KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 3): Ekovest Bhd shares rose 6.82% this morning after its net profit rose 13% to RM43.87 million in its first financial quarter ended Sept 30, 2018 (1QFY19) from RM38.84 million a year ago, on higher contribution from the property development and toll operation sectors.

At 9.08am, Ekovest rose 3 sen to 47 sen with 749,300 shares traded.

Quarterly revenue also increased 33% to RM304.89 million from RM229.16 million a year ago. The group's profit growth was lower compared with revenue in the current quarter under review due mainly to higher interest expense incurred for the toll operation sector.