KUCHING, Feb 26: Cahya Mata Sarawak Berhad (CMS) reported a 22 per cent increase in profits after tax and non-controlling interests (PATNCI) for the year 2020 of RM194.71 million, compared to RM159.46 million in 2019.
CMS, in announcing its fourth quarter financial results for the fourth quarter of 2020 (4Q2020), however shared that the Group registered a slight decline in revenue by 9 per cent to RM206.72 million compared to RM226.10 million in 3Q2020 (restated).
PATNCI for the quarter was RM114.01 million which was an increase of 2418 per cent compared to 4Q2019, mainly attributable to a remeasurement gain from the disposals of interests in SEDC Resources Sdn Bhd (SEDCR) and PPES Works (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd (PPESW).
Back in October 2020, CMS had completed the 2 per cent equity sale in SEDCR and PPESW for a total cash consideration of RM17.50 million to Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), hence the revenue contribution has been deconsolidated since October 2020.
Commenting on the 2020 performance, CMS Group managing director Dato Isaac Lugun pointed out that the impact of the unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic on its financial performance for 2020 was significant.
“It was, however, cushioned by two factors. Firstly, our strong cash position and low gearing – a discipline that we will maintain as we continue to navigate the ongoing challenges of the pandemic.
“Secondly, our diverse business portfolios have a positive counterbalancing impact where the poor performance of our cement, construction and property businesses were, to an extent, counter-balanced by the good performance of our associate companies,” he said in a statement yesterday (Feb 25).
With the core PATNCI for the Group was RM99.73 million for year 2020, he explained that there was however a remeasurement gain and gain on disposals totalling RM162.95 million from the sell-down of 2 per cent stake in PPESW and SEDCR to SEDC.
“In keeping with prudent practice, we had provided for impairments in relation to property, plant, equipment and trade receivables across our businesses particularly in our Property Development and Phosphate Divisions.
“This has resulted in a strong PATNCI of RM194.71 million reported for FY2020 for the Group,” he added.
Taking a look at its achievements in 2020, CMS reported that the Cement Division’s revenue declined by 21 per cent to RM476.03 million as compared to RM601.62 million for year 2019.
Consequently, the Division’s PBT dropped by 34 per cent to RM48.44 million compared to RM73.11 million in the same period of previous year.
The softer performance was mainly due to lower contribution from both cement and concrete business as a result of fewer operational days throughout last year.
CMS highlighted that the Division implemented various measures which resulted in improved operational efficiency from lower repair and maintenance cost, discharging cost as well as lower costs associated with imported clinker.
Furthermore, it assured that this Division was well positioned to capitalise on opportunities in the potential spike of major infrastructure projects in the State.
Following its Construction Materials & Trading Division completion disposal of two per cent of SEDCR to SEDC, CMS now held a 49 per cent joint venture (JV) stake in SEDCR and will continue to manage SEDCR’s day-to-day operations.
As such, results from SEDCR prior to the disposal were presented as discontinued operations.
Post disposal, CMS only included its share of PATNCI of SEDCR as share of results in JVs. For this Division, PBT was lower as compared for year 2020 due to softer performance from the trading and wire operations.
As for the discontinued operations (SEDCR), PAT for 2020 of RM34.25 million was lower than 2019’s RM65.58 million. Higher PAT in 2019 was mainly due to a reversal of provision of RM14.83 million for the soil erosion remedial action.
Given that SEDC, CMS’ JV and long-standing strategic partner, has recently been entrusted with a more catalytic role in the State’s economic development, this transaction will put CMS on a stronger footing to capture opportunities from the infrastructure developments in the State especially with several mega infrastructure projects in the pipeline.
The Construction & Road Maintenance Division completed the disposal of 2 per cent of PPESW to SEDC in 4Q2020.
For its continuing operations, revenue decreased by 47 per cent to RM129.89 million as compared to RM244.67 million in FY2019.
Accordingly, PBT (including the share of results of PPESW Group) declined by 60 per cent to RM14.80 million. The road length maintained effective Jan 1, 2020 was almost half of that maintained previously but the scope was more extensive under the new contract.
For the discontinued operations (PPESW) PAT of RM9.96 million was higher compared to RM4.29 million in the FY2019.
The Division’s mid-term prospects, however, were well supported by its outstanding order book of RM1.03 billion as at Dec 31, 2020. CMS emphasised that the Division was well positioned to capitalise on opportunities to participate in major infrastructure projects in the State of Sarawak including the Coastal Road and Second Link Road Projects.
As for the Property Development Division, FY2020 revenue declined by 47 per cent to RM71.31 million in comparison to RM135.79 million in FY2019 which was mainly due to a drop in the number of property sales and lower land value sold in 2020.
Profitability was also impacted by an impairment and project cost written-off of RM11.26 million and RM5.19 million, respectively.
For the Phosphate Division, the integrated phosphate complex (Phase 1) is still under construction as at end of 2020.
CMS reported that losses for the year was due to an impairment on property, plant and equipment amounting to RM51.75 million in relation to the construction of Phase 2 of the phosphate complex.
For 2020, share of profits from its associates from the Group’s Strategic Investments decreased by 17 per cent to RM48.59 million from RM58.40 million in FY2019.
CMS however remained hopeful that its commodities businesses will perform better in 2021 amid higher commodity prices.
On CMS’ outlook and prospects moving forward, Isaac emphasised that its clear growth strategy, strengthened leadership, a closer collaboration with the State government through the sell-down of 2 per cent stake at PPES Works and SEDC Resources to SEDC, the Group is emerging stronger from the Covid-19 pandemic and is well positioned to benefit from the State Government’s strong infrastructure development agenda.
“We are cautiously optimistic that we will be able to deliver satisfactory performance in 2021.
“Despite a challenging year, we are committed to reward our shareholders and have proposed a final dividend of 2.0 sen per share in respect of FY2020,” he said. — DayakDaily
