KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 18): Hume Cement Industries Bhd (KL:HUMEIND) reported a 14.4% rise in its fourth-quarter net profit, on the back of lower input and production costs following ongoing efficiency improvement initiatives.

Net profit for the quarter ended June 30, 2026 (4QFY2026), rose to RM61.3 million from RM53.6 million a year earlier, the building materials company, in which the Hong Leong Group holds 72%, said in a bourse filing on Tuesday.

Revenue slipped 1.6% to RM259.1 million from RM263.4 million, due to lower concrete sales following the cessation of its concrete segment in Peninsular Malaysia.

In late March, Hume Cement completed the disposal of its entire equity interest in Hume Concrete Sdn Bhd to YTL Cement (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd for RM215.5 million, which recognised a pre-tax gain of RM191.2 million for the year.

No dividend was declared with the latest quarterly results. Total dividends paid for FY2026 amounted to 13 sen per share, up from 10 sen for FY2025.

For the full year ended June 30, 2026 (FY2026), Hume Cement’s net profit jumped 92.9% to RM430.6 million from RM223.2 million, underpinned by a one-off gain from the disposal of its concrete business.

Excluding the one-off gain, the group noted it still achieved higher profit before tax, despite revenue falling 5.2% to RM1.06 billion from RM1.11 billion, supported by operational efficiencies and cost optimisation.

Moving forward, Hume Cement said the operating environment remains challenging amid heightened geopolitical tensions and global economic uncertainties, which could continue to exert pressure on energy prices and operating costs.

Domestic demand is expected to remain resilient, supported by continued development expenditure and ongoing infrastructure projects, it added.

Hume Cement shares ended five sen or 1.7% higher at RM2.99 on Tuesday, valuing the company at RM2.17 billion.