KUALA LUMPUR (April 25): Here is a brief recap of some business news and corporate announcements that made the headlines on Friday:

Bina Puri Holdings Bhd’s (KL:BPURI) shares dropped nearly 30% while its Warrant B fell over 61% on Friday, following a hacking incident which affected several clients from a small number of brokers' stock trading accounts. The Edge quoted affected investors as saying that the hacking primarily facilitated fraudulent transactions involving the shares of Bina Puri and its Warrant B, shares of Pos Malaysia Bhd (KL:POS), as well as certain Hong Kong structured warrants. In addressing the recent unusual trading activity, Bina Puri said it is prepared to cooperate with the relevant authorities, including the Securities Commission and Bursa, by providing any information or assistance required during their investigations. — Bina Puri shares, Warrant B close sharply lower day after hacking

To restore gas supply in areas affected by the Putra Heights’ blaze three weeks ago, Petronas Gas Bhd (KL:PETGAS) said it has resumed operations at the Puchong City Gate. A city gate station is the connecting point between the central gas pipeline and local distribution lines. At these checkpoints, gas pressure is reduced before it is passed through to reticulation lines for industrial, commercial and residential use. “This development [reopening of the Puchong City Gate] will enable the shipper to provide gas supply to the isolated zone,” said Petronas Gas. — Petronas Gas resumes operations at Puchong City Gate in bid to restore gas supply

Sarawak Oil Palms Bhd's (KL:SOP) first quarter net profit jumped 43.17% year-on-year on improved fresh fruit bunches (FFB) production and higher selling prices of palm oil products. Its net profit soared to RM113.76 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025 (1QFY2025), from RM79.46 million in 1QFY2024, with revenue rising 8.79% to RM1.44 billion from RM1.33 billion. The plantation group declared a final dividend of four sen per share for FY2024, amounting to RM35.75 million, to be paid on July 18, raising its FY2024 dividend payout to 15 sen. The group previously paid annual dividends of 10 sen per share for FY2021 to FY2023. — Sarawak Oil Palms pays four sen dividend after 1Q profit jumps 43% y-o-y

Chin Teck Plantations Bhd (KL:CHINTECK) said its second quarter net profit fell 15.6% from a year earlier, amid lower palm oil production and a foreign exchange loss. The net profit for the three months ended Feb 28, 2025 (2QFY2025) was RM17.56 million, down from RM20.8 million previously. The oil palm planter's earnings were also weighed down by losses from its Indonesian joint ventures, amid disruptions to harvesting activities. — Chin Teck Plantations' 2Q profit falls 16% on lower palm oil production, forex losses

CTOS Digital Bhd (KL:CTOS) announced that its group chief executive officer (GCEO) Erick Hamburger will be stepping down in September, while it reported a 30.64% decline in net profit for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025 (1QFY2025). CTOS' non-independent non-executive director Loh Kok Leong will become interim GCEO starting May 1, as Hamburger will be on leave until his employment ends on Sept 30. Hamburger is leaving to explore new career opportunities. CTOS' net profit fell to RM14.44 million in 1QFY2025 from RM20.82 million in the same period last year due to higher depreciation and amortisation expenses. — CTOS Digital group CEO Erick Hamburger to step down in September, 1Q net profit falls 31%

UEM Edgenta Bhd (KL:EDGENTA) has won contracts valued at S$220.48 million (RM735.23 million) from ALPS Pte Ltd to provide hospital support services in Singapore. UEM Edgenta announced that its subsidiary, UEMS Solutions Pte Ltd, has secured contracts lasting between 32 months and five years, starting May 1, 2025. The contracts are anticipated to have a positive impact on UEM Edgenta’s earnings and net assets per share for the financial year ending Dec 31, 2025 (FY2025). — UEM Edgenta secures RM735m in contracts to provide hospital services in Singapore

Taghill Holdings Bhd (KL:TAGHILL), formerly known as Siab Holdings Bhd, announced that it has secured a RM494 million construction contract in Bandar Sri Damansara, Selangor. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, it said Taghill Projects Sdn Bhd (TPSB), a subsidiary of Taghill, has received a letter of award (LOA) from Indo Aman Bina Sdn Bhd (IAB) to construct two 55-storey serviced apartment blocks, a 14-storey parking podium and shared facilities. The contract lasts 40 months, with completion expected by July 9, 2028. — Taghill bags RM494m construction contract in Bandar Sri Damansara

Catcha Digital Bhd (KL:CATCHA) is raising up to RM35.32 million through a renounceable rights issue and private placement to partially fund around RM111 million worth of acquisitions and strengthen its financial reserves. The company said the renounceable rights issue aims to raise RM25.23 million, while the private placement will generate RM10.09 million. Catcha Digital has signed deals to purchase a 60% stake in Drive 2 Digital Sdn Bhd for RM16.2 million, a 92.5% stake in Theta Service Partner Sdn Bhd for almost RM35 million, a 60% stake in Framemotion Studio for RM37.3 million, and a 51% stake in DS Services for nearly RM23 million. — Catcha Digital makes cash call to raise RM35.32 mil for acquisitions and reserves

Astro Malaysia Holdings Bhd (KL:ASTRO) said its subsidiaries, Astro Shaw Sdn Bhd (ASSB) and Measat Broadcast Network Systems Sdn Bhd (MBNS), have reached a settlement agreement with the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) over additional tax assessments issued between 2019 and 2023. Under the settlement agreement, Astro’s revised assessment amounted to RM114.95 million — RM4.04 million for ASSB and RM110.91 million for MBNS — with no penalties imposed. This works out to be about 15.6% of the initial additional assessment that was raised by the IRB earlier. — Astro reach RM115m tax settlement with IRB, no penalties imposed

Iskandar Waterfront City Bhd (KL:IWCITY) has requested another six months from tycoon Tan Sri Lim Kang Hoo to deliberate its potential merger with Iskandar Waterfront Holdings Sdn Bhd (IWH). Under the proposal, which is part of a wider reorganisation and merger of Lim’s stable of companies, IWCity is to acquire the entire stake in IWH via the issuance of IWCity shares. IWCity explained the latest extension would allow the company to further assess, evaluate, and negotiate the detailed terms of the merger. — IWCity seeks another six-month extension to deliberate IWH merger

Key Alliance Group Bhd's (KL:KGROUP) executive chairman Datuk Wira Farhash Wafa Salvador has emerged as a substantial shareholder in the loss-making company. The IT services and technology provider said Farhash acquired 6.8 million shares in Key Alliance through an open market transaction on Friday. The shares represent a 5.55% stake, surpassing the 5% threshold needed to be classified as a substantial shareholder. The purchase price was 29.26 sen per share, according to the filing. At this price, the entire transaction is worth RM1.99 million. — Farhash Wafa Salvador emerges as substantial shareholder in Key Alliance