This article was first published in The Star Malaysia on 14 September 2026.

Building scale, improving operational efficiency and moving into higher-value building materials is beginning to pay off for YTL Cement.

It has seen a stronger financial performance at Malaysian Cement Bhd (MCB) – its key listed cement business – offering an example of how Malaysia’s MY Value Up initiative can drive corporate value creation.

MCB delivered a stronger performance for the financial year ended June (FY26), with revenue rising 10% to RM4.99bil and profit before tax surging 35% to RM1.33bil. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) increased 19% to RM1.69bil, with profitability outpacing top-line growth.

For YTL Cement, the results reflect more than favourable market conditions. They point to the benefits of a multi-year effort to strengthen MCB’s fundamentals through scale, vertical integration, operational discipline and investment in technical capabilities.

“FY26 reflects the progress we have made in strengthening the fundamentals of MCB’s business, which is central to long-term value creation under the MY Value Up framework,” YTL Cement Group tells StarBiz 7 in an exclusive interview.

The group attributed the stronger performance to healthy demand, particularly for high-grade and bespoke ready-mixed concrete, as well as greater operating efficiency and the advantages of its scale and vertically integrated business model.

That model has become increasingly important as the construction industry evolves. MCB has an extensive production, distribution and logistics network across Malaysia, linked through road, rail and sea infrastructure.

This gives the company greater control over its supply chain while improving its ability to manage costs, supply pressures and customer requirements.

The strategy also extends beyond Malaysia.

From its domestic base, YTL Cement has expanded into Singapore, Vietnam, Dubai and Finland, while adding businesses and capabilities that complement its core building materials operations.

The group now has three listed companies – MCB and Concrete Engineering Products Bhd in Malaysia; and NSL Ltd in Singapore – providing exposure to different markets and capabilities.

YTL Cement reports that its next phase of growth will focus on extracting greater value from its enlarged regional footprint while continuing to strengthen its core businesses.

“Ultimately, MY Value Up is about building stronger, more competitive Malaysian companies that can create sustainable long-term shareholder value,” it points out.

Balancing dividends with reinvestment

The stronger earnings have also allowed MCB to increase shareholder returns while maintaining its investment programme.

The company, in which YTL Cement holds a 58.69% share as at Aug 31, 2026, declared a second interim dividend of nine sen per share, bringing total dividends for FY26 to 15 sen per share.

MCB says the payout underscores its confidence in its underlying performance, while its capital allocation strategy continues to prioritise investment in future competitiveness.