[ET Net News Agency, 16 January 2018] Kingboard Chemical (KBC) (00148) and Kingboard
Laminates (KBL) (01888) said the KBC Group is expecting to record an increase in the
underlying net profit of over 60% for the year ended 31 December 2017 as compared with the
corresponding period in 2016.
The expected increase in the underlying net profit of the KBC Group is mainly
attributable to the growth in the unit selling price of the products of various divisions,
namely laminates division, printed circuit boards division and chemical division, and the
expected gain of about HK$800 million on the disposal of shares in Cathay Pacific Airways
(00293).
The KBL Group is expecting to record an increase in the underlying net profit of over
90% for the year ended 31 December 2017 as compared with the corresponding period in 2016.
The expected increase in the underlying net profit of the KBL Group is mainly attributable
to the increase in the unit selling price of the products manufactured and sold by the KBL
Group. As a result of undersupply, market prices of glass fabric and other upstream
materials rose significantly during the year, which led to several increases in the price
of laminates.
The respective annual results announcements of KBC and KBL will be published before the
end of March. (HL)