CAROTECH attracted strong interest following the fall in crude palm oil (CPO) prices, as CPO comprised 70% of its total production cost and lower prices would push down cost. Carotech extracts phytonutrients – vitamin E and carotene – from CPO, with methyl ester (or biodiesel) and glycerine as co-products. It had indicated that the production of palm biodiesel was more viable with CPO prices around the RM2,800 level.
Ann Joo: THE major steel maker’s second quarter earnings came above expectations with net profit surging 360% to RM180.5mil compared with RM39.3mil a year ago. A bank-backed brokerage remained optimistic about the stock despite the risk of export curbs on the steel industry by authorities. Given that steel prices have come off, it would be a good opportunity for Ann Joo to start accumulating scrap metal, it said.
AirAsia: THE budget airline has shown strength in its ability to manage escalating costs while still keeping to its business of offering low airfares to passengers. Even when jet fuel hit US$180 per barrel, AirAsia did not raise surcharges to pass on the higher costs. Instead, it ventured into more destinations and diversified its in-flight products. Now that jet fuel has weakened to below US$145 a barrel, it’s definitely a good breather for the no-frills airline in terms of managing costs.
One of the most important phytonutrients in edible oils is Vitamin E. Vitamin E is the generic name for the family of tocopherols and tocotrienols. In nature, eight compounds have been found to possess vitamin E activity.
