is to have the right regulatory framework, the right risk management processes and systems,' he said.
'Just to share our Indian experience: for the first year, we were among the first 50 but in the sixth year, we are now sixth largest in the world,' said Mr Shah.
The Multi-Commodity Exchange (MCX), set up in 2003 by Mr Shah's Financial Technologies group, today commands about 80 per cent of India's commodities futures market. Last year, it became the world's largest exchange for trading in silver (in terms of the number of futures contracts traded); the second largest for gold, copper and natural gas; and the third largest for oil.
Mr McMahon added SMX is focused on creating the right contracts which meet specific market needs of Asian industry players.
For instance, its gold futures contract is the first physical contract to be settled in Singapore.
He is also confident that SMX's two crude oil contracts will meet market demand, given that Singapore is the third largest oil refining centre in the world.
He noted that, currently, oil traders here could be trading in New York and London but, increasingly, financial sector reform will lead to more scrutiny of cross-border flows.
That means 'splitting the collaterals' will become more difficult as regulators impose more rules, he said.
Mr McMahon also disclosed that 68 firms have expressed interest in becoming SMX members.
Higher dividends follow firms' return to health
Uma Shankari
Mon, Aug 30, 2010
The Business Times
(SINGAPORE) There were few surprises from companies that reported full-year results in the recent reporting season. Most turned in better earnings or lower losses, in line with the global economic recovery.
And to reward shareholders, many said that they would pay out higher dividends than for 2009, citing improved operating profits and net cash positions.
Data compiled by BT showed that as at 5pm last Friday, 73 companies had reported their financial results for the year ended June 30, 2010. And of these firms, 59 reported profits while the remaining 14 recorded losses.
Most companies (some 74 per cent) performed better this year, either turning in higher profits (36 companies) or lower losses (nine) or is back in the black (nine).
Companies, which generally attributed their better year-on-year showings to the better operating environment, also sought to thank investors for sticking by them through the recent lean times.
Of the 45 companies that turned in either higher profits or moved from losses to profits, close to 70 per cent will pay out higher dividends for FY 2010 compared to the previous year. The six companies with the largest net profits for the financial year ended June 30 - Olam International, Singapore Exchange (SGX), Wing Tai Holdings, GuocoLand, Hsu Fu Chi International and Sim Lian Group - all proposed higher dividends for 2010.
Olam reported exceptionally strong fourth-quarter results, which led to full-year results which were well ahead of expectations. The company will pay a total dividend of 4.5 cents a share this year, up from 3.5 cents in 2009.
Wing Tai will also pay out one cent more - it has proposed a dividend of five cents a share for 2010, up from four cents in 2009.
SGX, which said that the recently ended financial year was its second best since the company listed in November 2000, proposed a final dividend of 15.75 cents per share, bringing the total dividend for FY 2010 to 27 cents per share. In addition, the company's board also increased SGX's base dividend commitment to 16 cents per share effective from FY 2011, payable on a quarterly basis.
Sim Lian Group threw in another treat together with higher dividends; the property firm also proposed a bonus issue to increase its capital base to reflect its growth and business expansion and to give 'due recognition' to shareholders for their continued support. It proposed a dividend of 3.7 cents a share, up from 1.4 cents a year ago.
But perhaps the most sincere gesture came from probe card distribution and services solutions provider Ellipsiz. The firm posted a net loss in 2009 after its factory and office property at Joo Koon Crescent was hit by a fire. Now, it is proposing a special cash dividend of 1.1 cents a share from its one-time income - which was boosted by insurance claim income of $22.3 million - to thank shareholders. This will be paid out on top of a final cash dividend of 0.15 cents.
'We would like to thank our shareholders for your patience and support during the difficult period. Your vote of confidence is important, and we look forward to your continued support,' said Ellipsiz chief executive Melvin Chan.
Last year, Mr Chan said that 2009 was a 'a very difficult year' for the group and no dividends were declared.
Mon, Aug 30, 2010
The Business Times
(SINGAPORE) There were few surprises from companies that reported full-year results in the recent reporting season. Most turned in better earnings or lower losses, in line with the global economic recovery.
And to reward shareholders, many said that they would pay out higher dividends than for 2009, citing improved operating profits and net cash positions.
Data compiled by BT showed that as at 5pm last Friday, 73 companies had reported their financial results for the year ended June 30, 2010. And of these firms, 59 reported profits while the remaining 14 recorded losses.
Most companies (some 74 per cent) performed better this year, either turning in higher profits (36 companies) or lower losses (nine) or is back in the black (nine).
Companies, which generally attributed their better year-on-year showings to the better operating environment, also sought to thank investors for sticking by them through the recent lean times.
Of the 45 companies that turned in either higher profits or moved from losses to profits, close to 70 per cent will pay out higher dividends for FY 2010 compared to the previous year. The six companies with the largest net profits for the financial year ended June 30 - Olam International, Singapore Exchange (SGX), Wing Tai Holdings, GuocoLand, Hsu Fu Chi International and Sim Lian Group - all proposed higher dividends for 2010.
Olam reported exceptionally strong fourth-quarter results, which led to full-year results which were well ahead of expectations. The company will pay a total dividend of 4.5 cents a share this year, up from 3.5 cents in 2009.
Wing Tai will also pay out one cent more - it has proposed a dividend of five cents a share for 2010, up from four cents in 2009.
SGX, which said that the recently ended financial year was its second best since the company listed in November 2000, proposed a final dividend of 15.75 cents per share, bringing the total dividend for FY 2010 to 27 cents per share. In addition, the company's board also increased SGX's base dividend commitment to 16 cents per share effective from FY 2011, payable on a quarterly basis.
Sim Lian Group threw in another treat together with higher dividends; the property firm also proposed a bonus issue to increase its capital base to reflect its growth and business expansion and to give 'due recognition' to shareholders for their continued support. It proposed a dividend of 3.7 cents a share, up from 1.4 cents a year ago.
But perhaps the most sincere gesture came from probe card distribution and services solutions provider Ellipsiz. The firm posted a net loss in 2009 after its factory and office property at Joo Koon Crescent was hit by a fire. Now, it is proposing a special cash dividend of 1.1 cents a share from its one-time income - which was boosted by insurance claim income of $22.3 million - to thank shareholders. This will be paid out on top of a final cash dividend of 0.15 cents.
'We would like to thank our shareholders for your patience and support during the difficult period. Your vote of confidence is important, and we look forward to your continued support,' said Ellipsiz chief executive Melvin Chan.
Last year, Mr Chan said that 2009 was a 'a very difficult year' for the group and no dividends were declared.
Analysis: Japan dilemma as economic dependence on China grows
By Linda Sieg
TOKYO
Thu Sep 2, 2010 12:27am EDT
TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's growing dependence on China for growth grates with concerns over its expanding military reach, deepening a dilemma over how to engage with its giant neighbor even as the two trade places in economic rankings.
But while the interdependence raises the risks for the world's second- and third-biggest economies if relations sour, it also boosts incentives to keep ties on track.
"It raises the stakes," said Jeffrey Kingston, director of Asian studies at Temple University's Tokyo campus.
"But ... Japan has a clear interest in developing better political and diplomatic relations precisely because of the greater economic interdependence."
News that China had surpassed Japan as the world's second-biggest economy in the second quarter grabbed global headlines in August, underscoring China's rise and deepening pessimism over whether Japan can even keep third place.
Even more telling is Japan's deepening dependence on China's dynamism for growth in a mature economy plagued with an aging, shrinking population and a shortage of policy solutions.
Japan's exports to China topped those to the United States last year, accounting for nearly 20 percent of all its exports.
That figure will probably rise to 35 percent by 2026, when China will likely oust America from the top global spot, said Chi Hung Kwan at Nomura Institute of Capital Markets Research.
Japan's direct investment in China has also soared, exceeding 70 percent of its investment in North America last year, with more and more goods being made for local sale, not export.
"For Japanese companies, China is becoming more and more important, not just as the workshop of the world, but as the market of the world," Kwan said at a luncheon with reporters.
Sino-Japanese relations, long plagued by China's memories of Tokyo's wartime aggression and present rivalry over resources and territory, have warmed since a deep chill in 2001-2006, when then-premier Junichiro Koizumi visited the Yasukuni Shrine, seen by Beijing as a symbol of Japanese militarism.
Last weekend, a delegation of Japanese cabinet ministers met their Chinese counterparts in Beijing for high-level economic talks -- the third such annual dialogue -- and agreed on the need to work together for global growth.
WARY
But even as economic ties deepen, Japan is increasingly wary of China's intentions as it spends more of its wealth on defense and shows growing willingness to project military power.
A survey by the China Daily in August showed that 52.7 percent of Chinese respondents saw Japan as a military threat, while 70.8 percent of Japanese felt the same about China.
"Japan's military budget has been stable for 20 years and China's military budget has grown 20 times in the past 20 years," said Shinichi Kitaoka, University of Tokyo professor who advised the conservative Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) government that was ousted last year by the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ).
"The big gap may create some imbalances and is already creating imbalances in the East China Sea and South China Sea."
While a panel of experts advising the government as it undertakes a major review of defense policies gave a nod to such concerns, the wording was restrained, a reflection of Japan's dilemma as it balances economic interests with security worries.
"Japan's security position requires an extremely delicate policy. On the one hand, it is important to make sure that the cost of unfriendly, non-peaceful behavior is very costly ... and there has to be a very robust defense posture together with the United States," said Chikako Kawakatsu Ueki, a Waseda University professor.
"At the same time, if you are talking about China, everyone knows that China's well-being as an economic power is important to Japan, to the United States, the region and the globe."
The dilemma is a delicate one for Japan's ruling Democratic Party, which swept to power for the first time a year ago, ousting the LDP after more than 50 years of almost non-stop rule.
The party pledged in its campaign last year to forge a more equal relationship with security ally Washington while improving ties with Asian neighbors including China, sparking concerns in some U.S. circles that it was tilting toward Beijing.
"China is becoming more and more important to Japan year in and year out. Everyone accepts that. The debate is how best to handle this -- engagement or constraint," said Phil Deans, a professor of international affairs at Temple in Tokyo.
"The pressure to pursue both strategies is increasing which is making the contradictions more obvious."
Experts say Japan, distracted by its own economic woes and internecine strife in the ruling party, will likely respond with a mix of reliance on the U.S. military deterrence and beefing up its own forces within the elastic constraints of a pacifist constitution, while pursuing better diplomatic ties with Beijing.
"There are three decisions they can make: contain China, engage China or ... just live in a really uncomfortable situation and hope they don't end with the worst of both worlds," Deans said. "I think maybe they can live in this very difficult place."
(Editing by Sugita Katyal)
TOKYO
Thu Sep 2, 2010 12:27am EDT
TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's growing dependence on China for growth grates with concerns over its expanding military reach, deepening a dilemma over how to engage with its giant neighbor even as the two trade places in economic rankings.
But while the interdependence raises the risks for the world's second- and third-biggest economies if relations sour, it also boosts incentives to keep ties on track.
"It raises the stakes," said Jeffrey Kingston, director of Asian studies at Temple University's Tokyo campus.
"But ... Japan has a clear interest in developing better political and diplomatic relations precisely because of the greater economic interdependence."
News that China had surpassed Japan as the world's second-biggest economy in the second quarter grabbed global headlines in August, underscoring China's rise and deepening pessimism over whether Japan can even keep third place.
Even more telling is Japan's deepening dependence on China's dynamism for growth in a mature economy plagued with an aging, shrinking population and a shortage of policy solutions.
Japan's exports to China topped those to the United States last year, accounting for nearly 20 percent of all its exports.
That figure will probably rise to 35 percent by 2026, when China will likely oust America from the top global spot, said Chi Hung Kwan at Nomura Institute of Capital Markets Research.
Japan's direct investment in China has also soared, exceeding 70 percent of its investment in North America last year, with more and more goods being made for local sale, not export.
"For Japanese companies, China is becoming more and more important, not just as the workshop of the world, but as the market of the world," Kwan said at a luncheon with reporters.
Sino-Japanese relations, long plagued by China's memories of Tokyo's wartime aggression and present rivalry over resources and territory, have warmed since a deep chill in 2001-2006, when then-premier Junichiro Koizumi visited the Yasukuni Shrine, seen by Beijing as a symbol of Japanese militarism.
Last weekend, a delegation of Japanese cabinet ministers met their Chinese counterparts in Beijing for high-level economic talks -- the third such annual dialogue -- and agreed on the need to work together for global growth.
WARY
But even as economic ties deepen, Japan is increasingly wary of China's intentions as it spends more of its wealth on defense and shows growing willingness to project military power.
A survey by the China Daily in August showed that 52.7 percent of Chinese respondents saw Japan as a military threat, while 70.8 percent of Japanese felt the same about China.
"Japan's military budget has been stable for 20 years and China's military budget has grown 20 times in the past 20 years," said Shinichi Kitaoka, University of Tokyo professor who advised the conservative Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) government that was ousted last year by the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ).
"The big gap may create some imbalances and is already creating imbalances in the East China Sea and South China Sea."
While a panel of experts advising the government as it undertakes a major review of defense policies gave a nod to such concerns, the wording was restrained, a reflection of Japan's dilemma as it balances economic interests with security worries.
"Japan's security position requires an extremely delicate policy. On the one hand, it is important to make sure that the cost of unfriendly, non-peaceful behavior is very costly ... and there has to be a very robust defense posture together with the United States," said Chikako Kawakatsu Ueki, a Waseda University professor.
"At the same time, if you are talking about China, everyone knows that China's well-being as an economic power is important to Japan, to the United States, the region and the globe."
The dilemma is a delicate one for Japan's ruling Democratic Party, which swept to power for the first time a year ago, ousting the LDP after more than 50 years of almost non-stop rule.
The party pledged in its campaign last year to forge a more equal relationship with security ally Washington while improving ties with Asian neighbors including China, sparking concerns in some U.S. circles that it was tilting toward Beijing.
"China is becoming more and more important to Japan year in and year out. Everyone accepts that. The debate is how best to handle this -- engagement or constraint," said Phil Deans, a professor of international affairs at Temple in Tokyo.
"The pressure to pursue both strategies is increasing which is making the contradictions more obvious."
Experts say Japan, distracted by its own economic woes and internecine strife in the ruling party, will likely respond with a mix of reliance on the U.S. military deterrence and beefing up its own forces within the elastic constraints of a pacifist constitution, while pursuing better diplomatic ties with Beijing.
"There are three decisions they can make: contain China, engage China or ... just live in a really uncomfortable situation and hope they don't end with the worst of both worlds," Deans said. "I think maybe they can live in this very difficult place."
(Editing by Sugita Katyal)
Asian Stocks Rise for Third Day on U.S. Home Sales, Falling Jobless Claim
By Jonathan Burgos and Norie Kuboyama - Sep 3, 2010 12:42 PM GMT+0800
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Play VideoSept. 2 (Bloomberg) -- John Vail, chief global strategist at Nikko Asset Management, talks about equity investment opportunities in Japan and the impact of the strengthening yen on strategy. He speaks with Mark Barton on Bloomberg Television's "Countdown." (Source: Bloomberg)
Play VideoSept. 2 (Bloomberg) -- Bloomberg's Elizabeth Faublas reports on the performance of the U.S. equity market today. U.S. stocks rose, with the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index building on its biggest rally in almost two months, after retail sales improved, initial jobless claims fell and pending home sales unexpectedly increased. Bloomberg's Pimm Fox also speaks. (Source: Bloomberg)
Most Asian stocks rose, led by technology companies, after U.S. reports showed an unexpected increase in pending home sales and improved retail sales.
Sony Corp., the electronics maker that gets 22 percent of sales from the U.S., rose 1.6 percent. James Hardie Industries SE, the biggest seller of home siding in the U.S., climbed 4.4 percent in Sydney. Toyota Motor Corp., an automaker that earns about 70 percent of its revenue abroad, increased 1.2 percent. OZ Minerals Ltd., an Australian copper and gold producer, surged 5 percent as commodity prices advanced.
“Investors are kind of relieved because a downward spiral in the global economy had a pause this week,” said Naoki Fujiwara, who helps oversee about $6 billion in Tokyo at Shinkin Asset Management Co. “But investors won’t jump into buying shares just because of that, since there is still a strong sense of uncertainty.”
The MSCI Asia Pacific Index gained 0.3 percent to 119.63 as of 1:39 p.m. in Tokyo, extending its advanced for a third day. The gauge advanced 2.4 percent this week after Japan’s government said it’s preparing a new stimulus plan to help businesses threatened by the strong yen and as reports showed Chinese and U.S. manufacturing, as well as the Australian economy, grew faster than economists estimated.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 Stock Average gained 0.6 percent. Taiwan’s Taiex Index climbed 1.3 percent, the most among Asia Pacific major gauges as the nation’s technology companies rallied.
South Korea’s Kospi Index and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index rose at least 0.1 percent. New Zealand’s NZX 50 Index increased 0.7 percent.
Chain Store Data
Futures on the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell 0.2 percent today. In New York yesterday, the index increased 0.9 percent, rounding out its biggest two-day gain since early July, after a report showed pending sales of existing U.S. houses climbed 5.2 percent in July, compared with a 1 percent drop economists had estimated in a Bloomberg survey.
Same-store sales at 30 U.S. retail chains probably rose 3.5 percent in August, according to Retail Metrics Inc., beating analysts’ estimates of 2.8 percent.
“The excessive pessimism about the U.S. economy is coming to a halt,” said Juichi Wako, a senior strategist at Tokyo- based Nomura Holdings Inc. “The market was totally pessimistic, but a ray of sunlight has come out this week.”
Exporters Advance
Sony, the maker of Bravia televisions, climbed 1.6 percent to 2,466 yen. Canon Inc., a Japanese camera maker that gets 28 percent of its revenue from the Americas, rose 0.9 percent to 3,535 yen. James Hardie, which counts the U.S. as its biggest market, climbed 4.4 percent to A$5.51 in Sydney.
Japanese exporters also increased as the yen depreciated to as low as 84.43 against the dollar today in Tokyo, compared with 84.17 at the close of stock trading yesterday. A weaker yen boosts overseas income at Japanese companies when converted into their home currency.
Toyota Motor, the world’s biggest automaker, gained 1.2 percent to 2,885 yen. Toshiba Corp., the world’s second-biggest maker of flash memory, advanced 0.8 percent to 387 yen.
The MSCI Asia Pacific Index has declined 2.2 percent from a three-month high on Aug. 6 as the yen’s advance to a 15-year high against the dollar and disappointing U.S. data fueled global growth concerns. U.S. government reports released last month showed orders for durable goods increased less than forecast in July and companies hired fewer workers in the same month.
Tech Stocks Climb
Stocks on the MSCI gauge are valued at an average 13.7 times estimated earnings, compared with 13.1 times for the S&P 500 Index and 11.6 times for the Stoxx Europe 600 Index.
A measure of technology companies posted the biggest advance among the 10 industry groups in the MSCI index amid expectations demand will increase.
In Taipei, Realtek Semiconductor Corp., a maker of chips used in computers, surged 6.9 percent, the second-biggest advance on the MSCI Asia Pacific Index, to NT$67.9. Investors are speculating revenue will rise this month, said Lucas Chen, an analyst at Polaris Securities Co.
Chimei Innolux Corp., Taiwan’s largest maker of liquid- crystal displays, advanced 6.9 percent to NT$35.75, amid speculation fourth-quarter demand for consumer electronics will improve from the previous three months, said Richard Ko, an analyst at Jih Sun Securities Co.
Esprit Declines
PT Indosat, Indonesia’s second-biggest phone operator, surged 7.1 percent to 4,900 rupiah after Deustche Bank AG raised the stock to “hold’ from “sell.”
Raw-material producers climbed after crude oil for October delivery rose 1.5 percent yesterday in New York. The London Metal Exchange Index of six metals including aluminum and copper advanced for a second day yesterday to the highest level since April 30.
OZ Minerals Ltd., which has mines in Africa and Asia, climbed 5 percent to A$1.37, its highest level since October 2008, in Sydney. Mitsubishi Corp., Japan’s biggest commodities trader, rose 0.7 percent to 1,840 yen. Inpex Corp., Japan’s largest oil explorer, climbed 1.4 percent to 406,000 yen.
Among stocks that declined today, Esprit Holdings Ltd., the biggest clothier listed in Hong Kong, tumbled 5.2 percent to HK$40.65 after JPMorgan Chase & Co and CIMB Group Holdings Bhd. cut their ratings on the stock. The company yesterday reported full-year earnings that missed analysts’ estimates.
To contact the reporters on this story: Jonathan Burgos in Singapore at jburgos4@bloomberg.net; Norie Kuboyama in Tokyo at nkuboyama@bloomberg.net
Email Share
Business ExchangeTwitterDeliciousDiggFacebookLinkedInNewsvinePropellerYahoo! BuzzPrint
Play VideoSept. 2 (Bloomberg) -- John Vail, chief global strategist at Nikko Asset Management, talks about equity investment opportunities in Japan and the impact of the strengthening yen on strategy. He speaks with Mark Barton on Bloomberg Television's "Countdown." (Source: Bloomberg)
Play VideoSept. 2 (Bloomberg) -- Bloomberg's Elizabeth Faublas reports on the performance of the U.S. equity market today. U.S. stocks rose, with the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index building on its biggest rally in almost two months, after retail sales improved, initial jobless claims fell and pending home sales unexpectedly increased. Bloomberg's Pimm Fox also speaks. (Source: Bloomberg)
Most Asian stocks rose, led by technology companies, after U.S. reports showed an unexpected increase in pending home sales and improved retail sales.
Sony Corp., the electronics maker that gets 22 percent of sales from the U.S., rose 1.6 percent. James Hardie Industries SE, the biggest seller of home siding in the U.S., climbed 4.4 percent in Sydney. Toyota Motor Corp., an automaker that earns about 70 percent of its revenue abroad, increased 1.2 percent. OZ Minerals Ltd., an Australian copper and gold producer, surged 5 percent as commodity prices advanced.
“Investors are kind of relieved because a downward spiral in the global economy had a pause this week,” said Naoki Fujiwara, who helps oversee about $6 billion in Tokyo at Shinkin Asset Management Co. “But investors won’t jump into buying shares just because of that, since there is still a strong sense of uncertainty.”
The MSCI Asia Pacific Index gained 0.3 percent to 119.63 as of 1:39 p.m. in Tokyo, extending its advanced for a third day. The gauge advanced 2.4 percent this week after Japan’s government said it’s preparing a new stimulus plan to help businesses threatened by the strong yen and as reports showed Chinese and U.S. manufacturing, as well as the Australian economy, grew faster than economists estimated.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 Stock Average gained 0.6 percent. Taiwan’s Taiex Index climbed 1.3 percent, the most among Asia Pacific major gauges as the nation’s technology companies rallied.
South Korea’s Kospi Index and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index rose at least 0.1 percent. New Zealand’s NZX 50 Index increased 0.7 percent.
Chain Store Data
Futures on the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell 0.2 percent today. In New York yesterday, the index increased 0.9 percent, rounding out its biggest two-day gain since early July, after a report showed pending sales of existing U.S. houses climbed 5.2 percent in July, compared with a 1 percent drop economists had estimated in a Bloomberg survey.
Same-store sales at 30 U.S. retail chains probably rose 3.5 percent in August, according to Retail Metrics Inc., beating analysts’ estimates of 2.8 percent.
“The excessive pessimism about the U.S. economy is coming to a halt,” said Juichi Wako, a senior strategist at Tokyo- based Nomura Holdings Inc. “The market was totally pessimistic, but a ray of sunlight has come out this week.”
Exporters Advance
Sony, the maker of Bravia televisions, climbed 1.6 percent to 2,466 yen. Canon Inc., a Japanese camera maker that gets 28 percent of its revenue from the Americas, rose 0.9 percent to 3,535 yen. James Hardie, which counts the U.S. as its biggest market, climbed 4.4 percent to A$5.51 in Sydney.
Japanese exporters also increased as the yen depreciated to as low as 84.43 against the dollar today in Tokyo, compared with 84.17 at the close of stock trading yesterday. A weaker yen boosts overseas income at Japanese companies when converted into their home currency.
Toyota Motor, the world’s biggest automaker, gained 1.2 percent to 2,885 yen. Toshiba Corp., the world’s second-biggest maker of flash memory, advanced 0.8 percent to 387 yen.
The MSCI Asia Pacific Index has declined 2.2 percent from a three-month high on Aug. 6 as the yen’s advance to a 15-year high against the dollar and disappointing U.S. data fueled global growth concerns. U.S. government reports released last month showed orders for durable goods increased less than forecast in July and companies hired fewer workers in the same month.
Tech Stocks Climb
Stocks on the MSCI gauge are valued at an average 13.7 times estimated earnings, compared with 13.1 times for the S&P 500 Index and 11.6 times for the Stoxx Europe 600 Index.
A measure of technology companies posted the biggest advance among the 10 industry groups in the MSCI index amid expectations demand will increase.
In Taipei, Realtek Semiconductor Corp., a maker of chips used in computers, surged 6.9 percent, the second-biggest advance on the MSCI Asia Pacific Index, to NT$67.9. Investors are speculating revenue will rise this month, said Lucas Chen, an analyst at Polaris Securities Co.
Chimei Innolux Corp., Taiwan’s largest maker of liquid- crystal displays, advanced 6.9 percent to NT$35.75, amid speculation fourth-quarter demand for consumer electronics will improve from the previous three months, said Richard Ko, an analyst at Jih Sun Securities Co.
Esprit Declines
PT Indosat, Indonesia’s second-biggest phone operator, surged 7.1 percent to 4,900 rupiah after Deustche Bank AG raised the stock to “hold’ from “sell.”
Raw-material producers climbed after crude oil for October delivery rose 1.5 percent yesterday in New York. The London Metal Exchange Index of six metals including aluminum and copper advanced for a second day yesterday to the highest level since April 30.
OZ Minerals Ltd., which has mines in Africa and Asia, climbed 5 percent to A$1.37, its highest level since October 2008, in Sydney. Mitsubishi Corp., Japan’s biggest commodities trader, rose 0.7 percent to 1,840 yen. Inpex Corp., Japan’s largest oil explorer, climbed 1.4 percent to 406,000 yen.
Among stocks that declined today, Esprit Holdings Ltd., the biggest clothier listed in Hong Kong, tumbled 5.2 percent to HK$40.65 after JPMorgan Chase & Co and CIMB Group Holdings Bhd. cut their ratings on the stock. The company yesterday reported full-year earnings that missed analysts’ estimates.
To contact the reporters on this story: Jonathan Burgos in Singapore at jburgos4@bloomberg.net; Norie Kuboyama in Tokyo at nkuboyama@bloomberg.net
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