Companies in the news: Instacom banking on bid for 400 telecommunications towers

by **Cals** Mon 01 Dec 2014, 23:05

Companies in the news: Instacom banking on bid for 400 telecommunications towers

KUALA LUMPUR: Based on news flow and corporate announcements last Friday, companies that may be in focus today could include: Instacom Group Bhd ([You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] Financial Dashboard), Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Bhd ([You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] Financial Dashboard), Mudajaya Group Bhd ([You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] Financial Dashboard), Mulpha International Bhd ([You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] Financial Dashboard) and Datasonic Group Bhd ([You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] Financial Dashboard).
Instacom reported a net loss of RM2.02 million in its third quarter ended Sept 30, 2014 (3QFY14), from a net profit of RM7.82 million a year earlier. Revenue for the quarter more than halved to RM11.81 million, from RM36.44 million in 3QFY13.
The weaker results are due to lower margins from its civil, mechanical and electrical works segment. It also remains obliged to service its fixed cost despite the reduction in revenue, which resulted in costs out-running revenue.
Moving forward, it is banking on a tender worth about RM300 million for 400 telecommunication towers that will be called by the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission, and expected to be awarded by early 2015.
Carlsberg saw its net profit grow 46.4% to RM56.28 million in 3QFY14, up from RM38.44 million a year ago, thanks to increased revenue, in particular from Singapore, improved price and product mix, as well as effective cost efficiency measures.
The beer maker said its 3QFY14 revenue was 16.2% higher at RM409.32 million, compared with RM352.12 million a year before. The stronger revenue was attributed to a 3.8% revenue growth from its Malaysian operation and a 66.1% revenue growth from Singapore.
Its nine months period (9MFY14) net profit grew 24% to RM148.65 million from RM119.88 million a year earlier. Its revenue also increased 3.8% to RM1.211 billion, from RM1.167 billion last year.
Mudajaya’s net profit slumped 97% to RM1.07 million in 3QFY14, from RM40.03 million a year earlier, dragged down by its construction segment.
Revenue for the quarter fell to RM208.66 million, from RM391.46 million in 3QFY13.
The group said its 2014 performance is expected to be weak due to, among others, deferment of some major projects which it is pursuing. Its 9MFY14 net profit was RM29.48 million, 77% lower than the RM128.27 million recorded in 9MFY13. Revenue fell to RM854.06 million, down 29% from RM1.2 billion.
Mulpha’s net profit for 3QFY14 jumped over four-fold to RM44.05 million from RM8.67 million in the previous corresponding quarter, mainly due to higher contributions from its property and investment segments.
Revenue for 3QFY14 also jumped 67.75% to RM296.8 million from RM176.93 million in 3QFY13, boosted by higher revenue from its Leisure Farm project in Iskandar Malaysia and a gain on disposal of its Raintrees Residences.
Meanwhile, its 9MFY14 showed a net profit of RM48.97 million compared to a net loss of RM74.23 million, while revenue was up 18.1% to RM601.53 million from RM509.4 million. Datasonic posted a sharp 66% fall in its net profit for 2QFY14 to RM9.39 million, against RM27.7 million achieved in the preceding quarter ended June 30.
Revenue came in at RM53.49 million, 25% lower compared with RM71.5 million recorded in 1QFY14.
For 6MFY14, its net profit stood at RM49.52 million, while revenue was RM176.88 million.

This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on December 1, 2014.