KUALA LUMPUR (July 30): Here is a brief recap of some business news and corporate announcements that made the headlines on Thursday:

ViTrox Corporation Bhd’s (KL:VITROX) net profit for the second quarter ended June 30, 2026 (2QFY2026) more than tripled to RM85 million from RM28.1 million a year earlier on stronger demand for AI-related technologies, supported by improved operational efficiency and tax benefits from its subsidiary. Quarterly revenue also more than doubled year-on-year to RM374.9 million from RM183 million, underpinned by strong demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure, growth in high-value markets such as automotive and consumer electronics, as well as global supply chain restructuring that strengthened customer engagement. No dividend was declared for the quarter. — ViTrox’s 2Q profit more than triples to RM85m on AI demand, operational gains

Bursa Malaysia Bhd’s (KL:BURSA) 2QFY2026 net profit rose 26% to RM71.78 million from RM57.06 million a year ago, thanks to higher securities trading activities and listing fees. Overall revenue during the quarter was up 22% to RM210.97 million, compared to RM172.58 million in 2QFY2025. “Looking ahead, the exchange expects the operating environment to remain supported by domestic economic conditions, while remaining mindful of ongoing economic and geopolitical uncertainties,” it said. The exchange operator maintained this year’s targets for return-on-equity of 27-30% and for non-trading revenue to grow at least 10%. However, it raised the total market capitalisation for initial public offerings to RM34 billion from RM28 billion previously. — Bursa Malaysia reports 26% rise in 2Q net profit as trading revenue surges

British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Bhd's (KL:BAT) 2QFY2026 net profit fell 79.11% to RM10.64 million from RM50.95 million a year earlier, weighed down by higher operating expenses. Quarterly revenue for the quarter fell 17.52% y-o-y to RM515.29 million from RM624.75 million. Operating expenses increased 32.3% to RM77.19 million from RM58.33 million in 2QFY2025, mainly due to costs associated with the implementation of the group's new Route-to-Market model. It declared a second interim dividend of five sen per share — compared to 12 sen a year earlier — payable on Sept 28. This brings the year-to-date dividend payout to 10 sen per share, versus 19.5 sen in the same period last year. — BAT Malaysia declares lower dividend as higher operating cost weighs on 2Q profit

Axis Real Estate Investment Trust (KL:AXREIT), an industrial asset-focused property trust, saw its net property income (NPI) for the second quarter slip 4.5% to RM75.53 million from RM79.09 million a year ago, as property income moderated marginally while expenses picked up. Revenue edged down 1.6% to RM88.8 million from RM90.25 million. Property expenses — comprising assessment, quit rent and other property operating expenses — rose 15.5% y-o-y to RM13.46 million. It proposed a distribution per unit of 2.3 sen, compared to 2.65 sen a year earlier. — Axis REIT's 2Q NPI slips 4.5% on higher property expenses, plans 2.3 sen distribution

EcoFirst Consolidated Bhd’s (KL:ECOFIRS) net profit for the fourth quarter ended May 31, 2026 (4QFY2026) fell significantly to RM485,000 from RM14.24 million a year ago, mainly due to lower revenue recognition from its KL48 property development project. Quarterly revenue tumbled 74.4% y-o-y to RM40.8 million from RM159.39 million, as work progress on the remaining phases of the KL48 condominium project in Sungai Besi slowed down towards completion. It did not declare any dividend for the quarter under review. —  EcoFirst 4Q earnings slumps amid slower progress in KL48 condo project

YTL Hospitality REIT (KL:YTLREIT) reported a 3.47% increase in its net property income (NPI) to RM66.19 million in the fourth quarter ended June 30, 2026 (4QFY2026), from RM63.97 million a year earlier, supported by a higher contribution from its property rental segment following the commencement of the lease for AC Hotel Puchong in April. Revenue dropped marginally by 0.57% to RM126.33 million from RM127.05 million, with a lower contribution from the REIT's Australian hotel portfolio amid the uncertainty following the Iran conflict. This was, however, offset by higher rental income from its Malaysian properties. The REIT, 55%-owned by YTL Corp Bhd (KL:YTL), declared a final income distribution of 4.9189 sen per unit, comprising 4.6232 sen taxable and 0.2957 sen non-taxable, bringing the total FY2026 distribution to eight sen per unit. — YTL Hospitality REIT posts higher 4Q net property income, declares 4.92 sen distribution

Texchem Resources Bhd (KL:TEXCHEM) reported its highest quarterly earnings in over four years in 2QFY2026, on the back of improved revenue amid stronger showing from all its business segments. The group’s operations include industrial, polymer engineering, food, restaurant and venture businesses. Quarterly net profit jumped more than sixfold to RM7.97 million from RM1.28 million a year ago, as revenue rose 8.82% to RM309.46 million from RM284.36 million. No dividend was declared for the quarter. — Texchem posts four-year high quarterly earnings in 2Q on broad-based segment growth

Automated test solutions firm THMY Holdings Bhd (KL:THMY) has expanded the plan for its new factory, with construction of the upsized project now expected to cost five times more at RM172.6 million, up from RM29.35 million planned initially. The move for the larger-than-planned factory follows enquiries THMY received from its customers for advanced automated test solutions and system-level automated test solutions. It earlier earmarked RM22.9 million from its IPO proceeds for the factory. The remainder will be covered by internally generated funds, bank borrowings and/or a future equity fundraising exercise. — THMY upsizes new factory plan on increased demand, construction to cost RM172.6 mil