This article first appeared in The Edge Malaysia Weekly on June 24, 2024 - June 30, 2024

It is always a concern when a company’s financial accounts are unclear, causing those perusing the document — which would include bankers, creditors, shareholders and investors — to question the numbers. The primary objective of a company’s financial statements is to present a true and fair view of its performance and position.

The statements should minimise ambiguity and be easily digested by users who presumably have a basic understanding of accounting and finance.

It was only earlier this month that oil and gas player Serba Dinamik Holdings Bhd was delisted from Bursa Malaysia, after grappling with accounting issues since May 2021. It had an impressive earnings track record until reporting irregularities eventually surfaced.

As a result of this and other misadventures by a few oil and gas companies, banks are shying away from funding the sector.

However, it came as a surprise that Yinson Holdings Bhd’s (KL:YINSON) latest financial results had caused anxiety and uncertainty among the analysts who cover the company’s stock. After all, with a market capitalisation of close to RM7.5 billion, Yinson is one of the more respected players and among the success stories in the local oil and gas sector.

One research house’s report on Yinson’s financials mentions “Using financial tools to boost equity returns” while a bank-backed research outfit says, “We have stripped off RM151 million EPCIC (engineering, procurement, construction, installation and commissioning) earnings in arriving at our core profit. We believe Street estimates may not be a good comparison as other analysts regard Yinson’s EPCIC earnings as core profit.”

Another research house notes that Yinson’s “IFRS accounting distortion is growing alongside its leverage”, which could lead to confusion among investors.

Although analysts who cover the company’s stock mostly have a positive view of Yinson, the group’s accounting policy or treatment for certain aspects of its operations can be disquieting.

Surely, Yinson can do better with its financial reporting.

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