PETALING JAYA: Petronas Gas Bhd
’s (PetGas) outlook for the second half of financial year 2026 indicates a period of temporary weakness, primarily due to anticipated margin compression.
Analysts expect higher gas costs, specifically the Malaysia Reference Price, to exert pressure on the company’s earnings as the impact of rising crude oil prices following the Iran war begins to take effect.
That will likely be compounded by seasonally higher maintenance activities and increased internal gas consumption (IGC) costs, TA Research noted in a report on the company following the release of its first quarter of financial year 2026 (1Q26) results.
The research house however stated a key mitigating factor is the 100 megawatts (MW) Kimanis II power plant, in which PetGas has a 60% stake, that is expected to reach its commercial operation date (COD) by mid-2026, helping to cushion the earnings downside for the group.
PetGas is also developing a 120MW combined cycle gas turbine power plant in Labuan via a 60:40 joint venture with two Sabah government linked companies, with targeted COD by January 2028 and capital expenditure close to RM1bil.
TA Research added PetGas is expected to be retrospectively compensated for higher IGC costs in future years under the Incentive Based Regulation framework.
PetGas’ 1Q26 results came in largely within or slightly below market expectations.
PetGas reported a 7% year-on-year (y-o-y) drop in core net profit of RM435mil while revenue was flat at RM1.585bil in the quarter. It declared an interim dividend of 16 sen per share.
The drop in profitability in the quarter was attributed to higher maintenance and depreciation expenses in PetGas’ Gas Processing segment, along with higher IGC and operating costs within the Gas Transportation segment.
PetGas’ Utilities and Regasification segments remained strong performers with the former’s earnings up 2% y-o-y supported by lower fuel gas costs.
The regasification segment saw a 9% y-o-y increase in earnings, reflecting new contributions from liquefied natural gas storage services in Pengerang that commenced in August last year.
TA Research maintained its “buy” call on the company with a lower target price (TP) of RM19.42 sen a share (from RM20.32 previously).
“Despite the potential temporary earnings setback, we continue to like PetGas as a key upstream proxy to the energy transition as well as data centre-driven demand for power, being the largest gas supply infrastructure owner and operator in the country,” TA Research noted.
Furthermore, Hong Leong Investment Bank Research maintained its “hold” call on the stock with a TP of RM17.83 a share (from RM17.86), adding PetGas will continue maintaining its dividend payout given its healthy free cash flow of RM1.5bil to RM2bil per annum.
