The Star reported on Saturday that the Indonesian government has imposed a 20% tax on some raw metal ore exports, and will prohibit shipments of raw materials unless miners submit plans to build smelters. The export ban will definitely affect mining companies, especially for those having long-term agreements with external parties. The rules are a precursor to a total ban on raw material exports by 2014. According to the report, tin ore is among the metals in the export ban list and Malaysia Smelting Corporation (MSC) operates its tin mining activities in Indonesia via its subsidiary, PT Koba Tin.

Up, up and away.The FBM KLCI surged 7.87 pts to close at 1591.04 on Friday. News over the weekend include: Ta Ann Holdings Bhd is increasing the harvest of its plantation logs to produce hybrid plywood, Asia's economic growth will average around 5% to 5.3% in the next 3 years according to the Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah and Malaysia Smelting Corp Bhd will continue to pursue opportunities to expand its tin resources in Pahang, Kedah, Terengganu and Perak. Meanwhile, RAM Ratings is projecting a corporate default rate of between 0.5% and 1.1% for 2012 and DKLS Industries Bhd and the Selangor State Development Corp (PKNS) will jointly participate in the redevelopment of a proposed mixed property project with a gross development value of RM1.5bn. On the global front, the US markets and crude oil price closed lower on Friday, with the latter shedding USD4.05 to close at USD98.49/barrel.

US stocks slumped, sending the Standard & Poor's 500 Index (S&P 500) to its biggest weekly retreat this year, as data on the American and European labor markets fueled concerns the global economy is weakening. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 168.32 pts, or 1.3% to 13,038.27, while the S&P 500 shed 22.47 pts, or 1.61% to 1369.10. (StarBiz)

State-owned Sarawak Hidro SB, the chief promoter of the problem-plagued Bakun hydroelectric dam, is faced with claims of more than RM820m, raising the cost of what already ranks as one of the country's most expensive infrastructure undertakings. Financial  executives close to the project said the Malaysia-SinoHydro Corp Joint Venture, a JV company led by Sime Darby Bhd, has submitted claims amounting to RM670m for the civil works of the mammoth undertaking. Separately, a consortium led by Argentina's IMPSA group, the chief supplier of turbines for the massive dam project, is seeking another RM140m from Sarawak Hidro. (Financial Daily)

Logistics player Fright Management Bhd (FMB) is expecting another year of  growth, boosted by its third party logistics (3PL) business and growth potential in the local logistics industry. Managing director Chew Chong Keat said FMB still has room to grow in the local logistics sector. He added that FMB has managed to maintain growth despite uncertainty in the logistics industry. (Financial Daily)

The buyout of KFC Holdings Bhd (KFC) and its parent, QSR Brands Bhd by the Johor Corp (JCorp)-led consortium is coming close to fruition  with the JCorp board now finalizing the sale and purchase agreement (SPA), sources said. StarBiz had reported that a government-linked investment company (GLIC) would be part of a special purpose vehicle in the buyout exercise. They said the GLIC would be  the second largest shareholder in KFC/QSR after JCorp, upon completion of the buyout. (StarBiz)- Please see accompanying report.

DRB-Hicom has put a stop to the plan by the former management of Proton Holdings Bhd to sell off Lotus Group International Ltd. It is understood that a closed-door meeting was held recently in Norwich, Britain, the home of the sportscar maker, headed by Proton's executive chairman and new Lotus chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Khamil Jamil. British media reported that Khamil met with British Business Secretary Vince Cable and South Norfolk member of parliament Richard Bacon to allay fears that Proton was about to pull the plug on Lotus. (BT)

With Gas Malaysia Bhd almost ready to start trading on Bursa Malaysia, MMC Corp Bhd, a construction, power and port group, is planning another initial public offering (IPO) for its other subsidiary, Malakoff Corp Bhd. Group managing director Datuk Hasni Harun said MMC, owned by businessman Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Al Bukhary, hoped to relist Malakoff by next year. On the rationale of listing its existing subsidiaries, Hasni said MMC was focused on strengthening its business capabilities and further explore ways to unlock the value of its assets. (BT)

Hibiscus Petroleum SB is expanding its involvement in the Norwegian oil and gas industry through a jointlycontrolled company with its local partner there, North Energy ASA. In a filing to Bursa Malaysia last Friday, it said that the joint company called Lime Petroleum Plc has secured 50% of North Energy's interests in four concessions in Norway. (Malaysian Reserve)

Thailand: Prasarn signals rate cut over as GDP forecast raised Thailand will refrain from further interest-rate reductions as an economic recovery that is exceeding the central bank's expectations prompts it to raise the 2012 growth forecast. Governor Prasarn Trairatvorakul said that Thailand will probably expand 6% this year, from a previous estimate of 5.7%, while inflation is still at a 'manageable level.' The Bank of Thailand has kept its benchmark rate unchanged at its past two meetings at 3%, a level that Prasarn said is in an 'accommodative zone' and will help strengthen the nation's growth. (Bloomberg)

Philippine inflation accelerated in April from a 30-month low on higher utility, fuel and food costs, reducing scope for the central  bank to resume interest-rate cuts. Consumer prices rose 3% y-o-y, after a 2.6% advance in March. The median estimate was for a 2.6% gain. Inflation pressure may rise further after the government approved a fare increase for jeepneys, a popular mode of transport, and President Aquino said that wage boards would speed up discussions on higher minimum pay. (Bloomberg)

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) cut growth and inflation forecasts as weak job and housing markets keep price gains in check. The RBA said that labor market conditions have continued to be on the soft side to date, with large increases in employment in mining and some service industries roughly offset by declines in the manufacturing, hospitality and retail sectors. The central bank sees average growth of 3% in 2012, down from its February estimate of 3.5%. Consumer prices should rise 2.5%, from a previous prediction of 3%. (Bloomberg)

Euro-region services and manufacturing output contracted more than initially estimated in April, adding to signs of a deepening economic slump. A euro-area composite index based on a survey of purchasing managers\dropped to 46.7 from 49.1 in March. That's the fastest rate of decline since October and below an estimate of 47.4 published on 23 April. A reading below 50 indicates contraction. A gauge of euro-region manufacturing fell to 45.9 in April from 47.7 in March, while a measure of services dropped to 46.9 from 49.2. (Bloomberg)

UK house prices dropped the most in 1.5 years in April as a stamp-duty exemption for first-time buyers ended and the economy fell into its first double-dip recession since the 1970s. Prices dropped 2.4% from March, the largest monthly decline since Sept 2010, to an average GDP159,883. Prices had risen 2.2% in March. April values were down 0.6% y-o-y. Demand for homes was boosted earlier this year as first-time buyers took advantage of a tax exemption on purchases of homes costing less than GBP250,000 before it ended in March. (Bloomberg)

American employers in April added the fewest number of jobs in six months and wages stagnated. The 115,000 increase in payrolls was less than the forecast of a 160,000 increase and followed a revised 154,000 gain in March that was larger than initially estimated. Unemployment fell to a three-year low of 8.1% as people left the labor force. The April increase in payrolls leaves the labor market 5m jobs short of the 8.8m lost as a result of the 18-month recession. Private payrolls during Obama's term in office turned to positive from negative in April, with a net gain of 35,000. Overall payrolls remain lower than when Obama was inaugurated because there are 607,000 fewer government workers, including federal, state and local employees. Average hourly earnings were USD23.38 in April, little changed from the month before. (Bloomberg)

Global consumer confidence rose in the first quarter as improvements in the US economy and continued growth in Asian markets brought sentiment levels to the highest level since the global recession began. Nielsen said its index of consumer confidence rose 5 pts in the period to 94. North America rose 8 pts to 92 while Europe is the most pessimistic region at 72 pts, though confidence increased in 16 out of 27 markets there. Asia-Pacific continues to be the most optimistic area at 103 pts. (Bloomberg)

Source: OSK188