by Faiz Riziq | Feb 28, 2025 | Luar Negara, English & Other Country
Mr DIY Group (M) Bhd has reported a 7.2% decline in net profit for the fourth quarter ended Dec 31, 2024 (4QFY2024), recording RM147.2 million compared to RM158.63 million a year earlier. The drop was attributed to higher costs linked to business expansion and a growing store network.
Rising Expenses Amid Growth
The company saw a substantial rise in administrative and operating expenses, which increased by 25% and 12% to RM55.7 million and RM291 million, respectively. Key cost drivers included higher staff wages, increased utility expenses, and depreciation of right-of-use assets and fixed assets. Additionally, an extra RM4.9 million was allocated to support the operation of new automated warehouses and other warehouse facilities.
Revenue Growth Despite Challenges
Despite the profit decline, Mr DIY’s revenue saw a 2.6% increase to RM1.18 billion from RM1.15 billion in 4QFY2023, fueled by a 13.8% expansion in store count. The retailer now operates 1,435 outlets, up from 1,261 a year ago.
Dividend Payout Reaches Record High
Mr DIY declared an interim dividend of 1.8 sen per share for the quarter, amounting to RM170.3 million, scheduled for payment on March 28. This brings the total payout for FY2024 to five sen per share (RM472.9 million), marking a significant increase from 3.2 sen per share (RM264.25 million) in FY2023—the highest payout since its listing in October 2020.
Full-Year Performance and Future Strategy
For the full financial year, net profit grew by 1.5% to RM568.94 million from RM560.68 million in FY2023, with revenue climbing 6.7% to RM4.65 billion from RM4.36 billion. Mr DIY’s CEO, Adrian Ong, described 2024 as a year of “moderation and strategic opportunity.” While acknowledging weak consumer sentiment and limited household disposable income, he emphasized that the company used this period to refine its strategies—reassessing its product mix, strengthening its value proposition, and deepening customer engagement.
“We have actively diversified our offerings through meaningful collaborations with like-minded, growth-focused retailers and established local brands, ensuring we stay ahead of evolving customer needs,” said Ong.
Market Outlook
Despite recent financial headwinds, Ong remains confident in Mr DIY’s long-term growth potential. The company’s shares closed at RM1.58 on Thursday, up four sen (2.6%), giving it a market capitalisation of RM14.58 billion. However, the stock has declined over 15% year-to-date, reflecting market adjustments amid ongoing economic challenges. As Mr DIY continues to expand, investors and consumers alike will be keen to see how its strategic refinements translate into sustainable growth in the coming years.
by Faiz Riziq | Feb 28, 2025 | Ekonomi, Perniagaan & Korporat, Fakta & Informasi
Dalam usaha menangani isu trafik yang semakin meruncing di ibu kota, Malaysia kini sedang meneliti pelaksanaan caj kesesakan di Kuala Lumpur. Langkah ini dijangka mampu mengurangkan kesesakan trafik sehingga 20%, seperti yang dinyatakan dalam semakan mengikut notis Parlimen. Namun, kadar caj yang bakal dikenakan perlu ditetapkan pada kadar berpatutan agar tidak menghalang matlamat utama dasar ini.
Kajian Terperinci Demi Keberkesanan
Menurut Menteri Wilayah, Dr. Zaliha, penetapan kadar caj ini memerlukan penelitian rapi bagi memastikan pelaksanaannya benar-benar memberi kesan positif kepada pengurusan trafik di bandar raya. Objektif utama adalah mengurangkan beban lalu lintas tanpa membebankan pengguna jalan raya secara berlebihan.
Keperluan Integrasi Pengangkutan Awam
Setakat ini, kerajaan berpendirian bahawa caj kesesakan hanya akan diterapkan di bandar raya yang mempunyai sistem pengangkutan awam yang lengkap dan bersepadu. Ini bermakna kawasan yang masih kekurangan akses kepada pengangkutan awam tidak akan terlibat dalam pelaksanaan ini. Pelaksanaan awal akan dirangka berdasarkan Pelan Induk Trafik KL 2040, yang memberi tumpuan kepada penyelesaian kesesakan trafik pada waktu puncak dan kesannya terhadap sistem pengangkutan awam sedia ada.
Impak Ekonomi dan Keperluan Penyelesaian Segera
Kesesakan lalu lintas di Malaysia bukan sekadar isu keselesaan, tetapi juga membawa impak besar kepada ekonomi negara. Laporan menunjukkan bahawa negara mengalami kerugian sehingga RM20 bilion setahun akibat kelewatan dan ketidakcekapan dalam pergerakan trafik. Oleh itu, pelaksanaan caj kesesakan dilihat sebagai satu langkah strategik bagi mengurangkan kesan negatif ini dan meningkatkan kecekapan sistem pengangkutan secara keseluruhan.
Secara keseluruhannya, kajian dan perancangan rapi diperlukan sebelum langkah ini dilaksanakan sepenuhnya. Dengan infrastruktur pengangkutan awam yang lebih baik dan sistem caj yang efektif, usaha ini diharapkan dapat memberikan impak positif kepada kehidupan rakyat serta ekonomi negara.
by Faiz Riziq | Feb 28, 2025 | Ekonomi, Perniagaan & Korporat, Fakta & Informasi
Hutang isi rumah di Malaysia terus menunjukkan peningkatan yang membimbangkan, dengan jumlah keseluruhan mencecah RM1.63 trilion pada akhir tahun lalu. Ini bersamaan dengan 84.2% daripada Keluaran Dalam Negara Kasar (KDNK), menandakan satu kadar yang tinggi dan memerlukan pemantauan rapi.
Pemantauan Ketat oleh Kerajaan dan Bank Negara
Dalam menangani isu ini, kerajaan bersama Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) giat memantau trend hutang isi rumah bagi memastikan tidak wujud sebarang kesan negatif terhadap daya tahan kewangan rakyat dan kestabilan sistem kewangan negara. Langkah ini penting untuk mengelakkan risiko ekonomi yang boleh menjejaskan kesejahteraan masyarakat, terutamanya dalam menghadapi cabaran ekonomi global yang semakin mencabar.
Inisiatif Kesedaran Kewangan Diperluaskan
Bagi membantu rakyat lebih memahami kepentingan pengurusan kewangan yang baik, kerajaan telah memperhebatkan kempen kesedaran melalui Financial Education Network (FEN) dan Bulan Literasi Kewangan (FLM). Program-program ini bertujuan untuk meningkatkan tahap kesedaran masyarakat mengenai kepentingan merancang kewangan secara bijak serta mengelakkan diri daripada berhutang secara berlebihan.
Rang Undang-Undang Kredit Pengguna: Langkah Pengawalan yang Lebih Ketat
Dalam usaha memperkukuhkan perlindungan terhadap pengguna kredit, kerajaan akan membentangkan Rang Undang-Undang (RUU) Kredit Pengguna dalam sidang Parlimen kali ini. RUU ini bakal menjadi instrumen penting dalam mengawal selia industri kredit dengan lebih sistematik.
Salah satu aspek utama yang diberi perhatian ialah kawal selia terhadap perkhidmatan “Beli Sekarang, Bayar Kemudian” (BNPL), yang semakin popular dalam kalangan pengguna. Selain itu, penyedia perkhidmatan kredit bukan bank juga akan tertakluk kepada peraturan ketat bagi memastikan pengguna tidak terjerumus dalam beban hutang yang melampau.
Kesimpulan
Peningkatan hutang isi rumah di Malaysia perlu diberi perhatian serius oleh semua pihak. Walaupun langkah-langkah kawal selia sedang diperkukuhkan, masyarakat juga perlu memainkan peranan dengan mengamalkan perbelanjaan berhemah dan membuat keputusan kewangan yang bijak. Dengan adanya kesedaran yang lebih tinggi serta perlindungan yang lebih kukuh, diharapkan isu hutang isi rumah dapat dikawal demi kesejahteraan rakyat dan kestabilan ekonomi negara.
by Faiz Riziq | Feb 27, 2025 | Ekonomi, Perniagaan & Korporat, Fakta & Informasi, Luar Negara, English & Other Country
Nvidia Corp, the chip giant at the heart of the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution, delivered solid but not spectacular quarterly earnings on Wednesday, leading to a subdued reaction from investors accustomed to record-breaking results.
For the fiscal first quarter ending in April, Nvidia projects sales of about US$43 billion (RM190.49 billion), slightly above analysts’ average estimate of US$42.3 billion. Some had even anticipated figures as high as US$48 billion.
However, the company warned that profit margins would be tighter than expected as it accelerates the rollout of its latest AI chip, Blackwell. Adding to concerns, potential US tariffs could further impact earnings. As a result, Nvidia shares dipped slightly in after-hours trading.
AI Market Faces Uncertainty
The AI industry is at a turning point. Nvidia shares have slipped this year due to fears that data centre operators might cut back on spending. The emergence of Chinese startup DeepSeek has also sparked concerns that AI models can be developed more affordably, reducing the demand for Nvidia’s powerful chips.
Although Nvidia executives addressed many of these concerns, the company is finding it harder to consistently exceed investor expectations. “Guidance was slightly underwhelming,” said Logan Purk, an analyst at Edward Jones. However, the early success of Blackwell should help reassure investors despite initial reports of production delays.
Nvidia’s Rapid Growth
Despite the challenges, Nvidia’s latest financial results reflect its extraordinary growth trajectory. The company generated US$11 billion in revenue from Blackwell in the fourth quarter alone, making it the fastest product ramp in Nvidia’s history. “Demand for Blackwell is amazing,” CEO Jensen Huang said.
Fiscal fourth-quarter sales reached US$39.3 billion, surpassing analysts’ estimates, though by the narrowest margin since early 2023. Meanwhile, profits of 89 cents per share, excluding certain items, narrowly beat Wall Street’s projection of 84 cents.
The stock, which soared in 2023 and 2024, has dipped by 2.2% this year, reflecting concerns about sustaining its meteoric rise. Nonetheless, Nvidia remains the dominant player in AI chips, doubling its revenue over the past two years as major tech companies continue to invest heavily in data centre infrastructure.
The Future of AI and Nvidia’s Role
Nvidia’s data centre division, its largest revenue driver, posted US$35.6 billion in sales, surpassing analysts’ estimates of US$34.1 billion. Gaming-related sales, once Nvidia’s core business, came in at US$2.5 billion—lower than the expected US$3.02 billion. Meanwhile, its automotive unit generated US$570 million in revenue.
Historically known for its graphics processing units (GPUs), Nvidia has become synonymous with AI computing. Its chips are crucial in training AI models and running complex inference processes that power applications like ChatGPT.
Heading into the earnings report, concerns loomed about whether Nvidia could sustain its rapid growth as it transitions to the Blackwell chip. The new technology is more advanced but poses manufacturing challenges. Additionally, DeepSeek’s recent AI model launch raised fears that AI computing could become more efficient, potentially reducing the need for Nvidia’s high-powered chips.
However, major customers like Microsoft continue to invest heavily in AI infrastructure, signaling that demand remains strong. Huang also downplayed concerns about DeepSeek, arguing that its approach to AI will ultimately increase the need for Nvidia’s products. He claimed that the fine-tuning process required for these AI models could exponentially increase computing power demand.
“The future of AI will require much more compute,” Huang said, describing DeepSeek’s model as “an excellent innovation.”
The Road Ahead
While Blackwell is expected to drive Nvidia’s future growth, its rollout has come with costs. The company acknowledged that expenses related to launching the new chip have weighed on profit margins. However, CFO Colette Kress reassured investors that cost efficiencies will improve over time, and gross margins should return to the “mid-70s” percentage by the end of the year.
For the current quarter, Nvidia expects gross margins of around 71%, slightly below analysts’ estimates.
Despite the hurdles, Nvidia has only missed revenue estimates once in the past five years. It has consistently outperformed expectations by more than 10% in recent quarters, setting a high bar for future performance.
“We think it will be challenging for management to continue significantly exceeding expectations for growth,” said Purk.
As Nvidia navigates this evolving landscape, its ability to maintain its AI dominance will depend on execution, innovation, and the continued expansion of AI adoption worldwide.
by Faiz Riziq | Feb 27, 2025 | Ekonomi, Perniagaan & Korporat, Fakta & Informasi, Luar Negara, English & Other Country
Perkembangan kecerdasan buatan (AI) semakin memberi impak besar terhadap dunia pekerjaan. Bukan sahaja meningkatkan tahap produktiviti syarikat, malah AI kini menjadi faktor utama dalam pengurangan tenaga kerja manusia secara berperingkat. Terbaru, Development Bank of Singapore (DBS) mengumumkan rancangan untuk menggantikan 4,000 pekerja kontrak dan sementara dengan AI dalam tempoh tiga tahun akan datang.
Langkah ini diambil sebagai sebahagian daripada usaha DBS untuk mengurangkan kos operasi dan mengekalkan kestabilan prestasi syarikat. Malah, sokongan AI dijangka mampu menjana pendapatan tambahan melebihi SGD 1 bilion setahun, sekali gus memperkukuhkan kedudukan DBS dalam industri perbankan.
Namun, keputusan ini tidak terlepas daripada kritikan, terutama berkaitan impaknya terhadap tenaga kerja. Walau bagaimanapun, pihak DBS memberi jaminan bahawa pekerja tetap tidak akan terjejas dan sebaliknya, sekitar 1,000 jawatan baharu berkaitan kemahiran AI akan dibuka bagi memenuhi keperluan pasaran pekerjaan semasa.
Dengan perubahan pesat dalam teknologi, langkah DBS ini mungkin menjadi penanda aras bagi institusi kewangan lain dalam mengadaptasi AI untuk operasi yang lebih cekap dan menguntungkan.
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