KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 18): Berjaya Sports Toto Bhd's (BToto) net profit jumped 20.6% to RM99.7 million in the second quarter ended Oct 31, 2014 (2QFY15) from RM82.6 million in the previous corresponding quarter, due to better earnings from its principal subsidiary, Sports Toto Malaysia Sdn Bhd. 

It said Sports Toto also recorded a 6.7% increase in profit due to lower prize payout despite raking in lower revenue. 

The group's 2QFY15 revenue bumped up 44.7% to RM1.25 billion from RM866.9 million a year earlier, which is mainly attributable to the consolidation of HR Owen Plc in the reviewed quarter, BToto said in its filings to Bursa Malaysia today. 

The group also declared a second interim single-tier exempt dividend of 6 sen per share.

For the half-year period (1HFY15), BToto's net profit slipped 1.9% to RM178.03 million from RM181.42 million in the same period last year, but revenue leapt 42.4% to RM2.49 billion from RM1.75 billion earlier.

BToto said the lower half-year profit was mainly due to the results of Sports Toto, but was mitigated by the consolidation of HR Owen's profits.

On future prospects, BToto is 'cautiously optimistic' in light of the 'uncertain effects' of the Goods & Services Tax on Apr 1, 2015, as well as rising costs that weighed down domestic consumer spending.

BToto ended flat at RM3.48 today with a market capitalisation of RM4.68 billion.