KPJ 3Q net profit up 12.8% on-year

KPJ Healthcare Bhd’s net profit for its 3QFY10 ended Sept 30 rose 12.8% to RM30.22 million from RM26.80 million a year ago in line with the increase in revenue from its hospitals.

In a filing with Bursa Malaysia Securities yesterday, the group’s revenue in 3Q climbed 20.8% to RM436.48 million from RM361.48 million previously, while posting basic earnings per share of 5.65 sen for the quarter under review.

KPJ’s board of directors yesterday declared a third interim gross dividend of 3.5 sen per share less tax which amounted to RM14.65 million. The group’s net assets per share stood at RM1.34 as at Sept 30. Its directors had on Sept 1 declared a second interim gross dividend of 3.25 sen per share less tax which was fully paid on Oct 14.

For the nine months ended Sept 30, KPJ’s net profit grew 17.8% to RM86.63 million from RM73.52 million in the same period last year on the back of a stronger revenue of RM1.22 billion versus RM1.07 billion.

On its prospects, KPJ said with an improving economy, it was confident the group’s financial performance for FY10 ending Dec 31 would be better.Shares of the group yesterday added seven sen to close at RM3.78 with 492,600 shares traded. The counter has increased 45.16% year-to-date.

KPJ’s largest shareholder as at April 1 is Johor Corp.

This article appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, December 1, 2010.