YTL Corporation Bhd recorded a pre-tax profit of RM1.104 billion for its first half year financial period ended Dec 31, 2010 compared with a pre-tax profit of RM1.017 billion in the same period of 2009.

Revenue rose 13.3 per cent to RM8.904 billion from RM7.857 billion previously, said the group in a statement here today.

The group managing director Tan Sri Francis Yeoh Sock Ping said the growth during the period was driven primarily by strong performance in its key utilities and cement divisions.

Commenting on its other areas, he said the reorganisation of its property development and hotels businesses were still ongoing, as part of the group's strategy to streamline its operation in these areas.

As for its YES 4G mobile Internet with voice service, the company plans to further develop its coverage network and range of devices.

The company also announced a proposed subdivision of every one existing ordinary share of 50 sen each into five ordinary shares of 10 sen each on an entitlement date to be determined later.

It said the proposal was to increase the affordability, liquidity and attractiveness of YTL Corp's shares to potential investors as well as its existing shareholders.

The group utilities unit, YTL Power International Bhd registered a pre-tax profit of RM738.7 million for the first six months of the current financial year on the back of a revenue of RM1.023 billion.

It said the growth in revenue and profit was due mainly to better
performance by the group's foreign operations, whilst the strengthening of the ringgit against functional currencies in which foreign operations were denominated resulted in moderate increase in profit before taxation. -- Bernama