DiGi posts higher FY13 pre-tax profit

by **hlk** Thu 06 Feb 2014, 16:47

DiGi.Com Bhd posted a higher pre-tax profit of RM1.705 billion for the financial year ended December 31, 2013 against RM1.205
billion recorded in the previous financial year.

Revenue grew to RM6.733 billion, during the period under review, from RM6.360 billion registered in 2012.

Earnings per share rose to 21.94 sen in 2013 from 15.51 sen a year ago.

The telecommunications company (telco) also declared a total dividend of 21.30 sen per share for 2013, including an interim dividend of 7.05 sen per share in the fourth quarter.

Strong uptake of mobile Internet service led the company to record a solid growth in its performance in the fourth quarter of 2013.

DiGi's pre-tax profit for the fourth quarter of 2013 doubled to RM548.51 million from RM245.52 million in the same period last year while revenue increased to RM1.733 billion from RM1.629 billion.

Its chief executive officer Henrik Clausen said the completion of the company's modernised network was a key factor in driving growth in the quarter reviewed.

"During the year, we expanded our HSPA+ (evolved high-speed packet access)enabled 3G network to 80 per cent population coverage from 67 per cent a year ago, and increased our own and jointly-built fibre network to more than 3,200 kilometres nationwide," he said in a statement today.

On outlook, DiGi aims to deliver a higher revenue growth of between four per cent and six per cent in its financial year 2014 and sustain its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) margins at 2013 level.

It added that the revenue growth would be fairly modest against rising market competition and cost.

"Looking ahead, the key priorities will be to deliver Internet For All, driving greater customer focus across all value chains with sustainable revenue and market share growth," said DiGi.

In addition, the telco said it would increase its investment on sustainable competitive network and platforms to capture growth opportunities and develop more extensive fibre network nationwide.-- Bernama

Read more: DiGi posts higher FY13 pre-tax profit [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]