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The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Bursa Malaysia lower at midday on renewed US-China tensions
KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia was lower at midday, dragged down by renewed tensions between the United States (US) and China, analysts said. According to reports, China hit back at US President Donald Trump's claim it had violated the temporary trade agreement between the two countries, while the European Union said it opposed the president's doubling of tariffs on steel and aluminium imports. At 12.30 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) declined by 4.89 points, 0.32 per cent, to 1,503.46 from last Friday's close of 1,508.35. The benchmark index, which opened 4.37 points higher at 1,512.72, moved between 1,497.42 and 1,514.12 during the morning session. In the broader market, decliners thumped gainers 694 to 225, while 373 counters were unchanged, 1,054 untraded and 15 suspended. Turnover stood at 2.14 billion units worth RM1.14 billion. Meanwhile, Hong Leong Investment Bank said in a note that following the conclusion of a lacklustre May corporate results season, it expects the benchmark index to remain volatile in June after tumbling 2.1 per cent in May (year-to-date: -8.2 per cent). This is as investor sentiment has stayed cautious amid continued foreign net outflows coupled with developments in the political landscape ahead of the Sabah state election (due by end 2025). "Adding to the cautious tone are renewed concerns over a tariff-driven global slowdown and ongoing legal tussles surrounding Trump's trade policies, which could weigh on market confidence and pressure Malaysia's growth and earnings outlook,' it said. Among the heavyweights, QL Resources fell 11 sen to RM4.39, Axiata slid four sen to RM2.01, Press Metal Aluminium was down nine sen to RM4.95, Petronas Chemicals eased six sen to RM3.36, and Sunway dropped 7 sen to RM4.68. Among the most active counters, Harvest Miracle Capital, ACE Market debutant ICT Zone Asia, and Permaju Industries were flat at 18 sen, 20 sen and 1.5 sen respectively, while Tanco Holdings increased one sen to RM1.01 and Eco-Shop Marketing slipped two sen to RM1.24. On the index board, the FBM Emas Index shaved 44.22 points to 11,255.58, the FBMT 100 Index lost 38.95 points to 11,022.05, and the FBM ACE Index fell 65.44 points to 4,485.59. The FBM Emas Shariah Index slid 54.38 points to 11,201.88, while the FBM 70 Index trimmed 69.27 points to 16,132.23. Sector-wise, the Financial Services Index weakened 43.21 points to 17,797.32, the Industrial Products and Services Index edged down 2.05 points to 150.60, and the Energy Index eased 8.58 points to 699.46, but the Plantation Index rose 16.80 points to 7,224.65. - Bernama
The Sun
06-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Investment banks positive on MR D.I.Y. outlook after strong 1Q results
KUALA LUMPUR: Investment banks were positive on MR D.I.Y. Group (M) Bhd, given its improved outlook after posting strong results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2025 (1Q 2025). The group's 1Q 2025 net profit rose to RM174.15 million from RM144.88 million in 1Q 2024, while revenue jumped to RM1.26 billion from RM1.14 billion in the previous year. In a note today, Maybank Investment Bank Bhd (Maybank IB) said further margin accretion may materialise in the financial year 2025 estimate (FY2025E) if MR D.I.Y. is in the position to negotiate for better prices with its China suppliers, combined with savings from favourable Chinese Yuan and the Malaysian ringgit. 'Our earnings estimates are unchanged, but we lifted the forward payout ratio assumptions to 75 per cent per annum (from 60 per cent). 'The overall uplift in disposable income, after the minimum wage was increased to RM1,700 per month (+RM200 per month, effective Feb 1, 2025), is also expected to sustain MR D.I.Y sales momentum in FY2025 positively,' it said. Maybank IB added that it upgraded MR D.I.Y. to a 'Buy' call with a target price (TP) of RM1.85 and an unchanged price-to-earnings ratio of 24 times. RHB Investment Bank Bhd (RHB IB) said MR D.I.Y's 1Q 2025 results are deemed within expectations thanks to a robust gross profit margin (GPM) expansion and same-store sales growth recovery (SSSG). It said the rising wages and upsized government assistance packages to the lower-income groups are expected to lift disposable income and discretionary spending. 'This should benefit MR D.I.Y. as the beneficiaries of the above-mentioned measures fall well within its customer group. 'Meanwhile, the GPM upside should serve as another key earnings driver with 70 per cent of its cost of goods sold imported from China, whilst the tariff situation could render MR D.I.Y. more bargaining power,' it said in a separate note. The investment bank opined that MR D.I.Y. is on the right track to expand its total addressable market to appeal to female and Gen Z consumers. 'This will be facilitated by the strategies to broaden its product portfolio by offering beauty and wellness, lifestyle, and fashion products as well as the KKV partnership,' it added. RHB IB maintained its 'Buy' call on the counter with a TP of RM1.87 and a 12 per cent upside. Meanwhile, Hong Leong Investment Bank Bhd (HLIB) said MR D.I.Y. plans to add over 20 KKV stores in FY2025, citing strong performance. In May 2024, MR D.I.Y. invested in a 49 per cent stake in Chinese retail brand KKV's operations in Malaysia. HLIB said KKV stores generate three times higher monthly revenue than standard MR D.I.Y. outlets due to their premium product mix. 'We applaud the positive 0.6 per cent SSSG recorded during the quarter after seven consecutive quarters of negative SSSG. 'We remain optimistic on the group's strategy of store expansion to defend its market share as the leading home improvement retailer,' it said. HLIB maintained its 'Buy' call on MR D.I.Y. with an unchanged TP of RM2.30. 'We remain optimistic about the group's strategy of store expansion to defend its market share as the leading home improvement retailer,' it added. At 11 am, MR D.I.Y's share price rose by nine sen to RM1.76 with 15.23 million unit shares transacted.
The Sun
06-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
MR D.I.Y. upgraded to ‘Buy' after strong 1Q earnings
KUALA LUMPUR: Investment banks were positive on MR D.I.Y. Group (M) Bhd, given its improved outlook after posting strong results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2025 (1Q 2025). The group's 1Q 2025 net profit rose to RM174.15 million from RM144.88 million in 1Q 2024, while revenue jumped to RM1.26 billion from RM1.14 billion in the previous year. In a note today, Maybank Investment Bank Bhd (Maybank IB) said further margin accretion may materialise in the financial year 2025 estimate (FY2025E) if MR D.I.Y. is in the position to negotiate for better prices with its China suppliers, combined with savings from favourable Chinese Yuan and the Malaysian ringgit. 'Our earnings estimates are unchanged, but we lifted the forward payout ratio assumptions to 75 per cent per annum (from 60 per cent). 'The overall uplift in disposable income, after the minimum wage was increased to RM1,700 per month (+RM200 per month, effective Feb 1, 2025), is also expected to sustain MR D.I.Y sales momentum in FY2025 positively,' it said. Maybank IB added that it upgraded MR D.I.Y. to a 'Buy' call with a target price (TP) of RM1.85 and an unchanged price-to-earnings ratio of 24 times. RHB Investment Bank Bhd (RHB IB) said MR D.I.Y's 1Q 2025 results are deemed within expectations thanks to a robust gross profit margin (GPM) expansion and same-store sales growth recovery (SSSG). It said the rising wages and upsized government assistance packages to the lower-income groups are expected to lift disposable income and discretionary spending. 'This should benefit MR D.I.Y. as the beneficiaries of the above-mentioned measures fall well within its customer group. 'Meanwhile, the GPM upside should serve as another key earnings driver with 70 per cent of its cost of goods sold imported from China, whilst the tariff situation could render MR D.I.Y. more bargaining power,' it said in a separate note. The investment bank opined that MR D.I.Y. is on the right track to expand its total addressable market to appeal to female and Gen Z consumers. 'This will be facilitated by the strategies to broaden its product portfolio by offering beauty and wellness, lifestyle, and fashion products as well as the KKV partnership,' it added. RHB IB maintained its 'Buy' call on the counter with a TP of RM1.87 and a 12 per cent upside. Meanwhile, Hong Leong Investment Bank Bhd (HLIB) said MR D.I.Y. plans to add over 20 KKV stores in FY2025, citing strong performance. In May 2024, MR D.I.Y. invested in a 49 per cent stake in Chinese retail brand KKV's operations in Malaysia. HLIB said KKV stores generate three times higher monthly revenue than standard MR D.I.Y. outlets due to their premium product mix. 'We applaud the positive 0.6 per cent SSSG recorded during the quarter after seven consecutive quarters of negative SSSG. 'We remain optimistic on the group's strategy of store expansion to defend its market share as the leading home improvement retailer,' it said. HLIB maintained its 'Buy' call on MR D.I.Y. with an unchanged TP of RM2.30. 'We remain optimistic about the group's strategy of store expansion to defend its market share as the leading home improvement retailer,' it added. At 11 am, MR D.I.Y's share price rose by nine sen to RM1.76 with 15.23 million unit shares transacted.
Malay Mail
05-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
MR D.I.Y. kicks off 2025 with RM174.15m net profit in 1Q, eyes 190 new stores
KUALA LUMPUR, May 5 — MR D.I.Y. Group (M) Bhd's net profit rose to RM174.15 million for the first quarter (1Q) ended March 31, 2025, from RM144.88 million in the same period last year. Revenue rose by 10 per cent, reaching RM1.26 billion, compared to RM1.14 billion in the previous year. This growth was supported by the group's ongoing expansion, which included the addition of 173 new stores. As a result, the total number of stores increased from 1,298 to 1,471, marking a year-on-year (y-o-y) growth of 13.3 per cent. 'The expansion translated into higher footfall, with total transactions climbing 9.1 per cent y-o-y to 48.2 million during the quarter, as well as a 0.9 per cent y-o-y increase in average basket size. 'Notably, the earlier timing of Hari Raya festivities this year — falling in March instead of April — also contributed to stronger seasonal sales,' the home improvement retailer said in a filing with Bursa Malaysia today. The group also recorded RM12.8 million in other operating income, primarily from management fees, interest income from short-term fixed deposits, and accretion of discounts from security and utility deposits on leases. 'Administrative and other operating expenses rose 17.6 per cent and 11.6 per cent y-o-y, respectively, to RM58.5 million and RM304.0 million. 'The increase reflects higher staff costs, utilities, as well as the depreciation of fixed assets and right-of-use assets in line with the group's expanding footprint,' it said. On prospects, the group remains steadfast in its commitment to delivering sustainable, long-term value to stakeholders through strategic investments in growth and technology to enhance operational efficiency, alongside a continued focus on cost optimisation across all operations. 'Looking ahead, the group is on track to strategically launch 190 new stores across its core and sub-brands in 2025. 'These will include innovative retail concepts and expanded product offerings, reinforcing the group's market leadership and its position as the value retailer of choice for all Malaysians,' said MR D.I.Y. In a separate statement, MR D.I.Y. chief executive officer Adrian Ong said the group is confident in its growth, driving operational efficiency and delivering long-term sustainable value to its stakeholders. 'We are encouraged by the strong start to FY2025, especially in the face of ongoing uncertainties. 'Our operational improvements are bearing fruit, with meaningful progress reflected in key financial indicators. Notably, throughput at our automated warehouse has increased significantly since its launch in August 2024,' he said. The group has declared an interim single-tier dividend of RM0.014 per ordinary share, amounting to approximately RM132.6 million, for the financial year ending December 31, 2025, to be paid on July 8, 2025. — Bernama
