The Star Online

PETALING JAYA: Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Bhd’s net profit surged 139.3% to RM30.8mil in the second quarter ended June 30, compared with RM12.9mil posted in the same period last year.

In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, Carlsberg Malaysia said the “significant profit improvement” were due to the acquisition of Carlsberg Singapore, higher domestic sales and higher profit contribution from associate company Lion Brewery (Ceylon) plc.

Its revenue advanced 56.8% to RM334.2mil, driven by higher export sales, the World Cup season and better sales in in hypermarkets and supermarkets in both the Malaysia and Singapore.

Its earnings per share for the quarter grew to 10.08 sen versus 4.21 sen a year ago. The company proposed to declare an interim dividend of 5 sen per share and an interim special dividend of 2.5 sen.

For the first six-month period, its net profit doubled to RM68.7mil, from the RM34.3mil posted in the same period last year.

Revenue rose 41.7% to RM712.6mil, compared to RM503mil in the corresponding period last year.

Managing director Soren Ravn said: “We are very pleased with our half-year group performance, in particular, the RM28.7mil profit before tax contribution from Carlsberg Singapore.” He said the company also benefited from its successful 2010 Chinese New Year festive campaign and the equally successful execution of the World Cup campaign where significant increases in sales were recorded in both Malaysia and Singapore.

“We expect the domestic beer market to grow moderately this year as the Malaysian economic climate improves.

“With good performance in bothMalaysia and Singapore, we expect to continue on a positive track in terms of revenue and earnings growth for the rest of the year,” Ravn said.

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Kuala Lumpur, 17 August 2010 – After much anticipation, GUINNESS® has officially announced the line-up of acts for Arthur’s Day 2010. Timbaland, legendary two-time Grammy award winning record producer, singer-songwriter, actor, musician and rapper, is set to energize Malaysia come 24 September 2010. Timbaland is popularly known for his chart topping albums such as “Timbaland Presents Shock Value” as well as his knack in creating hits for artists such as Aaliyah, Missy Elliot, Destiny’s Child, Ludacris, Jay-Z and many others.

This much anticipated event will also include Thai-American hip hop band, Thaitanium; independent rap-rock band, Pop Shuvit; turntable guru DJ Fuzz, as well as hip hop and R ‘n’ B artist, MizzNina.

Arthur’s Day honours the remarkable legacy of Arthur Guinness, the pioneer and philanthropist, who signed the 9,000 year lease on the St. James’s Gate Brewery in 1759 – thereby introducing the iconic dark brew GUINNESS® to the world.

Mark Jenner, Managing Director of Guinness Anchor Marketing said: “We are proud to once again host Arthur’s Day in Kuala Lumpur and being a part of this worldwide celebration brings a deeper meaning in celebrating the great man – Arthur Guinness. It’s no wonder that this remarkable visionary is celebrated around the globe with a massive lineup of music events and festivities.”

Last year, Arthur’s Day brought together some 15,000 partygoers to the thumping, trademark tunes of multi-platinum band, the Black Eyed Peas. This year, pumped up hip hop, rock and R&B fans can look forward to an energized concert with back-to-back electrifying performances from their favourite artists at Sunway Lagoon.

Arthur’s Day 2010 global celebration begins in Ireland at 17:59 (GMT) on 23 September, with internationally renowned acts such as Snow Patrol and Paolo Nutini, as well as Brandon Flowers from the universally acclaimed band, The Killers, entertaining fans with a live set at the Guinness Brewery, St James Gate. The celebration will then continue at various locations throughout Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, and North America.

Be sure to join the millions of people participating in the global Arthur’s Day celebration this September by picking up your tickets starting Thursday 19 August 2010. Tickets for this landmark event are priced at RM98 (regular) RM 198 (VIP) and RM 350 (Mosh Pit) can be obtained through official ticketing agent Axcess Tickets (www.axcess.com.my / ticketing hotline 03-77115000) or the Galaxy Hotline (www.galaxy.com.my / ticketing hotline 03-2282 2020).

For more information on Arthur’s Day, please visit www.arthursday.com.my.

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The Star Online

Company’s full year pre-tax profit crosses RM200mil for the first time

PETALING JAYA: Guinness Anchor Bhd’s (GAB) net profit jumped 30.2% to RM35.7mil for the fourth quarter ended June 30, from RM27.4mil a year ago, boosted by higher sales during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Its revenue for the quarter was 11.7% higher at RM308.7mil from RM276.3mil a year ago.

It reported earnings per share of 11.81 sen versus 9.07 sen a year ago.

The brewery also proposed a final dividend of 35 sen per 50 sen stock unit for the quarter.

For the full year, GAB’s net profit was higher at RM152.7mil, or 50.54 sen per share, on revenue of RM1.36bil.

Managing director Charles Ireland said the better performance marked the brewery’s ninth consecutive year of growth.

“Our pre-tax profit hit a record of RM205mil.

“This was the first time we crossed the RM200mil mark,” he said in a briefing to announce its latest quarterly results.

Ireland said the group had also managed to increase its market share in the malt liquor market to close to 60% from a low 40% nine years ago.

To a question, he said market share was less important to the group now.

He said the group’s various promotional campaigns such as Year of Tiger, Arthur’s Day, St Patrick’s Day and the recent World Cup viewing parties had paid off.

“We have been delighted with the performance of Tiger Beer especially in the last six months,” he said.

He added that GAB would be introducing more brands locally over the next six months, but did not elaborate.

Going forward, Ireland expects its current financial year ending June 30, 2011 (FY11) to be “another good year” for GAB.

“The year has started very well for us,” he said.

Ireland said one of the challenges for the current year was to sustain its performance to yet another record year.

The GAB chief said the group had allocated RM50mil for capital expenditure for FY11 in order to produce the highest quality beer.

He added that GAB would invest some RM3mil in a bottle inspection system to make sure its bottles were not chipped, among other concerns.

“We are also investing in crates, drafts and bottles to meet the growing demand,” he said.

Ireland is also hoping that the Government would not increase excise duties in the upcoming Budget 2011.

“We are hopeful that the Government will not increase the tax as Malaysia has the second highest excise tax in the world after Norway on alcoholic products,” he said.

Ireland said a higher tax would not necessarily increase revenue collection for the government as it could instead prompt smuggling activities.

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