ASDION Bhd, which has businesses ranging from software programming to logistics, saw its director Datuk Zulkifli Alias acquire 4.5 million shares or a 3.87% stake at 15 sen each — a discount to the open market price on Jan 3 and 9.

Filings show that Zulkifli purchased 1.3 million shares on Jan 3 — the same day substantial shareholder Tey Por Chen disposed of the same number of shares. On Jan 9, Zulkifli bought 3.2 million shares via Famous Bluechip Sdn Bhd. The seller was not known at the time of writing.

Asdion traded between 15.5 sen and 18.5 sen on Jan 3 and 9. Closing at 16 sen on Jan 9, the stock is 64% off its 52-week high of 45 sen on March 31 last year.

Last Dec 22, Asdion announced plans to purchase a 50% stake in Maxillion Link Enterprises Ltd, which produces sanitary and high purity fluid handling equipment, for RM2.7 million worth of redeemable convertible preference shares.

The acquisition will come with a profit guarantee of RM877,859 for the financial year ending Dec 31, 2018 (FY2018), RM1.24 million for FY2019, and RM1.86 million for FY2020. There is an option to extend the guarantee period, subject to market conditions. Asdion expects the deal to be completed by end-March this year.

For the six months ended September last year, Asdion (whose financial year ends in March) reported a RM1.1 million net loss — narrower than the RM1.79 million net loss in the previous corresponding period.

At stationery manufacturer CWG Holdings Bhd, co-founder and group managing director Khor Say Beng acquired four million shares or a 3.17% stake at 40 sen apiece through direct deals on Jan 5. The purchase price was at a discount to the open market price of 51.5 sen to 52.5 sen that day.

The acquisition, made via Say Beng Holdings Sdn Bhd, increased Khor’s deemed interest to 12.17%, making him the third largest shareholder of the company previously known as Chee Wah Group Bhd. As at Oct 13 last year, CWG’s two largest shareholders were Ooi Chin Soon (22.59%) and ANB Equity Sdn Bhd (14.35%).

Apparel manufacturer and construction player Vertice Bhd, formerly known as Voir Holdings Bhd, saw 5.1 million shares or 3.52% equity interest change hands at RM1.10 per share between Jan 3 and 9. The stock had traded between RM1.07 and RM1.11 on the open market on those days.

Filings show that its largest shareholder, Vista Lestari Development Sdn Bhd, sold four million shares at RM1.10 apiece on Jan 3 and 5. On Jan 5, Wong Kwai Wah and Ibrahim Sahari each bought 950,000 shares or a 0.65% stake from Vista Lestari at RM1.10 per share. The purchase increased Wong’s stake to 3.89%, while Ibrahim holds 3.93% as at Jan 8.

Vista Lestari remains Vertice’s largest shareholder with a 25.54% stake post-disposal. The former is owned by Datuk Zarul Ahmad Mohd Zulkifli and his son Zarul Ikhwan, and Mohd Asfirdaus Asri.

Vertice is in the midst of placing out 61.56 million new shares or a 30% stake to raise a minimum of RM44 million to fund property development sub-contracts in Batu Ferringhi (Penang), Semenyih (Selangor) and Batu Gajah (Perak).

At Mexter Technology Bhd, the industrial ICT and healthcare services provider saw 2.57 million shares or a 1.06% stake change hands at 56 sen and 61 sen per share on Jan 3 and 9. The transacting parties were not known at press time.

On Dec 20, Mexter completed a 20% share placement of 40.3 million shares, done in three tranches, which raised RM13.95 million in gross proceeds for working capital purposes.

Over at Rohas Tecnic Bhd, Tan Sri Wan Azmi Wan Hamzah, via Kenanga Nominees (Tempatan) Sdn Bhd, acquired four million shares or a 0.85% stake from his wife Puan Sri Nik Anida Nik Manshor at RM1.53 per share on Jan 5. Individually, Nik Anida is the largest shareholder of Rohas Tecnic with a direct holding of 33.16%, while Wan Azmi holds 10.59% directly.