13/11/2026

FRIDAY | NOV 13, 2026

15

BIZ & FINANCE

Betamek posts higher revenue, pre-tax profit for first-half FY27

Empire Premium Food delivers improved profit margin KUALA LUMPUR: Empire Premium Food Bhd, the owner operator behind the Empire Sushi brand, Malaysia’s largest sushi chain operator, recorded revenue of RM85.2 million for second quarter ended Sept 30, 2026 (Q2’27), while profit after tax (PAT) increased 26.2% quarter on-quarter (Q-o-Q) to RM13.7 million. Excluding one-off listing expenses in both quarters, adjusted PAT grew 10.4% to RM13.8 million with adjusted net profit margin improving to 16.2% from 14.8%. Gross profit margin improved to 42%, driven by better control of raw material purchases and direct staff costs. For the six months ended Sept 30, 2026 (1H’27), the group’s revenue rose 25.1% year-on-year to RM169.9 million in 1H’26, while PAT increased 19.5% to RM24.5 million from RM20.5 million. Excluding one-off listing expenses, adjusted PAT for 1H’27 stood at RM26.3 million. The group ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of RM235.8 million with no borrowings, providing a strong financial position to support its ongoing expansion and operations. The board has declared a first interim single-tier dividend of 0.67 sen per share, amounting to RM7.4 million payable on Dec 8, 2026 to shareholders. Five new outlets opened during the quarter and expanded its network to 156 outlets, comprising 138 grab and-go and 18 quick dine-in outlets. With its growing network and established market presence, Empire is targeting approximately 165 outlets by March 31, 2027. The group will also focus on strengthening its presence in Sabah and Sarawak while evaluating locations with strong customer traffic and tourism potential. CEO Nicole Lim said as they expand their network, their priority is not merely to increase the number of outlets, but to maximise the earnings potential of each location.

remains challenging amid cautious consumer sentiment, the group said it is encouraged by the cost management actions taken to date and the substantial progress in inventory normalisation. Guided by its EverGreen 2030 strategy, the group said it will continue to focus on disciplined commercial execution, drive productivity and strengthen its operational foundations to support sustainable long-term growth. The group remains concerned about the continuing impact of the excise duty increase introduced under Budget 2026, which has compounded affordability pressures amid already weak consumer sentiment. Against this backdrop, the group hopes that the government will avoid further policy measures that could increase business costs and risk further dampening consumer demand, with potential implications for the industry and government revenue. and Chinese renminbi against the ringgit. Correspondingly, PBT margin stood at 11.4%, compared with 14.05% in the preceding quarter. In line with its commitment to delivering shareholder value, the board has declared a second interim single-tier dividend of 1.25 sen per ordinary share in respect of FY27, payable on Dec 7, 2026 to shareholders whose names appear in the Record of Depositors on Nov 26, 2026. Together with the first interim dividend of 1.25 sen per ordinary share paid in August 2026, the group has declared cumulative dividends of 2.5 sen per ordinary share for FY27 to date. Looking ahead, Betamek said it remains optimistic about its prospects, supported by continued automotive demand, increasing electronics content in vehicles and opportunities arising from the government’s focus on greater local content.

remain disciplined in strengthening the business for the long term. As inventory normalisation nears completion, our focus is on sharpening commercial execution and driving greater operational efficiency. Guided by EverGreen 2030, we will continue investing behind our brands and capabilities while staying agile and responsive to evolving market conditions.” The board of directors does not recommend any dividend in respect of the quarter ended Sept 30, 2026. On the outlook, the inventory normalisation process is substantially completed and is expected to be concluded by the fourth quarter of 2026. As inventory levels normalise across the trade, the group expects demand patterns and business performance to progressively stabilise. Nevertheless, the group remains cautious given the prevailing economic and market uncertainties. While the operating environment increase of 12.4% from RM72.48 million in the corresponding quarter last year, mainly attributable to higher export sales. PBT stood at RM9.29 million, compared with RM12.5 million previously, primarily due to a lower gross profit margin and higher other operating expenses, including net foreign exchange losses. Compared with the immediate preceding quarter, revenue increased by 2.1% from RM79.82 million, driven by higher sales of vehicle audio and video products, vehicle accessories and non-automotive products, largely offset by lower sales of connectivity modules. Gross profit margin declined to 16.7% from 20.44%, mainly due to a change in product mix, including a lower contribution from higher margin connectivity modules, as well as higher material costs arising from the strengthening of the US dollar

o Company attributes improved results to higher export and local sales, declares 1.25 sen dividend

KUALA LUMPUR: Betamek Bhd, an original design manufacturer (ODM) and a player in electronics manu facturing services (EMS) for the automotive and industrial sector, recorded revenue of RM161.31 million for the six months ended Sept 30, 2026 (H1’27), representing an increase of 24.7% from RM129.35 million in the corresponding period last year. The increase was mainly attributable to higher export and local sales, which rose by RM22.46 million and RM9.49 million, respectively. For H1’27, profit before tax (PBT) increased by 4.3% to RM20.5 million

from RM19.66 million, while gross profit rose by 11.1% to RM29.93 million from RM26.94 million. Profit after tax stood at RM15.3 million, compared with RM15.78 million in the corresponding period last year. Vehicle audio and video products remained the group’s largest revenue contributor at RM94.94 million, followed by vehicle accessories at RM51.37 million, connectivity modules at RM7.12 million and non-automotive products at RM7.88 million. For the second quarter ended Sept 30, 2026 (Q2’27), the group recorded revenue of RM81.49 million, an

Heineken Malaysia feels impact of lower sales volume PETALING JAYA: Heineken Malaysia Bhd revenue was RM539.1 million, an 18% decrease for the third quarter ended Sept 30, 2026 (Q3’26), compared with the same period last year.

The performance reflected lower sales volume mainly from subdued consumer sentiment, the impact of the additional 10% excise duty effected on Nov 1, 2025, and the ongoing inventory normalisation in distributors and outlets network which has largely completed in Q3’26. Profit before tax and net profit were RM91.2 million and RM69.2 million respectively, both 39% lower year-on-year. Lower operating expenses partially offset the impact of the reduced revenue base. For the nine months ended Sept 30, 2026, group revenue amounted to RM1.64 billion, 16% lower year-on-year, primarily due to lower sales volume. Profit before tax and net profit stood at RM295.4 million and RM224.2 million respectively, both 30% below the

corresponding period in 2025. Commenting on the results, managing director Martijn van Keulen said, “We Keulen says group remains focused on improving operational efficiency and strengthening its market position.

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