News From : DagangHalal.com (19 Mar 2009)
NESTLE (Malaysia) Bhd (4707), the world’s largest food and beverage company, said its net profit more than doubled in the fourth quarter ended December 31 2008, helped by strong performance across all its divisions. Net profit grew 128 per cent to RM77.3 million during the quarter, compared with RM33.8 million a year ago. Revenue was RM972.6 million, up 14 per cent from RM856.7 million. In a statement, Nestlé Malaysia said its milks, performance and healthcare nutrition, confectionery and chilled dairy categories enjoyed better than expected growth. The group saw its net profit rise 17 per cent to RM340.9 million for the full fiscal year, from RM292 million in 2007. Revenue was RM3.9 billion, up 14 per cent from RM3.4 billion in 2007. Nestlé Malaysia managing director Sullivan O’Carroll said the commendable performance was within target, as the group had been registering quarterly double-digit growth throughout the year. Exports also grew, stemming from increased demand for Asian ethnic products in Europe, which was augmented with the introduction of a Halal range of Maggi products in key European markets, namely France, the Netherlands and Switzerland. “We will continue to focus on our longer term objectives and strategies by continuing to expand and implement our capital expenditure for the manufacture of halal products for 2009,” he added. The group is proposing to pay a final dividend of 80 sen per share, giving a total net dividend for the year 2008 of 191.19 sen per share; the highest dividend pay-out in the group’s history. Source from: www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES Photo Credit:NESTLÉ