Latest news with #iCentsGroupHoldingsBhd
New Straits Times
18-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
iCents breaks IPO lull with strong ACE Market debut
KUALA LUMPUR: ACE Market debutant iCents Group Holdings Bhd opened with a surprising 21 per cent premium yesterday, a level not seen among initial public offerings (IPOs) since Richtech Digital Bhd's debut on Feb 17. iCents is the 35th IPO on Bursa Malaysia this year, while Richtech was the sixth. Since then, debut premiums above 20 per cent have been rare as investor appetite for new listings has waned amid broader market uncertainty. The stock opened at 29 sen — a five sen or 21 per cent premium over its IPO price of 24 sen. It ended the day even stronger at 34 sen, up 41.7 per cent, with 150 million shares traded, topping the day's volume leaderboard. Richtech ended its debut with a 28 per cent gain, while the highest debut premium this year was recorded by Oriental Kopi Holdings Bhd at 98.86 per cent, followed by Swift Energy Technology Bhd at 41.07 per cent. Over the past five months, IPO debuts have generally been lacklustre as investors turned cautious amid heightened global uncertainties, particularly following intensified trade rhetoric from US President Donald Trump. To date, 36 companies have listed on Bursa Malaysia — six on the Main Market, three on the LEAP Market, and 27 on the ACE Market. More recently, the market has seen steadier debuts, with A1 AK Koh Group Bhd, PMCK Bhd, and ASM Automation Group Bhd holding their ground at the opening bell. However, analysts say it may still be too early to call it a recovery. Tradeview Capital fund manager Neoh Jia Man said the strong entrance is not necessarily indicative of a broad resurgence in sentiment toward local IPOs. "Instead, its performance reflects company-specific factors such as its attractive valuation, differentiated business model and relatively small market capitalisation, which caused its IPO to stand out," he said. Neoh said market sentiment today was buoyed by the strong overnight performance of the US markets, with the impact spilling over to Asian equities. He added that the announcement of several major domestic construction contract awards has provided a further boost, especially to construction-related stocks. Malacca Securities Bhd research head Loui Low said the market has so far seen a decent flow of interest, with none of the recent IPOs registering negative debuts on their first trading day. "This could be a sign for recovering and we might be able to come out from the low season of IPO. "However, we definitely need to see a decent pricing valuation IPO in order to see strong upside opportunity in upcoming IPO. "It is a matter of whether retailers will buy the story and idea of the new IPOs," he said Loui expressed hope that the momentum is sustainable but cautioned that it will require stronger liquidity support to maintain. He noted that sentiment on the local front is showing gradual recovery, and if that continues, IPO activity should follow. "Nonetheless, the wild card is always Trump with a volatile policies on trade front and swings in statements on Twitter or X platform," he saod. Loui said the renewed interest in recent IPOs is largely driven by companies with a compelling growth story, exposure to attractive sectors and most importantly, reasonable valuation. "IPO needs a good story and attractive sector and especially decent valuation for the retailers to bid for shares of the IPO company. "If story is dull and valuations of IPO is on the high side as compared to the sector peers, then it will be tough for investors to enjoy the upside," he added.
The Star
17-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
iCents eyes growth on rising demand
PETALING JAYA: ACE Market-bound iCents Group Holdings Bhd expects its expansion plans to contribute positively to its financial performance in the coming years, provided there are no unforeseen disruptions. The cleanroom and facility services provider is confident that the proceeds from its initial public offering will enable it to carry out its business strategies and plans as outlined in its prospectus. In the third quarter ended March 31, iCents posted a net profit of RM1.8mil, or an earnings per share of 0.37 sen, bringing its nine-month net profit to RM6.9mil, or 1.38 sen. Quarterly revenue came in at RM18.8mil, bringing nine-month revenue to RM62.8mil. iCents is slated to list on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia on July 17.
Barnama
17-07-2025
- Business
- Barnama
iCents Group Eyes 10 Pct Revenue Growth For 2026
BUSINESS KUALA LUMPUR, July 17 – Cleanroom and other facility services provider, iCents Group Holdings Bhd make its debut on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities, today. (Photo credit: iCents Group Holdings Bhd) KUALA LUMPUR, July 17 (Bernama) -- iCents Group Holdings Bhd has targeted a 10 per cent growth in revenue for 2026, driven by an expected rise in contribution from its manufacturing operations. Managing director Ong Mum Fei said the group's manufacturing of cleanroom fixtures and related products accounts for 10 to 15 per cent of overall revenue, with contribution expected to rise as the company ramps up production and expands its facility. 'We are also progressively securing projects over the next few months. This year, we anticipate securing more data centre projects, although most of the recognised revenue will come in 2027,' he told a press conference after the company's listing ceremony here today. iCents made its debut on the ACE Market with its share price opening at 29 sen, a five sen premium over its initial public offering (IPO) price of 24 sen, with 13.59 million shares traded. The group is mainly involved in providing cleanroom services, including engineering, procurement, construction, and testing, and the commissioning of cleanrooms catering to semiconductor and electronics manufacturing, data centres, pharmaceutical, and life sciences sectors. Ong noted that the company's new facility in Mantin, Negeri Sembilan, is expected to begin operations in the first quarter of next year, while the plan to tap local and international markets like Kuching, Sarawak and Jakarta, Indonesia, is expected to materialise within a year. He said that the clean room and facility service provider does not currently have a dividend policy but is planning to introduce one. "We are planning to allocate a payout of between 20 and 25 per cent of annual profits while balancing the need to retain funds for capital expenditure," he said. On the impact of tighter export controls, Ong said the group does not foresee any immediate effect on its business because most of its revenue comes from recurring sources.
New Straits Times
17-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
iCents soars 29pct on ACE Market debut, tops trading volume at opening bell
KUALA LUMPUR: iCents Group Holdings Bhd made a strong entrance on Bursa Malaysia's ACE Market, opening at 29 sen – a five sen or 21 per cent premium over its initial public offer (IPO) price of 24 sen. The stock soared by as much as 7 sen or 29 per cent, to hit 31 sen in early trade, becoming the most actively traded counter at market open with over 58 million shares changing hands. The cleanroom solutions provider raised RM34.2 million from the listing. iCents specialises in cleanroom solutions, offering end-to-end services including engineering, procurement, construction, testing, and commissioning for key sectors such as semiconductor and electronics manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, life sciences, and data centres. Funds raised from the IPO will go towards the purchase of new machinery and equipment, as well as for business expansion, which includes establishing a new facility in Negeri Sembilan and opening new offices in Indonesia, Singapore and Sarawak. The remainder of the funds will be used for product development and for new offerings, along with marketing activities, working capital and listing-related expenses.
The Star
14-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
iCents eyes growth on rising cleanroom demand
KUALA LUMPUR: ACE Market-bound iCents Group Holdings Bhd expects its expansion plans to contribute positively to its financial performance in the coming years, provided there are no unforeseen disruptions. The cleanroom and facility services provider is confident that the proceeds from its IPO will enable it to carry out its business strategies and plans as outlined in its prospectus. In the third quarter ended March 31, iCents posted a net profit of RM1.8mil, or earnings per share of 0.37 sen, bringing its nine-month net profit to RM6.9mil, or 1.38 sen. Quarterly revenue came in at RM18.8mil, bringing nine-month revenue to RM62.8mil. On prospects, iCents said growth in Malaysia's electrical and electronics and pharmaceutical industries is expected to drive demand for cleanroom facilities, creating opportunities for industry players. iCents is slated for listing on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia on July 17.
