KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 27): Here is a brief recap of some business news and corporate announcements that made the headlines on Wednesday:

Public Bank Bhd (KL:PBBANK) saw its net profit rise 3.7% year-on-year in the second quarter, as higher non-interest income more than offset increased impairment charges. The bank recorded net profit of RM1.82 billion while revenue increased 3.5% to RM7.61 billion. It declared a first interim dividend of 10.5 sen per share, representing a total payout of RM2.04 billion, scheduled for payment on Sept 23. — Public Bank 2Q net profit rises nearly 4%, declares 10.5 sen dividend

Alliance Bank Malaysia Bhd (KL:ABMB) posted a record quarter as broad-based loan growth and lower net credit costs boosted earnings. Net profit during its first quarter was RM248.3 million, a 25% increase from the same period a year earlier. Year-on-year, net interest income grew 2.5% and non-interest income rose 2.5% as well. No dividend was declared with the latest results — Alliance Bank posts record quarter as earnings surge on loan growth, lower provisions

Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd (KL:BIMB) has named Datuk Wan Mohd Fadzmi Che Wan Othman Fadzilah as its new independent and non-executive chairman. The appointment will take effect on Thursday (Aug 27). — Bank Islam names Wan Mohd Fadzmi as new chairman

The bank also saw its second-quarter net profit rise nearly 10% as stronger income and marginally lower overheads more than offset a sharp increase in impairment allowances and higher financing costs. Net profit for the quarter rose to RM139.12 million while revenue increased 6.3% to RM1.36 billion. The bank did not announce a new dividend with the latest results. — Bank Islam’s 2Q profit rises 10% as stronger income, lower costs offset higher impairments

PPB Group Bhd's (KL:PPB) second-quarter net profit jumped 20.82%, driven by higher contributions from its 18.8%-owned associate Wilmar International Ltd, and improved performance in the core grains and agribusiness segment. Net profit during the quarter rose to RM338.09 million, even as revenue slipped 3.04% to RM1.32 billion. An interim dividend of 13 sen per share — up from 12 sen a year earlier — was declared, payable on Sept 25. — PPB Group declares 13 sen dividend as 2Q profit jumps, bolstered by Wilmar, agribusiness contributions

QL Resources Bhd (KL:QL) reported a flat quarter as direct and indirect expenses rose faster than revenue growth. Net profit for the quarter was RM100.76 million. Pre-tax earnings at its mainstay marine product business — which manufactures surimi, food, snacks and fishmeal — surged 52% on higher production volumes and better selling prices. — QL Resources reports flat quarter as cost increase outpaces revenue growth

KLCCP Stapled Group (KL:KLCC) reported a 1.98% increase in second-quarter net profit, driven by stable office performance and higher contributions from its retail and management services segments. Net profit for the quarter rose to RM204.42 million while revenue edged up 1.33% to RM415.72 million. The group declared a dividend of 9.3 sen per stapled security for the quarter, bringing its cumulative dividend for the first half of FY2026 to 18.6 sen per share. — KLCCP Stapled posts marginal rise in 2Q net profit, declares 9.3 sen dividend

PETRONAS Gas Bhd (KL:PETGAS) maintained a second interim dividend of 16 sen per share after its second-quarter net profit came in largely flat, as a higher share of profit from joint ventures, lower costs and a lower profit allocation to non-controlling interests offset a decline in revenue. The group posted a net profit of RM453.33 million during the quarter, while revenue dropped 5.6% to RM1.5 billion, mainly due to sharp 28.6% drop in the utilities segment. A 16 sen dividend will be paid on Sept 29. — PETRONAS Gas keeps 16 sen dividend as 2Q profit holds steady despite revenue drop

Deleum Bhd's (KL:DELEUM) second-quarter net profit fell 47.2% from a year ago, dragged by weaker contributions from both its power and machinery and oilfield integrated services segments. Net profit during the quarter dropped to RM10.34 million, while revenue fell 19.16% to RM191.49 million. The group declared a first interim dividend of 3.50 sen per share, payable on Sept 30. — Deleum's 2Q net profit nearly halves, declares 3.5 sen dividend

Keyfield International Bhd (KL:KEYFIELD) is venturing into the dredging industry through the acquisition of a mega trailing suction hopper dredger for US$24.67 million (RM99.7 million) at 61% below its independently assessed fair-market value. Keyfield will nominate a special-purpose vehicle to own the vessel. The SPV will eventually be 60%-held by Keyfield and 40% by Singapore-based Star Naval 1 Pte Ltd (SNPL), which has an option to increase its interest to 45%. — Keyfield buys mega dredger for US$25m, ventures into dredging biz

IJM Corp Bhd (KL:IJM) expects a strong showing from its construction division in the current financial year after higher construction activities helped lift its first-quarter net profit by 43.7% to RM137.4 million from a year ago. Revenue rose 32.2% to RM2.29 billion. IJM declared a special dividend of 10 sen per share, payable on Oct 15. — IJM 1Q profit jumps 44% on construction boost, declares 10 sen special dividend

The group also appointed industry veteran Datuk Lee Teck Yuen as chairman of the construction and infrastructure giant, effective Aug 27. He is succeeding Tan Sri Krishnan Tan following his retirement from the board as part of what the company said was a long-planned leadership transition. — IJM names Lee Teck Yuen as chairman to succeed Krishnan Tan

The group also secured two fast-track semiconductor and medical technology projects worth a combined RM909.5 million. Both projects are being delivered on fast-track schedules of less than 18 months. — IJM Corp unit secures semiconductor and medical technology projects worth RM909.5 mil

Supermax Corp Bhd (KL:SUPERMX) returned to the black after three years, driven by stronger revenue and improved cost efficiency. Net profit during the its fourth quarter came in at RM80.3 million, while revenue jumped more than 42% year-on-year to RM217.3 million. — Supermax eyes higher profitability after returning to black in 4Q

Hap Seng Plantations Holdings Bhd's (KL:HSPLANT) second-quarter net profit doubled from a year earlier, thanks to higher sales volumes and prices of crude palm oil. Net profit for quarter rose to RM39.32 million while revenue increased 29.2% to RM201.73 million from RM156.11 million. The company declared a dividend of two sen per share, payable on Sept 23. — Hap Seng Plantations 2Q profit doubles on higher palm oil sales and prices

IGB Bhd (KL:IGBB) logged a near twofold rise in net profit for the second quarter, driven by broad improvement across the group’s segments, as well as a one-off overseas land disposal by an associate. Net profit for the quarter surged 94.7% to RM146.66 million, while revenue grew 16.1% to RM525.2 million. — IGB’s 2Q profit nearly doubles on broad segment improvements, associate’s land disposal

Axis Real Estate Investment Trust (KL:AXREIT) is acquiring three adjoining parcels of industrial land with warehouse facilities in Taman Perindustrian Pulau Indah, Klang, for RM61 million. The group has signed an agreement with the owner of the properties Megalift Sdn Bhd for the acquisition. Upon completion of the transaction, Megalift will lease back the property under a five-year leaseback arrangement for an initial monthly rental of RM316,826.90. — Axis REIT to acquire three industrial land parcels in Klang for RM61m

Greatech Technology Bhd's (KL:GREATEC) second-quarter net profit jumped 29.5% from a year earlier despite lower revenue, bolstered by favourable forex movements and the reversal of impairment losses on financial assets. Net profit during the quarter rose to RM33.58 million, while revenue dropped 9.9% to RM209.6 million.  Earnings were also lifted by a 50.3% drop in administrative and marketing expenses. — Greatech's 2Q profit jumps nearly 30%, lifted by forex gains, lower costs and impairment reversal

MCE Holdings Bhd (KL: MCEHLDG) has secured RM54.28 million worth of contracts to supply automotive electronics and mechatronic components to Perodua. The 40-month contracts are expected to generate RM54.28 million in revenue, with an estimated investment cost of RM4.95 million. Supply is expected to begin in the fourth quarter, with production to be carried out at its newly launched Auto Hub in Serendah, Selangor. — MCE secures RM54.28m in component supply contracts from Perodua

Eita Resources Bhd (KL:EITA) said its 60%-owned electrical substation specialist unit has secured a RM221 million substation extension contract from Sarawak state-owned Syarikat Sesco Bhd. The job, awarded to TransSystem Continental Sdn Bhd, comprises the Mapai 500kV substation and Mapai 275kV substation extension project. Work is expected to be completed within 25 months. — Eita Resources unit bags RM221m substation job from Sarawak’s Sesco

PMB Technology Bhd (KL:PMBTECH) expects the coming quarters to remain challenging as the group fell into the red in the second quarter, dragged by higher logistics costs linked to the conflict in West Asia. Net loss for quarter stood at RM23.52 million despite a 45.9% increase in revenue to RM279.89 million. No dividend was declared with the latest earnings announcement. — PMB Technology dragged to 2Q red by logistics cost