KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 18): Plantation outfit United Malacca Bhd (KL:UMCCA) reported that its first-quarter net profit more than doubled year-on-year, driven by firmer crude palm oil (CPO) and palm kernel (PK) prices as well as lower production costs.

For the three months ended July 31, 2025 (1QFY2026), net profit rose to RM37.8 million from RM13.3 million a year earlier, with earnings per share increasing to 18 sen from 6.34 sen, according to the company’s bourse filing on Thursday.

Quarterly revenue climbed 17% to RM191.6 million from RM163.9 million in 1QFY2025. No dividend was declared for the quarter.

During the period, the average CPO price edged up to RM4,001 per tonne from RM3,989 per tonne, while PK prices surged 30% to RM3,151 per tonne from RM2,415 per tonne.

As a result, its Malaysian operations recorded a 42% increase in profit before tax to RM56.7 million from RM39.9 million a year earlier, while its Indonesian operations in Kalimantan saw profit before tax jump 246% to RM9.34 million from RM2.69 million.

United Malacca is expecting higher fresh fruit bunch production for FY2026, underpinned by a better age profile and improved operational efficiency.

“Assuming CPO prices remain at current levels, the group expects satisfactory results for FY2026,” it said, adding it will continue focusing on labour productivity, mechanisation, cost efficiency, and oil yield.

United Malacca’s shares closed one sen or 0.2% lower at RM5.40 on Thursday , giving the company a market capitalisation of RM1.13 billion.