Review of key events and forecasts from ASYL INVEST JCS (Kazakhstan) analysts for December 23, 2011

/IRBIS, December 23, 2011/ - ASYL INVEST JCS (Almaty) provided IRBIS with the review of main events and its investment ideas and forecasts for December 23, 2011. Analysts of ASYL INVEST JCS note the following tendencies on Kazakhstani and world markets: - The Asian markets today generally are rising. Chinese indexes rose in response to strong signals to improve the economic situation in the U.S. Yesterday, U.S. data showed drop in the number of initial claims for unemployment to its lowest level since April 2008 and a significant increase in consumer confidence. In addition, market is supported by mergers and acquisitions, the Chinese coal company Yanzhou Coal Mining has announced the acquisition of Australian rival Gloucester Coal Ltd. Japan's Nikkei today is reduced by 0.8%, while China's Hang-Seng and Shanghai Composite - 1.1 and 1.45% respectively. Futures on U.S. indexes are currently increasing in the range of 0.5%. - Commodity markets today show modest increase on the backdrop of positive economic sentiment. Quotes of WTI oil and Brent today added within 0.5%, copper in electronic trading in New York is rising by 0.6%, while in Shanghai it adds 1.6%. Inventories of copper on the stock exchanges in London, Shanghai and New York are at the two-year lows, suggesting improving demand for the metal. Gold traded in New York is growing weaker pace. - The euro/dollar today is trading at levels above 1.305 after demand for U.S. treasuries fell and the dollar weakened in response to growing economic optimism. - Analysts of "Asyl INVEST" recommend to "buy" shares of Kazakhmys and KMG EP. Our target price on shares of Kazakhmys - 16.9 British pounds, shares of KMG EP - 20,254 KZT. - Analysts of "Asyl INVEST" recommend to "buy" on Halyk Bank common stocks, which received good support at around 200 tenge. At current price levels, 206 tenge per share, they look extremely attractive. Yesterday, leading rating agency S & P upgraded the long-term credit ratings of the bank by two grades to 'BB' from 'B +', while maintaining its outlook on "stable". Rating actions confirm the view of the "Asyl INVEST" on the issuer as financially secure, given the leading market position, low debt burden, high levels of capitalization and liquidity, as well as high ability to generate profits. Target price of "Asyl Invest" on the shares of the bank - 474 tenge. - Analysts of "Asyl INVEST" recommend investors to "buy" preferred shares of Kazakhtelecom. As noted earlier, the shares have a high potential for growth, after the company announced the sale of its 49% stake in mobile operator LLP "GSM Kazakhstan". Selling shares at a much higher price (of mobile communications sector, even in the current situation is estimated at more than 9 annual profits) than it is recorded on the balance sheet, positive impact on its net profit in 2012 and is likely to give big dividends to shareholders up to 2012. Target price of "Asyl Invest" on preferred shares of the company - 21,823 KZT. This material has only informative character and is not the offer or recommendation to make any transactions with the stocks. Irbis Agency doesn't take responsibility for the opinions which are given in this material. [2011-12-23]