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Market Daily Report: Bursa Malaysia Gives Up Earlier Gains To End Mixed

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 19 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia gave up earlier gains to end mixed today, amid a higher regional market showing, as property, construction, and healthcare counters attracted buying interests, while plantation, banking, and telecommunication stocks saw some profit-taking, an analyst said. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) eased 1.70 points to close at 1,602.34 from yesterday’s close of 1,604.04. The benchmark index, which opened 0.86 of-a-point lower at 1,603.18, moved between 1,601.02 and 1,608.88 during the trading session. However, the broader market was mixed to higher, with gainers leading decliners by 565 to 438 while 502 counters remained unchanged, 961 untraded, and 14 suspended. Turnover narrowed to 2.83 billion units valued at RM2.08 billion versus 2.96 billion units valued at RM2.23 billion yesterday. Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd equity research vice-president Thong Pak Leng said the benchmark index remained range-bound and it required a dec

The problem with MAS

The problem with Malaysia Airlines (MAS) is not a one day story. This is not the first time we heard about the amount of losses made by the airline company. 

In 1972, the Malaysia-Singapore Airlines (MSA) became MAS and SIA. In the last 10 years from 2002- 2011 SIA reported a total pre-tax profit of Singapore $13,992 million, averaging S$ 1.4 billion per year. This created a big question mark over the reliability and management skill of those who are appointed to lead MAS. 

MAS has just reported a loss of RM 830 million for 3 quarters ending September 2013 which is larger than the loss of Rm 483 million in the same corresponding period last year.  



As usual, there are the incorrigibly optimistic cheerleaders for the airline who are unable to see the writing on the wall.  

These ‘experts’ are still touting that the company is in recovery mode and will soon be returning to profitability. If you look at the Business Times, you will find that one of the Headline as this: MAS aims high for 2014….but come to think of it, isn’t this a familiar story? A big loss announcement and a lot of promises for recovery and new target being set? 

The most recent losses bring the total loss of MAS to at least over $3 billion. Under normal circumstances, in any industry for that matter, it will be the time for the company to close down or gone into bankruptcy but this has not happen to MAS yet…simply because there is the backing from the government. But is this enough to ensure the survival of MAS? 

The answer is probably pretty obvious with the latest announcement of their loss. I can only hope the optimist will look carefully before deciding to embark on this rough patch with MAS. It’s not that airlines business cannot be done, but it takes a lot of good and effective management, without much wastage in cost management…something that MAS had a terrible track record. 

Another annual report of disappointment....one will start to wonder: JUST HOW LONG WILL THE MALAYSIAN GOVERNMENT SUPPORT A COMPANY THAT IS LOSING SO MUCH MONEY??? 

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