KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 14): Dialog Group Bhd’s second quarter net profit rose 18.15% to RM136.78 million, from RM115.76 million a year earlier, thanks to cost savings realised on completed projects and increased share of profit in joint ventures and associates. 

Earnings per share for the quarter ended Dec 31, 2018 (2QFY18) rose to 2.43 sen from 2.05 sen previously, the oil and gas industry player said in a filling with Bursa Malaysia.   

The higher earnings were recorded despite revenue falling 28.90% to RM609.61 million, from RM857.43 million previously, it said, mainly dragged by the group’s Malaysian operations due to the near completion of the engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning works in the Pengerang Deepwater Terminals (PDT) Phase 2 projects. 

Total net profit for the first two quarters came to RM251.42 million, down 9.13% from RM276.69 million a year earlier. Half-yearly revenue also fell 20.51% to RM1.3 billion, from RM1.64 billion. 

“We are pleased to report that the group has continued to deliver on its commitment to grow sustainable, recurring income and enhance shareholders’ value,” Dialog executive chairman Tan Sri Dr Ngau Boon Keat said in a separate statement. 

“With the completion of the PDT Phase 2A and 2B, and the refinery projects at Rapid, we are now actively involved in the plant maintenance services for these projects. 

“The group has continued to make progress for Phase 3 as well — land reclamation activities are in progress and is scheduled for completion at end of 2019, and we are in active discussions with potential customers for Phase 3,” Ngao added. 

“Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the group is confident that its performance will remain strong for the financial year ending June 30, 2019,” Ngau further added. 

Dialog’s shares closed one sen or 0.34% higher at RM2.99 today, giving it a market capitalisation of RM16.86 billion. Over the past 12 months, the counter gained about 12.41%.