<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 22): Focus Point Holdings Bhd (KL:<a href="/askedge/klse/0157" class="ce-stock" target="_blank">FOCUSP</a>) has posted a 16.5% increase in second quarter net profit to RM8.43 million from RM7.24 million a year ago, underpinned by higher revenue in its optical business and profitability turnaround in its food &amp; beverage (F&amp;B) segment.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>Revenue for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024 (2QFY2024) rose 12.1% year-on-year to RM70.61 million from RM62.99 million, the group said in a bourse filing on Thursday.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>For the first half of FY2024, total net profit grew 19.4% year-on-year to RM15.85 million, while its revenue rose 13.2% to RM138.91 million.</p></div><div class=inPageAd id=div-gpt-ad-inpage></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>Focus Point said it will continue to leverage and strengthen its market leader position in the optical business through the opening of new outlets.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>As for its F&amp;B business, the group said it will continue to enhance operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness, and at the same time introduce more products to serve both retail and corporate customers.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>Shares in Focus Point settled unchanged at 80 sen, giving the group a market capitalisation of RM369 million. Year-to-date, the stock is up 15.4%.</p></div>


Focus Point Holdings Bhd (KL:FOCUSP) has posted a 16.5% increase in second quarter net profit to RM8.43 million from RM7.24 million a year ago, underpinned by higher revenue in its optical business and profitability turnaround in its food & beverage (F&B) segment.

Focus Point 2Q profit rises on higher optical revenue, turnaround in F&B segment

New Zealand retail spending fell for a second straight quarter as high interest rates dented consumer sentiment, adding to signs the economy was in recession in the middle of the year.

New Zealand retail spending slows again, pointing to recession

A US agency that agreed to lend more than US$500 million (RM2.46 billion) to an Adani Group-backed port development in Sri Lanka said it’s still conducting due diligence on the project, following bribery allegations against the conglomerate’s billionaire founder and other top executives.

US development agency conducting due diligence on Adani’s Sri Lanka project

The Australian government on Monday will introduce legislation to implement production tax incentives for renewable hydrogen and critical minerals to help boost investment in the sector, which could play a major role in energy transition plans.

Australia to propose tax incentives for critical minerals

The engine of a Russian-made passenger plane caught fire after landing at southern Turkey's Antalya Airport on Sunday, the Turkish transport ministry said in a statement.

Russian-made plane engine catches fire after landing in Turkey's Antalya

Economists expect Chinese exports to reach a historical high this year as customers rush to front-load orders given President-elect Donald Trump’s threat of higher tariffs when he takes office in January.

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The dollar fell and Bitcoin’s rally stalled as traders viewed Donald Trump’s pick of Scott Bessent for Treasury Secretary as a measured choice, tempering some of the more fevered bets spurred by the president-elect’s victory.

US dollar falls as Treasury pick tempers Trump bets

Kenanga Investment Bank Bhd (Kenanga) continues to strengthen its dedication to combating fraud and promoting ethical conduct with the launch of its eighth annual Fraud Awareness Week (FAW). This initiative aligns with the United Nations Global Compact’s 10th Principle, underscoring the group’s steadfast commitment to integrity and its ongoing fight against corruption.

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<p>Sime Darby Property Bhd (KL:SIMEPROP) took the No 1 spot at this year’s The Edge Malaysia Top Property Developers Awards (TPDA). This is the second time it has done so, the first time being in 2009. It was also the joint winner of the Best in Qualitative Attributes sub-award this year.</p>


<div class="ceonothumb pb-5 imgw-800 mx-auto d-block"><a class="mobx embedimg-icon" data-desc="Ho (back row,centre), The Edge Malaysia editor-in-chief Kathy Fong (front row, second from left) with the City &amp; Country team — (front row, from left)  writer Priya Devan, senior editor E Jacqui Chan, ...

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