KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 8 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia’s benchmark index closed lower on Thursday amid profit-taking in big-cap stocks, as investors shifted their focus to smaller-cap counters against the backdrop of weaker regional market performance. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) fell 7.26 points or 0.43 per cent to 1,669.57 from Wednesday’s close of 1,676.83. The FBM KLCI opened 2.61 points lower at 1,674.22 and moved between 1,666.34 and 1,674.44 throughout the day. On the broader market, gainers led losers by 579 to 489, while 565 counters were unchanged, 1,016 untraded, and 12 suspended. Turnover was slightly higher at 2.79 billion units worth RM2.84 billion from Wednesday’s 2.73 billion units worth RM2.76 billion.
The other day, I couldn't contain myself after reading of another huge loss by Malaysia Airlines (MAS) and thus blogged about the problem with MAS, which is mainly down to mismanagement and the lack of serious and fair competition in the country.
Well, my frustration was shared by AirAsia boss, Tony Fernandes, who tweeted, "I wonder if it's fair that Malaysia Airlines can lose so much money and protect its market share. Can only do that with taxpayers money."
I couldn't helped but to agree...while external factors such as the increase of crude oil and other factors could contribute to this, MAS could at least show some improvement, which is hardly reflected on the financial statement and their balance sheet.
A bit of history of MAS could tell us a clearer picture of the direction of the Malaysia airline company.
Prior to the Asian Financial Crisis in 1997
MAS had recorded losses as much as RM260 million. This was after their record breaking profit of RM319 million in the 1996/97 financial year.
In 1998/99:
There were apparent efforts to bring their P&L back into the black. The airline cut its losses from RM700 million in the year 1998/99 to RM259 million.
But in FY2000/01
MAS plunged into further losses, amounting to RM417 million and RM836 million for the FY2001/02. As a result of these losses, the airlines cut many unprofitable routes such as Brussels, Darwin, Honolulu, Madrid and Vancouver.
In the year 2002/03:
The losses were cut and in 2003/04, MAS recorded its highest earning at that time, RM461 million.
In the year 2005:
The airline hit the news for the wrong reason again: a record loss of RM1.3 billion. It was then that Idris Jala was appointed as the CEO of MAS to help solve this serious problem...the Business Turnaround Plan was introduced, identifying issues for the huge loss in 2005.
2007 RECORD PROFIT:
After a series of losses since 2005, the airline posted a record of profit: RM851 million in 2007...but MAS seem to have a tendency to go backwards....
In 2011:
MAS recorded a stunning record loss: RM2.52 billion.
Well, there seem to be a slight improvement before the latest announcement that seems to suggest to us that MAS will continue with its' decline.
VERDICT FROM THE HISTORICAL RECORD:
It is difficult to judge how a company can grow from historical data alone, but a company without a proper management and fair competition is definitely not one that I will look into. Regardless of whether MAS will grow for a short term, my judgement is simple...without a clear direction and fair competition, MAS will continue in its' mismanagement....unless there is a change in that, I'm not going for MAS. What about you?
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