BA
SEC punishes top BA shareholders. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has imposed fines totaling Bt500mn against three major shareholders of SET-listed Bangkok Airways Plc (BA), including billionaire Prasert Prasarttong-Osoth, for share price manipulation. (Bangkok Post, 19/1/19)
Comment: Isn’t it silly? Not the SEC, the founder(s) of BDMS and BA. Their official paper net worth is north of USD 2 bn and yet they risk it just to make a quick buck. Congratulations you’re proven crooks.

BTS
BTS is preparing to redo the bid for the thee-airport rail link project valued at Bt224bn if the CP group and the State Railway of Thailand are unable to reach an agreement on financing. The project has quite high risk with low return and the SRT says it will not provide support beyond defined conditions. (Kao Hoon, 21/1/19)
Comment: This delay has raised a few eyebrows here.

CAZ
CAZ confirms its solidity. The stock will be traded in mai on Jan 22. The proceeds from the IPO will be used to purchase machines and equipment, adding potential to get a greater variety of jobs. (Thun Hoon, 21/1/19)

CHO
CHO hurrying to deliver 189 NGV cars on time. It will focus on the service business via opening two car maintenance centers with total capex of Bt40-60mn this year. It expects revenue to be the same as last year. Current backlog is Bt4.7bn. It expects to book revenue from backlog as scheduled. (Thun Hoon, 21/1/19)
Comment: Bangkok is finally going to get better buses…and the headache CHO has had to endure for years is over.

LPN
LPN targets revenue of Bt13.5bn this year. Current backlog is Bt9bn and inventory is Bt7bn. It plans to launch 15-16 property projects with total value of Bt20bn this year with expected presales of Bt16bn. It plans to issue a Bt4bn corporate bond to reduce financial cost of Bt50-60mn/year. (Kao Hoon, 21/1/19)
Comment: Once a darling of every investor from 2005-2013, times have become far tougher due to a ridiculous amount of competition in their market segment, and the fact that low-mid income earners just aren’t seeing their salaries/earnings increase at the same rate as the price of properties…

M
M set capex of Bt320-400mn to expand MK and Yayoi restaurants, supporting YoY earnings growth. The expansion plan will be submitted to the board for approval in February. (Thun Hoon, 21/1/19)
Comment: Just amazing operational performance. MK shines, so does Yayoi, but their bbq chain is a flop imho

SONIC
SONIC targets revenue growth of 20%. It expects imports and exports to be good. Management plans to expand air freight customers and is looking for companies with which to partner. It expects to conclude talks over an area on which to set up warehouses in Laem Chabang in 1Q19 and plans to add tow trucks to handle increasing jobs. (Thun Hoon, 21/1/19)