KPJ Healthcare shares fall to one-month low, volume at year high
KUALA LUMPUR: Shares of KPJ Healthcare Bhd fell nearly 10 per cent in active trade on Friday, with volume surging to its highest level this year, after the group reported a drop in first-quarter earnings.
The stock was the third most actively traded on Bursa Malaysia, opening at RM2.88, down 2.7 per cent from yesterday's close of RM2.96, before slipping 9.8 per cent to a morning low of RM2.67.
At 11.05am, KPJ was trading at RM2.72, down 8.11 per cent to its lowest in over a month, with 30.95 million shares changing hands. This marked its highest single-day volume since Dec 13, 2024.
Year-to-date, KPJ shares were still up 15.7 per cent, having started the year at RM2.35. This values the group at about RM12.27 billion.
Yesterday, KPJ announced a 21.7 per cent decline in net profit to RM57 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025, down from RM72.8 million a year earlier, despite revenue rising seven per cent to RM971.8 million.
The group attributed the weaker earnings to higher operating expenses and increased depreciation stemming from ongoing investments in new and existing hospital infrastructure.
KPJ said it remains committed to its expansion strategy, which includes the development of new specialist hospitals and the enhancement of digital health services to meet evolving patient needs.
There are at least 17 research firms covering the stock, according to Bursa Marketplace. Of these, 11 have a 'buy' call, five rate it a 'hold' and one recommends a 'sell'.
The consensus 12-month target price stands at RM2.99, indicating an upside potential of about one per cent from Thursday's closing price.
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