KUALA LUMPUR (April 25): Hong Leong Industries Bhd's net profit rose 26.55% to RM74.22 million or 24 sen per share in the third financial quarter ended March 31, 2017 (3QFY17), from RM58.65 million or 19.02 sen per share last year.

Revenue climbed 5.55% to RM585.82 million, from RM555.03 million previously.

It has proposed a dividend of 30 sen per share.

The company has proposed the ex-date for the interim dividend at May 12, 2017. It will be payable on May 30.

For its 9-month period ended March 31, 2017 (9MFY17), net profit was up by 16.84% to RM207.66 million, from RM177.73 million previously. Revenue was also 5.94% higher at RM1.71 billion, from RM1.62 billion in 9MFY16.

The better performance was due to higher sales revenue from its consumer products segment, “attributed to favourable sales mix and higher profit contribution from an associated company”, Hong Leong Industries said in a statement.

Hong Leong Industries’ business is divided into two key segments — consumer and industrial products. As at 3QFY17, they contributed 76% and 24% of group revenue, respectively.

Looking forward, it expects satisfactory performance from both segments for its full year (FY17).

At market close today, shares of Hong Leong Industries stood 7 sen or 0.71% lower at RM9.75, valuing the company at nearly RM3.11 billion.