Straits Trading profit nearly trebles for Q4 2014

STRAITS Trading's net profit surged 192.5 per cent year-on-year to S$36.98 million from S$12.64 million, for the fourth quarter ended Dec 31, 2014.

Revenue for the three months rose 53.9 per cent to S$209.11 million, from S$135.89 million for the corresponding period a year ago. The group said this was "mainly from resources on the back of higher sales volume".

For the full year, however, Straits Trading's net profit fell 84.4 per cent to S$18.59 million, from FY2013's S$119.50 million.

Revenue for FY2014 rose 15.8 per cent to S$764.76 million, from S$660.53 million in FY2013.

Earnings per share stood at 9.1 cents for Q4, and 4.6 cents for the full year. In contrast, earnings per share for the corresponding periods a year ago were 3.2 cents and 30.4 cents respectively.

An interim cash dividend of four cents per ordinary share was declared - unchanged from the preceding financial year.

Straits Trading shares were last traded at S$2.97 apiece.