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Monday, February 28, 2011

Malaysia Salary Outlook 2011 - Professionals and top execs set for huge increments


PETALING JAYA: Professionals from the information and communication technology (ICT) sector, accounting and finance industry, banking, logistics and sales have a lot to cheer about this year – their salaries are set to rise by as much as 30% compared with last year.
The Robert Walters Global Salary Survey 2011 for Malaysia has revealed that a wage increase of between 5% and 30% would sweep across these industries this year, partially influenced by inflation rates and market conditions.
The take-home salaries could, in fact, be much higher as these figures are exclusive of bonuses, other benefits and allowances.
Highly-qualified employees with five to 10 years’ experience are expected to benefit from this salary increase as firms in these industries are scrambling to hire and retain the best talents.
“The job market has gradually moved to become more employee-driven. Some firms are even willing to offer premiums to attract good local and foreign talent with niche skills,” Robert Walters country manager Sally Raj told The Star yesterday.
“Salary reviews can range from 5% to 15% depending on market conditions.
“The real jump in salary scale can be seen among sought-after talent – going from 10% to 30%,” she said.
For example, a 29-year-old top investment banker with some six years of working experience can earn up to RM180,000 per annum on his basic salary, she added.
Robert Walters, which has a presence in 20 countries, is among the world’s major professional recruitment consultancies.
It is to release the findings of the survey today.
According to the survey, the banking sector will see the biggest salary boom as the wage bracket for investment bankers with five to eight years of work experience increased from RM180,000 to RM288,000 per annum this year, compared with RM157,000 to RM240,000 last year.
Private equity bankers with the same number of years in work experience also saw their salaries upped from RM160,000 to RM264,000, compared with RM126,000 to RM240,000 last year.
In the ICT industry, software, voice and network engineers are expected to see up to a RM5,000 increase in their annual earnings and business application specialists, up to RM10,000 this year.
In the accounting and finance sector, cost controllers and auditors may stand to earn up to RM10,000 more while wages for account managers in charge of taxation and pricing may make some RM20,000 more.
Malaysian Employers Federation executive director Shamsuddin Bardan said while the average wage increment was expected to be around 5.5%, sectoral increases would be evident as these key industries had been given emphasis by the Government.
“Talents, especially in the 12 National Key Economic Areas (NKEA), will be in demand,” he said.
National ICT Association of Malaysia (Pikom) chairman Wei Chuan Beng said the ICT sector, which is one of the NKEAs, would see expansion with demand for highly-qualified and experienced talents to grow rapidly.
The Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA) estimates that about 2,500 locally-recognised accounting graduates with an estimated 1,200 members of professional accountancy bodies recognised by the Accountants Act will join the workforce this year.
“Present development which is taking place in various industries, especially changes and development in corporate governance, tightening of accounting regulations, pressure of globalisation and technology advancement across industries are contributing factors towards this trend of expansion,” the MIA said in a statement.
Source: The Star, 28 Feb 2011

Maxis 4Q earnings up 21.2pct to RM610m, FY10 RM2.29b




KUALA LUMPUR: Maxis Bhd posted net profit of RM610 million in the fourth quarter ended Dec 31, 2010, up 21.2% from RM503 million a year ago, boosted by its non-voice segment.

It said on Monday, Feb 28 its revenue rose 4.4% to RM2.31 billion from RM2.21 billion while earnings per share were 8.10 sen compared with 6.70 sen. It proposed dividend of eight sen a share to be paid on March 30. The entitlement date for the dividend payment is March 15.

For the financial year ended Dec 31, 2010, it posted net profit of RM2.295 billion compared with RM1.578 billion in FY09.

Maxis said its revenue for FY10 increased by 3% or RM258 million from RM8.611 billion to RM8.869 billion.

Maxis said the increase over last year was 'mainly due to increased non-voice revenue generated from the mobile services, partially offset by reduction in voice and interconnect revenue'.

The group's EBITDA grew by 2% or RM79 million on the back of higher revenue and one-off other income partly offset by higher device expenses and operating expenses.

On the outlook, it said the mobile industry was expected to become more competitive with aggressive marketing and promotion programmes putting further pressure on tariffs and operating margins.

'The driver of revenue growth for the foreseeable future is from the increasing demand for wireless broadband, internet access and other non-voice services,' it said.



Source: The Edge, 28 Feb 2011

Proton closes at 14-month low of RM3.86, sees RM126m erased from market cap


KUALA LUMPUR: Shares of PROTON HOLDINGS BHD [] closed 23 sen lower at RM3.86 on Monday, Feb 28, the lowest since Dec 22, 2009 after it posted losses in the third quarter ended Dec 31, 2010.

According to stock market data, Proton saw RM126.31 million erased from its market capitalisation and it was reduced to RM2.119 billion.

Maybank Investment Bank Research downgraded the national car maker to Sell with a lower RM3.40 target price.

'Proton's 3Q loss rattled the market. We think Lotus' strategy to turnaround will set back Proton's financials in the near term, for any tangible results can only be crystallised beyond 2013,' it said.

OSK Research said Proton's loss was a surprise, on the back of higher spending incurred for the turnaround of Lotus as well as the lower volume sold on the domestic side.

'We trim our earnings projections by 32% and 33% respectively for FY11 'FY12 and arrive at a lower TP of RM4.23 (from RM6.22), premised on 8x FY12 EPS.

'We highlight the risk of further expenditure incurred on account of Lotus amid concerns that the turnaround may take longer than expected. Downgrade to NEUTRAL from BUY,' it said.


Source: The Edge, 

Public Mutual win Best Overall Fund Group at The Edge-Lipper Malaysia Fund Awards 2011




KUALA LUMPUR: Public Mutual won nine of the 32 awards including the most prestigious 'Best Overall Fund Group' award at the Edge-Lipper Malaysia Fund Awards for 2011 on Monday, Feb 28.

This is the 8th consecutive year Public Mutual has emerged as the biggest winner at the annual awards event.

Public Mutual's chairman Tan Sri Dr Teh Hong Piow said he was proud of the fund management company's outstanding achievement despite uncertainties in 2010.

'These awards reflect Public Mutual's commitment in continuously delivering top value as well as meeting the diverse needs of our unitholders,' he said.

Public Fund won the Best Overall Fund Group over three years, Best Equity Asia-Pacific Fund Over Three Years, Best Equity Asia-Pacific Fund Over Three Years, Best Equity Malaysia Small and Mid Caps Fund Over Three Years, Best Equity Malaysia Small and Mid Caps Fund Over five Years, Best Equity Malaysia Small and Mid Caps Fund Over 10 Years, Best Bond Malaysian Ringgit Islamic Fund Over Five Years, Best Bond Malaysian Ringgit Fund Over 10 Years and Best Equity Malaysia Islamic Fund Over 10 Years.



Source: The Edge, 28 Feb 2011

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Highest Paid Hollywood’s Stars 2011


1. James Cameron

WRITER, DIRECTOR, PRODUCER (Creative Artists Agency)
1. James Cameron
ESTIMATED 2010 EARNINGS: $257 MILLION (2009 rank: 4) 
$248 million: Avatar (back-end for writing, producing, and directing, based on 2010 worldwide box-office gross of $1.95 billion, and share of DVD and pay-television revenue; excludes $50 million earned in 2009) 
$5 million: Avatar (share of toy licensing, other revenue) 
$4 million: Older film revenue (e.g., back-end and royalties from earlier projects, other payments)

2. Johnny Depp

ACTOR (United Talent Agency)
2. Johnny Depp
ESTIMATED 2010 EARNINGS: $100 MILLION (2009 rank: 21) 
$40 million: Alice in Wonderland (back-end for starring in Tim Burton film, based on worldwide gross of $1.02 billion) 
$35 million: Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (up-front money for starring in next installment of Jerry Bruckheimer’s waterlogged but ludicrously profitable franchise)
$20 million: The Tourist (fee for co-starring in one of the year’s bigger flops alongside Angelina Jolie) 
$5 million: Older film revenue

3. Steven Spielberg

DIRECTOR, PRODUCER (CAA)
3. Steven Spielberg
ESTIMATED 2010 EARNINGS: $80 MILLION (2009 rank: 2) 
$50 million: Universal-theme-park royalties and consulting fees 
$20 million: War Horse (fee for directing and producing upcoming World War I drama) 
$10 million: Older film revenue

4. Christopher Nolan

WRITER, DIRECTOR, PRODUCER (CAA)
4. Christopher Nolan
ESTIMATED 2010 EARNINGS: $71.5 MILLION (2009 rank: —) 
$69 million: Inception (back-end for writing, producing, and directing, based on worldwide gross of $823 million, and share of DVD and pay-TV revenue) 
$2.5 million: Older film revenue

5. Leonardo DiCaprio

ACTOR (Special Artists Agency)
 5. Leonardo DiCaprio
ESTIMATED 2010 EARNINGS: $62 MILLION (2009 rank: —) 
$59 million: Inception (back-end for starring in somewhat convoluted Christopher Nolan film) 
$3 million: Back-end for starring in somewhat convoluted Martin Scorsese film Shutter Island, older film revenue

6. Tim Burton

DIRECTOR (William Morris Endeavor)
6. Tim Burton
ESTIMATED 2010 EARNINGS: $53 MILLION (2009 rank: —) 
$50 million: Alice in Wonderland (back-end for directing, based on worldwide gross of $1.02 billion, and share of DVD and pay-TV revenue) 
$3 million: Older film revenue

7. Adam Sandler

ACTOR, PRODUCER, WRITER (WME)
      7. Adam Sandler

ESTIMATED 2010 EARNINGS: $50 MILLION (2009 rank: 12) 
$25 million: Just Go with It (fee for producing and starring in upcoming comedy opposite Jennifer Aniston) 
$20 million: Jack and Jill (fee for producing and starring in upcoming comedy with Katie Holmes and Al Pacino) 
$3 million: Grown Ups (back-end for starring and writing, based on worldwide gross of $271 million, plus share of DVD and pay-TV revenue) 
$2 million: Older film revenue

8. Todd Phillips

ACTOR (WME)
8. Todd Phillips
ESTIMATED 2010 EARNINGS: $33.5 million (2009 rank: —) 
$12.5 million: The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn—Part 1 (fee for co-starring in upcoming penultimate Twilight film) 
$12.5 million: The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn—Part 2 (fee for co-starring in upcoming final Twilight film) 
$7.5 million: Abduction (fee for starring in upcoming John Singleton thriller) 
$1 million: Older film revenue, mostly from Twilight franchise

9. Taylor Lautner

WRITER, DIRECTOR, PRODUCER (CAA)
9. Taylor Lautner
ESTIMATED 2010 EARNINGS: $34 MILLION (2009 rank: 5) 
$15 million: The Hangover Part II (fee for writing, producing, and directing) 
$13 million: The Hangover (back-end for producing and directing; excludes $39 million earned in 2009) 
$3 million: Due Date (back-end for producing and directing, based on worldwide gross of $200 million, as of December 31, 2010) 
$2 million: Older film revenue 
$1 million: Project X (fee for producing upcoming low-budget comedy)

10. Robert Downey Jr.

ACTOR (CAA)
10. Robert Downey Jr.
ESTIMATED 2010 EARNINGS: $31.5 MILLION (2009 rank: 28) 
$15 million: Fee for starring in upcoming untitled Sherlock Holmes sequel 
$12 million: Iron Man 2 (back-end, based on worldwide gross of $627 million, and share of DVD and pay-TV revenue) 
$3.5 million: Sherlock Holmes (back-end, based on worldwide gross of $523 million, and share of DVD and pay-TV revenue) 
$1 million: Older film revenue

Richest Countries in the World 2011


1. Luxembourg – $80,800 (GDP per capita)


LuxembourgCity1
This tiny country with a total population of less than 500 000 is a true European miracle. By tiny we mean the 8 smallest countries in the world. From top to bottom it’s only about 50 miles and at its widest about 30 miles.

2. Qatar – $75,900

Qatar-Doha
This Arabic speaking country has less than million people and gained independence from Great Britain only in 1971. Qatar used to be a poor Islamic country but since the discovery of oil and natural gas in the 1940s, it is completely transformed. With no income tax it is one of the least taxed countries in the world, while still offering most of its services to the population for free.

3. Norway – $55,600

Norway-Oslo
Norway is one of the few highly developed countries in Europe that are not part of the European Union. This oil and natural gas rich country has living costs more than 30% higher than in the United States. In 2006 only Russia and Saudi Arabia exported more oil than Norway.

4. Kuwait – $55,300

Kuwait-KuwaitCity

In Arabic Kuwait translates to “Fortress built near water”. In addition to being on the coast of the Persian Gulf this country has well known neighbors like Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Kuwait has the world’s fifth largest proven oil reserves – about 10% of the worlds total. Being a country without taxes, about 80% of the government’s revenue comes from exporting oil. Having the second-most free economy in the Middle East, Kuwait has one of the fastest growing economies in the region.

5. United Arab Emirates – $55,200

UAE-Abu-Dhabi1          
This oil and natural gas rich country has a highly developed economy which makes it one of the most developed in the world. Having more money than they know what to do with, they have built numerous artificial islands and just finished building the worlds highest structure – Burj Khalifa. It is 828 meters tall, being about 2 times as high as the Empire State Building in New York. It is estimated that about 1/4th of the total construction going on in the world is taking place in Dubai – one of the largest cities in
United Arab Emirates.

6. Singapore – $48,900

Singapore
This country tiny country consist of 63 island and some mainland with a total area of only 270 square miles (704 sq km). With Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan it is considered one of the Four Asian Tigers. Singapore has the busiest port in the world and is the 4th largest foreign exchange trading center in the world. Singapore is widely believed to be the most business-friendly economy in the world.

7. United States – $46,000

NY
What sets the US apart from most other countries in this list is its size. While most other countries in this list are among the smallest in the world the US has a population of over 300 million and a total land area of 3,79 million square miles (9.83 million sq km). The US is also home to the largest amount of billionaires in the world. It is speculated that as many billionaires live in the US as in the rest of the world.

8. Ireland – $45,600

Ireland-Dublin
This member of European Union has been often admired as one of the most modern knowledge economies in the world. Ireland is the largest maker of computer software in the world. A study done by The Economist ranked the Celtic Tiger to have the best quality of life in the world.

9. Equatorial Guinea – $44,100

Equatorial-Guinea-Malabo
The Republic of Equatorial Guinea is a country in Central Africa. Most people have never heard of it. This country flew into stardom after 1996 when large oil reserves were found in the nation of only 0,5 million people. While being one of the largest producers of oil in Africa, little has been made to 
improve the living conditions of the people. Corruption is widespread and ordinary people are mostly living in poverty. The gap between rich and poor is probably the largest in the world.

10. Switzerland – $39,800

Switzerland-Bern
This cheese making country is considered to be one of the most neutral countries in the world. During World War 2, people from other European countries deposited their money in the banks of Switzerland, knowing that their money would be safer there than in their home countries. Some well known Swiss companies include Nestle, Logitech, Rolex and Credit Suisse.

FOREX 4U