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Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Stock News 2012: BPI profit up 13.4% to P12.8B

BPI Building in Makati City, at the corner of ...BPI Building in Makati City, at the corner of Ayala Avenue and Paseo de Roxas. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Ayala-owned Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) said its an unaudited net income reached P12.8 billion last year, up 13.4 percent from P11.3 billion in 2010.

BPI president and chief executive officer Aurelio Luis R. Montinola III said in turn, they are targeting a 13-to 15-percent expansion in its lending this year as they anticipate another double-digit growth in earnings.

“We look forward to 2012 as a better year for the country and for BPI, as we intend to continue our loan growth path and differentiate ourselves through superior relationship managers and further use online banking,” the bank official added.

“We exceeded our five million customer base goal, improved our ROA (return on assets) to 1.6 percent, and maintained ROE (return on equity) above 15 percent during our 160th anniversary.”

Total revenues grew seven percent on the back of a 10-percent expansion in net interest income. That, in turn, was fueled by the growth in average asset base to P48 billion.

Net interest margin was not only preserved but ended higher by 13 basis points,” Montinola said.

Non-interest income was likewise three percent higher due to an increase in service charges, trust fees, income from the insurance companies and credit card income.

Operating expenses, however, increased 12 percent with almost half generated by salary-related costs. Manpower cost though remained at 48 percent of total expenses. Also adding to the operating expenses were premises costs, regulatory costs, and other variable costs.

Impairment losses were lower at P2.15 billion in view of the continuous decline in non-performing assets.

Total resources of P843 billion were slightly lower by almost four percent than the previous year’s figure of P877 billion.

Total deposits contracted by about five percent to P681 billion, while total intermediated funds reached P1.35 trillion, or a 12-percent increase, as assets under management went up 38 percent.

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=772820&publicationSubCategoryId=66

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Monday, January 30, 2012

Stock News 2012: SMIC, major units bag top award anew

SM Investments CorporationSM Investments Corporation (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
For the third consecutive year, SM Investments Corp. (SMIC) won The Asset Platinum Corporate Award 2011 for all-around excellence in management, financial performance, corporate governance, social responsibility, environmental responsibility, and investor relations.

The highly prestigious Platinum Corporate Award was given to only 19 companies from Asia, which include, aside from SMIC, two other SM Group companies, namely SM Prime Holdings Inc. and BDO Unibank Inc.

The recognition was given by The Asset Publishing and Research Ltd, a Hong Kong-based multimedia entity serving the Asian financial markets and publisher of The Asset magazine. Platinum is the highest category under The Asset’s awards program.

“It is once again our honor and privilege to win The Asset’s Platinum Corporate award. It is indeed a fitting recognition of SM’s firm commitment to sound management and responsible corporate citizenship. We sincerely offer the award to our shareholders, clients, employees, and other stakeholders, for whom we undertake to continue implementing rigorous management practices,” SMIC president Harley T. Sy said.

“The criteria used to assess the companies include a range of metrics of financial performance, which are also a proxy for gauging management acumen,” The Asset explained.

“Since the purpose of the awards is also to recognize the importance of sustainable growth, companies are also evaluated according to the quality of their corporate governance, social responsibility, environmental responsibility, and investor relations,” it added.

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=772510&publicationSubCategoryId=66

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Thursday, January 26, 2012

Stock News 2012: East West Bank plans P5.76-billion IPO

EastWest Bank in ChinatownEastWest Bank in Chinatown (Photo credit: Jan Arne Petersen)
Buoyed by a bullish stock market, Gotianun-led East West Banking Corp. is seeking to raise around P5.76 billion through a primary and secondary offering of its shares to bankroll its expansion.

Based on its application filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission yesterday, EastWest Bank said it is planning to offer up to 245.316 million common shares at a maximum price of P23.50 each share.

Of the total, up to 141.056 million new shares will issued by way of a primary offer to raise as much as P3.31 billion. The balance of 104,259 million shares will be sold by parent firm First Development Corp. to raise around P2.45 billion.

The bank is also setting aside up to 36.797 million shares, coming from the shares of the selling shareholder, for the overallotment option.

More than half of the offer shares, or up to 171.72 million shares, will be sold overseas while 73.594 million shares will be issued to the domestic market.

Proceeds from the IPO will be used for the payment of bank branch licenses, the expansion of its branch network and the implementation of IT projects, among others.

EastWest Bank has tapped Deutsche Bank AG and JP Morgan Securities as international lead managers while Unicapital Inc. will serve as the domestic lead underwriter.

It ranked 17th among the country’s 38 commercial and universal banks in terms of total assets as of Sept. 30, 2011.


As of end-December last year, EastWest Bank had a network of 122 branches, including 77 branches strategically located in Metro Manila.

EastWest Bank chairman Jonathan said the bank is keen on its planned initial public offering (IPO).

“The IPO is one of the avenues that we are exploring to share the development of the bank with the public. It will depend on market conditions and it is under study,” he added.

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=771227&publicationSubCategoryId=

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Monday, January 23, 2012

Stock News 2012: Robinsons Ilocos Norte voted Best Community Mall

Robinsons Ilocos Norte was voted “Best Community Mall-Small Category” by the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) during the 15th Outstanding Filipino Retailers and Shopping Centers of the Year Awards Night held at Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila Ballroom recently.

Robinsons Ilocos Norte is the only full ser- vice shopping mall in Region 1, catering to the needs of the residents of Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur as well as nearby provinces.

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=770465&publicationSubCategoryId=

Friday, January 20, 2012

Stock News 2012: Filinvest Dev't subscribes to P3-B East West Bank shares

Portage Ave EastWest 06-10-07Portage Ave EastWest 06-10-07 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Gotianun-led Filinvest Development Corp. (FDC) has subscribed to P3 billion or a fourth of the increase in capitalization of its banking arm EastWest Bank Corp.

EastWest Bank raised its capitalization from P8 billion to P20 billion.

In a disclosure to the stock exchange, FDC said it subscribed to 300 million common shares of EastWest Bank with a par value of P10.

The Filinvest Group is one of the country’s leading conglomerates, with interests in real estate through Filinvest Land, financial and banking services, and sugar manufacturing through Pacific Sugar Holdings.

EastWest Bank posted a net income of P1.5 billion as of October last year, down 6.1 percent from the previous level, due to lower trading gains. Net revenues also fell 5.1 percent to P5.9 billion as a result of lower trading income.

Net interest income, however rose 11.4 percent to P3.9 billion as the bank improved its lending businesses and management of its cost of funds.

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=769320&publicationSubCategoryId=

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Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Stock News 2012: DMCI bares 7 condominium projects

DMCI Homes, the property development unit of DMCI Holdings, announced Tuesday at least seven new residential condominium projects that will be unveiled in 2012, investing up to P18 billion or around 6,088 units of fresh inventory in the burgeoning local mid-income property market.

These new projects – located in key, strategic areas within Metro Manila – are in line with the developer's unique proposition of providing top-quality condominium homes to young families. Such developments continue to live up to the company's reputation for pioneering genuine resort-inspired residential condominium communities.

Additionally, compared to entry-level studio units mostly comprising the mid-income segment, DMCI Homes offers more spacious options such as two-bedroom units, which are considered its standard or most popular offering among buyers.

The projects will be a mix of mid- to high-rise vertical community developments. These include: Zinnia Towers, located along a prime property along North EDSA, Quezon City; One Castilla Place in Valencia, Quezon City; a high-rise development in another prime Quezon City location along A. Bonifacio Street; Verawood Residences in Acacia Estates, Taguig; Torre de Manila a high-rise development in Taft Avenue in Ermita, Manila and Serissa Residences, a medium-rise community along Alabang-Zapote Road in Las PiƱas.

DMCI Homes is a company of innovative builders and engineering experts that develop modern-day living solutions for urban families. Each of its developments is built with world-standard craftsmanship borne from D.M. Consunji Inc.'s almost 60 years of experience in the construction and development industry.

http://mb.com.ph/articles/347664/dmci-bares-7-condominium-projects

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Monday, January 9, 2012

Stock News 2012: Robinsons Land retains high rating

Robinsons Galleria, Robinsons' Flagship Mall.Robinsons Galleria, Robinsons' Flagship Mall. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Robinsons Land Corp. retained its highest rating of PRS Aaa from local credit rating agency PhilRatings for its outstanding P10 billion bonds maturing in 2014.

Obligations rated PRS Aaa are of the highest quality with minimal credit risk. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligations is extremely strong.

RLC, the property arm of Gokongwei listed flagship firm JG Summit Holdings Inc., is engaged in the development and operation of shopping malls and hotels, and the development of mixed-use properties, office and residential buildings, as well as land and residential housing projects located in key cities and urban areas nationwide.

“Considering current market developments and conditions both globally and locally, RLC is now investing more in malls, office buildings and hotels, while taking a more conservative stance in relation to the development of residential real estate projects. This move signifies that RLC is expected to have a more stable and strong recurring rental and lease revenue base from investment properties while at the same time, pursuing opportunities through its residential development businesses,” PhilRatings said.

Sustained robust OFW remittances, the increase in consumer spending, as well as an expanding BPO business are expected to boost demand for residential space going forward and will continue to support growth in the commercial centers business, PhilRatings said.

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=766072&publicationSubCategoryId=66

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Sunday, January 8, 2012

Stock News 2012: EEI eyes 2nd phase of Petron

Kingdom Center , Riyadh , Saudi Arabia .Kingdom Center , Riyadh , Saudi Arabia . (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Yuchengco-led construction firm EEI Corp. is eyeing the second phase construction of Petron Corp.’s Fluidized Catalytic Cracker, which alone could double its domestic backlog and boost its overall revenues in the next two years.

EEI is hoping to secure a $200-million to $300-million contract for the Petron project, which is estimated to cost around $1 billion.

The project is seen to increase EEI’s backlog by P8.6 billion to P12.9 billion. Total construction backlog from domestic projects amounted to P11.62 billion as of the end of September 2011.

One of the notable projects bagged in the third quarter last year was JG Summit’s P2 billion naphtha cracker project.

To ensure sustained growth, EEI is seen to bid for road and expressway projects under the government’s public-private partnership (PPP) program.

The Aquino administration is targeting to bid out eight to 16 PPP projects worth around P80 billion to P142 billion. Among these projects include the P20.18-billion North Luzon Expressway-South Luzon Expressway Connector Road; P19.69-billion CALA (Cavite and Laguna Side) Expressway; P11.3-billion Light Rail Transit 2 East Extension; P10.15-billion Mactan Terminal 2 Airport Development; and P8-billion New Bohol Airport.

EEI is expected to book strong revenue growth in 2011 and this year on the back of a growing backlog and improving performance of its Middle East-based subsidiary.

In the nine months ending September 2011, EEI reported a 28 percent growth in net profit to P581.53 million. Revenues likewise grew 25 percent to P6.69 billion.

Revenues from the company’s overseas operations, most of which comes from Al Rushaid Construction Company (ARCC), EEI’s 49 percent owned entity in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), surged 67 percent to P243.52 million in 2011.

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=766068&publicationSubCategoryId=66

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Thursday, January 5, 2012

Stock News 2012: Eastern Petroleum to spend P500 million on 15 new stations

Skyline of Cebu CitySkyline of Cebu City (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
astern Petroleum Corp. (EPC), one of the most aggressive independent oil players in the country, will spend about P500 million to build 15 new retail stations in 2012, a top company official said.

EPC chairman and CEO Fernando Martinez said as of end-2011, the company has 35 stations and the additional stations will bring its total retail network to 50 by yearend.

He said the company is also studying the possibility of putting up two more oil depots next year in Cebu and Mindanao.

“We already acquired a site in Gen. Santos City in Mindanao to augment the requirements of our GenSan mega stations. The terminal depots will have a capacity of four million liters each,” he said.

Meanwhile, Martinez projected that their sales revenue would hit P3.5 billion to P4 billion this year, higher than last year although lower than the earlier target of P5 billion, due to the softening economy and demand in the second half of the year.

“We are affected by a slowdown in the second half. Still it’s a good year of double-digit growth,” he said.

He, however, said their net income this year will be better than last year.

“With better prices and more stations, we expect higher income for 2012,” he said

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=764933&publicationSubCategoryId=66

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Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Stock News 2012: DMCI Power eyes off-grid Napocor areas

Can you identify these buildings?Can you identify these buildings? (Photo credit: nina_theevilone)
DMCI Power Corp., the power generation unit of the Consunji Group, is eyeing to participate in the privatization of the National Power Corp.’s Small Power Utilities Group (SPUG) this year, a company official said.

DMCI Power chairman Isidro Consunji said the company intends to help in energizing the SPUG areas.

“Our focus this year is on [Napocor] SPUG areas. We will bid as much as possible,” he said.

Napocor is targeting to intensify its privatization efforts starting the first quarter of this year, with the two areas being eyed for privatization to include parts of Mindoro and Palawan.

Napocor-SPUG is mandated by the Electric Power Industry Reform Act to provide electricity to remote islands and far-flung, inland barangays that are not connected to any of the main grids, after around 90 percent of its generating assets have been privatized.

The competitive selection process for Napocor-SPUG’s off-grid areas is part of the major reforms in the power sector.

It provides an opportunity for private investors to build, own and operate generation facilities to supply missionary or far-flung areas.

Earlier, Napocor president Froilan Tampinco said they would offer to power generation investors the remaining 12 SPUG areas.

There were 14 SPUG areas previously offered for private sector participation: Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, mainland Palawan, Catanduanes, Bantayan, Masbate, Tablas, Romblon, Camotes, Siquijor, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan and Sulu.

Tampinco said they would also privatize the SPUG areas in Catanduanes, Romblon, Tablas and Siquijor after the Palawan and Mindoro bidding.

But the Napocor executive admitted that they would have to put the least priority to “more difficult areas” such as Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Basilan.

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=764301&publicationSubCategoryId=66

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Monday, January 2, 2012

Stock News 2012: SMC seen to hike stake in Citra unit to 51%

The Skyway System.The Skyway System. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
San Miguel Corp. is likely to exercise its option to raise its stake in an Indonesian-backed company that controls Citra Metro Manila Tollways Corp. , the concession holder and operator of the 15-kilometer elevated Skyway tollroad project.

San Miguel recently forged a deal to acquire a 46-percent stake in Atlantic Aurum Inc., a unit of the Citra Group of Indonesia which owns a controlling interest in the Skyway project that runs from Makati to Alabang.

The food to infrastructure conglomerate has an option to increase its stake in Atlantic Aurum to 51 percent at a later date.

 “We can exercise our option anytime documentation is ready. But we’re not in a rush to do that. Citra doesn’t need the money,” SMC president Ramon S. Ang said.

 San Miguel and the Citra Group are currently studying a plan to acquire a majority stake in the 42-kilometer Southern Tagalog Arterial Road in Batangas, operated by the STAR Tollway Group led by Hong Kong-based Cypress Tree Ltd.

The move is part of a strategy to forge a powerhouse consortium that can take on big-ticket infrastructure projects under the flagship public-private partnership (PPP) program of the Aquino Administration.

Citra and San Miguel received a proposal from the Star Tollways Group to expand the tollroad in Batangas province south of the capital by widening the existing two lanes to four lanes.

Targeted to begin in the middle of 2012, the STAR tollroad expansion project is expected to be completed in 24 months at a cost of P2.5 billion.

Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. owns about two percent of CMMTC and has long been wanting to raise its stake to at least a third.

San Miguel has been eyeing toll roads as a strategic component in its push to become a major infrastructure player in the country.

SMC owns a minority interest in the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway and North Luzon East Expressway, which starts in Quezon City and will eventually stretch to Tuguegarao in Cagayan province.

To ensure continued growth, CMMTC has proposed to build the third and fourth phases of the Skyway project.

Skyway Stage 3, which will cost around P24 billion, will connect the North and South Expressways while stage 4, called Metro Manila Expressway, costs about P28 billion,

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=764009&publicationSubCategoryId=66

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