Bumper first half for HSL as profits for 2Q18 reaches RM154 mln
KUCHING: With its major projects moving ahead and order book at a record high, Sarawak- based infrastructure company Hock Seng Lee Bhd (HSL) has delivered strong growth outcomes for the first half of 2018.
Announcing its second quarter (2Q) results for the period ended June 30, 2018, the company noted that accelerated execution of its mega-projects, as they entered mid-phases of construction, had led to improvement across all financial measures.
In addition, just two days ago the company had announced the procurement, in an open tender exercise, of a new project in Bintulu worth RM101.19 million.
The proposed construction and completion of Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM) on Lot 1229, Block 37, Kemena Land District, Bintulu, Sarawak is a three-year contract awarded by Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) with KLCC Projeks Sdn Bhd (KLCCPSB) the project manager.
“Our successful bid for the MRSM Bintulu contract reinforces that the construction industry in Sarawak is robust and that HSL remains firmly at the forefront of it”, said HSL managing director, Datuk Paul Yu.
“This new project has tipped the value of projects in hand over the RM3 billion mark to RM3.1 billion, of which some RM2.5 billion is unbilled,” Yu added.
The projects in hand across Sarawak will keep HSL well occupied for several years, although selective procurement is ongoing.
“Our promised recovery is well underway and this latest results announcement is ample evidence of that,” said Yu.
HSL Group revenue for the three months ended 30 June 2018 reached RM154.25 million, an increase of over 100 per cent as compared to the preceding year corresponding quarter’s figure of RM75.90 million (after restatement of the preceding year’s figure in line with new accounting policies adopted).
The construction segment contributed RM138.69 million or 90 per cent whilst the property development segment registered a contribution of RM15.56 million or 10 per cent to the Group’s revenue during the quarter.
The property sector currently has some RM287 million worth of projects in hand and so far, this year has launched RM50 million worth of property projects comprising gated residences for Phase 2 of Precinct Luxe at its 200-acre La Promenade mixed development as well as industrial lots at Phase 3 of its Vista Industrial Park (VIP).
Overall, HSL Group recorded net profit before tax for the current quarter at RM18.85 million, an increase of 44 per cent as compared to RM13.12 million (as restated) for the corresponding second quarter of 2017.
The strong quarterly results also put HSL’s first half year 2018 well ahead of the same period last year.
Net profit before tax for the first half of 2018 has accumulated to RM37.39 million on the back of revenue at RM286.00 million.
“This translates to a significant amount of work done and strengthening margins as our larger projects move into more billable stages,” added Yu.
HSL’s Pan- Borneo Highway contract (Package 7) covering the Julau and Sibu interchanges, the 1.7km Btg Rajang (Durin) bridge and 17 other bridges – a total of some 76 km, is moving ahead with 30 per cent now completed.
With the strong growth and record order book, HSL’s Board of Directors has declared a first interim single- tier tax exempt dividend for 2018 of 1 sen per ordinary share, payable to shareholders on 10 October 2018. The dividend entitlement date shall be 19 September 2018.