Conglomerate DRB-HICOM Bhd (5916) says it plans to address shareholders' concern over its undervalued share price by improving on its investor relations (IR) activity.
Shareholders raised many questions on this issue at the group's annual general meeting (AGM) in Shah Alam, Selangor, yesterday. This had resulted in the meeting stretching for a longer-than-usual three hours.
Its share price, which has averaged RM1.07 per day so far this year, closed at RM1.13 yesterday. The highest it has reached so far this year was RM1.25.
This is lower than the group's net asset value per share of about RM2.40 to RM2.50, according to group managing director Datuk Seri Mohd Khamil Jamil.
"I do understand the anxiety of the shareholders and the public ... the current share price does not reflect the actual value of the company, which is actually worth more," he told reporters after the AGM.
He said the group would be doing a lot more IR now, with activities such as road shows to meet potential investors.
"We have not been doing IR in a very aggressive manner and we have our reasons for that but now we're on a steady stream of revenue and income ... which warrants us to go out and talk to the public on the potential of investing in DRB-HICOM," he said.
Analysts said conglomerates like DRB-HICOM, whose businesses include vehicle-making, power, banking and property, tend to trade at a discount.
"They're too diversified in their businesses ... investors don't really know what they are," said one from a local brokerage firm. He believes this could be improved if the group takes steps to improve on its IR.
The outlook for the group looks promising, with Mohd Khamil saying it expects to turn in a record operating profit for the current financial year from last year's high of RM457 million.
Contribution from the automotive division will grow even as the group looks set to confirm an agreement within this year with Germany's Volkswagen AG to assemble VW cars at its plant in Pekan, Pahang.
Last year, the automotive segment accounted for 57 per cent of its revenue and about 30-odd per cent of its income, he said.
The group is also looking at the possibility of listing some of its subsidiaries, but did not set a timeline for this to happen.
"I'm looking at the services sector. Over the last couple of years it's always been one of the major contributors to our income," Mohd Khamil said, adding that the sector accounted for over 40 per cent of its income last year.
Among its services companies are vehicle inspector Puspakom Sdn Bhd, solid waste manager Alam Flora Sdn Bhd, Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd and power-plant maintenance firm Rangkai Positif Sdn Bhd.
By Adeline Paul Raj
Its share price, which has averaged RM1.07 per day so far this year, closed at RM1.13 yesterday. The highest it has reached so far this year was RM1.25.
This is lower than the group's net asset value per share of about RM2.40 to RM2.50, according to group managing director Datuk Seri Mohd Khamil Jamil.
"I do understand the anxiety of the shareholders and the public ... the current share price does not reflect the actual value of the company, which is actually worth more," he told reporters after the AGM.
He said the group would be doing a lot more IR now, with activities such as road shows to meet potential investors.
"We have not been doing IR in a very aggressive manner and we have our reasons for that but now we're on a steady stream of revenue and income ... which warrants us to go out and talk to the public on the potential of investing in DRB-HICOM," he said.
Analysts said conglomerates like DRB-HICOM, whose businesses include vehicle-making, power, banking and property, tend to trade at a discount.
"They're too diversified in their businesses ... investors don't really know what they are," said one from a local brokerage firm. He believes this could be improved if the group takes steps to improve on its IR.
The outlook for the group looks promising, with Mohd Khamil saying it expects to turn in a record operating profit for the current financial year from last year's high of RM457 million.
Contribution from the automotive division will grow even as the group looks set to confirm an agreement within this year with Germany's Volkswagen AG to assemble VW cars at its plant in Pekan, Pahang.
Last year, the automotive segment accounted for 57 per cent of its revenue and about 30-odd per cent of its income, he said.
The group is also looking at the possibility of listing some of its subsidiaries, but did not set a timeline for this to happen.
"I'm looking at the services sector. Over the last couple of years it's always been one of the major contributors to our income," Mohd Khamil said, adding that the sector accounted for over 40 per cent of its income last year.
Among its services companies are vehicle inspector Puspakom Sdn Bhd, solid waste manager Alam Flora Sdn Bhd, Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd and power-plant maintenance firm Rangkai Positif Sdn Bhd.
By Adeline Paul Raj
Business Times
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