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The Star
3 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
GDEX keeps up optimism as SST measures loom
PETALING JAYA: GDEX Bhd believes the newly expanded scope of the Sales and Service Tax (SST), which comes into effect on July 1, will 'definitely have an impact' on its business and those of its peers, says its managing director and group chief executive Teong Teck Lean. However, on the bigger picture, he remains optimistic that the courier services provider will be able to keep up with its improving performance trend, aided by the group's change in business strategy to a more collaborative one. Speaking to a select media group after GDEX's AGM yesterday, Teong acknowledged that the group is still assessing the overall impact of the expanded SST, especially its inclusion of leasing services at a rate of 8% for companies with annual leasing revenue above RM500,000. 'We are actually leasing many of the premises that we use, some on long leases, and so definitely there will be an effect there because the earlier contracts that were signed between us and our landlords have obviously not included this tax,' he said. As such, the group would need to work out how to navigate this new expense with all related parties, and look for ways to absorb the payment of the SST. Moving forward, Teong commented that GDEX is much more optimistic of its performance this year, banking on a more collaborative strategy with partners and competitors alike, as well as the company's determination to keep exploring and navigating for better growth opportunities. In its latest results release for the first quarter of financial year ended March (1Q25), GDEX remained in the red with a net loss of RM164,000, although this represented a significant year-on-year (y-o-y) improvement from 1Q24 where the group saw a net loss of RM2.2mil. It is also notable that for the financial year ended 2024 (FY24), GDEX's net loss narrowed considerably y-o-y from RM34.9mil in FY23 to RM1.8mil, while also posting a net profit of RM4.8mil for 4Q24 itself. On top of that, GDEX reported an earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation of RM53.4mil last year, with net cash reserves of RM197.2mil. The group's shareholders also approved the distribution of a final single-tier dividend of 0.2 sen per share for FY24 at yesterday's AGM, before announcing that it had earmarked RM20mil of its cash for strategic acquisitions this year, in an effort to further broaden its GD Exchange ecosystem. Teong however, reiterated that the group is maintaining its highly selective approach to potential acquisition targets, emphasising that there has to be a synergistic value to the company's core business. 'The most important thing is that the companies we acquire must follow our business direction, and as such we would always prefer to obtain a controlling stake in such transactions to achieve seamless integration,' he added. Furthermore, he revealed that GDEX had invested RM8mil into enterprise resource planning, on top of remarking that the group continues to find it necessary to invest into technology and artificial intelligence as well as environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives. However, he stressed that such investments, especially into ESG, has to offer attractive returns on investment (ROI), citing the example of the group's usage of electric trucks for short distance deliveries within the Klang Valley that mitigates the effect of the rising prices of diesel. Separately, he said GDEX also plans to liquidate its non-core assets, including a property in Ipoh, pointing out that the move jives with the group's focus on cost optimisation and digitalisation, This would allow the company to allocate funds to more essential areas with higher ROI such as technology, talent acquisition, and infrastructure integration.
BusinessToday
23-05-2025
- Business
- BusinessToday
Looking Beyond YTL Power's Short Term Profit Softness
RHB Investment Bank Bhd (RHB Research), MIDF Amanah Investment Bank Bhd (MIDF Research) and CIMB Investment Bank Bhd (CIMB Securities) have all maintained their BUY calls on YTL Power International Bhd following the group's third quarter results for financial year 2025, with target prices revised to RM4.18, RM4.51 and RM4.00 respectively. The optimism centres on growth in its data centre and UK water operations, despite near-term profit softness from its Singapore power unit, PowerSeraya. RHB Research noted the group's core profit for 9MFY25 of RM2.1 billion, down 15% year-on-year, came in within expectations at 52% of RHB's full-year forecast. The house highlighted that the earnings decline, driven by a 31% drop in PowerSeraya's contribution, was partly offset by stronger performance from Wessex Water and reduced losses in its telco division. The target price was lowered from RM4.53 to RM4.18 to reflect dilution from unlisted warrants, with RHB applying a 2% ESG discount on YTL Power's intrinsic value. MIDF Research similarly flagged weaker-than-expected results, citing a 3QFY25 core net profit of RM551.8 million and a 9MFY25 total of RM1.95 billion, representing 63.5% of its full-year estimate. The house pointed out that the power segment's softness stemmed from a decline in Singapore's pool and retail prices, worsened by currency effects from a stronger ringgit. However, Wessex Water's improved tariffs and contributions from Ranhill Utilities helped cushion overall earnings. MIDF Research expects the UK water operations to strengthen further from the next quarter, boosted by a 21% tariff hike. CIMB Securities noted a 30% quarter-on-quarter drop in PowerSeraya's pre-tax profit to RM511 million due to rollover of contracts to lower tariffs and a fall in unit sales, compounded by a rising solar market share. The house estimates show Wessex Water's pre-tax profit surged 172% quarter-on-quarter to RM164 million on improved consumption and lower financing costs. CIMB Securities highlighted that YTL Power's total data centre capacity of 188MW is now fully contracted, with upcoming launches expected to drive earnings from late 1QFY26. All three research houses pointed to the company's ongoing expansion in artificial intelligence data centres as a key growth lever. RHB Research reported that the first 20MW AI-powered facility is ready for commercial launch within two months, while MIDF Research and CIMB Securities said the 80MW centre initially earmarked for AI will now be used for co-location, already taken up by a third party. According to CIMB Securities, total contracted revenue for YTL Power's data centre business stands at US$2.5 billion. Analysts agree the group's long-term prospects remain positive, anchored by diversification into high-margin infrastructure businesses. An interim dividend of 4.0 sen was declared. At RM3.60 per share, YTL Power trades at an undemanding valuation relative to future earnings potential, with projected yields between 1.8% and 2.5% in FY26. Related
