KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 16): Based on corporate announcements and news flow today, stocks in focus on Monday (Nov 19) may include Telekom Malaysia Bhd, Mulpha International Bhd, Mudajaya, Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd, Kossan Rubber Industries Bhd, Mah Sing Group Bhd, Lafarge Malaysia Bhd, Excel Force MSC Bhd, APM Automotive Holdings Bhd and DBE Gurney Resources Bhd.

Datuk Bazlan Osman has resigned as acting group chief executive officer of Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) with immediate effect and given notice of his intention to step down as executive director with effect from Feb 28, 2019.

TM's current chief operating officer Imri Mokhtar will assume the role of acting chief executive officer with immediate effect.

Mulpha International Bhd plans to distribute to its shareholders up to 90.33 million shares in Mudajaya Group Bhd, via a dividend-in-specie, representing approximately a 15.31% interest in Mudajaya, currently held by Mulpha International’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Mulpha Infrastructure Holdings Sdn Bhd.

The indicative distribution basis for the proposed dividend-in-specie is one Mudajaya share for every 3.537 or 3.538 Mulpha shares held, depending on whether the treasury shares are retained or resold by Mulpha in the open market.

Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd’s net profit jumped 37.7% to RM1.26 billion in the third quarter ended Sept 30 on higher revenue supported by lower tax expenses and higher interest income.

Kossan Rubber Industries Bhd's net profit rose 18.5% to RM54.15 million in the third quarter ended Sept 30 on improved performance in the gloves division.

Property developer Mah Sing Group Bhd's net profit fell 30.4% to RM64.23 million in the third quarter ended Sept 30, as buyers adopted a cautious stance pre-Budget 2019.

Lafarge Malaysia Bhd’s net loss widened 2.6 times to RM109.29 million in the third quarter ended Sept 30, on higher operating loss from the cement segment due to weaker demand which led to lower sales volume, and a more competitive environment with a decline in selling prices.

Its chief executive officer Mario Bastian Gross has stepped down after seven months on the job, as he is assigned to a new role within the Swiss LafargeHolcim Group. Chief financial officer Yeoh Khoon Cheng has been appointed interim CEO.

Excel Force MSC Bhd is acquiring commercial space in MYEG Tower within the Empire City mixed use development in Petaling Jaya from Empire City's developer Mammoth Empire Holding Sdn Bhd for RM9.86 million cash.

Excel Force entered into a sale and purchase agreement with Cosmopolitan Avenue Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mammoth Empire, for the acquisition.

APM Automotive Holdings Bhd recorded a 74.11% fall in net profit for the third quarter ended Sept 30 to RM3.35 million, due to higher material costs and unfavourable exchange on export sales suffered by its suspension division.

The external auditors of integrated poultry player DBE Gurney Resources Bhd have resigned with immediate effect, as they are short of resources.

In addition, both parties could not reach a consensus on the proposed audit fees for the financial year ending Dec 31, 2018.