Highlight ECS ICT 1Q earnings jump 96.2% on favourable sales mix and strong pre-GST demand

by **Cals** Fri 08 May 2015, 00:52

Highlight
ECS ICT 1Q earnings jump 96.2% on favourable sales mix and strong pre-GST demand

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By Sangeetha Amarthalingam / theedgemarkets.com | May 7, 2015 : 7:02 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR (May 7): [size=14]Information communications technology (ICT) products distributor ECS ICT Bhd saw its net profit for the first quarter ended March 31, 2015 (1QFY15) almost double to RM9.4 million from RM4.8 million (up 96.2%) a year ago, on the back of a favourable sales mix and strong ICT products spending prior to the implementation of the goods and services tax (GST) on April 1.

This translates to 1QFY15 basic earnings per share of 5.2 sen, compared with 2.7 sen last year.

In a statement today, ECS ICT said its group revenue was up 46.2% to RM522.9 million for the quarter under review, compared with RM357.7 million in 1QFY14, showing steady growth in its three business segments, namely ICT distribution, enterprise systems and ICT services.

Its chief executive officer Soong Jan Hsung, however, forecast that ICT spending in 2QFY15 would moderate as consumers exercise more caution in purchase due to higher post-GST prices.

“Nevertheless, we believe that ICT spending should return to normal in the second half of 2015, especially with pipeline launches of new products and product replacement demand,” he said.

ECS (valuation: 2.4; fundamental: 2) further noted that compared to the same period last year, 1QFY15 ICT distribution segment revenue rose 48.2% to RM372.8 million from RM251.6 million, while the enterprise systems increased to RM137.1 million, up 43.5% from RM95.5 million.

The ICT services segment, on the other hand, grew 21.9% to RM12.9 million from RM10.6 million last year, it said.

ECS ICT shares closed 6 sen or 3.68% higher at RM1.69 with a market capitalisation of RM304.2 million.

(Note: The Edge Research's fundamental score reflects a company’s profitability and balance sheet strength, calculated based on historical numbers. The valuation score determines if a stock is attractively valued or not, also based on historical numbers. A score of 3 suggests strong fundamentals and attractive valuations.)
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