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Tag: profit

  • 2018 a record-breaking year for Mercedes Malaysia

    2018 a record-breaking year for Mercedes Malaysia

    Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM), the distributor of Mercedes-Benz marque in Malaysia, posted a record-breaking performance in 2018 spurred by the consumption tax holiday and customer-centric strategy. President and CEO Dr Claus Weidner said vehicle sales grew 9% to 13,079 units from 12,045 units recorded in the previous year, lifting the company’s market share to 2.4% from 2.3%, previously.

    “Our efforts to invigorate the brand experience for our increasingly diverse fans have been fruitful and we are happy to retain our position as the number one premium brand in Malaysia,“ he said at the company’s briefing on the 2018 full-year performance and outlook for 2019.

    In June last year, the first month of the tax holiday period following the government’s move to abolish the goods and services tax, MBM posted the highest monthly sales in the company’s history at 1,750 units.

    Weidner said other areas of business also showed improvement with total vehicles serviced last year growing by 16% from the previous year to 148,800 units and in-house financing increasing by 23% year-on-year to RM2.7 billion.

    “Four out of every 10 cars sold were financed by our in-house financing,“ he said.

    Five out of every 10 cars sold, meanwhile, were insured by its in-house service.

    A total of 20 new and facelift models were launched last year to further complement the company’s extensive product line-up, he said.

    Going forward, Weidner said MBM was confident of surpassing last year’s performance driven by demand for compact and premium sport utility vehicles as well as the company’s holistic approach and customer-centric strategy.

    “We will also continue to rejuvenate our models portfolio to continue making it desirable to customers,“ he said.

    On the number of launches for this year, he said it would be around last year’s figure.

    Weidner disclosed that the company planned to restructure its plant in Pekan, Pahang to increase the localisation of components and upgrade the technology to improve efficiency and quality.

    However, he did not disclose the amount of investment for the plant restructuring.

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  • LG profit plunges, missing forecasts by a mile

    LG profit plunges, missing forecasts by a mile

    LG Electronics’ operating profit fell nearly 80 percent in the fourth-quarter of 2018 year-on-year, according to preliminary figures disclosed in a Financial Supervisory Service regulatory filing Tuesday.  The smartphone and household appliances manufacturer estimated 75.3 billion won ($67.0 million) in operating profit for the final quarter of last year compared to 366.8 billion won in the same quarter in 2017.

    The estimate is far below the 398.1 billion won forecast by analysts surveyed by FnGuide, a data provider. The company anticipated 15.8 trillion won in revenue from October to December last year, a 7-percent decline from the same period a year earlier.

    Analysts pointed to the slowing global smartphone market as a factor weighing on the company.

    “With the smartphone market currently in a slump, [the company] is unable to find an opportunity to recover,” said Kim Ji-san, an analyst at Kiwoom Securities in a report Tuesday that predicted disappointing earnings prior to LG’s announcement. “Demand has slowed as smartphone replacement cycles have become longer in high-value markets such as Korea and the United States,” Kim added.

    Meanwhile, the company estimated annual operating profit for 2018 at 2.7 trillion won, a 9.5 percent rise from the previous year.

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  • Malaysian businesses less optimistic on prospects for next six months

    Malaysian businesses less optimistic on prospects for next six months

    Malaysian businesses are displaying less optimistic sentiment on prospects for the next six months as the RAM Business Confidence Index (RAM BCI) fell to its lowest level since its inception two year ago. RAM said in a statement today that the corporate and the SME indices of the RAM BCI declined to 55.1 and 51.0 respectively, although the reading above 50.0 still denotes positive sentiment.

    The RAM BCI is a comprehensive survey jointly conducted by RAM Holdings Bhd and RAM Credit Information Sdn Bhd, on business sentiment in Malaysia. Released quarterly, the index is based on data from a survey of close to 3,500 SMEs and corporates across five main industry segments respectively.

    The cooler sentiment is attributable predominantly to the weak economic prospects in the next six months, with a number of firms citing this as the main challenge, rising to 41.2% and 41% both corporate and SME segments.

    Decelerating domestic growth, uncertain global demand and investment activities and a lack of positive catalysts, including the relatively neutral Budget 2019, all play a part in the generally weaker business sentiment on the next six months.

    On a sectoral basic, the construction sector appeared the least bullish with the SME sector recording a reading at 49.7 while the corporate sector declined for the third time in a row to 53.0.

    Without any new growth catalyst amid the property overhang, plus the shelving of new big-ticket infrastructure projects, it is not surprising that the construction sub-indices have hit record lows, RAM said.

    Another sector that showed pessimism in the Q1-Q2 2019 survey is SME retail as its performance outlook slipped back into negative territory after a brief expansionary momentum that had been aided by the tax-free window from June to August 2018.

    “Faced with uncertain global and domestic economic prospects, consumers are once again more prudent with their spending, leading to weaker sentiment on retail consumption in 2019,” it added.

    On the back of weaker prospects, the firms are also holding back from capacity building with the sub-indices tracking corporate business expansion, capital investment and hiring recording a fall in three consecutive surveys.

    Likewise, the capacity-building sub-indices for SMEs pulled back from the last survey and remain below those of corporates.

    RAM noted that firms’ expressed reticence on capacity building remains the most prominent downside risk, as it could weigh on the momentum of economic growth in 2019 and potential economic output over the longer run. This is particularly true in respect of SMEs, which are more vulnerable and sensitive to immediate economic challenges.

    “That said, more guidance on future economic policies that will shape the overall business environment will be crucial to building business confidence among firms, potentially being the game changer for a more resilient growth trajectory this year,” it added.

  • H&M sales surges, with notes

    H&M sales surges, with notes

    H&M sales grew by the fastest rate in three years during the latest quarter – but analysts suspect it is due to discounting of inventory and favourable currency swings. According to a stock exchange filing, H&M revenue rose 12 per cent to 56.4 billion krona (S$6.23 billion) in the November quarter.

    But the fast-fashion retailer has been battling to move a huge inventory, estimated in March as worth a staggering $4.3 billion.

    This week’s filing covered only sales, with full details of H&M’s trading performance set to be revealed on January 31.

    Some analysts have described it as “possible” the sales growth was not profitable given sweaters have been selling for as little as $10 in recent months.

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  • Malaysia’s CIMB to gain RM200m from stockbroking business transfer

    Malaysia’s CIMB to gain RM200m from stockbroking business transfer

    CIMB Group Holdings Bhd is expected to record a gain of disposal of approximately RM200 million from the process of transferring the group’s stockbroking business to its joint venture company with China Galaxy Securities Co Ltd.

    This comes after taking into account the premium on the disposal of approximately RM433 million and goodwill attributable to the business.

    CIMB said the consideration in connection with the proposed business transfer will be satisfied in cash and it was determined based on the future prospects and net asset value of the in-scope business as at Dec 31, 2015, which amounted to RM565.6 million.

    The consideration is subject to closing audit adjustments, if any.

    Jupiter Securities, the subsidiary of China Galaxy Securities Co Ltd (CGS)-CIMB Holdings Sdn Bhd, which is the Malaysian joint venture entity, will operate the stockbroking business.

    CIMB said in a stock exchange filing that its wholly owned subsidiary CIMB Group Sdn Bhd (CIMBG), China Galaxy’s wholly owned unit China Galaxy International Financial Holdings Ltd (CGI), and CGS-CIMB Holdings Sdn Bhd has inked a share subscription agreement for the subscription of new shares in CGS-CIMB Holdings Sdn Bhd.

    The proposed business transfer entails the sale of CIMB Investment Bank Bhd’s cash equities business and 100% equity interest in CIMB Futures Sdn Bhd as well as CIMB Bank Bhd’s equity financing services business and share margin financing granted in connection with the cash equities to Jupiter Securities.

    After the completion of the exercise, CIMBG and CGI will hold 50% stake each in the Malaysian JV entity.

    The exercises are expected to be completed in the first half of 2019.

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  • Cath Kidston Japan surges but not enough

    Cath Kidston Japan surges but not enough

    Cath Kidston Japan sales outperformed every other market in the year to March, but not enough to stem losses by the UK-based company. Sales in Japan rose by 5.4 per cent after a net four new stores took the brand’s network there to 32. Ten more Cath Kidston Japan stores are planned there next year.

    In China, Cath Kidston also performed well, aided by a new franchise deal which will see 50 shops opened over the next five years.

    “The brand clearly continues to resonate with our loyal customer base, particularly in the UK and Asia,” said CEO Melinda Paraie.

    “During the period the group continued to grow top-line sales, despite significant headwinds in some of the markets in which we operate,” she said.

    “We are particularly pleased with the significant growth in ecommerce sales in both Japan and the UK, where a strong performance on Black Friday contributed to our best-ever week online.”

    Despite the positive Asian results, Cath Kidston’s loss rose from £8.4 million in the 2017 financial year to £10.5 million this year. Paraie blamed “increased cost pressures from the weaker sterling” since the Brexit vote for the result. Worldwide sales rose 1.2 per cent to £130.7 million, with UK sales up by 5.1 per cent.

  • KFC Thailand benefits from transforming franchise model

    KFC Thailand benefits from transforming franchise model

    Fast-food restaurant chain KFC Thailand is on track to achieve double digit year-end sales growth since transforming itself into a 100-per-cent franchised model, exceeding business expectations.The largest restaurant chain in Thailand is also set to accomplish a record high of 75 new outlet openings this year, 39 per cent above target and pushing the total number of outlets in Thailand past 700, including 65 drive-through branches.

    GM for KFC, Yum Restaurants International (Thailand) Waewkanee Assoratgoon said Yum Thailand has successfully transformed itself into a 100-per cent franchisor business in only one year.

    “Our organisation is now in a good shape with an effective structure so that we can expect the most efficiency within the entire business operation.”

    KFC Thailand franchise operator Yrit secured the No 1 position and top-of-mind QSR brand as surveyed by Thai business magazinesMarketeer and Brandage, as well as picking up awards for social media penetration.

    Thailand is KFC’s eighth largest international market.

  • Restructuring continue benefits 7-Eleven Malaysia

    Restructuring continue benefits 7-Eleven Malaysia

    New store openings are maintaining a modest 7-Eleven Malaysia sales growth rate – but improved margins are driving solid profit improvement. The listed convenience store operator released its third-quarter results on Friday, which showed third-quarter sales growth of 1 per cent and year-to-date growth of 1.3 per cent. But net profit was up 4.1 per cent for the quarter and 13.3 per cent year to date.

    CEO Colin Harvey said net profit grew 27.6 per cent quarter on quarter.

    “However, this is only the first step in the right direction towards where the organisation should be, and there is scope for improvement. I am confident that our strategy roadmap focussed on strengthening the key areas of, assortment, supply chain, operational excellence, store base, and digitally enabling the organisation will bear fruit in terms of financial performance, and overall customer shopping experience.”

    He said the group’s net revenue of RM1.66 billion year to date was driven by growth in new stores and consumer promotion activity.

    Continued store expansion has taken the network to 2259 stores.

    7-Eleven Malaysia expects trading conditions for the next quarter to improve with the anticipated heightened consumer sentiment.

    “We expect to see further improvements in the next quarter by pursuing our core strategy pillars of operations excellence, cost management and commercial innovation,” the company said.

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  • Abercrombie & Fitch results going uphill

    Abercrombie & Fitch results going uphill

    Abercrombie & Fitch is on the right road to recovery. Third-quarter net income is up by 133 per cent year on year, supported by a 75 per cent increase in operating profit. The company has still delivered positive comparables both overall and for each of the Hollister and Abercrombie brands. And at 6 per cent growth, US comparables are still on fairly solid ground.

    While Abercrombie & Fitch’s sales growth has slowed, both overall and on a comparable basis, and total sales at the Abercrombie brand have slipped into negative territory, a calendar shift in reporting periods, currency fluctuations and some tough-to-match prior year comparable figures are mitigating factors.

    GlobalData’s consumer-tracking data continues to show a number of positive movements in consumer sentiment about both of the main brands. Over the past year, there has been a 4 percentage point increase in the number of American shoppers who say they consider Abercrombie when shopping for apparel. For Hollister, the same metric rose by just shy of 6 percentage points. The same research also reveals that among core shoppers, perceptions of quality and design at both Abercrombie and Hollister are up sharply on last year.

    The results justify the step changes that have been made to things like fabrication, detailing and styling of the product set. The range – especially at Abercrombie – is now more sophisticated, more on-trend, and better reflects what modern consumers want. There is also a cohesiveness to the assortment which stimulates multiple purchases and helps to push up average transaction values. However, as good as these things are, both brands have more to do yet in making consumers aware of the changes and getting them to take a fresh look at the brands.

    Many of the positive movements are far more pronounced in the US than they are elsewhere. In our view, the geographical difference in the pace of recovery is telling. While it is right that the company has focused its recovery efforts on its most important market, there is now a need to adapt some of the strategies and plays so that they are relevant overseas. Customer dynamics, competitive sets, and perception of the brands are all very different in markets like the UK and a degree of localisation is needed to ensure that the brands fully resonate with regional consumers. We believe management recognises this and has already taken some steps, such as opening a new-format mall-based store in the UK at Manchester’s Intu Trafford Centre.

    Overall, the recovery at Abercrombie & Fitch is still a work in progress. However, turning around a once very-troubled brand is far from easy. Progress and advancement do not all come at once; this is a step-by-step process that will build over time.

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  • Maybank sees marginally lower net profit for Q3

    Maybank sees marginally lower net profit for Q3

    Malayan Banking Bhd posted marginally lower net profit for the third quarter ended Sept 30, 2018 of RM1.96 billion, compared with RM2.03 billion in the corresponding quarter in 2017, on lower net operating income, higher allowances for impairment losses on loans, advances, financing and other debts and lower share of profits in associates and joint ventures .

    For the quarter under review, the group registered a net operating income of RM5.69 billion, compared with RM5.89 billion a year earlier, impacted by a dip in fee based income owing mainly to lower investment and trading proceeds as well as foreign exchange fluctuations. Notwithstanding this, operating profit for the third quarter ended Sept 30, 2018 was higher at RM2.61 billion from RM2.60 billion a year, as the group benefited from lower overhead expenses which declined 6.2% from a year earlier, as well as lower impairment losses which fell 5.5%.

    Maybank group said its key priorities for 2018 include maintaining pricing discipline across our products, focus on attaining cheaper funding sources to support loan growth, growing our loan portfolio within our risk appetite, while proactively managing our asset quality.

    The group has implemented MFRS 9 on Jan 1, 2018, of which the impairment assessment is based on the expected credit loss model that uses forward looking assumptions as opposed to an incurred loss model under the previous accounting standard. The group’s capital and liquidity positions remain strong notwithstanding the implementation of MFRS 9.

    Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the group expects its financial performance for 2018 to be satisfactory against the expected growth prospects of its key home markets. The group has set its Headline Key Performance Indicator for Return on Equity of 11%.

    Net profit for the nine month period ended Sept 30, 2018, was 7.39% higher at RM5.79 billion, compared with RM5.39 billion for the period in 2017.

    This was on 3.82% higher revenue of RM35.09 billion, compared with RM33.79 billion.

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  • CIMB Group Q3 net profit up 4.2%

    CIMB Group Q3 net profit up 4.2%

    CIMB Group Holdings Bhd posted 4.2% higher net profit for the third quarter ended Sept 30, 2018 of RM1.18 billion, compared with RM1.13 billion for the same quarter in 2017 with contribution from all segments except wholesale banking. This was despite group revenue coming in 6.4% lower at RM4.14 billion, compared with RM4.42 billion.

    CIMB Group said the decline in operating in the quarter under review, was attributed to declines in non-interest income and net interest income of 17.0% and 1.6%, respectively.

    Consumer Banking profit before tax (PBT) grew 3.9% year-on-year (Y-o-Y) from better cost management. Regional Commercial Banking PBT rose 450.0% Y-o-Y from the reduction in provisions. Wholesale Banking PBT was 41.7% lower Y-o-Y across all wholesale segments given the weaker capital markets. Group Asset Management and Investments (Gami) PBT was 542.9% higher Y-o-Y from improvement in private markets, while Group Funding for the third quarter ended Sept 30, 2018 PBT was flat Y-o-Y.

    “As 2018 draws to a close, we remain on track to meet our key T18 targets. However, we remain cautious amidst weaker regional economies and global trade tensions. Against this backdrop, we will continue to control asset quality and cost across all businesses and geographies, while we finalise our next mid-term plan to propel CIMB onto a stronger growth trajectory,” said Group Chief Executive Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Aziz.

    Net profit for the nine month period was 30.8% higher at RM4.47 billion, compared with RM3.41 billion for the period ended Sept 30, 2017.

    Revenue for the period was also higher at RM13.31 billion, compared with RM13.11 billion.

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  • AirAsia X falls on the back of Q3 losses

    AirAsia X falls on the back of Q3 losses

    AirAsia’s share price slid in yesterday’s early morning trade as the airline recorded widening losses. At 9.45am, the counter was down 1.5 sen or 6.25% to 22.5 sen a share on turnover of 2.8 million shares. An increase in average fuel price and a RM138.2mil impairment made on an amount due from a joint venture resulting in AirAsia X’s net losses jumping almost five times to RM197.47mil from RM43.3mil in the year-ago quarter.

    The carrier said the average fuel price in 3Q18 had increased to US$91 per barrel compared with US$65 in 3Q17.

    Meanwhile, the impairment made in the third quarter was related to a lease rental and maintenance reserve due from a JV through a third-party leasing intermediary.

  • Walmart sales goes back on track

    Walmart sales goes back on track

    US retailer Walmart has reported a 4.7 per cent increase in operating income in the third quarter to US$4.98 billion, and a 3.4 per cent increase in year-on-year comparable sales. Walmart sales for the period reached US$124.9 billion, an increase of 1.4 per cent.

    “We have momentum in the business as we execute our plan and benefit from a favourable economic environment in the US,” Walmart president and CEO Doug McMillon said in a statement.

    “We’re accelerating innovation and using technology to shape the future of retail [and] making shopping at Walmart faster and easier.”

    The retailer saw a 43 per cent increase in online sales in the quarter, largely thanks to its investment in its e-commerce business, as well as key acquisitions, according to GlobalData Retail’s MD Neil Saunders.

    “Making online work for customers has been a priority for Walmart, but the company is also conscious that online needs to deliver in terms of profitability,” Saunders said.

    “On this front, we are impressed with the experimentation on automation and the testing of various last mile solutions for grocery. We believe that Walmart has the skill, financial muscle, and the physical infrastructure to drive profitable online growth in a way that many other retailers, especially grocery players, will struggle to achieve.”

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  • Tencent finished Q3 with strong result despite regulation

    Tencent finished Q3 with strong result despite regulation

    Gaming and chat specialist Tencent has reported a strong third-quarter profit despite ongoing issues with Mainland China regulatory authorities over its gaming software. Tencent’s share price has fallen by about one third this year, shedding US$165 billion off its value, although last year its share price doubled. In September the company announced a restructuring program aimed at lessening its reliance on games and expanding its interests into areas such as cloud and industrial services in the transport, fintech and healthcare sectors.

    Tencent profit in the September quarter rose 30 per cent to RMB23.3 billion (US$3.36 billion) which exceeded analysts’ forecasts. This was partly due to fair-value gains from the IPO of food delivery service Meituan Dianping.

    Growth in its gaming division was ahead of expectation, but the company was unable to update shareholders on the status of its negotiations with mainland government officials over a regulatory block which has frozen new game approvals. The government has yet to decide on whether or not to allow Tencent to begin charging for features of its popular PUBG Mobile game. Chinese authorities are concerned that many Chinese are becoming addicted to mobile games.

    Those roadblocks were cited as the reason Tencent’s growth rate – a respectable 24 per cent, nonetheless, to US$11.6 billion – was its slowest quarter in more than three years.

    Sales of smartphone games grew 7 per cent year on year and 11 per cent quarter on quarter, while advertising sales, the company’s single largest revenue source, rose 47 per cent

    Revenue from cloud and payment services (WeChat Pay) helped fuel a 69 per cent increase in Tencent’s “other” revenue category.

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  • Jollibee Philippines Q3 profit rises

    Jollibee Philippines Q3 profit rises

    Philippine fast-food franchise Jollibee posted an increase in profit of nearly 20 per cent in its third quarter. Backed by strong sales, the firm has posted a 19.2 per cent rise in net income attributable to shareholders to PHP6.09 billion (US$114.5 million).

    According to Jollibee’s CFO Ysmael Baysa, the company’s global sales have seen strong growth this year, including in its home base in the Philippines, partly driven by concerted efforts to expand Jollibee’s store network.

    “We look forward to the recovery of Jollibee profit margins in the Philippines next year and the significant improvement in the profit performance of our new businesses in the next one to two years,” he said.

    Beyond its own franchise, Jollibee operates the Chowking, Greenwich, Red Ribbon and Smashburger brands in various worldwide locations. It currently has 3003 stores worldwide, with more set to open in the immediate future in Malaysia and Guam.

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