Setback to Yu’s stockbroking dreamBY GURMEET KAUR
DATUK Dr Yu Kuan Chon’s failure to secure a controlling stake in Pan Malaysia Holdings Bhd (PM Holdings) has put an end, at least for now, to the businessman’s attempt at getting ownership of a stockbroking business.
Yu had back in late 2014 sought to buy the 69.192% stake in loss-making PM Holdings from Malayan United Industries Bhd, which, in turn, is owned by the once high-flying tycoon Tan Sri Khoo Kay Peng.
But last Wednesday, PM Holdings said the deal had been terminated without giving any explanation.
In March, StarBizWeek had speculated that the regulators may have had an issue with an individual like Yu coming into control of a stockbroking company, preferring an institutional outfit instead. It was then also reported that Yu was seeking to secure an institutional partner to strengthen his chances of securing the approval of the regulators.
Going by recent failed deals in the local stockbroking industry, it is possible that even that did not materialse, as the return on equity from the broking business has been trending downwards because of competition and a shrinking market.
But this doesn’t mean that Yu is likely to fade away from the limelight.
Recall that Yu, whose flagship is Perak-based YNH Property Bhd, is a savvy stock investor in his own right by taking up strategic stakes in little-known companies.
In early 2013, Yu aggressively bought into Hong Leong Capital Bhd (HLCap) and accumulated more than 8% of the stock, putting him in a strong bargaining position in relation to the planned buyout of the stock that is ultimately controlled by tycoon Tan Sri Quek Leng Chan of the Hong Leong group.
HLCap has been suspended from trading on Bursa Malaysia since March last year for failing to resolve its public shareholding spread after its privatisation attempt was stalled by Yu.
Bloomberg data shows that Yu still holds 3.61% in HLCap after paring down his stake periodically.
He reportedly made a tidy sum of RM70mil as HLCap’s stock price soared from RM1.42 prior to Quek’s takeover attempt in early 2013 to a record high of RM14.60 on June 17, 2014.
The stock was last traded at RM10.20 prior to its suspension.
HLCap is an investment holding company with subsidiaries involved in investment banking, stockbroking, fund management and unit trust management services. It is 81.33% owned by Hong Leong Financial Group Bhd (HLFG), which, in turn, is 65% controlled by Quek.
Sources say that a solution is being worked out at HLCap that would be a “win-win” for both parties, namely, Yu and Quek.
“The word in the market is that both sides have met to work out a solution for HLCap,” says an industry source.
While stockbroking is not seen as an attractive business these days, analysts note that HLCap has been gradually expanding market share in equity and debt issues, as well as in stockbroking.
AllianceDBS Research Sdn Bhd in a recent report noted that HLCap has seen its pretax profits increase almost four-fold since 2010 after establishing a full-fledged investment banking team in that year and completing the merger of Hong Leong Investment Bank and MIMB Investment Bank two years later.
However, its contribution to HLFG remains small at around 3%. The firm values HLCap at one times book value.
Compared with PM Holdings’ broking arm PM Securities, HLCap is much bigger and is also bank-backed.
For the fourth quarter ended June 30, HLCap made a net profit of RM6.82mil. This is down from the RM25.38mil net profit recorded in the same period before in tandem with the weak capital market.
With Quek’s ultimate plan to consolidate his banking and financial business under HLFG, minorities like Yu who had stayed invested in the stock could stand to benefit.
HLFG also owns 64.4% of Hong Leong Bank Bhd, which is listed.
The former recently obtained Bank Negara’s approval to start negotiations with certain parties for the disposal of its life insurance business, fuelling talk that this could be a
precursor to more corporate exercises to come.
Industry observers speculate that HLFG could be privatised, with the banking arm, which is its main earnings contributor, taking over its listing status.
It’s uncertain for now whether a deal between Yu and Quek at HLCap will coincide with any group-wide corporate streamlining.
If it’s the case, then Yu could end up owning some shares in the merged entity, a seemingly lucrative opportunity, say industry observers.
As at April 20, 2015, Yu still had a 4.01% stake in PM Holdings, which he is likely to hold on too, say industry sources.
Source: The Star
http://www.thestar.com.my/business/busi ... ing-dream/
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