ADVANC

Newly installed AIS chief vows 4G fight – Speeding up acquisition of spectrum bandwidth is the biggest challenge facing the new boss of Advanced Info Service (AIS) as the company battles to maintain its status as the country’s biggest mobile operator. (Bangkok Post, 04/07/14)

AQUA

AQUA says profit grew in 2Q14. It said that given that there is now more certainty in the country’s political situation its business should recover in the second half. It expects revenues to hit its target growth of 10% this year. (Khao Hoon, 04/07/14)

Comment: The increase in profits most likely come from its warehouse business in TCDC, plus don’t forget they want to list TCDC and still do a PP at THB 1/share

CGD

CGD expects profit turnaround in 2Q14 for the first time in four years supported by a fall in operating expense and lower cost of goods. It expects to book revenue from its condominium, Elements Srinakarin (Phase 1). It plans to set up a REIT in 3Q14. (Khao Hoon, 04/07/14)

Comment: This plus a REIT, plus their big riverside project finally coming online will make punters happy in the stock again. 

GEL, MILL

Thai alliance in Myanmar venture – Millcon Steel Plc (MILL), a SET-listed steelmaker, has formed a partnership with SET-listed General Engineering Plc (GEL) to develop a building materials factory in the Thilawa Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Myanmar to cash in on growing demand in the neighbouring country. (Bangkok Post, 04/07/14)

GLOBAL

GLOBAL says 2Q14 performance was better than 1Q14 at Bt3.7bn due to growth in its client base. It expects 2014 revenue growth of 20% YoY supported by five new branches and robust demand. (Tun Hoon, 04/07/14)

Comment: GLOBAL is arguably one of the best beneficiaries from when the farmers received their funds and combined with up country growth resuming.

JMART

JMART will invest Bt400mn to expand branches to 280 by the end of 2014. It is confident that the company will post a stronger performance in 2H14 due to improvements in consumer purchasing power. (Khao Hoon, 04/07/14)

Comment: Still a fantastic company, with its fingers in everything from rental space, to mobile phone sales, to debt collection.

MINT

MINT partners with SNP to set up The Thai Cuisine Ltd Co. to operate a cooking school to expand its business activities. Chaipat Phaitoon, a VP of Strategic Planning, aims to invest Bt12bn to take over a business overseas. (Tun Hoon, 04/07/14)

PREB

Preparing to list subsidiary Buildland, on the SET. It is selecting a financial advisor and expects to file with the SEC this year. It expects revenue of Bt6.8bn and good earnings in 2014. (Tun Hoon, 04/07/14)

Comment: PREB is a good example of a construction company turned quasi-condominium developer.

SCC

Buys into Panel World — SCC reports that a subsidiary has purchased a 55% stake of Panel World worth Bt550mn. Panel World is a cement-bonded particleboard producer with capacity of 2.4mn sqm. It is increasing capacity by 2.4mn sqm, to be completed within 2014. (Post Today, 04/07/14)

UNIQ

Backlog at Bt30bn — CEO Natee Panichewa says that the company’s backlog is Bt30bn which it will book over 3-4 years. It expects revenue of Bt7bn, growing YoY, and is ready to bid for new projects. It is evaluating investment in alternative energy and believe 2Q14 revenue was close to 1Q14’s. (Tun Hoon, 04/07/14)

Comment: For what was a small contractor to have improved in revenue terms to this level is impressive, whether they can grow to the next level is another question.