KUALA LUMPUR: Bermaz Auto Bhd
closed its financial year with a stronger final quarter even as the group projected lower growth prospects for the automative sector.
In comments accompanying its results filing with Bursa Malaysia, the auto group said the automotive sector is expected to register lower growth due to factors such as inflationary pressures and weaker global growth from uncertainties due to geopolitical conflict.
Citing the Middle-East situation, it said a shortage in oil supply has adversely impacted the global economy and supply chain.
The group also acknowledged the continued influx of Chinese marque vehicles, which have impacted the sales of other marques in the country.
"The launching of new and/or new facelifts models of the group’s vehicle marques are still very much dependent on the market sentiments and economic conditions then," it said.
The board said while it is cautious of the changing environment, it remains positive the group will be able to maintain its competitive position and profitability for the financial year ending April 30, 2027.
In the fourth quarter ended April 30, 2026, Bermaz Auto posted a net profit of RM46.62mil, more than double the net profit of RM21.2mil in the year-ago quarter. Earnings per share jumped to 4.1 sen from 1.82 sen previously.
Quarterly revenue rose to RM544.67mil from RM528.65mil in the previous corresponding quarter.
According to Bermaz Auto, this was largely owing to the higher sales volume from the Mazda domestic operations, especially the Mazda3, which continued to receive good response from consumers.
The increase was partly offset by lower sales volume from its Kia domestic operations following the cessation of the distributorship in November 2025 as compared to the previous corresponding quarter.
Over the 12-month period, net profit was lower at RM104.73mil compared to RM153.6mil in FY25, while revenue dropped to RM2.28bil from RM2.62bil in the previous year.
The weaker annual performance was owing to lower sales volume in the first half of the year due to certain Maza and Kia vehicles nearing the end of their product lifecycles and the cessation of the Kia distributorship.
Bermaz Auto also registered a share of losses from associated companies as compared to a share of profits in the previous year.
The board has declared a fourth interim dividend of 1.75 sen a share and a special dividend of 1.75 sen a share to be payable on Aug 5, 2026, with entitlement date fixed on July 22, 2026.
