KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 14): OSK Research Bhd sees SEG International Bhd's (SEGi) land acquisition move at Sepang as being positive, reflecting the management's confidence in further expanding its student base.

"The land purchase would likely form the foundation of its next growth phase," said OSK Research in a research note on Tuesday.

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 13): While economic uncertainty still affects the main commercial real estate centres around the world, overall global real estate markets are showing steady improvements, according to Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) in their latest Global Office Index and Global Market Perspective reports.

The higher cost of real estate in the Klang Valley and Penang and the appreciation of the ringgit against foreign currencies such as the pound has heightened the allure of foreign property. “Buying a property outside the country is not new but momentum has picked up in recent years,” notes Ian Chen, CEO of Jalin Realty International Pte Ltd.

by Deloitte's Tham Lih Jiun, John Whitehead and Joe Galea

Things were really difficult for EcoFirst Consolidated Bhd for several years prior to 2011.

Quill Group of Companies is a familiar name in the property industry, but what might not be known is that the company had started off as an interior design outfit called Quill Design. In fact, its first office was a tiny 100 sq ft space and its first design project was worth just RM3,800.

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 10): Property investors can opt for Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and plantation land as alternative investments, suggested Foo Gee Jen, managing director of CH Williams Talhar & Wong Sdn Bhd (WTW).

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 10): Property developer Mahajaya Bhd has received a notice of conditional takeover from a group of joint-offerors, made up from its major shareholders, to acquire the remaining 75.56 million shares representing a 27.57% stake they do not own in the company at 85 sen each. The offer valued the whole of Mahajaya at RM232.9 million.

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 10): Berjaya Land Bhd (BLand) sold 18.301 million shares or a 1.37% stake in Berjaya Sports Toto Bhd (BToto) on Thursday for a total cash consideration of RM79.61 million or RM4.35 per share.

In a statement to Bursa Malaysia, BLand said the net proceeds from the disposal will be utilised as working capital and repayment of bank borrowings of the BLand group.

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 10): Malaysian steel companies were not spared from plummeting steel prices in the last quarter of 2011.

"The prices will definitely affect the earnings during that period," said a MIDF Research analyst, who covers the sector, when contacted by The Edge Financial Daily.