Westports shares rise as nine-month net profit tops RM1b

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 22 — Westports Holdings Bhd's shares surged in early trading as the port operator's financial results for the first nine months of the fiscal year exceeded market expectations. At 11.33am, the stock jumped 13 sen to RM6.90, with 1.71 million shares changing hands. For the third quarter ending September 30, 2026, Westports' net profit soared 26% to RM342.55 million from RM271.1 million a year earlier.

The company's improved performance was fueled by higher gross profit, a 42% revenue increase to RM1.06 billion from RM751.99 million in Q3 2025. Westports' 9M 2026 net profit reached RM1.02 billion, up from RM725.19 million, while revenue climbed to RM2.83 billion from RM2.06 billion. MBSB Investment Bank Bhd raised its financial year 2026-2028 earnings forecasts for Westports by 2.8% to 3.0%, citing lower operating costs and favorable changes in electricity costs and solar generation.