KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 26): Share prices of semiconductor-related companies on Bursa Malaysia are hitting record highs; so are their latest quarterly earnings.
The few companies that posted record high quarterly net profits are UWC Bhd, Vitrox Corp Bhd, Inari Amertron Bhd and Greatech Technology Bhd.
Fund managers and investment analysts told The Edge that the astronomical increases in earnings among semiconductor companies are expected to continue in the current year, particularly because of the chip shortage that has been accentuated by the further computerisation of consumer electronics, the implementation of 5G, and greater usage of technology in the automotive industry.
TA Investment Management Chief Information Officer Choo Swee Kee expects earnings for semiconductor companies to be strong on the recovery of consumer demand for electronic and electrical products post-pandemic worldwide.
At 10am, the FBM KLCI was up 12.99 points to 1,570.54.
Market breadth was positive with 611 gainers and 264 losers, while 390 counters traded unchanged. Trading volume was 2.98 billion shares valued at RM1.22 billion.
The gainers included Malaysian Pacific Industries Bhd, ViTrox Corp Bhd, Nestle (M) Bhd, Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd, Uchi Technologies Bhd, Euro Holdings Bhd, Hong Leong Financial Group Bhd, D&O Green Technologies Bhd and Aeon Credit Service (M) Bhd.
The actively traded stocks included Permaju Industries Bhd, Fintec Global Bhd, XOX Bhd, YKGI Holdings Bhd, Velesto Energy Bhd, Metronic Global Bhd and Alam Maritim Resources Bhd.
The decliners included Pharmaniaga Bhd, Ajinomoto (M) Bhd, KESM Industries Bhd, Milux Holdings Bhd, Heineken Malaysia Bhd, Elsoft Research Bhd, Bursa Malaysia Bhd and Dutch Lady Milk Industries Bhd.
The main index at Bursa Malaysia rose 1.04% at the midday break today, tracking the jump at regional markets, as Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas)-linked stocks led the gains.
KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 24): Vitrox Corp Bhd’s net profit for the fourth quarter ended Dec 31, 2020 (4QFY20) jumped 79.4% to RM31.92 million from RM17.79 million a year earlier, as quarterly revenue hit a record high of RM159.8 million.
Vitrox specializes in designing and developing automated vision inspection systems and equipment testers for the semiconductor and electronic packaging industries, as well as electronic communications equipment.
The 68.03% jump in revenue from RM95.1 million a year ago was mainly driven by a tremendous increase in demand for Machine Vision System (MVS) and Automated Board Inspection (ABI), its stock exchange filing showed.
For the full year ended Dec 31, 2020 (FY20), Vitrox s net profit rose 32.6% to RM105.62 million from RM79.65 million, while revenue climbed 38.51% to RM470.38 million from RM339.59 million, again due to higher volume demands for MVS and ABI.
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