KOP Limited has reversed into earnings of $1.0 million in the 9MFY2024 ended Dec 31, 2023, from its loss of $36.2 million in the 9MFY2023.

 

The company also saw a narrower loss of $605,000 during the 3QFY2024 compared to the $4.1 million loss in the same period the year before.

 

Earnings per share (EPS) for the 9MFY2024 stood at 9 cents.

 

9MFY2024 revenue surged by 241% y-o-y to $77.1 million, contributed partly by revenue for the 3QFY2024 which also surged by 100% y-o-y to $19.4 million. For both periods, revenue was up due to growth seen in the company&rsquo s real estate development and investment as well as hospitality businesses while real estate origination and management services stood flat y-o-y.

 

The increase in revenue from real estate development and investment segment was mainly due to the revenue recognised on units sold for Dalvey Haus during the period. Dalvey Haus had obtained its temporary occupation permit (TOP) in July 2023.

 

The higher revenue from the hospitality business was mainly due to the full openings of Montigo Resorts, Nongsa in Batam and Montigo Resorts, Seminyak in Bali after the lifting of the travel restrictions by various countries in the previous financial year. The performance was also boosted by the contribution from the newly-acquired Montigo Resorts, Somerset in the UK.

 

Gross profit for the 9MFY2024 and 3QFY2024 stood at $20.8 million and $5.7 million respectively, marking a 131% y-o-y and 40% y-o-y increase.

 

As at Dec 31, 2023, cash and cash equivalents stood at $6.1 million.

 

No dividends were declared.

 

KOP Northern Lights (KOPNL), a unit of Catalist-listed real-estate player KOP, has received payment of 158.4 million yuan (S$30.6 million) from an arbitration case involving the development of the world&rsquo s largest indoor ski resort in China, it announced in a Wednesday (Dec 14) statement.

 

The company had earlier received another payment from the arbitration proceedings of 235.2 million yuan (S$44.9 million) in November. After deducting expenses, KOP&rsquo s total net proceeds from the case is 392.2 million yuan.

 

With the latest payment, KOPNL has fully withdrawn from the development of the ski resort, called the Wintastar Shanghai resort, into which it had invested 300 million yuan.

 

Back in November 2016, KOPNL had entered a joint-venture framework agreement with Shanghai LuJiaZui Zhi Mao Investment (SLJZZM) and Shanghai Harbour City Development (Group) Co (SHCD), to develop the resort.

 

The following year, KOPNL entered an investment agreement to incorporate a joint-venture company, Shanghai Snow Star Properties, together with SLJZZM and Shanghai Hong Bin Properties, a unit of SHCD. KOP contributed 30 per cent of the registered capital, or 300 million yuan, in the JV company.

 

However, around 2020, disagreements arose between the JV partners, and the case was brought to the Shanghai International Arbitration Centre.

 

On Nov 29, 2021, the arbitration centre ruled that the framework and investment agreements were terminated as of Dec 20, 2020, and that the other parties would acquire KOPNL&rsquo s 30 per cent stake in the JV company at a fair-market value.

 

Leny Suparman, the chief executive of KOP, said that with the closure of the case, KOP is consolidating existing projects and exploring ventures in new markets.

 

&ldquo We are happy and relieved on the final closure of the case. The monies received will generate a healthy cash inflow for KOP, reducing its liabilities as we repay all shareholders&rsquo loans and save on interest costs. It is a great way to end the year.&rdquo

 

KOP : 5I1 +2.94%&rsquo s independent auditor has flagged a material uncertainty that may cast significant doubt on the real estate, hospitality and entertainment group&rsquo s ability to continue as a going concern.

 

Separately, the group said it is proposing to sell 2 units of a condominium development at Dalvey Road for S$11.7 million to immediate family members of businessman Sam Goi, a controlling shareholder of the company. 

 

In a bourse filing released on Wednesday (Sep 7), KOP&rsquo s board said the group&rsquo s independent auditor, UHY Lee Seng Chan & Co, issued a qualified opinion on the group&rsquo s financial statements for the year ended Mar 31, 2022. It also included an &ldquo emphasis of matter&rdquo regarding a material uncertainty related to going concern in its report.

 

Several issues highlighted include the inability to determine whether any adjustments to the group&rsquo s opening balances were needed for its FY2022 statements, as it was unable to ascertain if the group&rsquo s opening balances as at Apr 1, 2021, were fairly stated. 

 

The auditor also experienced difficulties in obtaining the financial information required to audit Shanghai Snow Star Properties, KOP&rsquo s joint venture where it holds a 30 per cent interest. At present, the group is undergoing arbitration proceedings in the Shanghai International Arbitration Centre with its partners over the joint venture. 

 

UHY Lee Seng Chan & Co noted several factors which indicate material uncertainty that may cast significant doubt about the group and company&rsquo s abilities to continue as a going concern. 

 

On top of posting a net loss for the financial year ended Mar 31, 2022, the auditor noted that the group&rsquo s current assets comprised mainly of development properties and non-current assets held for sale. 

 

KOP is also in a net current liabilities position of S$51.3 million as at Mar 31, 2022. Included in its current liabilities are 2 loans from a shareholder (S$37 million) and its ultimate holding company (S$11.1 million). 

 

KOP&rsquo s hospitality segment was also adversely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic for the past 2 years, the auditor said. 

 

In view of the auditor&rsquo s report, the directors believe it is appropriate to prepare its FY2022 financial statements on a going concern basis as it expects the group&rsquo s hospitality segment to recover in the next financial year. They are also confident that the group will be able to generate enough cash flows from operating activities in the next 12 months.

 

Moreover, KOP&rsquo s controlling shareholders Ong Chih Ching and Leny Suparman have agreed to subscribe up to S$10 million in new shares in the event the group is not able to meet its financial obligations. The repayment of the S$11.1 million loan has also been extended until KOP&rsquo s cash flow improves, the board said. 

 

The group will also receive proceeds from the disposal of its non-current asset in the next 12 months, it added. 

 

In the event this does not occur in a timely manner, the shareholder who extended the S$37 million loan due Nov 9 has agreed not to seek repayment for the principal amount and S$5.5 million interest accrued until KOP receives the proceeds, or Sep 7, 2023, whichever is earlier. 

 

In a separate announcement late on Wednesday, KOP said its indirect wholly-owned subsidiary entered into an agreement to sell 2 units of condominium development located at Dalvey Road to Goi Lang Ling, Judith Goi Lang Peng and Goi Kok Min. 

 

These individuals are immediate family members of Singapore businessman and &ldquo Popiah King&rdquo Sam Goi Seng Hui, who is also KOP&rsquo s controlling shareholder. As at Aug 24, Goh has a direct 21.17 per cent interest in the company. 

 

At a sale price of S$11.7 million, the properties are being sold at 7.4 per cent discount from its valuation market price as there is no agent commission. There was also a bulk purchase discount extended to the purchasers. 

 

As the proposed sale is an interested person transaction, it is subject to approval from independent shareholders, the group noted.