KUALA LUMPUR (May 5): Here is a brief recap of some corporate announcements that made news on Monday.

Higher festive sales, improved gross margins, and continued store expansion lifted Mr DIY Group (M) Bhd's (KL:MRDIY) revenue and net profit to record highs in the first quarter ended March 31, 2025 (1QFY2025). The home improvement retailer said it plans to open 190 new stores in 2025, including new retail concepts, as it is confident that current US tariffs will not impact its performance and maintained a positive outlook for the year. It posted a 20.2% rise in net profit to RM174.15 million — the highest level achieved for a quarter — for 1QFY2025, compared with RM144.88 million a year ago. Quarterly revenue grew 10.5% to RM1.26 billion, against RM1.14 billion a year ago, underpinned by a higher number of stores. It added 173 new stores over the past 12 months from 1,298 to 1,471. It declared an interim dividend of 1.4 sen per share, to be paid on July 8. — Mr DIY posts record quarterly earnings, plans 190 new stores in 2025 as it dismisses US tariff concerns

Lotte Chemical Titan Holding Bhd (KL:LCTITAN) reduced its net loss to RM125.67 million in the 1QFY2025, down from RM178.03 million a year earlier, due to better margins, lower depreciation, and profits from its 40%-owned associate, Lotte Chemical USA. It has been posting quarterly losses since 2QFY2022. Its losses were on 22.26% lower revenue of RM1.49 billion, from RM1.92 billion previously, due to lower sales volume and average selling prices. No dividend was declared for the quarter under review. The last time the group declared a dividend was in FY2022, which included a special dividend of 13.98 sen per share. Its plant utilisation declined to 46% in 1QFY2025 from 65% previously. It expects to operate at 45% to 50% capacity in FY2025, depending on market conditions. This was on the back of continued global uncertainty due to unstable oil-linked feedstock prices, changing petrochemical demand, production efficiency, economic conditions, geopolitical tensions, unpredictable US tariffs, and a global oversupply of petrochemicals. — Lotte Chemical Titan cuts 1Q loss to RM125.7m, remains cautious amid global uncertainty

Frontken Corp Bhd (KL:FRONTKN), which posted a 3.37% increase in net profit for the 1QFY2025, said it is exploring potential collaborations with strategic partners to expand its footprint, as more countries seek to onshore their semiconductor capabilities. Geopolitical tensions, including the ongoing trade war and evolving tariff policies, continue to pose uncertainties. Nonetheless, it remains confident towards strengthening collaborations across the supply chain. Its net profit for 1QFY2025 rose to RM31.07 million from RM30.05 million a year earlier, mainly driven by higher profit from its semiconductor business and lower surtax. Revenue, however, fell 5.66% to RM132.56 million from RM140.52 million in 1QFY2024, due to lower contributions from the oil and gas segment. It attributed the decline to the Lunar New Year and Ramadan periods, which temporarily affected operations and service schedules. It did not declare any dividend for 1QFY2025. — Frontken posts 3% increase in 1Q profit, explores onshoring partnerships

Gamuda Bhd (KL:GAMUDA) has sold a 389-acre plot of land in Port Dickson, originally purchased for data centre development, to Google affiliate Pearl Computing Malaysia Sdn Bhd for RM455.23 million. The land, which Gamuda had acquired for RM424.4 million in December 2024, will be used for a major data centre project, with Gamuda set to oversee RM1 billion worth of development. Its indirect unit, Gamuda DC Infrastructure Sdn Bhd signed a sale and purchase agreement (SPA) and external infrastructure contract with Pearl Computing, which involves selling about 389 acres of land for RM455.23 million and undertaking enabling works, including earthworks and external infrastructure, for the data centre development, valued at RM1.01 billion. The land sale is expected to be finalised in the fourth quarter of 2025. — Gamuda sells land for RM455m to Google affiliate, lands RM1b data centre project

TAS Offshore Bhd (KL:TAS) has secured shipbuilding contracts worth about RM38 million for six tugboats from two new customers in Indonesia. It did not disclose the names of the clients. The vessels are scheduled for delivery in the financial year 2026. Separately, the group also declared an interim single-tier dividend of two sen per share for FY2025, with an entitlement date of May 28 and payment scheduled for June 18. — TAS Offshore lands shipbuilding contracts worth RM38m  

West River Bhd (KL:WESTRVR), which debuted on the ACE Market on Monday, has secured a RM13.88 million contract from China Railway Engineering Corporation (M) Sdn Bhd, a company primarily involved in trading construction materials and equipment. Its engineering company’s West River Engineering Sdn Bhd was appointed as a subcontractor for electrical and generator set installation works at two 50-storey serviced apartment blocks in Kuala Lumpur for Aricia Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Chin Hin Group Bhd (KL:CHINHIN). The main contract is set to be completed within 36 months from the commencement date. — West River wins RM13.9 mil electrical subcontract from China Railway unit

Meanwhile, West River said it is currently bidding for a data centre-related project in Johor, and is also keen to have a foothold in hotel development. It had 26 contracts with a total unbilled order book of RM247.3 million. — Engineering firm West River bids for data centre-related project in Johor

Ekovest Bhd (KL:EKOVEST) said the government has approved the construction of two links under Phase 2A of the Duta-Ulu Kelang Expressway, also known as the Duke project. Laluan Istana Kiara will proceed first with the signing of the concession agreement after it has been cleared by the Attorney General’s Chambers. Meanwhile, the concession agreement for the Kampung Baru Link is being finalised with a deadline by Dec 31, 2026. The greenlight follows the January 2017 approval-in-principle granted for the privatisation of the two links, as well as the Kapar Link. The company, however, did not provide an update on the Kapar Link in Monday's filing. Together, the three links span about 75.2km and will connect to the main Duke Expressway sprawling the Klang Valley. The total project cost was then estimated at RM6.32 billion, which would be financed via a combination of internally generated cash, borrowings, or a mix of funds to be raised. — Ekovest gets govt approval for two links connecting to Duke Expressway

Tan Chong Motor Holdings Bhd (KL:TCHONG) is set to introduce the Chinese automotive marque Wuling to the Malaysian market under the brand name TQ Wuling, marking the group's latest foray into the electric vehicle (EV) segment. In partnership with Chinese automaker SAIC-GM-Wuling Automobile Co Ltd (SGM Wuling), Tan Chong on Monday signed an investment commitment agreement (ICA) to begin semi knocked-down (SKD) assembly of Wuling models in Malaysia. The assembly operations will take place at Tan Chong's Segambut plant. The SKD category allows Tan Chong to price vehicles below RM100,000, which is not permitted for fully imported EVs, partly to protect local vehicle brands. The first model will be launched in the fourth quarter of 2025, namely the compact EV hatchback TQ Wuling Bingo. SGM Wuling, established in 2002, is a joint venture between SAIC Motor Corporation, General Motors, and Liuzhou Wuling Motors Co Ltd. — Tan Chong introduces China’s Wuling EVs, gets nod for local semi-assembly