F&N profit climbs 18.2 per cent in fourth quarter as tax costs ease

Lower tax expenses helped Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd (F&N) lift fourth-quarter net profit to RM135.05 million, the group reported in a Bursa Malaysia filing. Earnings for the quarter ending September 30, 2026, were 18.2 per cent above the year-earlier RM114.29 million.

The company proposed paying a final dividend of 30 sen per share, against 35 sen a year earlier. This would take the FY2026 distribution to 60 sen per share.

Quarterly revenue slipped to RM1.19 billion, a 3.1 per cent decline from RM1.23 billion, which F&N linked to shifts in its product mix and promotions. Operating profit was almost flat: RM173.7 million against RM173.8 million.

F&N said increased operating expenses at F&N AgriValley, poorer Indochina food and beverage results and adverse exchange-rate movements partly weighed on performance.

Annual net profit totalled RM437.09 million, down 14 per cent against FY2025's RM508.47 million. Revenue was RM4.92 billion, falling 5.3 per cent from RM5.20 billion. The group cited investment-related costs, ongoing disruption to Cambodian sales and currency movements.

Malaysia generated RM3.06 billion in revenue, up 3.3 per cent from RM2.96 billion. F&N credited higher domestic beverage, water and dairy sales, alongside expanded distribution. Indochina revenue dropped to RM1.86 billion from RM2.23 billion, a 16.6 per cent fall, amid border-related disruption to Cambodian sales, subdued economic conditions and softer Thai tourism.

Following the October start of manufacturing in Cambodia, F&N plans a gradual production increase and further expansion of distribution and market presence.