SATS Q1 net profit falls 10.6% in absence of one-time gain

NET profit at SATS Ltd fell by a year-on-year 10.6 per cent to S$57.3 million for the three months ended June 30 due the absence of one-time gain. Underlying net profit had inched up by 3.2 per cent.

Revenue was 0.5 per cent higher at S$426.5 million for the first quarter of financial year 2018, the aviation food solutions and gateway services provider said in a release after market close on Friday. Earnings per share fell by 12.1 per cent to 5.1 cents.

SATS said that its net profit fell by S$6.8 million, mainly due to the absence of last year's gain from the sale of the Senoko plant. But underlying net profit improved by S$1.8 million.

Looking ahead, SATS said that low yields will continue to weigh on the aviation industry. It, however, is bullish about the growth in air travel, e-commerce and demand for high quality, safe food, and therefore intends to invest more in capital and new business opportunities in more locations in the coming year.

SATS' counter rose by 0.99 per cent, or 5 cents to close on Friday at S$5.080 before the announcement.