HK-LISTED BONJOUR: Beauty firm’s margins more than skin deep
Written by Andrew Vanburen (China Correspondent)
Saturday, 30 January 2010
Slimmer customer = fatter margins. Photo: Bonjour
BONJOUR HOLDINGS Ltd (HK: 653) believes that there is no need to go to the customer when said customer is more than happy to come to Bonjour.
The Hong Kong-listed provider of beauty and health-care products as well as operator of beauty and health salons across the SAR and Macau has yet to truly enter the adjacent mainland market with its 1.3 bln consumers.
That is because PRC shoppers are more than happy to visit Bonjour’s 35 shops across the border.
To read what the company’s executive director told NextInsight, click here.
KOON: Undervalued laggard?
Written by Sim Kih
Friday, 29 January 2010
Koon CEO Tan Thiam Hee was ASL Marine's former financial controller. Photo by Leong Chan Teik
ARE CONSTRUCTION players out of the limelight now that the demand burst from the integrated resorts has blown past?
Civil engineering specialist, Koon, wants to beat the slowing construction sector growth by foraying overseas.
The company recently announced a four-fold FY09 earnings growth, and now has an undemanding historical PE of a mere 3.6X compared to sector average of 11X.
HK-LISTED AJISEN: Selling ramen with 69% gross margin
Written by Andrew Vanburen (in Hong Kong)
Friday, 29 January 2010
Ajisen's signature offering.
AJISEN (CHINA) Holdings Ltd (HK: 538) managed to do what few restaurant chains did in a tough economy – both boost profitability and expand.
First half 2009 turnover rose 24.3% year-on-year to 937 mln hkd, while profit from core operations jumped 26.3% at 158 mln hkd.
The Japanese noodle eatery fattened gross margins to a stellar 68.9% from 68.1%, very high in a notoriously tight sector. Click here to see what the company’s CFO told NextInsight.
COURAGE MARINE: When will the good times return?
Written by Leong Chan Teik
Thursday, 28 January 2010
Turnover (US$ m)
Net profit (US$ m)
Net margin %
Dividend (US c)
2005
48.4
26.3
54
1.32
2006
56.7
27.8
49
1.41
2007
90.4
60.4
67
3.115
2008
75.7
40.5
54
1.888
9M09
16.6
-2.9
-
-
COURAGE MARINE has just announced it's buying an old ship.
Nothing earth-shaking there, but it caused us to to revisit its business story and track record.
Turns out that it had a history of exceptional profit margins and high dividend payouts. All from its fleet of old vessels.
CAMBRIDGE INDUSTRIAL TRUST: Annualised yield of 12%
Written by The NextInsight team
Wednesday, 27 January 2010
REIT
Period
DPU (ct)
Price
Annualised Yield
NAV
Assets Type
Cambridge
Q4: Dec-09
1.377
S$0.45
12.1%
S$0.60
Industrial
AIMSAMPIReit
1H10 (Proforma – Rights)
1.04
S$0.215
9.674%
S$0.31
Industrial
LMIR
Q3: Sept 09
1.22
S$0.49
9.959%
S$0.7443
Malls- Indonesia
WHILE MOST stocks were keeling over today, Cambridge Industrial Trust held its ground and closed unchanged at 45 cents. Tonight, the REIT announced a distribution per unit that translates into a handsome 12.1% yield. What other REITS could prove to be as high-yielding? Find out here.
How low can the Straits Times Index go?
Written by Charlie Lau
Wednesday, 27 January 2010
Charlie Lau. Photo by Joan Kuan
The Straits Times Index broke another support, 2800 points yesterday (26 January) to end at 2740 points - it dropped 71 points.
Five days earlier, the critical support of 2860 points was broken.
THE ASTONISHING CLIMB of Z-Obee has not stopped: The stock was up 700% in 2009, and is up another 46% so far this year!
More than a year ago, one of our readers, David Yee, had spotted the potential upside of what would turn out to be a stunning 12-bagger.
That is, every $10,000 invested in the stock has become $120,000.
Read how David had analysed Z-Obee's financials here.
CITYDEV: JP Morgan's top property pick
Written by The NextInsight team
Tuesday, 26 January 2010
One Shenton, a project of City Developments. Photo: CDL website
JP MORGAN’S report on the Singapore property sector last week (Jan 21) said that the sector is in an up-cycle, and highlighted City Development as “the best way to play the residential property sector.”
On the macro front, it said the Singapore property cycle is in an upward phase that should last through 2011/12. Read more here.
AMERICAN LORAIN: Conveniently positioned in China
Written by Andrew Vanburen (China Correspondent)
Tuesday, 26 January 2010
Taiwanese superstar Alec Su is helping popularize American Lorain's wares thanks to a two-year spokesperson deal. Photo: company
AMERICAN LORAIN CORP(AMEX: ALN), a producer of convenience foods, chestnut products and frozen, canned and bulk foods mainly for sale in hypermarkets across China, is solidifying its presence in the market, thanks to product adjustments.
In order to avoid overreliance on the seasonality of chestnut products, the Shandong province based firm is gradually raising its revenue contribution from convenience foods.
Click here to see what the company’s CFO told NextInsightabout American Lorain, whose stock has been on the increase this past month.
CNY WINNERS: Surprising beneficiaries
Written by Andrew Vanburen (China Correspondent)
Monday, 25 January 2010
Red Letter Day: Chinese New Year shoppers are flush with cash.
CHINESE NEW YEAR begins with a romantic flair this year, falling on February 14 -- Valentine’s Day.
And for many vendors, red hot sales over this most important of Chinese holidays can’t help but make them fall in love with this particular Golden Week.
But besides airlines, travel companies, restaurants and movie theaters, you may be surprised to know what other sectors line their pockets with a passion during the Spring Festival.
