DOW ended mildly higher (+47pts) after a day of whipsaw trading. Alcoa ended +ve despite dismal results which dragged on Asian mkts yesterday. Expecting trade balance and initial claims due tonite. FSSTI expected to rise ahead of the long weekend boosted by bullish hammer seen yesterday. Activities likely to be within 1800 and 1820 region, covering 1795 gap.
CIMB FOCUS:
* EZRA: 2Q09 core net profit of US$15m (+34% yoy) was above expectations. Stronger than expected margins fr offshore support and lower operating expenses. Net gearing increased fr 0.4x to 0.5x qoq. Separately, new and renewal contracts worth US$47m were annced. CIMB maintains OUTPERFORM, tgt raised to $1.13 fr $0.70.
OTHER NEWS:
* AQUA: secured S$21m civil engineering contract in Qatar
* CEGY: received extension of tenure of existing loan worth US$51.5m fr ABN. In return for the extension, co will issue 10m warrants with conversion price of S$0.13 per share (9% discount to last 30days avg).
* CNA, SUNS, TRIM, EAT: Auditors cast doubt on ability to continue as going concern

MALAYSIA
* volatile day on the DOW as investors shrug off the bad start to the earnings season and M&A's and optimism of a bottom in the economy dominate investors attention. LOCAL mkt to remain above 910 today and may resume its climb to 950 resistance. optimism will abound as PM expected to announce new cabinet lineup today.                                                                          * ILB MK: Warehousing and logistics provider, Integrated Logistics Bhd (ILB), will focus on its Dubai warehouse construction project and diversify into oil and gas, chemical storage business and cold room to mitigate the impact of the global economic crisis. The warehouse construction in Dubai began in the fourth quarter of 2008 and is slated for completion by mid-2010.                     
* MKL MK: MK Land Holdings Bhd (MKL) plans to focus on ongoing projects in the Klang Valley that are still showing growth in sales despite the economic downturn. The property developer’s CEO Tan Sri Mustapha Kamal Abu Bakar said the company would, however, slow its resort and property developments in Perak and Langkawi.