Microsoft word - 29nov10 euro sg.doc

WEEKLY COMMENTARY
29 NOVEMBER 2010
Overview
 European markets extended their losses last week amid uncertainty about the fate of
peripheral Eurozone countries. Bank shares fell sharply on fears that even the highest-ranked
bondholders may be faced with losses.
 Bank troubles in Ireland culminated in a formal request for international aid, in which the
European Union and IMF agreed to a €85 billion bail-out package. As expected, Standard and
Poor’s cut its sovereign rating, while Dublin’s four-year austerity plan failed to appease
investors.
 Spain’s mortgage approvals declined in September for the fifth month; Italy’s retail data were
weighed down by sluggish food sales; and French consumer spending fell in October because
of lower demand for cars.
 The Eurozone’s private sector expanded sharply in November and German business
confidence rose to a 20-year high. Elsewhere, British GDP growth edged higher in the third
quarter, boosted by higher exports.
 In politics, Portugal’s parliament approved the austerity budget aimed at reducing public debt
to 4.6% from 7.3% by the end of 2011, despite widespread protests. Germany will suspend
military conscription from next July, ending a cornerstone of its post-war constitution.
Sector News
Basic resources: Rio Tinto expanded its Pilbara iron ore production by two billion tonnes. AMEC
acquired Australian consultancy BurmanGriffiths for A$4.5 million.
Consumer goods: BMW will shorten Christmas breaks to meet demand for new models. L'Oreal was
among 15 retailers ordered by French lawmakers to pay €46.2m for price fixing, although the company
denied the charges. Adidas will shift its advertising focus online, away from print and TV.
Financials: Intesa Sanpaolo launched a bid for Polbank, the Polish unit of Eurobank Ergasias. Banco
Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria raised more than €5 billion in a share sale to help fund its purchase of a
stake in Turkish lender Turkiye Garanti Bankasi. Provident Financial reported improving home credit
loan sales since the start of September.
Industrials: Rolls Royce won a contract from Air China to provide engines for 20 new aircraft.
Schneider acquired cooling-systems maker Uniflair. Weir Group formed a joint venture to provide
high-pressure pumps to China’s developing shale industry. Saint Gobain plans to build a new glass
factory in Brazil to be nearer the market.
Media: Daily Mail and General reported a 23% rise in annual profits, driven by cost controls, and
margin improvement in its consumer businesses. Pearson will acquire a 75% stake in South Africa’s
CTI Education Group for £31 million in cash.
Pharmaceuticals: GlaxoSmithKline will sell its US penicillin factory and rights to its Augmentin and
Amoxil brands to Dr Reddy’s Laboratories.
Real estate: Helical Bar’s interim operating profits fell and net debt increased. Although the outlook
was subdued, the company expects buying opportunities in the coming year.
Retail: Casino sold its 80.1% stake in Cativen to the Venezuelan government, keeping the remaining
stake and continuing to provide operational support. Tesco said that like-for-like sales growth
accelerated in Asia in the first nine weeks to end October, except for Japan. Metro sold its stores in
Morocco to Label Vie.
Travel and Leisure: Millennium & Copthorne raised its stake in Beijing Fortune Hotel, which owns
and operates the Grand Millennium Hotel Beijing, to 70% from 30%.
WEEKLY COMMENTARY
29 NOVEMBER 2010
Utilities: United Utilities posted lower half-year profits that were weighed down by price cuts and
inflation. It declared an interim dividend of 10 pence and aims to pay 30 pence for the full year.
We hold all the companies highlighted above.
Indices Performance Table

WOW (US$)
YTD ( US$)
26/11/2010
Source: Aberdeen Asset Managers Limited, Bloomberg, Reuters, IRESS WEEKLY COMMENTARY
29 NOVEMBER 2010
For more information
Client Services Team
Tel: +65 6395 2701
Fax: +65 6438 0743
Aberdeen Asset Management Asia Limited
21 Church Street
#01-01 Capital Square Two
Singapore 049480
Tel: +65 6395 2700
Fax: +65 6535 7159
www.aberdeen-asia.com
Important information
The above is strictly information purposes only and should not be considered an offer, or solicitation, to deal in any of the mentioned funds. Any research or analysis used to derive, or in relation to, the above information has been procured by Aberdeen Asset Management Asia Limited (“Aberdeen Asia”) for its own use, without taking into account the investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any specific investor, and may have been acted on for Aberdeen Asia’s own
Aberdeen Asia does not warrant the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of the information herein
and expressly disclaims liability for any errors or omissions. The information is given on a general
basis without obligation and on the understanding that any person acting upon or in reliance on it,
does so entirely at his or her own risk. Any projections or other forward-looking statements
regarding future events or performance of countries, markets or companies are not necessarily
indicative of, and may differ from, actual events or results. Aberdeen Asia reserves the right to make
changes and corrections to the information, including any opinions or forecasts expressed herein at
any time, without notice.
Aberdeen Asset Management Asia Limited, Registration Number 199105448E

Source: http://secure.fundsupermart.com/main/articleFiles/webarticles/4697/SG/Aberdeen%20-%20Euro%2029Nov10.pdf