Primasia Securities

[Aliza Pointon]

MissionTo be one of the most successful global investment boutiques, Primasia strives to develop and retain top quality professionals, to comply with the highest professional standards, and to provide client-driven services.

Our Business:Primasia brokerage business provides multiple ways of access service for trading activities in securities, futures, and fixed income, including telephone order, online trading, and voice trading. We also continue to enhance our trading facility and increase transaction efficiency and flexibility for both institutional and retailing clients.

Primasia research is for information only and for the use of the recipient. It is not to be reproduced or copied or made available to others. Under no circumstances is it to be considered as an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy any security. While the information contained herein is from sources believed reliable, we do not represent that it is accurate or complete and it should not be reiled upon as such. We, or our affiliates, may from time to time solicit from, or perform investment banking or other services for, any company mentioned on the Primasia website.

1994 Yuang Kau Securities (Hong Kong), a subsidiary of Taiwan Yuang Kau Securities Co., Ltd., was established in Hong Kong.

1994 Peregrine Investment Holding Limited (Hong Kong) invested in Taiwan Yuang Kau Securities Co. Ltd. and appointed Mr. David Tran as the chairman of the company Taiwan Yuang Kau, with capital of NT$1billion, became a comprehensive financial securities company, covering brokerage, underwriting, and proprietary trading.

1997 Primasia International Holdings purchased the commercial 1997 Primasia International Holdings purchased the commercial office premises on 19th floor in Lin-Yun Bldg and further leased it to The More International Group.

1999 Primasia Financial Services Corp. acquired stakes in Peregrine Securities Co. Ltd. from Peregrine Investment Holding Limited (Hong Kong). Peregrine Securities Co. Ltd. invested in its subsidiary, Primasia Investment Trust Co.

1999 Peregrine Securities Co. Ltd. was renamed to Primasia Securities Co. Ltd. Peregrine Securities (Hong Kong) Co. Ltd., was renamed to Primasia Securities Asia Limited Primasia Securities cancelled margin purchase and short sale and started its agency business for securities margin purchase and short sale.

2006 Nikko Cordial Securities acquired 34% stakes in Primasia Securities Co. Ltd. and 50% stakes in Primasia Securities Asia Limited.

2006 Primasia Investment Consultancy Co., Ltd, a subsidiary of Primasia Securities, terminated its business operation and entered into liquidation.

Growing opportunities in the regional financial sector prompted Japanese brokerage Nikko Cordial Securities Inc to expand its existing Hong Kong office through the 100 percent acquisition of Primasia Securities (Asia) Ltd. In an announcement made today (December 1), the company will be renamed SMBC Nikko Securities (Hong Kong) Ltd and the new brand will officially start operations on January 4, 2011.

SMBC Nikko Securities (Hong Kong) Ltd will offer services encompassing initially Japanese equity brokerage and merger and acquisition advisory.

President of SMBC Nikko Securities (Hong Kong) Ltd, Mr Masashi Maruyama, said, "The rebranding of our Hong Kong branch is an important step of Nikko Cordial's plan to tap into the overseas market and expand its global network, providing a foundation for its development in the Greater China market."

Through the acquisition of Primasia Securities (Asia) Ltd, which holds Type 1 and Type 4 licenses under the Securities and Futures Ordinance, SMBC Nikko Securities (Hong Kong) Ltd will also be able to carry out regulated activities including dealing and advising on securities.

Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong, Mr Charles Ng, said, "As China's global financial centre, Hong Kong has a unique role as a point of rendezvous between the East and the West and as a gateway between China and the world. We are delighted to see more and more financial institutions are choosing Hong Kong as a base from which to expand their businesses in Asia."

Mr Ng warmly welcomed Nikko Cordial Securities Inc's business expansion in Hong Kong and wished the company every success in its business in Hong Kong and the region.

About Nikko Cordial Securities Inc

Established in 2009 (in business since 1920), Nikko Cordial Securities Inc is a Japanese brokerage firm. The company operates 109 branches across Japan, as well as two representative offices and four subsidiaries outside Japan, employing about 7,000 people worldwide. In 2010, the company renamed its Hong Kong arm as SMBC Nikko Securities (Hong Kong) Ltd after the 100 percent acquisition of Primasia Securities (Asia) Ltd. For more information, please visit www.nikko.co.jp.

About Invest Hong Kong

Invest Hong Kong is the department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government established in July 2000 to take responsibility for Foreign Direct Investment and support overseas, Mainland and Taiwanese businesses to set up or expand in Hong Kong. It provides free advice and customised services to help businesses succeed in Hong Kong's vibrant economy. As it celebrates its 10th anniversary, Invest Hong Kong has completed over 2,000 investment projects creating over 25,000 new jobs in the first year of operation or expansion and HK$52 billion of investment. For more information, please visit www.investhk.gov.hk.

Higher profit margins and cost-cutting measures have delivered a bumper first-quarter profit for the nation's second largest OEM maker of notebook computers, Compal Electronics Inc (仁寶), the company reported yesterday.

The gross margin is the difference between the cost of production and selling prices. Last year, Compal added mobile phone handsets and handheld personal digital assistants (PDAs) to its product offering. The popular devices command higher gross margins than notebook computers and now account for 19 percent of Compal's revenue compared to only 6 percent in the first quarter of last year.

Compal is predicting strong sales in April, but is more conservative about May due to the cancellation of China's week-long May holiday over severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) fears. China is Compal's largest market for handhelds.

Chen is more upbeat about Compal's prospects for the second quarter, saying rising notebook sales to Apple Computer Inc and Hewlett-Packard Co should result in a 12-percent increase in revenue to top NT$34 billion compared to the first quarter.

Compal is expected to get an added boost in the third quarter when Motorola Inc and Matsushita Electric Industrial Co -- makers of the Panasonic brand -- release their much anticipated new third generation or 3G phones that can send and receive photos and video, as well as connect to the Internet. Motorola and Matsushita are customers of Compal.

Taipei is today suspending work, classes and its US$2.4 trillion stock market as Typhoon Gaemi approaches Taiwan with strong winds and heavy rain.The nation is not conducting securities, currency or fixed income trading, statements from its stock and currency exchanges said. Authorities had yesterday issued a warning that the storm could affect people on land and canceled some ship crossings and domestic flights.Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC, 台積電) expects its local chipmaking fabs to maintain normal production, the company said in an e-mailed statement. The main chipmaker for Apple Inc and Nvidia Corp said it has activated routine typhoon alert

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