AMATA – New strategy will slow growth — AMATA said that revenues and profits this year are expected to slow due to a new business strategy, which focuses on long-term leases on land of up to 30 years instead of selling the land. The company hopes to hold on to its assets for the long term as expansion in the industry becomes more difficult. The company is still confident in its location and reveals that its land prices have already appreciated by 18% this year. (Krungthep Turakij, 14/01/13)

Comment: Amata to us is has always been a simple play in industrial estates that used to be attractive whenever the stock price was below THB 10 /share if there were political/global/local whatever crises and has always proven to be a fairly easy trade, now this does change the earnings dynamic going forward so one would have to adjust their thinking when it comes to investing/trading this co

HMPRO – Aiming at 15% revenue growth in 2013 — HMPRO said 2013 revenue will grow 15%YoY and plans to open eight new stores, starting in Chanthaburi on February 1. It launched a new campaign on Friday, which it expects to boost Friday sales by 15% (Khao Hoon, 14/01/13)

Comment: If you want to see where Thailand’s growth has come from in the past few years look at hmpro’s breakdown in revenue structure, upcountry sales now rep close to half of total revenues

IVL – Targets 15% revenue growth in 2013 — IVL targets 2013 revenue to grow 15%YoY off a rise in volume to 6mn tons from 5.3mn tons. It will also book US$40mn in insurance compensation from the flooded plant in Lopburi. (Tun Hoon, 14/01/13)

Comment: was a battered stock last year, its improvement recently isn’t a surprise and its one helluva well run company

KSL – Looks for 2013 revenue of Bt22bn — KSL expects 2013 revenue of Bt22bn, with production of sugar cane at 8mn tons. The highlight in 2013 revenue will be electricity and ethanol businesses. The company expects its international business in Laos and Cambodia to turn profitable. (Khao Hoon, 14/01/13)

SEAFCO – Looking to expand in Myannar — SEAFCO will find a local partner in Myanmar to expand into a new market. It expects 2013 earnings of Bt144 mn and will book revenue from the Green Line railway project in 1Q13. (Tun Hoon, 14/01/13)

Comment: Great company, good management, but does ride on the back of investment in Thailand

SORKON – Bt1.8bn goal for 2013 revenue — SORKON expects revenue in 2013 to reach Bt1.8 bn after investing Bt300mn into expansion. SORKON plans to expand to neighboring countries such as Laos and Vietnam to get in on the growth brought by AEC. (Tun Hoon, 14/01/13)

Comment: This company has a lovely story

TMB – Higher dividend on 2012 despite drop in profit — TMB guarantees that its dividend on 2012 performance will be higher than 2011, even though profit sank to Bt1.6bn from Bt4.05bn. In 2010, the company set aside provisions of Bt5.28bn to lower its NPLs to 3.75%, while funds under management have grown by 18.2% and loans by 15%. The company expects loans to large corporations to grow by more than 10% this year. (Khao Hoon, 14/01/13)

Comment: The saga that is TMB never ceases to amuse us