KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 1): Based on corporate announcements and news flow today, companies that may be in focus on Friday (Dec 2) could include: EKA Noodles, Bison, KPJ Healthcare, Perdana Petroleum, Media Chinese International and Kuantan Flour Mills.

EKA Noodles Bhd, which fell into Practice Note 17 (PN17) status three months ago, saw its net loss for the third quarter ended Sept 30, 2016 (3QFY16), widen to RM5.9 million or 2.64 sen a share against RM1.65 million or 53 sen a share a year earlier.

This followed a 50.3% drop in revenue to RM6.33 million from RM12.73 million in 3QFY15, the group said in a filing with Bursa Malaysia.

For the cumulative nine-month period, the group's net loss totalled RM14.53 million or 4.66 sen a share. Revenue amounted to RM21.94 million.

Bison Consolidated Bhd is buying a factory in Johor Bahru for RM4.155 million that will operate as a sub-distribution centre for its stores in Johor.

The recently listed company said the factory's acquisition from Idea Harmoni Sdn Bhd is aimed at improving its nationwide logistics to support its growing network and product base.

Bison said the acquisition will not affect its issued and paid-up share capital and is not expected to materially impact its earnings, net assets and gearing for the current financial year ending Oct 31, 2017 (FY17).

KPJ Healthcare Bhd has proposed to dispose of its 30% stake or 720,000 shares in Hospital Penawar Sdn Bhd, held by its wholly-owned subsidiary Kumpulan Perubatan (Johor) Sdn Bhd, for RM2.21 million.

In an announcement, KPJ said 462,750 shares will be sold to Dr Mohd Adnan for RM1.42 million, while the balance 257,250 shares will be sold to Azizan Sulaiman for RM789,565.

KPJ noted that it has considered various options with the board of Hospital Penawar and proposed a few solutions, including the focus on wholly-owned companies for better management and decision making and the consolidation of KPJ group of hospitals to operate under a single entity.

Perdana Petroleum Bhd said its wholly-owned subsidiary Petra Offshore Ltd (POL) has issued a notification to Nam Cheong International Ltd (NCIL) for the cancellation of the memorandum of agreement (MoA) to acquire an accommodation work barge.

In reference to its announcement dated June 25, 2014, on the proposed acquisition of two work barges — SK316 and SK317 — Perdana Petroleum said it is cancelling the acquisition of SK317 as NCIL has not fulfilled the condition of delivery in accordance to the terms and conditions of the MoA.

The group said the cancellation does not have any reasonably foreseeable material and adverse financial and operational impact on POL, but said the refund will improve cashflow.

Media Chinese International Ltd's net profit fell 32% in its second quarter of the financial year 2017 (FY17), on softer advertising spending amid weak consumer sentiments, which affected all its business segments.

Its net profit came in at RM21.3 million for its second quarter ended Sept 30, 2016 (2QFY17), from RM31.5 million a year ago. Revenue was down 12% at RM353.4 million versus RM402.4 million in 2QFY16, its bourse filing today showed.

It declared a first interim dividend of 0.36 US cents per share, or 1.45 sen per share. The ex-date falls on Dec 13 while the payment date is on Dec 30.

For the cumulative first half of the financial year (1HFY17), Media Chinese's net profit shrank 38% to RM42.1 million from RM68 million a year ago, as revenue slipped 15% to RM695.8 million from RM815.9 million in 1HFY16, on continued market weakness across all business segments.

It expects the operating environment in 2HFY17 to "remain difficult and challenging", with the publishing and printing segment to see more intense competitive pressures along with declining print advertising expenditures.

Kuantan Flour Mills Bhd, a PN17 company since Dec 12, 2015, is still looking into the formulation of its regularisation plan of its financial conditions.

KFM has approximately one month to submit its regularisation plan to the relevant authorities for approval.

"(We) will announce the (details) to Bursa upon finalisation of the regularisation plan in accordance with the requirements under the PN17," said the group in a filing on Bursa Malaysia today.

Yesterday, KFM posted a net loss of RM4.52 million or 6.63 sen per share for its fourth quarter ended Sept 30, 2016. Its cumulative 12-month net loss stood at RM12.09 million or 17.72 sen per share, lower than the net loss of RM16.85 million or 25.07 sen per share it reported in the previous corresponding period.