KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Smelting Corp
Bhd saw its net profit surged 4.6 times to RM42.93mil in the first quarter ended Mar 31, 2026 (1Q26) from RM7.72mil a year ago on the back of higher revenue of RM457.04mil versus RM369.77mil.
In a statement to Bursa, it said better performance was mainly due to higher profit from encashment of tin intermediates, contributed by higher tin price and higher margin, despite lower tin encashment quantity.
The company added that the improved performance was partially due to cost savings from closure of the Butterworth plant.
It noted that the average tin price per metric tonne of RM193,100 came in higher in 1Q26 versus RM142,000 a year ago.
It also registered higher sales of tin-bearing intermediates, despite lower sales quantity of refined tin in 1Q 2026.
MSC said the recent Middle East conflict had a significant impact on commodity markets and inflation expectations.
The ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz and damage sustained by the energy infrastructures in the conflict region are leading to a global energy crisis.
It added that the supply chain of tin was constrained by sudden regulatory changes and policy shifts, and geopolitical tensions are still imminent.
However, it believed that demand for tin, primarily from AI, data centre infrastructures, clean energy and semiconductor electronics, remains supportive.
“With the ongoing headwinds and faced with potentially higher energy costs, the group continues to emphasise business competitiveness and operational efficiencies in its smelting and mining segments,” the company said.
For the tin mining segment, it said the company is focused on improving and increasing daily mining output and overall mining productivity.
This included expanding its mining activities and mine resources, adopting new cost-effective mining, modernised processing methodology to scavenge tin from low grade materials, and participating in potential new mining joint ventures.
