KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 18): KPJ Healthcare Bhd (KL:KPJ) reported a 27% increase in second-quarter net profit, driven by higher patient visits, more surgeries and improved case mix.

Net profit for the three months ended June 30, 2026 (2QFY2026) rose to RM103.92 million from RM82.02 million a year earlier, according to the private hospital operator's Bursa Malaysia filing on Tuesday.

Quarterly revenue increased 17% to RM1.20 billion from RM1.02 billion.

The group declared an interim dividend of 1.10 sen per share, amounting to RM48.7 million, payable on Oct 9. This raises the year-to-date dividend to 2.35 sen per share compared with 1.95 sen previously.

KPJ had deposits and bank and cash balances of RM1.17 billion as at June 30, against total borrowings of RM1.63 billion.

The group's Malaysian operations continued to account for almost all of the group's business during the quarter, generating RM1.18 billion in revenue, an increase of 17% from RM1.01 billion a year earlier.

Looking ahead, KPJ said it remains cautiously optimistic about its prospects for FY2026 despite global economic and geopolitical headwinds. 

"The group welcomes the MediASAS, the base Medical Health Insurance/ Takaful (MHIT) announced by the government in July 2026. MediASAS is a new medical insurance/ takaful plan developed as part of the government's healthcare financing reforms," it added.

For the first six months of FY2026, KPJ's net profit rose nearly 25% to RM173.57 million, while its revenue increased 13% to RM2.25 billion, again supported by higher patient visits and surgeries.

Shares of KPJ closed one sen or 0.3% lower at RM3.02 on Tuesday, giving the group a market capitalisation of RM13.67 billion. The counter has gained more than 12% year to date.