Malaysia Hot Stocks - Factors to watch

KUALA LUMPUR, March 3 (Reuters) - Here are news stories that may affect the Malaysian stock market on Monday.

MALAYSIA AIRPORTS AIMS TO DOUBLE PROFITS BY 2013 - PAPER

- Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB.KL) aims to more than double profits by 2013, Managing Director Bashir Ahmad told the Business Times in an interview.

The company's strategy over the next five years focuses on growing commercial revenue, containing costs and raising service levels, Bashir said in the interview, published on Saturday.

ALAM MARITIM CLOSE TO WINNING BIG CONTRACT - THE EDGE

- Malaysian oil-services firm Alam Maritim Resources Bhd (ALMT.KL) has close to securing a contract worth up to 1 billion ringgit ($313.3 million) from state oil company Petronas, the Edge said on Saturdday, quoting unnamed sources.

Under the contract, Alam Maritim would carry out underwater maintenance of offshore oil facilities and provide support-vessel services over three years, with an option to extend for two more years, the business weekly said.

KL KEPONG LOOKS TO BUY OUT LADANG - THE EDGE

- Malaysian palm-oil firm Kuala Lumpur Kepong (KLKK.KL) is looking at buying out the rest of smaller local palm-oil company Ladang Perbadanan-Fima Bhd LPFB.KL, the Edge said.

KL Kepong owns 15.4 percent of Ladang, which has three plam-oil estates in Perak state, and is negotiating to buy another 31.9 percent stake at 4.20 ringgit per share, it said, noting this would trigger a mandatory bid for the entire firm.

MALAYSIA'S CENTRAL BANK DAMPENS RATE CUT TALK

- Malaysia's central bank on Friday dampened talk of an interest rate cut in the near term, saying current rates are adequate to keep the economy motoring along.

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PALM OIL SOARS ABOVE 4,000 RINGGIT FOR FIRST TIME

- Malaysian palm oil surged above 4,000 ringgit a tonne for the first time on Friday as crude oil's surge to a record and buoyant export demand triggered a fresh wave of buying by funds and speculators.

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