KUALA LUMPUR, April 1 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia closed higher on Wednesday, with the key index rising 1.10 per cent, in line with firm gains across regional markets following a strong rally on Wall Street overnight, said an analyst. IPPFA Sdn Bhd director of investment strategy and country economist Mohd Sedek Jantan said the improvement in sentiment was underpinned by easing geopolitical concerns and a decline in oil prices. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) increase 18.54 points or 1.10 per cent to 1,708.90 from Tuesday’s close of 1,690.36. The benchmark index opened 25.58 points higher at 1,715.94, marking its intraday high, and hit a low of 1,700.20 during the mid-morning session. The broader market was positive, with gainers leading decliners 780 to 444. A total of 475 counters were unchanged, 926 untraded and 11 suspended.
Financial Performance & Growth Drivers
- Hap Seng Plantations Holdings Bhd (HSPLANT) posted a net profit of RM85.01 million in 4QFY2024, a fourfold increase from RM20.69 million a year earlier.
- The sharp profit growth was driven by higher crude palm oil (CPO) and palm kernel (PK) selling prices, as well as increased CPO sales volume.
- Fair value adjustments of biological assets contributed RM24.4 million in gains, compared to a RM21.1 million loss in 4QFY2023.
Revenue & Dividend
- 4Q revenue surged 33.7% YoY to RM223.37 million from RM174.56 million.
- CPO prices rose 26.1%, while PK prices jumped 66.3%.
- CPO sales volume grew 4%, though PK sales declined 7% due to a lower kernel extraction rate.
- FY2024 net profit more than doubled to RM204.64 million, while revenue increased 12.7% to RM752.45 million.
- Declared a second interim dividend of 11 sen per share, bringing total FY2024 dividends to 12.5 sen, up from 6.8 sen in FY2023.
Industry & Market Outlook
- Indonesia’s B40 biodiesel mandate and higher export levy (10% from 7.5%) are expected to tighten global palm oil supply, benefiting Malaysian exporters.
- Malaysia’s palm oil exports are set to become more price competitive against Indonesian palm oil.
- The rising minimum wage for foreign workers will raise production costs, but this will be partially offset by a higher windfall tax threshold in Sabah (RM3,650 from RM3,500).
- Hap Seng will continue improving operational efficiencies and yield to mitigate cost pressures.
Stock Performance
- Shares closed unchanged at RM1.94 on Wednesday, with a market cap of RM1.55 billion.
- Stock has declined 2.5% year-to-date.
Summary
- 4QFY2024 net profit soared 4x to RM85.01M, driven by higher CPO & PK prices.
- Revenue jumped 33.7% YoY, while FY2024 profit doubled to RM204.64M.
- Declared 11 sen dividend, bringing FY2024 total to 12.5 sen (vs. 6.8 sen in FY2023).
- Stronger palm oil exports expected due to Indonesia’s policies, despite rising labor costs.
- Shares remained flat at RM1.94, down 2.5% YTD.
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