Hartalega Holdings Bhd reported a net profit of RM197.9 million for the first half of financial year 2020 (1HFY20). The results came in within our but missed consensus estimates at 45% and 41% respectively. The better earnings performance quarter-on-quarter (q-o-q) was within our expectations as the operating environment for glove makers has been improving and the previous oversupply concern has subsided.

The management remains sanguine about 60%-owned YTL Communications Sdn Bhd’s prospects in spite of a challenging road thus far, including setbacks for the WiMAX technology and the recent non-renewal of the 1BestariNet project. The management is optimistic about new opportunities for the mobile services arm, YTL e-Solutions Bhd (YES), underpinned by the launch of the fifth-generation (5G) technology, potential awards of low-frequency spectrums, the roll-out of Terragraph wireless broadband, and cost savings from infrastructure-sharing under the National Fiberisation and Connectivity Plan. Upbeat that YES would appeal to foreign investors; the group does not discount the possibility of roping in a strategic equity partner for YES.

Tan Sri Dr Chen Lip Keong and the parties acting in concert in the offer for Karambunai Corp Bhd (KCB)’s shares have ended up with 5.32 million or 92.14% of the company’s shares as at the close of his unconditional voluntary takeover offer yesterday.

According to a filing with the bourse, the gaming tycoon, better known as the founder of Hong Kong-listed NagaCorp Ltd, also holds 832.42 million or 82.01% of outstanding warrants.

Given the offeror does not intend to maintain the listing status of KCB, the trading of its shares and warrants will be suspended upon the expiry of five market days from the closing date.

Fintec Global Bhd is acquiring a 19.82% stake in label printing and packaging solution services provider Komarkcorp Bhd for RM16.4 million.

Fintec Global’s wholly-owned subsidiary Asiabio Capital Sdn Bhd is buying the stake from Koh Hong Muan @ Koh Gak Siong and Aimas Enterprise Sdn Bhd, the group said in a filing with Bursa Malaysia.

“AirAsia is targeting the next generation of consumers as it realises that the government wants to connect with the youth e-sports generation,” said Phang.

The offshore energy facilities and services provider said on Monday its net profit rose from the RM48.42mil a year ago. Its revenue fell by 18.1% to RM491.61mil from RM600.34mil a year ago. Earnings per share were 1.06 sen compared with 0.83 sen.

The compay said floating production and offloading (FPO) business reported lower revenue of RM425.6mil due to lower revenue from Armada TGT 1 FPSO, with the vessel now in its extension agreement contract.

Kronologi Asia Bhd sees the service business as a good area of growth with an expected 40% to 50% growth in its customer base.

Speaking at a press conference today, its CEO Edmond Tay (pix) explained that the growth in the segment has been contributed by smaller companies that are looking into embracing the cloud but do not know how to start with.

“The 40-50% year-on-year growth in customer base is a realistic target, as more and more people will adopt cloud as a service.”

For 2QFY19, Mudajaya posted a net loss of RM31.59 million versus a net loss of RM77.71 million in the previous corresponding quarter, according to Mudajaya's Bursa filing.

Some quarters see the trade tension has cast a pall and soon this will be reflected in Malaysian-based semiconductor companies’ performances.

However, others are optimistic of a recovery in the coming quarters. The share price weakness is good buying opportunities.

ViTrox’s sharp net profit contraction was taken by the cautious investors as evidence of a possible slowdown in the semiconductor industry.

KLK shareholder raises RM663.6m after selling stake at RM21 per share

Bumi Armada’s shares were likely sold down yesterday on news that independent UK-based exploration and production operator EnQuest, currently with a market cap of £296 million (RM1.6 billion), has ‘proactively down-manned’ the Thistle platform on Monday in a precautionary move, after a preliminary subsea structural inspection related to a support element on a redundant subsea storage tank.

According to the research house, the incident at the Thistle platform was not related to Kraken oil field in East Shetland Basin where Bumi Armada was awarded a US$1billion floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel charter in 2012 by EnQuest.

Maxis Bhd (Maxis) reported net profit of US$85.5 million (RM358 million) on the back of US$545 million (RM2.285 billion) in revenue for the third quarter ended 30 Sept 2019

Asia Media's audited FY18 net loss balloons to RM26.5m from an unaudited RM3.14m, falls into PN17

Quek Leng Chan : Hong Leong committed to grow Islamic banking business

Direct marketing firm Amway (Malaysia) Holdings Bhd is in for a good year after it released strong 1H earnings that met consensus estimates, TA Securities says.

Amway's growth will be driven by improving product sales, launch of new products and aggressive promotion, the broker says, adding its robust cash position and operating cash flow may make it an attractive dividend stock.