SNS Network Technology Berhad: A Deep Dive into Q1 FY2025 Performance – Riding the AI Wave?
Greetings, fellow investors! Today, we’re unboxing the latest financial report from SNS Network Technology Berhad for their first quarter ended 30 April 2025. This report isn’t just a collection of numbers; it tells a compelling story of remarkable growth, strategic expansion, and a bold leap into the future of technology, particularly Artificial Intelligence. While the company has delivered impressive year-on-year profit growth, a closer look reveals some interesting dynamics, especially when comparing quarter-on-quarter performance. Let’s delve into the details and see what SNS Network is doing to secure its position in Malaysia’s dynamic tech landscape, and what this could mean for its journey ahead.
Core Financial Highlights: A Quarter of Explosive Growth
SNS Network Technology Berhad has kicked off its financial year 2025 with an exceptional performance in the first quarter. The figures speak volumes, particularly when viewed against the same period last year. The company’s strategic focus on expanding its ICT product sales, especially through commercial and online channels, has clearly paid off.
Year-on-Year Performance (Q1 FY2025 vs. Q1 FY2024)
The growth witnessed in this quarter is truly significant. Let’s break down the key figures:
Q1 FY2025
Revenue: RM822.75 million
Profit Before Tax: RM13.44 million
Profit After Tax: RM10.24 million
Basic Earnings Per Share: 0.61 sen
Q1 FY2024
Revenue: RM213.59 million
Profit Before Tax: RM5.11 million
Profit After Tax: RM3.74 million
Basic Earnings Per Share: 0.23 sen
As you can see, revenue surged by an impressive 285.2%, jumping from RM213.59 million to RM822.75 million. This massive increase was primarily driven by robust sales of ICT products across both commercial and online platforms. Consequently, Profit Before Tax skyrocketed by 163.1% to RM13.44 million, and Profit After Tax attributable to equity holders saw an even higher jump of 173.7% to RM10.24 million. Basic Earnings Per Share also reflected this strong growth, rising from 0.23 sen to 0.61 sen.
Quarter-on-Quarter Performance (Q1 FY2025 vs. Q4 FY2024)
While the year-on-year comparison shows explosive growth, a look at the immediate preceding quarter provides a nuanced picture:
Q1 FY2025
Revenue: RM822.75 million
Profit Before Tax: RM13.44 million
Profit After Tax: RM10.24 million
Q4 FY2024
Revenue: RM251.51 million
Profit Before Tax: RM17.61 million
Profit After Tax: RM10.02 million
Revenue increased substantially by 227.1% from RM251.51 million in the previous quarter, again highlighting the strong demand for ICT products. However, Profit Before Tax saw a 23.7% decrease, falling from RM17.61 million to RM13.44 million. The report attributes this dip to the sales of certain ICT products yielding lower gross profit margins in the current quarter. Interestingly, Profit After Tax still managed a slight increase of 2.2%, primarily due to an adjustment for prior financial year deferred tax expenses recorded in the immediate preceding financial quarter.
Business Segment Performance
The dominance of ICT product sales is evident across the business activities:
Business Activity | Current Quarter (30.04.2025) RM’000 | Corresponding Quarter (30.04.2024) RM’000 |
---|---|---|
Sale of ICT products | 820,484 | 211,424 |
Provision of device repair and related services, as well as sale of broadband services | 2,269 | 2,161 |
Total Revenue | 822,753 | 213,585 |
The vast majority of revenue, RM820.48 million, comes from the sale of ICT products, showcasing the company’s core strength. While the service segment also saw a slight increase, it remains a smaller contributor to the overall top line.
Geographically, Malaysia continues to be the primary market, but the company is also expanding its reach, with notable contributions from Singapore and a new presence in Hong Kong this quarter.
Financial Health: Balance Sheet and Cash Flow
The company’s financial position has strengthened considerably. Total assets increased to RM869.43 million as of 30 April 2025, up from RM560.41 million at the end of January 2025. This growth is supported by an increase in total equity to RM284.54 million, resulting in a net asset per ordinary share of RM0.17.
One of the most encouraging aspects of this report is the significant turnaround in cash flow from operating activities. The Group generated RM70.40 million in net cash from operations this quarter, a stark contrast to the RM44.63 million net cash used in the corresponding period last year. This robust cash generation is vital for funding future growth initiatives and maintaining financial flexibility. While total borrowings have increased to RM151.42 million from RM94.13 million, this appears to be managed well given the substantial increase in cash and cash equivalents, which surged to RM201.43 million from RM84.60 million at the beginning of the financial period.
Future-Proofing: Risks and Prospects
SNS Network is not resting on its laurels. The company acknowledges the dynamic nature of the ICT industry and is proactively positioning itself for future growth. The industry continues to be driven by increasing ICT adoption in daily life and business, device replacement cycles, ongoing technological advancements, government digital transformation initiatives, and the integration of ICT in education.
Strategic Expansion and Diversification
To capitalize on these trends, SNS Network is actively expanding its physical footprint, with plans to set up 10 new stores across Malaysia. Two multi-brand concept stores and three brand-specific stores have already been launched, including two additional brand-specific stores in Penang during this quarter. This expansion aims to broaden the company’s customer base and enhance market reach.
Furthermore, the demand for Device-as-a-Service (DaaS) subscriptions is on the rise as businesses seek greater flexibility and reduced upfront capital expenditure. SNS Network continues to prioritize and expand its DaaS offerings to meet this growing need, supporting both existing and future subscription agreements.
Embracing the AI Revolution: The SNS AI Factory
Perhaps the most exciting development is SNS Network’s strategic pivot towards Artificial Intelligence. The company firmly believes that AI will play a pivotal role in its future success. They are not just talking about AI; they are building the infrastructure for it.
A significant highlight is the launch of the SNS AI Factory – touted as Malaysia’s first locally hosted, fully-managed AI cloud infrastructure service. This facility is powered by 64 NVIDIA Hopper Graphic Processing Units (GPUs) across eight Dell PowerEdge XE9680 servers, complemented by NVIDIA Quantum-2 InfiniBand networking and NVIDIA AI Enterprise software. Located at Telekom Malaysia’s KVDC in Cyberjaya, the SNS AI Factory offers GPU-as-a-Service (GPUaaS), providing high-performance, scalable, and secure AI computing solutions to enterprises, government agencies, and academia.
This initiative is designed to accelerate AI adoption across various industries by offering flexible subscription models, AI readiness assessments, and proof-of-concept (POC) programs. Importantly, half of the AI Factory’s computing power is dedicated to developing Malaysia’s AI ecosystem through training programs, bootcamps, and industry hackathons. This strategic move not only enhances local access to cutting-edge AI infrastructure but also positions SNS Network at the forefront of AI innovation in Malaysia, aligning with national aspirations for technological advancement and talent growth.
The Group remains optimistic about the ICT industry outlook, particularly with the rapid advancements in AI technologies, expecting this to drive stronger demand for ICT products, solidify its customer base, and expand market share.
Summary and Investment Considerations
SNS Network Technology Berhad has delivered a stellar first quarter for FY2025, showcasing exceptional revenue and profit growth year-on-year, driven by strong ICT product sales. The company’s proactive strategies, including retail expansion and a significant investment in AI infrastructure with the SNS AI Factory, demonstrate a clear vision for long-term growth and market leadership. The strong cash flow generation is also a positive indicator of operational efficiency.
However, as with any investment, it’s crucial for retail investors to consider all aspects. Here are a few points to keep in mind:
- Gross Profit Margins: While revenue surged quarter-on-quarter, the Profit Before Tax declined due to sales of ICT products with lower gross profit margins. This indicates that while sales volume is high, profitability per unit might fluctuate, which is something to monitor in future reports.
- Increased Borrowings: The company’s total borrowings have increased significantly quarter-on-quarter. While current cash levels are robust, it’s important to understand the nature of these borrowings and how they are being utilized to ensure sustainable financial health.
- Foreign Exchange Fluctuations: The report noted an unrealized loss on foreign exchange, which can impact profitability. Companies with international dealings are always exposed to currency volatility.
- Execution Risk for New Initiatives: The ambitious plans for new retail stores, DaaS expansion, and particularly the SNS AI Factory, while promising, come with execution risks. Successful implementation will be key to realizing their full potential.
Overall, SNS Network appears to be on a strong growth trajectory, underpinned by strategic foresight and a commitment to innovation. The foray into AI, in particular, could be a game-changer for the company, positioning it well within the rapidly evolving technological landscape.