NEWS-IN-BRIEF: NOV 24

LATITUDE TREE HOLDINGS BHD reported RM14.286 million higher profit before tax for the first quarter ended Sept 30, 2009 from RM2.228 million in the same period last year.

Turnover for the period was higher at RM126.839 million from RM110.449 million. -- BERNAMA

MALAYAN UNITED INDUSTRIES BHD reported RM12.818 million higher profit before tax for the third quarter ended Sept 30, 2009 from RM3.893 million in the corresponding period last year.

Turnover was also higher at RM245.093 million from RM262.287 million previously. -- BERNAMA

PADIBERAS NASIONAL BHD reported RM83.468 million profit before tax for the third quarter ended Sept 30, 2009 from RM23.658 million loss before tax last year.

Turnover was higher at RM847.799 million from RM511.788 million previously.

-- BERNAMA

KPJ HEALTHCARE BHD third quarter pre-tax profit rose to RM37.029 million for the third quarter ended Sept 30, 2009 from RM30.087 million in the corresponding period last year.

Turnover was higher at RM361.487 million from RM329.736 million previously. -- BERNAMA

JT International Bhd registered RM36.1 million lower profit before tax for the third quarter ended Sept 30, 2009 from RM40.1 million achieved in the corresponding quarter last year.

The lower profit was driven by lower sales volume and lower interest income offset partially by higher cigarrette prices and lower marketing expenditure.

Revenue was higher at RM276.5 million from RM271.3 million achieved in the corresponding quarter last year. -- BERNAMA

KNM Group Bhd announced its wholly-owned subsidiaries, KNM International Sdn Bhd and KNM Renewable Energy Sdn Bhd, had completed its subscription for 960 and 20 ordinary shares in Kimma Thai Co Ltd for RM9,917.60 cash.

The investments are mainly to facilitate project bids and tenders in Thailand in line with KNM's overall objective of expanding and growing the businesses of KNM and its group of companies worldwide. -- BERNAMA

CL TOM