BAT Malaysia profit falls 66.54%, declares two sen dividend
The tobacco manufacturer booked RM9.95 million in quarterly restructuring costs, while its nine-month results showed a RM22.17 million net loss.
British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Bhd posted RM2.35 million in net profit for 3QFY2026, a 66.54% drop against the year-earlier RM7.02 million. Its bourse filing disclosed RM9.95 million in restructuring expenses during the quarter, which ended Sept 30, 2026.
Revenue reached RM302.02 million, rising 0.41% from RM300.80 million as West Malaysia contributed higher revenue. The company declared an interim dividend, its third, of two sen per share. Payment is scheduled for Dec 28, with the distribution amounting to RM5.71 million.
Dividends declared so far for FY2026 total 12 sen per share. Across the first nine months, BAT Malaysia swung from a profit of RM81.24 million a year earlier to a loss of RM22.17 million.
Nine-month revenue was RM977.62 million, down 21.63% against RM1.25 billion previously. Operating expenses climbed 28.52%, reaching RM188.28 million, mainly because of business restructuring and one-off transition spending.
BAT Malaysia attributed continued pressure on the legal tobacco industry to illicit sales. It cited a study that measured illicit incidence at 56.0% as at June 2026, versus 54.4% in 2025. The company reported a 3.9% contraction in the legal market; its own sales volume fell 21.1%, and it lost 1.9 percentage points of market share.
Managing director Daniel Hsu said the new distribution model was showing initial benefits through improved sales-call productivity and more direct contact with retailers. The company said its cost measures and operating changes would need time to deliver their full benefits. Hsu added that most one-off transformation expenses had been absorbed during the first half.
