E&O ... Jun11

Sources say it is likely to see some changes in its shareholding, which could even lead to new names appearing at the helm of the company.

It is learnt that some of the major shareholders are prepared to exit the company which has attracted interest from local and foreign property companies. If such a deal materializes, it could see another large property company on Bursa Malaysia.

E&O’s MD Datuk Tham is the largest shareholder with a direct stake of 6.65% and an indirect stake of 9.04%. Other shareholders include Singapore based GKK Investment Holdings Ltd, with a shareholding of 11.73% and Puan Sri Nik Anida, wife of Tan Sri Wan Azmi Wan Hamzah, who holds an indirect 11.8% stake. In May 2011, ECM Libra Financial Group also emerged in E&O with a 5.62% stake.

Is should be noted that AMCorp Group Bhd head Tan Sri Azman Hashim owns ECM Libra through his family company Equity Vision Sdn Bhd.

There is keen interest in the company and there are some shareholders is prepared to divest their stake.

In fact E&O is run by a set of professional managers led by executive director Eric Chan.

E&O has a landbank totaling 16722 acres. Land held for property development was worth rm681 million as at April 2011.

It is the company’s dominance in Penang that may be a bigger attraction. Of its existing landbank, E&O’s biggest plot in the Klang Valley is the 309 acre in the Ampang area.

In Pennag, E&O’s presence is its ongoing development of its Seri Tanjung Pinang project that spans 980 acres of reclaimed land. In addition to property development, E&O’s other core businesses include hospitality and lifestyle. The first phase carries a gross development value of rm3 billion, with the second having a possible DGV of up to rm12 billion.

E&O had been quoted as saying that E&O was looking to expand its reach beyond Malaysia.