KUALA LUMPUR: CIMB Research and AmResearch have put a "hold" recommendation on Hektar REIT.

CIMB Research said as a pure retail REIT, Hektar REIT stands to benefit from the improving retail sector outlook in Malaysia.

BEIJING: Non-stop policy measures aimed at curbing demand and price growth in the mainland property market have finally forced developers to cut asking prices at new residential projects — a clear signal that market-wide price corrections are now under way, analysts say.

HONG KONG: The number of residential flat transactions dropped over the weekend as the city's major banks began to lift mortgage rates.

Some analysts expect purchase sentiment to weaken further; others say the impact will be minimal.

KUALA LUMPUR: KYM Holdings Bhd, which had recently proposed to acquire Harta Makmur Sdn Bhd — the owner of three leasehold tracts in Teluk Batik, Perak, measuring 311,253 sq m (76.91 acres) — intends to change the development plans of the tracts from that of tourism-related projects to commercial and housing ones, the group said in reply to a Bursa Malaysia query on Tuesday, Mar 15.

KUALA LUMPUR: Hua Yang Bhd's unit Prop Park Sdn Bhd had sold two retail shops at its One South development in Seri Kembangan to the group's chairman Tan Sri Dr Ting Chew Peh and his wife for RM2.72 million.

Prop Park had entered into the recurrent related party transaction on Mar 7, the group announced to Bursa Malaysia on Tuesday, Mar 15.

KUALA LUMPUR: Eastern & Oriental Bhd's (E&O) St Mary Residences condominium project in Kuala Lumpur has attracted a significant number of foreign buyers.

E&O's executive director Eric Chan said foreigners make-up about 30% of the sales. "We have buyers from 13 different nationalities, including countries such as Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Indonesia," he said.

KUALA LUMPUR: Al-Hadharah Boustead REIT will be injecting new assets into its portfolio, namely the Sutera Estate and Taiping Rubber Plantation, including the Trong Oil Mill, into its portfolio.

The fund's unitholders had approved of the acquisition of the properties from Boustead Holdings Bhd at a unitholder's meeting on Tuesday, Mar 15, it said in a statement.

KUALA LUMPUR: Arlida Ariff, the former president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Iskandar Investment Bhd, has joined hospitality outfit and property developer Karambunai Corp Bhd as managing director of Karambunai Integrated Resort City, the group announced to Bursa Malaysia on Tuesday, Mar 15.

KUALA LUMPUR: Scientex Bhd saw its net profit jump 47.3% to RM19.07 million for its first quarter ended Jan 31, 2011 (1Q) from RM12.94 million a year ago on higher revenue.

Revenue expanded 22.7% to RM194.88 million from RM158.7 million, while earnings per share (EPS) rose to 8.86 sen from 6.01 sen, it announced to Bursa Malaysia on Tuesday, Mar 15.

KUALA LUMPUR: Brem Holding Bhd has proposed to buy two parcels of industrial leasehold land and properties in Section 51A, Petaling Jaya measuring 30,789.91 sq m (7.6 acres) for RM48 million cash.