KUALA LUMPUR: Power Root Bhd recorded a net profit of RM5.6mil in the second quarter of its financial year ending March 31, 2021, compared to a net profit of RM8.45mil in the previous corresponding quarter due to higher advertising and marketing expenses.

       Earnings per share was 1.3 sen compared to two sen in the year-ago quarter.

       The group declared a dividend of 1.2 sen per share, which brought year-to-date payout to 1.7 sen per share.

       In the quarter under review, revenue came to RM80.8mil, an increase of 1.4% over the same quarter in 2020.

       The group said in a bourse filing that it remains cautious on its prospects for the financial year.

       "In addition to the impending implementation of sugar tax on premix beverages announced in the recent Malaysian Tax Budget 2022, the continuing global supply chain disruptions, increase in raw material prices as well as the shortage of manpower will and have had resulted in higher production costs.

       "Despite the challenging environment, Power Root will continue to improve operational efficiency and optimise our sales force distribution," it said.