Sports Toto declares 4.7 sen dividend as 4Q profit jumps 52% on continued recovery

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 23): Sports Toto Bhd’s net profit for the fourth quarter ended June 30, 2022 (4QFY22) jumped 52.33% to RM46.41 million from RM30.47 million in the same period last year, as the group continued to see business recovery with higher sales from its number forecast operator (NFO) business STM Lottery Sdn Bhd, and its luxury car dealer HR Owen plc.

Quarterly revenue grew 29.65% to RM1.46 billion, from RM1.13 billion in the same period a year ago. Earnings per share improved to 3.46 sen from 2.27 sen, its bourse filing on Tuesday (Aug 23) showed.

The group, formerly known as Berjaya Sports Toto Bhd, declared a fourth interim dividend of 4.7 sen per share — comprising a cash dividend of 3 sen per share and a share dividend of about 11.16 million shares worth an estimated 1.7 sen per share on the basis of one treasury share for every 120 existing shares held — to be paid and credited to shareholders accounts respectively on Oct 21, 2022. This will raise its full FY22 payout to 8.7 sen, versus 8 sen for FY21.

During the reporting quarter, STM Lottery, the group’s main subsidiary, saw revenue climb 47.8% after recording 42 draws, compared with only 28 draws in 4QFY21, after 15 draws were cancelled as its outlets were closed during the government-imposed movement control order at the time, from June 1, 2021 to Sept 13, 2021.

As for HR Owen, revenue rose 17.1% to RM774.3 million from RM661.4 million, on higher sales from both new and used car sectors, with gradual recovery in supply volume, after an earlier supply chain disruption.

For the full year, Sports Toto’s net profit was down 10.85% to RM161.57 million from RM181.23 million in FY21, despite revenue rising 8.35% to RM5.23 billion from RM4.83 billion.

Looking ahead, Sports Toto said it remains vigilant and continues to monitor the development of domestic and global economic issues, and their resultant impact to the group's operations and financial results.

It added that its businesses will remain steadfast with the resilient nature of the NFO business, as seen in past economic crises and turbulent periods.

Shares in Sports Toto ended one sen or 0.55% lower at RM1.82 on Tuesday, giving it a market capitalisation of RM2.46 billion.