16/07/2026

BIZ & FINANCE THURSDAY | JULY 16, 2026

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Foodie Media exceeds FY25 performance by Q3 of FY26

Q2 GDP growth expected to moderate: Economist KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s second quarter (Q2 2026) gross domestic product (GDP) growth is expected to moderate to 4.8-5.0% from 5.4% in 1Q 2026, an economist said. IPP Financial Advisers (IPPFA) director of investment strategy and country economist Mohd Sedek Jantan said Malaysia’s domestic economy remains resilient, despite heightened geopolitical tensions in West Asia and renewed volatility in global energy prices. “We believe stronger domestic demand, resilient external trade and a supportive policy environment more than offset external headwinds, allowing economic activity to remain on a solid expansion path,” he said in a statement yesterday. Meanwhile, Mohd Sedek said that although manufacturing activity softened during parts of the quarter, business conditions improved progressively, with the manufacturing purchasing managers index (PMI) recovering from 49.9 in May to 50.5 in June, signalling a return to expansion. The economist said this suggests that manufacturers had successfully navigated supply chain disruptions and external uncertainties while continuing to benefit from the global artificial intelligence-driven technology upcycle and sustained demand for electrical and electronic exports. Domestic demand also remained as the principal engine of growth, with wholesale and retail trade at RM174 billion in April and RM171 billion in May – among the strongest readings since the observation period began in 2024. This reflects resilient household consumption despite elevated living costs, he added. “Macroeconomic fundamentals remained supportive throughout the quarter, with inflation staying well contained despite higher global crude oil prices, largely due to the government’s decision to maintain the RON95 petrol subsidy at RM1.99 per litre, limiting pass-through to transportation and consumer prices. “At the same time, Bank Negara Malaysia’s stable and predictable overnight policy rate continued to support credit growth, business investment and household spending without creating excessive inflationary pressures,” he said. Mohd Sedek said the Malaysian economy appears to be increasingly supported by stronger internal demand and policy stability. He said the combination of resilient consumption, improving investment sentiment, robust exports and contained inflation suggests that growth remained broad-based rather than concentrated in a single sector. “Consequently, we expect Malaysia’s economy to maintain a healthy momentum in 2Q 2026, reinforcing our confidence that the country remains on track to achieve our 2026 full-year GDP growth forecast of 4.6%. “Despite that, geopolitical developments and global trade conditions will continue to warrant close monitoring,” he said. Malaysia’s 2Q 2026 GDP advance estimates are scheduled to be released by the Department of Statistics Malaysia tomorrow. – Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: Foodie Media Bhd delivered another quarter of sustainable profitable growth, with its integrated Content, Creator, Commerce and Community (4C) ecosystem continuing to gain scale, broaden revenue opportunities anddeepen client engagement. For the third quarter ended May 31, 2026 (3QFY2026), the group recorded its highest quarterly revenue to date of RM13.9 million, a 5.5% quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) increase from RM13.2 million in the preceding quarter. Reported profit before tax rose 16.9% to RM5.3 million and reported profit after tax rose 21.6% to RM4.1 million, primarily reflecting significantly lower one-off IPO listing expenses recognised during the quarter. Excluding these non-recurring items, adjusted PBT and adjusted PAT both remained resilient, improving on the preceding quarter. For the first nine months of FY2026, Foodie Media delivered RM39.7 million in revenue, RM21.7 million in gross profit, RM14.9 million in PBT and RM11.2 million in PAT. Gross profit margin remained robust at 54.8%, while adjusted PAT margin stood at 30.1%, demonstrating the group’s ability to scale revenue while maintaining operating discipline and earnings quality. The group’s nine-month performance underscores the strength of its growth trajectory and the scalability of its integrated 4C platform. Revenue for 9MFY2026 reached RM39.7 million, surpassing the group’s full-year FY2025 revenue of RM37.1 million and representing approximately 107% of the previous year’s total. PBT amounted to RM14.9 million, exceeding FY2025 PBT of RM13.6 million and reaching approximately 110% of the prior full-year level. Reported PAT for 9MFY2026 stood at RM11.2 million, surpassing the group’s full-year FY2025 PAT of RM9.3 million and reaching approximately 120% of the previous year’s total. On an adjusted basis, excluding one-off IPO listing expenses, 9MFY2026 adjusted PAT of RM11.9 million has already matched the Group’s full-year FY2025 adjusted PAT of RM11.9 million, achieved in nine months rather than twelve. o Integrated 4C model delivers RM39.7 million revenue and RM11.2 million profit after tax

With one quarter of FY2026 still remaining, these achievements highlight the continued momentum of the group’s diversified growth strategy, the increasing adoption of its integrated ecosystem by clients and the growing scale of its 4C platform. Foodie Media has built scalable attention infrastructure: an owned portfolio of 45 brands with a combined following of over 50 million, monetised across four complementary pillars, being 4C. During the quarter, the Content pillar remained the group’s largest revenue contributor at RM8.0million, supported by sustained demand for sponsored content and branded storytelling solutions. The Creator pillar contributed RM3.4 million, reflecting continued demand for key opinion leader (KOL) marketing campaigns and creator-led brand activations. The Community pillar generated RM1.9 million, supported by event management and experiential marketing activities that help brands build stronger consumer engagement. Meanwhile, the Commerce pillar contributed RM0.6 million, reflecting ongoing efforts to strengthen affiliate commerce and account management services while laying the foundation for future expansion. Foodie Media ended the quarter with RM49.5 million in cash and short-term deposits, giving the group significant financial capacity to support future growth initiatives and strategic investments. Total borrowings stood at only RM1.1 million, comprising hire purchase and lease liabilities with no bank borrowings. This places the group in a net cash position of approximately RM48.4 million, reflecting disciplined capital management and a balance sheet well positioned to support long-term expansion. The group’s first interim dividend of 0.32 sen per share and special dividend of 0.21 sen per share, totalling approximately RM4.7 million, were paid on May 25, 2026. The group continues to execute its post-listing growth plans, with IPO proceeds being progressively deployed towards workforce expansion, investment in artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled software and equipment upgrades to strengthen future production capabilities. These investments are expected to enhance operational efficiency, expand service offerings and support the continued evolution of the group’s integrated 4C platform. The group intends to continue diversifying into new content verticals, industry segments and client categories while leveraging

Lim says the results demonstrate the growing relevance of Foodie Media’s integrated platform approach. technology and AI to enhance productivity and campaign performance. CEO Nicholas Lim said: “Our results demonstrate the growing relevance of Foodie Media’s integrated platform approach. A particularly encouraging milestone is that, after just nine months, we have already surpassed our full-year FY2025 revenue, PBT and PAT. “During the quarter we also paid our first interim and special dividends, rewarding shareholders as the group continues to deliver consistent and profitable growth. “This demonstrates the growing scale of our platform, the strength of client demand and the resilience of our diversified business model. “Backed by a strong balance sheet and supported by favourable industry trends, we remain focused on scaling the audience we own, investing in technology and talent, and deepening how we monetise that audience across the 4Cs, as we work towards becoming the attention infrastructure of Southeast Asia.” contract award, to date, in the group’s history. “Securing this contract amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainties and a challenging global economic environment reflect First Solar’s continued confidence in our product quality and ability to consistently meet its requirements.” He added that construction of their new manufacturing facility is currently underway and, upon completion, is expected to double their production capacity. “We are targeting the facility to be operational next year, placing us in a stronger position to meet growing customer demand,” said Lau, adding that in addition to their existing business, they are collaborating with a strong foreign strategic partner to venture into the system window and door segment, which offers enhanced soundproofing and thermal insulation performance.

P.A. Resources secures RM1.3 billion First Solar contract PETALING JAYA: P.A. Resources Berhad, an aluminium extruder company, via its wholly owned subsidiary, P.A. Extrusion (M) Sdn Bhd has renewed a supply agreement with First Solar Inc, First Solar Malaysia Sdn Bhd and First Solar Vietnam Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (collectively referred to as First Solar) for the supply of The group has obtained the necessary approvals from the authorities such as Development Order, and the construction of the new plant on newly acquired land is currently underway.

The plant is targeted to commence operations in second half of 2027 and is expected to more than double the group’s existing monthly production capacity from 3,500 tonnes to 8,500 tonnes. Group managing director Tan Sri Lau Kuan Kam said ( pic ): “We are elated to secure this contract, which represents our largest

aluminium extrusion profile used in the production of photovoltaic (PV) modules. This RM1.3 billion contract, approximately US$322.2 million, for a period of 18 months commencing from July 1,2026. The latest contract marks the fifth supply agreement secured from First Solar, reflecting the strong relationship and consistently meeting their stringent quality standards.