Across the Group’s segments, the Print Publishing segment recorded a revenue of RM63.280 million in the current financial year compared to RM57.214 million in the preceding financial year, representing an increase of RM6.066 million (equivalent to 10.60%). The Digital & Network Marketing segment recorded a revenue of RM3.441 million for the current financial year as compared to RM3.493 million for the preceding financial year, representing a decrease of RM0.052 million (equivalent to 1.49%). Lastly, our ALP & STEM segment recorded a revenue of RM2.313 million for the current financial year as compared to RM2.195 million for the preceding financial year, representing an increase of RM0.118 million (equivalent to 5.38%). With the increase in overall revenue, the Group recorded a profit before tax (“PBT”) of RM1.971 million for the current financial year vis-à-vis a loss before tax (“LBT”) of RM10.456 million for the preceding financial year. This represents an improvement of RM12.427 million primarily due to the higher revenue achieved and lower provision of inventories write down where RM3.450 million was recognised in the current quarter as compared to RM10.997 million recognised in the previous financial year corresponding quarter. A detailed analysis of the operating segments is provided below. The equity attributable to owners of the Company increased from RM137.888 million as of 31 August 2021 to RM139.250 million as of 31 August 2022. The Group recorded an earnings per share (“EPS”) of 0.20 sen for FYE 31 August 2022 as compared to a loss per share (“LPS”) of 2.20 sen for FYE 31 August 2021 resulting from the higher profit achieved during the financial year. The Group’s debt-to-equity ratio was 0.09 times as of 31 August 2022 vis-à-vis 0.13 times as of 31 August 2021. The decrease in the Group’s debt-to-equity ratio was mainly due to lower loan and borrowings which decreased from RM17.491 million to RM12.222 million as of 31 August 2021 and 31 August 2022 respectively. The decrease in loan and borrowings were mainly attributed to the Group’s cash management measures where we disposed our non-core assets to increase liquidity and reduce finance cost. Current ratio is consistent with the previous financial year at 3.41 times as of 31 August 2022 and 3.42 times as of 31 August 2021. For the FYE 31 August 2022, the Group did not incur any major capital expenditure. Dividend Policy The Board of Directors did not recommend the payment of any final dividend for the FYE 31 August 2022. The Group’s premises include our Head Office in Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya, Selangor; an office in Sungai Buloh, Selangor where Sanjung Unggul Sdn Bhd (“SUSB”) and its subsidiaries (“SUSB Group”) operate; an office in Sri Petaling, Kuala Lumpur where United Publishing House (M) Sdn Bhd (“UPH”) and its subsidiaries (“UPH Group”) operate; and an office in Cova Square, Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya, Selangor where MindTech Education Sdn Bhd (“MindTech Education”) operates. The Group’s operations are divided into the following segments: (i) Print publishing, which is further divided into the following: (a) Academic print publishing focusing on both national and national-type (Chinese) schools and also early childhood education; and (b) Non-academic print publishing which includes comic books, novels, dictionaries and other general titles. (ii) Digital solutions and network marketing; and (ii) Applied learning products (“ALP”) and STEM education services. Financial Review The financial year ended (“FYE”) 31 August 2022 served as a notable turning point for our Group after several challenging years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Group recorded a revenue of RM69.034 million and net profit of RM0.841 million for the current financial year as compared to a revenue of RM62.902 million and net loss of RM9.251 for the preceding financial year, representing an increase of RM6.132 million (equivalent to 9.75%) in revenue and a return to black after 2 consecutive years of net losses. (continued) MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS 15 ANNUAL REPORT 2022
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDgzMzc=