Latest news with #KPJ
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
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.
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Bursa stays uninspired on final day of results season
KUALA LUMPUR: The sluggish sentiment on Malaysia's stock market continued on Friday, with the earnings announcements of the past week doing little to halt the corrective pressure. While the FBM KLCI gained 2.24 points to 1,521.22 at the start of the day's trading, the weak momentum indicates the index could yet close in the red, ending the week on a five-day losing streak. There was some buying interest on Wall Street overnight, bolstered by forecast-beating earnings from the likes of Nvidia, although the ongoing confusion over the legal validity of US President Donald Trump's trade tariffs weighed on sentiment. The US rally has done little to spur the interest of Malaysian investors given the absence of fresh domestic leads, especially as the corporate earnings season comes to an end this week with little fanfare. According to Rakuten Trade, the recent sell-down on the local market could be attributed to the flight of funds back to the Hong Kong market, which has been on a tear on hopes of easing trade tension. "For today, we expect bargain hunting activities to emerge if and when the index ease closer to the 1,500 mark thus anticipate it to trend between the 1,510-1,525 range," said the broker in a note. Companies that announced their earnings in after-trading hours yesterday include KPJ down 18 sen to RM2.78, MPI falling 16 sen to RM19.70 and Genting dropping 11 sen to RM3.02. Egg and poultry producer Leong Hup rose 0.5 sen to 61.5 sen while sector rival QL Resources dropped two sen to RM4.52. On the actives list, Velesto was unchanged at 18.5 sen, Nationgate jumped six sen to RM1.50 and Eco-shop rose five sen to RM1.24. Trading ideas: SunCon, Vestland, PeterLabs, TWL, UEM Edgenta, IJM, Genting, Carlsberg, KPJ, QL, Farm Fresh, IHH, LHI
Free Malaysia Today
3 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
KPJ Healthcare posts RM57.1mil net profit in Q1 2025
KPJ Healthcare Bhd's revenue for the first quarter of 2025 grew to RM971.8 million from RM908.0 million in the same period last year. KUALA LUMPUR : KPJ Healthcare Bhd's net profit decreased to RM57.1 million in the first quarter of the financial year ending Dec 31, 2025 (Q1 FY2025), down from RM71.4 million in the same quarter last year. The healthcare group said revenue for the quarter grew to RM971.8 million from RM908.0 million in Q1 FY2024, supported by higher patient volume and increased bed capacity across its hospital network. Profit before tax rose 7% to RM97.7 million, while earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation improved 4% to RM211.3 million. In a Bursa Malaysia filing, KPJ said the improved performance reflects stronger operating margins, sustained operational focus, and efficient service delivery driven by increased patient visits. The company said the board has declared an interim dividend of 0.8 sen per share, payable on July 11. On its 2025 outlook, KPJ remains cautiously optimistic, underpinned by its ongoing asset optimisation initiatives, capacity expansion, and continuous efforts to strengthen operational efficiency. 'The opening of KPJ's 30th hospital in Kuala Selangor in March marked a significant step in its expansion journey, strengthening KPJ's position as Malaysia's largest private healthcare provider. 'These efforts are part of the group's broader transformation under the KPJ health system, aimed at delivering more integrated, patient-centred care for the long-term,' the company said.
The Star
18-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
Unregulated e-cigarettes pose severe health risks
PETALING JAYA: Originally used as an anaesthetic, etomidate is now being misused recreationally in e-cigarettes, or vapes, warns a psychiatrist and addiction specialist. Unregulated vapes have been found to contain heavy metals, synthetic cannabinoids and harmful solvents, increasing the risk of respiratory and neurological damage, particularly among adolescents, said Monash University Malaysia Associate Professor and KPJ Puteri Hospital consultant, Dr Anne Yee. Dr Yee, who is also a Universiti Malaya Centre of Addiction Sciences (UMCAS) Adjunct Professor and Addiction Medicine Association of Malaysia (AMAM) honorary secretary, said youngsters – already at greater risk of nicotine addiction, psychosis, respiratory damage and long-term cognitive impairment – are now exposed to the dangers of etomidate, or 'Eto'. 'The latest trend we are seeing is Eto being added to vape liquids. 'Mixed with alcohol or other substances like opioids or benzodiazepines, Eto becomes even more deadly. 'Many of these products are produced illegally, so users do not know what they are inhaling. 'This increases toxicity risks,' she said, adding that aggressive marketing, flavoured vape liquids and easy online availability contribute to the rising prevalence of drug-laced vapes among adolescents. With vapes getting sleeker and smaller, the devices can be used discreetly, making it harder for parents and teachers to notice when students are vaping in schools or at home, said Dr Yee. The health consequences are severe, she warned. 'We need stronger regulations. Either ban or strictly control flavoured and high-nicotine vapes that attract youths,' she said, adding that stringent enforcement targeting illegal online sellers is crucial. Schools and parents must also do their part, Dr Yee said, stressing on the importance of early education on the risks of drug-laced vapes. Early intervention programmes for at-risk youths are crucial too, she said. Narcotic Addiction Rehabilitation Centre (Puspen) Karangan director Zuraidah Ayob said the facility, which houses the country's first and only National Anti-Drugs Agency school, is currently conducting treatment and rehabilitation for 22 students aged between 15 and 21. 'The use of illegal substances in vapes needs our urgent attention because increasingly, we are seeing youths using 'magic mushroom' and cannabis liquids in their vapes, whether knowingly or otherwise. 'These illegal liquids may even contain dangerous synthetic drugs,' she said, adding that vapes make it easier for youths and even children to do drugs due to their ease of access. 'You used to need paraphernalia like a kitchen, fire and aluminum foil to do drugs. 'Now, you just add the liquid into vapes that come in all shapes and sizes. 'Some children may start vaping out of curiosity, social media influence or peer pressure and then get hooked on the habit.' Citing Education Ministry data, she said as at September last year, a total of 12,252 students were found vaping in schools. The National Health and Morbidity Survey 2022 report also showed a rise in vapers aged between 13 and 17, from 9.8% in 2017, to 14.9% in 2022. Youngsters, she said, start with 'light' stuff like nicotine liquids before progressing to other dangerous drugs. 'They associate nicotine with positive feelings and over time, their psychological barriers to other dangerous drugs are lowered.'
Free Malaysia Today
15-05-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Bursa opens higher, retreats amid profit-taking
KUALA LUMPUR : Bursa Malaysia opened higher today but retreated thereafter, driven by mild profit-taking in selected heavyweights as Wall Street continued its uptrend, analysts said. At 9.20am, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) eased 0.21 of-a-point to 1,539.33 from Monday's close of 1,539.54. The benchmark index was 1.10 points better at 1,540.64 at the opening bell. Turnover stood at 280.75 million shares worth RM104.53 million. Market breadth was negative, with 219 decliners outnumbering 142 gainers, 300 counters were unchanged, 1,674 untraded, and 17 suspended. Malacca Securities Sdn Bhd said that while overall sentiment on the Bursa may turn softer today, it expects buying opportunities to be seen within banking stocks as the Finance Index has risen around 10% from its April 9 low. 'Alliance Bank and Ambank could be in focus, as they have lagged behind peers despite healthy dividend yields,' it said in a note. Meanwhile, following continuous contract wins in Johor, and with prospects of replicating this success in Penang, the research firm believed there is a trading opportunity on ITMAX amid a downtrend line breakout. 'For a more conservative play, we remain positive on KPJ, as the company has minimal exposure to US tariff risks, while its solid management and brownfield expansion should provide further price support,' it said. Among heavyweights, Maybank and IHH Healthcare were flat at RM10 and RM7, respectively, Public Bank slipped 1.0 sen to RM4.46, CIMB declined 5.0 sen to RM7.03, while Tenaga Nasional rose 8.0 sen to RM13.88. In active trade, Permaju earned half-a-sen to 3.5 sen, Ekovest added 1.0 sen to 34 sen, while Jiankun and Velesto were flat at 3.0 sen and 15.5 sen, respectively. On the index board, the FBM Emas Index was 3.87 points weaker at 11,437.31, the FBMT 100 Index shed 6.09 points to 11,209.17, and the FBM Emas Shariah Index strengthened 12.39 points to 11,315.88. The FBM 70 Index trimmed 26.97 points to 16,105.52, and the FBM ACE Index decreased 14.19 points to 4,610.87. Across sectors, the Financial Services Index reduced 37.74 points to 18,238.43, the Industrial Products and Services Index eased 0.15 of-a-point to 151.64, the Energy Index inched down 0.81 of-a-point to 681.90, and the Plantation Index grew 13.05 points to 7,261.67.
