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The Star
28-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
FGV's 1Q earnings bolstered by higher FFB yields, price
KUALA LUMPUR: FGV Holdings Bhd 's performance in the first quarter of 2025 (1QFY25) was buoyed by the contribution of its plantations division, which benefited from increases in fresh fruit bunch (FFB) yield and price. "We are encouraged by the improved 1Q FY2025 results, particularly the consistent performance of our plantation division. "A steady growth compared to same quarter last year, reflects the resilience of our operations and the positive impacts of our ongoing agronomic improvements," said group CEO Fakhrunniam Othman in a statement. In 1QFY25, FGV's bottomline turned positive with a net profit of RM36.48mil as compared to a net loss of RM13.49mil in the year-ago quarter. The group posted an earnings per share of one sen as compared to a loss per share of 0.37 sen in the comparative quarter. Revenue during the quarter under review rose to RM5.04bil from RM4.54bil previously. According to FGV, the plantations division posted a strong turnaround during the quarter, with a profit of RM50.67mil compared to a loss of RM62.14mil in the same quarter in 2024. The improvement was driven by a 5% increase in FFB production to 770,000 tonnes (MT), resulting in a higher FFB yield of 3.05MT per hectare. There was also a 24% increase in FFB price, which reached RM974 per MT, although the oil extraction rate declined to 19.94% from 20.59% in the same quarter in 2024. The division's performance was further supported by stronger contributions from the R&D segment, particularly the fertiliser business, which recorded stronger margins and higher sales volume. However, these gains were partially offset by a higher fair value charge on the land lease agreement, which increased to RM115.91mil from RM86.04mil in the same period last year. The group's other divisions did not fare as well during the quarter. The oils and fats division reported a loss of RM11.57mil due a lower margin in the bulk commodities segment and reduced processed palm oil (PPO) delivery volumes. In the logistics and support division, there was a slightly lower net profit of RM32.47mil, driven by lower tonnage handled in the logistics segment, although this was partially offset by higher profit in the IT segment. The sugar division posted a lower profit of RM11.46mil against RM67.17mil in the same quarter last year due to reduced margin, lower sales volume and decreased capacity utilisation, despite a reduction in production costs The consumer products division narrowed its losses to RM6.09mil from RM8.75mil in the corresponding quarter of the previous year, supported by better margins in the consumer products segment and lower losses in the integrated farming and dairy segments. Moving forward, FGV said CPO prices are expected to ease from RM4,700 per MT to about RM4,000 per MT in the coming months as supply improves with favourable weather, seasonally higher cropping cycles, and the absence of festive-related demand. The group said it will continue enhancing yields, extracting greater value from existing assets and expanding its footprint in the domestic consumer market. Over the longer term, FGV is advancing portfolio diversification through high-value fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) and international market penetration. "Our core priority is to deliver sustainable shareholder value while navigating a complex external environment. Global headwinds including rising trade tensions, the introduction of new tariffs, and slower-than-expected biodiesel demand may weigh on commodity sentiment. "However, FGV's diversified operations, strong plantation fundamentals and commitment to integrated value creation position us well to withstand volatility and unlock long-term growth," said Fakhrunniam.
New Straits Times
26-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Eco-Shop slips on second trading day after upbeat debut
KUALA LUMPUR: Eco-Shop Marketing Bhd saw its share price dip in early trade on its second day of listing on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia, falling 4.17 per cent to RM1.15 as of 10.08am. The counter opened at RM1.19, its intraday high so far and already below last Friday's closing price of RM1.20, before retreating to RM1.15, the morning's low at press time. This came after the discount retailer defied market expectations with a solid debut at the end of last week. The initial public offering (IPO) was priced at RM1.13 per share. With 19.61 million shares changing hands, Eco-Shop was the third most actively traded stock on Bursa Malaysia this morning. At RM1.15 per share, the company's market capitalisation stood at RM6.61 billion. Whether the stock can regain ground remains to be seen, but its weaker showing likely reflects broader market jitters and fragile sentiment amid global uncertainties. Eco-Shop's listing came amid a stretch of subdued IPO debuts, with most counters closing below their offer price on the first day of trade. Its first-day performance bucked a recent trend in which many new Main Market listings struggled to hold above their IPO prices. Between March and May, most Main Market IPOs recorded either negative or modest first-day gains, except for Reach Ten Holdings Bhd and Hi Mobility Bhd, amid cautious investor sentiment. Eco-Shop's IPO, Malaysia's largest in eight months, raised RM974 million in total. The company plans to channel the proceeds into expanding its retail and distribution footprint, repaying borrowings and upgrading its information technology infrastructure. Founded in 2003, Eco-Shop operates 349 outlets across Malaysia as of March 2025, offering everyday items such as snacks, kitchenware and household essentials. The brand is known for its fixed pricing model, RM2.60 in West Malaysia and RM2.80 in East Malaysia, which has resonated with price-sensitive consumers.
Business Times
23-05-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Eco-Shop jumps on debut, minting a new Malaysian billionaire
[KUALA LUMPUR] Shares of discount-chain Eco-Shop Marketing gained on their debut on Friday (May 23) as Malaysia's biggest initial public offering of the year created a billionaire. The stock jumped as much as 10.6 per cent in early trading, before paring gains to close 6.2 per cent higher at RM1.20. Eco-Shop, which sells household items at a fixed price of RM2.60 (S$0.79), raised RM974 million in an offering that valued the company at about US$1.5 billion. That's the most since an IPO by 99 Speed Mart Retail Holdings in September. The time could not have been better for Eco-Shop, according to chief executive officer Jessica Ng. 'If you look at the current economic situation, our business model is even more needed. We stretch the ringgit for many, many people,' Ng said in a Bloomberg News interview. Potential income growth for most of the population over the next two years would also ensure 'a big catchment' and room to expand, she added. The US dollar-store operator plans to use proceeds from the share sale to add 70 outlets per year for the next five years, essentially doubling its store count. The debut is a positive sign for Malaysia's market, whose momentum after the 55 IPOs it saw in 2024 was derailed by tariffs. Although Eco-Shop's IPO shares were eventually priced lower, the listing shows there is still traction for low-cost mass consumer brands among investors. Founded by Lee Kar Whatt and his partners in 2003, Eco-Shop has grown to 350 stores across Malaysia. Lee – who will end up with a US$1.15 billion stake post-listing, according to the Bloomberg billionaires Index – still works out of the company's headquarters in Jementah, a small town located in the southern state of Johor. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 8.30 am Asean Business Business insights centering on South-east Asia's fast-growing economies. Sign Up Sign Up The company is looking to expand the portfolio of its in-house brands, which make up more than half of sales, to have better control over cost and quality. Ng said the group also has mechanisms in place that allow it to keep the cost of imported products at a minimum. Eco-Shop, which sells everything from snacks to stationery and cleaning products, reported a 45 per cent on-year increase in net profit to RM61.7 million for the three months through February. Revenue jumped 17 per cent to RM736 million. No doubt, competition has intensified in recent years, particularly from established rivals like Mr DIY Group (M) and smaller upstarts run by entrepreneurs from mainland China. But Ng said Eco-Shop can carve out its own niche, given its 68 per cent market share in the country's discount-store sector. Ng, who previously worked at multinationals, said Malaysian brands are generally 'operationally good' and many of them have become 'irreplaceable' due to the scale they have achieved in their respective categories. Resilient domestic demand will continue to help local chains like Eco-Shop thrive, she said. BLOOMBERG
