20/08/2026

THURSDAY | AUG 20, 2026

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BIZ & FINANCE

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BIZ & FINANCE

GTA Holdings ready for take-off with ACE Market IPO o Listing to strengthen aviation support capabilities and support expansion into new service areas

Dutch Lady Malaysia posts 63.2% profit growth in Q2 2026 PETALING JAYA: Dutch Lady Milk Industries Berhad (Dutch Lady Malaysia) delivered a strong performance for the second quarter ended June 30, 2026, recording revenue growth of 2.9% to RM386.6 million and Profit After Tax (PAT) increasing 63.2% to RM38.2 million. While revenue moderated by 2.8% against the preceding quarter following exceptionally strong festive-driven demand and support from the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) programme in Q1 2026, operating profit increased 23.4% to RM52.1 million and PAT rose 27.4% to RM38.2 million. Managing director, Veronika Utami said: “This quarter’s performance reflects the strength of our core portfolio, the positive contribution of our recent product launches and the benefits of the operational transformation journey we have undertaken over the past few years. “Growth in our liquid milk range and out-of home channel together with the encouraging response to Dutch Lady Omega 3*6 and Dutch Lady Tealive supported revenue, while improved productivity and cost discipline strengthened profitability. “We continue to see consumers place increasing importance on both, value and nutrition in their purchasing decisions. “In the second half, we will remain focused on strengthening our brands, scaling relevant nutrition-led innovations and using our enhanced manufacturing and distribution capabilities to deliver trusted, accessible dairy nutrition while creating sustainable long-term value.” For the first six months of 2026, Dutch Lady Malaysia recorded revenue of RM784.4 million, representing growth of 4.7% compared to the corresponding period last year. Operating profit increased 37.3% to RM94.4 million, while PAT rose 40.7% to RM68.1 million compared to the corresponding period last year. While Dutch Lady Malaysia continued to strengthen its portfolio through targeted innovations and brand investments designed to meet changing consumer preferences, the company also benefited from the successful transition to its IR4.0-enabled manufacturing facility and integrated Distribution Centre in Bandar Enstek. KPJ Healthcare sees growing demand for specialist care KUALA LUMPUR: KPJ Healthcare Bhd, Malaysia’s largest private hospital network and the country’s first private Academic Health System, reported a 27% year-on-year rise in second quarter net profit (Patami) to RM104 million, on revenue that grew 17% to RM1.197 billion for the three months ended June 30, 2026. Growth was driven by record patient activity and a shift toward more complex, higher-acuity care – surgeries rose 12%, inpatient admissions 10%, and average revenue per patient increased 7% across both inpatient and outpatient settings. For the first six months of FY2026, the Group recorded revenue of RM2.247 billion (H1 FY2025: RM1.991 billion) and Patami of RM174 million (H1 FY2025: RM139 million). Patami margin improved to 9% on stronger case mix and operating leverage. Ebitda margin of 23% was approximately one percentage point lower year-on-year, mainly reflecting higher operating costs as activity increased, particularly technology-related costs to enhance patient experience, improve service delivery and support more efficient hospital operations, partially offset by continued cost discipline. The Board declared an interim dividend of 1.10 sen per share in respect of FY2026, amounting to RM48.7 million, payable on Oct 9, 2026 to shareholders registered as at Sept 18, 2026.

KUALA LUMPUR: GTA Holdings Bhd, an investment holding company whose subsidiary is principally involved in the provision of aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) related services specialising in helicopter and fixed-wing engines, their parts and components, yesterday launched its prospectus for the upcoming initial public offering (IPO) on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Bhd. The proposed IPO comprises 329 million shares, made up of 205 million new shares and 124 million existing shares, in conjunction with the listing of GTA on the ACE Market. The IPO aims to raise RM71.75 million through the issuance of 205 million new shares at an IPO price of RM0.35 per share. The gross proceeds from the public issue will accrue entirely to the company, while the offer for sale of 124.0 million existing shares will accrue entirely to the selling shareholders. The proceeds from the IPO will be allocated as – RM25 million to partially repay bank financing for the establishment of a new operating facility. The total estimated cost of the new operating facility is RM38.93 million, comprising RM32.93 million for the purchase of the property and RM6 million for civil and structural works, mechanical and electrical works, furniture and fit-out works; RM10 million to support GTA’s planned expansion of helicopter MRO activities in the Middle East through potential joint venture opportunities, subject to market conditions and regulatory requirements; RM5.90 million to support GTA’s expansion into the MRO of landing gear, wheels and brakes for fixed-wing aircraft, as part of its strategy to broaden recurring income streams and service offerings; RM24.15 million for general working capital requirements, including day-to-day operational needs and RM6.70 million to defray listing expenses. Managing director and CEO Datuk Nonee Ashirin Mohd Radzi said: “The launch of our prospectus marks an important milestone in GTA’s evolution and reflects the progress we have made in building a specialised aviation support business with strong technical capabilities and industry relationships.” With the proceeds raised, she added they intend to establish a new operating facility, pursue selected expansion opportunities in the Middle East, and broaden their MRO offerings into adjacent service areas such as landing gear, wheels and brakes. “These initiatives are aligned with our long-term objective of strengthening GTA’s

Nonee Ashirin (left) and Lee at the prospectus launch.

capabilities in proactive maintenance support packages, corrective maintenance works and the sale of aviation equipment. The company’s growth over the years reflects the increasing sophistication of Malaysia’s aviation support ecosystem and the growing importance of local capability development within the aerospace sector Looking ahead, the company intends to strengthen its next phase of growth through the establishment of a new operating facility, the expansion of helicopter MRO activities into the Middle East and the expansion into the MRO of landing gear, wheels and brakes. Financially, GTA recorded revenue of RM331.78 million in FYE 2025,representing an increase of 40.20% from RM236.65 million in FYE 2024, driven mainly by higher sales of aviation equipment and stronger corrective maintenance activity. Hong Leong Investment Bank is the principal adviser, sponsor, sole underwriter and sole placement agent for the IPO.

position within the aviation maintenance and support ecosystem while continuing to serve our customers with quality, reliability and technical expertise. “At the same time, we remain committed to supporting the growth of Malaysia’s aviation and aerospace industry through capability development, talent enhancement and closer collaboration with industry stakeholders,” Hong Leong Investment Bank group managing director/CEO Lee Jim Leng said: “GTA has clearly proven itself in the specialised segment of Malaysia’s aviation support industry, with established technical capabilities, customer relationships and a clear strategy for future expansion. “We believe the launch of its prospectus marks an important step towards its ACE Market listing and provides investors with exposure to a niche player within the aerospace services value chain.” GTA has expanded from a specialised aviation support business into a broader platform with In line with the group’s performance, the Board declared a second interim dividend of 1.10 sen per share for FY2026, reaffirming JPG’s commitment to delivering sustainable returns to shareholders. JPG further widened its external certified crop-sourcing network through the Smallholder Inclusion Programme (SIP), which now brings together 390 RSPO-certified smallholders. The programme supports crop availability while advancing JPG’s long-term sustainable sourcing and social inclusion objectives, enabling greater participation by independent smallholders in the sustainable palm oil supply chain. It also enhances sourcing flexibility and mill utilisation, reinforcing JPG’s broader ecosystem approach to value creation. The group continues to focus on enhancing its upstream fundamentals through accelerated replanting, deployment of superior planting

JPG revenue rises as integrated growth strategy advances JOHOR BAHRU: Johor Plantations Group Bhd (JPG) recorded revenue of RM415.8 million for the second quarter ended June 30, 2026 (2QFY2026), representing a 16.6% increase from the preceding quarter. year, while Profit After Tax (PAT) stood at RM101.6 million. materials and ongoing estate improvement initiatives. These efforts are aimed at enhancing long-term crop resilience and supporting sustainable productivity growth over time.

The improvement was supported by higher fresh fruit bunch (FFB) processing volumes and increased external crop contribution. Internal FFB production rose by 5.2% quarter on-quarter, while external FFB intake increased by 28.4% as the group optimised its available milling capacity following the seasonally softer first quarter. Total FFB processed was consequently 13% higher. The group also benefited from favourable commodity prices, with average selling prices for crude palm oil (CPO) and palm kernel (PK) rising by 9% and 10.1% quarter-on-quarter, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2026 (1HFY2026), the group recorded revenue of RM772.5 million, representing growth of 4.6% compared with the corresponding period last

“While crop production remains influenced by biological and seasonal factors, we continue to strengthen the foundations of the business through disciplined estate management, accelerated replanting, expansion of our external crop ecosystem and the ongoing development of Integrated Sustainable Palm Oil Complex (iSPOC). These initiatives reinforce our integrated value chain strategy and position JPG for sustainable long-term value creation,” said JPG managing director Mohd Faris Adli Shukery. Phase 1 of iSPOC entered the commissioning phase in 3Q2026 and remains on track for commercial operations by year-end, marking an important milestone in JPG’s downstream expansion and integrated growth strategy.