logo
Capitaland posts higher 2Q net profit of RM35.07mil

Capitaland posts higher 2Q net profit of RM35.07mil

KUALA LUMPUR: CapitaLand Malaysia Trust's (CLMT) net profit rose to RM35.07 million in the second quarter ended June 30, 2025 (2Q 2025), compared to RM33.47 million in the previous corresponding quarter.
In a filing with Bursa Malaysia today, CLMT posted a higher 2Q 2025 revenue of RM115.73 million, increasing from RM113.65 million previously.
It attributed the higher revenue to better performance recorded by most properties within CLMT's portfolio as a result of positive rental reversions, rental step-ups, and the commencement of rental income recognition from the Glenmarie Distribution Centre and Senai Airport City Facilities effective January and June 2025, respectively.
For the first half (1H) ended June 30, 2025, CLMT's net profit jumped to RM72.55 million from RM66.96 million in the previous corresponding period, while revenue also improved to RM236.11 million from RM225.54 million.
"CLMT remains focused on driving value through targeted asset management initiatives while pursuing opportunities to acquire yield-accretive assets.
"Income resilience is expected to improve upon the completion of three ongoing industrial and logistics acquisitions in 2H 2025," it said.
Meanwhile, CLMT said the proposed placement to raise RM250 million is expected to be completed in the third quarter of this year and will further strengthen its balance sheet, providing greater financial flexibility to capitalise on emerging market opportunities.
"The proceeds will primarily be used to repay the existing bank borrowings incurred for the acquisitions of nine industrial and logistics assets. This includes the completed acquisitions of the Valdor Logistics Hub and Glenmarie Distribution Centre, which are already contributing to income," it said.
In a separate statement, CapitaLand Malaysia REIT Management Sdn Bhd (CMRM) chief executive officer and CLMT manager Yong Su-Lin said the group continues to elevate the appeal of its portfolio with family-oriented lifestyle offerings at 3 Damansara and The Mines, catering to evolving shopper preferences and strengthening the tenant mix.
"With these additions, shoppers will be able to enjoy a more wholesome experience at our malls, and we are confident that our tenants can also benefit from the increase in footfall and sales," she said.
On the industrial and logistics front, Yong said, alongside the acquisition of three industrial properties in Senai Airport City in Johor, the group expects the acquisition of three industrial properties at Nusajaya Tech Park in Iskandar Johor and a modern automated logistics facility in Selangor to contribute positively to CLMT's earnings in 2H 2025 upon completion.
CLMT has proposed the first income distribution of 2.46 sen per CLMT unit for the period from Jan 1, 2025, to June 30, 2025.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

‘Muted, uneven' recovery for semicon industry
‘Muted, uneven' recovery for semicon industry

The Star

timea day ago

  • The Star

‘Muted, uneven' recovery for semicon industry

PETALING JAYA: Local semiconductor players continue to navigate a period of heightened uncertainty as a convergence of tariff and trade uncertainty, supply chain dynamics and foreign-exchange (forex) volatility continue to cloud the outlook for the sector. Fortress Capital Asset Management Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Thomas Yong said the industry is likely to experience a period of 'muted and uneven recovery' in the next two to three quarters. In particular, factory utilisation rates in segments tied to consumer electronics may remain muted, and earnings for the second quarter of 2025 (2Q25) is expected to be 'relatively stagnant on a sequential basis'. 'The market would remain volatile, reacting sharply to news related to US-China trade policies, tariff deadlines, and macroeconomic data prints. This period will test investor patience,' he told StarBiz. Yong added that there is a bifurcation in demand in the chip industry, where the artificial intelligence (AI) and data centre markets are 'booming' while the recovery in consumer electronics like smartphones and personal computers remains 'tepid and fragile'. He opined that in such a market Malaysian semiconductor companies should adopt a dual-pronged approach to their capital allocation. 'Players must simultaneously modernise their core, established businesses while selectively and strategically invest in the future growth engines outlined by the National Semiconductor Strategy. 'Take our local outsourced semiconductor assembly and test (OSAT) industry as an example. 'The actionable strategy for local OSAT players is to prioritise capital expenditure (capex) towards acquiring and mastering the capabilities for advanced chip packaging, that is, 2.5D and 3D packaging, fan-out wafer-level packaging, and system-in-package integration,' Yong said. In such a way, companies can position themselves to capture high-margin, high-volume business directly from the world's leading fabless AI chip designers. Fortress Capital's Yong said local players are facing 'significant' margin compression. Notably, a combination of lower-than-optimal production run rate, rising operational costs, including higher electricity tariffs and increased labour expenses driven by a fierce talent war, is squeezing profitability. 'This is compounded by currency effects, as a strengthening ringgit against the US dollar can temper the earnings of export-oriented firms,' he said. Nonetheless, UOB Kay Hian wealth advisor's head of investment research Mohd Sedek Jantan said the uncertainty surrounding US trade policy still stands out as the foremost risk to growth for the domestic semiconductor space. Last week, blue chip semiconductor company Vitrox Corp Bhd was downgraded by analysts following the company's second-quarter earnings announcement. 'Sell' calls for the automated test equipment (ATE) company now outweigh the 'buy' and 'hold' ratings. Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) Research downgraded its call for ViTrox to a 'sell' from a 'hold' with an unchanged target price of RM2.65, derived based on price-to-earnings (PE) multiple of 34 times of the financial year 2026 (FY26) earnings per share. The research house said forex volatility, higher reciprocal tariffs from the United States, and component shortages could weigh on ViTrox's near-term margins. HLIB Research said since ViTrox's 1Q25 results, its share price has surged by 40% amid a strong rebound in sentiment for the technology sector, and that the company's current valuation at 48.5 times FY26 PE 'appears stretched', considering 'lingering demand risks from US tariff uncertainties'. Mohd Sedek is of the view that the risks in Malaysia's semiconductor sector are not yet fully priced in. While certain market and policy concerns have been reflected in valuations, several emerging and persistent risks – particularly related to trade policy, regulatory developments, and supply chain dynamics – remain underappreciated by investors, he noted. Mohd Sedek said operationally, while margin pressures from higher labour levies and escalating selling, general and administrative costs persist – particularly for OSAT and ATE players – valuations have adjusted. 'OSATs are currently trading around one standard deviation below their five-year average, with ATEs closer to two standard deviations below. 'This suggests that some risks have been recognised by the market, yet not all fully accounted for – especially considering the complex global and policy environment,' he said. Mohd Sedek cautioned that potential US legislative changes, such as the proposed One Big Beautiful Bill Act, could introduce further compliance burdens for semiconductor firms, particularly around supply chain transparency and technology transfer. He added that supply chain risks, particularly stemming from the US Section 232 investigations into semiconductors and critical minerals, also warrant attention. 'Possible tariffs or trade restrictions could disrupt Malaysia's access to vital inputs like rare earths, which are heavily sourced from China, as well as critical minerals supplied via regional partners such as Indonesia and Vietnam,' Mohd Sedek said. On top of country-specific reciprocal tariffs, the Trump administration has signalled since April that a special tariff rate will be applied to sectors like semiconductors. The United States is currently weighing on the tariff rate for the sector, pending the outcome of its ongoing Section 232 'national security' investigation. Competitive pressures also remain a structural challenge for the local chip sector. Mohd Sedek says Malaysia's 13% share of the global chip packaging market faces growing competition from Vietnam, India, and China – markets benefitting from aggressive expansion strategies and, in some cases, state support. This is also echoed by Yong that intensifying regional competition 'cannot be ignored'. 'Malaysia is not the sole beneficiary of global supply chain diversification. 'Vietnam, in particular, is aggressively courting foreign direct investment with attractive tax incentives and a national chip strategy of its own. Thailand also remains a formidable competitor, especially in the automotive semiconductor space. Complacency is a luxury we cannot afford,' Yong said. Mohd Sedek shared its base case projects a sector earnings contraction of about 2.7% in 2025, underscoring a challenging environment marked by slowing demand, regulatory hurdles, and macroeconomic uncertainties. Despite these near term challenges, experts say the long-term upside potential of the sector is 'compelling'. Yong said recovery is expected to broaden and accelerate into 2026 as inventories normalise and new investment cycles begin. He opined that the 'most significant tailwind' is the structural, multi-decade shift to de-risk global technology supply chains away from a single point of geographic concentration. He stated that Malaysia's 50-year track record, its well-established ecosystem, skilled workforce, and valued geopolitical neutrality make it a prime destination for 'China+1' and 'friend-shoring' strategies by American, European, and even Chinese firms seeking a stable, high-capability manufacturing base. 'This is not a cyclical trend that will fade; it is a fundamental realignment of global capital flows that will benefit Malaysia for years to come,' he said. Yong also believes that the country can capture the AI 'spillover' effect in that while Malaysia may not be designing the next-generation graphic processing units from scratch, the immense complexity of AI systems however, requires massive investment in what happens after the silicon wafer is fabricated: advanced packaging, highly sophisticated testing, and the manufacturing of the automated equipment that performs these critical tasks. 'Arguably, Malaysia already has the foundation necessary to capture such spillover,' he said. Mohd Sedek also echoed Yong's sentiment, noting that the structural drivers of digitalisation, 5G deployment, AI adoption, and data centre expansion are expected to reinforce Putrajaya's role within the global semiconductor supply chain. 'Infrastructure-led growth and regional mega-projects create meaningful opportunities for firms directly engaged in these emerging ecosystems,' he said. According to Mohd Sedek, technology remains a core investment theme for 2H25, and investors can focus on companies with strong exposure to high-growth segments like AI, 5G, and data centre components. He highlighted the importance of prioritising firms with sound forex hedging strategies and diversified revenue streams. 'To mitigate cyclicality risks, investors could pair semiconductor exposure with defensive sectors, while also have a long-term strategic view through anchor investments on long-term technology megatrends – recognising the sector's critical role in global digitalisation and supply chain realignment,' Mohd Sedek said.

Could China's Tibet mega dam help boost its sway with South Asian neighbours?
Could China's Tibet mega dam help boost its sway with South Asian neighbours?

The Star

time2 days ago

  • The Star

Could China's Tibet mega dam help boost its sway with South Asian neighbours?

China's latest mega dam on the Tibetan Plateau could help draw neighbouring countries closer into its economic orbit by supplying electricity and boosting growth, analysts have argued. According to some estimates, the dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo will be the world's biggest, producing up to 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity each year, three times the output of the Three Gorges Dam. State news agency Xinhua said over the weekend that its output would 'primarily deliver electricity for external consumption' but would also meet local demand in Tibet. But the project has drawn concerns about the impact on water supply and ecological risks downstream in India and Bangladesh, where the river is known as the Brahmaputra, although Beijing has said it was not seeking to benefit at the 'expense of its neighbours'. India is also worried about Beijing's efforts to strengthen its influence in South Asia, and Chinese observers said the project could help increase its sway over countries such as Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and Bangladesh, which have long struggled with power shortages. The project 'will undoubtedly become a major power hub for surrounding countries and related neighbouring regions', according to Zhu Feng, dean of the school of international studies at Nanjing University. 'It will have significant strategic value in boosting electricity supply and industrial growth in the surrounding regions,' he said. It would also play an important role in driving economic cooperation with its neighbours, something Beijing has made a priority in light of its rivalry with the US. Lin Minwang, deputy director of Fudan University's Centre for South Asian Studies, said that in the long run, the hydropower project could help draw Southeast and South Asian countries more closely into China's economic orbit through electricity exports. He said India might also benefit from the power generated from the dam, but border tensions would complicate the issue. 'The key issue is political relations,' said Lin. 'Northeast India is a highly sensitive area for New Delhi, and if electricity is to be sent to Bangladesh, it would require a transit route.' India has already been investing heavily in hydropower projects in Nepal and Bhutan to secure its own supplies. 'Whether those countries will choose China or India [for future power imports] is another much bigger question,' Lin added. The dam will be built close to the border with India and flows through Arunachal Pradesh, an Indian-controlled state that China claims as part of southern Tibet. Beijing has previously objected to Indian infrastructure projects in the state. Shi Yinhong, an international relations professor at Beijing's Renmin University, said the project was first of all designed to meet China's own power needs, and 'whether demand is sufficient in the present domestic economic downturn and whether it is environmentally less risky are other matters'. China has tried to address concerns about the environmental risk posed by the project and its impact on water supplies downstream, and said it would continue to strengthen cooperation with neighbouring countries. Foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on Wednesday that the project 'aims to accelerate the development of clean energy' and 'comprehensive ecological and environmental protection measures' would be adopted. 'It will, as a by-product, aggravate the tensions with India and attract some Asean [Association of Southeast Asian Nations] countries to China's power diplomacy. So it has double effects both internal and external,' Shi said. 'It will correspondingly increase China's influence [in Southeast Asia], in a competitive geopolitical arena over which the US and its allies have somewhat preponderance, especially because of [Donald] Trump's most recent trade agreements.' Lu Gang, director of the Institute of International Studies at East China Normal University, said ensuring stable power supplies for its neighbours could 'help shape a positive image of China'. '[This] will build trust with other countries. And, naturally, economic dependence will follow,' Lu said. He also said the project may also have a longer-term strategic impact on regions such as Central Asia. 'For Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan – both have abundant hydropower resources, but their infrastructure is weak. So if the project in Tibet is successfully implemented and generates economic benefits, it will serve as a stimulus,' he said. - SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST

Consumer credit law risks squeezing poorer households further, says think tank
Consumer credit law risks squeezing poorer households further, says think tank

Focus Malaysia

time4 days ago

  • Focus Malaysia

Consumer credit law risks squeezing poorer households further, says think tank

THE Institute for Strategic Analysis and Policy Research (INSAP) has applauded recent the passing of the Consumer Credit Bill 2025 (CCB) by the Dewan Rakyat. However, its chairman Datuk Dr Pamela Yong cautioned that while the CCB is a milestone in efforts to regulate Malaysia's expanding consumer credit market, legislation alone will not resolve the structural issues pushing Malaysians, particularly the youth and informal workers, into cycles of debt. 'The Bill's introduction of a dedicated Consumer Credit Commission (CCC) to oversee previously unregulated credit providers and enhance consumer protection is a positive step,' she remarked. '(But) without wider economic reforms, this law may unintentionally tighten credit access for low- and middle-income groups already struggling with stagnant wages, high living costs and shrinking financial buffer.' As of December 2024, Malaysia's household debt stood at RM1.63 tril, representing 84.2% of GDP, which is the highest in Southeast Asia according to Bank Negara Malaysia. This reflects the growing reliance on short-term credit to cope with volatile income and essential spending, especially as the economy transitions from stable industrial jobs to more precarious service roles. At the same time, new fiscal measures such as petrol subsidy rationalisation and sales and services tax (SST) expansion have increased pressure on household budgets. The think tank went on to warn that layering new compliance costs on credit providers may inadvertently make credit more expensive or inaccessible, especially for the very groups the law intends to protect young adults, gig workers and financially excluded households. It also highlighted the importance of institutional clarity, regulatory independence and accountability for the CCC. Clear frameworks must govern leadership appointments, scope of powers and stakeholder engagement to ensure transparency and public trust. Crucially, INSAP stressed that any reform of the credit ecosystem must be matched by real structural policies that raise income security and job quality, control the cost of essential goods and services, and expand access to financial literacy and consumer rights education. 'The CCB must not become a regulatory plaster over a deeper economic wound. Without bold reforms to tackle inequality and economic insecurity, Malaysians will continue to borrow just to survive, no matter how well-regulated the system becomes,' Dr Yong added. ‒ July 25, 2025 Main image: Pexels/Anna Shvets

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store