KUALA LUMPUR (May 16): Pentamaster Corp Bhd shares gained 2.9% this morning after the group reported a 170.7% jump in net profit for the first quarter ended March 31, 2019 (1QFY19).

At 11.04am, the counter rose 12 sen to RM4.32, with 2.14 million shares traded.

Pentamaster's 1QFY19 net profit leapt to RM19.56 million from RM7.23 million a year ago, thanks to greater operating efficiency that led to higher profit margins and net interest income.

Quarterly revenue increased 19.5% to RM118.76 million from RM99.38 million previously, due to higher sales from its automated equipment operating segment.