KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 15): Here is a brief recap of some corporate announcements that made news on Thursday (Dec 15) involving Astro Malaysia Holdings Bhd, Eco World International Bhd, Axis Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), Mesiniaga Bhd, Dagang Nexchange Bhd (DNeX), Deleum Bhd and Insas Bhd.

Astro Malaysia Holdings Bhd's net profit shrank to RM5.8 million for its third quarter ended Oct 31, 2022 from RM105.92 million a year earlier, dragged by higher net financing cost of RM141.7 million versus RM27.1 million previously. Revenue dipped to RM926.18 million from RM1.02 billion due to lower subscription revenue and merchandise sales, which was partially offset by an increase in advertising revenue. The group announced a third interim dividend of 0.75 sen per share.

Eco World International Bhd recorded a bigger net loss of RM95.73 million for the fourth quarter ended Oct 31, 2022 from RM56.26 million a year earlier, marking the group’s highest quarterly net loss since it was listed in 2017. The loss was due to further impairment on the group’s investment in EcoWorld-Ballymore in London. Quarterly revenue rose to RM43.15 million from RM34.75 million, thanks to a higher number of units sold and handed over to customers.

Axis Real Estate Investment Trust (Axis REIT) has declared a fourth interim income distribution of 2.09 sen per unit,  bringing its total income distribution for the year ending Dec 31, 2022 to 9.51 sen. The 2.09 sen distribution, in respect of the period from Oct 1 to Dec 22, will be paid on Jan 20 next year.  The ex-date is Dec 29 and the entitlement date is Dec 30.

Mesiniaga Bhd has been awarded a RM43.62 million contract by the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) for the development of the corporate registry system (CRS). The contract term runs from Jan 1, 2023 till Dec 31, 2026, and includes the development, supply, implementation, training, support, warranty and maintenance of the CRS.

Tethystronics Technologies Company Ltd, an indirect shareholder of SilTerra Malaysia Sdn Bhd, has filed an arbitration notice against the company and its sister company DNeX Semiconductor Sdn Bhd (DDSB) over a dispute concerning the appointment of directors to the board of SilTerra. Dagang Nexchange Bhd (DNeX) — the parent company of SilTerra and DSSB — said the dispute arises from a clause in a shareholders agreement that concerns SilTerra’s board of directors.

Deleum Bhd said Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) has lifted its suspension against the group's indirect subsidiary Deleum Technology Solutions Sdn Bhd (DTS). DTS — which was formerly known as Deleum Primera Sdn Bhd — received a letter from Petronas stating that the uplift was effective from Monday (Dec 12).

The Securities Commission Malaysia has granted a conditional approval to Insas Bhd’s proposal to list its stockbroking arm M & A Securities Sdn Bhd via a reverse takeover of furniture maker SYF Resources Bhd. SYF Resources is required to revise some of its proposals based on the terms by the regulator.