PETALING JAYA: Luxchem Corp Bhd’s bottomline for the third quarter ended Sept 30 benefited from an improved profit contribution from its trading segment, despite a flattish revenue at the group level.

       The petrochemical distributor announced yesterday that its net profit rose slightly by 3.5% year-on-year (y-o-y) to RM14.7mil from RM14.2mil.

       Luxchem’s overall revenue, however, only edged up 0.5% y-o-y to RM192.21mil as compared to RM191.26mil in the previous corresponding quarter.

       “The higher revenue was attributable to the manufacturing segment,” the group said in a filing with Bursa Malaysia.

       Earnings per share for the third quarter ended Sept 30 were 1.41 sen. No dividend was declared for the quarter.

       Cumulatively, for the first nine months of financial year 2021, Luxchem’s net profit jumped by 63.22% y-o-y to RM51.83mil from RM31.76mil.

       Revenue for the period increased by 25.62% y-o-y to RM635.68mil.

       Commenting on its prospects, the group said its performance could be affected by fluctuations in the US dollar-ringgit exchange rates, raw material price fluctuations, raw material demand and supply situations, competition and the current Covid-19 pandemic.

       “The group will continue to improve its productivity and efficiency to face these external uncontrollable factors and challenges,” it added.