Category Archives: Developers

UOL makes first-half gain despite second-quarter loss

MAINBOARD-LISTED property group UOL plunged into the red in the second quarter after lower operating income and property value losses hit its bottom line.

UOL’s $20.1 million loss in the three months to the end of June is a sharp reversal from the $145 million profit it made in the same period a year ago, and partly reflects a $77 million ‘fair value’ loss on investment properties and a $3.8 million impairment loss on a hotel property.

UOL had to pay $6.1 million in income tax during the period, with a substantial part of the fair value and impairment losses having no positive impact on the size of the tax bill.

Hotel operations and dividends were lower and hit by higher interest expenses plus a lower share of profits from associated companies.

The group’s revenue for the period ended June 30 grew 2 per cent on the previous year to hit $213.7 million.

It was boosted by progressive recognition of revenue from the sale of development properties, that is, sales made at various stages of completion o Continue reading

Restructured for strength

A NEWCOMER seems to be shaking things up at construction firm Koon Holdings as the company prepares to diversify and deepen its businesses. Tan Thiam Hee, who has been CEO since July last year, has been busy integrating the different units of the holding group, with the aim of leveraging their respective strengths for bigger projects.

‘When I came in we weren’t maximising what we had,’ says Mr Tan, who is a certified accountant. ‘So I put a challenge to my managers: ‘This is what we are doing now. How are you going to do more’?’

Competitive advantage

The challenge arose because he realised Koon may no longer be able to compete for open tender contracts based on cost alone. The company’s latest annual financial results are telling. 2008 profit after tax was $1.97 million – down from $6.18 million in 2007. The bright spark is the firm’s $172 million Continue reading