Friday June 4, 2010
KUALA LUMPUR: Astro All Asia Networks Plc received a press notice from CIMB Investment Bank on behalf of Astro Holdings Sdn Bhd informing that the conditional take-over offer had closed at 5pm yesterday.
The conditional take-over offer is to acquire all the voting shares of Astro.
In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, CIMB said the detailed disclosure of the level of acceptances received as at the closing time would be announced today by way of press notice.
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/4/business/6401122&sec=business
Thursday, June 3, 2010
CEO: Pos Malaysia never suffered losses since 1992
Friday June 4, 2010
KUALA LUMPUR: Pos Malaysia Bhd says it has never incurred operational losses since its corporatisation in 1992 and has been paying dividends to shareholders every year.
Group managing director and chief executive officer Datuk Syed Faisal Albar said it was only in 2007 and 2008 that the company had to follow the prescribed accounting FRS129 standard to record an impairment provision from its investment in Transmile Bhd.
The impairment provision was RM141mi in 2007 and RM87mil in 2008.
“During these three years, we continued to register operating profit of RM101mil in 2007 and RM86mil in 2008 although our net position is a loss, dragged down by the provision I mentioned just now.
“But operationally, we still registered a profit,” he said.
Meanwhile, Pos Malaysia announced a strategic alliance between PosLaju, the leading Malaysian courier company, with United Parcel Service by jointly launching PosLaju International Premium (PIP) service.
The new international express delivery service, available at all 52 PosLaju outlets in Malaysia, will shorten by half the international transit time for packages and documents to over 215 countries.
“We are committed to meeting our customers’ needs for faster and more reliable service. We are introducing the new PIP service, jointly developed with UPS, as a testimony of that commitment,” Syed Faisal said after the signing ceremony.
He said customers would benefit from UPS’ world-class global service, fully supported by money-back guarantee. — Bernama
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/4/business/6399950&sec=business
KUALA LUMPUR: Pos Malaysia Bhd says it has never incurred operational losses since its corporatisation in 1992 and has been paying dividends to shareholders every year.
Group managing director and chief executive officer Datuk Syed Faisal Albar said it was only in 2007 and 2008 that the company had to follow the prescribed accounting FRS129 standard to record an impairment provision from its investment in Transmile Bhd.
The impairment provision was RM141mi in 2007 and RM87mil in 2008.
“During these three years, we continued to register operating profit of RM101mil in 2007 and RM86mil in 2008 although our net position is a loss, dragged down by the provision I mentioned just now.
“But operationally, we still registered a profit,” he said.
Meanwhile, Pos Malaysia announced a strategic alliance between PosLaju, the leading Malaysian courier company, with United Parcel Service by jointly launching PosLaju International Premium (PIP) service.
The new international express delivery service, available at all 52 PosLaju outlets in Malaysia, will shorten by half the international transit time for packages and documents to over 215 countries.
“We are committed to meeting our customers’ needs for faster and more reliable service. We are introducing the new PIP service, jointly developed with UPS, as a testimony of that commitment,” Syed Faisal said after the signing ceremony.
He said customers would benefit from UPS’ world-class global service, fully supported by money-back guarantee. — Bernama
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/4/business/6399950&sec=business
Facebook CEO says no date in mind for IPO
Friday June 4, 2010
PALOS VERDES: Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg says he has no date in mind to take the Internet social networking company public, and defends changes to the service that have provoked privacy concerns.
The world’s largest social network last week unveiled a set of features to give its nearly half-billion users better control over what data they share with the public.
But Zuckerberg said pushing the boundaries on other aspects of Facebook, such as a new “instant personalisation” feature that automatically shared users’ personal data with websites like Pandora and Yelp, was part of what made Facebook such an innovative company.
“Certainly on a day-to-day basis if we didn’t disrupt things that would be the easiest way to proceed,” Zuckerberg told the All Things Digital conference on Wednesday.
“But we don’t believe that if we did that we’d be doing the best thing for us long term or for the industry,” he continued.
Facebook would continue to make what it believed were the right changes, even if some of them were controversial, he said.
Facebook has grown into one of the world’s largest Internet services and is closely-watched by investors hoping to one day buy public shares in the fast-growing company.
The Palo Alto, California-based company is increasingly challenging more established Internet players like Yahoo Inc and Google Inc for consumers’ online time and for ad dollars.
The 26-year-old Zuckerberg, who co-founded Facebook in a Harvard dorm room in 2004, was asked if he expected to remain CEO if the company went public. Zuckerberg said he did, adding that he didn’t “think about going public ... much.”
He said he did not have a date in mind for a potential IPO.
Facebook’s backers include Digital Sky Technologies, Microsoft Corp, Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka Shing and venture capital firms Accel Partners, Greylock Partners and Meritech Capital Partners.
The company does not disclose financial data, though analyst estimates for its 2009 revenue range from US$500mill to US$650mil. — Reuters
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/4/business/6399603&sec=business
PALOS VERDES: Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg says he has no date in mind to take the Internet social networking company public, and defends changes to the service that have provoked privacy concerns.
The world’s largest social network last week unveiled a set of features to give its nearly half-billion users better control over what data they share with the public.
But Zuckerberg said pushing the boundaries on other aspects of Facebook, such as a new “instant personalisation” feature that automatically shared users’ personal data with websites like Pandora and Yelp, was part of what made Facebook such an innovative company.
“Certainly on a day-to-day basis if we didn’t disrupt things that would be the easiest way to proceed,” Zuckerberg told the All Things Digital conference on Wednesday.
“But we don’t believe that if we did that we’d be doing the best thing for us long term or for the industry,” he continued.
Facebook would continue to make what it believed were the right changes, even if some of them were controversial, he said.
Facebook has grown into one of the world’s largest Internet services and is closely-watched by investors hoping to one day buy public shares in the fast-growing company.
The Palo Alto, California-based company is increasingly challenging more established Internet players like Yahoo Inc and Google Inc for consumers’ online time and for ad dollars.
The 26-year-old Zuckerberg, who co-founded Facebook in a Harvard dorm room in 2004, was asked if he expected to remain CEO if the company went public. Zuckerberg said he did, adding that he didn’t “think about going public ... much.”
He said he did not have a date in mind for a potential IPO.
Facebook’s backers include Digital Sky Technologies, Microsoft Corp, Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka Shing and venture capital firms Accel Partners, Greylock Partners and Meritech Capital Partners.
The company does not disclose financial data, though analyst estimates for its 2009 revenue range from US$500mill to US$650mil. — Reuters
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/4/business/6399603&sec=business
Celcom Axiata to spend RM3bil on capex
Friday June 4, 2010
By LEE KIAN SEONG
lks@thestar.com.my
This is to further improve telecommunication infrastructure
KUALA LUMPUR: Celcom Axiata Bhd plans to spend RM3bil from 2010 to 2012 for capital expenditure (capex) to further improve its telecommunication infrastructure.
Chief executive officer Datuk Seri Shazalli Ramly said the company would spend about RM1bil each year, mainly on information technology and network building.
The company will spend RM870mil on information technology and network related segments this year.
It spent RM780mil capex in 2009.
On its first quarter ended March 31, Celcom posted a profit after tax and minority interest (patami) of RM441mil, a 24% increase from RM357mil a year ago.
Datuk Seri Shazalli Ramly (right) and Chari TVT with Celcom’s Blue Bears after the briefing
Its revenue improved 15% to RM1.7bil compared with the last corresponding period.
“The rise of patami was due to the increase in revenue, subscribers and the implementation of our smart-spend measures,” said chief financial officer Chari TVT at a briefing yesterday.
The company earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation for the first quarter increased by 16% to RM773mil compared with the same period last year.
Moving forward, Shazalli said the company would continue expanding its coverage and capacity and substantially increase its investment in network infrastructure to meet consumers’ demand.
“Celcom will continue its aggresive marketing strategy and introduce more innovative campaigns to the market with a segmentation-based approach,” he said.
He said the company had planned 500 on-ground events for FIFA World Cup, adding that it planned to spend less than 4% of its quarterly revenue on advertising and promotional activities.
On Celcom’s earnings prospect this year, he said the company aimed for double-digit growth for its patami, driven by efficient spending measures, aggresive campaigns, expansion and product offerings.
Shazalli said the company was aspired to continue its broadband dominance through aggresive broadband offerings and services as well as focus on high-quality customer touch-point experience.
The company retained its leading position in mobile broadband with a total of 635,000 subscribers.
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/4/business/6397439&sec=business
By LEE KIAN SEONG
lks@thestar.com.my
This is to further improve telecommunication infrastructure
KUALA LUMPUR: Celcom Axiata Bhd plans to spend RM3bil from 2010 to 2012 for capital expenditure (capex) to further improve its telecommunication infrastructure.
Chief executive officer Datuk Seri Shazalli Ramly said the company would spend about RM1bil each year, mainly on information technology and network building.
The company will spend RM870mil on information technology and network related segments this year.
It spent RM780mil capex in 2009.
On its first quarter ended March 31, Celcom posted a profit after tax and minority interest (patami) of RM441mil, a 24% increase from RM357mil a year ago.
Datuk Seri Shazalli Ramly (right) and Chari TVT with Celcom’s Blue Bears after the briefing
Its revenue improved 15% to RM1.7bil compared with the last corresponding period.
“The rise of patami was due to the increase in revenue, subscribers and the implementation of our smart-spend measures,” said chief financial officer Chari TVT at a briefing yesterday.
The company earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation for the first quarter increased by 16% to RM773mil compared with the same period last year.
Moving forward, Shazalli said the company would continue expanding its coverage and capacity and substantially increase its investment in network infrastructure to meet consumers’ demand.
“Celcom will continue its aggresive marketing strategy and introduce more innovative campaigns to the market with a segmentation-based approach,” he said.
He said the company had planned 500 on-ground events for FIFA World Cup, adding that it planned to spend less than 4% of its quarterly revenue on advertising and promotional activities.
On Celcom’s earnings prospect this year, he said the company aimed for double-digit growth for its patami, driven by efficient spending measures, aggresive campaigns, expansion and product offerings.
Shazalli said the company was aspired to continue its broadband dominance through aggresive broadband offerings and services as well as focus on high-quality customer touch-point experience.
The company retained its leading position in mobile broadband with a total of 635,000 subscribers.
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/4/business/6397439&sec=business
Celcom Axiata to spend RM3bil in capex over next 3 years
Published: Thursday June 3, 2010 MYT 2:42:00 PM
KUALA LUMPUR: Celcom Axiata Bhd plans to spend RM3bil over the next three years in capital expenditure (capex) to further strengthen its market position and improve its infrastructure.
Chief executive officer Datuk Seri Shazalli Ramly told reporters Thursday that the firm would spend about RM1bil each year and majority of it would be for information technology and network building.
It spent RM780mil capex in 2009.
For its first quarter ended March 31, Celcom posted a profit after tax and minority interest (patami) of RM441mil,a 24.2% increase from RM357mil a year ago.
Its revenue improved 15% to RM1.7bil compared to the last corresponding period.
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/3/business/20100603144440&sec=business
KUALA LUMPUR: Celcom Axiata Bhd plans to spend RM3bil over the next three years in capital expenditure (capex) to further strengthen its market position and improve its infrastructure.
Chief executive officer Datuk Seri Shazalli Ramly told reporters Thursday that the firm would spend about RM1bil each year and majority of it would be for information technology and network building.
It spent RM780mil capex in 2009.
For its first quarter ended March 31, Celcom posted a profit after tax and minority interest (patami) of RM441mil,a 24.2% increase from RM357mil a year ago.
Its revenue improved 15% to RM1.7bil compared to the last corresponding period.
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/3/business/20100603144440&sec=business
Maxis offers BlackBerry in white
Thursday June 3, 2010
KUALA LUMPUR: Maxis Bhd yesterday announced the online registration for the first-ever BlackBerry in white at its www.maxis.com.my website.
Chief operating officer Jean-Pascal Van Overbeke said the BlackBerry Bold 9700 white was eagerly awaited by style-conscious customers seeking performance with outstanding looks. “Advanced devices are a crucial part of the integrated services platform that Maxis is currently focused on tailoring to universal as well as individual needs,” he said in a statement yesterday.
The BlackBerry Bold 9700 white is available at RM2,459 for Maxis postpaid customers. The product will be available first to customers from Maxis Centres and Maxis partners nationwide this month. — Bernama
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/3/business/6392599&sec=business
KUALA LUMPUR: Maxis Bhd yesterday announced the online registration for the first-ever BlackBerry in white at its www.maxis.com.my website.
Chief operating officer Jean-Pascal Van Overbeke said the BlackBerry Bold 9700 white was eagerly awaited by style-conscious customers seeking performance with outstanding looks. “Advanced devices are a crucial part of the integrated services platform that Maxis is currently focused on tailoring to universal as well as individual needs,” he said in a statement yesterday.
The BlackBerry Bold 9700 white is available at RM2,459 for Maxis postpaid customers. The product will be available first to customers from Maxis Centres and Maxis partners nationwide this month. — Bernama
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/3/business/6392599&sec=business
Maxis posts Q1 net profit of RM552mil
Tuesday June 1, 2010
KUALA LUMPUR: Maxis Bhd, which posted a net profit of RM552mil, or 7.40 sen per share, for the three months ended March 31 from a net loss of RM42mil previously, is optimistic about its growth prospect and expects healthy growth in mobile subscriptions and data revenue.
In the notes accompanying its results, Maxis said it would continue to focus on stringent management of costs and working capital to underpin earnings and operating cash flow.
In a filing with Bursa Malaysia yesterday, Maxis said its pre-tax profit rose to RM765mil from a net loss of RM17mil a year ago.
Revenue improved to RM2.15bil from RM1.8bil for the period under review, mainly due to higher mobile subscription base.
In a note, Maxis said the comparative numbers “did not represent a like for like” comparison of the operational performance of the group because of the accounting treatment adopted for the business combination by Maxis which was completed on Oct 1, 2009.
“The comparative represent that of Maxis Mobile Services Sdn Bhd’s mobile retail business and its 44% effective equity interest in PT Natrindo Telepon Seluler, the Indonesian mobile operations, as Maxis Mobile Services is the deemed acquirer for the purpose of accounting,” Maxis said, adding that it had provided proforma financial information in the notes accompanying its results.
Maxis’ EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) increased by RM10mil on the back of higher revenue partly offset by higher direct expenses of RM12mil on account of higher device expenses from sales of Blackberrys and iPhones.
The resultant EBITDA margin decreased to 50.3%. For the first quarter, Maxis’ mobile subscriptions grew 1.42 million or 13% contributed by prepaid growth of 1.2 million or 14%, postpaid growth of 56,000 and wireless broadband growth of 162,000, bringing the total mobile subscription base to 12.69 million.
Monthly average revenue per user (ARPU) for prepaid and wireless broadband dropped by RM5 and RM28 respectively, mainly due to erosion in voice yield as a result of migration to lower priced plans and introduction of lower priced tariff packages and promotional packages offering free 2-month subscription. Monthly postpaid ARPU remains flat during the current quarter. Its blended ARPU dropped RM4 to RM52 in the first quarter.
Meanwhile, chief executive officer Sandip Das said it would continue to fortify its leadership by providing more innovative new products and services to satisfy customer’s needs.
The company will invest RM1.4bil in the Maxis network including increasing its high speed wireless broadband coverage to 80% from 57% of the population and deploying new capabilities through its IT transformation. For the first quarter ended March 31, Maxis declared a first interim dividend of 8 sen per share, which will go ex on June 11 and paid on June 30.
“We are excited about the opportunities ahead and Maxis continues to be well positioned for the future.”
Analysts contacted were mixed on Maxis’ latest financial performance.
An analyst said Maxis’ results were largely within expectation. He said the consolidated subscribers showed an improvement of 3% quarter-on-quarter but its net adds for postpaid subscribers were disappointing.
“It’s flat against the preceding quarter and the ARPU on the other hand still headed south between 5% and 19%,” he added.
Another analyst said Maxis’ results were within his expectations and the telco also managed to maintained its EBITDA margins due to its ongoing cost-control measures. On its dividend, he expected Maxis to at least match the 9 sen per share in dividend declared in the fourth quarter but nevertheless the 8 sen dividend declared was within his expectations.
Last year, Maxis said that it planned to pay more than 75% of its annual profit as dividends.
Analysts consensus estimate of Maxis’ FY2010 net earnings is about RM2.4bil and a dividend per share forecast of 32.5 sen.
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/1/business/6376975&sec=business
KUALA LUMPUR: Maxis Bhd, which posted a net profit of RM552mil, or 7.40 sen per share, for the three months ended March 31 from a net loss of RM42mil previously, is optimistic about its growth prospect and expects healthy growth in mobile subscriptions and data revenue.
In the notes accompanying its results, Maxis said it would continue to focus on stringent management of costs and working capital to underpin earnings and operating cash flow.
In a filing with Bursa Malaysia yesterday, Maxis said its pre-tax profit rose to RM765mil from a net loss of RM17mil a year ago.
Revenue improved to RM2.15bil from RM1.8bil for the period under review, mainly due to higher mobile subscription base.
In a note, Maxis said the comparative numbers “did not represent a like for like” comparison of the operational performance of the group because of the accounting treatment adopted for the business combination by Maxis which was completed on Oct 1, 2009.
“The comparative represent that of Maxis Mobile Services Sdn Bhd’s mobile retail business and its 44% effective equity interest in PT Natrindo Telepon Seluler, the Indonesian mobile operations, as Maxis Mobile Services is the deemed acquirer for the purpose of accounting,” Maxis said, adding that it had provided proforma financial information in the notes accompanying its results.
Maxis’ EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) increased by RM10mil on the back of higher revenue partly offset by higher direct expenses of RM12mil on account of higher device expenses from sales of Blackberrys and iPhones.
The resultant EBITDA margin decreased to 50.3%. For the first quarter, Maxis’ mobile subscriptions grew 1.42 million or 13% contributed by prepaid growth of 1.2 million or 14%, postpaid growth of 56,000 and wireless broadband growth of 162,000, bringing the total mobile subscription base to 12.69 million.
Monthly average revenue per user (ARPU) for prepaid and wireless broadband dropped by RM5 and RM28 respectively, mainly due to erosion in voice yield as a result of migration to lower priced plans and introduction of lower priced tariff packages and promotional packages offering free 2-month subscription. Monthly postpaid ARPU remains flat during the current quarter. Its blended ARPU dropped RM4 to RM52 in the first quarter.
Meanwhile, chief executive officer Sandip Das said it would continue to fortify its leadership by providing more innovative new products and services to satisfy customer’s needs.
The company will invest RM1.4bil in the Maxis network including increasing its high speed wireless broadband coverage to 80% from 57% of the population and deploying new capabilities through its IT transformation. For the first quarter ended March 31, Maxis declared a first interim dividend of 8 sen per share, which will go ex on June 11 and paid on June 30.
“We are excited about the opportunities ahead and Maxis continues to be well positioned for the future.”
Analysts contacted were mixed on Maxis’ latest financial performance.
An analyst said Maxis’ results were largely within expectation. He said the consolidated subscribers showed an improvement of 3% quarter-on-quarter but its net adds for postpaid subscribers were disappointing.
“It’s flat against the preceding quarter and the ARPU on the other hand still headed south between 5% and 19%,” he added.
Another analyst said Maxis’ results were within his expectations and the telco also managed to maintained its EBITDA margins due to its ongoing cost-control measures. On its dividend, he expected Maxis to at least match the 9 sen per share in dividend declared in the fourth quarter but nevertheless the 8 sen dividend declared was within his expectations.
Last year, Maxis said that it planned to pay more than 75% of its annual profit as dividends.
Analysts consensus estimate of Maxis’ FY2010 net earnings is about RM2.4bil and a dividend per share forecast of 32.5 sen.
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/1/business/6376975&sec=business
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