16/03/2026

BIZ & FINANCE MONDAY | MAR 16, 2026

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EcoWorld: RM2b sales in first 4 months of FY2026

Scientex posts higher Q2, six-month revenue and earnings

PETALING JAYA: Packaging manufacturer and property developer Scientex Bhd recorded a 9.1% increase in net profit to RM135.2 million for the second quarter ended Jan 31, 2026 (Q2’26) from RM123.9 million in the previous year’s corresponding quarter, driven by higher packaging sales volume and operational efficiency, as well as increased contributions from the property development division. The growth in the bottom line was bolstered by a 2.8% rise in group revenue to RM1.14 billion, up from RM1.11 billion a year ago. In the packaging division, operating profit grew 16.3% to RM49 million from RM42.1 million a year ago, attributed to improved sales volume, enhanced operational effi ciency, and optimised cost structures. Segment revenue remained resilient at RM622.2 million compared to RM630.7 million previously, with the marginal decrease mainly due to the depreciation of the US dollar against the ringgit. The property division saw revenue increase 8.3% to RM513.6 million from RM474.4 million previously, while operating profit rose 7.9% to RM143.6 million from RM133.1 million a year ago, supported by steady revenue recognition from ongoing projects and encouraging sales from new launches. The maiden phase of the Scientex Jawi township (Penang) is nearing full take-up, while the newly launched Scientex Pulai 4 township (Johor) garnered a positive market response. CEO Lim Peng Jin said, “Amid an increasingly volatile and challenging operating environ ment, including geopolitical uncertainties that impact supply chains and energy prices, we are working closely with our customers to navigate these

challenges. At the same time, we are driving innovation and investing in our packaging capabilities, including strategic additions such as our second Nano 67-layer cast line and new machinery across multiple plants. These initiatives support our ongoing efforts to optimise cost structures and enhance operational efficiency as we navigate evolving market con ditions.” Meanwhile, the property division remains steadfast in maintaining steady construc tion momentum to meet the resilient demand for affordable housing, supported by a stable financing environment that continues to support home ownership. “We have completed over 44,000 homes to date, ap proaching 90% of our Vision 2028 target, and remain firmly on track to deliver 50,000 affordable homes nationwide,” Lim said. For the six-month period ended Jan 31, 2026 (H1’26), the group recorded 3.5% higher revenue of RM2.29 billion, compared to RM2.21 billion previously. Net profit rose 10.1% to RM278.1 million in 1H26, from RM252.6 million in the previous year’s corresponding period. Packaging revenue in H1’26 was stable at RM1.26 billion, while operating profit jumped 32.3% to RM96.7 million from RM73.1 million previously on enhanced efficiency and favourable sales mix. Property revenue for the six months reached RM1.04 billion, while operating profit rose 7.6% to RM300.3 million compared to RM279 million previously. Moving forward, the division will continue to roll out new phases in line with market demand across its presence in the Northern, Central and Southern regions, with RM890 million in gross development value already launched in H1’26. active with 12.9 million units traded, followed by 9.1 million units from the call warrant GLDHK-C10. Notably, both warrants are the longest-dated GLDHK warrants listed on Bursa Malaysia, expiring on Oct 5, 2026, meaning they have about seven months remaining to expiry. To view the full list of structured warrants available on Bursa Malaysia, visit malaysiawarrants.com.my. Provided for Malaysian residents’ information only. This commentary has not been reviewed by the Securities Commission Malaysia. It is not an offer or recommendation to trade and is not research material. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. You should make your own assessment and seek professional advice. The warrants will not be offered to any US persons.

o Group reports strong performance in Q1, declares interim dividend of 2 sen per share

PETALING World Development Group Bhd (EcoWorld) achieved RM2.06 billion sales in the first four months of Financial Year 2026 (FY2026), making up 52% of the sales target for the financial year. Projects in the Central region (Klang Valley and Negeri Sembilan) contributed RM1.14 billion or 55% of the group’s total sales, followed by 39% from the Southern region (Johor) and 6% from the Northern region (Penang). Revenue and gross profit for first quarter 2026 (Q1’26) – Nov 1 2025 to Jan 31 2026 – increased by 151% and 126%, respectively, compared to Q1’25, boosted by the completion of industrial land sales. Profit after tax (PAT) was RM165.6 million, 106% higher than that posted in Q1’25. EcoWorld’s future revenue increased to RM5.11 billion as at Feb 28, 2026, strengthening the group’s earnings prospects and cashflow visibility in the near and mid-term. Gross and net gearing ratios as at Jan 31, 2026 were 0.63 and 0.17 times respectively, supported by cash balances (including deposits and short-term funds) of RM2.9 billion, an all-time high for EcoWorld. In view of the group’s strong performance, the board of directors declared a first interim dividend of 2 sen per share in Q1’26, double the amount declared in Q1’25 of 1 sen per share. President and CEO Datuk Chang Khim Wah ( pic ) said EcoWorld kicked off FY2026 strongly with RM2.06 billion sales recorded up to Feb 28, 2026, representing 52% of the group’s full year sales target of RM4 billion. “This marks our highest-ever sales performance in just four months, exceeding the RM1.93 billion JAYA: Eco THE FBM KLCI ended lower on Friday, slipping below the key 1,700-point psychological level as geopolitical headlines continued to drive market sentiment. The local benchmark index declined 0.71% to close at 1,698.85, down from the previous session’s close of 1,711.01. Regional markets also retreated, with Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index (HSI) falling 1% to 25,465.60 and Japan’s Nikkei 225 dropping 1.2% to 53,819.61. On the commodities front, oil prices surged amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, with Brent crude jumping 9.2% to close at US$100.46 per barrel on Thursday, marking the first time the Brent has closed above US$100 since August 2022 (CNBC, March 12). In the warrants market, total turnover surged 6.6% week-on week (w-o-w) to RM587.4 million. Warrants WARRANTS WATCH

recorded in the same period of FY2025. Notably, the sales were achieved without any large-tract industrial lands sold in the current year, unlike the first four months of 2025 which had included RM960 million from sales of industrial lands to Microsoft Payments (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd and Pearl Computing Malaysia Sdn Bhd. “RM1.14 billion or 55% of total sales were contributed by our projects in the Central region, which covers Klang Valley and Negeri Sembilan, 39% came from the Southern region (Iskandar Malaysia) and 6% from the Northern region (Penang),” he added. Chang said the sales outper formance is a testament to the increasing breadth and depth of market penetration achieved by all their revenue pillars, which have enabled them to comprehensively serve buyers across every market segment. “Our sizeable end-user and repeat customer following also contributed to the results achieved. This key competitive advantage was gained through years of ongoing value creation, community building and intentional placemaking, which thoughtfully considered the specific lifestyle needs, aspirations and business requirements of our customer base at each individual project. “The group’s residential homes contributed RM1.02 billion up to Feb 28, 2026, 51% higher than that recorded in the same period of FY2025. Eco Townships led the way with RM812 million sales, of which 89% was contributed by upgrader homes priced above RM650,000. Hi.Jau West @ Eco Botanic 3, our new township launched in 4Q 2025 in

Iskandar Malaysia, was the largest contributor, with strong take-ups for its 1st and 2nd precincts comprising two-storey garden terraces. These landed homes which are designed to serve young families and upgraders perfectly complement our upcoming launches of Chateau II luxury bungalows in Eco Botanic and Sa.Young 3 duduk apartments in Eco Botanic 2.” Chang said the Eco Rise pillar contributed RM206 million sales, 64% of which came from their duduk apartments – this includes the recently launched 10th duduk parcel, Terra @ Eco Ardence in the Klang Valley. Meanwhile, EcoWorld’s higher priced serviced apartments, namely SWNK Houze @ BBCC and se.ruma @ Eco Sanctuary, also recorded steady increases in take-up rates in the first four months of FY2026. The company’s commercial seg ment saw a 12% sales increase vs the same period of FY2025, with RM298 million recorded by the Eco Hubs pillar, representing 15% of the group’s year-to-date sales.

Oil surge powers market while FBM KLCI slips below 1,700

over Malaysian oil-related counters were among the most actively traded for the week, riding the wave of rising global crude oil prices, with issues over Hibiscus Petroleum (HIBISCS) and Petronas Chemicals among the top traded warrants last week. HIBISCS-C83 continued to emerge as the top traded warrant over Malaysian single stocks, with 120.6 million units changing hands and its bid price soaring over 64% in a single week. On the foreign front, the HSI fell 0.98% to 25,465.60 on Friday, extending losses for a third consecutive session and recording another weekly decline. Both call and put warrants over the HSI attracted strong investor interest, with HSI CWOS and HSI-PWNU recording turnover of RM51.3 million and RM33.6 million, respectively. Similarly, the Nikkei closed 3.3% lower w-o-w

Top GLDHK warrants by volume traded Warrant Volume Issuer Exercise

Expiry date

name

(mil) 12.9

level 3,300 4,300 1,888 2,688 3,388

GLDHK-H5 GLDHK-C10 GLDHK-C7 GLDHK-H4 GLDHK-C9

Macquarie Macquarie Maybank Macquarie Macquarie

5 Oct 2026 5 Oct 2026 30 Jun 2026 30 Jun 2026 30 Jun 2026

9.1 5.6 1.4 0.3

but remained well above its 200-day Simple Moving Average of 46,840.54, indicating persistent short- to medium-term bearish momentum against a still-bullish long-term backdrop (Tradersunion, March 14). The put warrant NIKKEI-HV and call warrant NIKKEI-CW saw active trading with 2.9 million and 4 million units changing hands, respectively. It is important to note that warrants over the Nikkei currently track the SGX

Nikkei June 2026 futures contracts. Meanwhile, gold prices failed to rally despite the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, with prices easing slightly from US$5,128.50 to US$5,103.80 per troy ounce on a w-o w basis, while the SPDR Gold Trust (GLDHK) fell 0.9% w-o-w. Notwithstanding the pause in gold’s bull run, GLDHK warrants continued to see active trading, with the put warrant GLDHK-H5 being the most