KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 25): Media Chinese International Ltd (KL:MEDIAC) said net losses ballooned in its first fiscal quarter from a year earlier as revenue slipped with weak advertising spending.

Net losses for the three months ended June 30, 2025 (1QFY2025), were RM7.41 million, marking its 10th consecutive quarter in the red, Media Chinese said in an exchange filing. Revenue for the quarter dipped about 1% year-on-year to RM180.57 million.

“Advertising spending continues to fall short of pre-pandemic levels, placing pressure on overall growth,” Media Chinese said. Further, a slow global market will weigh on its results in the next three months, the company flagged.

Media Chinese’s financial woes are part of a wider industry trend as revenue shrinks from declining advertising spending. Star Media Group Bhd (KL:STAR), which competes with Media Chinese for advertising expenditure in Malaysia, was also in the red for the same quarter.

Revenue fell in Malaysia, where Media Chinese publishes Sin Chew Daily and Nanyang Siang Pau newspapers, as well as in Hong Kong, Taiwan and North American markets.

The company, which also offers travel and travel-related services, said the segment saw revenue growth thanks to the popularity of luxury CEO tours to Mainland China and other parts of Asia while the newly introduced CEO cruise trips in Europe also received a positive response.

Profit before tax from the segment, however, declined about 10% year-on-year primarily due to higher operating costs, including labour and rent, the company noted.

Overall, “with interest rates expected to be cut and the potential of a more stable global trade landscape in the later part of 2025, the group expects a more stable business environment in the second half of the financial year,” Media Chinese added.