KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 17): Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd (KLK) posted a net profit of RM357.41 million in its first quarter ended Dec 31, 2020 (1QFY21), more than double the RM167.2 million it recorded in the previous year’s corresponding quarter, driven by a jump in plantation earnings.

Revenue rose 5.45% to RM4.3 billion from RM4.08 billion, supported by growth in revenue across its manufacturing, plantation and property development segments.

Earnings per share (EPS) rose to 33.1 sen from 15.7 sen, its stock exchange filing today showed. No dividend payment was proposed.

The group said its plantation segment's profit surged 83.3% to RM288.9 million during the quarter, driven by improved crude palm oil and palm kernel prices, and better contribution from its processing and trading operations.

Its manufacturing segment's profit also grew 67.2% to RM133.7 million, largely contributed by its operations in China and Europe, coupled with an unrealised gain from fair value changes on outstanding derivatives contract of RM14.5 million.

Meanwhile, profit recognition from projects with better margins helped boost the group's property development segment by 62.2% to RM22 million.

Moving forward, the group expects its plantation profit to continue to improve in FY21, driven by buoyant CPO and PK prices, while its oleochemical division's performance — which has been satisfactory — is expected to be challenging.

“Overall, the group's profit for the financial year 2021 will be higher,” it said in a statement.

Shares of KLK closed 16 sen or 0.70% lower at RM22.76 today, valuing the plantation company at RM24.6 billion.