KSH Holdings has reported a net loss of $6.5 million for the 1HFY2025 ended September, up 48.6% y-o-y from a loss of $12.6 million in the same period last year. 

 

Loss per share stood at 1.17 cents, as compared to a loss per share of 2.23 cents in 1HFY2024. 

 

Meanwhile, the group&rsquo s revenue was down 64.3% y-o-y at $52.7 million for 1HFY2025, due to lower revenue from the KSH&rsquo s construction business, which registered a $95.8 million decrease to $50.0 million in the same period. This came on the back of the completion of various projects awarded just before or during the Covid-19 pandemic, while projects awarded and commenced post-pandemic period were still in the early stages of construction.

 

For the period, cost of construction saw a decrease of $104.3 million to $45.2 million, due to a reduction in construction works. That said, the group says the construction business has since turned around with a positive gross profit margin in 1HFY2025.

 

Finance costs decreased by $1.5 million to $2.6 million in 1HFY2025, mainly attributed to lower gearing while other operating expenses decreased by $0.3 million to $3.1 million due to a decline in unrealised foreign exchange losses.

 

As at Sept 30, the group&rsquo s fixed deposits, cash and bank balances, totalled over $120.7 million, while gearing ratio stood at 0.28 times. The group&rsquo s total loans and borrowings dropped to $85.3 million for 1HFY2025, from $133.6 million in the same period last year. 

 

KSH Holdings says the group will be proposing an interim cash dividend of 0.5 cents. 

Construction and property firm KSH Holdings has guided for a net loss for the 1HFY2025 ended September. 

 

Despite a turnaround in the group&rsquo s construction business, which saw a positive contribution margin, the group says the overall net loss for 1HFY2025 was mainly attributable to losses incurred by the property development projects of associates and joint ventures. 

 

This came on the back of pre-launch expenses, finance costs, sales and marketing expenses, and other operating costs that were recognised before revenue from units sold could be recognised in accordance with the adopted accounting standards, adds the group. 

 

The group plans to report 1HY2025 financial results on or around Nov 14. 

Construction and property development group KSH Holdings sank into the red in the FY2024 period ended Mar 31, with a net loss of $31.5 million, as compared to a net profit of $22.1 million in the same period last year. 

 

KSH says that share of results of associates and joint ventures incurred a loss of $5.3 million, and was mainly due to the absence of contribution from property development projects. 

 

The group reported a revenue of $214.1 million for the FY2024, a 28.2% y-o-y decrease, attributable to a decrease in revenue from its construction business. 

 

Rental income from investment properties decreased mainly due to the translation of contributions from the PRC at a weaker foreign exchange translation rate.

 

The increase in other income to $12.8 million in FY2024 from $11.7 million in FY2023 was attributed to an increase in interest income from fixed deposits and additional loans to associates, which were utilised to finance new projects.

 

The group&rsquo s decline in cost of construction from $278.1 million in FY2023 to $230.6 million in FY2024 was due to reduced construction works. Cost of construction for projects awarded just before or during the Covid-19 pandemic was exacerbated by the prolonged construction periods, labour shortages, and higher materials costs, overheads, utilities, logistics expenses, workers&rsquo dormitory expenses, equipment rentals, and subcontractor costs.

 

The group&rsquo s cash and bank balances came in at $134.6 million, and loans and bank borrowings decreased to $133.6 million for the full year. 

 

KSH has declared a final cash dividend of 0.5 cents per ordinary share, bringing the total dividend declared for FY2024 to 1 cents per share. 

 

AEM shares drop following new CEO appointment third C-suite change in a year

 

AEM Holdings shares dropped following news of a new CEO.

 

As at 9.10am, AEM shares were down 4.59% to $1.87, on relatively heavy volume.

 

Amy Leong, previously with Nasdaq-listed FormFactor, is taking over from Chandra Nair with effect from July.

 

Leong' s appointment follows " many months" of search.

 

In its note on May 31, DBS, which warns of some " near term volatility" of the share price, points out that this is the third change in the company' s C-suite. 

 

AEM had previously changed its CFO and COO - all within the past year.

 

" The change in CEO may not be well received by the market," says DBS, which has nonetheless maintained its " hold" call and $1.75 target price.