United Plantations’ third-quarter net profit rises 43.1% to record
The planter declared a 15 sen special dividend and a 30 sen interim dividend per share, with payment scheduled for Dec 8.
United Plantations Bhd reported RM290.93 million in net profit for 3QFY2026, a record for its third quarter and a 43.1% increase from RM203.28 million a year earlier. The planter’s bourse filing attributed the performance to strong production and firm palm oil prices.
Quarterly revenue reached a high of RM722.22 million, rising 6.7% against RM677.08 million previously. Earnings per share increased from 32.67 sen to 46.76 sen. Shareholders will receive special and interim dividends of 15 sen and 30 sen per share respectively on Dec 8.
For the nine-month period to Sept 30, 2026, the group recorded net profit of RM645.58 million, up 4.8% against RM615.92 million previously. Revenue climbed 9.4%, reaching RM2 billion compared with RM1.83 billion.
Higher output more than compensated for slightly weaker CPO prices in the upstream business. Refinery earnings, however, were affected by timing differences involving raw material hedges. The company expects losses recognised when earlier hedge positions were closed to be offset as the related finished goods are delivered in subsequent quarters.
United Plantations expects palm oil prices to remain supported in the final quarter. It said tighter global vegetable oil supply and growing biodiesel demand should partly counter pressure from elevated stocks.
The group said it continues to pursue productivity gains through mechanisation and replanting older areas with high-yielding planting materials, while facing rising labour, energy and input costs.
United Plantations shares closed at RM30.24, down 16 sen or 0.53%, giving the group a market value of RM18.88 billion.
