Sources of long term and short term finance

This article first appeared in The Edge Malaysia Weekly, on May 16, 2022 - May 22, 2022. - A + A COMMODITIES may still be riding an upward trend, but metal prices have melted to pre-Russia-Ukraine conflict levels. Aluminium, for one, has seen year-to-date gains erased on demand headwinds, especially the slowdown in China’s manufacturing activity due to Covid-19 lockdowns. Since surging past US$3,800 a tonne in March this year — the highest in more than 13 years — aluminium prices have retreated 30% to a five-month low of US$2,700 a tonne. Copper prices have also contracted to a more than seven-month low of US$9,000 a tonne as at last Thursday on fears of a global economic slowdown. Attributing the fall to a strong US dollar and weak Chinese demand, Fitch Solutions expects further weakening in metal prices in the second quarter before stabilising in the second half of the year. Local analysts are not overly concerned about softer aluminium prices as they … [Read more...] about Trailing demand a temporary blip for aluminium players

- A + A KUALA LUMPUR (May 24): KLCCP Stapled Group reported a net profit of RM161.44 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022 (1QFY22), up 10.48% from RM146.12 million in the same quarter last year, amid a rebound in business activities. The group, comprising KLCC Property Holdings Bhd (KLCCP) and KLCC Real Estate Investment Trust (KLCC REIT), saw revenue grow 13.93% to RM321.71 million from RM282.37 million. The group declared a dividend of eight sen per stapled security, 14.3% higher than the year-ago quarter's seven sen payout. In a statement, KLCCP Stapled said it registered an improved year-on-year performance across all business segments, particularly retail and hotel, due to the relaxation of Covid-19 containment measures. Its retail segment's profit before tax (PBT) rose 36% to RM79.6 million on the back of a 23% rise in revenue, primarily contributed by higher rent revenues, advertising income, and percentage rents in fashion, and food and … [Read more...] about KLCCP Stapled declares eight sen dividend as 1Q profit strengthens

In a speech this evening, PM Prayut Chan-o-cha announced that Thailand must reopen in 120 days, which would be October 14, despite slow vaccine rollout and risk of increased Covid-19 outbreaks. The speech seemed to mark a shift from trying to eradicated Covid-19 in Thailand through controlling the spread and vaccinating the population to an acceptance of the virus’s long-term presence and balancing the risks with the need to move forward. “We have to come to terms that it [Covid-19] will continue to be around in the world and in Thailand for some time. We cannot wait for a time when everyone is fully vaccinated with 2 shots to open the country or for when the world is free of the virus. We must be ready to live with some risk and just try to keep it at a manageable level, and let people go back to being able to earn a living.” PM Prayut lauded the progress in vaccination procurement, manufacturing, and distributing to the population, highlighting the negotiations with 6 suppliers … [Read more...] about PM Prayut announces Thailand will fully reopen within 120 days

- A + A KUALA LUMPUR (May 24): Farm Fresh Bhd's net profit for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2022 (4QFY22) surged 50.63% to RM17.68 million from RM11.74 million a year earlier, on a higher gross profit margin. In a bourse filing on Tuesday (May 24), the group said the higher gross margin reflected both an increase in sales as well as a price increase of its chilled ready-to-drink (RTD) milk products and ambient RTD products by an average of 5% which it implemented in September and December 2021 respectively. It noted that gross profit margin improved from 27.6% to 28.6% a year ago. Meanwhile, quarterly revenue was marginally up by 0.44% to RM128.07 million from RM127.51 million. It noted that its Malaysian operation's revenue grew by 6.16% to RM120.68 million from RM113.68 million a year ago, driven by the recovery in economic activities and consumer confidence on the heels of further easing of restrictions and reopening of borders. However, revenue fell … [Read more...] about Farm Fresh 4Q earnings up 51% on increase in sales and price hikes, FY22 profit up 121%

So far in this eight part series titled "8 Reasons Subscribers Are Better Than Customers," we've seen how subscribers boost the value of your company , increase the life time value of a customer and smooth out demand . Today, we look at how the subscription business model gets you closer to your customers--for free. In a traditional business, the customer buys your product or service once and it is up to you to try and convince them to buy again in the future. You often have no idea if they liked what they bought and what would have made them buy more so you're left having to guess or invest in costly market research. In a subscription business, you have what I call "Automatic Customers" who agree to purchase from you into the future as long as you keep providing your service or product. Through the research for my new book , I've discovered there are nine different subscription models that are leveraged by everyone from accounting firms to art teachers to better … [Read more...] about The Surprising Way Companies Like Netflix and Amazon Do Market Research

- A + A KUALA LUMPUR (May 24): Logistics and express carrier provider GDEX Bhd posted a net loss of RM1.9 million in the first quarter ended March 31, 2022 (1QFY22), the first time since it was listed in 2005, amid tough competitions at home and higher operating costs. The group reported a 13.16% decline in revenue during the quarter to RM91.89 million, compared with RM105.81 million a year ago, amid lower contributions from its courier services segment. Geographically, Malaysia and Vietnam collectively made up the majority, or 99.6%, of GDEX's revenue, while Singapore contributed the balance 0.4%, according to GDEX. GDEX managing director Teong Teck Lean said in a statement accompanying the results that the group continues to face headwinds in Malaysia due to predatory pricing. "The competitive pricing environment is destructive, with some players offering free delivery service to grow their volume. However, this practice seems to be slowing down and we … [Read more...] about GDEX falls into the red for the first time ever amid stiff competitions in 1QFY22

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin May is Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month , which celebrates the histories of the fastest-growing racial group in America. The AAPI population has increased more than 35% between 2010 and 2020 and is expected to quadruple by 2060, according to the Census Bureau . While celebrating the history of this diverse group, it’s also important to raise awareness about the rise in hate crimes they’ve experienced, and to work to break deep-rooted stereotypes and biases by exploring the history they’re rooted in. Below are some of the biases and myths the AAPI community faces, and the history behind them. The Stereotype: The Forever Foreigner The AAPI community is not a monolith, but encompasses more than 50 ethnic groups , such as China, Vietnam, Korea, India, Cambodia, Japan, the Philippines, Melanesia, Micronesia, Polynesia , and many others. “Within the Asian American Pacific Islander community, … [Read more...] about The History Behind Common AAPI Stereotypes

- A + A KUALA LUMPUR (May 24): The recent government’s decision to impose an export ban on chicken is expected to pose a threat towards poultry producers’ profitability. An industry expert who spoke to The Edge on the condition of anonymity said that some of the poultry producers already have existing contracts with parties in their export markets and the decision to ban export will affect the producers’ bottom line. “What the government is doing is a short-term measure. In the long run, should the government impose the export ban, it may affect our export level to other countries. “For instance, at the moment, we export (chicken) to Singapore, which accounts for about 10% to 15% of (the country’s) total production and if we impose this export ban, Singapore might shift to source chicken from other countries in the long run. “Some of the local poultry players also will be losing a lot of money, as they already have signed contracts with parties from other … [Read more...] about Govt’s decision to impose export ban on chicken may pose threat to poultry producers’ profitability, says expert

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Led largely by the response to Apple’s Best Picture Oscar-winning film CODA , interest in the Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities has never been higher. Interest in taking sign language classes has skyrocketed since the film debuted, and there continues to be a newfound reverence for not only this segment of the disability community but of children of deaf adults as well. As a lifelong CODA, I personally can attest CODA is as much about Ruby Rossi constantly shifting between worlds—deaf and hearing—as it is whatever heartwarming-bordering-on-inspiration-porn cliches critics and fans have said about it. The familial dynamics depicted in the movie is what resonated with me, particularly since I could understand the dialogue between Ruby and her parents without relying on the subtitles. ASL is my first language and I speak it fluently. Along those lines of amplifying hearing disabilities, Blake Cadwell’s Soundly , which … [Read more...] about Hearing Health Startup Soundly Wants To Revolutionize How People Should Treat Their Ears

Brazil's right-wing president Jair Bolsonaro fired the chief executive of oil producer Petrobras -- the second in two months -- after the company refused to sell fuels at a discount to consumers warning it would l ead to diesel shortages . Bolsonaro also called for the election of a new board, according to a statement released close to midnight local time on Monday by the state-controlled company, opening the way to a full executive management shake-up. José Mauro Ferreira Coelho is the third Petrobras CEO fired by Bolsonaro over fuel prices. The president, who is seeking re-election in October but lagging in polls, says Petrobras should use its profits to reduce fuel prices and help control inflation. Bolsonaro, who also fired an energy minister earlier this year, appointed Caio Mario Paes de Andrade to replace Coelho. The government controls Petroleo Brasileiro, as the firm is formally known, with a majority of the voting shares, even if private … [Read more...] about Bolsonaro fires Petrobras CEO who warned of diesel crisis