Latest news with #RM7.4bil
The Star
08-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Possibility of exemptions in US chip restriction rules
PETALING JAYA: RHB Research is maintaining its 'overweight' call on the construction sector despite US President Donald Trump's proposed plans to restrict shipments of artificial intelligence (AI) chips to Malaysia and Thailand, which could affect the construction of data centres. In a report to clients, the research house said, citing media reports, that one provision under the draft rule would allow firms headquartered in the United States and a few dozen friendly nations to continue shipping AI chips to both countries without seeking a licence for a few months after the rule is published. Gamuda Bhd , Sunway Construction Group Bhd and Binastra Corp Bhd are the research house's top stock picks in the constructions sector. RHB Research said despite the plans to restrict shipments, licence requirements would still include certain exemptions to prevent supply-chain disruptions. Therefore, US-based tech giants such as Google, Microsoft, Oracle, EdgeConneX and Amazon Web Services may continue their planned investments in Malaysia, which entail setting up data centres, the research house added. 'We also do not discount the possibility of some form of validated end user (VEU) status, similar to former US president Joe Biden's AI diffusion regulations, to be obtained by US tech giants and allies that enables them to ship AI chips more freely to countries like Malaysia, given their massive planned investments in the country. 'However, VEU status holders may also then be subject to stringent security requirements, such as supply chain security including personnel checking and transit security,' the research house said. It added that these 'friendly nations' may be countries previously listed under Tier 1 of the US AI diffusion rule put in place by the previous US administration. Some of the countries include Britain, the Netherlands, Australia and Japan. Key non-US data centre players currently expanding in Malaysia include Yondr, Vantage, AirTrunk and NextDC. It said there were some data centre tenders with outcomes expected to be known only over the July to September period. 'The tenders are related to the second phase of the Elmina Business Park, and Eco Business Park V at Puncak Alam. Based on our estimates, there could be a potential construction value worth RM7.4bil from the five data centre tenders, RHB Research said. It noted that key downside risks to its sector call include an unexpected slowdown in data centre builds in Malaysia from US-based developers.
The Star
29-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Genting's 1Q25 revenue drops to RM6.5bil
The company said it will also include new ecotourism experiences at Genting Highlands. PETALING JAYA: Genting Bhd will introduce new facilities and attractions in an attempt to enhance Resorts World Genting's (RWG) stature as a regional tourism hub. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, the company that mainly operates in the resorts industry said it will also include new ecotourism experiences at Genting Highlands. 'We will continue to place emphasis on driving key business segments by improving yield management systems, operational efficiencies and service delivery, while adopting prudent cost management and an agile approach to navigate the increasingly challenging operating environment,' it said. For the first quarter of this year (1Q25) Genting's revenue dropped to RM6.5bil from RM7.4bil in the previous corresponding period, while net profit fell to RM4.5mil from RM588.87mil a year earlier. The decrease was due to its leisure and hospitality segment, as well as the strengthening of the ringgit against the Singapore dollar, US dollar and British pound. Within Malaysia, RWG contributed lower revenue in the quarter under review on the back of the timing of the festive season this year and lower business volumes in the premium-players segment. In Singapore, Resorts World Sentosa registered lower revenue due to a lower VIP rolling win rate and the temporary closure of Hard Rock Hotel for renovations and rebranding work. As for its plantation segment, revenue and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation were higher for the quarter mainly attributable to higher palm product prices and improved sales volume for the downstream manufacturing segment. 'Palm oil prices have since eased, driven by the seasonal recovery in production and the expected buildup in palm oil stocks,' the group noted. Moving forward, the group said it will continue to be cautiously optimistic about the near-term prospects of the leisure and hospitality industry and remains positive in the longer-term. As for its UK market, the recent acquisition of Aspers Stratford in London is expected to strengthen its foothold in the city's casino market. In the United States, it will solidify its position as a market leader in the increasingly competitive New York State gaming sector. Additionally, in the Bahamas, it will drive visitation at RW Bimini by expanding its cruise strategy, which includes increasing port calls from international operators and intensifying marketing and promotional efforts. Meanwhile, the group's subsidiary Genting Malaysia Bhd (GenM) similarly saw a decrease in its revenue for 1Q25 at RM2.6bil compared to RM2.76bil in the same quarter last year. The group said revenue from Malaysia, the United Kingdom, Egypt, the United States and Bahamas's leisure and hospitality business saw a lower topline for the quarter under review. In Malaysia, a 7% decline in revenue was recorded, reflecting an industry trend that is observed in similar markets in the immediate region, particularly in the premium players segment. Its net profit however was higher at RM72.58mil compared to RM57.78mil recorded in the same quarter last year. 'The US dollar denominated borrowings gave rise to a net unrealised foreign exchange translation gain of RM50.4mil in 1Q25 compared with net unrealised foreign exchange translation losses of RM130mil in 1Q24,' it said.
The Star
29-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Genting to introduce new facilities and attractions at Resorts World Genting
PETALING JAYA: Genting Bhd will introduce new facilities and attractions in an attempt to enhance Resorts World Genting's (RWG) stature as a regional tourism hub. In a filing to Bursa Malaysia, the company that mainly operates in the resorts industry said it will also include new ecotourism experiences at Genting Highlands. 'We will continue to place emphasis on driving key business segments by improving yield management systems, operational efficiencies and service delivery, while adopting prudent cost management and an agile approach to navigate the increasingly challenging operating environment,' it said. For the first quarter ended March 31, 2025 (1Q2025) Genting's revenue dropped to RM6.5bil from RM7.4bil in the previous corresponding period, while net profit fell to RM4.5mil from RM588.87mil a year earlier. The decrease was due to its leisure and hospitality segment, as well as the strengthening of the ringgit against the Singapore dollar, US dollar and British pounds. Within Malaysia, its RWG contributed lower revenue in the quarter under review on the back of timing of the festive season and lower business volumes in the premium players segment. In Singapore, Resorts World Sentosa registered a lower revenue due to a lower VIP rolling win rate and the temporary closure of Hard Rock Hotel for renovations and rebranding works. As for its plantation segment, revenue and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation were higher for this quarter mainly attributable to higher palm product prices and improved sales volume at the downstream manufacturing segment. 'Palm oil prices have since eased, driven by the seasonal recovery in production and the expected buildup in palm oil stocks,' the group noted. Moving forward, the group said it will continue to be cautiously optimistic of the near-term prospects of the leisure and hospitality industry and remains positive in the longer-term. As for its UK market, the recent acquisition of Aspers Stratford in London is expected to strengthen its foothold in the city's casino market. For the US, it will solidify its position as a market leader in the increasingly competitive New York State gaming sector. Additionally, in the Bahamas, it will drive visitation at RW Bimini by expanding its cruise strategy, which includes increasing port calls from international operators and intensifying marketing and promotional efforts. Meanwhile, the group's subsidiary Genting Malaysia Bhd (GENM) similarly saw a decrease in its revenue for 1Q2025 at RM2.6bil compared to RM2.76bil in the same quarter last year. The group said revenue from Malaysia, UK, Egypt, US and Bahamas's leisure and hospitality business saw a lesser topline for the quarter under review. In Malaysia, a 7% decline in revenue was recorded, reflecting an industry trend that is observed in similar markets in the immediate region, particularly in the premium players segment. Its net profit however was higher at RM72.58mil compared to RM57.78mil recorded in the same quarter last year. 'The US dollar denominated borrowings gave rise to a net unrealised foreign exchange translation gain of RM50.4mil in 1Q2025 compared with net unrealised foreign exchange translation losses of RM130mil in 1Q2024,' it said. Moving forward, GENM said recovery is anticipated to be uneven across regions, causing the regional gaming market to face some challenges.
