Astro registers 42% jump in FY20 earnings

PETALING JAYA: Astro Malaysia Holdings Bhd’s net profit for the fourth quarter ended Jan 31, 2020 jumped 17% to RM138.92 million from RM118.4 million a year ago, mainly due to impairment of software, lower amortisation of software and amortisation of event licence rights.

Its revenue fell 10% to RM1.23 billion against the corresponding quarter last year of RM1.37 billion, dragged down by a decrease in subscription revenue, production revenue, sales of programming rights and advertising revenue.

It has declared a fourth interim dividend to 1.5 sen per share.

Total dividend declared in FY20 amounts to 7.5 sen, equating to a 60% dividend payout ratio.

For the full-year period, Astro’s net profit grew 41.6% to RM655.3 million from RM462.92 million a year ago, mainly due to an increase in ebitda, lower net finance costs and depreciation of property, plant and equipment.

Revenue dropped 10% to RM4.91 billion against the corresponding quarter last year of RM5.48 billion.