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Friday, April 8, 2011

OSK sees more M&As in insurance sector (BT)

MORE mergers and acquisition (M&A) news is expected from the local insurance industry, driven by an easing of regulations by Bank Negara Malaysia.

"The liberalisation of the foreign equity ownership limit to 70 per cent by the central bank and the implementation of the risk-based capital framework, are catalysts for heightening M&A as well as consolidation in the country," OSK Research said in a statement Friday.

Recently, it was speculated, that MAA Holdings intends to dispose of a 70 per cent stake in its subsidiary, Malaysian Assurance Alliance Bhd, to Zurich Insurance for RM1.2 billion.

"While we are uncertain as to whether the MAAB disposal will be completed, we believe such transactions provide a benchmark for pricing insurance companies," the research house said.

It also believes that the recent speculated MAAB M&A action may not be the last to come for the insurance industry.

"Our top pick among insurance companies is Allianz Malaysia, given its attractive valuation and potential joint venture with Takaful Ikhlas, into the lucrative takaful industry," it said. - BERNAMA

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