Asian stocks weaker; Qantas to return A380s to service; two airlines considers Hong Kong listing
Asian stocks slumped yesterday, on concerns related to the euro zone debt crisis, artillery fire near the border between North and South Korea and expectations that China will take further steps to rein in inflation. The speculation that the government would intensity efforts to tame inflation resulted in China's benchmark index dropped to a six-week low yesterday.
Kingfisher to consider proposal to sell securities for debt restructuring
Kingfisher Airlines shares plummeting 7.1% yesterday for the largest drop since 27-Jan-2010. The carrier yesterday stated it would consider on 25-Nov-2010 a proposal to sell securities as part of its debt restructuring plan. India's Bombay Stock Exchange Sensitive Index (Sensex) declined 1.3% yesterday after reporting a 3% reduction in intra-day trading for the steepest one-day drop since Nov-2009.
Hong Kong Airlines and Grand China Airlines planning IPO
Shares in Hainan Airlines declined 4.9% yesterday. Hong Kong Airlines President Yang Jianhong, according to a report in the South China Morning Post, stated Grand China Airlines, parent of Hainan Airlines, and Hong Kong Airlines, 45% controlled by Hainan Airlines, plan to raise a combined HKD15 billion (USD1.9 billion) in an IPO in Hong Kong in 2011. Grand China Airlines reportedly plans to raise more than HKD10 billion (USD1.3 billion) in 1H2010 while Hong Kong Airlines is selecting underwriters for a planned HKD5 billion (USD644 million) IPO in 3Q2011.
Qantas shares gain: A380s to enter service; compensation expected
Qantas shares increased 0.4% yesterday despite the wider market losing value on the airline's plan to return two of its six A380 fleet to commercial operations and on the prospect of compensation being paid for the fleet's recent engine problems. Qantas shares remain nearly 9% below their 04-Nov-2010 close level, the day an engine exploded on a A380 en-route from Singapore to Sydney.
Asia Pacific selected airlines daily share price movements (% change): 23-Nov-2010
Source: Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation, Reuters & Financial Times
*Tokyo stock exchange closed due to public holiday on 23-Nov-2010