Top 10 Best Paying Jobs in Malaysia by Jobstreet.com

Malaysia, 15 January 2014 – A recent Nielsen survey based on the jobseekers in Malaysia showed that when it came to choosing a job, salary is their most important consideration. Candidates who are applying to jobs need to know if the salary for the position matches their expectation. Thanks to a new salary matching feature by JobStreet.com, candidates can now be matched to jobs based on their desired salary. JobStreet.com is the first job site in Southeast Asia to have introduced this.

To further help candidates gauge whether their salaries are competitive to the market JobStreet.com recently did a study to find out the Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs in Malaysia.

The study showed that most jobs in the top 10 list tend to be technical or science based. Candidates at the executive level who specialized in Medical, Engineering, Finance and IT generally earned above average salary of RM 2,800. As for managerial levels and above, specializations such as IT, Science, and Engineering were compensated better.

The following is the list of jobs with the highest average salaries across all position levels based on the salaries posted by employers on JobStreet.com from January 1 – August 31, 2013.

Fresh Graduates

 

Fresh graduates can expect to get an average salary of RM2,100 per month. Those in Pharmacy can earn RM3,600 as their starting wage. Executives doing corporate strategy come in second, earning a basic pay of RM3,200. Take note that these are just basic salaries, and do not include any other forms of compensation such as leave credits, medical benefits, insurance and incentives.

On average, fresh graduates earn anywhere between RM1,500 and RM3,600 with the average being RM2,100 across most industries.

Junior Executives

Although young doctors can achieve a figure of RM2,700 as a houseman, their salary can quickly increase to about RM3,900 with 3-4 years of experience. Most specializations in the list of Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs for junior level are in the technical field. This includes Process Design& Control, Engineering- Oil/Gas, Aviation, and IT- Software.

On average, junior executives can earn a salary range from RM2,100 to RM3,900, with the average being RM2,800 across all industries.

Senior Executive

For senior executives, the engineering sector pays well for employees. Out of the top 10, they take up three slots in the best paying jobs.

On average, senior executives can earn a salary range from RM3,200 to RM7,500 with the average being RM4,300 across all industries.

Managers

Doctors, engineers  and  managers in the aviation specializations draw the highest pay with doctors earning the highest, with an average salary of RM9,500 per month.

On average, managers can earn a salary range from RM3,900 to RM9,500 with the average being RM6,600 across all industries.

Senior Managers

 

It takes years of experience and expertise before one becomes a senior manager, but all that hard work pays off. Overall,senior managers in specializations such as IT- Hardware, Quality Control/Assurance and Geophysics are the top highest paying job in this position.

On average, senior managers can earn a salary range from RM5,555 to RM18,100 with the average being RM12,800 across all industries.

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About JobStreet.com

JobStreet.com (www.jobstreet.com) is a leading online recruitment company presently covering the employment markets in Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia, India, Japan, Thailand and Vietnam. The Group currently services over 80,000 corporate customers and over 11 million jobseekers in its database. JobStreet.com is listed on the Main Board of Bursa Malaysia Securities (JOBST).

Special Gift for Chrismas

                        

WITH Christmas just around the corner, the spirit of giving is here. Whether it is a gift for a friend or for a family member, choosing the right gift is important.

So what do we buy? Retailers are only too eager with their suggestions.

Tech gizmos? Surely we couldn’t go wrong with the iPad mini Air, Apple Inc’s latest coolest offering. However, how about giving something more meaningful, something which appreciates over time.

Something like stocks.

Below are some “gift” stock ideas.

Maxis Bhd

Let’s put aside tech toys for a while. How about buying Maxis shares instead?

Based on a consensus of 35 analysts, the non-believers are aplenty. There are 16 analysts with “hold” calls, while only six have “buy” calls. There are 13 “sell” calls. Over a one year period, Maxis has delivered 16.32% in returns at its current share price of RM7.20.

Maxis, once the unbeatable No. 1 cellular communications player in Malaysia, has lost a bit of lustre. That is set to change, though.

2014 will be all about Maxis’ transformation. New chief Morten Lundal is upbeat about the future. He concedes that 2014 will be the transition year for improving internal processes and reinforcing its base before reaping the benefits going forward.

Nestle is investing RM150mil in the first phase of a new plant that will boost its ready-to-drink segment in Malaysia.

Lundal expects its 2014 dividend per share to remain at 40 sen. Its 2014 capital expenditure will rise to RM1.1bil from RM850mil this year, while revenue growth will likely remain at the low single digits.

A research note from RHB says Maxis management will work on improving its distribution network and branding as part of its efforts to stem the erosion in prepaid market share.

“On its postpaid services, pricing data properly will be a priority. Meanwhile, the home segment still faces difficulties. We believe that protecting and then growing its prepaid business will be a key focus while the home segment will likely take a backseat,” RHB says.

Bonia Corp Bhd

So instead of buying a luxury handbag for the wife, how about Bonia shares instead?

At its current share price of RM3.51, Bonia has delivered year-to-date returns of 56% or a hefty RM1.26. It has a market capitalisation of RM707.5mil and is trading at about 14 times price earnings (PE) for its year ended June 30, 2014.

For the first quarter to Sept 30, Bonia’s net profit was down 8.32% to RM14.22mil while revenue improved 7.46% to RM168.4mil.

In August, Bonia saw the entrance of British Virgin Islands-based investor Milingtonia Ltd as a substantial shareholder. Milingtonia emerged with a 6.82% stake or 13.75 million shares.

Bonia has said that it wants to be a billion-dollar company. It aims to achieve revenues of RM1bil by the year 2015.

Bonia is targeting the Middle East and South-East Asia to build its branding.

In its goal to achieving this, Bonia wants to conduct two more public listings around the region and be well-established in five other countries. Bonia is particularly targeting the Middle East and South-East Asia to build its branding.

Bonia’s website describes it as a manufacturer, marketeer, retailer of leatherwear, footwear, men’s apparel and accessories. It has 883 sales outlets and 103 boutiques around the world.

In its latest results note, Bonia says it will continue to invest by adding new brands to its portfolio and increasing its footprint primarily in the luxury segment which has proven to be relatively resilient. In the preceding financial year, Bonia has secured the rights to develop, distribute and market Enrico Coveri, a renowned Italian brand founded by Enrico Coveri.

Nestle (M) Bhd

Chocolates and biscuits are fattening and give only temporary pleasure. Nestle (M) Bhd’s shares, however, are a different story. With its steadily increasing dividend yield and slow but certain growth, this would also be equivalent to buying some security for loved ones.

For the nine months to Sept 30, net profit was up 13.64% to RM461.25mil while revenue was up 5.58% to RM3.65bil. The improvement in its recent results were due mainly to stable domestic demand and favourable raw material cost.

Last year, the stock delivered dividend yields of 3.1%, and this year, analysts estimate a yield closer to 3.5%.

Of the 11 analysts polled in Bloomberg, there is only one buy call, six hold calls and four sell calls.

With a share price of RM68.50, the stock appreciated by a decent 9.01% on a year-to-date basis. Its price point may be rather steep, but you don’t need to buy 1,000 shares of Nestle. You can buy 100 shares.

The stock is now trading at a 2013 PE ratio of 29 times, which is the typical PE it has been trading over the last three years. The stock also has a market capitalisation of RM16.06bil.

Based on its latest results, domestic sales are encouraging. Confectionery and food & beverage recorded robust growth.

Nestle is also investing RM150mil in the first phase of its new plant, which will double its production capacity of its ready-to-drink (RTD) segment in Malaysia.

The facility will produce the company’s RTD liquid beverages, such as Milo,Nescafe, Nestle Omega, Nestle Low Fat Milk and Nestle Full Cream. The factory, which is built adjacent to the company’s existing factory in Shah Alam, is expected to be fully operational by May 2014.

Padini Holdings Bhd

She will get bored with a new dress quickly. So why not buy apparel stock Padini Holdings Bhd instead? This is afterall one of the more successful Malaysian apparel brands.

Its share price, however, has been a different story. The stock is down 1.88% to RM1.80 on a year-to-date basis. It is also trading at a 2014 PE of 12.68 times. It does, however, have a very attractive dividend yield of about 6.1% and this is anticipated to increase.

It currently has nine labels in its family of brands and retail in 330 free standing stores, franchised outlets and consignment counters in Malaysia and worldwide. These labels, which carry the Made in Malaysia stamp, are sold in Bahrain, Brunei, Cambodia, Egypt, Indonesia, Kuwait, Morocco, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, the Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Thailand and United Arab Emirates.

Its brands are Padini, Seed, Padini Authentics, PDI, P&Co, Vincci, Vincci Accessories, Tizio, Miki Kids and Brands Outlet.

For its first quarter to Sept 30, Padini’s net profit increased 9.58% to RM27.74mil on the back of a 8.04% increase in revenue to RM217.22mil. These improvements were backed by stronger sales in conjunction with the Hari Raya and National Day festive seasons.

The earnings were also boosted by an increase in exports and improved numbers from its Brands Outlet stores.

RHB Research says the Padini label is still the largest revenue generator, contributing 31.2% of total revenue while sales from Brands Outlet made up 28.6%.

The company has proposed a 2.5 sen interim dividend and 1.5 sen special dividend.

Padini is now on an outlet expansion drive and plans to open seven outlets. It has opened a Padini Concept Store (PCS) and Brands Outlet store (BO) in Gurney Paragon Mall, Penang in the first quarter. Three BO stores and two PCS outlets will open on Langkawi Island, in Seremban and Miri in the second quarter.

Source: Star Online

5 simple ways to reduce fuel cost

                                

WITH fuel prices on the rise (a factor that will probably not see a downtrend any time soon), it’s high time to find ways to mitigate the impact it will have on your wallet.

For the uninitiated, the price for RON95 is RM2.10 per litre and RM2.00 per litre for diesel currently. The price of unregulated RON97 is currently priced at RM2.75 per litre.

The following are five simple ways to save on fuel expenses.

Drive reasonably

While it’s a known fact, speeding, a common driving habit, leads to pointless fuel wastage.

“If your average commute includes 20 miles of highway time, and you drive it at 60 mph (or 97kmph) instead of 70mph (113kmph) you’ll save 1.3 gallons of fuel in a five-day work week, according to an article in the Reader’s Digest.

According to California-based Consumer Energy Center (CEC), all vehicles lose fuel economy at speeds above 55mph (89kmph).

“Driving 65mph (105kmph) instead of 75mph (121kmph) reduces fuel cost 13%. Driving 55mph would save 25%.

The CEC also says reducing air-conditioning or winding up windows fully can also help conserve fuel.

“Using the air conditioner increases fuel cost from 13% up to 21%. If it’s cool enough, use the flow-through ventilation instead of rolling down the windows or using the air-cond.”

Drive vehicles that are low in fuel consumption

The CEC suggests owning a hybrid or diesel-powered vehicle, or even a motorcycle.

“The next best option is to purchase the most fuel efficient vehicle within the class of vehicles you are considering,” it says.

On the local front, with the gradual reduction in subsidies and rising fuel prices, it’s not surprising to see a rise in interest and demand for fuel-efficient vehicles.

Local auto magazine Motor Trader, claims that the Mitsubishi Mirage is the most fuel-efficient vehicle in Malaysia, having a fuel consumption of 21km per litre. The vehicle retails at RM56,992.15 (on-the-road with insurance).

Among other fuel-efficient cars that the local automotive magazine cites is the Hyundai i10, which has a fuel consumption of 18.9km per litre; the Perodua MyVi 1.3 (17km per litre) and the Volkswagen Polo Sedan (15.4km per litre).

In terms of hybrid vehicles, Toyota claims that its Prius C has a fuel economy of 35km per litre.

“Prices for hybrids range from RM94,800 for the lowest cost hybrid, the Honda Jazz 1.3, to over RM1mil for super luxury models like the BMW Activehybrid7,” notesMotor Trader.

Proper maintenance

According to an article on Forbes, keeping your vehicle’s tires properly inflated with air and the air filter clean can help you save fuel consumption.

“Under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage and affect the handling, braking and tread life,” it says, citing a senior official from Express Oil Change & Service Center, a leading US-based automotive services provider.

The reason why this saves fuel is simple, the article says: “When your tires don’t have enough air in them, their rolling resistance is dramatically increased and it simply takes more gas to get anywhere.”

It adds that fuel mileage can actually be improved by up to 3.3% by keeping one’s tires inflated to the proper pressure. It also says keeping the air filters in your clean can actually help improve fuel mileage by up to 7%.

According to US-based TheDailyGreen.com, having the wheels on your car properly aligned can also help reduce fuel consumption. “Poor alignment not only causes tires to wear out more quickly, but also forces your engine to work harder.

Align your tires, and save up to 10%.”

Letting the engine idle – too long

Citing a top official from Breitling Oil and Gas, a Dallas-based independent oil and gas exploration and production company, Forbes says letting the engine idle too long can result in unnecessary wastage of fuel.

“If you’re going to be standing for more than a minute, running your engine wastes more gas than restarting the engine,” it says.

Do not overload the vehicle

It’s as simple as it sounds - the more weight you carry in your car, the more fuel you’re going to burn.

Source: thestar.com.my